From the Pulpit

Posted on February 4, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

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Jesus Works Overtime
Vicar Matthew Kinne
2/4/24
Mark 1:29-39; Psalm 13:3-5; Isaiah 40:21-31;1 Corinthians 9:16-27

Last week we learned about Jesus’ first day on the job in His ministry. We heard about how on a Sabbath day in Capernaum, Jesus was found teaching with authority in the synagogue and healing a man with an unclean spirit. By doing this, Jesus showed His divine rule over creation including Satan and his minions. Pastor Jud preached about how every word that comes out of our Lord’s mouth has authority, especially to forgive sins through His church. In our Gospel reading for today, we hear more about the power Jesus has so He can heal many people from illnesses and demonic turmoil. Jesus had to do a little bit more work as Lord of the Sabbath.[1]

After Jesus preaches and sends out the unclean spirit, He leaves the synagogue and enters the house of His first called disciples, Simon and Andrew. Much happens in the next two verses. In verse 30, Simon’s mother-in-law is sick with a fever. But in 31 she is not. What happened that caused this immediate change? The text only says, “[Jesus] came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left,” (Mark 1:31a). All Jesus had to do was touch her, and her body was healed. And not just healed a little bit; completely! The words recorded after she is revived is not, “she rested a while to gain her strength back before serving them.” No, it says that she got up, and “began to serve them.” Her sickness vanished! It was as if she was never sick to begin with.

Unlike the commands that Jesus shouted at the unclean spirits in the previous verses, here Jesus’ commands are effective even when He does not speak. This is because He is the Word Himself, and that Word is the authority over all the earth. Having this authority does not make Jesus a tyrant or an unjust ruler. Instead, it means that He carries the responsibility of everyone. As Lord of the Sabbath, it is His job to provide all daily bread and means of living and heal the sick. By healing Simon’s mother-in-law Jesus displays to His disciples that He is not only capable but willing to completely heal those who need a physician.

In verse 32, Mark gives us the timestamp of Jesus working overtime. He says, “That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons,” (Mark 1:32). In the Jewish calendar, the days begin and end at sundown. So, this time marker shows that the Sabbath day was over. Since it was against temple law for Jews to walk any further than 2000 cubits or a half mile on the day of rest, people waited until nighttime to bring their sick and demon possessed relatives to Jesus so that He could heal them. Jesus continued working after a long first day on the job. He did not rest. He did not complain. He gave help to those in need.

Could you imagine what Simon, Andrew, James, and John were thinking after witnessing everything that their new teacher was doing? They were obviously amazed and excited to be following Jesus because in the next few verses, it says that they stayed with Jesus until morning. After Jesus woke up, and went to a quiet place to pray, His disciples told Him, “Everyone is looking for you,” (Mark 1:37). But instead of going back for an encore and taking in the praise and glory from the people of Capernaum, He tells His disciples that they must all move on to the surrounding cities to preach and to heal the sick.

That must have been a shocking moment for the disciples! What other teacher can do these things? What man do you know that can do as little as touch a person and take away their sickness? What man do you know that can command demons to leave those who are possessed? And even if someone else had the power to do these things, would they heal people freely as Jesus did? The disciples are probably confused as to why Jesus would not go back and advertise Himself and receive the credit. But that is not how Jesus works. Jesus works where faith is, not popularity. Jesus gives Himself freely to everyone out of love and compassion.

These actions of Jesus are not only confusing to His close disciples, but to many people now days. Do you know a doctor that can heal any sickness on the spot? If so, please tell me. I would like to meet him. Do you know anyone capable of being as humble and willing as Jesus is? I can’t. A big concern we have is why is there still sickness? It is a stumbling block to reason why bad things happen. Didn’t God say He would be with us always? Doesn’t He promise strength and health to those who believe in Him?[2] He does, but the answer to the question “why do bad things happen?” is so simple it makes people angry. I think the anger is not only because of the simplicity of the answer, but because bad things are not God’s fault. The answer is sin, and that is our fault.

We cannot save ourselves. We cannot live a life free from sin. We are not capable of being humble and pure of heart. We are stuck in a state of sickness where there is no escape. That is, unless someone who is free from sin, pure and humble, gives us His life freely and willingly. Jesus is the elixir to life. His blood is completely poured out and His body is brutally given on that cross which unlocks the gate of sin and opens for us eternal life. He does not rest until the work of salvation is complete. He goes to the cross without complaining. And He does this willingly for you. You are now free from sin, death, and hell! Your spirit is revived and is willing to serve the Lord, just as Simon’s mother-in-law did.

But we still must live in a world affected by sin. It seems unfair. But just as Jesus moved on to the next city after healing many in Capernaum, we as the Church are instructed to do the same thing. There are many people in this world who still haven’t heard about Christ. There are people who still deny that Jesus comes to us in His means of grace. These people need to hear that they are set free from the bondage of sin through Christ’s death and resurrection. God established His church on earth so that these lost souls can be found and brought into His fold. He leaves us here, until the resurrection, so that there is a time of grace for people to repent and believe that Christ the Crucified works on our behalf, so the illness of sin vanishes from us.

Just like many cannot understand that the simple answer as to why bad things happen in this world is due to sin, they also cannot wrap their head around the simplicity of how God delivers salvation from the cross to us. Pride and sinfulness causes doubt when trying to understand how God provides us His assurance through His sacraments. But Jesus [who is God] tells us that this [the Church] is the place. Jesus established it in this way. Your pastor is under God’s authority to bring you forgiveness. Just as Pastor Jud said last week, it is not the pastor who forgives, but God who uses him as the vessel to deliver forgiveness. These are the teachings Christ gave His disciples and now He gives them to us.

It may seem confusing, but if a man who is healing the sick, has power over demons, preaching with authority, and gives His perfect life so that we may live eternally, then why should we doubt His words that Baptism now saves? Why should we be concerned of drinking a cup that Christ says His perfect blood is in it? We shouldn’t be afraid because God Himself promises to be there. Faith does not come from the words of complicated men, but by the simplicity of God’s word.

When a person has finally received faith and is Baptized by the Holy Spirit in the font, no longer does the soul latch onto sin and the sickness of this world. Instead of being pummeled in fear by Satan’s grasp, they hear their saving physician’s voice, and their soul sings a similar song to our introit today:

“I will sing to the Lord,

because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;

light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,

lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”

lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

But I have trusted in your steadfast love;

my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.” (Psalm 13:3-5)

Jesus has healed you. You are made complete again in the work of His life, death, and resurrection. You have been set free from the everlasting illness of sin. This is a bigger and better gift than being healed of any physical sickness in this sinful world. You are free! Free indeed! Amen.

[1] And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27-28

[2] “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:7-8

Posted on January 28, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

Thanks be to God!

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Epiphany 4 2024
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
January 28, 2024
Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28

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

It is just another Sabbath day in Capernaum, a busy little city of about 1,000 on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. There is a bridge in Capernaum over the Jordan River where they tax anyone traveling from the territory of Herod Philip to the area of Herod Antipas and vice versa. Today, for the Jewish population, it is the Sabbath and all the Jews gather at the Synagogue in the center of town. The men sit in the main lower level and the women and children are up in the balcony area. The men and women each talk amongst themselves and the children play underfoot as everyone waits for Sabbath services to begin. It seems like just another ordinary Saturday, just like the Saturday before, and the Saturday before that.

It is an ordinary Sabbath except that there is a new visitor in town. Lots of visitors pass through Capernaum, but this guy is different. His name is Jesus and He is from Nazareth but he has come up from the area of the Jordan River north of the Dead Sea where the wilderness preacher John was baptizing people before he was arrested by Herod Antipas. This Jesus is apparently starting some sort of movement and has recruited some of the local fishermen, but no one is really sure of who He is or what He is up to.

On Saturday, Jesus, and His fishermen followers, enter the Capernaum Synagogue and Jesus walks to the center, to the scroll stand, unrolls the scroll and starts to teach. Who does this guy think He is to just waltz into the synagogue and start to teach? Apparently He does not know His place. But then He starts to teach and the people are listening and mouths drop open in astonishment. His guy does know His place. He is not like the regular rabbis. This Jesus is a great teacher and He teaches with authority. It is like He is the author of the text and knows it inside and out. This Jesus is really causing some kind of buzz.

And then all hell breaks loose; literally. While this Jesus of Nazareth is teaching and the people are silently listening in astonishment, suddenly a man cries out, Mark 1:24 (ESV) 24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” The man has a demon and the demon identifies Jesus of Nazareth. What a bizarre scene.

The teacher stops teaching and rebukes the demon, Mark 1:25 (ESV) 25 …“Be silent, and come out of him!” Who does this guy think He is? He is yelling at a demon that possesses a man. Who has authority over a demon?

But then the unclean spirit obeys Jesus’ command and comes out of the man. Mark 1:27 (ESV) 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”

Jesus and his four fishermen followers exit the synagogue and head south toward the sea. The people left behind are stunned. You’ve got to think that there are a lot of mouths hanging open in amazement at what they just experienced. Could it be true? Could this Jesus, who teaches with authority, and commands demons, really be the Holy One of God? It is an astonishing morning at the synagogue in Capernaum. The people are astonished and they do not really know who Jesus is.

Today is a regular Sunday here at Immanuel. You got up this morning, brushed your teeth, had your coffee, got everyone ready and came to church. Most everyone is sitting in about the same places they sat last week. It is just another Sunday at Immanuel. Nothing too special.

But what if we had a visitor? What if a new teacher was here to teach with authority? What if Jesus Himself would come into our midst to be here with us in this place on this ordinary Sunday morning? That would be astonishing; Jesus arriving with authority.

Now, we do not have Jesus here in the flesh, but He is still here with His authority. Jesus gave authority to forgive sins to the Church through the apostles. On the evening of the day of Jesus’ resurrection He appeared to the disciples and commissioned them, John 20:21–23 (ESV) 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Jesus’ Church has the authority to forgive and retain sins and here, at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church and School in Hamilton, Ohio, you have called me to be your pastor and to announce Jesus’ forgiveness to you as the one you have called to act for the Church under Christ’s authority. By Jesus’ authority your sins are forgiven.

And then, remarkably, the Lord God speaks to you in His Word. “This is the Word of the Lord,” and you respond, “thanks be to God.” Now, you can get kind of used to hearing God’s word, and familiarity may reduce your amazement, but it is truly astonishing that God speaks to you through His authoritative Word. Thanks be to God!

And then comes the reading of the Holy Gospel and you hear Jesus’ own Words in your own language and you begin by declaring, “Glory to You, O Lord.” Afterwards you exclaim, “Praise to You, O Christ.”

Pondering how astonishing it is that God is speaking to you, respond with astonishment in your voice, thanks be to God! God is speaking to you, with authority, at this ordinary Sunday gathering. All authority in heaven and on earth is given to Jesus and He gives us His Word and tells us to make disciples; baptizing and teaching. At this weekly gathering of the baptized, recognize the astonishing authority of God’s Word. Praise to you, O Christ!

Jesus astonishingly transforms the Passover meal into the Lord’s Supper and declares that this bread is His Body and this cup is His Blood for the forgiveness of sins, and commands, “Do this in remembrance of me.” It does not make sense but Jesus says that it is true and so it is true.

Unlike that Sabbath in Capernaum, Jesus did not, this morning, walk in here in His body that ascended into heaven, but He is here. He sends His authorized representative to forgive your sins. He gives you His divine Word. He gives you His Body and Blood in, with and under the bread and wine. He dwells in your heart, and your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is astonishing.

By rejecting Jesus’ authority as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, they reject His baptism, they reject His declaration of forgiveness, and they reject forgiveness offered in the Body and Blood of Jesus in Communion.

Jesus is astonishing, but so many are unimpressed. There are so many who reject Jesus’ authority and His teaching because they want to control Jesus’ narrative. They want to pick and choose what they take from Jesus and what they reject. They are not astonished at Jesus’ teaching; instead they are offended by Jesus’ words and substitute their own ideas. Just like what is taught in Jude 8 (ESV) 8 … these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.”

By rejecting Jesus’ authority as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, they reject His baptism, they reject His declaration of forgiveness, and they reject forgiveness offered in the Body and Blood of Jesus in Communion.

Repent of the times you have rejected Jesus’ authority, and the times you did not marvel at His authoritative teaching. Ponder how amazing it is that Jesus comes to you to deliver the forgiveness of sins earned for you on the cross of Calvary, and eternal life won for you at His resurrection. And when you hear, “This is the Word of the Lord,” respond in astonishment, “Thanks be to God!” Amen.

Posted on January 21, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

Don’t Get Distracted by the Fish

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Epiphany 3 2024
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
January 21, 2024
Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Cor. 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20

What do you think of when you hear about the prophet Jonah? What image comes to mind? Is it that great Sunday School story about a man being swallowed alive by a great fish and living to tell about it?

Now our friend the great fish only gets mentioned in three verses in the book of Jonah, but I worry he distracts us from the greater message in this short book. Although, in a way I think we are okay being distracted by the fish because Jonah is a rather disturbing figure.

Jonah is a prophet of God living in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. God comes to Jonah and says, “Get up, go to the great city of Nineveh, and preach against it, because their wickedness has come up before me.” Jonah gets up and Jonah goes, but he does not go toward Nineveh on the Tigris River in what is now northern Iraq. Jonah gets up and goes to the port city of Joppa, modern Tel Aviv, and hops on a westbound ship headed for Tarshish which is probably in modern day Spain, as far away from Israel as he can get on the Mediterranean. Jonah really does not want to go preach to the Ninevites. And it is not because Jonah doesn’t know God; Jonah knows God. Jonah knows God too well. Jonah knows that God is gracious and compassionate. Jonah knows that God is slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness. Jonah knows that God wants Nineveh to be saved, but Jonah doesn’t want the Ninevites to be saved. Jonah would prefer they are destroyed because Jonah hates the Ninevites.

Now Jonah is not without reason for hating the Ninevites. He is not just being a bigot who only likes his own kind. Nineveh is an important city in Assyria and the Assyrians are a fearsome people bent on the destruction of Israel. The Ninevites are Israel’s enemy. They are known for being especially brutal in war and remarkably cruel to the prisoners they capture before they execute them.

This account of Jonah is probably recorded between 800 and 750 BC. God will use the Assyrians to overrun Israel in 722 BC and the 10 northern tribes will be taken into exile, never to return as punishment for their ongoing idolatry.

At the time of this account of Jonah, the Assyrians have overrun Damascus and are now threatening the Northern border of Israel so Jonah has good reasons for not wanting to help save the Ninevites.

This is why Jonah is a disturbing character. Jonah is troubling. We want to think, I would never act like Jonah, but we do not really want to look at Jonah too closely because it is a little too much like looking in the mirror. Jonah knows that God is merciful, but he does not want God to show mercy to the Ninevites.

Who are your Ninevites? Who are the people you do not want forgiven? Is it those idiots in the other political party and their media toadies spewing propaganda? Who is it that you do not want forgiven? Is it evil groups and countries and leaders like Hamas, Iran, the Houthis, Kim Jong Un? Is it the cultural influencers who want access to your children in order to push their godless, hedonistic infertility agenda that rejects marriage and babies and families in order to indulge their every perverse desire?

Or maybe your Ninevites are closer to home. Perhaps it is that former friend who betrayed you, hurt you and, you fear, will hurt you again. Or the next door neighbor that you have been feuding with for years? Or your estranged brother or sister? Or your ex-husband or ex-wife? You don’t want to forgive them. You don’t want God to forgive them. You want them to be punished and prevented from hurting you. Perhaps it is the one who abused you. You have every right to hate your abuser, and Jonah has every right to hate the Ninevites and yet God’s grace extends even to them.

Jonah receives instruction from God to go to the Ninevites. Does Jonah get on his knees and pray, “Thy will be done?” No. Jonah thinks, “my will be done,” and he high-tails it out of there figuring if God can’t find me, he can’t make me go. But that plan is flawed. God is, of course, omniscient; all knowing. You can’t run away from God.

God knows exactly where Jonah is going and once Jonah is on the boat headed for Tarshish, God sends a great storm to shake up Jonah and the men sailing with him. After trying unsuccessfully to outrun the storm, Jonah tells the sailors to throw him overboard and the sea grows calm. We see here that Jonah is not against all foreigners. Jonah is willing to die for these Gentile sailors. Jonah is brave, but he is full of hate. Jonah would rather die than have the Ninevites saved.

As Jonah is sinking, a great fish swallows him and he is inside the fish for three days and three nights. Jonah prays a prayer put together from different Psalms and in that prayer he agrees to fulfill the original mission on which God has sent him. Then the fish vomits Jonah up onto the beach.

God gives Jonah a second chance. He tells him, “get up, go to the great city of Nineveh, and preach to it.” So Jonah goes to Nineveh, about 500 miles inland and when he gets there he preaches to them this simple message, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be destroyed;” a simple message from a reluctant preacher.

And the reaction is utterly amazing; miraculous. The Ninevites believe Jonah. They immediately repent of their evil ways. They put on rough goat hair sackcloth worn during times of grief and mourning. The king declares a general time of repentance and fasting for both humans and animals. The Word of God is powerful. “Nineveh will be destroyed,” this is a harsh word of law, but it is preceded by a bit of Gospel. “Forty more days.” The destruction is not going to be immediate. There is a chance. God’s law and gospel drive the Ninevites to immediate and deep repentance. God sees their repentance and He turns from His anger and does not destroy Nineveh.

Jonah wants limits on God’s mercy and grace. He wants mercy and grace for some but not for others. Jonah wants his enemies destroyed. We see here how God’s mercy and grace…God’s love… is boundless. God’s mercy and grace is not limited to our understandings and desires. God mercy and grace is truly for all.

We marvel at the Ninevites’ immediate reaction of repentance and obedience. It is truly a miracle of God, like the people responding to John the Baptist’s preaching in the desert, or like the first disciples, Andrew, Peter, James and John answering Jesus’ call and immediately leaving their fishing boats and following Him. We marvel, because our contrition and repentance is so often slow and hesitant. Contrition is sadness and mourning over our sin, and repentance is a change of heart; turning from sin and turning back to God. We can be slow of heart and so we marvel at the Ninevites’ unhesitating obedience to a message from God.

Now, you’d think that Jonah would be happy that he is such an effective preacher with his short sermon. But he is mad. He is really mad. Jonah wanted Nineveh destroyed. He knows he is being used as a mouthpiece of God and he does not like it. After Nineveh repents and is saved, Jonah sits down outside the city and pouts. He tells God, “This is why I ran away in the first place. Why did you save them? I’d just as soon die.”

Jonah wants limits on God’s mercy and grace. He wants mercy and grace for some but not for others. Jonah wants his enemies destroyed. We see here how God’s mercy and grace…God’s love… is boundless. God’s mercy and grace is not limited to our understandings and desires. God mercy and grace is truly for all.

It is hard for your sinful side to understand how God can love someone that you hate. But when you take a genuine look inside of yourself, you have to wonder how God can love you, and yet he does. His love is beyond comprehension. He loves you so much that he turns his anger away from you and your sin, and turns all of that anger onto Christ on the cross. Jesus is your Savior. He paid the full price for your sin and took upon himself the anger of God. His grace is overwhelming and it comes to you in the power of God’s Word just like it came to the Ninevites.

So when you hear about Jonah, do not get distracted by the fish. The fish swallowing Jonah is interesting and it is a picture of Christ emerging from the tomb, but the great fish is only a supporting character in this story. When you think about Jonah think of his reluctance to bring God’s grace and mercy to his enemy and let that convict you of your own unforgiving tendencies. Then think of the Ninevites’ incredible repentance and God’s amazing grace. Remember God’s lavish gift of forgiveness offered even to the worst of sinners. The fish swallowing Jonah is amazing, but even more amazing is the power of God’s word and the miracle of God’s love and forgiveness for you. Amen.

Posted on January 14, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

Baptism: Clean or Messy?

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Baptism: Clean or Messy?
Vicar Matthew Kinne
Texts: Mark 1:4-11; Romans 6:1-11

Back in November I witnessed the baptism of eight students from our day school. It was moving to see these young people drawn to the font by faith. But I will say, it was also very messy. As each student leaned over the font, Pastor Jud would scoop out water and drench their heads while proclaiming that these children are baptized in the triune name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While some of the water fell back into the font, a healthy portion of the water rolled off the side and onto the stone floor. By the time all eight baptisms were completed, most of the water was no longer in the font. The scene showed that something messy happened here.

When we think about baptism, we usually think of something elegant and clean. The color white is often used to show the righteousness and purity God offers to the baptized. Sins are washed away and the name of Christ is put on. A burning candle is lit to show the world that the light of Christ is now in this believer. The new life of the baptized is started. It all seems clean on our end. But what about to God? Is baptism clean or messy from His point of view?

Let’s begin with the man who baptizes Jesus. In our Gospel reading, we hear John proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Nothing seems clean about his ministry. For starters, he preaches in the wilderness. According to the custom of the Jews the only sacred and holy place to preach was in the temple in Jerusalem or in local synagogues. John is in the wilderness where wild animals roam and where everything unclean resides. He wears camel hair, and he eats locusts and wild honey. Not only does the man look messy, but he is also baptizing in the muddy waters of the Jordan River. Nothing about what John is doing seems sanitary, yet despite the lack of cleanliness, people believe John’s teachings. Our text says in verse five, “And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going to him and being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.”(Mark 1:5).

Somehow the preaching of John lures so many people into the water. Something about John was different that makes people confident God is working through him to forgive sins. Yet his ministry confuses the temple officials.

Later in Mark, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, which is the beginning of His passion walk to the cross. At the temple Jesus is tested by the scribes and priest. They asked Jesus, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” (Mark 11:28-31) After much discussion, and fear of being hated by the Jews, they answer Jesus saying, “We do not know,” (Mark 11:33).

The temple officials are blind to what John’s baptism is teaching. They think that this immersion in the Jordan is nothing more than a scam to ruin their business. They are scared that John is taking away their customers and putting their temple up for foreclosure. They would essentially be out of a job.

These blind priests and scribes do not realize that this man, John, is the last of the Old Testament prophets. The clothes John wears are the same clothes worn by the men before him who proclaimed God’s word to all nations about the coming Messiah. The food John eats, though a seemingly odd diet, is food provided by God in the wilderness. This is similar to how God provided meat for Elijah at the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan River nearly 900 years earlier (1 Kings 17).

Not only is John’s lifestyle similar, but his message is also the same. Jonah proclaimed to the city of Nineveh, “‘Yet forty days, and Ninevah shall be overthrown!’ And then the people believed in God and repented of their evil ways” (Jonah 3). When Jeremiah was commanded by the Lord to prophecy to King Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, he said, “Thus says the LORD: If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law that I have set before you, and to listen to the words of my servants the prophets whom I send to you urgently, though you have not listened, then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city a curse for all the nations of the earth,’” (Jeremiah 26:4-6). Just like Elijah, Jeremiah, and Jonah and all the other prophets, John’s message is, “Repent, for the Messiah comes!” And like many prophets before him John suffers imprisonment and death.

Yet even though the prophets, including John, suffer many afflictions and sometimes even death for preaching God’s truth, none of what they suffer compares to the pain and hardships Christ would suffer through His baptism. Before Jesus is baptized, He is already clean. He is God. He doesn’t carry any sin with him into the water. The message of John, “Repent and be baptized” seems obsolete as there is nothing to wash away. But if we remember what the will of God is throughout the Old Testament it makes a lot of sense.

God had to send His Son to earth so that there would be a sacrifice large enough to atone for all the sins of the world. When the heavens open at Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit comes down and the voice of the Father thunders from heaven saying, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased!” This voice from the Father is not just a “hey son, I’m proud of you” like some dads may say after their son’s team wins a basketball game. This word pleased points out that this body of Jesus, that was just washed in the Jordan, came out of the water ready to take on the wrath of the Father and be a sacrifice for all. God provides this sacrifice to save His creation from the bondage of death. In baptism Jesus puts on your sin, my sin, the disciples’ sin, the prophets’ sin, the sin of all people, and He takes it to the cross. This baptism makes Jesus’ life and death messy and miserable.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus gets His hands dirty. After He is baptized, He goes out to be tempted by Satan in the wilderness while never sinning once. His first disciples come from low social classes. His first miracle in Mark is healing a man with an unclean spirit. He heals many others with diseases, eats dinner with criminals, gets called out by the temple staff for being a hypocrite, and is arrested. He is then beaten, spat on, mocked, and killed. Yet, while all this is happening to Him, He knows that He suffers these things for all men. He dies even for the ones who are putting Him to death. There is nothing clean about what Jesus has to do by taking on the Father’s will.

His baptism, that ends with His death, is the only way He could make you clean. The will of the Father is completed when you are washed clean in the blood of Jesus at your baptism. In baptism you are united with Christ in His death, yet the work of the Son is not done if Christ stays dead. St. Paul writes, “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Romans 6:5). If we only hear that Christ died there would be no hope for life eternal. He went through all this messiness of death on a cross to make atonement for the sins the world and then rises out of the depths of death three days later to life. This is the work that pleases the Father. This is the work that fixes the gap between us and God.

When the baptized pray, “Thy Kingdom Come” and we eat of that body and drink of that blood in His Supper, we get a glimpse of the unity of heaven and earth. We look forward to the day of the resurrection of the dead when we will forever be in His presence, and we will never again be lost to the messiness of this world. Jesus did the dirty work for you, so that you could be washed whiter than snow. He completed the work of the Prophets, took on all sin, and freely gives you His living water of everlasting life. He has chosen you, saved you and set you free! You are clean in the blood of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Posted on January 7, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

Arise, Shine, Your Light Has Come

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Epiphany (Observed) 2023
January 7, 2023
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12

Are people by nature, good or evil? Are folks naturally selfless, or selfish? What about you?

We would like to believe that if we were left alone to live together everything would be fine. We would like to believe that people are, by nature, good, and that people would naturally share with each other, help each other, and love each other.

This is some of the foundation behind the ideas of communism. What a wonderful place this world would be if everyone worked together for the common good. Each person contributes according to their ability and everyone shares equally in the fruits of the labor; a worker’s paradise.

But there is a flaw in the system. Communist governments have to maintain brutal control over the people and ruthlessly squash any dissent. It turns out that collective farms and factories do not produce as much as individually owned farms and factories. What is the problem?

Children sometimes fantasize about how great it would be if kids ran everything; families, schools and government. Everything would all be better if there were no adults around with their stupid rules and discipline. William Golding wrote a book about this, it’s called “Lord of the Flies.” For those who haven’t read it yet, Golding portrays self-government among British school boys. It does not go well.

We want freedom to just do what we want to do. But is that really a good idea? What would the world look like if you just did what you wanted? I don’t want to get up and go to school. I don’t want to brush my teeth. I am going to drive as fast as I want. I want money and you have some, so I will take it. I don’t want to be tied down to one woman. I don’t want to take care of my kids. I just want to get drunk and forget about life. I want… I want…

What would your life be like if you simply let your desires rule? You can see what happens because there are plenty of examples all around you. You see the disastrous consequences. You see how terrible this is in your own life and in the lives of those around you. You see the destruction of families. You see people self-destruct as they ignore all the warnings. You watch lives fall apart because of selfishness.

You really, really want to believe that people are, by nature, good, but you know this is not true. You just confessed that youare… by nature…sinful and unclean.

Your heart is darkened by the sin of selfishness from which flows all other sins and this is not just you, it is a universal problem. It is a selfish world, and a selfish world is a dark world and this is the world you live in. This is the world into which Jesus arrives as that baby born in Bethlehem. Jesus, the Light, comes into a dark, selfish world and this is the Good News for all eternity. “Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” Jesus is the light of the world. He comes to bring the Good News of the Reign of Heaven. He is the light that illuminates the darkness. He is the glory of the Lord and yet it is a hidden light, a hidden glory. The baby Jesus is the light of the world and yet veiled in flesh the Godhead see. Peter, James and John see the glory of God burst through only for a moment on the Mount of Transfiguration, otherwise the Light, hidden as it is in the body of Jesus, needs to be revealed. Just as the light was hidden in the flesh of baby Jesus, the light is now hidden in the Word of God, hidden in the waters of Baptism, hidden in the bread and wine of Holy Communion. The light is here with us, but it is hidden for now and needs to be revealed.

The light is revealed to the shepherds in the field by one angel and then by an army of angels. The light is revealed to the Magi from the east by a star guiding them to the child. The Magi come seeking the one born king of the Jews. The star reveals the Light of the world to these unlikely people from the east who journey to find and worship the newborn king.

But even with the bright star in the sky showing the way to the Light, the inky darkness of selfish sin hovers about. Herod tries to use the Magi to find the Christ so he can kill the newborn King. Herod wants to snuff out the Light because he fears that the Light will impinge on his own power. There is power in darkness and dark power brings increasing evil.

We look at Herod and see him as a notorious villain for wanting to snuff out the Light; but Herod is not unique. “The light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.” People still want to snuff out the light of Christ because they worry that the Light will reduce their own power, their autonomy; their control, their selfish pursuit of doing what they want to do, not caring about others.

The darkness hates the light and tries to snuff it out by forbidding people to reveal the Light to others. For 2,000 years and still today, Christians are imprisoned and beaten and executed for being the light of Christ. In North Korea you can be executed for possessing a Bible and your family will be thrown in prison. The darkness hates the light.

The darkness denies that the Light has come into the world. The darkness pretends that the Light is a tamer, more palatable, less offensive light that plays well with the darkness. But true light will not mix with darkness.

Darkness distracts you so you ignore the Light. Darkness wants you to not hear about the Light, not read about the Light, not speak about the Light, not pray to the Light, not gather to worship the Light. Darkness wants you to get so busy with things of this world that you just ignore the Light. The darkness goes after individuals to get them to reject the light because the darkness cannot extinguish the Light of the world.

As Herod found out, even as his sword dripped with the blood of Bethlehem’s baby boys, the Light cannot be overcome. The Light has come into the world and the revelation of this Light, the Epiphany of the Light, the understanding of the Light, continues even to this day as news of the light of Christ is proclaimed in this dark world from pulpits and lecterns and dinner tables and bedside talks with children. The Light is here. At the temple, Simeon calls Jesus, “A light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

Let the Light shine. This is the mission of the Church. We proclaim the truth of the Light. We announce the Good News; Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. We baptize and teach. We forgive sins and celebrate the Lord’s Supper. The Church shines forth the Light that shines for all people. In this Light, sin and guilt disappear, washed away by the love of Christ. In this Light you live in love and forgiveness.

The Light comes into the world, is swaddled, and laid in a manger in Bethlehem. The Light escapes Herod’s sword by fleeing to Egypt. On a dark Friday, thirty three years later, outside the walls of Jerusalem, it looks like the darkness will finally smother the light. From the cross, the Light, declares, “It is finished,” and the life goes out from His eyes. Life is gone from the Light and it appears that darkness has won. The Light has died, but the Light rises from the dead and continues to shine forth forever. Darkness will never overcome the light.

You still live in a dark, selfish world. People are, by nature, evil. By nature, you are selfish and dark, but you have been rescued from the darkness. Colossians 1:13 (ESV) 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son…” You have been born again in water and the Spirit just as you got to witness here this morning with the baptism of our little brother Everett.

And just like Everett, you have received Christ who is the light of the world. You are a child of light in Jesus Christ. Isaiah 60:1 (ESV) 1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Amen.

Posted on December 25, 2023 by pastorkevinjud

No Detour Ahead

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No Detour Ahead!

Vicar Matthew Kinne

Bible Readings: John 1:1-18; Hebrews 1:1-12; Isaiah 52:7–10

Most of my family is from Wisconsin. Up there we have a saying that there are only two seasons throughout the year. There is winter and then there is road construction season. It is quite frustrating when you are traveling to see friends or family and you come upon that unwanted sign saying, “Road Closed Ahead”. As much as the sign also says, “Follow Detour”, there is an unwanted, unsettling anxiety that builds up in every driver. What if the detour is not marked properly and I miss a turn? What if the detour takes me in the opposite direction of my destination? What if the detour adds over an hour of traveling and I do not get to my family Christmas reunion in time for Mom’s famous banana bread?

Detours can be frustrating, but they can also be necessary. Without planned detours, defects in the road cannot be avoided. Without proper signs, no one would know the dangers that lie ahead. Without proper instruction, no one would know how to turn around and follow the better path. Looking at it this way, detours can have a more promising outcome that outweighs their annoyances.

If a regular road closing seems annoying, imagine what patience it would require in order to travel a detour that takes many generations to get back on the course of God redeeming His people. For all the people in the Old Testament waiting for the Messiah to come, it probably seemed like God took many long and agonizing detours. Adam and Eve never saw the Messiah promised when God cursed the serpent in the garden. Genesis 3:15 (ESV) “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” All their descendants died in the great flood except for Noah and his family. Abraham never saw how many descendants he would have through Isaac, but as we can see in the Old Testament history of the children of Israel, God saves those from the line of Abraham repeatedly all the way down to Mary and Joseph. God saves Israel from the bondage in Egypt, brings them through the Red Sea waters, saves them from the hunger and thirst of living in the wilderness for forty years, and finally brings them to the promised land. God continued to guide His people even though they put their trust in earthly kings. After Babylon takes over Israel and spreads its citizens throughout the ancient world, God continues to send prophets to pave the way of the Lord.

The Old Testament tells of a long and twisted and tiresome road from Eden to the manger in Bethlehem. We hear about how God had to make so many detours because of man’s sin. Yet God made sure every detour led to the Christ child that first Christmas morning. He made sure that His promises were kept and that His plan to save all mankind would come into fruition.

Before Adam and Eve’s fall into sin there was only one straight path from God to His creation. Because sin entered our world, the pride of man made everyone blind to the truth that we need God’s grace to live. Sin cut off that narrow path to the Father, thus condemning everyone to a worthless life without God. Because this disease of imperfection is handed off from parents to children, the history of sin continues to repeat itself. That is, it continues to repeat until God intervenes by sending a baby in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.

Since God is love, He has compassion on His creation. God establishes a way in which His children will know Him. He sent messengers, the prophets, to prepare the way of the Messiah. God sent these watchmen in the hopes that His people would hear His voice and follow it. But instead of waiting for Christ’s birth they follow the paths of the world and kill the prophets. If they did not honor the prophets, what will they do to God’s Son?

Today we celebrate Christmas, the incarnation of the Son of God. John 1:14 (ESV) “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.” This is the end of the detour! The Messiah has come! But the world does not listen to the warnings. They do not heed the signs. The world turns off the straight path to the Lord and seeks the wrong destination. Now it is up to God to reprogram everyone’s GPS to the correct destination. The Holy Spirit shows us the way. And what is that destination? It is the glory of Christ on the cross where He takes away the sin of the world. This cross is where He shines in our darkness so that we can also become Children of the Light.

Since God is love, He has compassion on His creation. God establishes a way in which His children will know Him. He sent messengers, the prophets, to prepare the way of the Messiah.

John the Baptist was the last sign on the detour pointing directly at this destination. He proclaimed the words of Isaiah saying, “prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God”. Since Israel was lost in their sinfulness, John taught repentance and baptism so that the nation of Israel was ready for the Kingdom of God. This kingdom was found in no other place but the body of Jesus Christ. God’s kingdom is not of this world, but it entered our world for our benefit.

The Word of God becomes flesh and dwells among us. He knows our world. He understands our pain, our frustration, and even temptations. But unlike all men born in sin, this Jesus is conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He receives His flesh through Mary, but He receives His perfection by His divine nature as God. Therefore, He never sins once. He never gives into the detours and temptations of sin. His path is clear!

This Man was sent to start a new path, one that brings the whole world back to its Creator. This path was to fulfill all the words of the prophets in the Old Testament. He lived a perfect life. He healed the sick and the dying. He preached the ways of God in the temple and synagogues. But ultimately, He completed the covenant given to Abraham and fulfilled the promise made to Adam and Eve in the garden by shedding His blood in exchange for their sin and the sin of all their children.

But the path does not end there. He did die, but He did not stay dead. He is God. He was with the Father and the Holy Spirit before creation. Jesus is everlasting. Therefore, death cannot hold its grip on Him. He is the God of the living, and He gives everlasting life to you! He gives you His righteous life in your Baptism. In this Baptism, you are born of the Holy Spirit. This is the same person, the Holy Spirit who put life in Mary’s womb, who gives birth to new life in you in the baptismal font. This way before the Father in heaven, you are covered by Jesus’ righteousness. The sin you received from your parents has no effect on your eternal salvation. Jesus took the effects of death on Himself!

This new path we are walking is the path of the Baptized. Jesus leads us through this desert of a sinful world by His pillar of light. We are children of the light and need to comprehend that there is no detour ahead outside of Christ. Avoid the detour of thinking your good works will save you. Avoid the detour that because God will always forgive you, that you can keep on living in sin. These are deviations from the true path! Christ is the path and establishes where you can find Him. That is, you can find Him where sound teaching of the Word of God is preached and where His body and blood are offered to you for the continuous repentance and forgiveness of the many detours you take away from His light.

Christ is the straight and narrow path to the Father. He gives us eternal life in exchange for our detours from Him. He found us while we were lost. Through centuries of faithfulness and unfaithfulness God showed His frustrations by refining His people in the Old Testament by various trials. He even puts us to the test as a people who fall into the trap of sin, yet He locates us and turns us back in His direction. He shows us His path because He loves us and wants us to be allowed into His family reunion. When He comes back to be the judge, He will separate the evil doers—those who did not follow the straight path—from His children who were led by His light. He will again establish a new path, one that we will travel together for all eternity in the heavenly glory of our Father. We will never again be lost because we will always be with Him. His path is always straight and has no detours. He gives us the light that the world could never give, and we find that light in the newborn child, Jesus Christ. Amen!

Posted on December 25, 2023 by pastorkevinjud

Baby Jesus is Not Safe Jesus

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Christmas Eve 2023
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
December 24, 2023

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The little town is just bursting at the seams with all the visitors from out of town. Normally families need to plan for a big get together, but this huge family reunion is ordered by Caesar Augustus in Rome. Everyone must go to the place of their ancestry. All the descendants of King David are back in Bethlehem to be registered by the Romans. No one thinks registering is a good idea, but it is not wise to go against the Romans. And it will be nice to have generations of David’s family gathered together for a time.

Over the years, traditions have developed that Jesus was born in a stable because there was no room in the inn due to an evil innkeeper. Luke 2:7 (ESV) 7 And [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

The word for “inn” here, however, more likely means “guest room” and that Jesus was born in the family area at a relative’s house in Bethlehem and was laid in a manger where animals were brought in at night for safekeeping.

Imagine you are one of the relatives staying in the same house and witnessing all that is taking place. People keep arriving for the registration. The upper guest room is full and now the lower family area is packed. One couple, your cousin Joseph and his wife Mary, arrived from Nazareth 90 miles north. Mary is very pregnant and about to give birth. There will not be much privacy, but at least there will be plenty of help.

The time comes for Mary to give birth and everything goes as smoothly as giving birth can go. The baby is swaddled in strips of cloth and now a bed must be found. Since the guest room is full, one of the stone mangers is cleaned out and fresh straw is put in and the baby is laid on the straw to sleep. What a joyous event. Mary gives birth to her first born son and Joseph’s whole family is there to celebrate.

That evening, as things are winding down and people are starting to get ready for bed, there is a knock at the door. Who is this? Are we expecting more family? There really isn’t any more room, but something will be figured out. When the door is opened it is not family traveling from out of town, instead local shepherds are standing at the door. How strange. What are these guys doing here?

The shepherd in front says, “We have been all over town searching for the Savior, Christ the Lord. Is there a baby here wrapped up in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger?” An unnerving hush falls over everyone in the house. Whoa…..how did they know that?

The father of the house responds, “Yes, indeed, there is a baby here as you describe, but how could you possibly have known?”

“An angel appeared to us tonight in the field, glowing with the glory of God, scaring us half to death, and the angel said, “Luke 2:10–12 (ESV) 10 … “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” “The angels told us, and it is true. Here He is, the Savior; Christ the Lord.”

Mary and Joseph go over to talk to the shepherds by the door. Just then the baby wakes up and starts to fuss. You go over and pick Him up to comfort Him amidst all the excitement. You hold the baby Jesus in your arms and gently rock Him and try to quiet Him, “shhhh, shhhh, shhhh,” as Mary brings the shepherds over to see the baby.

Christmas is a hugely popular holiday for people from many different backgrounds. It is a fascinating phenomenon because Christmas is the celebration of the incarnation of God. We rejoice at God taking on human flesh and being born in Bethlehem. We celebrate the Son of God becoming Immanuel; God with us.

Non-Christians celebrate Christmas while rejecting Christ. A lot of folks who claim to be Christian but reject the teachings of Christianity, still love Christmas. There are many who get really offended by Jesus’ teachings, but then celebrate His birth.

I wonder if maybe folks think that “Christmas Jesus” is “safe Jesus.” A Jesus you can hold in your arms and shush; a Jesus who is not telling you to love your enemy, not telling you to forgive others, not warning you about lust and anger and greed, not teaching you about sin and forgiveness, not calling you to repent and take up your cross and follow Him, not telling you that He has to die for your sins. Christmas Jesus is just lying there, helpless, seemingly under your control. Baby Jesus seems like a safe Jesus.

For so many, Christmas has been reduced to nothing more than a sentimental holiday all about colored lights and trees and food and family and ugly sweaters and gifts and memories of Christmas’s past. It is a sentimental Christmas with a safe Jesus lying silently in the nativity scene not making anyone uncomfortable.

Now, baby Jesus is small, but he is not safe. His birth is announced by an army of angels and a star appears in the heavens to mark His arrival. From His infancy He brings division and death as the devil tries to kill Him. As C.S. Lewis says of Aslan the Lion, in the The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Jesus is not safe, but He is good.

Jesus is not safe. He is the Savior. The little Lamb of God lying in a manger has come to defeat the devil by being the sacrifice for the sin of the world. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) 21 For our sake [God] made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

You cannot shush Jesus because He is God and you are not. He is Lord and you are His servant. In the battle against the devil, the world and your own sinful nature, Jesus is in charge and yet He comes to serve you and save you and lay down His life for you. Jesus is the light who takes into Himself the darkness of your sin and pays the price on the cross. Afterwards, His Body is swaddled in cloth and laid on a stone slab. A safe Jesus would have stayed dead, but Jesus is not safe. He rises from the dead on the third day to conquer death forever. And because Jesus rose from the dead, you will rise from the dead. Thank God, Jesus is not safe.

The light of Christ comes into the world in the little town of Bethlehem. The light spreads from the manger in Bethlehem to those in the house and the shepherds and the magi, to Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and Galilee and to the surrounding nations and out to the farthest reaches of the world. The light spreads from one person to another to another, generation after generation. The light of Christ has been on the move, spreading person to person for 2,000 years. The saving light of Christ has come to you.

The Advent wreath is all lit up tonight. The four candles for each of the Sundays of Advent and now the center Christ candle also. The Christ candle represents the light of Christ which comes into the world as the baby in Bethlehem. As we near the end of the service tonight I will take light from the Christ candle and share it with everyone here. As you receive the light, remember you are baptized. At your baptism you received Christ who is the light of the world. As we share the light from the Christ candle, picture the light of Jesus bringing light in the darkness throughout the centuries as it spreads all around the world.

Tonight you celebrate Christ’s arrival in Bethlehem. Tonight you rejoice in Jesus coming to be “God with you” to save you from your sins. Tonight you celebrate the birth of the Savior who is not safe, but is good. Merry Christmas! Amen.

Posted on December 24, 2023 by pastorkevinjud

Jesus Becomes Immanuel — God with Us

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Advent 4 2023
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
December 24, 2023
2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16, Romans 16:25–27, Luke 1:26–38

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It is December 24th. It is the morning of the eve of the celebration of the birth of our Lord. Tomorrow morning we will have a communion service to remember Jesus’ birth, the Christ Mass. This afternoon and evening and tomorrow morning we will be in Bethlehem for the birth of the Savior. This morning, for the 4th Sunday in Advent, we are going back 9 months and traveling 90 miles north to Nazareth in Galilee. Today we go to Nazareth to meet Mary for the first time.

Mary is likely a teenage girl up in the hills in the small town of Nazareth with maybe 400 or so inhabitants. Everyone knows everyone else and nothing gets past the busybodies in town. When the angel visits, it seems that Mary is alone, maybe at home, maybe outside working, maybe drawing water at the well, we are not sure. One tradition has it that Mary was at home and that home is now inside the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth. There have been many churches built and destroyed over Mary’s small house from the time of Emperor Constantine in the 4th Century until the construction of the current church in 1954. The Bible is unique among religious books because you can actually visit the places you learn about in the Bible because these things really happened.

Mary is a teenager engaged to be married to Joseph. From all we can tell, she is a nobody from a nowhere little town until God shows Mary favor and sends the Angel Gabriel to bring Mary amazing news. Gabriel’s name means, “God is my strength.” He brings news from the throne of heaven … Luke 1:28 (ESV) 28 …“Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”

Mary is greatly troubled. What is going on? What is this heavenly being doing talking to lowly little me and calling me, “O favored one?” Why is Mary favored? She has done nothing important. She is not famous. She is just a regular young lady from Nazareth. Why is the Lord favoring the humble estate of Mary? What does this mean?

Gabriel continues, Luke 1:30–33 (ESV) 30 …“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

Conceive? Bear a son? Call him Jesus? The throne of David? Reign forever? Mary’s head is swimming with all this information. What can this all possibly mean? Mary goes back to the first part of what the angel told her. “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son.” Mary is young, but she knows where babies come from and this is impossible.

Luke 1:34 (ESV) 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

Luke 1:35–37 (ESV) 35 And the angel answered her, “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. 36 And 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.”

Genesis 1:1–3 (ESV) 1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.”

In the beginning the Spirit hovered over the creation. At the conception of Jesus the Spirit hovers over Mary and Word of God brings about new life in Mary’s womb. The Lord speaks through His messenger Gabriel and Jesus takes on human flesh as a tiny new life inside Mary. The Lord’s Word is powerful; it makes things happen.

In a world that is awash with words it can feel like words are not very valuable; not very powerful, but today we see the power of God’s Word.

In the beginning God spoke — and the world was created. Jesus takes on human flesh through the Word of God. This morning, the Lord’s Words are still powerful as He declares to you that all your sin is forgiven. His Word is powerful; bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus because Jesus says, this is my body, this is my blood.

God’s Word declares you to be His child in the water and Word of Holy Baptism, “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The Word of God saves you in the Words of forgiveness, the water and the Word of baptism and the Word with the bread and wine bringing the Body and Blood of Jesus. God’s Word is powerful. It makes things happen.

The angel Gabriel has never come to visit me that I know of, and it seems that I would know if he had. None of you have said the angel Gabriel has come to you. But you have encountered many messengers of God bringing to you the Word of God. Many messengers have told you that you are favored by God and the Lord is with you.

In a world that is awash with words it can feel like words are not very valuable; not very powerful, but today we see the power of God’s Word.

Because Mary carried the Lord Jesus in her womb and gave birth to the Savior who lived and died and rose from the dead, you now carry Jesus in your heart. You have the power of the Holy Spirit in your inner being, Ephesians 3:17–19 (ESV) 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Jesus dwells in your heart. Jesus died for you and rose from the dead for you. You are favored by God. Living in this era after Jesus ascended into heaven and waiting for Jesus to return on the last day, you know more about Jesus and what He has done than Mary herself knew. Through His Word the Lord has saved you. You may not have heard from an angel directly, but God speaks to you through His messengers and in the words of the Bible.

In this life there are a lot of other religious options; lots of various people and ideas to follow. There seems to be a continuous string of spiritual fads that all promise fulfillment. There are many options, but you know there is no substitute for Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary. When others are abandoning the truth of God to follow after the lies of the devil, the world and their own sinful flesh, and the Lord looks to see if you are going to follow them, you can say in the words of St. Peter, John 6:68–69 (ESV) 68 …“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” The Word of God is powerful, it makes things happen.

Blessed are you, O favored one. The Lord is with you. Amen.

Posted on December 17, 2023 by pastorkevinjud

Check your blindspot

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Advent 3, 2023
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
December 17, 2023
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28

Our Gospel reading today is some selections from the beginning of the Gospel of John, but lifted out of its context I think it loses some of its meaning. Just before our reading we hear, John 1:1–5 (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. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Jesus is the Word. Jesus is the life. Jesus is the light. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There is a cosmic battle of darkness against light that has been going on for thousands of year. The darkness does all it can to snuff out the light, but the darkness cannot win against the light. Light drives away darkness, but so many do not understand the light so God has a plan to prepare the world for the arrival of the light.

John 1:6–8 (ESV) 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

John the Baptist is sent by God to be a witness to the light. You have heard this passage before, it sounds familiar, nothing really new here, but there is something a little off about this being a witness to the light. Why would you need to tell people about light? If it is dark and you light a candle, everyone can see the light of the candle. You do not have to tell anyone about light…unless…unless they are blind. A blind person would not know that you lit a candle in the darkness because they are always in the darkness. For a blind person you would have to tell them about the light.

The people of Jesus’ time are spiritually blind. They need someone to tell them about who Jesus is. Jesus is the light of the world, but Jesus does not glow in the dark or send forth beams like a searchlight. He is the light, but He looks like an ordinary man. John 1:10-11 (ESV) 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.”

John is sent to prepare the way for Jesus. He is sent by God to be the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’” John is letting them know about the light, which is Christ, and is fulfilling Isaiah 9:2 (ESV) 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”

John is the witness and confirms that Jesus is the Son of God. John 1:29–34 (ESV) 29 The next day [John] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” John is sent to prepare spiritually blind people for Jesus’ arrival.

You are not spiritually blind, you are a follower of the light. Now, you were born spiritually blind, dead and an enemy of God but now you are a baptized child of God. At your baptism you were given a lighted candle to show that you have received Christ…who is the light of the world. Live always by the light of Christ.

You know Jesus is the light. You know He is God in flesh who died for your sins and rose from the dead to conquer death. Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV) 14 “You are the light of the world. … let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” You are the light of the world, you know Christ is the light, but you still have blind spots.

Some of the younger folks may not know this, but when driving there are blind spots on the sides of your car. A vehicle passing from behind goes into the blind spot when it disappears from your mirrors but is not yet visible beside you.

I learned to drive in 1982 which does not seem so long ago, but the kids assure me that it is. Back then, in the 1900s, cars had amazing electronic technology like an AM/FM radio, maybe a cassette player if you were lucky. When I learned to drive, our family had a 1973 Ford Ranch Wagon and a 1980 Chevy Citation 4 speed. Somehow, neither of these cars made the cut to be classics.

When I learned to drive these cars, I was taught to always check the blind spots when changing lanes by turning my head and looking out the window. So far this technique has served me well.

Jeannette’s new truck has special blind spot mirrors that allow you to see cars on both sides in the blind spot, and it has blind spot warning lights on the mirrors if a car is in the blind spot, and an alarm sounds if there is a car in the blind spot and you put your blinker on to change lanes. I still turn my head and look out the window to make sure.

Spiritually, we all have blind spots. You know Jesus is the light of the world, but there is great temptation to let some areas of your life remain in the darkness. Like when you let anger fester and grow and you do not forgive the way that you have been forgiven. You hide your anger and lack of forgiveness in the darkness of your blind spot, but it does not go away. It is there, waiting to wreck you.

Or your blind spot of what you do online when you sink into the dark side of the web to indulge your lusts. Or your overindulgence in alcohol. Or your lack of generosity as your resources increase but your gifts do not. Or your prideful boasting that causes you to insist that you are right. Or your disobeying of your parents. Or your cheating at school.

Today we hear about John the Baptist being witness to the light. You know Christ is the light of the world, but you still need to check the blind spots of your life and repent of those stubborn, hidden sins.

There is the blind spot this time of year of the expectation of finding fulfillment and joy in the decorations and presents and visits with family and having shattered expectations crowd out the true joy of the season found in the newborn Lord in Bethlehem.

There is the blind spot of looking at your fairly together life and comparing yourself to others who look like they are falling apart and thinking that you are a better person because of who you are and what you have done.

What is lurking in your blind spot?

Today we hear about John the Baptist being witness to the light. You know Christ is the light of the world, but you still need to check the blind spots of your life and repent of those stubborn, hidden sins.

You need the light of Christ. John 8:12 (ESV) 12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” And, Psalm 119:105 (ESV) 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

To know which way to go you stay in the Word of God and you stay active at church so you can keep checking the blind spot and making sure there is nothing lurking there trying to wreck you on your journey along the straight and narrow path to eternity. Keep checking your blind spot and repent and believe the Good News that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world…who takes away your sin.

For a long time in America it seems that we talked a lot about having a personal relationship with Jesus. This may have been well-intentioned to get people to turn away from the idea that they are saved because they show up at church a minimum number of times, or their names are on the church roster and they have put their hope for salvation in membership rather than in Jesus. While you do not want to put your trust in membership, the problem with talking about a personal relationship with Jesus is that it can sound like it is a good idea to be a lone ranger Christian, a do-it-yourself Christian setting up your own system of belief that fits you. It can lead you to creating a Jesus on your own terms; your own personal Jesus. A Jesus that says, “Have it your way.”

You never want to rely on church membership for your salvation but you do need to be a part of the church so you receive ongoing witness to the light of the world. You receive ongoing teaching as to the vital questions of, “who is Jesus?” and “what did He do?” You are admonished to check your blind spots and not let hidden sins fester and grow. Together, you encourage each other to beware of the traps of the devil, the world and your own sinful flesh.

Together, you follow Jesus. You do not walk in the darkness, you have the light of Christ. Keep going on the straight and narrow and keep checking your blind spots so nothing wrecks you on your way. John 1:5 (ESV) 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” You walk in the light of Christ… you are the light of the world. Amen

Posted on December 10, 2023 by pastorkevinjud

Prepare for the Lord

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Advent 2 2023
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
December 10, 2023
Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-14, Mark 1:1-8

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Before the judge enters his courtroom the bailiff, loudly, announces his arrival, “All rise. The Common Pleas Court of Butler County Ohio is now in session, the honorable Michael Oster Jr. presiding.” And everyone stands until the judge tells them to be seated. To be prepared for the judge is to rise.

In a scene from the Luther movie, the monk Martin Luther is visiting Rome and an announcement is made that Pope Julius II is riding down the street. Everyone kneels in preparation as the Pope rides by dressed in the golden armor of a knight.

In the Navy, if a senior officer is entering a room the first one to notice announces, “Attention on deck,” and everyone stands and salutes.

People need to be prepared when an important person arrives.

In our Gospel reading today John the Baptist is preparing the people for the arrival of the long promised Messiah, the Christ. God is arriving. God is arriving clothed in flesh to do a great work. The Christ’s arrival has been foretold in scripture, and not only His arrival, but but also the arrival of the one to prepare His way.

Mark 1:2–3 (ESV) 2 … “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ”

John the Baptist is God’s messenger preparing the way. For context, it is a dark time for the people of Israel. The 10 northern tribes were taken into exile in 722 BC by the Assyrians, never to return. The Southern Tribes are defeated by the Babylonians in 589 BC and many of them are taken into exile. The Jews begin to return to Judea in 538 BC and the rebuilt temple is finished in 516 BC. Israel is under the control of the Persians who defeated the Babylonians, and then under control of the Greeks who defeat the Persians in 332. The Jews rebel in 164 BC under Judas Maccabeus after the temple is desecrated by the Greeks sacrificing pigs on the altar to Zeus. The Jewish rebellion is successful and they retake Jerusalem. Hanukkah is established when one day of oil lasts eight days in the temple lights. The Roman Empire then rises to power and Pompey the Great conquers Jerusalem in 63 BC. Julius Caesar appoints Antipater to be Proconsul of Judea and manage the financial affairs. Antipater’s son Herod, gets in good with the right Roman authorities and through many political moves the Roman Senate declares Herod to be King of the Jews around 36 BC. Herod the Great rules for 37 years and is known for his colossal building projects including rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. Herod is called king, but he answers to Caesar. At the beginning of John the Baptist’s ministry the Romans have ruled Israel for 67 years with two of Herod’s sons and a Roman Governor now in charge. When will the Jewish people be free? They have been through so much for so many centuries. The Messiah has been promised, but it has been so long. There have been false Christs. Judas the Galilean starts a revolt against Rome around 6 AD and many think that he is the Messiah, but he is not. Will the Messiah ever come? The last prophet to preach of the coming Messiah is Malachi 400 years earlier. Malachi 4:5 (ESV) 5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.” When will the Messiah arrive? It has been 400 years of silence from the Lord.

And then out in the desert down by the Jordan River there is a voice crying in the wilderness. The great and awesome day of the Lord is near. John the Baptist is the new Elijah preparing the people. How do the people prepare? John proclaims a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. To be ready for Jesus is to admit you are sinner who needs forgiveness and submit to receiving forgiveness in John’s baptism. Mark 1:5 (ESV) 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.” The Messiah is coming. And the one who is coming is so mighty that John is not worthy to stoop down and untie His sandals. Even though He does not look like it, John knows Jesus is God in human flesh. John is not worthy to even be near Him.

John is not worthy, but Jesus arrives in the very next verse to be baptized by John. Mark 1:10–11 (ESV) 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Jesus has promised to be here with you today to forgive you your sins. How did we announce His arrival? You rose and I announced, “In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit!” These are the words with which you were baptized and remind you that you are a baptized child of God as you begin worship. And then you knelt and acknowledged your status before God – you confessed that you are a sinner who is not worthy to be near to the Lord. And the Lord forgave you all your sins and is coming to you in Holy Communion.

Advent means arrival. During Advent we remember and celebrate Jesus’ threefold arrival. His arrival as the incarnate Son of God as a baby in Bethlehem, His coming each Sunday to you in His Body and Blood in Holy communion and His final coming on judgment day. Each week you prepare by remembering your baptism and confessing your sins and being forgiven. You prepare by rising for the reading of the Holy Gospel in honor of Christ. By preparing for Jesus’ arrival here each week you stay prepared for His third arrival when He comes again on the great and awesome day of the Lord.

It is an ongoing struggle. Your sinful, prideful self does not want to admit to being helpless to sin. You naturally want to believe you are good enough and you can do it yourself. By nature you want a do-it-yourself religion.

At John the Baptist’s time there were some who did not want to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. There are many today who do not want to submit to baptism and confession. It is a difficult thing to admit that you are a sinner. It is tough to confess that you are doing something wrong and you need to stop. To admit you are a sinner is to acknowledge that you are not good enough, that you are in bondage to sin and you cannot free yourself. To admit you are a sinner is to admit helplessness and being helpless is not a good feeling. It means you are vulnerable.

Picture each of your sins as a link in a chain and that chain is wrapped around you and locked with a big padlock. You can do nothing to free yourself from this bondage to sin and guilt. Jesus is the key that unlocks the lock and the chains fall off. You are in bondage to sin and Jesus is your savior so you cry out in despair, “Save me!” And Jesus saves you. To admit helplessness is to know that you cannot do it yourself and to know, if you are going to be saved, you need a savior. It is to admit you are poor in spirit. It is to be brutally honest that you are by nature sinful and unclean.

It is an ongoing struggle. Your sinful, prideful self does not want to admit to being helpless to sin. You naturally want to believe you are good enough and you can do it yourself. By nature you want a do-it-yourself religion.

A wise Lutheran Theologian, Francis Pieper, wrote in the 1950’s, “[there are] but two essentially different religions: The religion of the Law, that is, the endeavor to reconcile God through man’s own works, and the religion of the Gospel, that is, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.” There is the religion of “do” and the religion of “done.”

The religion of “do” is your natural religion. It is the one that feels most comfortable. This is what makes the voice of one crying in the wilderness so radical. John calls for the people to repent — to turn away from sin and turn toward Jesus; to turn from a religion of “do” and receive the religion of “done.” Because it is such a natural fit, it is a great temptation for people and churches to give up on the religion of “done” and go back to the other religion of “what must I do?” The religion of “do” is a deception of the devil because you cannot do it.

The children of Israel went through the waters of the Jordan to enter the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt. John the Baptist is having the people go into the waters of the Jordan to be forgiven and enter the Kingdom of Heaven; the reign and rule of God. In confession and absolution you return to your baptism to remember you are forgiven and are already under the reign of your Lord and Master, Jesus.

The Gospel of Mark is a compact, fast moving account of Jesus’ Gospel Ministry bringing the Good News. The first words are Mark 1:1 (ESV) 1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Perhaps more literally, “The beginning of the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Gospel means Good News. What is the Good News? “It is finished.” Jesus has paid the price for your sin. He has unlocked the chains of your sin and guilt and set you free to love God and love your neighbor because He first loved you.

Mark writes in a very straightforward, concise manner. As Jesus begins His ministry after His baptism and temptation, Mark records Jesus summing up Christianity in one sentence. Mark 1:15 (ESV) 15 … “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Amen.