bible – Page 4 – From the Pulpit

Posted on March 30, 2025 by pastorkevinjud

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Lent 4 2025
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
March 30, 2025
Isaiah 12:1-6, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

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It is the bottom of the ninth, two outs, the visitors are up by one run and the home team has runners on second and third. The batter swings and hits a hard grounder straight to the star short stop. He is a super talented ballplayer… and he knows it. He sees the ball coming…he struts and showboats a bit and leans over to scoop up the ball and throw it to first to end the game. Easy peasy. Except with all the strutting and showboating he does not get his glove down far enough and the ball shoots between his legs, under his mitt and into the outfield. The runners on second and third both score and the home team has the victory. The next few games the star short stop rides the pine in the dugout and he is miserable. His pride cost the team a victory and the coached benched him. What does he need to do to earn a second chance?

The younger son in the parable of the prodigal son has done more than just mess up a play during a baseball game. The son did the unthinkable. He basically said to his father, “I wish you were dead, now, so I could have my inheritance.” Then the father did the unthinkable, he divided up his estate between his two sons, likely with the older son getting two-thirds and the younger son getting one-third. The father is reckless with his estate, giving away one third to his undeserving younger son. This parable is called the parable of the prodigal son. What does prodigal mean? It means wastefully or recklessly extravagant, or very generous; lavish. This teaching should probably be called the Parable of the Prodigal Father and Son. The father is recklessly extravagant in giving the younger son one third of the estate. The son is reckless in selling off the land and squandering it on wild living in a far country.

The problem with recklessly extravagant spending is that that you have a finite amount of money and it will run out. That is what happens to the younger son. He runs out of cash, and runs out of options, and finds himself caught in a famine at the mercy of a tightfisted pig farmer who takes advantage of the younger son’s precarious situation.

The once prosperous Jewish boy is flat broke feeding unclean pigs without even receiving a payment of food. The young man who once feasted sumptuously is now jealous of the pigs’ scavenged pods.

In desperation, he comes up with a plan. He is starving here, but back home his father’s servants have plenty to eat. The son has a start of repentance. Repentance is to have a change of heart; to turn from sin and turn back to God. The son has a change of his stubborn heart enough to know he needs to turn from starvation and return to his father. He formulates his confession to his father. Luke 15:18–19 (ESV) 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’

The proud, reckless son is admitting that he is the cause of his own circumstances and he has sinned against his father and God. He is no longer worthy to be called a son. He is a true outcast like the tax collectors and sinners that concern the Pharisees and Scribes at the beginning of our reading.

The son’s repentance is typical of the way repentance is thought of by Jewish teachers of his time. His repentance does not rely on the grace of his father, but rather, his repentance includes reparations and atonement. The son will work his way back into his father’s good graces. The son wants to know, “What do I need to do to get a second chance?” He is not going to rely on his father’s grace; he will save himself through his work. He will be able to maintain some amount of freedom and independence, some dignity. He will be living and working with the servants who may despise him, but at least he will get a second chance. He will maintain his pride. And so the son heads home.

The son never gets to execute his plan to earn a second chance. Luke 15:20 (ESV) 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”

The father is prodigal with his love for his lost son. He runs to his son and running is not something a respectable man does. He embraces his son and kisses him before the son has a chance to say anything. The father restores their relationship out of pure grace. The son does not have to say anything or do anything to be restored.

The son now shows his complete repentance. His confession is no longer a face-saving conditional repentance where the son will make reparations. Now the confession is true repentance, Luke 15:21 (ESV) 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’” Notice what is missing. There is no offer to be a servant.

In the son’s repentance, there is no freedom for him, no independence, no dignity, no pride, just utter dependence on his father’s grace. There are no reparations from the son, only pure grace and restoration from his father. And this is not done privately, just between father and son. The father announces it publicly to the servants by having them adorn the son with the finest clothes and jewelry, and then he announces the restoration to the whole community by killing the fattened calf and throwing a huge feast.

The feast is what makes the older son really angry as he returns from the fields to the sound of music and dancing. The Pharisees and scribes grumble about Jesus eating with sinners. The older son refuses to eat with his sinful brother. The younger son represents the repentant tax collectors and sinners received into fellowship with Jesus at His table. The older son resents the feast. He resents the father’s celebrating because… Luke 15:24 (ESV) 24 … my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’…” The older son resents the feast because the younger son has not earned it.

The older son views himself not as the eldest son and heir to whom the whole estate belongs, but rather as a servant valued only for his work. He thinks the father only values him as a worker. He believes that he pleases his father through work, the same way the younger son hoped to find restoration through reparations. The older son represents all the Jewish religious leaders who believe that repentance is about reparations; that repentance is about what you need to do to deserve a second chance. And so we leave the older son outside, refusing to go in to the feast. Does he ever repent of resenting his father’s grace? We are not told. It is still a struggle for people today to believe that repentance is not about what you will do to deserve a second chance; it is about the grace of God earned by the blood of Jesus.

When you find yourself caught up in sin and far away from God, be the younger son. Joel 2:13 (ESV) 13 …Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love…” Repent and take your place at the table of the Lord.

At the beginning of our service you declared that you are unworthy… and your Father in heaven embraced you with His love and welcomed you once again. You have been forgiven by your Prodigal Father in heaven and invited to the feast where you receive the Body and Blood of the sacrificial Lamb, Jesus Christ.

The Lord Jesus pours out forgiveness on you over and over and over in abundance. He is recklessly extravagant in giving out forgiveness. It cost Him everything on the altar of the cross but now He has an unlimited fountain of goodness and grace. Live in the love and forgiveness of Jesus. Walk in the commands of the Lord. Be the light of Christ. Continue to turn from sin and return to God. God is prodigal, He has no shortage of grace. Repent and come to the Lord’s Table. Amen.

Posted on March 23, 2025 by pastorkevinjud

Godly response to deadly tragedy

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Lent 3 2025
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
March 23, 2025
Ezekiel 33:7-20, 1 Cor. 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9

It seems like the TV news often has information about people who have died and suggestions of what you can do so that you do not die. When I hear a story of someone who has perished I almost automatically look for reasons that what happened to them could never happen to me. They were on a motorcycle and I don’t ride one. They were out very late at night in a dangerous area and I don’t go out late at night. They were 90 some years old and I am not. They were driving along minding their own business…..They were in their 50s … I really like to think that I am not going to die, but I have heard that I may be just fooling myself.

In our Gospel reading today Jesus is told about some people from Galilee who were killed in the temple by Pilate. The people telling Jesus may be wondering, why did God allow something so evil to happen to people who were just doing what God commanded. Or, maybe they are wondering, what did these Galileans do to deserve to die in this way. Jesus…Luke 13:2–3 (ESV) 2 … answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

And lest the people of Jerusalem think that Galileans are more deserving of God’s wrath than the Judeans, Jesus brings up a tragedy in Jerusalem… Luke 13:4–5 (ESV) 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Jesus does not want the people to turn their focus to trying to understand God’s motives. Jesus wants the people to examine themselves.

Don’t worry about why God let this happen, worry about yourself. Are you ready to die? The harsh news of this Gospel reading is that if you sin, you will die…and if you don’t sin, you will die.

When you hear about a tragic event, don’t use it as an opportunity to examine God, but rather use it as a wake-up call for you to examine your own life. What if it were me? Am I ready to meet my maker? Use the tragedy as a reminder to repent; to turn away from sin and turn back to God. Don’t be concerned about why God is doing something. Rather, be concerned about what you are doing.

In all our readings today we see that God takes sin seriously. In Ezekiel the Lord tells the prophet that He has made him a watchman for the house of Israel and he needs to warn the wicked of their wicked ways. In our epistle reading, St. Paul reminds the Corinthians that after rescuing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt God still punished them for idolatry and sexual immorality and for testing God and grumbling against God. God takes sin seriously. 1 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV) 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

You are a baptized follower of Jesus living in a world that hates Jesus. The devil desperately wants to drag you into a life of unrepentant sin. Stay aware, and, in an ongoing way, as a humble disciple of Christ, be brutally honest about your status before God. Admit you are by nature sinful and unclean. Struggle against sin. Battle against sin in your thoughts…. before they become sins of word and deed. Do not let unrepentant sin creep into your life. Do not set up a lifestyle where you love sin more than you love God.

The temptations for the Israelites wandering in the desert are the same very real temptations today. In this land of abundance there is a great temptation to idolatry; to fear, love and trust money and possessions more than God. In this nation, sexual immorality is considered normal behavior and Christians are sorely tempted to follow the ways of the world and engage in intimacy outside the bonds of marriage. Testing God and grumbling against God is common and it is easy to fall into a life of complaint and discontent. We forget, 1 Timothy 6:6–7 (ESV) 6 …godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.”

The devil wants to keep you discontent and to ignore what God says and forget about His promises. And so you resist the devil. You gather together this morning to hear God’s promises once again. You know that God has promised to cover your sins with the robe of Jesus’ righteousness. You heard Jesus’ words to you again this morning, “I forgive you all your sins.” It is true and you can believe it. God takes sin so seriously that He sent His Son to die for you. While you were a sinner Christ died for you and rose for you. Jesus loves you, this you know, for the Bible tells you so.

In the second half of our Gospel lesson today Jesus tells a parable about a fig tree. Here we see Jesus’ long-suffering compassion on His people. The vineyard owner has a fig tree that is not producing fruit and orders the tree to be cut down so it does not use up the ground. The vinedresser protects the fruitless fig tree. Luke 13:8–9 (ESV) 8 …‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

Jesus is the vinedresser buying the fruitless tree another year. A little more time. A sinner gets a little more time to repent. Jesus will cultivate and fertilize the tree and give the tree every opportunity to bear fruit. Will there be fruit the next year? Will there be repentance before the final judgment?

Are you ready for the judgment day? Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Battle each day against the devil, the world and your own sinful desires. Do not make excuses for your sin, do not rationalize your sin, do not compare your sin against someone else. Repent. Repent means a change of heart. Repentance is making a U-turn. Turning away from sin and turning back to Jesus. Listen to Jesus, believe His promises and do what He says. Do not resist the Holy Spirit, but let the fruit of the Spirit abound, Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV) 22 … love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control…”

Jesus is God in flesh, begotten of the Father from eternity and born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus has given His life to save you. He loves you so much He suffered the humiliation and pain of death by crucifixion. He drank the cup of God’s wrath to free you from your sin. He lifts you up out of the muck and mire of your sin and washes you clean and says, “follow me.” Repent. Turn from sin and turn back to God. Turn from death and return to life with Jesus.

St. Paul encourages those in the church at Ephesus… Ephesians 4:22–24 (ESV) 22 … to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Today’s readings are a stern warning about the seriousness of sin. They are a call to continue to stay alert against the lies of the devil. To be vigilant and not allow the busyness of life and the deceitfulness of wealth to choke out the Word of God. To remain on guard against letting the desires of your own sinful nature become your guide, rather than God’s commands.

Do not give in to the devil’s seduction that your sin is too great for Jesus to forgive. The great deceiver wants you to despair; to give up hope and just sink into sin and celebrate it. But that is not who you are. Repent. You are a child of the most high God, adopted in the waters of Holy Baptism. You are grafted into the vine of Christ. You are ready to meet your maker. Abide in Christ. Amen.

Posted on March 16, 2025 by pastorkevinjud

Mother Hen

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Lent 2 2025
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
March 16, 2025
Jer. 26:8-15, Phil. 3:17-4:1, Luke 13:31-35

It is a normal day in the farm yard as chickens peck the ground and chicks run around like cute little yellow fuzz balls with legs. Just then a dark shadow slides across the ground. The rooster crows and the mother hen scurries around trying to corral her chicks. The shadow slides back and forth ominously. The soaring hawk has seen the chicks and is looking to make lunch of one of those cute, little, fuzz balls. Most of the chicks, sensing their mother’s distress and hearing her alarmed clucking, run to mom and nestle under her wings. Snuggled under her wings they are safe. Mother hen puts her body between her chicks and the hawk. Her body is a shield for the helpless little ones. One chick, however, does not seek shelter. One chick declares he is a brave little chick. He isn’t afraid of some shadow on the ground. He will be just fine on his own. He is good enough, he is smart enough and he is strong enough all by himself. The chick thinks he knows what he is doing, but he looks ridiculous — a helpless, fuzzy little chick strutting confidently around the yard unafraid of the circling hawk.

In a flash of feathers the hawk dives and grabs the chick in its talons and flies away to find a place to eat. All that is left of the brave little chick is a little fuzzy yellow down blowing around in the dirt. The chicks sheltered under their mother’s wings are safe, and as mother hen’s heart rate slows to normal the other chicks start to peak out from under their mother’s wings.

Jesus is on his way toward Jerusalem passing through the territory of Herod Antipas along the Jordan River just north of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus earlier foretold his death, Luke 9:22 (ESV) 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” At Jesus’ transfiguration Moses and Elijah talk with Him about His departure which would happen in Jerusalem. Then Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem and is now on His way with His disciples teaching along the way and in the Synagogues on the Sabbath.

While He is teaching and journeying some Pharisees warn Jesus, Luke 13:31 (ESV) 31 … “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” We can’t be sure if the Pharisees were genuinely concerned for Jesus’ safety, or if they just wanted Him out of their territory, but Jesus responds defiantly, Luke 13:32 (ESV) 32 … “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.”

But Jesus is actually not planning to stay in the area so He continues, Luke 13:33 (ESV) 33 Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’

Jerusalem…Jesus turns His thoughts and His heart to Jerusalem which means, city of peace, Jeru – Shalom, but it is hardly that. Jesus laments, Luke 13:34 (ESV) 34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!” The stone pavement of Jerusalem is stained with the blood of prophets. Tradition holds that Isaiah was sawn in two in Jerusalem by King Manasseh. Zechariah was stoned to death in the temple court for criticizing King Jehoash. The prophet Uriah was killed by the sword of King Jehoiakim during the time of Jeremiah. And now Jesus — prophet, priest and king — is going to Jerusalem to die. It would be natural for Jesus to hate the people of Jerusalem for what they are going to do to Him, but His compassion shines through. Jesus wants to protect the people of Jerusalem. “…How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”

I am not sure how frustration works with God in flesh, but it seems like it must be incredibly frustrating for Jesus. He is coming to the great city of Jerusalem to give Himself for the people, and the people will reject Him, arrest him, and cry out to crucify him. Jesus is ready to cover everyone with the robe of His forgiveness and righteousness to protect them from the evil one, but the people strut around like proud little chicks thinking they are good enough and strong enough and smart enough. They reject the protection Jesus offers because they think they don’t need a savior.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! Jesus laments the rebellious disobedience of the Holy City, but He does not turn away. He continues on His way, Luke 13:33 (ESV) 33 …for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’

Despite the frustration, despite lamenting over Jerusalem, Jesus continues on His way to finish His course all the way to the cross and the tomb and the Sunday resurrection. Despite their proud strutting, Jesus does not give up on the people of Jerusalem… and Jesus does not give up on you.

How many times has Jesus lamented over your sin and rebelliousness? How many times have you strutted around like a proud little chick acting like you don’t need Jesus’ protection because you are good enough and strong enough and smart enough and you’re not afraid of the evil one? How many times has Jesus lamented over your sin and then continued to offer you His Body and Blood to forgive and cover all of your sins.

Despite opposition and rebellion, Jesus stays the course all the way to the cross. Jesus stretches His arms over you on the cross at Golgotha. He offers you protection under His wings. Psalm 91:1–6 (ESV) 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty…. 4 He will cover you with his [feathers], and under his wings you will find refuge….”

You need refuge in Jesus. As a baptized child of God the devil is targeting you. Like a hawk seeking to snatch a helpless little chick, the devil prowls like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Stay protected in Jesus. Jesus has ascended into heaven but He has not left you alone. The Church is the Body of Christ. The Church gives you shelter from the storms of life and from the evil one himself. Jesus gives you the Holy Spirit delivered to you in the water and word of Holy Baptism and in the truth of God’s Word. The Church delivers to you the truth of your forgiveness in Jesus. The Church pours out on you the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. United in the one Spirit, under the protection of the Body of Christ, you are safe for eternity.

Despite the temptation to strut around through life proudly and independently declaring you are good enough and strong enough and smart enough, you instead, each week, come here and humble yourself by kneeling before the Lord and confessing that you are not good enough, you are not strong enough, you are not smart enough. You give up the ridiculous strutting of a proud baby chick and you tuck yourself safely under the protective wing of your savior — who has given His all for you. Amen. –

Posted on March 2, 2025 by pastorkevinjud

Listen to Jesus, Do What He Says

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Transfiguration 2025
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
March 2, 2025
Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Hebrews 3:1-6, Luke 9:28-36

All four of my kids have worked at the same pizza place over the years with Caleb starting right after his 16th birthday in 2006 and Rebecca continuing to this day with just a brief pause during Covid. When each of them started working I gave them the same advice. “Show up on time, and do what they tell you to do.” Simple enough. Do what the boss tells you to do.

That is good advice for children with their parents. Kids, just listen to your parents and do what they tell you to do. Easy? Right? Why are you looking at each other like that? Listen and do. It shouldn’t be hard to just do what they say, the first time, without a fuss…and yet it is.

Jesus is having this same issue with his disciples and the crowds in the Gospel of Luke. At the end of the Sermon on the Plain Jesus asks, Luke 6:46 (ESV) 46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”

This is a good question that we can each ask ourselves on behalf of Jesus as we prepare to enter the season of Lent. “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”

Jesus continues, Luke 6:47–49 (ESV) 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” If you hear Jesus’ words and do them…on Christ the solid rock you stand.

The first Sunday after Epiphany we remembered the Baptism of Our Lord. Jesus goes to John the Baptist down at the Jordan River. And it is an epic beginning to answering the questions, “Who is Jesus? And, “What has He come to do?” Luke 3:21–22 (ESV) 21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, 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.”

Who is Jesus of Nazareth? He is the Son of God. Jesus shows this throughout His ministry. He goes to Nazareth and announces at the synagogue that He is fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy. He heals the sick and drives out demons. He gives the disciples He is calling a miraculous catch of fish. He cleanses lepers and heals people who are paralyzed. He heals a Roman centurion’s servant without even seeing him. He raises a young man from the dead in Nain. He heals great crowds of people. He feeds 5,000 plus with five loaves and two fish. He is doing things that only God could do. Jesus is God in flesh.

He teaches the people the parable of the sower and the seeds. Luke 8:14–15 (ESV) 14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

Jesus continues, Luke 8:18 (ESV) 18 Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”

Take care how you hear. What incredible advice from Jesus given during a time which was utterly quiet compared to now. There were no radios, no podcasts, no recorded music, no giant billboards, no television, no smart phones, no internet and still Jesus warns, “Take care how you hear.” Today there are so many voices vying for your attention and your time. It takes great intention to turn off all of the voices in order to listen to Jesus. Take care how you hear.

What would it be like to be in Jesus’ family? But who does Jesus say is His family? Luke 8:19–21 (ESV) 19 Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. 20 And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” 21 But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” You who hear the word of God and do it are Jesus’ family.

Hear the word of God and do it. But just what does Jesus say? Jesus has some difficult sayings as we heard last week, Luke 6:27–28 (ESV) 27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”

After feeding the 5,000 Jesus has some heavy back and forth with the disciples. Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ of God and then Jesus tells the disciples, Luke 9:22 (ESV) 22 … “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

And then…Luke 9:23–25 (ESV) 23 …[Jesus] said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?” These are difficult teachings. These are teachings that the disciples have trouble hearing. They are still worried about which of them is the greatest.

And then eight days later, Jesus takes Peter, James and John up on a high mountain and Jesus is transfigured before them becoming dazzling white, and Elijah and Moses appear with Jesus. A cloud overshadows them… Luke 9:35 (ESV) 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!”

Who is Jesus? And what did He come to do? Jesus is the Son of God. He is God in flesh. He is the fulfillment of prophecy. He is the perfect, final offering for the sin of the world. He will be sacrificed on the cross and rise again from the dead to conquer death. He is the Lord. He is King of everything. The Kingdom of heaven is near because Jesus is King.

Is Jesus God? Yes. Does He have authority? Yes. Should you listen to Him? Yes.

Listen to Jesus and do what He says to do. It is so simple and straightforward and yet so difficult.

It is certainly tempting to not listen to Jesus. It is tempting to reject Jesus’ lordship and be your own boss, and do things your way. It is so easy to be acting with God like a little child rebelling against his parents in a futile attempt to take control. Parents are not going to give up control, and yet children will throw temper tantrums trying to get their way. God is not going to give up being God because humans get grumpy. As the Lord teaches in Psalm 46:10 (ESV) 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. …”

Be still. Take time each day to unplug from the noise of the world and be in God’s Word and hear Jesus. Retreat from the cacophony of voices surrounding you, turn off the noise, and set apart some time to listen to Jesus. This is difficult. I know this is hard for me. It is hard for me to take quiet time alone to read and meditate upon God’s Word. There is a constant nagging to get finished and move on to the next thing. A constant temptation to check my phone, think about something else. There is always something else to do. I find myself being a Martha, running around doing things, instead of Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to Him.

Carefully listening to Jesus really needs to be planned and deliberate. Take care how you hear. Set aside quiet time each day to pray and read and listen to God’s word. Learn again that Jesus has paid the price for your sin. Gather together here each week to listen to the Word of God read and preached and sung. Come to a Bible study to dig more deeply into scripture. Listen to Jesus.

Listen to Jesus. And if Jesus says something that you disagree with…know that Jesus is right. This is humbling and liberating. To know that God’s Word trumps your own ideas frees you from trying to mold and shape God to fit your ever-changing thoughts and ideas. It keeps you from being… James 1:6 (ESV) 6 …like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” As a baptized follower of Jesus who struggles with sin and temptation, listen to Jesus because He has the words of eternal life.

To listen to Jesus and do what He says gives you freedom within the limits of God’s law. To live in the Kingdom of God under the reign of the Lord Jesus gives you blessed assurance that you belong to Jesus and you are God’s treasured possession. He has set you apart for eternal life with Him. Listening to Jesus and doing what He says is an act of worship acknowledging that Jesus is Lord and Savior.

To show up on time and do what they tell you to do is good advice for work. To hear Jesus’ words and do them is God’s command for His followers. As we come to the end of the Epiphany season we have answered the questions, “Who is Jesus?” He is the Son of God, Immanuel, God with us. “What did He come to do?” Jesus comes to be the perfect final sacrifice for your sin. Jesus is your Lord. Jesus is your Savior. He has forgiven you all your sins. Listen to Jesus. Amen.

Posted on February 23, 2025 by pastorkevinjud

Life in the Overlap

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Epiphany 7 2025
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
February 23, 2025
Genesis 45:3-15, 1 Corinthians 15:21-26, 30-42, Luke 6:27-38

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Venn diagrams can be an interesting way to analyze information. These items belong in one set. These items belong in another set. These are the characteristics that both groups share.

The whole human population can be broken down into two sets; sinners and perfect people. Who goes into the sinner category? Adam? Yes. Eve? Yes. All of their children and grandchildren? Me? You? Yes. Who goes into the Perfect category? Well, actually one of Adam and Eve’s great, great grandchildren. Jesus of Nazareth. He is in the perfect category. Two sets, one with all humanity minus one and the other set with Jesus.

But here is where it gets interesting. The two circles overlap. Many folks are only in the sinner category and Jesus is only in the Perfect category, but there are many people in the area of overlap. They are both sinners and perfect.

How does that work? These are sinners who believe in Jesus to whom Jesus has given His perfection and declared them to be holy. These people are both sinners and saints at the same time. You are in this overlap. As a baptized child of God, as a follower of Jesus, you are in the area of overlap. You are a sinner, but you have been declared to be holy and perfect and you are safe from the coming judgment on the Last Day.

The strange thing about being in this area of overlap is that you can become more aware of your sins than those who are in the sinner area alone. The more you learn about God’s law, the more sinful you realize that you are — knowing you sin in thought, word and deed. This makes you increasingly grateful for all that Jesus has done for you.

There is a danger in the area of overlap. The devil will try to convince you that you did something to earn your place in the overlap. He wants you to forget that you are a sinner who deserves condemnation and start to believe that you are good enough. He will tempt you to believe you are so much better than the sinners you are not in the overlap.

This is what Jesus is warning about in our Gospel reading today. When thinking about sin it is our natural tendency to think about other people’s sins rather than to look at our own, and to think their sin is so much worse than ours.

It is spiritually healthy to remember who you are in the overlap of saint and sinner. You are a sinner redeemed by Jesus. Beginning worship each week with the confession of sins keeps you grounded. Being a saint is not from you, but is purely a gift of God though the blood of Jesus.

Now, in the set of sinners who are not also in the overlap area of perfection there is a large subset of people who think they are good enough. These are those who think they are autonomous and just make up and adjust their own rules to live by. It is also those who follow false religions which teach that you can be good enough through your own actions. And it is those who trust in their good works rather than trusting in Jesus. Everyone in this subset of thinking they are good enough is mistaken. They have been misled. They are not good enough and are in danger from the coming judgment when Jesus returns.

No one in the set of sinners is good enough. Those in the overlap with perfection know that they are not good enough, but have been given the gift of forgiveness, holiness and perfection by the Lord Jesus, and they follow Jesus because He is the font and source of eternal life. Those in the overlap are marked with the blood of the Lamb which protects them now, and on the Day of Judgment.

You know you are in the overlap of saint and sinner. You know you are by nature sinful and unclean and you know you justly deserve God’s present and eternal punishment. You know that God has had great mercy and grace upon you and given you forgiveness and eternal life. You are safe from the coming judgment. You also know that those outside the overlap are in grave danger when the judgment comes.

There is a disaster looming and there is ready protection against the disaster. Picture for a moment a building full of people. You know there is a looming disaster which will destroy the building and everyone inside. You know there is safety on the other side of a doorway. How do to let people know about the doorway to safety? It is difficult when people do not sense the danger, they will think you are just acting crazy.

It can be like this in the world and worse. You know that everyone in the set of sinners deserves the judgment and condemnation of God. You know there is protection in the Kingdom of God, under the reign of Jesus, in the overlap of Saint and Sinner. You try to warn people of the pending disaster and have them come to safety. The problem is that so many are in the subset of those who think they are good enough.

You try to warn them, “Repent and believe Jesus died for you and rose to give you eternal life,” and too often the response is, “Whoa…what was that first word? Repent? Are you saying that I have something to repent of? Don’t you know your Bible? Luke 6:37 (ESV) 37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged…” It is a frustrating place to be for you. In love you want to warn of the impeding danger for all people in the set of sinners, including yourself, but they are hearing it as you being judgmental. And certainly there are those all about judgment and not about love and it is easy to fall into judgment and condemnation rather than compassion and patience and love. This is also what Jesus is warning about in the Gospel reading today. So, how can you make them understand the danger and see the path to safety?

A lot of that is the work of the Holy Spirit. The Lord wants all people to be saved but many resist the Holy Spirit and refuse to repent of their sins. So what do you do? Be the light. Many in the “think they are good enough” subset actually have doubts that they really are good enough. They are honest enough with themselves to be troubled. They are looking for something. So, take time to listen to people. Listen to their stories. Listen to their hurts. It is hard living outside the overlap of saint and sinner not knowing who you are or what you are supposed to do. Listen with the sympathy and empathy of a fellow sinner and invite them to come with you to this place where we admit the awful truth that we are sinners and we hear the amazing good news that Jesus forgives our sins.

Now, in the world you will encounter those who hate Jesus and hate you because of Jesus. Jesus teaches, Luke 6:27–28 (ESV) 27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”

This is a high and difficult calling. It is a call to not respond instinctually to insults and hurts, but to respond like Jesus.

Last week there was a hockey game with the U.S. against Canada. The Canadian fans booed the playing of the Star Spangled Banner and so when the hockey match began three American players started fights with the Canadians. “If you boo our national anthem we will make you pay — with our fists.” That is, I guess, the way of hockey. That is the way of the world. But that is not the way of Jesus.

We naturally want to be aggressive and decisive and demanding and vengeful, but that is not Jesus’ way. Jesus’ way is mercy and compassion. Jesus has great mercy and compassion on you. You deserve His present and eternal punishment, but He patiently gives you forgiveness — over and over and over. He never endorses or encourages sin, but He patiently loves you, forgives you and calls you to follow Him.

As you deal with those who are in the subset of thinking they are good enough, speak the truth in love. Don’t pretend that they are not in the set of sinners. Don’t pretend they really are good enough. But listen. Listen to their hurt. Walk with them in love and compassion. Be a beacon of hope. Be the light of the world. Let the love of Christ shine through you. And as we learn in…1 Peter 3:15 (ESV) 15 … in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…”

When the time is right, gently tell them that the whole set of sinners faces judgment on the last day, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Let them know there is still time to take shelter in the grace of the Lord Jesus. Without endorsing sin, have compassion on those struggling with sin because you are a fellow sinner… struggling with sin… and Jesus has compassion on you. Be patient with those caught up in sin because Jesus is patient with you. Offer Jesus’ grace and mercy to others even though they don’t deserve it because Jesus gives grace and mercy to you even though you don’t deserve it. Judge not because you are not the judge. Condemn not because that is not given to you to do, but share that Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life and no one comes to the Father except through Him.

Love others with the reckless love of Jesus. This is radically countercultural, so rebel against culture. Love like Jesus. Love others like Jesus loves you. Amen.

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

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

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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.