bible – Page 6 – From the Pulpit

Posted on January 5, 2025 by pastorkevinjud

Arise, shine for your light has come

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

Sermons online:

Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com click “sermons”\
Text:                           pastorjud.org
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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted on December 22, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

Why is this granted to me?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted on December 8, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

God’s Bulldozer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[2] Ibid, pg. 361

Posted on November 24, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

Jesus is Coming Back. Stay Awake!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted on November 17, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

How do you wait for Jesus?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted on November 3, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

You are Spiritually Unable

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All Saints Day 2024
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
November 3, 2024
Revelation 7:2-17, 1 John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12

Teaching catechism class to the 7th and 8th graders in school and in church gives me opportunities to give life advice. One lesson I give to the boys is that to be a good husband they need to be able to do two main things. They need to be able to work and kill bugs. If a guy can do those two things the other stuff can be worked out.

It is good to have a job and be able to provide for your family. You like being able to pay for the things you need; clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home. You like the independence of being able to take care of yourself and those who rely on you.

When you hear the news of a company shutting down and laying off workers it can cause you to wonder. What if it were me? What if that was my company? How long could I keep going on savings? There is a fear of losing everything and becoming a beggar.

Being a beggar would be rough; having to rely on the generosity of others rather than on yourself. It is hard to be helpless.

Here at Immanuel we have a number of parking spaces close to the building for members and visitors who are less able because of a handicap or disability. Those who are more able park further away. Now, if we want to be honest we should have a sign on every parking space, “reserved parking for the Spiritually Unable.” Not just spiritually handicapped or spiritually disabled, but spiritually unable. Parking for the helpless; the powerless.

Just like we talked about last Sunday for Reformation, you are spiritually unable. You bring nothing to the table to negotiate with God. You cannot earn forgiveness, you cannot buy forgiveness, you cannot trade for forgiveness. You are spiritually unable.

In the winter of 1545 and 46, Martin Luther knew that health was failing and he predicted he would be dead before Easter. Luther did die in Eisleben Germany on February 18, 1546 after a long, cold winter journey from Wittenberg. After he died they found a scrap of paper in his pocket with six words; “Wir sind Bettler, das ist wahr.” We are beggars, this is true.

Luther was right. We are beggars. You are a beggar. I am a beggar. In life you fear becoming a beggar, and then you find out that it is true. You come to Jesus with nothing.

What does Jesus teach about the spiritually unable? What does Jesus say about helpless spiritual beggars? Jesus says you are blessed now and at the judgement day. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

You see, being poor in spirit is not a virtue, it is an inability. It is not something you strive for as a Christian — it is who you are as a Christian. Being poor in spirit is knowing that you cannot save yourself. Being poor in spirit is knowing you are helpless. In helplessness you mourn over the evil — the evil in your own heart and the evil in the world. There is so much evil in you and around you, and you are helpless to stop it. There is the evil of greed and selfishness and hatred and lust and pride that infects all people and bubbles up from within. There is evil in the world where defenseless unborn children are sacrificed on the altar of sexual freedom and politicians say that this is our greatest freedom. There is the evil of children and the elderly being neglected and abused. The evil of the poor being taken advantage of in their poverty. The evil of division and discord and warfare in the world. There is so much evil and you cannot stop it, so you mourn.

Being helpless — being spiritually unable — can be so uncomfortable when you want so badly to be independent. But God’s ways are not the world’s ways. Jesus teaches Mark 10:15 (ESV) 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Matthew 5:3 (ESV) 3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The Holy Spirit, dwelling in you, gives you the knowledge that you are helpless…that you need Jesus – and this is the entryway into the kingdom of heaven; the reign of heaven. Most Sundays you begin worship on your knees confessing that you are a sinner. You have done this so much you have worn out the kneelers and they need to be replaced. You know you are a beggar…you know you cannot do it on your own.

You are a beggar, but Jesus does not leave you empty. He fills you with His blessings. Jesus did it all for you on the cross and gives you the gift of forgiveness and eternal life. He brings you under the reign of Jesus. Jesus is King who rules and protects you and all His Church — pouring out grace and forgiveness on His people. Now, Jesus’ kingdom is different. John 18:36–37 (ESV) 36 Jesus answered [Pilate], “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Jesus reigns over His Church but, for now, His rule is incomplete. He has not yet fully restored the earth. And so you pray, “Thy Kingdom come…on earth as it is in heaven,” and you mourn the wickedness in the world as you look forward to the Last Day when Jesus will return and destroy all evil. Matthew 5:4 (ESV) 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

You are now forgiven and redeemed, but the world is not yet fully restored. The day is coming when Jesus will return and evil will be destroyed and you will have eternal peace. Then there will be no more living in this difficult “now and not yet” time between Jesus’ ascension and His return. So you pray over and over, “Thy kingdom come.”

You are spiritually unable, you are spiritually helpless, you are powerless, you are meek, you are lowly. You want everything to be right but it is so messed up. You hunger for righteousness. You thirst for righteousness. You cry, “O Lord! Thy will be done!”

Into your life of struggle and longing, Jesus’ words bring eternal comfort. Matthew 5:5–6 (ESV) 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” The meek will receive the whole world. Righteousness will come to those who are desperate for everyone to be right with God.

For now you wait for the Lord to return and make all things right forever. You wait. Your loved ones who have died and are at peace with the Lord also are waiting for Jesus to return. For now, for the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, it is a time of waiting. The disciples saw Jesus ascend into heaven and waited for His return. We continue the wait for Him to return and restore the earth.

Through Jesus’ suffering and death and resurrection from the grave He earned salvation for all people. Jesus offers the white robe of righteousness to all people everywhere. There is a robe ready for each person. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit you know you need it. You know that you do not want to be found naked on the Day of Judgement.

When Jesus returns, those alive in Christ will be taken up. Those who have died in Christ will be raised from the dead, and body and soul will be reunited. All will go before the judgement throne of Jesus, the King of the Universe. Those who rejected the robe of Christ’s righteousness will go to damnation with the devil and his angels. Those wearing the white robe of Christ’s righteousness — the Saints of God — will go marching into the Heavenly City of New Jerusalem. This is the great multitude that no one can number every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages. Indeed you want to be in that number. You will be in that number when the saints go marching in.

Through Jesus’ suffering and death and resurrection from the grave He earned salvation for all people. Jesus offers the white robe of righteousness to all people everywhere. There is a robe ready for each person. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit you know you need it. You know that you do not want to be found naked on the Day of Judgement.

Tragically, many reject Jesus’ gift. Even more tragically, many who have had the robe get distracted by the deceitfulness of wealth and the busyness of life and take off the robe of righteousness. Many do not want the Kingship of Jesus. They may want Jesus to give them good advice or help them from time to time, but they do not believe they are spiritual unable. They may think they need a little guidance, a little help, but they are certainly not poor in spirit, they are certainly not meek and lowly. That would be all too humiliating. That is not the way of the world.

The way of the world is to work hard and take care of yourself. It is thought to be dishonorable to be a beggar. Your sinful self wants to do it yourself, but you know the truth. You are helpless and powerless like a child. You know that salvation is 0% from you and 100% from Jesus. This humble understanding frees you from worrying and wondering and working at being saved and frees you to serve God by serving each other. Your salvation is secure so you can focus on love and service. Shine the light of Christ in the darkness of this world.

You are spiritually unable — and are blessed; now and for eternity. Wir sind bettler. Das ist wahr. We are beggars. This is true. Amen.

Posted on October 27, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

Dignity in the doing?

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Reformation Day 2024
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
October 27, 2024

Today we celebrate Reformation Day. We remember Martin Luther nailing the 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg Germany on the Eve of All Saints Day in the year 1517. This call for debate on the sale of indulgences began the Reformation of the church and led to the Lutheran Church coming into existence.

I confess that I may have, at times, turned the Reformation Day sermon into a sort of pep rally for Lutheranism, but I have not yet in the cheerleaders from school to lead us in a rousing chant, “Lutherans are ready… Lutherans are smooth… Lutherans will take control and stomp all over you!” I haven’t gone that far for Reformation Day, but it certainly seems to be a day to be proud to be Lutheran. Proud to be Lutheran! But wait…is that an okay thing to say? In the Gospel of Mark we learn that pride is one of evils that come from the heart of man. And, interestingly, what Luther rediscovered about humanity in Holy Scripture is not a source of pride.

The beginning of the Reformation came from Luther questioning the sale of indulgences which promised to remit all earthly punishments for sin for someone who is alive. Or, an indulgence could be purchased for someone who had died with the promise that they would spring from purgatory as soon as the coin in the coffer clings.

As a Lutheran pastor I am not overly familiar with the teachings about purgatory, so, at a casual discussion group I was chatting with a young Catholic priest and he talked about the dignity of purgatory. He said a person has dignity because they suffer on account of their sins either in this life, doing penance, or in purgatory. Now, dignity means to be worthy of honor or respect. Does the Bible teach that you have dignity because of your actions? Is there dignity in the doing?

Even today, for Roman Catholics who want to avoid purgatory, they can still get an indulgence. You cannot buy one, but a quick internet search shows there are still many ways to earn a plenary indulgence which is the full remission of the earthly penalty for your sins. You can earn one each day, by being in a state of grace and with a proper disposition, go to confession, receive communion, and pray for the intentions of the pope. You can apply the indulgence to yourself or to someone who has died. In 2025 you can earn two indulgences each day because the pope has declared it is a jubilee year. For the jubilee year there is a detailed list of many ways to earn an indulgence; you can go on a pilgrimage, perform an act of mercy, fast from social media, and many other things. From these instructions it seems that there is dignity in the doing.

But what does the Bible say? Looking at our Epistle reading from Romans, what can we learn about our dignity? Romans 3:19 (ESV) 19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.”

God’s law stops your mouth, leaving you nothing to say in your defense. The law says you have no excuse. You get no dignity from the law. Paul continues, Romans 3:22–23 (ESV) 22 … there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” In our gospel reading Jesus teaches more about sin, John 8:34 (ESV) 34 …“Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.”

The very difficult thing about Christianity is the knowledge that you cannot save yourself. As a descendent of Adam and Eve, you are, by nature, sinful and unclean. You cannot undo that. The Bible is clear about the source of salvation. Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” It is utterly humbling to realize that you cannot do it. There is nothing you can do to save yourself. With man it is impossible. You are poor in spirit. You have nothing to offer God.

We like to go through life pretending that we are pretty good people and we are doing ok, not like those really bad people, but then we learn from Holy Scripture, Isaiah 64:6 (ESV) 6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

The New Testament is no more encouraging. 1 Peter 1:24–25 (ESV) 24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.”

You are like grass that withers. Your righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. You cannot do it. There is no dignity in your doing.

This can make it hard to market Lutheran theology. “Come to our church and we will let you know that you are a helpless sinner and you can do nothing to save yourself.” That is not a very positive message.

But that is not the whole message. God’s truth is not all about God’s law. Romans 3:21–22 (ESV) 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe…”

Righteousness does not come through the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:22–25 (ESV) 22 … there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation (an appeasement) by his blood, to be received by faith. …”

You can do nothing to merit salvation. You cannot gain dignity by doing. It has been done for you. Jesus did it for you and gives it to you as a gift. Romans 3:27 (ESV) 27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. John 8:36 (ESV) 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

You are free in Christ. You can trust this Good News because Jesus did it all without your help and Jesus does things perfectly. In Christ you have the perfect promise.

Which of these two statements gives you more assurance? “I am saved because I believe in Jesus.” Or “I am saved because Jesus died for me.” If you emphasize your belief you are always left wondering, do I believe enough? If it is about what Jesus has done, you can trust it completely. You are saved — because Jesus died for you. Let the joy of that promise sink in. The truth is that you can do nothing to aid in your salvation; you have no dignity in the doing, and that is the most joyous truth because it means that you need not doubt. You need not wonder — have I done enough. Jesus has done it all.

Jesus delivers this saving grace to you in the waters of Holy Baptism, in His Body and Blood in Holy Communion, and in His Word.

Lutherans follow scripture alone. Whatever I teach from this pulpit or in a class, I need to be able to show you where it comes from in the Bible because the Bible is God’s Word. In scripture you find truth.

As Jesus teaches, John 8:31–32 (ESV) 31 … “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

1 Peter 1:24–25 (ESV) 24 … The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” VDMA Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum. The word of the Lord remains forever. This is the motto of the Lutheran Reformation. So we sing and we pray, “Lord, keep us steadfast in your word.”

You have the amazing, pure Good News that your sins are forgiven in Jesus. And today we remember and celebrate the rediscovery of that Good News begun by Martin Luther in Wittenberg.

Jesus saves you, you do not save yourself. There is no doubt of what Jesus has done. You can trust that His redemption of you is complete. And so, while you still struggle with temptation and sin, Jesus has declared you to be a saint; holy, righteous and pure. The joy and light of Jesus shine forth from you as a redeemed child of God destined for eternal life in the Heavenly City.

You are destined for eternity with Jesus, but for now there are dangers lurking, so be aware. The devil will tempt you to believe that you have to do something to complete your salvation; that your sins are forgiven, if, you do your part. The devil will tempt you to abuse your salvation by acting like an unbeliever following the ways of the world, instead of acting like the saint that you are following the commandments of God. The devil will try to get you to abandon God’s truth and believe the devil’s lies. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Today, we celebrate Reformation Day. We remember a brave, stubborn monk who rediscovered the truth that dignity is not in the doing, or in the buying of an indulgence, or suffering in purgatory, an imaginary place invented by men. Jesus’ grace is a free gift for all people.

For questioning indulgences, Martin Luther was kicked out of the Roman Church and sentenced to death. The penalty for translating the Bible into any language other than Latin was also punishable by death. So since he was already under a death sentence, and with the protection of his prince, Luther translated the Bible into German so the German people could read the Bible in their own language. The people could abide in God’s Word and the truth set them free. Luther gave people the Word of God and churches were able to learn the truth of the Bible.

Luther did not start something new. He did not start a new church of the enlightenment period in which he lived in order to make everything make sense. He did not start a new church that rejected infant baptism and rejected the real presence of Jesus’ Body and Blood in Holy Communion because that just makes more rational sense. Luther did not start something new. Luther went back to an earlier form of the Church when scripture alone was the source of church teaching. Luther called it the Evangelical Church. The Gospel Church. The Good News Church. “Lutheran” was first a name coined by Luther’s enemies, but the churches began using the term in the middle of the 16th century to distinguish themselves from Anabaptists and Calvinists. So now we are called Lutherans and the last Sunday of October each year we remember and celebrate the Reformation. We are tempted to say, “I’m proud to be Lutheran,” but perhaps it is better to say, “I am thankful to be Lutheran because I know the truth. Jesus has fully redeemed me and I need not doubt God’s promise to me.”

You know the truth and the truth sets you free. If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. The word of the Lord remains forever. Amen.

Posted on October 20, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

How Much Money is Enough?

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Pentecost 22, 2024, Proper 24
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
October 20, 2024
Ecclesiastes 5:10-20, Hebrews 4:1-13, Mark 10:23-31

When I was in my late 20s I went to work as a representative for AAL, Aid Association for Lutherans, which was a forerunner of Thrivent Financial today. I worked with families regarding their finances, and sold insurance and mutual funds to try to meet their financial needs. I taught people the value of investing money over time to grow wealth. I taught my children that when they get their first adult job they should invest in their 401K or 403B in their 20s because if they can get a good chunk invested by the age of 30 they should have 40+ years for that money to grow. It takes as long to double $1,000 to $2,000 as it does to double a $500,000 to $1,000,000. So, the earlier you start, the more chances of doubling you have. As you manage money, wise investing is a good thing. But with money there is always a danger.

Money is tricky. If you work hard and control your spending and save money and invest wisely you can end up wealthy. Or if you are an entrepreneur and build a successful business and employ people, you can be wealthy. Also, you can work hard and save money and invest and run a business, and circumstances can make money disappear.

Here, at Immanuel, we have folks that are barely scraping by, we have many who work hard to make ends meet each month, and we have folks that are quite well off. But no matter how much you have, money is tricky for everyone. In our Gospel reading today Jesus teaches, Mark 10:24–25 (ESV) 24 …“Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

It is impossible for a rich person to enter the kingdom. Now, you may think, that is bad news for Warren Buffet, good thing I am not rich. But you are rich. By world standards, every one of you here is rich. To be rich by world standards is to have more than one pair of shoes and get to choose what you eat. In 2019, 85% of Africans lived on less than $5.50 per day. If you have a roof over your head, clothing and shoes to wear, and food to eat you are rich. Most of us have far, far more than we need, but how much is enough?

John D. Rockefeller was the founder of the Standard Oil Company and the first billionaire of the United States of America — he was at one time the richest man on Earth. Rockefeller was once asked by a reporter, “How much money is enough?” He calmly replied, “Just a little bit more.”

Money is tricky because it is easy to believe you never have enough. You can feel like you never have enough when you spend everything you have and come up short every month. You can feel like you never have enough when you are barely making ends meet. You can feel like you never have enough when you have more money than month and savings and investment accounts grow.

How much money is enough? There is an ever present danger to love money. We all need money, and it is nice to have more money and so the desire to love money is a constant temptation.

Money is a good gift of God, but oddly enough, loving money will ruin it for you. If you love money you will be like Rockefeller — always wanting more — never satisfied. In our reading today from Ecclesiastes wealthy King Solomon shares wisdom about money. Ecclesiastes 5:10 (ESV) 10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.”

Throughout the Bible you are warned about the love of money. 1 Timothy 6:6–10 (ESV) 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” The desire to be rich can bring ruin and destruction. The love of money can cause people to wander away from the faith.

In our Gospel reading from Mark 10 we learn that it is impossible for you to save yourself. And yet, you are saved. You believe Jesus is your Lord and Savior, but your saving faith is not from you, it is a miracle of God. It is not from your own reason or strength, but the Holy Spirit has called you by the Gospel, enlightened you with His gifts, sanctified and kept you in the true faith. You cannot save yourself. Jesus saves you. As Jesus says, Mark 10:27 (ESV) 27 … “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

Afterwards, in response to Peter saying that the disciples have left everything to follow, Jesus responds with a promise. Mark 10:29–30 (ESV) 29 Jesus [says], “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Jesus promises they will have abundance in this time. Jesus promises you will have abundance in this time. You have abundance because, as a follower of Jesus, you are content with what you have been given. Being content brings great joy and thanksgiving for all you have received from God.

Enjoy what God has given you. Eat and drink and enjoy the work that God has given you to do, whatever it is. How wonderful to enjoy your labor and receive wages for doing it. God’s grace and provision are sufficient for you. Be content with what you have been given by God — and manage it well.

Twenty percent of the commandments deal with the sin of coveting. Coveting is having a sinful desire for what belongs to another. The opposite of coveting is to be content; to be satisfied with what you have. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Godliness with contentment makes you wealthy. Being content with what you have makes you wealthier than John D. Rockefeller who was never satisfied. Being content, you are wealthier than Rockefeller who always wanted more.

You have enough. God promises, “My grace is sufficient for you.” You have been rescued from the devil’s darkness and through Jesus you are brought into the kingdom of light and love. Be content with what you have. Take Solomon’s teaching to heart and live it out. Ecclesiastes 5:18 (ESV) 18 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot.”

Enjoy what God has given you. Eat and drink and enjoy the work that God has given you to do, whatever it is. How wonderful to enjoy your labor and receive wages for doing it. God’s grace and provision are sufficient for you. Be content with what you have been given by God — and manage it well.

Jesus gave everything for you. He redeemed you with His holy, precious blood and His suffering and death. As a baptized child of God, all that you are and all that you have belongs to God. Be a good steward of God’s body that you care for, and manage well God’s money and God’s possessions He has entrusted to your care. Work hard in whatever you have been given to do and be a good steward of God’s gifts to you. If you work hard and you manage money and possessions well they may grow. That growth in God’s gifts gives you more opportunity for tremendous generosity.

Being content with what God has given you will bring joy. Rejoice in your toil. Give thanks for all God has given you to do at school, at work, at home, at church, in the community. And as Solomon teaches, Ecclesiastes 5:19–20 (ESV) 19 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.”

So, beware the temptation to love money. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Beware the strong desire to never be content with what you have and what you have been given to do. Beware the love of money. Beware the devil and the world’s desire to keep you discontent.

The antidote for the love of money is generosity. Be generous with what you have. Give a generous, first-fruits offering to the Lord’s church. Give to deserving charities to help those in need. As you can, directly help out those in need. Share with others. Lend without expecting repayment. Be generous with your wealth and with your time.

Jesus gave everything for you. Enjoy what God has given you. Be content with what you have. God’s grace is sufficient for you. God’s provision is sufficient. Rejoice in all God has given you. You have enough. Amen.

Posted on October 13, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

Elon Musk is Needy and Helpless

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Pentecost 21 2024, Proper 23
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
October 13, 2024
Amos 5:6-7, 10-15, Hebrews 3:12-19, Mark 10:17-22

Elon Musk is needy and helpless. Jeff Bezos is needy and helpless. Bill Gates is needy and helpless. Like everyone else, the very wealthy are needy and helpless, but, far too often, they do not know it.

The very wealthy can do things that normal people cannot even imagine. They own islands, airplanes, huge collections of exotic cars, they get things done by using their power, wealth, and influence. They are problem solvers. The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation has projects going on all around the world dealing with issues of poverty. They are working improve education, agriculture, health and nutrition in some of the poorest nations. Jeff Bezos recently gave over $100 million to fight homelessness in the U.S. In response to Hurricane Helene, Elon Musk sent helicopters into Western North Carolina to set up hundreds of Starlink internet stations so people can get on the internet and be able to communicate and let their families know they are safe.

Rich people see a problem and have the resources to make things happen and solve the problem. I would think that to become very wealthy you need to have a “git r done” kind of attitude. The very wealthy are problem solvers. Here is a problem. How can I fix it?

In our Gospel reading today we meet a very wealthy man who is used to solving problems. He comes to Jesus after Jesus has just finished teaching about children and the Kingdom of Heaven. Mark 10:15 (ESV) 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.

Now, the disciples originally tried to keep the children away, but the rich man encounters no interference. The disciples are likely quite impressed that the rich man is coming to them. He runs right up to Jesus and kneels before Him and asks, Mark 10:17 (ESV) 17 …“Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” What does the rich man believe about Jesus? The man seems to have a high view of Jesus as he genuflects before Him and calls Him “good teacher.” “Good teacher” is an unusual title in Jewish culture; only God is good. This prompts Jesus’ response, Mark 10:18 (ESV) 18 …“Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” Does this man know Jesus is God? Does he think He is a prophet? Maybe He has heard all Jesus has done and suspects the truth, wonders about the truth, but is not quite ready to believe the truth. Much like the father of the demon possessed boy who says to Jesus, Mark 9:22, 24 (ESV) 22 … But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us….[, and] “I believe, help my unbelief.”

The rich man may suspect Jesus is possibly divine, but does not know what all that means. There are so many today that have some idea about Jesus, they may say they believe in Jesus, but they misunderstand Him, they do not know who Jesus is and how He works. They are looking for Jesus to be a helper and a coach and a comforter. They are looking for Jesus to help them be successful. But Jesus did not come to help you be successful; Jesus came to save you. The rich man asks a question, but it is the wrong question. Mark 10:17 (ESV) “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” It is a very normal question, a very typical question, but it is the wrong question. Jesus answers him. Mark 10:19 (ESV) 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ ” Basically, all you have to do is keep the 10 commandments.

The man answers, Mark 10:20 (ESV) 20 … “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” This guy believes he is one of the good ones. He believes that he is good enough. His wealth is a sign that God is blessing him and he believes he is keeping the commandments. Now, you know that, 1 John 1:8 (ESV) 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” But somehow the rich man has convinced himself he is keeping the commandments. The man is seeking the right thing, but he is asking the wrong question, and he is lying to himself about keeping the commandments. Jesus looks at him with love and lowers the hammer of the law onto the rich young man with one sentence. Mark 10:21 (ESV) 21 …“You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; ….” The man may think he is doing well with the second table of the law, but what about the first table; the commandments about God. What about the first commandment; you shall have no other Gods?

Who or what does the man fear, love and trust? Does he fear, love and trust God… or money? Jesus convicts the man with this one sentence. The man realizes that he is not keeping the first commandment and this breaks him. He is broken by the law of God. But Jesus does not crush him with the law and leave him crushed. He invites the man, “…come, follow me.”

Jesus loves the man and wants him to be saved, but the man does not follow Jesus. Something else is more important. Mark 10:22 (ESV) 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

The man is disheartened because he realizes that he is not good enough. He realizes that he cannot do it himself. He realizes that he needs help. He is wealthy. He can get things done. He is a problem solver. But this is a problem he cannot solve. He is needy and helpless. This is a new, confusing sensation for the wealthy man. He is…needy…and…helpless, like…a…child. Jesus invites him to follow, but to follow Jesus would be admitting that he is needy. So, just like the man declared he is keeping commandments 4 to 10 he does not want to admit that he is breaking the first and greatest commandment by loving money more than God… and he walks away.

This is still a hard lesson today. This is a most difficult teaching. You live in a land of great abundance and are constantly tempted to love money and love stuff. It is way too easy to fear, love and trust in possessions and money and investments. You worry that if forced to choose between wealth and Jesus you would be sorely tempted to choose wealth. Wealth is the way of the world. The world teaches you to love money and use people. Jesus teaches you to love people and use money.

You know the temptation, so you come here each week and get on your knees and admit you are needy. You are needy and helpless like a little child. No matter how much money you have, you are needy and helpless when facing the law of God.

Jesus’ disciples are also having that same problem. In next week’s Gospel reading, after the rich man went away, Mark 10:23 (ESV) 23 …Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

“What must I do to inherit eternal life?” is the wrong question. There is nothing you can do. You do not deserve it, you cannot earn it, it can only come as a gift from God. Salvation comes from God alone. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. With God all things are possible.

The disciples are amazed. How can this be? Everyone wants to be rich. They believe wealth is a sign of God’s blessing, and yet they just saw a rich man turn his back on Jesus and walk away disheartened. He could not admit he is a helpless, needy child. Jesus continues, and notice how He addresses the disciples. Mark 10:24–25 (ESV) 24 …“Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

A camel…through the eye of a needle…that’s crazy…that’s impossible. The disciples are confused. Mark 10:26 (ESV) 26 … “Then who can be saved?” Mark 10:27 (ESV) 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

“What must I do to inherit eternal life?” is the wrong question. There is nothing you can do. You do not deserve it, you cannot earn it, it can only come as a gift from God. Salvation comes from God alone. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. With God all things are possible.

The rich man in our Gospel reading is needy and helpless. The very wealthy today are needy and helpless. You are needy and helpless. The advantage you have is that you know it. You know you are a spiritually needy, helpless child, and you know the way of salvation through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. You are a baptized child of God. Jesus gave you the gift of the Holy Spirit. You have heard Jesus’ invitation, “follow me,” and you follow Him because you know He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. You know you cannot do it on your own. You follow Jesus. Amen.