Thursday, December 6, 2018

First Sunday in Advent & Advent Midweek I


First Sunday in Advent (C)
December 2, 2018
Text: Luke 19:28-40

            Are you tired of politics?  I don’t even mean all the political ads and yard signs and the mudslinging from which we have graciously been given an all-too-brief respite now that election day has come and gone (but just wait… it’s time to get going on the 2020 presidential race!).  No, I’m talking about all those promises that are made that get your hopes up that finally something will be done in Washington about all our troubles, that finally someone actually cares and will actually deliver us from all that is wrong in the country, the society… they get your hopes up and you vote for them, and maybe they even win, and then?  We’re still in the dumps.  And the Democrats blame the Republicans, and the Republicans blame the Democrats, and the media don’t report objective news, they’re all partisan, and we of course, thanks to Facebook and social media, are incapable of having civil and productive discussions with one another based on reason and logic, because we’re trained (we’re catechized!) to hate one another, because I’m right, and you’re wrong, and when you disagree with me, you’re clearly evil incarnate!  What do we do about immigration?  The economy?  North Korea?  Iran?  Why does it feel like we’re always on the brink of war, disaster, and economic collapse?  And then, of course, there is abortion and all the perversion and confusion about sexuality and gender and marriage.  This is what we might refer to as “business as usual” in this fallen world.  And it shouldn’t surprise us.  You know who the Scriptures call “the ruler of this world” (John 14:30; ESV)?  The devil.  But we act like if we could just elect the right guy, we can build heaven on earth.  You know, that is actually a doctrinal belief of many evangelicals.  And it’s false doctrine.  I’m not saying don’t vote.  Yes, vote.  That is your vocation of love to your Christian brothers and sisters and your fellow citizens, and you should do so as salt and light in the world.  But don’t for a minute think that your preferred candidates are saviors!  That’s the reason we’re so vicious to one another over politics.  Politics has taken the place of religion in our society!  Don’t participate in that.  Repent.  How many times do the Scriptures tell us not to put our trust in princes?  Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation” (Psalm 146:3).  It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes” (Psalm 118:9). 
            If you’re anything like me, all of this is so wearying.  Because there really is no earthly hope for all that is wrong with the world.  And the evil I see out there, I know is present within me.  And you know it, too.  No politician can do anything about that.  This is a fallen world, and we are a fallen people.  My flesh, your flesh, is fallen, descended from Adam, in a state of rebellion against God and all that is good. 
            And that is why we need Advent.  For this First Sunday in Advent brings to us the tremendous good news that Jesus Christ is our King!  And He comes to us, righteous and having salvation, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey (Zech. 9:9).  King Jesus rides into the capital city of Jerusalem, His path strewn with our palm branches and garments, and we join with the cheering crowds, because the very stones will cry out if we don’t: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!  Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38). 
            Never mind the politicians!  Our salvation comes in the flesh of Jesus!  Now, I understand that as Americans we love our representative democracy.  But as Christians, we’re died in the wool monarchists, not in terms of earthly government, but in terms of cosmic reality.  Jesus is our King.  I think we know this instinctually, by the way.  Even non-Christians.  Look at how fascinated we are, for example, by the royal family in England.  We’ll watch a royal wedding all night long.  Wait until we have a coronation!  We instinctually know that this is a shadow of something greater, something true, something for which we long.  That is Jesus as our King, and the royal nuptials of Jesus and His holy Bride, the Church. 
            Here He is in our text, riding into the city for His coronation.  This reminds us of Solomon riding through the city on David’s mule to be anointed King in his father’s place (1 Kings 1:32-40).  Now the true Davidic King has arrived, David’s Son and David’s Lord.  But He will claim His throne in a way we do not expect.  How quickly the cheering of the crowds give way to cries of “Crucify!”  A reed for His scepter and a purple robe.  The mockery of the soldiers for homage, and a crown of thorns.  Enthroned on the cross, naked, bleeding, between two thieves, nonetheless the official Roman proclamation declares the truth of the matter: “This is the King of the Jews” (Luke 23:38).  Indeed, this is your King, dear Christian.  This is how He claims His Kingdom.  He gives His life into death for you, and for all people.  He redeems you.  Purchases you out of slavery at the price of His suffering and death.  He rescues you from the kingdom of the devil, from death and hell.  As your substitute, He pays the debt for your sin.  That you may be His own, and live under Him in His Kingdom. 
            And what looks like defeat is His victory.  Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.  He has authority to lay down His life, and He has authority to take it up again.  He is vindicated.  And He has ascended into heaven where He sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, and rules all things in heaven and on earth.  All things are subject to Him.  This is what it means that Jesus is King.  He rules His threefold Kingdom (and you know this from Catechism class): His Kingdom of Power, His Kingdom of Grace, His Kingdom of Glory.  His Kingdom of Power: All things are subject to Him, the whole universe, believers and unbelievers, presidents and kings and armies, nature, your flesh, and even the devil and his demons.  He created all, and He rules all.  But you, you have been called out of unbelief and condemnation by His Spirit in His Word and in your Baptism, to be citizens in His Kingdom of Grace, the holy Church on earth, the Church Militant we call her, because she fights and she suffers, holy believers in Jesus Christ whose sins are forgiven and who live by faith in the unseen King.  And when you die, or when He comes again in glory, whichever comes first, you are translated into His Kingdom of Glory, the heavenly Kingdom, the Church Triumphant in heaven, and then you can never fall from Christ.  Your have your eternal reward.  You live with Christ forever in heaven, and on the Last Day, in the new heavens and the new earth in your body risen from the dead and made perfect in Christ. 
            He reigns, our gracious Lord and King, Jesus Christ.  He protects you and defends you from all evil.  He gives you His Holy Spirit, to keep you in the true faith.  He provides for all your needs of body and soul.  And He even uses all the evil things of this world for your good and for your salvation.  You can trust Him.  He knows what He is doing.  He does all things well, and He does all things for you. 
            Now, this King does not sit high in heaven, far removed from us.  The crowd gets it right in their confession of faith as Jesus enters Jerusalem.  This King comes in the Name of the LORD.  He comes.  This is what the Season of Advent is all about.  Advent means coming.  In Advent, we consider our Lord’s threefold coming for our salvation.
            He comes: As the Baby, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, Son of God and Son of man.  Born in Bethlehem, laid in a manger, because there was no room for Him in the inn.  And the angels sing, with the whole heavenly host: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased” (Luke 2:14).  Isn’t that interesting?  The heavenly song is echoed in mirror image in our text as the crowd sings: “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (19:38).  Here our Lord’s incarnation, His coming in the flesh, is connected with His coming into Jerusalem to die, to the atonement.  Heaven declares there is peace on earth.  The crowd proclaims there is peace in heaven.  Heaven and earth are joined in the coming of Jesus in the flesh to die for our sins.  Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). 
            He comes:  He is coming again, our King, that His Kingdom now hidden among His people be manifest to all the world, to those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:10-11).  He is coming to raise all the dead and to judge, and to give eternal life to you and all believers in Christ.  He is coming to deliver you and make all that is wrong right again. 
            He comes: In this time between His first and second coming, He does not leave you alone, at the mercy of the rulers and authorities, the cosmic powers and the spiritual forces of evil in this present darkness (Eph. 6:12).  He does not abandon you to the devil, the world, or even your own sinful flesh.  He comes as He has promised.  He comes in Baptism, to wash you by water and the Word.  He comes in Absolution, forgiving your sins.  He comes His Scripture and in preaching and in the Supper of His body and blood.  He comes, and that means really, bodily, in the Means of Grace, to apply to you all that He accomplished in His first coming for your redemption, that you be prepared to meet Him in His second coming in glory.  Jesus advents.  He comes.  And He reigns.  Blessed is the King who comes in the Name of the LORD.
            And that puts all the problems and controversies of this life into perspective, doesn’t it?  Maybe we should worry less about the next election, and anticipate more seriously and eagerly the coming of the Lord; His coming at Christmas, His coming here and now, His coming again on that blessed Day.  For it is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.  Jesus Christ is King, for He lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.  In the Name of the Father, and of the Son (+), and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.           


Advent Midweek I: “What Child Is This? The Child Who Is Zechariah’s Hope”[1]
December 5, 2018
Text: Luke 1:5-25

            The people were waiting.  And waiting.  And waiting.  It was getting awkward.  Their priest, Zechariah, chosen by lot to enter the Holy Place in the Temple and burn incense before God, representing the people’s prayers to God for the promised Messiah and His deliverance… well, he’d been in there awhile.  Now, you don’t just go marching in to the Holy Place to see what might be the matter.  You could die in there that close to the presence of the Almighty.  There are ceremonial washings, and special clothes to wear, and sacrifices of atonement to make, before going in, and even then, sinners in the presence of unfiltered Holiness is a dangerous game.  Maybe Zechariah is dead.  What do we do?  How long should we wait?  He’s supposed to finish up in there and come out to the Temple court to give us the familiar Aaronic benediction, to put God’s thrice-holy Name on us at the conclusion of the Divine Service.  You know it, too: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace” (Num. 6:24-26; ESV).  Then we can go home, marked as God’s own people, redeemed and forgiven of our sins.
            But he wasn’t coming out.  We know, thanks to St. Luke, what was going on inside.  The angel Gabriel was making a splendid announcement.  Your prayers have been heard, Zechariah!  Elizabeth is pregnant.  She will have a son.  You will call him John.  He will be the joy and gladness of your old age, and he will cause many to rejoice.  For he will be great, filled with the Holy Spirit, and by his preaching he will turn the hearts of the children of Israel back to YHWH their God.  He will go before the Lord.  He is Elijah who is to come before the great Day of the Lord.  He will prepare the way of the Lord.  “John” is a name that means, “The LORD’s gift.”  The Lord has given John to Zechariah and Elizabeth, to you and to me for this very purpose, that he may prepare us for the coming of Messiah.  He prepares us by preaching and baptizing, for repentance and the forgiveness of sins.
            And Zechariah can’t believe his ears.  How can this be?  I’m too old!  Elizabeth is all dried up.  Better give me some sign, Gabriel.  Now, can you believe this?  You meet an angel, and a famous one at that, and suddenly you doubt whether his words can be true?  You’ve been praying your whole life long… for a child, for Messiah, that God would send deliverance, that He would save you… You know the Scriptures, how God promised Abraham a son, from whom would come the promised Messiah, and how God made them wait and wait and wait for the fulfillment.  Abraham was 100 years old, and Sarah was 90 when she gave birth to Isaac.  Rebekah was barren, until God opened her womb.  Rachel was barren until she gave birth to Joseph.  There is Hannah, barren until the LORD gave her Samuel.  You know this is how our God works.  You’ve believed all His promises, and this has been counted to you as righteousness, justification by faith alone.  But now, suddenly, an angel appears, and you need a sign that his word will come true?  
            Silence.  That is what unbelief gets you.  Zechariah, a priest of God, a descendant of the High Priest, Aaron, who was known for his eloquence, must be silent.  Mute.  Maybe deaf, as well, because later the people will have to make signs to him to ask him what his son is to be called.  Now Zechariah cannot do what priests do.  He cannot speak.  Which means He cannot teach.  He cannot pray aloud.  He cannot bless the people.  Silence.  Until John is born, circumcised, and named.  Then God will open Zechariah’s lips.  And Zechariah’s first words will be words of praise to the God who has visited and redeemed His people.
            Zechariah’s name is a prophecy.  It means, “The LORD remembers.”  When God remembers, it is not as though He calls to mind something He has forgotten.  When God remembers, He acts.  He acts for the salvation of His people.  Zechariah, whose name means “The LORD remembers,” had forgotten the prophecy of his name.  Thus the silence.  But the LORD does not forget.  He is faithful.  He gives a son to Zechariah and Elizabeth.  He gives St. John to point to an even greater act of remembrance.  God gives a Son to the virgin Mary and to the world: Jesus Christ.  He is God in the flesh.  He is God’s remembering us.  He is the sacrifice of atonement for our sins.  He is, as John will preach, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
            Jesus is our true High Priest.  He is the end of silence.  He is the speaking of God, the Word made flesh.  He teaches us.  He prays.  He blesses us.  He speaks words of healing and life, forgiveness and salvation.  He does what Zechariah, in his unbelief, could not.  And yet, He too, becomes strangely silent when His Father remembers and acts for the salvation of His people.  Only Jesus is silent willingly and for the sake of Zechariah and of us all.  He is silent in the face of the unjust accusations, the insults, the mockery.  He is silent before Caiaphas, silent before Pilate.  Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, as a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth (Is. 53:7).  Until He was nailed to the cross.  Then, in His priestly office, as our Great Aaron, as our Great Zechariah (“The LORD remembers”), He stretches out His hands in benediction and He says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). 
            Unlike Zechariah, unlike you and me, Jesus does not forget.  He remembers, even in death, that His Father will remember and deliver Him.  And He is not disappointed.  God raised Jesus from the dead.  He remembered His love for His Son.  He remembered His love for you.  And now, an amazing thing happens.  God opens your lips.  As He opened Zechariah’s at the birth of John, He opens yours at the resurrection of Christ, that your mouth may declare His praise. 
            You are priests, beloved.  You are given to teach, to pray, to bless.  Now, too often, you are like Zechariah.  You know the Scriptures and you believe them and you are counted righteous by faith in the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ.  You pray and you pray.  You entrust all to God.  But then you also have your doubts.  You wonder if the Lord can really deliver.  You’re not sure if you should really be confident in your prayers.  You’re not sure whether God will live up to His promises.  You sure would like a sign.  Of course, you’ve had plenty of them, like Zechariah seeing the angel Gabriel with his own eyes and hearing his voice with his own ears, but still wanting a sign.  You have the sign of Christ crucified for your sins and raised for your justification.  You have the sign of water and the Word where God declares you His own beloved child.  You have the sign of the Holy Absolution, God’s own declaration that your sins are forgiven.  You have the sign of preaching and God’s Word, the living voice of the Almighty.  You have the sign of the very body and blood of Jesus, given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.  But no, that’s not enough, is it… OF COURSE IT IS!!!  What’s the matter with you?!  Repent of your doubt.  God Himself has spoken.  And His Word does what it says.  Your sins are forgiven.  You are acquitted and absolved.  You shall not die, but live.  God is for you and not against you.  He has remembered His covenant, made good on His promise.  Jesus is your Savior!
            And don’t be silent about this.  Confess it, dear priests.  Speak it to your neighbor.  Speaking is what faith gets you.  Sing praises telling what God has done for you.  That is what it means that God has opened your lips and loosed your tongue.  His Spirit is on you.  You are anointed for the task.  God has given His Son.  This Child is Zechariah’s hope, and yours.  Believe it.  And tell this Good News to others.  For the waiting is over.  God has remembered.  His benediction has arrived in the flesh, our Savior, Jesus.  And you go out with His thrice-holy Name upon you: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son (+), and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.       


[1] The theme and many of the thoughts in this sermon are from Ralph Tausz, What Child Is This? (St. Louis: Concordia, 2018).

1 comment:

  1. Are you by chance taping your advent sermons as well? CMZ

    ReplyDelete