Sermons from Lord of Lords Lutheran Church

Lord of Lords Evangelical Lutheran Church of Casper, WY
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Located in Casper, Wyoming, Lord of Lords is a friendly, conservative Lutheran church offering life-related messages and opportunities to praise our great Savior, Christ Jesus

  1. 6D AGO

    I Will Not Leave You As Orphans

    An 11-year-old girl is living in a run-down orphanage. She carries with her a locket and a note from her biological parents -- hoping that someday they will return for her. She and the other girls in the orphanage are living in harsh conditions and endure the cruelty of their alcoholic matron. Life changes for the little orphan girl when a cold-hearted billionaire decides to host an orphan at his mansion for a week to improve his public image. The little girl quickly charms the staff and breaks through the billionaire's tough exterior. Seeing how much she longs for her parents; the billionaire offers a $50,000 reward to find them. A corrupt couple plots to claim the reward by posing as the long-lost parents. After a tense chase and rescue, the villains are caught. The orphan learns her real parents passed away years ago, but she finds a new family when the billionaire officially adopts her. What is the name of this red-headed little orphan girl? Annie! She's adopted by Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks. The plot and songs of the movie are seared into my memory. It's a fine movie. The songs are memorable. But this is why I remember it so well. We didn't go to the movies too often as children. One time my mother took us to the movie theater, my sisters and I got to pick the movie. It was either "Annie" or "Star Wars" -- which was being replayed in the theater that May of 1982. I was outvoted by my two sisters. It's been 44 years. ... I'm almost over it! Today, Jesus talks to us about being "Little Orphan Annies." He's not going to leave us in a dumpy orphanage. He knows we'll feel alone and afraid. He understands that we'll be confused. He is aware that unscrupulous people will try to take advantage of us. He appreciates that we need human and divine relationships. That's why Jesus teaches, "I will not leave you as orphans" (John 14:18). The disciples are gathered in the Upper Room. It's Thursday of Holy Week. The past few weeks, Jesus has been talking about being betrayed, arrested, and put to death. Now he reminds them that we won't be with them much longer. "Dear children, I am going to be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come" (John 13:33). Jesus will soon leave to return to his heavenly Father. The disciples must be filled with all kinds of feelings -- confusion, fear, and anxiety. Much like an orphan. The orphan feels like she is alone. Her parents are gone. There's no one to care for her. Those who are around are untrustworthy and dishonest. We may feel like orphans at times, too. We discussed in our recent Bible study on Artificial Intelligence about how social media connects people instantly and from around the world. Yet, people feel more lonely than almost any time in human history. Roughly 57% of Americans reported feeling lonely in 2024 -- an increase of 46% since 2018. The elderly and middle-aged adults can certainly feel lonely. But it is the young adults ages 18-34 who report the highest-levels of loneliness. Some surveys show up to 79% of Gen Z experiencing these feelings of loneliness. That's because relationships are hard work. Young women have bought into the feminist lie that they are equal to men in every way, so they don't need a man in their life. The women say they want a man who agrees with their thinking. But when they find these men, they are disgusted by them because they're weak, soy boys. Young men have encountered these feminist women and don't want anything to do with them. So, they stay in their parents' basements playing video games and watching porn. Women turn to AI to create a "man" who agrees and affirms them. Men turn to AI to create a "woman" to meet their needs. I told both the teens and adults when we studied AI that I wonder if AI is used in these ways by people who are in stable, healthy relationships with their spouse, children, friends, church, etc. God created humans to be social people. He desires that we desire relationships with others. It's not good for us to be alone -- even if we're introverts who like to be alone. I also wonder if AI is used by people who are in a stable, healthy relationship with their divine God. Jesus promises that his disciples of all ages will not be orphans because he's going to send them the Holy Spirit. Jesus teaches, "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it does not see him or know him. You know him because he stays with you and will be in you" (John 14:16-17). Jesus says he will send the Holy Spirit as "another Counselor." The Greek word translated as "Helper" or "Counselor" is the word "Paraclete." "Paraclete" literally means "someone called to a person's side to help." Up to this point Jesus had been the disciples' counselor/helper. Now the Holy Spirit will assume that role. A Paraclete refers to someone who is needed for admonition, comfort, guidance, and so on. The title was sometimes used for an advocate or defender in court. In my role as pastor, I've served as a Paraclete as both a counselor and an advocate. After a couple had their children removed by Social Services, I counseled the couple on their biblical roles as husband, wife, and parents. Then I served as the advocate in the courtroom. I also spoke with the judge in his private chamber on behalf of the parents to get their children back. John records Jesus' words about the Holy Spirit being our Paraclete in the Upper Room. John later uses that word Paraclete in his Epistle. John writes, "My children, I write these things to you so that you will not sin. If anyone does sin, we have an Advocate before the Father: Jesus Christ, the Righteous One" (1 John 2:1). In this verse, Jesus is our Paraclete. He is our Advocate before the Father, pleading our case for forgiveness by his blood before the throne of God. In John's Gospel, the Holy Spirit is our Counselor or Advocate, pleading God's case to human hearts, bringing them to faith. Here Jesus is promising to send the Holy Spirit. This was fulfilled in a special way on Pentecost in Acts 2. We'll hear about the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in two weeks. The Holy Spirit comes to create a relationship with us and our heavenly Father. By nature, we are separated from God. The Holy Spirit reunites and reconciles us through the waters of Baptism. John's fellow disciple, Peter, writes in today's Epistle lesson, "In this ark a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you―not the removal of dirt from the body but the guarantee of a good conscience before God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:20-21). When we are feeling like orphans, we remember that the Holy Spirit has brought us into God's holy family through Baptism. We are now children of God through water and the Word. Being a part of this divine family means that the people around you are your brothers and sisters in Christ. You are never alone because you have others who are just like you -- people who are at times lost, alone, confused, and afraid -- that you are called on to love, comfort, console, and counsel. At other times, you are the one who feels like an orphan. Your Christian brothers and sisters can be the ones fulfilling Christ's command, "If you love me, hold on to my commands" (John 14:15). Jesus sends the Holy Spirit, so you don't feel like orphans. Jesus also gives you himself to keep you out of the spiritual orphanage. He teaches, "I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will see me no longer, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. The one who has my commands and holds on to them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I too will love him and show myself to him" (John 14:18-21). Orphans are left alone. Like Little Orphan Annie until Daddy Warbucks comes to adopt her. Jesus promises that although the unbelieving world will not see him again, his disciples will see him when he comes to them. He will come visibly and physically on the Last Day. But as Lutherans, we also believe that he comes to us invisibly and humbly through the Means of Grace of Word and Sacraments. We are confused by a world that doesn't know what a woman is. We hear Jesus' voice speaking clearly, "From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female" (Mark 10:6). We are angered by a culture of death that celebrates the slaughter of the unborn. We hear Jesus' voice speak clearly through his psalmist, "For you created my inner organs. You wove me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:13-14). We are disheartened by a society that discards the elderly and dying. We hear Jesus' voice speak clearly in his Levitical laws, "You must rise in the presence of gray hair and show respect in the presence of an elder, so that you fear your God. I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:32). Because we oppose fundamental cultural doctrines like transgenderism, abortion, and euthanasia, the world will oppose us. This will make us even lonelier and more afraid. But Jesus says the world will always oppose us, "He is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it does not see him or know him. You know him because he stays with you and will be in you" (John 14:17). The unbelieving world will not -- and cannot -- receive the Spirit. The world will not see Jesus after he leaves, so they will oppose Jesus, his followers, and his teachings. Jesus' disciples of all ages will continue to see and hear Jesus with the eyes and ears of faith. The disciples will know that Jesus and the Father are one; they will keep Jesus' commands; and live. The world will not enjoy any of these blessings. Not onl

  2. MAY 3

    Do Not Let Your Heart Be Troubled

    Sermon Overview: This sermon says that both pastors and church members carry many troubles, but Jesus speaks directly to those fears in John 14: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” The main message is that Christians need not be overwhelmed, because Jesus has risen, prepared a place for them in the Father’s house, and is himself “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Even when life brings loss, guilt, conflict, sickness, or uncertainty, believers can find peace in Christ’s death and resurrection, in the promise of heaven, and in their Baptism, where God claimed them as his own. The sermon concludes that because Jesus is alive, there is ultimately nothing to fear. I'm going to let you in on a little secret. A pastor's life can be full of troubles. When members don't come to worship; when seats are empty in Bible study; and especially when people leave the church; the pastor takes it personally. When the church doesn't grow -- and especially when the church shrinks in size -- the pastor carries those weights on his shoulders. He knows it's the power of God's Word that causes a church to grow. He knows that God's Word is a stumbling block that will offend people and drive them away (1 Peter 2:8). He also believes in the power of the divine call, so he believes God has put him in the right place at the right time --whether that's to find the lost or nurture the found or even close the church when necessary. When I was a very young and raw pastor -- within the first six months of my ministry -- the president of the church and his wife became offended and left the church. They were founding members of the mission church, and I'm guessing they were big financial supporters of this six-month-old church. I took the loss hard. I believed this meant trouble. When I related the story to an older, wiser, more experienced pastor, he told me, "Michael, did Jesus rise from the dead?" I was confused. I replied, "Of course, Tom." He said, "Well, if Jesus is alive, there's nothing to worry about." It turns out, he was correct. With that family leaving, other members picked up the slack, more people became involved in the ministry, and they filled the gap with their giving. Plus, they supported their new pastor. Those are some of the troubles of pastors. You live in the "real world". You have all kinds of unique troubles, too. Difficulties in your marriage, with your family, or with your friends. Problems in the classroom, on the athletic field, or in the workplace. Complications with the pharmacy on your kitchen counter, with eating healthy, and exercising regularly. We all have our own troubles. Jesus knows that his disciples of all ages, place, and times will be burdened and bothered. Both pastors in the pulpits and people in the pews will have their unique troubles. That's why Jesus begins our Gospel lesson saying, "Do not let your heart be troubled" (John 14:1). The setting of our sermon text is Thursday evening of Holy Week. Jesus has entered Jerusalem with a Palm Sunday procession. On Monday, Jesus chased the money changers and sacrificial animals out of the temple courtyard. Then Monday and Tuesday, Jesus taught in the recently vacated temple courtyard. It seems that Jesus took Wednesday off. On Thursday evening, Jesus is in the Upper Room with his disciples. He washes their feet. The Passover Meal is just about ready to be eaten. But before they sit down to eat, Jesus teaches his disciples covering five chapters in John's Gospel. Part of that teaching are these words: "Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that you may also be where I am. You know where I am going, and you know the way" (John 14:1-4). One reason you don't need to be troubled is you know where you're going. We allow ourselves to get so worked up when gas prices increase, our vehicle breaks down, or we receive a poor prognosis from our physician. We get worked up because we have become so earthly-minded. We forget that everything here is temporary and that we are transitory. We are filled with anxiety because we need to make expensive repairs to our house ... forgetting that Jesus has prepared a mansion for us in heaven. We are filled with worry because the bills for our surgery and car repair came in the mail on the same day ... forgetting that Jesus has paid the biggest bill of all with his death on the cross. We are filled with apprehension because our family seems to be filled with more anger and arguments than love and peace ... forgetting that Jesus has united us into the family of believers. St. Peter pictures this family of believers like a house made from unique field stones built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ as the Chief Cornerstone (1 Peter 2:4-5). Things in this life come and go, change, and decay. But our God is our one constant in our lives. What comfort to know that beyond this ever-changing world we have a place prepared for us by the Son of God in his heavenly home. No matter what we face in life, we know there is a place in heaven for us -- a home that has our name on the mailbox. Jesus doesn't promise to remove our troubles. Instead, he promises to remove us from our troubles eventually and eternally by taking us to the home he has prepared for us through his suffering, death, and resurrection. Hearing this, Thomas is clueless. He's been following Jesus for the past three years, but he still doesn't get it. He asks, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way" (John 14:5)? By God's grace, many of us have been following Jesus for longer than three years. Yet, we still don't get it. We're just as clueless as Thomas! Jesus replies to his clueless, troubled disciples of all times by teaching, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me" (John 14:6). Jesus calms our troubled hearts with the knowledge that he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. During the building of the Golden Gate Bridge over San Francisco Bay, construction fell badly behind schedule because several workers had accidentally fallen from the scaffolding to their deaths. Engineers and administrators could find no solution to the costly delays. Finally, someone suggested a gigantic net be hung under the bridge to catch any who fell. Despite the enormous cost, the engineers eventually opted for the net. After it was installed, progress was hardly interrupted. A worker or two fell into the net ... but all were saved. Faith in the net replaced their fear of falling to their deaths. When it comes to faith, it doesn't matter how strong your faith is. What matters is the object of your faith. It's whether that person or thing you put your faith in is worthy of that faith. It's whether it has the ability to hold on to you when you're about to fall. On that Golden Gate Bridge, many very talented people did their very best to not fall ... but fall they did. When they knew they would be protected when they fell, it changed the way they worked. They now worked by faith, not fear. There is no object of faith that can match Jesus Christ. Jesus is the way, the door, the only entrance into heaven. He is the absolute truth about salvation. He is the world's one and only Savior. Jesus is life itself, and he gives life to everyone who believes in him. Only through Christ our Savior do we ever come to the Father. Jesus teaches, "If you know me, you would also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip replies, "Lord, show us the Father, and that is enough for us." Jesus answers, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I am telling you I am not speaking on my own, but the Father who remains in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me. Or else believe because of the works themselves" (John 14:7-11). One more reason Jesus gives for not being troubled is that through Jesus, we get to know the Father. This morning, we witnessed the baptisms of Austin and Magdalene. By God's grace, they were given the gift of a strengthening of their faith the application of water and the Word. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united in the mystery of the Holy Trinity. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit performed a mystery today as they marked this family as being part of the family of God through the waters of Baptism. The sanctifying Holy Spirit works through these baptismal waters so this family can be in the protective care of Father through the saving work of the Son. So, when you're feeling troubled, recall your Baptism. When you're feeling lonely and alone, the Father says, "You are my own. I have chosen you to be in my family. Even if it seems like no one else loves you, I do." When your sins trouble you and the guilt threatens to overwhelm you, Jesus says, "I am God. Yet, I became human. I suffered punishment I did not deserve so you could receive forgiveness you do not deserve. I paid for your sins on the cross. I removed your guilt in the grave. All that was given to you as a gift in your Baptism." When the Devil and his demons tempt and torment you, the Holy Spirit shouts at the Devil and his demonic horde, "Leave him alone! Stop bothering her! You no longer have any power over them! They are baptized into Christ!" Now you know the secret. Even though pastors are in the Word and leading God's people in the church, they can be just as clueless and troubled as Jesus' first disciples. Even though you've been following Jesus for a long time and you know better, still you can be just as forgetful as Thomas and Philip. So,

  3. APR 26

    Hardy Wyoming Sheep Follow Their Shepherd's Voice

    It's fairly easy to raise sheep in New Zealand. It's an island nation with no natural predators like wolves, coyotes, or bears. New Zealand has 7.7 sheep per human on the island. It was a little more difficult to raise sheep while I was growing up in Wisconsin. We never worried about predators. We just had to make sure the sheep had food and water, stayed in their pens, and didn't headbutt us from behind. It's much more difficult to raise sheep in Wyoming. Sheep will graze on the sparse, varied, and native forage that cattle often won't eat. Yet, sheep in high-altitude, open ranges are helpless against blizzard conditions and finding proper forage in the winter months. They are entirely dependent upon their shepherd for sustenance. Unlike New Zealand, there are plenty of predators in Wyoming that can decimate a flock quickly. Coyotes, wolves, and mountain lions all find sheep to be a delicacy. The sheep are under constant threat. It's difficult for ranchers to find enough hired hands to watch, feed, and move the flocks. A hired hand might abandon the sheep in a crisis, but a Wyoming rancher who is deeply invested in the sheep for their wool and meat, will risk everything to protect them and keep them healthy and safe. Sheep are notoriously difficult to keep healthy and safe. They are not typically smart animals. If they roll over onto their back, they may die that way, because they are unable to roll over again. They're not fast -- unless you're a human trying to catch one. They're prone to wander, fall off cliffs, get stuck in mud, and get their heads trapped in holes. They're susceptible to a myriad of illnesses. It's said if you look at a sheep wrong, it will keel over dead. There are cattle guards all over Wyoming. I was surprised to learn that cattle guards don't work as sheep guards. Cattle are afraid of the gaps in a cattle guard. Though sheep aren't typically smart, they are tricky. Sheep have been known to walk along the edges, jump over, or carefully walk along the rails to bypass the cattle guards. So, ranchers need a good gate to keep their sheep fenced in. Sheep learn to recognize the voice of their shepherd. Even over vast landscapes, the shepherd can call his sheep and they'll come to him. There are particular breeds of sheep that are more hardy so they are popular for ranchers to raise in Wyoming's harsh climate and severe environment. Throughout Scripture, God's prophets, apostles, and only-begotten Son compare believers to sheep. They describe Jesus as our Good Shepherd. We are no different than the sheep raised and ranched around us in Wyoming. This statement is true for both physical sheep and we as God's spiritual sheep -- hardy Wyoming sheep follow their Shepherd's voice. Jesus teaches, "Amen, Amen, I tell you: Anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the door, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. ... A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:1-2, 10). There are thieves and robbers who will attempt to steal sheep after they've been branded. There are predators that will attempt to devour the sheep. The Devil, his demons, and his false preachers are like thieves and predators. They attempt to tempt and trick us into unbelief. They lure us out of the safety of God's flock. They attract us away from the green pastures and quiet waters of God's Word and Sacraments. They bait us with sweeter water that's really poison to our faith. They entice us with tastier food that's really sickening to our soul. They tempt us to trespass where we don't belong. Their goal is to rob us of our salvation. The Devil is a roaring lion looking to devour us as a tasty meal. He employs his demons as ravenous wolves and the world like crazy coyotes. We're not typically smart or fast to run away from danger. We have no natural defenses against spiritual, demonic predators. So, they chase us. They wear us down. They intimidate and terrorize us. Their goal is to separate us from our Shepherd. We sang earlier the beloved verses of Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing. He causes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:1-4). It takes hardy sheep -- you -- to live in Wyoming. Wyoming isn't for wimps. The environment is difficult with dry, warm weather this winter and now snow in late April. There's always plenty of that four-letter "W" word. There aren't many green pastures and even fewer quiet waters in Wyoming. There are lots of booms and busts with the energy industry. The economy is difficult. The confessional Lutheran flock is small in this state. It takes God's hardy sheep to live in Wyoming. The way to survive here -- and really anywhere -- is by listening to the voice of Jesus as your Good Shepherd. There are lots of competing voices for your time and attention. Our sinful nature wants to listen to all of them ... rather than listening to the one voice that can nurture, rescue, and save us. That's the voice of Jesus as our Good Shepherd. Jesus is no hired hand. He doesn't run or scatter when thieves or predators attack him while attempting to get at his sheep. He is the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep (John 10:11). Because of the hours of tender care, the shepherd knows each of his sheep by name. The shepherd knows the distinct personality of each sheep. The sheep follow because they know the voice of the shepherd while they are wary of the stranger's voice. The shepherd places a brand on his sheep so other shepherds know whom they belong to. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who knows each of you by name. He knows your distinct personalities. He made you his own at your conversion. He placed his brand on your forehead when the pastor made the sign of the cross over you at your Baptism. He leads you to the green pastures and quiet waters of his Word and Sacraments. He restores your soul with the words of his absolution. He guides you in paths of righteousness, so you go he wants you to go. He protects you from the Devil by shutting his roaring mouth. He keeps you safe from the demonic wolves and worldly coyotes by bonking them on their heads with his righteous rod. Some of you are going through various health issues. My Uncle Gary died of cancer this week. Jesus leads his hardy sheep like you and my Uncle Gary through this dark valley of the shadow of death to the mountain of the Lord in heaven. Therefore, fear no evil, for your Good Shepherd is always with you. That's why we want to always and only listen to the Good Shepherd's voice. Jesus teaches, "The doorkeeper opens the door for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own sheep, he walks ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers" (John 10:3-5). The Bible speaks repeatedly of Jesus as our Good Shepherd. "The Lord is my shepherd" (Psalm 23:1). "Like a shepherd he will care for his flock. With his arm he will gather the lambs" (Isaiah 40:11). "As a shepherd searches for his flock when his sheep that were with him have been scattered, so I will search for my flock and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries and bring them to their own soil. I will shepherd them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys, and in all the settlements of the land" (Ezekiel 34:12, 13). Jesus said again, "Amen, Amen, I tell you: I am the door for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. Whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture" (John 10:7-9). Jesus is the way into the kingdom of God so we may sit at the Lord's table and dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:5-6). Yet, in our polytheistic culture, people want to believe in lots of gods and trust in many paths for salvation. They want to have salvation without a Savior. They want heaven without Jesus opening the gate to heaven for them. They want to live their lives with the robbers without ever following the Shepherd. They imagine they can survive in the company of the predators without being devoured. Fences have become a way of life. People put up privacy fences to keep others from seeing into their yard. Farmers put up fences to keep the cattle in the field and sheep in their pasture. Businesses put up fences to keep thieves away from their warehouses. But every fence has a gate -- a passageway for those who are supposed to get to the other side of the fence. Jesus says he is the gate -- not into a yard or a field -- but into the presence of God and eternal life. The only way to eternal life is through Jesus. He opened the way to God by removing all the barriers that stood in our way -- our sins, guilt, and the accusations of the Devil. He prepared us for life with God by washing us with the water of Baptism and assuring us that our sins are forgiven through the Sacrament of his Supper. He leads us through the gate as he gives us his Word, which nourishes us and causes our faith to grow. He protects us from the thieves who urge us to ignore the gate and try to reach eternal life by jumping over the fence. Through Jesus, we the fullness of eternal life with God. Jesus said, "A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). We enjoy peace, joy, and conte

  4. APR 19

    But We Were Hoping ...

    The two disciples find it difficult to walk the seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Not because of the elevation or distance. It's difficult for them to move with any kind of urgency. Every step is slow and plodding as they head home. The minds of these two disciples are clouded with disappointment and dashed hopes. Their vision is hazy with fear and uncertainty. The road to Emmaus is a grim place to be this spring Sunday afternoon. As they're shuffling down the road, they talk about what happened the past week in Jerusalem. The arrest, trials, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus. They're in mourning. This wasn't just a teacher or a friend who was killed. This was the One they believed to be their Savior. They had staked their lives on Jesus from Nazareth. They had believed that Jesus was the true Messiah who was going to redeem Israel. They believed he was the prophet who was to come. Now, it all appeared to be over. Jesus was dead. They were wrong. They were lost. They were without hope. Their hopes were buried with Jesus in the tomb. Then they heard stories about Jesus' resurrection. About the tomb being open, Jesus' body missing, and even angels at the gravesite. Now confusion was added to their desperation. So, what could they do? The only thing they could do -- go for a walk. While they're walking and talking, there's a stranger walking and talking with them. They didn't see him coming at all. It's as if he's an alien who materializes out of the mist. The stranger asks them, "What are you talking about" (Luke 24:17)? The disciples are mystified and answer, "Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days" (Luke 24:18)? "Where were you the past few days ... living under a rock?!" The two disciples explain, "Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet, mighty in deed and word before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be condemned to death. And they crucified him. But we were hoping that he was going to redeem Israel. Not only that, but besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Also some women of our group amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning. When they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb. They found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him" (Luke 24:19-24). "But we were hoping ...". These two disciples had lost hope because what they experienced was not what they expected. They expected Jesus to remain alive, to defeat his religious and political enemies, and restore Israel to its former glory under Kings David and Solomon. "But we were hoping ...". Doesn't that describe us when we're going through difficult times? We were hoping to get that job promotion, but it went to someone else. We were hoping for a better outcome on our medical tests, but the doctor gave us bad news. We were hoping for two days of rain, but we got six inches of snow. We were hoping that all these young people flocking to Christian churches would turn our nation around, but things seem to keep getting worse. These two Emmaus disciples had been part of Jesus' larger group of 70 disciples. But they just didn't get it. They thought the cross ruined everything! But that's exactly how Jesus redeemed the nation of Israel! And all nations of the earth! Through the cross! The two Emmaus disciples concluded that the cross ruined everything they were hoping for! If it hadn't been for the cross, everything would have been great. This stranger is bold when he accuses, "How foolish you are and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter his glory" (Luke 24:25-26)? Then the stranger leads a Bible study along the road to Emmaus. Like those two Emmaus disciples who were blessed to have Bible study with the resurrected Jesus on Sunday afternoon, we are blessed when we come to Bible study, too. Whether that's on a Sunday morning, a Sunday afternoon Teen class, a Wednesday evening, a Saturday Men's or Women's study, or an Everyone Outreach workshop. Whether that's reading your Bible on your own or discussing a devotion with your family. Jesus uses his Word to correct his disciples' faulty thinking. Jesus gave his two Emmaus disciples a strong rebuke. He called them foolish and slow of heart. They should have known these things were going to happen from Scripture. God had spelled it all out. As they walked and talked, Jesus worked through the Old Testament, explaining what they had prophesied about him. Jesus did a Bible study with them on the road to Emmaus. He corrected their faulty thinking. It is in his Word where Jesus continues to correct our faulty thinking, too. When we lose hope from not getting that job promotion, God reminds us, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to give you peace, not disaster, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11). When we lose hope after the doctor's diagnosis, God reminds us, "Even if our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. Yes, our momentary, light trouble produces for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond any comparison" (2 Corinthians 4:16-17). When we're worried about the lack of precipitation, God reminds us, "He makes clouds rise from the end of the earth. He sends lightning for the rainstorm. He releases the wind from his storehouses" (Psalm 135:7). When we're concerned about Christianity within our nation, God reminds us, "I am confident that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living― Wait for the Lord. Be strong and take heart, and wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27:13-14). Wherever we're going; whatever we're going through; however we're feeling; we need to remember that the cross doesn't ruin anything. The cross is the point of everything! Like those Emmaus disciples, so often we just don't get it! At our confirmation, we made vows to take up our crosses daily to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away as we follow Jesus. But what happens when the crosses we are called to carry become too heavy? The cross might come in the form of unemployment, an empty pantry, homebound by illness, or shut-in by old age. We've asked Jesus to give us this cross. We've promised to bear the cross in Christ's name. It's silly for us to then complain when God gives us the cross we asked for. We don't learn patience until we deal with problems. We don't learn discipline until we go through difficulties. We don't learn trust until we endure troubles. Jesus came to these two disappointed and doubting disciples to show them how the cross was not a surprise. It was not life spinning out of control. The cross was necessary. Jesus' death was a necessity. Not for ruin, but for good. Not to shatter hope, but to give hope. The cross was not the defeat it appeared to be! It was always God's plan from before the foundations of the world were laid to use the cross to defeat sin, death, and the Devil (1 Peter 1:20). God had been giving allusions to the cross throughout the Old Testament with the Passover Lamb, the Great Day of Atonement goat, and the snake on the pole. Now God's eternal plan of salvation was completed that very Easter morning. Jesus has gone to hell and back for us. And we -- like the two Emmaus disciples -- don't get it. So, what does Jesus do? He could have walked up beside them, introduced himself, pulled his hands out of his pockets, and slipped the sandals off his feet. He didn't do that. He let them struggle with their faith. He wanted them to exert themselves. To think everything through -- the promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; the prophecies given through Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the minor prophets; the crucifixion, ravings of the women, and the rumors of his body being stolen. He let them struggle so that their faith would rest where it needs to be -- in the resurrected Christ and his Spirit-inspired Word. Jesus can very easily make all of this go away. He can heal the disease. He can restore the economy. He can ease the burden. He can remove the cross. But Jesus wants us to struggle with our faith so that we rest in him. Jesus takes his time going to visit Lazarus, that by the time he arrives, his friend has been dead four days. So, Jesus can raise him to life! God makes Jacob wrestle with him all night long before giving him his blessing in the morning. Jesus seems to ignore the pleas of the Canaanite woman, so she begs for mercy from the Son of God. Then he heals her demon-possessed daughter that very moment. When things are going well, it's easy for us to become complacent and lax in our faith. When we struggle, that's when we get up and exercise our faith. We go for a walk through the pages of Scripture, we see what we are going through is neither new nor unexpected. It's common. It's a cross. It's a blessing. Jesus wants us to realize that we are sick, so we look to him for healing. We are weak, so we look to him for divine strength. We are guilty, so we need his forgiveness. When we are tempted to lose hope because God isn't doing what we expect him to do, we need to look even more intently on what God truly has promised us. God never fails to do what he has promised. God has forgiven all our sins in Jesus, just as he promised. God always works all things for the good of those who love him, just as promised. God will take all who believe in him to heaven, just as he promised. When we go for a walk through God's Scriptures, we will always have hope. When we carry our cross in Jesus' name, we find our hope in Jesus going to his cross. When you are feeling like you are losing hope like those Emmaus disciples, have a Bible study with the Son of God. There you encounter the alien who came from heaven to be your Savior. You see the stranger wh

  5. APR 12

    The Incredulity of Saint Thomas

    The Incredulity of Saint Thomas is a famous oil painting by Caravaggio in 1601-1602. "Incredulity" is a fancy term for doubt, skepticism, and disbelief. Incredulity is an inability or unwillingness to believe. I want you to closely examine the artwork on the sanctuary screen. I'm going to be asking you questions about the painting. This part of the sermon is interactive. Caravaggio is depicting the drama of the resurrected Jesus appearing in the locked upper room with his disciples a week after Easter. Jesus had appeared to ten of his shocked disciples on Easter evening. Thomas wasn't there. So, later when Thomas arrived, the other disciples kept telling him, "We have seen the Lord" (John 20:25)! John, who was one of the disciples there that Easter evening, records Thomas' words, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe" (John 20:25). There were eleven disciples in the room when the resurrected Jesus appears to them a second time. Here's the first question. What do you notice about the number of disciples in the painting? ... Caravaggio focuses our attention only on Jesus, Thomas, and two other disciples -- possibly Peter and John. Caravaggio doesn't paint any background or anything in the room. Caravaggio was a master of light and shadow. He paints a simple dark background with a light coming from over Jesus' right shoulder. Why do you think he uses the light and dark like this? ... Caravaggio is using the light to focus attention on the wounds of Christ and the expressions of the disciples. The three disciples don't question Christ's identity. The wounds are all that are needed to identify that this is Jesus standing in front of them. They are rightly fascinated by his wounds. Last question, what do you notice about Thomas's finger and Jesus' wound created by the soldier's spear? ... We don't like someone touching our paper cut or hangnail. Yet, Thomas has his index finger digging into Jesus' wound up to his first knuckle. Even more striking are Jesus' hands. With his right hand, Jesus is pulling aside his cloak to display his wounded side. With his left hand, Jesus is pulling Thomas' hand into his side. With one image, Caravaggio is portraying Jesus' words to Thomas, "Put your finger here and look at my hands. Take your hand and put it into my side. Do not continue to doubt, but believe" (John 20:27). Thomas had earlier doubted the disciples' pronouncement that they had seen Jesus alive. For that very human response, he has a painting of that incident that's been around for five centuries. Because of one moment of weakness, Thomas is continually known by the title, "Doubting Thomas." Personally, I think that's unfair! Peter isn't forever known as "Denying Peter." Jesus gave the nickname of "Sons of Thunder" to James and John. But they're not called "Judgmental James" or "Jerk John." It's only Thomas who is defined by his lack of faith. Unfairly so. When Jesus learned that his good friend, Lazarus, was deathly ill, Jesus discussed with his disciples going to see him. The disciples knew that Lazarus' home in Bethany was only two miles from Jerusalem. Jesus' religious enemies resided in Jerusalem. They wanted Jesus dead. Jesus and his disciples were hanging out in the north in Galilee. But Jesus said, "Let's go back to Judea." The disciples were reluctant. They said, "Rabbi, recently the Jews were trying to stone you. And you are going back there again?" Thomas was the only one who spoke in favor of going to Bethany. He said to his fellow disciples, "Let's go too, so that we may die with him" (John 11:7,8,16). But Thomas isn't remembered for that instant of great faith! He's not known as "Fearless Thomas" or "Gutsy Thomas" or "Intrepid Thomas." No! He's known as "Doubting Thomas." Thomas is a wonderful, real-life example for all of us as modern-day disciples. There are times when we have a great, active faith in our God. But we must admit, there are other times when we become incredulous. We doubt God, his goodness, and his overall plan for our lives. We often waver between the two -- fearless and incredulous. A young family is at the hospital with their deathly ill little girl. They don't know what's making her sick. They know that God loves the little children. But in the dark recesses of their hearts, they wonder why God isn't showing that love right now to their daughter. The doubts of their fear threaten to overcome their faith. A family is blessed that their mom is able to be a stay-at-home mom for their little children. Money is tight. But they're making it work. Now, dad is home, too, after he's been laid off from work. They trust that God works everything out for their good. Yet, they don't know what good will come from not knowing where their next paycheck is coming from. The doubts of their worry threaten to overcome their faith. A wife admitted to her husband that she had an affair. She knows she is forgiven by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. But she wonders if her husband can forgive her, too. The doubts from her guilt threaten to overcome her faith. A family calls the pastor at 2 a.m. to ask him to come to the emergency room. Their dad just had a massive heart attack and isn't expected to survive. Their dad had been in good health. They expected him to be around to walk his daughters down the aisle. But now that family reunion will have to wait until heaven. The doubts from their shock and sorrow threaten to overcome their faith. You've been in similar situations. You have a fearless, trusting, confident faith in the Lord. Yet when illness, debt, guilt, and death intrude on your life, these difficulties threaten to overwhelm your faith in the Lord. Jesus does the same thing for us he did for Thomas. Jesus held Thomas' finger in his side and said, "Don't continue to doubt, but believe." Thomas believed and said, "My Lord, and my God" (John 20:28). Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed" (John 20:29). Then, Jesus talks about us when he says, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29). What haven't we seen and yet believed? We haven't seen the empty tomb or the angel sitting on the stone or the burial cloth neatly folded in place. We haven't directly heard the testimony from the angels or the women walking away from the tomb or the Emmaus disciples. We haven't put our fingers into the wounds of Christ. Yet, by the grace of God, we have heard and seen and touched, and so we believe. Picture Jesus doing for you that he did for his doubting disciple in The Incredulity of Saint Thomas. Jesus takes his hands and places them onto the ears of the young family with their little girl in the hospital. They hear Jesus' words of "Peace be with you" that he spoke to his disciples on Easter evening (John 20:21). They know that in life and in death, Jesus promises and provides a peace that the world cannot give. A peace that is beyond human understanding. This peace they hear overcomes their fears. Jesus takes his hands and places them onto the mouths of the parents and their young children. Every night they pray the Lord's Prayer before the children are tucked in bed. The family focuses especially on the Address and two petitions of the Lord's Prayer -- "Our Father, who art in heaven ... thy will be done ... give us this day our daily bread." They trust that their heavenly Father will give them daily bread according to his will. This trust they speak overcomes their worry. Jesus takes his hands and places them onto the hands of the husband and wife. He pulls them in close so they can feel his deep wounds of love. The wife knows that Jesus paid for her adultery on the cross. He has also removed her guilt. The husband knows that Jesus was able to forgive those who denied, betrayed, and mocked him. Jesus' forgiveness gives him the ability to forgive his wife. This love and forgiveness they feel in Jesus' wounds overcomes their guilt and lack of love. Jesus takes his hands and places them onto the eyes of the family who lost their dad to death. He focuses their attention on the open grave. Because Jesus had power over his grave, he will demonstrate his power over the graves of all people on the Last Day. They look forward to their family reunion around Jesus' throne. This resurrection they see with the eyes of faith overcomes their shock and sorrow. The trouble Thomas had is the trouble that followers of the Lord have had since Easter Sunday. It's hard to just believe and trust. It's easy to be incredulous and disbelieving. There's something way down deep inside us that urges us to seek proof and to believe only what makes sense to our minds. The Lord has told us repeatedly not to worry ... but we do. He tells us not to be afraid because he is always with us ... but what scares you right now? The Lord tells us not to doubt or question his ways, but every time a senseless act of evil or sudden hardship happens in our lives, we wonder, "What good can God create out of this?" Like Thomas, you need an encounter with the Living Lord! Do you need evidence that your sins are forgiven? Do you want assurance that God still loves you? Do you need proof that God's promises are true for you? Every day, approach Jesus who daily says, "Peace be with you!" Put your hand over his pierced side. Feel his hands and his feet. Taste and see that the Lord is alive and good, powerful to save, and abundant in love and mercy. He asks us to believe without seeing the future and to trust his plan for our life. Jesus held Thomas' finger in his side so that Thomas could feel Christ's wounds. Jesus holds your head at the baptismal font so you can feel those cleansing waters washing over you, making you a sanctified child of God. He holds your eyes to the pages of Scriptures so you can read for yourself God's love letter to you in those beautiful words. He holds your ear close to the mouth of

  6. APR 5

    A Better Resurrection

    This morning we took our annual trip to the tomb with the women. There at that Easter tomb we hear a refrain that resounds almost one hundred times in just the New Testament: "Do not be afraid." The women had come out to the grave of their (supposedly) dead Master with a mixture of fear, powerlessness, and hopelessness. But suddenly they learned that their dear Lord was no longer dead. Just as he had promised, death held no power over him. In his saving power, they no longer had any reason to live in hopelessness and fear. As they left the tomb, already the Easter message allowed the fear in their hearts to begin to mix with a great dawning joy. Then, as if the angelic messenger's words had not been enough, Jesus suddenly stood before them. They heard their risen Lord's lips repeat the refrain: "Do not be afraid." His repetition displays the patient mercy of the Savior who knows how difficult it is to drive fear from the hearts even of his believers! His repetition reveals he will not abandon them to their clinging fears. He wants them to know that their lives -- and their eternal lives -- are in the hands of a crucified and risen Lord. There is nothing more to fear. That same Easter message still resounds to this day: "Do not be afraid." Easter proclaims that there is nothing in ancient times, current times or future times that can rightfully make us afraid --not plagues or pandemics or World Wars or anything else that brings death. God's people repeatedly heard their almighty Lord reminding them, "Do not be afraid." Abram, Hagar, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Jehoshaphat, the Israelites, Zechariah, Joseph, Mary, the shepherds, the women at the tomb, and the disciples after the resurrection. They all heard the Lord announce to them, "Do not be afraid." On this, the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord, we desire a confident, resurrection faith like the Heroes of Faith we hear about in Hebrews 11. They faced starvation, enemies, imprisonment, torture, and more. Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jephthah faced impossible odds against the Midianites, Canaanites, Philistines, and Ammonites. David faced the giant Goliath and Samuel faced the darkening chapter in Israel's spiritual history. They were just a few of God's faithful people who marched against God's enemies trusting God's promises and found those promises to be true. They had no reason to be afraid because God was always present with them. The writer to the Hebrews mentions some heroes of faith by name, but then he gives other unnamed examples. "Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies." Daniel faced certain death but found the lions' mouths locked. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the seven-fold fire of Nebuchadnezzar's furnace and emerged without a whiff of smoke on them. Elijah moved among Queen Jezebel's drawn swords which could not reach him. Samson's blindness, baldness, and weakness became a strength as he collapsed the fish god's temple on the thousands of Philistines. The Israelites carried the ark of the covenant into battle and routed numerous superior enemy forces. Each of these heroes of faith faced death as an enemy and were granted the victory through their almighty Lord. But there were some whom death claimed as the spoils of war. Death visited the home of the widow of Zarephath, the home of the Shunamite woman, and the widow of Nain. All of them lost children to death. But all of them received their children back from the dead. Mothers tasted the bitter grief of loss, but later had it turned into joy by the resurrection. Lazarus, Eutychus, and the daughter of Jairus all came back to life through the power of the resurrection -- but all of them were subject to die again. Jesus Christ promises a better resurrection. A resurrection that defeats death once and for all. A resurrection that means that death has lost its grip on you and me. A resurrection that means that no power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck us from Christ's hand (CWS: 752). A resurrection that means that hell today is vanquished, heaven is won today (CW: 163)! A resurrection that means our flesh shall rest and for a season slumber till trump from east to west shall wake the dead in number" (CW: 160). Other martyrs in Hebrews 11 died gruesome deaths by being stoned, sawed in two or put to death by the sword. Those who escaped the martyr's death barely eked out an existence as they lived like wild animals on the move, clothed with sheepskins and goatskins, roaming the deserts and mountains, hiding and sleeping in dank caves and dark holes in the ground. A simple denial of Christ would have kept them from all this discomfort, hunger, suffering, and death. But it would also have lost them eternity. These heroes and martyrs of faith suffered and died looking for a better resurrection. "Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection." They prized the resurrection to come through Jesus Christ as far greater in value than earthly life. They valued earthly comfort little compared to the eternal Christ. Earth's safety was secondary when placed alongside eternal salvation. Earth shrank in importance when compared to heaven's glorious mansions. What do we do when we face difficulties and suffering that are nowhere close to what these heroes of faith faced on a daily basis? When there are tensions in the home, our tendency is to lash out at our spouse, children, or parents. When society rages about gay marriage, our temptation is to go along with popular thought and against God's clear Word. When difficulties arise within the church, our first thought is to find a different church. When illness or debt plagues our bodies and families, our inclination is to cry out that life and God are unfair. When we don't like what God has to say about our misbehavior, our reaction is to simply stop hearing what God has to say ... and an easy way to do that is by staying away from God's house, his Word, and his worship. When death visits our family, our preference is to grieve, mourn, and wail like the rest of the world who have no hope. Whenever difficulties, struggles, temptations, suffering, persecution or death become frequent, but unwelcome visitors in our lives, our tendency is to shut down, run away, cut ties, give up or curl up in the fetal position and let the Devil and the world have their way with us. Fellow saints, we have a better Savior who promises a better resurrection. It is this resurrection faith that allowed Gideon, Samson, David, Daniel, and the others to do such amazing things. It is this resurrection faith that allows us to be confident and deal successfully with our difficulties. It is this resurrection faith that allows us to go into battle against the unholy triple alliance of the Devil, the world, and our sinful flesh. Like those heroes of faith in the Old and New Testaments, we test and trust God's promises -- all fulfilled in the person, works, and words of Jesus -- and find them to be true. Because of Jesus, one thief is in Paradise. Because of Jesus, the gates of hell have been slammed shut and the gates of heaven have been thrown wide open to all those who believe in him as Savior. Because of Jesus, Satan and all his demons are already informed about their utter demise. Because of Jesus, we will be among God's white-robed saints streaming into heavenly glory. Listen to the angel's message to the women at the tomb, "He is not here; he has risen!" Jesus rose from the grave and grabbed that rascal Death by the throat and robbed it of all the power it once had over mankind. Though Christ once was slain, he burst his three-day prison (CW: 160). "For just as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (Matthew 12:40). Because Jesus didn't stay in the grave, we won't either. Yes, death will take our lives, and our bodies will be placed in the ground, but death won't be able to hold us ... because we know that our Redeemer lives (CW: 152). And so, Jesus promises, "Because I live, you also will live." Jesus promises a better resurrection -- to a better hope during hopelessness, a better life in the middle of the valley of death, and a better forgiveness and life where there are guilt and sin. Remember, our lives have never truly been in our own hands. Our lives rest in the nail-marked hands of the crucified and risen Christ. Even though fears still want to spook our hearts until heaven, yet here is where we go to silence them. Our hope is not in ourselves. Our hope is not in mankind. Our hope is not in the media, medical experts, or government authorities. Our hope is in the God who wondrously created us and still more wondrously restored us to himself in the life, death, and resurrection of his Son. Our hope is in the fact of a Christ who was dead and is now alive. Even in a fallen world where Death rides its pale horse to haunt and hunt us down, Jesus still patiently reassures us: "Do not be afraid." Death's back is broken. Satan's head has been stomped. The gates of Hades have been ripped off their hinges. Christ rides victorious on his white horse (Revelation 6:2). He has conquered and he continues to conquer. "Death is the last enemy to be done away with" (1 Corinthians 15:26), If Death is done, nothing else can win. If Death has been destroyed, then there is nothing else to fear. Death lies broken and defeated. Now you get to decide what to do with the rest of your troubles, the worst of your f

  7. APR 4

    A Better Sympathizer

    Every morning, Alex passed the same old man sitting on a weathered bench in the park, feeding peanuts to the squirrels. The man always looked nice in a buttoned-down shirt and coat. But he also always had a lonely look in his eyes. Alex was too busy to slow down to say "hello," and certainly too busy to stop and have a conversation. One day, as Alex rushed through the park, he noticed the old man on his hands and knees picking up the peanuts that had spilled from his broken bag. Alex stopped to help. They put the peanuts in Alex's backpack. They sat down together on the weathered bench and introduced themselves. The man said his name was Tom. He used to come to the park every day with his wife to feed the squirrels. But she had recently passed away. For the first time, Alex truly saw the old man, not just as a passerby, but as a person carrying deep pain. The next day, Alex left his house earlier so he could spend time sitting next to Tom, hopefully to help heal the loneliness. They talked about the weather, Alex's work, Tom's retirement, Alex's girlfriend, and Tom's memories of his wife. Over the following weeks, Alex made it a habit to visit, bringing coffee and listening as Tom shared stories of his past, his dreams, and the weight of his loss. In turn, Alex shared his own struggles, finding comfort in the shared silence. Though Alex couldn't erase Tom's grief, he realized that sometimes the most meaningful connection comes from simply sympathizing with someone. The writer to the Hebrews gives us this encouragement, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses" (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus purposely spends his time with us. You can talk to him about the weather, your work, your retirement, your children, your losses and gains, your joys and pains. He will sit with you on the park bench or the church pew or at the dining room table. He is always available for you to converse with. You talk to him in your prayers. He talks to you in your Bible. What a blessing to know that when you talk to your Savior, he's not at the edge of some distant galaxy in deep thought. Because of his divinity, he is at God's right hand in heaven and at the same time right here with you. Because of his humanity, he has been right here in this world to know exactly what you're going through. Poverty? He knew it. Pain. He suffered it. Rejection? He endured it. Temptation? He felt it. Betrayal? He lived it. Loneliness? He experienced it. God's wrath? He tasted it. Death? He let it touch him. Innocent suffering? He could write the book on it. Loving the unlovable? He did write the book on that. But remember: Jesus did this not only so he could feel what we feel. He did it to be our perfect Substitute. He willingly took the punishment for our failures and paid for them completely at the cross. God had been teaching his people about the need for substitution even before he started anointing men like Saul and David as king. Several centuries earlier, he anointed men like Aaron to serve as high priests. The high priest was selected from among the people to represent them before God. He was able to sympathize with the people he represented because he knew temptation like they did. The writer encourages us to approach God's throne. It is a heavenly throne of infinite majesty and divine justice. As sinners, we should approach God's throne with terror and remain mute with guilt. But Jesus turns us from sinners into saints. As our Greater High Priest, Jesus turns the throne of justice into a throne of grace. Instead of being mute with guilt, we can approach with shouts of praise with forgiven hearts and lips. The writer encourages us, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). Now we can approach God's throne of grace in our congregational prayers or in our personal prayer life. In the nick of time, right when we need it, when temptations come and troubles abound, we can approach our Greater Sympathizer who knows exactly what we need and knows just how to give it. We approach this throne to give God our sins and receive back his forgiveness. We pour out our sorrow and receive resurrection comfort. We lay down our weakness and receive strength from the Almighty. We tell God our needs and he gives us what we need at the right time. I've been told in my ministry that I'm not always very sympathetic. And that's probably true. First, I'm a guy. And guys may often not be very sympathetic. Second, out of the 34 strengths on my StrengthsFinder test, empathy is number 28 -- way at the bottom. Third, I married a woman whose number one strength is empathy. Her strengths cover many of my weaknesses. Pastors, teachers, parents, friends, counselors, can all give you advice or counsel, but none of them have experienced what you are going through. They don't know what you know. But there is One who does. He understands. Jesus knows. He is the Better Sympathizer. He felt repeated and very real temptations, so he understands what it's all about. Jesus experienced what we experience, so he can sympathize with us. Jesus had this in common with the Old Testament high priests. He had been tempted in every way, just as we are. The battles he experienced against the great enemy of the Devil are not all that different than the ones we experience. He knows what it's like to face the temptations we face, like every high priest before him. That's part of what makes Jesus so much better. In his life on earth, when he took on our human nature and became true man, Jesus was also "tempted in every way just as we are." From the beginning to the end of that earthly stay, Jesus faced temptations more severe than we will ever know. He felt the full force as hell's barracks emptied as demons stormed against him. He felt Satan's temptations even more than we do because while we so often fall under temptation's first round, he remained standing to the final bell to receive every assault. He willingly underwent hunger, thirst, cold, heat, exhaustion, ridicule, persecution, sorrow, poverty, scourging, the piercing of thorns, and even a cursed death on a cross. How wondrous is this kind of love that plunged our Savior willingly into a sea of that kind of suffering for miserable and ungrateful slaves such as us. We committed the crime. He underwent the punishment. We plundered. He made amends. We caused the debt. He paid that debt. Because of everything we have done, because of everything we have left undone, because of who we are, and what we have become, we rightfully deserve to be assigned to the unceasing, scorching flames of hell. But our Better Sympathizer boiled with the fire of love on the altar of the cross, setting us free from those hellish flames. We should be cast away from God's presence forever. But our Great High Priest chose to be abandoned by his heavenly Father as he cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" We deserve to be taunted daily by the Devil and tormented eternally by demons. But with immeasurable love, Jesus cried out that all of that is finished! Jesus was tempted in every way as we are, yet he remained without sin. Have you ever wondered about some of those temptations? As Jesus lay down on a hard mat in Peter's guest room, because he had no place of his own, do you think Jesus was ever tempted to reclaim the majesty of his heavenly mansion? In the middle of a long trip, did he ever consider transporting himself to the next city? When the rain chilled his bones, was he tempted to change the weather? When the heat parched his lips, did he give thought to popping over to the Caribbean for some refreshment? If ever Jesus entertained such thoughts, he never gave in to them. Not once. Stop and think about this. Not once did Christ use his supernatural powers for personal comfort. With one word he could have transformed the hard earth into a soft bed, but he didn't. With a wave of his hand, he could have boomeranged the spit of his accusers back into their faces, but he didn't. With an arch of his brow, he could have paralyzed the hand of the soldier as he braided the crown of thorns. With a single word, he could have called down a legion of angels to wipe out his enemies. With the breath of his mouth, he could have wiped out this whole earth and started over. But he didn't do any of that. Why is all of this so important? How is Jesus' coming so vital for us to understand? What is the coolest thing about everything Jesus did do and didn't do leading up to his death on Good Friday? It's not that in a few moments of time, Jesus went from needing nothing to needing air, food, and water. He needed a diaper change and to take a bath. It's not that he kept his cool while his twelve best friends felt the heat and got out of the kitchen. It's not that he gave no command to the angels who begged, "Just give the nod, Lord. One word and these demons will be deviled eggs." It is not that he literally turned the other cheek so the high priest could strike another blow. It is not that he prayed for his disciples before they fled or that he reached out to Judas before his betrayal. It is not that he declined the tears of the women but told them to weep for Jerusalem. It is not that the Palm Sunday King was crucified as a criminal on Good Friday. It is not that a crowd cheered for him on a bright Sunday morning, while a mob jeered him on a gloomy Friday morning. It is not that he refused to defend himself when God blamed him for every sin since Adam. It is not that he endured the poisonous bite of the serpent on his perfect heel, while then stepping down with that bloody heel to crush the Ancient Serpent's head. Or that he stood silent as the Ancient of Days' verdict of judgment was pronounced upon him. It wasn't even that after three days in a dark hole, Jesus stepped into the Easter sunrise with a smile on his lips, a swagg

  8. APR 3

    A Better Access

    When my sister was the associate head coach at the University of Michigan years ago, we gained access to various parts of the campus that were off limits to regular fans. For example, regular fans are able to watch games in the Crisler Center, but we were able to walk on the court and shoot baskets. Regular fans might be able to watch a game in the Big House, but we were able to walk onto the field and throw a football to each other. Regular fans might be able to see the basketball, football, and soccer players from the stands, but we were able to meet and greet all the players. I'll let you in on a little secret ... the basketball players are kind of tall (even the women), the football players are wide, but the soccer players, they were normal human size. But a regular fan cannot play on the beautiful U-M Golf Course. But because of my sister's access, I was able to lose all kinds of golf balls in the water and trees of that scenic setting. As we continue in our Lenten series of A Better Savior, the writer to the Hebrews compares access to the Lord in the Most Holy Place to the Better Access we now have to the Lord through Jesus. Just like my family had access to areas that were off limits to normal people, the apostle to the Hebrews announces that we have access to the Lord that was previously off-limits to the Old Testament Israelites. Throughout the Old Testament, the Jews worshiped first in the tabernacle -- a tent while they were wandering in the wilderness -- and then later in the temple in Jerusalem. The tabernacle was divided into two parts -- the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The worshipers could gather to worship in the courtyard of the tabernacle, but the tabernacle itself was off limits to them. The priests could enter the Holy Place, but the Most Holy Place was off limits to them. They could not look past the curtain that separated the two portions of the tabernacle. The curtain was 15 feet wide and 15 feet high and 2 inches thick. It was elaborately woven with blue, purple, and scarlet wool and then decorated with woven linen in the figures of cherubim (angels). Under the old covenant, sinners dare not come through the curtain to enter God's presence in the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and he could only enter once a year, and he entered with fear and trembling to come before the holy presence of God. Access to God was limited to only one person who was the representative of the whole Israelite community, and he was granted that access only once a year. The writer to the Hebrews was exhorting the Jewish Christians not to go back to that old way of thinking. They were now granted a different access, a better access through Jesus Christ. Now we can come anytime, without timidity and trembling, to our Father in heaven. "By the blood of Jesus," the author reminds us. There is no other way. His blood in payment for our sins has opened a freeway to heaven which no barricade can ever block and where no toll booth need ever be built. "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." The way to heaven was "opened" by Jesus with his death on the cross. It is a "new and living way." The word used for "new" originally meant "freshly slain," a picture quite fitting for Christ our sacrifice. Then "new" came to mean "recent," again quite fitting for, as Martin Luther said, "It seems but yesterday that Jesus died on the cross." And it is a "living" way. This way carries those who walk on it to life. This way is Jesus, as he said of himself, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). The writer to the Hebrew Christians was asking them why they would want to return to old way of restricting themselves to a man-made tabernacle, curtain, and Most Holy Place? Why would we ever want to go back to an inferior access? Why would we ever want to close ourselves off from Christ who is a new and living way? But we do this all the time. We forsake the Son of God, the living way to heaven, for lifeless and ineffective sacrifices. We consider Jesus' sacrifice as nice but feel that God must certainly enjoy the sacrifices we make as something that earns a little extra blessing from God. We close the curtain to God's presence when we refuse to speak to God in prayer, either because of false humility or genuine pride. We also stand on the opposite side of the curtain when we refuse to listen to God speak to us in his Word because of laziness or boredom or misplaced priorities. We limit our access to God's almighty power by considering worship as an optional part of our week, just something else to add to our busy schedule. How quickly we forget our Better Savior. So much happens to us during our daily life. So many changes within. So many alterations without. And somewhere, back there, perhaps without even noticing, we leave Christ. Perhaps we don't turn away from him ... we just don't take him with us. Assignments are piled on. Promotions come. Kids are born, and Christ .... well, Christ is forgotten. Has it been a while since you've realized God's divinity and your carnality? Has it been a while since you've focused on your Savior hanging on the cross, perhaps because subconsciously you don't think you need him? Has it been a while since you've really applied the message of forgiveness to your life because you don't remember what it's like to be guilty? Let's be honest. If your sins do not convict you, then you have no need for a Better Savior. Keep doing whatever you're doing. If there is no weight on your shoulders, then you are not seeking relief. Don't change your life at all. If you are feeling healthy, then you have no need for a doctor. Then the Great Physician of your soul is of no use to you. However, if your sin is very real to you, then it is good for you to be here this evening. If the skeletons of past sins are rattling around in the closet of your conscience, then it is good that you are seeking forgiveness from your past and present sins. If you have trouble sleeping at night because your mind keeps reliving the sordid details of your day, then it is necessary for you to find solace in your Savior. If you have limited your access, if you have tried earning God's blessings, if you are tired of carrying your sins by yourself, then you need a better access. Jesus grants you that access. Jesus has torn that curtain of tabernacle in two at his crucifixion, thus giving us sinners access into God's holy presence. We no longer must come through a high priest or with bloody sacrifices or in a tabernacle. This access comes not by blood sprinkled on a door - like the blood of the Passover lamb sprinkled on the doorframes -- but by Christ, the perfect Passover Lamb, sprinkling his blood on our hearts and sprinkling his baptismal waters on our bodies. All the barriers have been removed so that we may approach the God of the Covenant in the full confidence of forgiveness. Access to God the Father is no longer restricted. Through Christ, you now have complete freedom to approach your Lord. Jesus is the Better High Priest who intercedes on our behalf and grants us unrestricted access to the altar of God in our prayers. Jesus is the Better Sacrifice who shed his blood for you so that God does not treat us as our sins deserve. Jesus has torn aside the tabernacle curtain so we may enter the Most Holy Place to partake of his body and blood. In the Sacrament of the Altar that Jesus instituted on this holy Thursday evening, we have access to heaven right now as we live on the earth. I know most of you are not University of Michigan fans. Neither am I. Living in Wisconsin, I teased my sister that the free U of M clothing she gave me caused skin irritation. However, I didn't mind the special access that her coaching gave us. The writer to the Hebrews mentions the special access we have now through Christ: "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Through Christ we have a better access in living a new life in Baptism. We have better access to forgiveness and strength in the Lord's Supper. We have better access to the white robe of Christ's righteousness to cover our sinful filth. We have better access to spurring one another on to love and good deeds as a part of a congregation of believers. Christ demonstrates his love to you and offers his help to you through each other. As you gather together as members of Christ's Church, you build each other up in love as you patiently wait for the Last Day when final, total access is granted to you. Until then, you are to encourage and build each other up as the communion of saints. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching." You become active and energized by being in contact with the fellowship of believers. And they become active and energized by being in contact with you. All through Christ. Better access. Hearts and bodies purified by baptismal waters sprinkled on you. A clean conscience so you can sleep at night. Fed and nourished with Christ's Holy Supper. Hearing God speak to you in his Word and responding to him with prayer and praise. That is what this better access grants you. Then, after you have entered the Most Holy Place through Christ and his Word and Sacraments, you go out into the world to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. All in the name of Christ

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Located in Casper, Wyoming, Lord of Lords is a friendly, conservative Lutheran church offering life-related messages and opportunities to praise our great Savior, Christ Jesus

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  • Creator
    Lord of Lords Evangelical Lutheran Church of Casper, WY
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    422
  • Rating
    Clean
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    Copyright © 2014-2026 Lord of Lords Evangelical Lutheran Church.
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