Our Lord Jesus Christ says, "If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free" (John 8:31-32).
The blogosphere has been abuzz ever since the official notice of nominations for the LCMS Praesidium was released earlier this week. Some are expressing their fear of what a Matthew Harrison presidency would involve. They speculate about "purges" and "cleaning house," as if Harrison would immediately begin some sort of grand inquisition upon taking the office, ousting any and all pastors and congregations that don't live up to his "narrow view" of Lutheranism. It really is beyond silly to read what some have written along these lines. It is equally silly to hear some posit that the plan Harrison sets fort in "It's Time" would bring a halt to missions in our synod, as if we would be so focused on having the theological dialogue he proposes that we couldn't be doing anything else. And then there are those who link Harrison to what they believe to be the "radical right" in our synod, full of "meanies," who want the heads of anyone and everyone who do not practice Lutheranism exactly as they do. Also quite silly.
The sober truth is that, of the two leading candidates for the LCMS presidency, only Harrison has an actual plan to address the divisions evident among us in our synod. His plan is quite Lutheran in nature, calling for us to use the formula which led to our Formula of Concord, putting those divisive issues among us on the table to analyze them against Scripture and our Confessions. His plan does not call for immediate expulsion from our synod of anyone. His plan does not even come close to resembling the sort of "witch hunt" some irrationally fear. His plan calls for us to do what we should be doing - engaging in honest, deliberate theological dialogue to work toward resolution of those issues which divide us.
What is Kieschnick's plan? Having witnessed nine years of him occupying the office of President, and having read his recently released book, "Waking the Sleeping Giant," wherein he shares his vision for our synod's future, I believe his plan can be summed up with the image below:
Now, some would argue that Kieschnick has illustrated that he does understand that there are divisive issues among us, and that he does realize the necessity to address them. After all, he has stated publicly several times, and has written publicly in his book, that there are some controverted issues among us which need further exploration and work towards consensus. But, what is his plan to accomplish that? It seems, at least to me, that his plan is limited to precisely what his opponent claims will not work, namely to garner a mindset within our synod through the implementation of restructuring changes and convention resolutions (or, "covenants of love," as they are advertised by some) to lovingly agree to disagree on the matters that divide us. This has surely been the mindset produced by the various theological convocations which have been held under Kieschnick's watch. The dialogue which has occurred during those convocations has yet to result in any decisive conclusions about anything. If anything, the purpose has been more to recognize and foster what Kieschnick and others view as "blessed diversity" among us than to actually resolve our differences.
The differences between Harrison and Kieschnick are stark and vast. What it really boils down to in the end, though, is whether or not we want to follow the "agree to disagree" mentality Kieschnick favors or the deliberate dialogue to engage our disagreements and work toward agreement based on Scripture and our Confessions favored by Harrison. I don't think there is any question as to which approach is more Lutheran.
It should also be said, as many have rightly indicated during the course of the many conversations being had around the blogosphere these days, that the problems we face within our synod will not be solved by electing the right man as president. As an avid Harrison supporter, I am quite aware of the fact that, should he be elected, he will not be able to wave some magic wand and bring our problems to an end. But, he knows that better than anyone else. His plan calls for a 10-year process. He knows that our problems will not be solved overnight. It will take patience and steadfast determination to work through the issues that ail us. But, he believes it is work worth doing, as do I. And, perhaps best of all, he believes that the only way the ship of Missouri can be righted is by the Word of God, as do I. What will be the result? Who knows? Only God. But, I am prayerful and hopeful that we'll give Harrison's plan a shot, for it is the only plan proposed which has a chance of allowing the Word of God to do its work among us.
Anyway, you can now listen to Harrison read aloud the plan he proposes. He sounds like the kind of pastor and theologian our synod desperately needs as a leader. It's Time, Missouri! It's Time!
What an absolute blessing it is for me to serve among God's children at Peace. We may be a small parish numbers-wise, but there is nothing small about the faith I am privileged to witness here. That faith was on full display during the most important week of the Church Year last week. The faithful gathered daily around Word and Sacrament to travel the via delorosa with our Lord as He set His face to willingly and lovingly endure betrayal, denial, spitting, mocking, hitting, and flogging on His way to the Cross, and to be fed and strengthened by the same Lord with the Fruits of that Cross, which has become for us the Tree of Life.
There is always that underlying fear I feel as I put together the rather intense Holy Week schedule we observe here that no one will show up for one or more Services during the week, but, thus far, that fear has been unfounded. Even for daily Matins held at 7:00 a.m., I was joined every day by some of the faithful here; in fact, there were at least six of us gathered for Matins daily throughout the week. And, for all of the Divine Services, two held each day, many of the faithful here gathered together - more, really, than I expected, especially given the fact that Spring Break paralleled Holy Week this year.
Of course, the highlights of this Holy Week, as with all Holy Weeks, were the Services held during the Sacred Triduum. Our Holy (Maundy) Thursday evening Divine Service began with Corporate Confession and Absolution, included Dr. Luther's Christian Questions with Their Answers, and concluded with the Stripping of the Altar, all of which was beautifully observed. This is one of our longest Services of the year, yet I have never heard a complaint about its length, since it is also one of the most austere and moving Services of the year. Simply beautiful! And sets the stage well for our transition into Good Friday and Holy Saturday. The Chief Service of Good Friday was held at Noon and included meditation upon our Lord's Seven Words from the Cross, the Sacred Procession of the Rough-Hewn Cross, and the reception of our Lord's Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. Another very moving Service indeed! Then, eight of us gathered together at 3:00 p.m. for a Short Devotion at the Sacred Hour when our Lord breathed His last and gave up His Spirit, which is always a special time together as we kneel in awe at the foot of our Lord's Salvific Cross and plead for His mercy upon us and the whole world. Finally, our Good Friday observance was concluded in the evening as we gathered for Tenebrae. I know there are some of my brothers and colleagues who are not big fans of this Service and prefer to observe Vespers in the evening, but I wouldn't dream of changing this Service, which is also one of the most moving and meaningful Services we observe here annually. We begin the Service with the somber bells, which ring forty times. For the last twenty rings, the congregation turns to face the rough-hewn Cross in the rear of the nave. It is during this Service, and not the Noon Service, that the reproaches and their responses are shared as the Cross is processed in, with the choir singing "Lamb of God, Pure and Holy" (LSB 434) in between (the trio of ladies - Carol, Lois, and Marlene did a fabulous job of singing this hymn beautifully this year - thanks, ladies!). The Service continues with the Sentences and Collects, after which comes the reading of the Passion according to St. John with hymns and the extinguishing of candles in between each part. The homily and Bidding Prayer come next, and then the Service reaches its climactic conclusion with the reading of Isaiah 52:13-53:12, the strepitus, and the complete darkness which envelops the church. It is always awe-inspiring and, yes, even emotional. Nope, wouldn't change it for the world!
Then comes our Holy Saturday Divine Service in the morning, in which we hear the account of Daniel and the Lion's Den and meditate upon the rest of our Lord, the Greater Daniel, in the tomb. After this Service, we decorate the church for Easter, which is always a welcomed endeavor following the Divine Drama we've witnessed unfold before us the previous couple of days. Then, this year, we added the Easter Vigil to our Holy Week/Easter schedule, gathering together around the new light of Christ. All in all, our first-ever Easter Vigil went very well, although there are definitely some kinks to be ironed out for next year. We had planned to begin outside around the "new fire," from which we would light our new Paschal Candle, but the weather didn't cooperate, so we began in the fellowship hall, allowing an old Christ Candle to serve as our "new fire." We followed the Paschal Candle into the darkened church, carrying our own individual candles with us, stopping at the entrance to the nave, in the middle of the nave, and at the front of the nave for the Lux Christi to be chanted (Roger, who is our default Cantor, even though he probably doesn't realize that, did a fabulous job of leading us in this and in singing the Exsultet which followed - absolutely beautiful!). Then we settled in for the trek through the lengthy readings from God's Word, which put before us the Divine Plan of salvation, beginning with the Creation account and ending with the account of the Fiery Furnace (we actually only read 6 of the 12 readings assigned, but that's still a TON). This is one of the kinks we'll iron out for next year. I read all the readings myself - not a good idea. Midway through, my throat was letting me know that it did not appreciate this at all; it was all I could do to make it through with my voice intact, and the pain was barely bearable, but more annoying than anything else. Anyway, yeah, I'll be employing some additional lectors for next year. Another kink we'll have to iron out is the carrying of the Paschal Candle by the elder. I don't know if it's the specific candle we purchased or if all wax Paschal Candles are the same, but the wax splashed all over the alb Larry was wearing and the candle holder was pelted with wax as well. Amazingly, the wax kept to the alb and the basin of the candle holder and did not get on the carpet, but, still, improvement in this area is something we'll strive for next year. But, other than that, the Vigil was beautiful, attended by far more than I expected, and I received lots of compliments on it. We didn't have any Baptisms this year, but the Service of Holy Baptism, during which we all recalled our Baptismal vows, was special - and the symbolism of dipping the Paschal Candle into the font during the Rite was stunning. The Litany of the Resurrection, the brief Service of the Word with Gospel Procession and brief homily, and the reception of our Lord's crucified and resurrected Flesh and Blood in the Supper concluded the Vigil. The Vigil actually proceeds rather quickly after the lengthy Readings are completed. Our first Vigil ended up coming in at about an hour and forty-five minutes, which is noticeably longer than our normal Divine Services, and even about 15-20 minutes longer than our Holy Thursday evening Divine Service, but what a blessing to all who attended!
After the Vigil, we held a Champagne Reception, which went far better than I ever dreamed it would. Special thanks to Carol for making all the arrangements for this. The hors d'oeurves and desserts were delicious. Everything was absolutely perfect!
The next morning it was up and at 'em early for our Sunrise Service, Easter breakfast (best one EVER!) and the Festival of the Resurrection of Our Lord. I was exhausted by the time Easter morning rolled around, and left without much of a voice, but by God's grace got through the morning okay. What joy it was to break out our Alleluias again (actually, we broke them out already during Vigil, but Easter morning Divine Service, packed as it was, really saw them unpacked with great vigor again after the Lenten fast). Both choirs (adult and children's) sounded amazing, as did Roger's solo of "Christians, to the Paschal Victim," during the Festival and it may have been our best celebration to date.
It truly was a blessed Holy Week this year; perhaps, for me, the most meaningful yet. Although, I have to admit that I was more wiped after this year than I ever have been in the past. Three Services a day with visits to our eleven shut-ins interspersed throughout the week took its toll on me - maybe I'm just getting old! In any event, I am thankful for the rest afforded me the last few days (we transferred our Easter Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday Services to our regularly scheduled Wednesday evening slots for the next three weeks, rather than observe them at Noon on the actual days as originally planned, which has given me not only some time to rest and visit with family, but also time for my voice to recover a bit).
Next year, we'll make some adjustments not only to the Vigil, as mentioned above, but also to our schedule. We'll start the Vigil a little earlier next year and we'll drop the Sunrise Service (it was pretty sparsely attended this year and seems a little redundant with the Vigil in place). I'm already looking forward to it! But, now, to enjoy the Great 50 Days of Easter, where fasting gives way to feasting! He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
Special thanks to everyone who served so wonderfully throughout the week, especially to Mary, our secretary and organist, who made sure to have all the bulletins prepared (and to the ladies who volunteered their help with that), who played absolutely beautifully during our Triduum and Easter Services, and who did a wonderful job preparing and leading our choir; to Carol, who did an excellent job, as always, caring for our altar and preparing for each Service, who oversaw the Stripping of the Altar with great care (and to the ladies who assisted in that endeavor - I strip the altar, hand the items to the elder, who hands them to the ladies), who sang beautifully, and who did a superb job, as mentioned above, with our Champagne Reception after Vigil; to my elders for assisting me so faithfully throughout the week; to all who sang in the choirs; to all who helped decorate; to all who prepared food for our awesome Easter Breakfast; to all who served in any way. "I thank my God always for you!" A Holy and Blessed Week it was! All praise, glory, and honor be to God our Father, to His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and to the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, now and always! Amen.
The official notice of nominations for the LCMS Praesidium has been released. For the Office of President, Rev. Matt Harrison received the most nominations by far, nearly twice as many as incumbent Rev. Gerald Kieschnick. Not only does Rev. Harrison have a chance this summer, but these numbers seem to indicate that he's the front-runner, and that is GREAT NEWS for the cause of confessional Lutheranism in the LCMS! Here's how the numbers pan out:
Rev. Matthew Harrison - 1,332
Rev. Gerald Kieschnick - 755
Rev. Herbert Mueller, Jr. - 503
Rev. Carl Fickenscher II - 5
Rev. Daniel Gard - 3
For First Vice President, the numbers are equally exciting for confessional Lutherans, as the two nominees receiving the most nominations total 1,537 (Rev. Herbert Mueller, Jr. - 809; Rev. Matthew Harrison - 728), with the incumbent Rev. William Diekelman garnering only 244 nominations.
WOW! The hope of this confessional Lutheran for our synod is renewed. I pray that these numbers hold up this summer. While these numbers make no assurance that things will pan out accordingly this summer, the indication here seems to be that the majority in our synod desire a change of leadership. I hope that bears itself out at the Convention. It is time, Missouri! IT IS TIME!
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Daniel and the Lions Den is a favorite Bible Story among children. It has everything you want in a children’s story: Excitement, suspense, danger, and the good guy winning in the end. Fierce lions become tame, cute, cuddly lions when Daniel’s thrown into their midst. They don’t harm him a bit. They’re his friends. Daniel comes out of the Lions den unharmed and victorious. And the children are filled with glee – they laugh and clap their hands at Daniel’s triumph. It makes them happy.
And, there’s nothing at all wrong with this. This story is a great story to share with children. But, far too often, the significance of this story is overlooked when it is shared with children. Too many Christian teachers, who no doubt have the best of intentions, fail to make the proper connection between the story of Daniel and the Lions Den to the story of the Greater Daniel, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. They end up using Daniel as an example to follow, giving the impression to the children that if they’ll just stand firm in the faith, like Daniel did, they’d be just as safe as he was in a den of lions.
But, that’s really not the point of this story, is it? I mean, God doesn’t share this story with us in His Holy Word to teach us that if we’ll just be as faithful as Daniel, lions won’t physically harm us. Please, don’t take a safari to Africa and think that you can walk into a den of lions and come away unharmed. That’s not the lesson we are to take away from this story. Wild, untamed lions are dangerous. They eat people. Ask the many Christians in the first century who were marched into the Coliseum to be fed to the lions because they refused to deny Jesus Christ. They’ll tell you.
No, my friends, God is using a very real and physical event to teach us important spiritual truths. And, to fully understand the meaning of the story of Daniel and the Lions Den, you must learn the story of the Greater Daniel, Jesus Christ, for the story of Daniel and the Lions Den foreshadows the story of Jesus.
The parallels between the two stories are simply amazing and unmistakable. Daniel, because of his faithfulness to Yahweh, makes enemies of the political and religious leaders. He became distinguished above all the other leaders in the land, and their jealousy and lust for power caused them to search for grounds to persecute him. So, they plot in secret to entrap him with trumped up charges. And, they succeed in convincing the King that Daniel must be executed for blasphemy and treason against the state. The King gives in even though he finds no real fault in Daniel. He fears that not giving in to these jealous leaders will end up causing a revolt in the land. Daniel is, thus, thrown into the lion’s den to be executed. But, miracle of miracles, Daniel is not harmed by the lions and is brought forth out of the den of lions by the King.
Do you see it? Is this not exactly what happens with our Lord? The Jewish religious leaders are jealous of Him, because the people are flocking to Him. So, they plot. They try to find a way to do away with Jesus. And, they end up doing so by bringing trumped up charges of, you guessed it, blasphemy and treason against the state against Him. And, a reluctant Governor, named Pontius Pilate, finally gives in, even though he himself can find no guilt in Jesus. He, like King Darius, fears that a riot might break out in the land if he doesn’t give in. So, Jesus is ordered to be crucified. And, here’s the only real difference between the stories: Jesus is actually killed. He dies on the cross. But, then, the parallels pick back up again, for, like Daniel, Jesus is placed in a den of sorts – a tomb – and, like Daniel, He emerges from that den unharmed and victorious. No harm came upon Him while He was in the tomb. His body did not see decay. The “lions of Hell” could not harm him one bit. In fact, just the opposite is true: He descended into the Lions Den of Hell to proclaim His victory over sin, death, and the devil. He is, after all the Lion of Judah, the Greater Daniel, the Victorious One. Thus, He emerges from the tomb unscathed.
Dear friends in Christ, on this Holy Saturday, as we meditate upon our Lord’s rest in the tomb, let us learn the lesson put before us, namely that our Lord gives us the victory over sin, death, and the devil. He is the Faithful One, who conquered our foes and destroyed them. He died for us, that we might be forgiven of all our sins and live with Him forever in Paradise. And so it is, that we have no fear of the “lions den of Hell,” for the Lion of Judah has done away with Hell’s power over us. Repent, and turn to Him in faith, and the “lions of Hell” (Satan and his band of demons) will not, indeed, cannot, harm you one iota. For, like Daniel, and like our Lord, the Greater Daniel, the promise for you is sure and certain that you will rest in your tomb someday only to emerge unharmed and victorious when our Lord returns in great glory.
Until then, come and receive the sustenance you need to continue your journey through the valley of the shadow of death, the very Body and Blood of the crucified, risen, and ascended Lord, which you receive from His Table. All glory, honor, and praise be to the Lion of Judah who keeps us safe from the “lions of Hell.” In His Holy and Precious Name. Amen.
Now the peace of God that passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, unto life everlasting. Amen.
From The Lutheran Study Bible: Jeremiah points out that the sins of all the people lie at the very root of their current suffering (cf. v. 16). Because of their unfaithfulness, they struggle just to get enough to eat; they find themselves subjected to abuse and humiliation. Lamenting in anguish, God's people appeal to the Lord for forgiveness and restoration. In our own lives, we easily forget God and our calling as His people at times when it seems that everything is going our way. God stands ready to forgive penitent sinners by restoring His blessing to us through the blood of Jesus Christ. * Father, keep us faithful in good times and secure in our faith during bad times, for we are Yours at all times. Amen.
From The Lutheran Study Bible (vv. 1-10): Melchizedek, both priest and king, showed the true nature of his authority by receiving tithes from the patriarch Abraham and blessing him. As both king of righteousness and king of peace, Melchizedek foreshadowed Christ's work of justification. As Abraham gave offerings and respect to Melchizedek, greater respect is due to our High Priest, Christ. He serves without end to lead us into His kingdom. * Lord Jesus, You are my Priest and King. Rule over my life, and grant me righteousness and peace from the Father. Amen.
Responsory:
P: We have an advocate with the Father; Jesus is the propitiation for our sins. C: He was delivered up to death; He was delivered for the sins of the people.
P: Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven and whose sin is put away. C: He was delivered up to death; He was delivered for the sins of the people.
P: We have an advocate with the Father; Jesus is the propitiation for our sins. C: He was delivered up to death; He was delivered for the sins of the people.
The Writing (in place of the homily) by Ephraim Syrus(from Treasury of Daily Prayer):
They sealed You up within the tomb, and set guards, that Your resurrection might be believed among those who deny You.It was for You that they sealed the tomb and set guards, O Son of the Living One!If they had neglected You and left You and gone after they buried You, there would have been room to lie and say that the disciples stole You, O Quickener of all!When they craftily sealed Your tomb, they made Your glory greater.
Daniel was a type of You, so also Lazarus; one in the den, which the Gentiles sealed up, and one in the tomb, which the peopleopened . . .
If they had left Your tomb open, their mouth [could have remained] open.But they went away because they had shut Your tomb and sealed it and closed their own mouths.Yea, they closed it, and when they had senselessly covered their own heads.
But in Your resurrection You persuade men concerning Your birth.You were pure in the womb that was sealed and alive in the tomb that was sealed.The womb and the tomb, being sealed, were witnesses to You [and to Your divinity].
The belly and hell cried aloud of Your birth and Your resurrection:The belly, which was sealed, conceived You.Hell, which was closed up, brought You forth.Nature did not cause either the belly to conceive You or hell to give You up! . . . Thus do they proclaim that You are of heaven.
Sealed was the tomb to which they had entrusted You, that it might keep You dead, that is, safe, and virgin was the womb, which no man knew.Virgin womb and sealed tomb, like trumpets, proclaimed Him in the ears of deaf people.
Collect of the Day:
O God, creator of heaven and earth, grant that as the crucified body of Your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with Him the coming of the third day, and rise with Him to newness of life, who lives and reigns with You 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.
The real problem with the Jewish religious leaders of Jesus’ day is not that they hated Jesus and wanted Him put to death. It’s not even their jealousy of Jesus or their lust for power. The real problem is their self-righteousness. They reject Jesus because they think they don’t need Him. They reject Jesus because they believe they’re good enough. They’re the religious leaders, for crying out loud! Who could be better than them? They serve God in synagogue and Temple. They offer the prayers for the people. They perform the sacrifices. They stoke the incense on the altar. They preach to, and instruct, the people on how to live out their religion. They’re above the dregs of society. They’re not sinners. They may not be perfect, but they go to great lengths to obey God’s Law. They have even built fences around that Law to make sure that they commit no infraction. You won’t catch them doing any work on the Sabbath. You won’t catch them in bed with a woman other than their own wives. You won’t catch them stealing or murdering. They are the keepers and protectors of God’s Law. They’re the righteous ones in God’s sight. God is right to love them and to be pleased with them.
So it is that when this young up-start prophet named Jesus comes along, the Jewish religious leaders reject Him out of hand. Who is He to tell them anything? Who is He to call them to repentance? Does He know who He’s talking to? He should be learning from them, not the other way around. They don’t need a Savior. Savior from what? They’re good enough as they are. They’re not sinners; they’re righteous!
Oh yes, dear friends, the real problem with the Jewish religious leaders is their self-righteousness. They don’t recognize their sinfulness and need of a Savior. God commands them and they obey. They really believe that they are keeping His Law.
In many and various ways, the real problem with the Jewish religious leaders is the real problem with us as well. There is a little Pharisee in all of us, a part of us that thinks we’re good enough. In some ways, we’re even worse than the Jewish religious leaders of Jesus’ day. As misguided as they were, at least they took their religion seriously. What of us? How seriously do we take our religion? Sure, we’re here on this Good Friday, and sure, we may attend Church regularly throughout the rest of the year, but how do we live in between those times when we are in the Lord’s House? How much of an impact does our faith truly have in how we live out our lives in this sinful world?
The truth is, as hard as it is for us to admit, that we have all drunk from the poisoned well of self-righteousness, to one degree or another. And I dare say that the arrogance, vanity, and pride which we witness in the Jewish religious leaders of Jesus’ day is a pittance of that which afflicts us today. After all, we are modern people, born in an advanced, progressive age. We are taught that we are an advanced, progressive people, evolved and superior to all who have gone before us. We’re the good people, the decent people, the polite and well-mannered people, the people who know right from wrong. Sure, we have our mistakes and follies, but we’re not as bad as some. There are really bad people out there, evil people, but we’re not them. We read about such people in the newspaper or watch stories about them on television. Murderers, thieves, rapists, terrorists, corrupt and greedy businessmen, and the like. Those are the dregs of society, not us. Don’t even try to put us in their wretched, sinful category. We’re not that bad. And when we hear about these really bad, evil people, our self-righteous arrogance, vanity, and pride is inflated. It is almost as if bad people exist just to make us feel good about ourselves. When we hear about the infidelity of Tiger Woods, or the embezzlement of corporate executives, or the shady deals made by congressmen, or the latest suicide bombing of some wayward terrorist resulting in the deaths of hundreds, we pat ourselves on the back and thank God that we’re not like those people.
Repent! Look squarely at the cross where Jesus hangs in agony. Why is He there? If He is there to die for people who are basically good and not as bad as those really evil people in society, then those who stand at the foot of the cross and mock Him are justified. For if such is the case, His death is meaningless, and you, like the religious leaders in His day, don’t really need Him. Why do you need Jesus if you are good enough?
Repent! You have far too often failed to realize the seriousness of sin. You have played the role of the Pharisee, pretending that you are better than others. You have fallen into the trap of viewing God’s Holy Law in the same light as they did, believing that you have fulfilled it because, after all, you haven’t murdered anyone; you haven’t slept around; you haven’t beaten your wives or abused your children, and so on. But I tell you that if you have ever been angry with your brother, you have committed murder; if you have ever lusted after another in your heart, you have committed adultery. Remember what He taught you? The Law is not fulfilled by outward obedience, for the Law demands inward and outward perfection. The Law demands that you love God with all your heart, mind, body, soul, and strength, and your neighbor as yourself. The Law demands complete and perfect obedience at all times.
Repent! Do not make the mistake of the Jewish religious leaders, my friends. Learn to see the Law for what it truly is. Learn to see your sins in its reflection. And believe what God’s Word reveals about the seriousness of your sins. “The wages of sin is death” and “The soul who sins shall die.” Your sins are never minor. They are never “no big deal.” They are never less problematic in God’s eyes than the worse sins committed by others. All sin damns. All sin deserves God’s wrath and punishment. All sin – from the little white lie to the brutal rape and murder.
Not only have we consumed the poison of self-righteousness, but perhaps the bigger danger which threatens those of us who do come to the Lord’s House regularly is complacency. I mean, we’ve heard it all before – countless times. We hear God remind us of our sinfulness and the salvation He provides through Christ every time we gather together here. It is tempting to let it pass through our ears. It is tempting to yawn it away and look at our watches, wondering when the pastor will be done telling us again what we already know. And, actually, that’s why we need to hear the sternness of the Law preached right smack dab at us time and time again, our whole lives long, for the moment our sins fail to terrify us; the moment we become desensitized to our sinfulness; the moment we consider ourselves good enough is the moment for which the devil and his minions wait in eager anticipation, seeking to devour us.
So, open your ears, dear friends. Listen to Isaiah, for he speaks the truth: “Jesus was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities.” We must learn to see ourselves standing with the crowd in our own sinful, evil flesh, shouting out, “Crucify Him!” We must see ourselves in the betrayal of Judas and the denials of Peter. We must see ourselves in those who spit upon and hit the Savior. We must see ourselves swinging the whips with the Roman soldiers, tearing our Savior’s skin apart. We must see ourselves pounding the nails through His hands and feet, and piercing His side with the spear. For we, every one of us, is included in the “our” about which Isaiah speaks. Our sins crucified the Lord of Life, the Son of God, the Eternal Word of the Father, by whom all things were made. We are guilty – all of us – even we good, church-going Lutherans!
If we can see that; if the Law has its way with us and brings us to this terrible recognition, then, and only then, are we prepared to hear and understand why this Friday is called “Good.” For Isaiah has something more to say to us: “Upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed.” What our sins meant for evil, God meant for good – eternal good! Jesus does not go to the cross kicking and screaming, but silently and willingly. He loves us to the end. He allows us to crucify Him with our sins, for it was for this purpose that He came down from heaven and assumed our human flesh. This is His hour. He knows what He must do to save us. He knows what we have a hard time admitting – that we’re not basically good or better than others, but corrupted through and through with the disease of sin. He comes to take that disease upon Himself, to bear all of our sins in His own Holy, Innocent Body on the Tree of the Cross; to become infected with our sins and to experience the punishment they deserve. He comes to suffer hell in our place, so that we don’t have to. There was never love like this, my friends, for Jesus comes to die for His enemies, for sinners who hate Him and want nothing to do with Him, for sinners who think they don’t need Him, for sinners who think they’re good enough, for sinners who grow complacent and get bored with the Gospel, for sinners like you and me!
Today, on this Good Friday, let the Good News of this day ring fresh in your ears. With His stripes, you are healed. Jesus has completed the work of your salvation in full. He has fully consumed the cup of His father’s wrath for your sins. You are forgiven, saved, justified, declared righteous because Jesus shed His Blood on the cross in your place. Have you heard that before? Yeah, many times. But, hopefully, you’ll continue to hear it your whole life long, for it is the Good News of this Good Friday that assures you that, through faith in Jesus Christ, who suffered in your place and died the death you deserve, you have forgiveness, life, and salvation.
It is finished, my friends. You are forgiven and free. That’s why this Friday is Good! In the Holy and Precious Name of Jesus, with whose stripes we are healed. Amen.
The 1st Word: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34a)
“Forgiven!”
Look at Him as He hangs upon the cross. He is a horrific sight – a bloodied and beaten mess of a Man. Don’t turn away – look at Him, for it is our sins that put Him there. And, as you’re looking at Him, listen once more to the first word He utters from the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” He’s praying for you and me. Even from the cross 2,000 years ago, Jesus has each one of us in mind. “Father, charge each sin to Me; forgive them. Place each transgression upon Me; forgive them. Though I be forsaken by You, I petition You, forgive them. Forgive the Jew and the Gentile, the Pharisee and the pastor, the infant and the aged, the slave and the free, the rich and the poor, the male and the female, the hooker and the virgin, the African and the American, the sick and the well, the fearful and the courageous - Father, forgive them all!”
Dear friends in Christ, the Father has heard the prayer of His Son and has accepted His death as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. You see, even as the Son utters this prayer, He is in the process of fulfilling it, for it is through His holy and precious Blood that our sins are washed clean. You, dear friends, are forgiven of all your sins because Christ died on the cross for you. And, in a few moments, you’ll be invited to come to the Table of the same Lord who hung on the cross for you. As you receive this Blessed Sacrament in repentance and faith, you’ll receive tangible proof that you’re forgiven, for you’ll receive the very Body He gave up for you and the very Blood which pours forth from His sacred veins and into the Chalice. And, you will receive this very Body and Blood of Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. This is most certainly true! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
The 2nd Word: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43)
“Paradise!”
Because you are forgiven, you do not have to receive what your sins deserve. You deserve God’s wrath and punishment. You deserve eternal torture in hell. You deserve to be like the rich man who spends eternity begging for a drop of water upon his parched tongue. But, you don’t have to experience this. Neither did the rich man. Neither did the two thieves hanging next to Jesus on the cross, for Christ has taken what you deserve upon Himself and paid the price for your sins in full.
Yet, like the rich man, one of the thieves hanging next to Jesus is now spending an eternity in hell, thirsting without being refreshed, suffering without relief. Why? Why is it that he languishes in the place of weeping and gnashing of teeth? It is because he refused to repent. He rejected Jesus. He mocked and ridiculed Him. He would not put his trust in the One who prayed to the Father for his forgiveness. Therefore, he died, and not just physically upon the cross, but eternally in hell, where he is still dying; still paying the price for his sins, a price he’ll never be able to pay in full. So it is with all who refuse to repent and reject the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Learn to follow the way of the other thief, dear friends. Jesus announces to him that he would be in Paradise, not because he was better than the other thief, not because his sins were somehow less vile, but solely because he feared God, repented of his sins, and placed his trust in Jesus. Repentance is the key; it always is.
Therefore, repent, dear friends. On this Good Friday, as you meditate upon the suffering and death of your Savior, do not lose sight of your sins. Instead, see them attached to Jesus, as the very cause for His crucifixion. Fear God! Be sorry for your sins and confess them. And, trust in the Lamb of God who takes your sins – indeed, the sin of the whole world – away. Then, dear friends, is the same beautiful Gospel Jesus spoke to the repentant thief yours, and you can rest assured that you, too, will reside with Jesus and all the saints and angels in Paradise.
The 3rd Word: “Woman, behold your son! [John], behold, your mother!” (John 19:26-27)
“Loved!”
There is more to this third word than meets the eye. Yes, Jesus commends His mother to John, the “disciple whom He loved.” He loves His mother. He wants her to be well taken care of when He departs this vale of tears. But, why John? Why not someone in His immediate family? Because He loves His mother and is not only concerned for her physical welfare, but her spiritual welfare. He chooses John because John will not only see to Mary’s physical needs, but her spiritual needs. He chooses John to be Mary’s pastor.
But, there is even more to this third word than meets the eye. For, you see, Jesus is not just speaking to Mary and John here, but to all of us who would follow Him. Mary symbolizes the Church, and John symbolizes the Apostolic Word and Sacrament Ministry which would both establish and preserve the Church. Thus, in love, Jesus commends His Church to this Apostolic Word and Sacrament Ministry and the men He would call to serve in this Ministry to the Church.
Rejoice, dear friends in Christ, for you are loved by the Savior so much that He makes provisions for your spiritual well-being, even from the cross 2,000 years ago. He gives you a pastor to preach the Gospel in its purity to you, and to administer the Sacraments according to His Divine Institution. In this way, He continues to show you that you are loved. And, He will show you that love until the Day of His Glorious Return, for He will never forsake you, but will be with you always, to preserve you in the one, true faith through His Holy Word and Sacraments, that you may know with all certainty that you have forgiveness, life, and salvation. Oh yes, dear friends, you are truly loved by the Savior who died in your place; the Savior who richly provides for your spiritual well-being. In His Name. Amen.
The 4th Word: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:46)
“Not Forsaken!”
Many a Christian has stumbled at this fourth word of Christ from the cross. They’ve searched for some deeper meaning here, because, after all, the Father and the Son are One, which means that the Father could not possibly forsake the Son.
And yet, this is exactly what happens. God the Father does forsake God the Son on the cross. He abandons Him completely. He will not help Him at all. And, God the Son will not help Himself. He allows Himself to be abandoned. He humbles Himself to death, even death on a cross. He puts aside His Divine Nature and suffers in His Human Nature. He will not even use His Divine Nature to remove the pain, as He well could. He bears the excruciating pain every step of the way. He must, else our sins remain. He must allow Himself to be forsaken by the Father and, more than that, to be inflicted by the Father’s wrath and punishment. You see, it is not that the Father is absent. He is there. But, He is there to torture His Son, that His Son would experience an eternity in hell for those six hours on the cross.
And, all of this is done, my friends, for you! Listen to this fourth word, for here you have set before you the full, literal Gospel; the incalculable price which has been paid for your redemption. The Son is forsaken by the Father and afflicted with all the Father’s furious wrath in your place, for your sins. He experiences hell so that you don’t have to.
Therefore, learn from this fourth word of Jesus from the cross the extent of God’s love for you. No matter what you suffer in this life, God will never forsake you, because He forsook His Son. As St. Paul says, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor. 4:8-9). Why? Because Jesus has been crushed, left in despair, abandoned, and destroyed in your place. And, because He has, you are not forsaken, nor will you ever be. In His Name. Amen.
The 5th Word: “I thirst” (John 19:28)
“Quenched!”
This fifth word from the cross proves what we concluded in the fourth word, namely, that Christ is experiencing the thirst of being in hell; the agonizing and eternal thirst that cannot be quenched; the agonizing and eternal thirst that all sinful human beings deserve to experience. As Jesus hangs on the cross, having been forsaken by the Father and cast into the pit of hell, He suffers the agonizing and eternal thirst that you and I deserve to suffer for our sins, my friends.
Yes, it is true that Jesus is physically thirsty. But, that’s not why He utters this fifth word. He does so to fulfill Scripture (cf. Ps. 22:15, 69:2-3, 21) and to alert us to the fact that He is suffering hell in our place. He also does so not to quench His physical thirst, but to enable His parched mouth to utter His final words loudly and clearly for all to hear.
Dear friends in Christ, take comfort in this fifth word, for because you’ve been washed clean by the water that flows from the Savior’s side into the baptismal font, you’ve been given faith to believe in the One who suffered eternal thirst in your place, and, as you abide in Jesus’ Word, living out your baptismal lives in daily repentance and faith, you have the sure and certain guarantee that you shall never experience the agonizing and eternal thirst that is suffered in hell. The same Lord who suffers hell in your place continues to come to through His means of grace to quench your hunger and thirst by His Holy Word and by His very Body and Blood in the Holy Supper; to fill you with the living water he promised to the Samaritan woman at the well, the water that completely quenches spiritual thirst and wells up to eternal life. Thus, you are refreshed in every way. All your sins are forgiven and you are dressed in the everlasting holiness and purity of the Savior who thirsted in your place. Your spiritual thirst has been fully quenched and you will one day reside in Paradise will you shall never hunger or thirst again, either physically or spiritually. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
The 6th Word: “It Is Finished!” (John 19:30)
“Finished!”
The most beautiful and meaningful word ever found in any human language throughout history is the Greek word, tete/lestai (tetelestai). This is the sixth word our Savior spoke from the cross just before He committed His spirit to the Father and breathed His last. Tete/lestai! It is usually translated, “It is finished,” but it literally means, “It has been and forever will be finished, accomplished, completed.”
But, what does our Savior mean by this? What is the “it” which has been and forever will be finished? It is the salvation of the world! When Jesus cries out, “tete/lestai,” “it has been and forever will be finished,” He’s saying that He has successfully completed the work necessary to bring salvation to the world. He’s saying that the promise given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden is fulfilled in Him. He is the Promised Seed of the woman who has completely crushed the devil’s head. He’s saying that He’s accomplished what Israel and all sinful human beings were unable to accomplish, for He lived the perfect life and fulfilled God’s Law completely. He’s saying that all of the sacrifices required by God pointed forward to and have their fulfillment in Him, for He is the ultimate, once-for-all, sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Oh, this is Great News, my friends! This is why this Good Friday is called “Good.” “It is finished!” is the most beautiful and meaningful word ever spoken because it assures us that our Savior finished all the work necessary for our salvation. All the work! There is nothing, not one thing, not one iota of a thing, nothing, left to be done. The work of salvation is completely finished. The Law of God has been completely fulfilled. The Sacrifice required for our sins has been paid in full. There is nothing left for us to do. Our Lord and Savior has done it all for us. He lived the perfect, sinless life we can’t live. He took the scourging upon His body that we deserved for our sins. He took the nails through His hands and feet that should’ve been driven through our hands and feet. He suffered agonizing and eternal thirst in hell, dying the death, both physical and spiritual, that we deserve to die. And, because He did it all for us, there is nothing left for us to do.
And, because we have been given the faith to believe in Christ, we are forgiven because it is finished. We have eternal life because it is finished. We are saved because it is finished. We need fear nothing in this world because it is finished. We need not doubt because it is finished. We need not despair because it is finished. We need not be saddened by our Savior’s death because it is finished. We need only rejoice now and always because it is finished. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
The 7th Word: “Father into Your hands I commit My Spirit!” (Luke 23:46)
“Death of Death!”
Because Christ has completely finished the work of the world’s salvation; because the suffering is done and the price is paid in full, His last word from the cross is one spoken in confident faith, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.”
The Son who cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” is no longer forsaken, and He knows it. Jesus Christ is the Faithful One. Even though He’d been completely abandoned by His Father to suffer all of His wrath and anger, spending an eternity in Hell upon the cross, our Lord and Savior never wavered in faith. He is our perfect Substitute right up to the end. He knows that, as He breathes His last breath and dies to defeat death for us, He will completely fulfill His Father’s will. He was forsaken, but not forgotten. His perfect faith allows Him to cry out in a loud, clear, strong voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And, as He breathes His last breath, the sin of the world, our sins, every sin that ever has been committed by anyone at anytime, all the sins you’ve committed in the past, all the sins you’ll commit tomorrow, five, ten, even twenty years from now, all the sins you’ll commit right up until you breathe your last – ALL SIN, from the white lie to the brutal rape and murder – ALL SIN dies with Him. He takes the sin of the world into the grave with Him and buries it there. He defeats the devil, wins forgiveness of all sin, and accomplishes the death of death!
And, we know this, dear friends, because we know the rest of the story. We know that our Lord’s dying request was granted by the Father, for we know that the tomb was empty on Easter morning. The Father accepted the Son’s sacrifice on the cross – the empty tomb proves it! He rose and lives forever, proving that sin, death, and the devil have been forever defeated. And, because He is risen and alive, you who believe in Him will rise and live forever with Him in Paradise, for your spirit will be committed to the Father, who will receive you with joy! In the Holy and Precious Name of the Savior who accomplished the death of death for us. Amen.
From The Lutheran Study Bible: Jeremiah contrasts the wealth of Jerusalem's past with the poverty of its residents after the Babylonian conquest. The sins of the religious leaders come into focus as the cause for the destruction of the city. A note of hope appears at the end with a veiled reference to the eventual return of the exiles from Babylon (v. 22). Spiritual leaders carry a great responsibility for the welfare of God's people (cf. James 3:1). God sustained His people, and through their descendants raised up a Savior for all, Christ the Lord. * Father, send Your Spirit to strengthen Your shepherds, that they may teach Your Word in purity and truth. We pray through Jesus Christ. Amen.
From The Lutheran Study Bible (vv. 13-20): God's promise and oath to Abraham is certain. As heirs of Abraham, those who trust in Christ Jesus share in the blessing of life promised to Abraham. They experience unending stability and security through the Son's gracious access to the Father. If we doubt God's Word, we act as if God is a liar and miss the blessings that flow from a trusting relationship with Him. As we trust God's promises, we see that God tells the truth, and we share in the blessings of eternal life. * Lord God, in Christ You speak true mercy and forgiveness. Therefore, I will trust Your Word and receive what You graciously give. Amen.
Responsory:
P: We have an advocate with the Father; Jesus is the propitiation for our sins. C: He was delivered up to death; He was delivered for the sins of the people.
P: Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven and whose sin is put away. C: He was delivered up to death; He was delivered for the sins of the people.
P: We have an advocate with the Father; Jesus is the propitiation for our sins. C: He was delivered up to death; He was delivered for the sins of the people.
The Writing (in place of the homily) by Athanasius of Alexandria(from Treasury of Daily Prayer):
But if any honest Christian wants to know why the Lord suffered death on the cross and not in some other way, we answer thus:in no other way was it expedient for us, indeed the Lord offered for our sakes the one death that was supremely good.He had come to bear the curse that lay on us; and how could He “become a curse” otherwise than by accepting the accursed death?And that death is the cross, for it is written, “Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree.”Again, the death of the Lord is the ransom of all, and by it “the middle wall of partition” is broken down and the call of the Gentiles comes about.How could He have called us if He had not been crucified, for it is only on the cross that a man dies with arms outstretched?Here, again, we see the fitness of His death and of those outstretched arms:it was that He might draw His ancient people with the one and the Gentiles with the other, and join both together in Himself.Even so, He foretold the manner of His redeeming death, “I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto Myself.”
Collect of the Day:
Almighty God, graciously behold this Your family for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and delivered into the hands of sinful men to suffer death upon the cross; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You 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.
On this Holy Thursday, our attention is given especially to meditate upon the Holy Eucharist. This is the new covenant in Jesus’ Blood prophesied by Jeremiah. This is our Lord’s last will and testament, which He bequeathed to His Holy Bride, the Church, and by which He continually feeds and sustains her. This is the lifeblood of the Christian, the source of strength and preservation in the one, true faith. This is the Heavenly Manna, the Bread of Life, which our Lord rains down upon us to feed and sustain us as we make our way through the wilderness of this sinful world and to the Promised Land of His Eternal Kingdom. This is the medicine of immortality, by which the leprosy of sin that afflicts us is thoroughly healed. This is the Breaking of the Bread, by which our Lord Jesus is made known to us. This is where we behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This is where we take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.
We could say so much more about this Most Holy Meal, but eventually our words expire in attempting to describe it, for it is a mystery beyond our full comprehension. Who can adequately describe this mysterious and miraculous Meal? Here Jesus gives His actual Flesh as Real Food and His actual Blood as Real Drink. Here we penitent believers recline at Table with the Lord of the universe. Here we enter the Holy Places by the Flesh and Blood of our great High Priest. Here we are joined to all the saints, both on earth and in heaven, surrounded by the heavenly host – here heaven and earth come together as one!
Oh, my friends, if we could but see with our human eyes what is really taking place when we participate in this Sacred Meal, I dare say it would be too much for us to handle. Such is why, by His grace and mercy, our Holy Lord gives Himself to us in this Holy Meal humbly and hiddenly, riding into our hearts via our mouths upon simple bread and wine. His power is hidden in seeming weakness; His wisdom is camouflaged in what appears to be foolish. That’s His way.
Let the world call us fools for believing the Word of our Lord which assures us that with the bread and wine we receive the very Body and Blood of our Lord. For this is no April Fools joke, my friends – this is real! And, because it is real, it demands our reverence and awe – yea, even our astonishment. For nothing in this life compares to what happens at the Table of our Lord, for here we receive our Lord Himself, and with Him the forgiveness, life, and salvation He won for us on the Holy Cross, which has become for us the Tree of Life, the fruits of which are delivered to, and received by, us in the Holy Eucharist.
This Holy Meal is the center of our Christian lives, my friends. We move to and from the altar of our Lord; we live to and from the altar of our Lord, where our lovely Bridegroom loves and provides for His beautiful Bride, even we, His Holy Christian Church.
O come, all ye faithful. O come ye to Bethlehem, to this House of Bread, and partake of the One who came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary; the One who was lain in a manger – a feeding trough – and now places Himself upon the manger of the altar to be our Food. O come, let us adore Him and feed on Him – Christ the Lord! O come, all ye faithful, to the Table of your Lord, singing:
Praise we Him, whose love divine
Gives His sacred blood for wine,
Gives His body for the feast—
Christ the victim, Christ the priest. (LSB 633:2)
In His Holy and Precious Name. Amen.
Now the peace of God which passes understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, unto life everlasting. Amen.
Responsory:
P: We have an advocate with the Father; Jesus is the propitiation for our sins. C: He was delivered up to death; He was delivered for the sins of the people.
P: Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven and whose sin is put away. C: He was delivered up to death; He was delivered for the sins of the people.
P: We have an advocate with the Father; Jesus is the propitiation for our sins. C: He was delivered up to death; He was delivered for the sins of the people.
The Writing (in place of the homily) from C.F.W. Walther (from Treasury of Daily Prayer):
The apostle [Paul] wishes to say: Consider, beloved Christians, that when you receive the blessed cup and the blessed bread, each one partakes of the body and blood of Christ; they are both common to all of you. You come into body-and-blood fellowship with one another. For just as many grains become one bread, so in the Holy Supper, you, though you are many, become one Body, one mass, because you are partakers of the one bread and with it one and the same body and blood of Christ.
Because of the presence and participation of the body of Christ, the Holy Supper is a meal of the most intimate fellowship and, therefore, at the same time, the highest love-meal. Just as fervent love is demanded, so fervent love is delivered. We all come together, as children of the same family, to the table of our common, heavenly Father. As great as the distinction between communicants in civic life may be, in the Holy Supper all distinctions evaporate. We are all the same, in that we each eat the same earthly and heavenly bread and drink the same earthly and heavenly drink. In this Meal, the subject and his king, the slave and his master, the beggar and the rich, the child and the old man, the wife and the husband, the simple and the learned, truly all communicants stand as the same poor sinners and beggars, hungry and thirsty for grace. Although one may appear in a rough apron while another in velvet and satin, adorned with gold and pearls, when they depart, all take with them that for which they hunger and thirst: Christ’s blood and righteousness as their beauty and glorious dress. No one receives a better food and better drink than the other. All receive the same Jesus, and with Him, the same righteousness.
Collect of the Day:
O Lord, in this wondrous Sacrament You have left us a remembrance of Your passion. Grant that we may so receive the sacred mystery of Your body and blood that the fruits of Your redemption may continually be manifest in us; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
