Sunday, March 30, 2008

Easter 2

Today's readings were Acts 5:29-42, 1 Peter 1:3-9, and John 20:19-31, the last of which was the text, particularly verses 19-23.
Themes: fear vs. peace; sin vs. grace; law vs. Gospel.

Evening of 1st Easter. Some disciples had already seen Jesus risen, but were still afraid. It illustrates our spiritual fear - without Christ saving us, His presence terrifies us. As Adam and Eve hid themselves after sinning, so also we should be fearful of God, but people have been working to eliminate this proper fear...each age by its own technology, or by sinning so much that we forget God (as with Sodom and Gomorrah), or by secular "peace" and government.

BUT Jesus appeared, saying, "PEACE be with you!" The disciples were glad only after they verified His physical body. Our peace is where God has vented His righteous anger and forgiven us - in Christ's person and body.

We suffer on account of Christ's name - we endure with joy because God's peace is with us through Jesus Christ's body and blood! We receive the Holy Spirit; use our measure of Him to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, forgiving (or withholding forgiveness from) offenders through Christ and on His authority.
Instead of having another session of Jeremiah today, we discussed the Issues, Etc. matter. Here are some sites that have sprung up (besides the petition, of course); check them out:

Laymen, Etc. - highlights longer testimonies from the petition website; a good link index.

Bring Back Issues - albeit perhaps in a different form, always geared to upholding Scriptural truth and inerrancy.

Pastor Cwirla (Underground) - to "combat synodical terrorism."

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Fowarded email

I know this will raise some people's hackles, but I'm going to use my right to free speech and post this list I received from another blogging friend. If you take issue with these, feel free to add an opposing list in the comments. Laugh (or not). Update: Blogger's limit on labels (200 characters total) is frustrating. As a result, I can't file this post fully under all the categories it fits in. >:(
To be a Democrat.....

1. You have to be against capital punishment, but support abortion on demand.

2. You have to believe that businesses create oppression and governments create prosperity.

3. You have to believe that guns in the hands of law-abiding Americans are more of a threat than nuclear weapons in the hands of Chinese and Korean communists.

4. You have to believe that there was no art before Federal funding.

5. You have to believe that global temperatures are more affected by people driving SUVs, than by documented cyclical changes in the earth's climate.

6. You have to believe that gender roles are artificial but being homosexual is natural.

7. You have to believe that the AIDS virus is spread by a lack of federal funding. (Biology course, anyone? :D)

8. You have to believe that the same teacher who can't teach fourth graders how to read is qualified to teach those same kids about sex.

9. You have to believe that hunters don't care about nature, but loony activists who have never been out of the city, do.

10. You have to believe that self-esteem is more important than actually doing something to earn it.

11. You have to believe that Mel Gibson spent $25 million of his own money to make 'The Passion of the Christ' for financial gain.

12. You have to believe the NRA is bad because it supports certain parts of the Constitution, but the ACLU is good because it supports certain parts of the Constitution.

13. You have to believe that ATM fees are too high, but taxes are too low.

14. You have to believe that Margaret Sanger and Gloria Steinem are more important to American history than Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Edison, and A. G. Bell.

15. You have to believe that standardized tests are racist, but racial quotas are not.

16. You have to believe that Hillary Clinton is normal and a very nice person. (Now remember, I didn't write this list; no matter how much I may dislike H. C., I'm refraining from writing ad-hominems.)

17. You have to believe that the only reason socialism hasn't worked anywhere it has ever been tried is because the right people haven't been in charge.

18. You have to believe conservatives telling the truth belong in jail, but a Democratic Congressman caught with over $100,000 in bribe money chilling out in his freezer belongs in the Congress.

19. You have to believe that homosexual parades are constitutionally protected, but manger scenes at Christmas are illegal.

20. You have to believe that illegal funding of the Democratic Party by the Chinese Government is acceptable.

21. You have to believe that it's okay to give Federal workers Christmas Day off, but it's offensive to say 'Merry Christmas'.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Free memory improvement!

HT Angel.

According to this article, an easy/free/not obvious way to help one's memory is to move one's eyes horizontally back and forth for at least 30 seconds. It apparently engages both sides of the brain simultaneously; my guess is that the activity strengthens the corpus callosum; this brought to mind exercises my mother uses when tutoring dyslexic children. These exercises involve "crossing the midline" - i.e. using the right hand/leg to perform a task on the left side, and vice versa. Try it.

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The petition to bring back Issues, Etc. has 4329 signatures as of now. Cheryl and I have posted about it; please read those posts and consider adding your signature.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Easter!

Due to a senior moment, I left the bulletin with the notes from the first sermon (sunrise service) at church. However, the second sermon was just as good; the first is forthcoming and will be inserted once I have opportunity to get the bulletin back. Update: The bulletin got recycled when my choir folder was reorganized. Sorry. (scowls)

Second sermon: readings - Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, and Matthew 28:1-10. However, the text actually came from Revelation 5:9-13.
This is the feast of victory of our God! It gives incalculable joy and blessing. Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain. whose blood set us free to be people of God! Indeed the Lamb was slain - instead of us; God expects perfection. Even being born human places us in the realm of sin, but not even our death would pay for our sins. That is why Christ died - for us. Let us live as the people of God, for so we are.

Do we hoard Christ's attributes to ourselves - power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, blessing, and glory? They belong to Him alone, but He gives them to us in His supper. We are each a new creation; therefore we praise God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

For the Lamb who was slain has begun His reign. And He will reign forever and ever! Amen.
To all who wished me a blessed Easter and/or included me in their prayers (MK, WayneDawg, and Tammi) and to everyone else - have a blessed Eastertide!

Friday, March 21, 2008

Good Friday: Tenebrae

The readings were Psalm 2, Lamentations 1:1-15, Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hosea 6:1-6, 1 Peter 2:21-25, 2 Corinthians 5:14-21, and John 19:17-30, the last of which was the focus of the sermon. (Gribbit's church celebrates similar services.)
Our sin is darkness. But Jesus, the world's Light, receives us to Himself.

Pilate's inscription put a spotlight on Jesus' enemies, certain Jews who vehemently denied His deity in favor of their own version of Judaism. The irony: Jesus is THE great High Priest (Hebrews 9)! The unrepentant, then and now, who hate Christ's church, His body, will suffer His judgment.

Pilate himself is the second spotlight. He drew his final line in the sand (not far enough - he let Jesus be crucified by the will of a mob) over the inscription. Do principles have to be sacrificed like this to govern?

Third: the soldiers, sharing a little booty after another "routine" crucifixion. How could they? Look at yourselves. Do you take to heart the word of God, or do you delight in the trivial? Our Savior is with us each day! Values have changed - we should be considering His infinitely great worth, but we don't.

Fourth: Jesus Christ and His attention to the important. Even while He dies, He cares for His disciple (John) and mother. Finally, He finishes fulfilling all Scripture, submitting to His Father's total will with joy. "It is finished" = Paid In Full. He is in charge - He takes care of you and me. He has paid for all your and my iniquities.
Have a blessed Easter, rejoicing in the inexpressible gift of God our Father, having given His own Son Jesus Christ to justify and sanctify all those who believe in His name.

O sacred head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Your only crown.
O sacred head, what glory and bliss did once combine;
Though now despised and gory, I joy to call You mine.

What language can I borrow to thank You, dearest friend,
For this Your dying sorrow, Your mercy without end?
Bind me to You forever, give courage from above'
Let not my weakness sever Your bond of lasting love.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Maundy Thursday

This evening's readings were Psalm 116, Exodus 24:3-11, Hebrews 9:11-22, and Matthew 26:17-30, the last of which was the sermon text.

Jesus celebrates the Passover, a time of unleavened (quick-baked) bread and much lamb's blood. He is the Passover lamb, God's Lamb! "My time is at hand" - something crucial was about to happen. Consider also the miraculous precision of Jesus' directions. He even ate with the one who betrayed Him - Judas, who received the Body and Blood.

"Is it I?" Yes, it is I, whose sins put Him on the cross, although I have not betrayed Him as Judas did. Yet we all deny Him, as Peter did. Because of our sin, we have each wished we had never been born. But if we believe His absolution, by the mercy of God, we receive forgiveness.

Count the items in the Supper:
1. Bread.
2. Body of Jesus Christ.
3. Wine.
4. Blood of Jesus Christ.

Some churches claim only #1 and #3, others only #2 and #4. But there are 4 things there; two just don't disappear. Accept what the Word says - therein is a miracle.
5. Forgiveness of sins!

How can the Sacrament give this? Answer: God's work, a miracle, Christ communing with us. He holds us in His mercy. Soon we will see Him face to face.

Editorial note: As The Stiletto is doing this year, I will not be posting for the rest of Holy Week. Prepare for an Easter Monday mega-post!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Scary events

Political correctness is rising (for ample treatment, please visit PCWatch). Two posts I discovered today on seemingly different topics may be found here and here. The first concerns the out-of-the-blue removal of Issues Etc., an excellent LCMS radio show, from the air and the web. (Thankfully, my father archived all the shows to his computer so that his number actually exceeds the extent of their archives! A petition to bring it back may be found here.) The second concerns a potential national ID card, with a significant chance of being extended to an implanted microchip.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Jeremiah session 10: chapters 30-33

Since the warm-up for the sermon today infringed upon my attending Bible class, a good friend took notes for me. Here they are:

  • Ch. 30. Anticipatory of Jesus' final return. Verses 8-17: promise of restoration, but judgment (to them and their captors). Verse 9: foreshadow of Christ. Verse 13: see Is. 53:5.
  • 31:1-9. Mention of Ephraim (v. 9); at this time, no northern kingdom - looking beyond exile to Christ. Verse 5 - reference to restoration, including Samaria. Israelites --> Samaritans + Jews. Jesus talks to Samaritan woman; Good Samaritan story. Acts 8 - Philip preaching the gospel in Samaria. Acts 1:9 - Samaria and ends of the earth. Jew --> Samaritan --> God fearers. Acts 13 - our (Gentiles') Pentecost.
  • 31:15. Foreshadowing Matthew 2:18 - Herod killing children.
  • 31:31-34. => Hebrews 8:8-12, 10:16-17 (longest section quoted in NT). Covenant - has to do with promise - God's part, none of ours, brought by the death of its Maker (Christ). Lord/husband - same word - baal - "torah" on their hearts - whole word - law + gospel. Heb. 10:16 - Holy Spirit says "I will make covenant." Christ fulfills covenant. Father makes covenant in Jeremiah. Jer. 33:17 - no lack of King or Priest => Jesus.

Palm Sunday: St. Matthew Passion

...more precisely, Heinrich Schutz's St. Matthew Passion. My church choir (me included) sang it this morning; it substituted for both the reading and the sermon. Hopefully a recording will be forthcoming. Below is the text (close to the one we sang, translated from German), Matthew 26-27:

26:1 When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, [1] 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Judas to Betray Jesus

14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.

The Passover with the Disciples

17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. [2] 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”

Institution of the Lord's Supper

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the [3] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”

Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch [4] with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. [5] See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” [6] Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant [7] of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Jesus Before Caiaphas and the Council

57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole Council [8] were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” 62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” [9] 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

Peter Denies Jesus

69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Jesus Delivered to Pilate

27:1 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 2 And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor.

Judas Hangs Himself

3 Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus [10] was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” 5 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field as a burial place for strangers. 8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, 10 and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me.”

Jesus Before Pilate

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; [11] see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged [12] Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

Jesus Is Mocked

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, [13] and they gathered the whole battalion [14] before him. 28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

The Crucifixion

32 As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

The Death of Jesus

45 Now from the sixth hour [15] there was darkness over all the land [16] until the ninth hour. [17] 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son [18] of God!”

55 There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

Jesus Is Buried

57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

The Guard at the Tomb

62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard [19] of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

The concluding chorus: "Praise to You, O Christ Jesus! You have suffered pain, on the wood of the cross for us a bitter death. You reign with the Father forevermore! Help us poor sinners to everlasting life. Kyrie eleison [Lord, have mercy]."

17 March update: Cheryl has posted a detailed account of the actual service!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

"Jailbreak at Philippi--How Do You Set a Jailer Free?"

...since that was the *official* sermon title, quite rare.

Due to a schedule change, I was finally able to attend a Lenten vesper service at my church. The sermon text was Acts 16:25-34, the story of the Philippian jailer.
How could this jailer have been in a prison himself?

About Philippi--a Roman conquered colony; therefore, all its citizens were also Roman citizens. The jailer had a very important (at least by Roman standards) position; however, this position almost caused him to lose both his life and his soul.

Paul and Silas were singing hymns and praying to God while in prison! When God heard, He opened the doors by an earthquake; the jailer's pride would have led him to suicide. But Paul stopped him; the Holy Spirit cut the jailer's heart. Then he found out that he couldn't do anything himself to be saved. To his household that night, Paul and Silas shared the message of salvation; the hearers were baptized and were saved.

The jailer et al. rejoiced at receiving freedom in salvation. Indeed, the angels rejoice at even one sinner being brought by Christ to Himself. This salvation produced an unusual action--the jailer washed the apostles' wounds, something no Roman would have stooped to do.

You (I hope) and I have this salvation as well! Rejoice in it, letting God work in you to save others.

News of the forces

Aurora at The Midnight Sun called to my attention something that I probably would never have found out about otherwise. Please read it and judge the consequences.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Jeremiah session 9: chapters 26-29

  • 26:1-6. Speak all that God tells us to speak (vs. false prophets saying whatever they want) - Law and Gospel, not to itching ears. Contrast the Jesus Seminar, for example. Speaking the Word requires knowing it. Fear the LORD, as Jeremiah did, rather than fearing man.
  • 26:7-24. Quotation of Micah 3:12. Some prophets were martyred--Jeremiah's fears were well-grounded. Contrast the U.S.'s (theoretically) true freedom of religion with 1 Kings 19:10 and Hebrews 11:37.
  • 27:1-7. Action prophecy--a yoke on his neck, symbolizing Judah's future servitude under Babylon. Better to submit to this yoke than to resist and get a worse punishment. Sin produced a rock and a hard place.
  • 27:17-22. All the Temple vessels were eventually taken away and misused (as in Daniel 5, Belshazzar's drinking party).
  • Chapter 28. Hananiah prophesied lies, dying as a result.
  • Chapter 29. Jeremiah's letter of exhortation to the exiles: build homes in Babylon, marry there, and pray for Babylon's welfare (since the exiles were to be there for a long time). Shemaiah, a false prophet, receives God's condemnation and judgment--even on his descendants! Why? See Exodus 20:5-6.

Lent 5: the resurrection of Lazarus

This week's texts were Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:1-11, and John 11:17-28, 38-53, the last of which is the sermon text.
Here Jesus raises Lazarus, a friend. Martha and Caiaphas prophesy of Him.

Caiaphas was concerned because of Jesus as a perceived threat to the Romans' beneficence toward Israel. So he said that it was better for one man (Jesus) to die for the nation than for Israel to perish. From his view, Christ was to be eradicated--similar to haters of the Church today who want it extinct.

Martha--a believer, unlike Caiaphas--confessed Christ's deity even before Lazarus was raised. She confessed Christ only by faith. Let us imitate that faith! Jesus can raise even stinky bodies (KJV--"Lord, he stinketh!"); although we haven't seen this and other spectacular miracles, we need to believe in Jesus.

Finally, Jesus speaks of Himself (vv. 25-26), the ground of our faith. We cannot come to the Father except through Him. Why does Jesus say the "I am" statements? John 8:58--He is YHWH come in the flesh--a clear claim to deity. Note also: each phrase is in the present tense--God still works; our Baptismal life is new and present. Death needn't be feared--He will surely raise our bodies and reunite us with Himself. Receive Him and become a child of God, one of God's people. Boast in Christ's atoning death and saving resurrection.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Lent 4, Lutheran Schools Week

Today's readings were Isaiah 42:14-21, Ephesians 5:8-14, Psalm 36, and John 9:1-7, 13-17, 34-39; the Gospel was the sermon text.
This is an interesting story; it begins with a profound truth, the sinner's false view of sin (demonstrated by the disciples--"Who sinned, this man or his parents?"). We often do this too--living according to the law. After all, we are dead in our sin. But it often amounts to a works-forgiveness philosophy. There is no pound of flesh enough to satisfy God's demanded payment for sin; neither does suffering in hell pay for sin.

Jesus' answer: this is an opportunity for God to show His glory by healing. Christ's sinless flesh was (and still is!) enough to have paid for the entire world's sins. His power is infinite--He is "the light of the world." Miraculously, He used mud to make the man see clearly.

The Pharisees, living by the law, were blind to God's grace. Christ fulfilled--not abrogated--the law; it pointed to His ultimate sacrifice. He is our Sabbath rest--the fulfillment of the law the Pharisees hypocritically misused.

Believe in what has been written. Jesus uses it to draw us to Himself. Rejoice in God's choice; tell others. Live in the Gospel. Stand in this confidence. Live in the Light.

Jeremiah session 8: chapters 22-25

Bullets:

  • Chapter 22 - concerning Zedekiah (last king of Judah). Compare 2 Kings 23-25 (Josiah--Judah's last faithful king; Jehoahaz--a.k.a. Shallum [22:11]; Jehoiakim; Jehoiachin--a.k.a. Coniah [22:24]; and finally Zedekiah and Judah's fall). Rule of thumb: all of Israel's divided-kingdom (922-722 B.C.) kings were bad; Josiah was Judah's last of the few good kings.
  • 22:20 - penalty for Judah's pride, infidelity, and idolatry (lemming principle).
  • Chapter 23 - 1st curses the unfaithful shepherd-kings; 2nd prophesies of the return of the faithful and of the Messiah's coming (vv. 5-6) and His name (YHWH Tsidkenu, The LORD Our Righteousness). This lesson is usually read at Christmas.
  • 23:22-32 - awful prophets, falsely prophesying. They weren't turning the people from sin, but rather towards it. God is close at hand (v. 23; compare Psalm 139:7-8).
  • Chapter 24 - good and evil are absolute; no middle ground.
  • Chapter 25 - ironically, Nebuchadnezzar has become God's servant.
  • 25:15-38 - God's wrath, more awful than anything. (But thanks be to God! Through Jesus Christ, we are granted reprieve.) Verse 30 - God's terrifying roar. Don't be on the wrong side of God.