January 2021 – What Does This Mean?

Called into the Vineyard

Dear saints, the life of a day laborer is not one to envy. You go every morning to a place you know that work can be found. You wait for someone to come by looking for workers. You hope that the work is something you can perform. You hope that you are either chosen for the work or able to get to the vehicle faster than others vying for the job. Then, at the end of the day, you hope that the wages you receive are fair for the often back-breaking work you performed for hours on end. Even if that wage is barely, or even less than what the area lists as its minimum wage.

This is the modern-day setting for the parable Jesus tells his disciples in this morning’s lesson. It is a parable meant to shock the hearer, but I do not think it is all that shocking to us. Why is that? Because we are used to its themes. We confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We believe that our God becomes man to save us from our sin. We confess that we are not able to do good without the Holy Spirit. We believe that we cannot be saved by our works, but only on account of the work of Christ Jesus our Lord. As a result, we instantly view ourselves as those laborers who work only a part of the day.

But for a moment, let us look at the parable from the world’s viewpoint. People claim they want fairness. And what we hear in the parable does not seem fair at all. We do not see it as fair that someone working for an hour gets the same pay as one that works all day. No one would object at the same hourly rate, but the same net pay? Such a business owner is irresponsible and will not last long. He will not get people to work all day when they know they can relax most of the day and get a full day’s wage for working only in the easy part of the day. His work will in turn not be completed and his projects will not finish on time. He will not get more contracts for business, and his business will shut down.

Looking at the parable through worldly eyes, it simply does not make sense. It is no way to manage a successful business. And I cannot disagree. Therefore, we must look at what is being taught here by our Lord. As always, context is key.

Just before the parable, we have a rich young ruler come to Jesus. He asks what he must do to have eternal life. Jesus tells him to keep the commandments. The man claims to do it, but still knows he lacks something. Jesus replies, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Upon hearing this, the man goes away sad because he had many possessions. And to the disciples Jesus says, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

This perplexes the disciples, and they wonder who could ever be saved. The answer, of course, is, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Yet Peter, remembering his own call, points out that the Twelve left everything they had. What then shall they receive? “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Thus the stage is set for our lesson this morning.

I will not pretend to know the difficulties of harvesting a field. Especially when many of you do that for a living. I do know that it is not easy work, even if it is less difficult today than in the days before our advanced technology. I am glad that I do not have to lug a sack over my shoulder and handpick corn or cotton or grapes. Especially in the heat of the day. But that seems to be the type of work being done in the parable.

A vineyard owner goes to the market early in the morning and meets with day laborers. They negotiate a wage for working in the vineyard: a denarius. They go and begin the work. Later in the day, the owner goes to the market again. He finds more laborers and calls them into his vineyard. He says he will pay them whatever is right. This happens again two more times. Finally, as the day is nearly over, the owner goes to the market a final time. He finds even more standing and not working. Even these are called into the vineyard. But this time there is no promise of wage; they are only told to go.

At the end of the day, the workers are brought in to receive their wages. Those sent at the eleventh hour are paid first and receive a denarius. Though we do not hear it, the ninth-, sixth-, and third-hour workers receive the same. It is not surprising that those who worked the full twelve-hour shift thought they would receive more. But when they come to the foreman, they receive their denarius. The one they negotiated for and were promised. And for this, for the master keeping his word, they grumble. To one of them, the master says, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?”

As is often the case, if we were to take the time needed to talk about everything in this lesson, you would probably start grumbling that I was talking too long. Some of you might already have such thoughts in your heads. So, let me briefly talk about what we are taught, and perhaps in future years, we shall dig into specific parts and flesh these lessons out.

First, we see that the work given to these laborers is not one they applied for. There was no interview process. Instead, they were sought out and called. They did not get this work for their ability or expertise, but because the owner decided to send them.

The same is true for each of us. The vineyard in the parable is the church and its work. None of us are qualified to work there. There is no application process and there is no way we can choose to work there. This is because we are by nature sinful and unclean. Unless the master, that is, unless our Lord seeks us out and calls us into His vineyard, we will never step foot inside it.

But, dear Christian, you have been called into the vineyard. You have been chosen by God and made able to work in His vineyard. This is the grace that God. Those baptized and those who trust in Christ Jesus as their Redeemer and Savior have a place in the vineyard.

Second, all in the vineyard work. No matter what time the laborer is sent in, there is work to do. And the expectation is they accomplish as much as they can for the hours that they are there.

St. Paul describes this work in the Epistle as a race. There is a reason we are in the vineyard, and that is to work. We seek to keep God’s commandments. We desire that others would hear and, like you, be called into the vineyard. It requires commitment and dedication. It is often tough and grueling work. Especially in times and places where the Church is hated and opposed. But no matter the circumstances, you are called to work and support the Church in whatever situation you are in. In doing this, you earn nothing. But you do receive the mercy and benefits that your Heavenly Father promises you. You do not run aimlessly or box as one who beats the air. You do, however, discipline your body and keep it under control that you will receive the imperishable wreath of eternal life.

Third, the master is faithful and generous. He keeps his word and pays what is promised to the first he calls into his vineyard. He is also generous to those whom he calls later in the day and makes all of them equal in what they receive.

The Twelve left everything they had and followed our Lord. They are promised thrones from which they will judge the twelve tribes of Israel. Abraham was promised that he would be the father of many nations but died without seeing the fruit of that promise. Moses led Israel out of Egypt and through the forty years of wandering in the wilderness. But he did not himself enter the Promised Land on earth. These and many other men (and women) labored long and hard for their Lord. And each of them, like the laborers who toiled the whole day in the scorching heat and sun, receive what was promised to them.

This reward is not based on their work, but the grace of God given to them. As Jesus tells the disciples when asked who can be saved, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Because God calls all His people into his vineyard, whether you work an hour or twelve hours, the denarius you receive is on account of God’s grace.

Finally, even when you receive exactly what you are supposed to, jealousy is a temptation. Coveting what someone else has and begrudging the master is something anyone can fall into. Even those who only worked half the day and received great mercy and a full denarius.

Far be it for you or me to think to ourselves that some terrible person who has a late-in-life conversion is undeserving and hold them in contempt. May we not think to ourselves that they do not deserve forgiveness. Or worse, that we somehow deserve more forgiveness or greater benefits than they. They receive grace and forgiveness for the same reason, and in the same amount, as you and me. They are sought out and called by Christ. They are made new in baptism by the work of God, not of man. They are saved not because of their work, great or small, but by grace.

When the vineyard owner responds to a grumbling worker, he says more than what I quoted before. He goes on to say, “Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you.”

This is a terrible sentence to hear. He is given the wage he negotiated for and told to leave the vineyard. He has what is his. But where does one go who leaves the vineyard? Who leave what God has created and called them into? And yet this is also a wonderful sentence to hear. The implication is that those who were ‘overpaid’ and did not complain about the owner’s inequality of pay and generosity remain in the vineyard. These do not simply get a denarius and leave the vineyard. They remain there. They are not treated as mere workers but as sons.

Here we see the work God does in the Gospel. It is more than a simple cancellation of our debt of sin. God forgives the sin of Adam and Eve, but He does not allow them back into Eden. Instead, He becomes a man. And as a man, He buys us out of sin. He wins us and our salvation. We now belong to Him. Not as a cow or a plow belongs to a farmer, but as a member of His family. God unites Himself to us, makes us His bride. By grace, we are made bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh. God calls us His friends, His brothers, His children, His bride. As a man, He gives us His Body and His Blood in Holy Communion. There we become one flesh with Him, joined together by God. There is a reason it is called “communion.”

The cords of Sheol entangled each of us. Death stared us in the face and looked to devour us. But the Lord is your rock and your fortress and your deliverer. He calls you into His vineyard by grace. The love He shows you is not earned. Unless it is a bad reality TV show, men do not hold auditions or give tests that a potential bride must pass. He is her husband and she his bride because he loves her. And so, we cheerfully receive His grace. We stay in His vineyard. For where else could we go? The vineyard is made for us and us for it. We are mercifully delivered by His goodness to the glory of His holy Name. Amen.

Rev. Brent Keller
Peace Lutheran Church
Alcester, SD

St. Titus: An Under-Shepherd and Baptized Child of God

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

On this day, the church celebrates and remembers another of St. Paul’s companions: St. Titus. As a matter of fact, had I been home we would have had 3 consecutive days of special services. The first would have been the commemoration of St. Timothy. But since I was away we will get to his day another time. But today we remember St. Titus.

Unlike some of the other saints associated with Paul, Titus is relatively unknown. His name does not appear in the pages of the book of Acts, but Paul must have met him along on his first missionary journeys before the council that we have recorded for us in Acts 15. For if you recall, that council had to answer the question: What do we do with Gentile believers? Must they become Jews via circumcision before they can become Christians? Titus was a test case. Titus came from a Gentile family, and was not circumcised. Paul would not circumcise him and the council of Acts 15 agreed that believers Jews and Greeks were not saved via works of the ceremonial law (circumcision) but were in fact saved through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And it is very likely that Titus journeyed with Paul from that time forth, or he was sent to one of the various seminaries being formed to educate the next generation of church leaders. We don’t know for sure as his name is not spoken of again until Paul’s crisis with the church at Corinth that occurred during Paul’s third missionary journey. The Corinthian church were bucking at Paul’s apostolic authority. After failed reconciliation attempts, Paul sent Titus there in person. Some time later, when Paul was in Macedonia Titus caught up to him and gave him the news that the Corinthian Church had changed their course, Paul sent Titus back with the letter we know as 2^nd Corinthians. He was also sent to complete the collection project for the poor Christians in Jerusalem.

After that we lose track of Titus. But under the assumption that Paul was released from prison after his first Roman imprisonment which we have recorded for us in the final chapters of Acts, it seems that Titus met up again with Paul to do a trip to Crete, which is what we hear about in Paul’s letter to Titus, leaving him there to serve as the overseer or Bishop of the Churches there and appointing elders/pastors of those Christians congregations, putting things into order.

This is where Acts 20 comes in because those words from St. Paul were not just for the men to serve the churches in Ephesus, but for all pastors and churches. Crete had wolves in their midst, and Gospel that had been preached by Paul and others had begun to be twisted in one way or another. Paul is not the only apostle to warn of such things happening. St. John and Peter in their own epistles also warn of such things. And Titus was now the man appointed to bring the churches of Crete into proper and good order, by teaching the doctrine of truth which is Christ. And it was Titus’ duty to teach and instruct now the new pastors that would lead these congregations. What had been entrusted to St. Paul, he was now entrusting to his other spiritual son Titus. And Titus entrusting to the men he was preparing. Handing down the goods of Christ. So, it is now in our day.

The Church has been entrusted with the Words of Christ, as preached, taught, and written down by the apostles. And it is the Church that now calls Pastors into the office of overseer, and gives them the call to publicly proclaim the Word of Truth. And it can be a daunting task as wolves are still around. There are many voices who call themselves teachers of the Word but are not properly called, nor do they speak the Word of God but rather twist it for their own shameful gain. Titus had the Judaizers to contend with and other factions attempting to subvert the sweetness of Christ’s Gospel. Today’s Church, well let’s just say there is nothing new under the sun. All the old heresies still show up from time to time.

Titus also was called to the Cretan people, who by their own prophet some time before called them liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons. Paul exhorted him to rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. They were a people who professed to know God, but they denied him by their works. We still have those kinds of people around now. Sometimes even I can be called lazy. We all must confess that we have failed to live according to the life we have been given by Christ.

The pastor is to serve as Christ’s under shepherd. Pastors are called to serve in the stead of Christ to you the little lambs. And true under shepherds speak the Good Shepherd’s word and you, His lambs, hear his voice. The pastor is to speak in mercy, like Jesus did. Paul gives Titus and now us this advice in the 3^rd chapter. For he recognizes that he and Titus were both at one time on the outside. They received mercy from Christ, so it is only right that the pastor shows mercy of Christ to his flock. “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly though Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.” In other words, we were all in the darkness of our own sin. But by grace, God called us to faith in His Son. Even Pastors are sheep in need of being fed this blessed Gospel. It is the Gospel and not the law that motivates us to do good works and remain faithful to our callings. We are all called to follow the One Good Shepherd, who laid His life for His Sheep. And we all have a similar identity in Christ. We have been baptized into Christ. That is where we go back to. We remember our baptism and rejoice in that. Pastors and the faithful hearers rejoice in their baptisms and the forgiveness of sins Christ freely offers to them in the Divine Service.

The pastor is to emulate the Good Shepherd. He is to speak The Good Shepherd’s Word to the Sheep. It was to this Office that Titus was placed into, so also the pastors of the Church now. He was called to serve under the Good Shepherd, and Feed the Lord’s Sheep. And by that we are called to teach and preach the Word in season and out of season. We called to encourage, exhort, rebuke. We are to call to repentance, and forgive sins for the sake of Christ Jesus who died and rose again. We are to be stewards of the mysteries of God, the ones keeping watch over souls, and we pastors will give an account at the last. Pastors like, Titus, are called to teach what accords with sound doctrine. In other words, we are called to teach Christ’s Word. And in the midst of all this we are called to continually rejoice in the identity given to us by Christ in Holy Baptism. We are Christ’s and so are you!

And it is by Baptism and Christ’s Word that pastors are kept faithful not only in their vocation and office but in their own faith and life as Christians; they should be above reproach, hospitable, lovers of what is good and right and true. And it’s by this same Word that you also are kept in the one, true faith. Gladly hear and learn it do not despise it. By His Word and Sacraments, our Lord Jesus gives you everything that is His—His Father, Spirit, Resurrection, Name, Sonship, and Kingdom, together with St. Titus and all the saints. Amen.

Rev. Jacob Hercamp
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
La Grange, MO

The Spectacular Call to Faith: Conversion of St. Paul

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Saul was a zealot for the Jewish religion, so much so He was the ring leader of those trying to snuff out the preaching of Christ by overseeing the death of His saints (St. Stephen) and the imprisonment of others. He appeared to be the least likely person to ever convert to the Way. But that is exactly how God works. He turns everything on its head. And He used Paul in a very special way. You might call Paul’s conversion the most important event for Christendom outside of Christ’s birth, death, resurrection and ascension. Saul was the Lord’s chosen instrument to proclaim the mystery that the Gentiles were part of the family of God and would be saved in the same manner that Abraham was saved: by grace through faith.

Our Sunday morning bible study has been reading Acts and if you join us you could say Acts is a bit of a page turner because of all the events that Luke packs in successive order. The Lord’s Word is going forth via the preaching and teaching of the Apostles and the church is growing rapidly. And You might say it’s a spectacular thing right after another. And Saul, whose name is changed to Paul later, He is one of those spectacular guys, who seems to always be in the thick of the action in the Church. Always part of the spectacular accounts. I mean in a spectacular fashion, Saul was converted. Jesus, after He rose and ascended to the right hand of the Father, revealed Himself to Saul while Saul was off to persecute, imprison, and possibly kill more members of the Church of Christ. Spectacular stuff. And we desire that. We want the spectacular to occur. We want to participate in the spectacular, especially when it comes to God acting in the world. If God would do that, more people would believe. But are made believers by seeing? Or by hearing the preached word?

And we are certainly not the first ones to have those kinds of thoughts come into our minds. When Jesus walked the earth during his ministry prior to his crucifixion, the crowds wanted a spectacular sign. Herod the king wanted Jesus to perform for him. The only sign they got was the sign of Jonah. The Son of Man was swallowed up by earth in death and remained there for a time before rising from the dead. The Cross was His sign. The Cross does not seem all that spectacular to human eyes. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. It is grotesque. Cicero the Roman Orator describes crucifixion as a most cruel and disgusting punishment. It was indeed a humiliating way to die.

But you know it really was great, not because of the cross itself, but because of Him who ascended upon the cross to pay for the sins of the world by pouring out His blood. Christ dying there to us hope and life. Christ dying there so that when we are dying, we know that we are not alone and that we have a God who is greater than death for He rose from the dead. And because He rose from the dead we too shall arise. This was preached by the apostles of Christ, who gave them the command to be His witnesses. And their proclamation went forth in order the world to believe and be saved.

This is all spectacular to our ears! But it doesn’t look all that spectacular now. Oh, in the end it will be, but now we see death knocking on the doors of our loved ones and even our own. We see turmoil and strife. We feel our bodies breaking down and our hearts wearing out. We see suffering of both body and soul all around us. It’s as if death has won and we have lost. If we are only waiting for the spectacular to come along. Have we lost sight to the blessings our God gives to us in the ordinary things of this world?

Do we see what promises and blessings God give us in Holy Baptism? What is Baptism? Baptism is not just plain water but it is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s Word. Water and Word, ordinary things. But for us who believe we have these benefits by Baptism: Forgiveness of sins, rescues from death, and the devil and Baptism gives eternal salvation. For we have the promise from Christ: Whoever Believes and is baptized will be saved. Ordinary stuff, Water and Word. And what else is ordinary? The elements which Christ says are his body and blood. Bread and wine. But it is not just any ordinary bread and wine, but when Christ’s words are spoken “This is my Body, this is blood” shed for you for the forgiveness of sins, they give exactly what they say to those who believe in those words: The forgiveness of sins. Ordinary things made to be spectacular by God’s Word.

We might look around and see things that look bleak and pretty hopeless in this world. But when we live the life which in Christ Jesus, we cannot help but have hope. We have a spectacular life in Christ! For Christ is risen! And He has promised life everlasting with Him. And as we learn from the account of Saul’s conversion, Christ also knows the sufferings His church experiences. For he is the one being persecuted when the church is under duress. We are not alone. But spectacularly we are gathered into His body. And then He gives his body and blood to us to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening our faith.

It looks pretty ordinary to the naked eye, but for you it is a spectacular thing indeed. For by Baptism, you are made God’s Child, a new creation, granted new life. And this life is nourished by the hearing of Christ’s word and receiving into your very mouth his life blood.

Paul’s story is spectacular. The manner in which he is converted is one for the ages, but what took place next? He was baptized just like you were. And Luke’s account is interesting because of how he adds the final bit, taking food, he was strengthened. Why does Luke add this immediately after acknowledging Saul being baptized? It could be to lead us to consider Saul not only was baptized but then also give the Supper of our Lord. Baptism leads one to the Supper of our Lord. Baptism initiates you into the body of Christ, and the His Supper sustains you and strengthens you in that faith which you have been baptized.

He lived the new life of Christ just like you. He received forgiveness by the preaching of Christ’s death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins just like you. Was Paul’s life spectacular, was He a so-called super Christian, without any problems? Absolutely not. He was chased along by those who opposed him. Because of his conversion the Jews wanted to kill him because He switched sides. He was perhaps the church’s greatest missionary but it is difficult for me to believe that people who met Paul would have picked up on that. Paul was thrown in prison multiple times, stones, thrown out of cities. Paul suffered. He suffered for the name of His Lord.

Suffering is the name of this life. At least at this time. It is the way of the Cross. For Christ, his apostle Paul and now you.

The Holy Gospel has words for you: And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Those are some tall orders if we desire to receive the inheritance. Give up your parents? How hard a saying. In other words, it is like when Jesus says that “if you love father and mother more than Me you are not worthy of Me.” What is your heart clinging to? To earthly things or to the heavenly promises of Christ? It is hard isn’t to truly let go of sins and the things of this world.

But what you cannot do in your own strength, Jesus has done for you. He is the one who did leave everything for you and has given you everything. You have it in your baptism. You have the most spectacular gift of everlasting life delivered to you in ordinary means. But when you know what you have in your Baptism, you are able to let go of yourself, and cling to Christ and Him crucified for your life. And in Christ, even the very ordinary things, like doing the laundry for the family, bathing your children, making the Sunday evening meal, balancing the family check book – All these things are called spectacular in your Father’s sight. For you are serving and loving your neighbor fulfilling your vocations. And you also have the opportunity to forgive those who have hurt you and sinned against you, because Christ has forgiven you for your own sins.

This day we heard the spectacular call of Saul into the faith and service of Christ. Just as spectacular was the call of the Holy Spirit to you bringing you into faith in Jesus Christ who has saved you from sin and grants you everlasting life. What appears to be a quite ordinary thing is pretty spectacular because of the Words and Promises of God attached to them.

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Rev. Jacob Hercamp
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
La Grange, MO

From Glory to Glory

Dear saints, it has been six days since St. Peter correctly answered the most important question asked of him. Six days since Peter took offense at Jesus telling them that it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem, suffer, be killed, and raised on the third day. Six days since Jesus told his disciples, “if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me,” and, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

As Christians living some 2,000 years after this occurred, we know that the coming of the kingdom is set in motion at the Incarnation and has its final chapter begin at the Triumphal Entry. We know that all the things Jesus suffers are a sort of inauguration. We know that Jesus takes his throne as King of kings when He is lifted up on the cross. But how would the disciples know that? How could they look at Jesus nailed to a cross and think, “Here is the Son of Man in his kingdom. In his glory.”? How would they know that Peter is right to say, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God?”

In our lesson this morning, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John and leads them up a mountain. St. Luke adds that they go up the mountain to pray. While they are there, by themselves, Jesus is transfigured. A lot is going on in this text. There are a lot of moving parts. Unexpected participants, an unexpected voice. But the point of the Transfiguration was to comfort the disciples because The Glory of the Transfiguration Is a Preface to the Glory of the Cross.

When Jesus is transfigured, we read that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. St. Mark describes this whiteness as being, “radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.” Just try to imagine a white cleaner, whiter, and brighter than a completely covered field in a fresh blanket of snow on a bright, sunny day.

This alone would leave most in stunned silence, but then something more incredible happens: Moses and Elijah show up! They appear; are made visible. And more? Peter, James, and John, men who are not old men, recognize them. They know who they are because they are all part of the communion of saints. And they get to listen in on what Moses, Elijah, and Jesus are talking about: the upcoming exodus of Jesus.

And what was this upcoming exodus? The upcoming crucifixion of Christ. The soon to come liberation of man from their sins on account of the death of Jesus the Christ. This is what Jesus spoke to Moses and Elijah converse about.

But the disciples do not understand all this yet. And so, instead of listening and learning from the conversation, Peter opens his mouth: “Lord, it is good to be here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Peter has good intentions, but he is wrong to suggest this. The suggestion puts Jesus on the same level as Moses and Elijah. Indeed, Moses is the great lawgiver and the man who met face to face with God on Mt. Sinai. He is the one who had to wear a veil because his face reflected the glory of the Lord – the same glory Jesus now radiates. And Elijah is the great prophet. He boldly spoke the word of the Lord to God’s people and her kings. He was the instrument who closed and, after three and a half years, opened the skies.

But these men, as the great and faithful saints that they are, are not God. What they did was testify what God was doing and saying. They pointed toward the coming Christ. Moses said a prophet like him would be raised up from the people. Elijah reminds us of how God’s reign, his kingdom, has already manifested itself with the coming of Jesus. On the mountain, Jesus alone shines in glory. His predecessor in Moses and forerunner in Elijah do not. And so, to build a tent, or more precisely, a tabernacle for all three would be seeing Jesus as less than what he is. To see him as less than the Son of God.

This is probably why Peter is interrupted. He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” In the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt, the Glory of the Lord came upon the mountain in the same way. But here the glory overshadows them all, in effect creating a single tent. And the voice of the Father comes to the disciples and tells them what those at the baptism of Jesus heard: This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. But this time, he adds something: Listen to him.

Again, there is a lot to this narrative. But today, we shall focus the rest of our time on this: Listen to him. The Transfiguration of our Lord is a turning point. It is as if Jesus turns His face to Jerusalem. The disciples have seen a lot while following Jesus. Authoritative teaching. Healings. The casting out of demons. Opposition from Jewish leaders.

And six days ago, they heard Jesus say that He must die. Of all the difficult things they heard Jesus say and do, this is by far the hardest to hear. Now on the mountain, Jesus brings Peter, James, and John with him to comfort them. He brings them up on the mountain and they hear the conversation between Moses, Elijah, and himself. A conversation concerning his coming death. The cloud comes and the voice of the Father tells them to listen and believe what Jesus tells them.

They are to listen not only to what he has said, but what he has yet to say. The disciples are still to learn that to be great, you must become the least. A teaching that is as hard to hear today as it was then. They hear that sin kills the soul and that it is better to lose a member than to sin with it. That your Father sends his shepherds into the wilderness to recover his lost and wayward sheep. They hear Jesus interpret the Passover and learn that it was always pointing towards his own sacrifice as the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. They hear that his body and blood are given for them on the cross and in the Holy Supper for the forgiveness of sins.

Crucifixion was offensive. It was reserved for the worst of criminals. And six days ago, Jesus told the disciples that they would have to take up their own crosses to follow him. It infers that Jesus would have his own cross. It means that, even if you do not personally face death, there will be a cost to being the disciple of Christ.

And so, Jesus is transfigured, Moses and Elijah are made visible and the disciples hear Jesus talk to them about His upcoming death, and the voice of the Father speaks to them and to you to remove the offense of the cross. It is to prevent your faith from being disturbed by it. By the humility of your Christ’s voluntary Passion. This is done by revealing his hidden dignity and glory. This is why I said earlier that The Glory of the Transfiguration Is a Preface to the Glory of the Cross.

The glory of God is expressed in the cross of Christ for the redemption of the world. The totality of the Law and the Prophets point forward and are fulfilled in this cross. You are connected to this cross as you are baptized into his death and raised to a new life in Christ. You are adopted as sons and brought into the tent of your Father. And you sit at His table, fed and nourished by the Lamb. All this is wrapped together on the mountain.

Though the disciples feared greatly, Jesus touches them, raises them up, and exhorts them not to be afraid. It is a fearful thing to be in the presence of God. Just ask Isaiah. Indeed, the unbridled glory of God without the cross is frightening. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but that is just the beginning. That is just the first part of repentance. You and I, like the disciples, need more than just the glory of Jesus to be saved. For this glory with no cross only leaves us in a fearful state.

Our Lord’s glory with no cross does us no good because we have too much sin. Too much wasted time. Too much gossip or wandering eyes or disdain for our neighbor or disrespect for our governing authorities or whatever is coming into your mind and causing you to feel shame right about now. Even when we try to do good, we fall on our faces. This is a reason to fall also on our face before a holy God.

Yet Jesus lifts up the three. He leads them down the mountain. They now travel toward Jerusalem and the cross. The glory is once again hidden and the humble Jesus they have known for three years is again before them. It is hidden until that appointed day where it will be revealed again on the cross. In his death and resurrection.

Because of this, we now look forward to sharing in Christ’s glory, for his great love shown on the cross has purified us from all the sin that terrorizes us. Forgiven is the sloth, false witness, lust, hate….

It might be tempting to think of the transfiguration as the “high point” of Jesus’ ministry. But it is only a vantage point from which Jesus can see clearly where he is going. From the height of the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus sees Jerusalem. From the glory of the Transfiguration, Jesus sees the humiliation of His death on the cross. From the splendor of the Transfiguration, Jesus sees the sorrow to come, and amid that sorrow, He sees you, your forgiveness, and your salvation. Let us, then, begin our own preparations to follow him to Jerusalem. To His cross and the place our salvation is won for us by Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Rev. Brent Keller
Peace Lutheran Church
Alcester, SD

The Wedding at Cana

Dear saints, this morning we hear of the first, or chief of our Lord’s signs. He does it at a wedding in Cana. It is a classic wedding text, and in it we hear that water becomes wine. We hear that Mary is at the wedding and that Jesus and his disciples were invited and present. During the festivities, the wine begins to run out. In that time and culture, running out of wine at a seven-day wedding feast would have brought great shame upon the bridegroom.

Seeking to spare the groom of that shame, Mary comes to Jesus for help. She is likely not a guest but linked to the wedding party in some way. Some scholars claim she comes to Jesus because He and the disciples put the number of guests over what was planned for. They say Mary is asking Jesus to go get wine and replace what they consumed. But that claim does not hold water. They are not running low on food; they are only running low on wine. So, unless you are claiming Jesus and His disciples drank that much wine, the claim does not stand.

Rather Mary comes to her Lord because she believes He can and will come to the wedding party’s aid. She believes that he can provide what they need. Yet we also see that she does not fully comprehend the reason she bore Jesus. She rightly thinks He is her Savior, but she also presumes He will use His power for any reason.

This explains the somewhat harsh response. Well, it is harsh to our ears. And while there is a slight tone of rebuke, Jesus continues to honor His mother as He should. He says, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” There are a couple of things here. First, He claims that it is not His responsibility that the wine is running out. He and the disciples did not overindulge. He did not plan on enough supply. It is not His problem. The second thing is that His hour is not yet come. Jesus says His hour comes in John 12 when some Greeks seek to see Him after the Triumphal Entry.

Whatever Mary makes of this remark, she is undeterred. She still knows who Jesus is, even if not fully. She looks to the servants, who may be hired workers for the feast, and says, “Do whatever he tells you.” And that is what they do. They take the six stone water jars and fill them to the brim. These jars were used for a ceremonial washing that had been taken from what was commanded by God and transformed into a man made law. The Pharisees had taken this cleansing ritual for priests and applied it to all people. Jesus uses these to show His glory.

After these jars are filled, Jesus tells the servants to “draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” I wonder what these servants thought to themselves. They had just filled a jar used to wash things with water. They know the wine is running, if not by now, run out. And now they are to take some of this water to the mast of the feast? But following the instruction of Mary, they do as Jesus says. They take the water.

That water, now wine, is brought to the master of the feast and he drinks it. He does not know that this wine came from a water jar. He only knows it is the finest wine he has ever had. He summons the bridegroom and chides him for bringing the best wine last.

In this lesson, we see Jesus submitting to His mother and ensuring that the celebration of this marriage is not interrupted. We see here an epiphany of sympathy. He uses His power to provide for the needs of this newly married couple. And He does this even though He is not responsible for there being enough wine. But He does out of sympathy for them.

He also does this even though His time has not yet come. Yet it is here, in Cana of Galilee, where Jesus manifested his glory with the first of his signs. This sign was for one reason: that His disciples would believe in Him. And they do. Throughout the ministry of Jesus, the disciples are witnesses to the teaching of Jesus. The miracles of Jesus. They see and experience His joy and pain. Reception and rejection. As they walk with Him, they learn to trust Him. Through His signs, they believe that He is the Son of God and the Redeemer of the world.

But even as they do so, they stumble and fall. At times, they doubt. This should provide us some comfort. They were with Jesus as He walked among them. We, some two-thousand-years later, are with Him, but we do not see Him in the flesh.

Though we do not have Jesus in the body with us, we do have what the Holy Spirit had the apostles write down for us. We have the Word of God. And in it, especially in the Gospels, we read what Jesus did and what He has done for us: He perfectly obeyed the Law in your place and was crucified to atone for your sins, saving you from eternal death.

The Apostle John even gives the reason for writing his Gospel, and thus, why he tells us of this sign: That all those who hear it would believe in Jesus. That Jesus is the Son of God, and that believing in Him you would have eternal life. We see in the signs and miracles of Jesus that they are not to make us “healthy, wealthy, and wise,” but that we would be wise to what is the Truth. To be wise in knowing and trusting in Jesus. This first and chief sign of Jesus at a wedding in Cana clues us into what all the Gospel, and indeed, the Bible is about. It is about Jesus. How he creates all and then comes to it after it falls to restore it. How he comes to redeem and rescue fallen mankind.

It seems that the disciples were always seeing some sort of sign or healing. They even performed them themselves! And while we do not see that sort of thing today, let alone in the regularity they did in those days, we do have important signs that Jesus has left for us. We do see miracles in our midst even today. In baptism, we see someone who was dead made alive. There we see someone who is an enemy of God become the very child of God. In absolution, we hear and believe and trust that it is the very Word of God that forgives us our sins. And in the Supper of our Lord, we trust that He is present in the bread and wine, and in being present He feeds and nourishes our bodies and souls, forgiving our sins.

The wedding in Cana is a joyous festival, but it runs out of wine. The church throughout the world today celebrates the joy of Christ weekly by coming together, hearing the Word, and participating in the sign, the sacraments, that our Lord has given us. But we also wait for the culmination of the wedding in Cana. We wait for our own wedding feast as the Bride of Christ. It is there that He will again bring out

the best of the best wine, and we will live eternally with Him. Amen.

Rev. Brent Keller
Peace Lutheran Church
Alcester, SD

Sanctus Banners

The angels depicted on our Sanctus banners are far different than the 20th century angelic art, to which we’ve become conditioned.

We’re used to seeing pretty ladies with soft features. Warm, inviting, matronly gals in flowing white robes with flowery headbands are these. They subsist in an other-worldly, kincade-esque field of light. These are not what the bible describes.

Every biblical description of angel shows us fearsome messengers of God. All have men’s names. They are so startling that they must say, “fear not.”

The angels on our Sanctus banners fit the biblical mold. They are Seraphim, who serve the Lord in His kingdom. Isaiah describes them this way.

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. [Isaiah 6:1-4]

These cherubim are terrifying in appearance. Isaiah is frightened by them. Yet, they serve the Lord and minister to His servants. For Isaiah, he repents of the uncleanness of his lips. The angel takes a coal from the altar and touches his lips, purifying him. We sing the Sanctus (holy, holy, holy) and Sundays before receiving Jesus body and blood for the remission of sins, purifying us too.

The angels are modest before the throne of God. They cover their feet, which can be a Hebrew euphemism for the hidden parts of our bodies. The coverings show both modesty and subordination to the Lord. These mighty, fearsome creatures are not the Lord, nor are they worthy of worship.

And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” [Revelation 4:8-11]

The Seraphim appear again in the Apocalypse of St. John (Revelation). Here we gain a description of their many eyes. These standing guard by the throne see all things. Nothing escapes their notice, while they direct the liturgy of the Lamb in His kingdom. This is far better than the servants you have here. I can’t always conduct the divine service without the text and music in front of me.

Our banner Seraphim look like the descriptions of St. Isaiah the prophet and St. John the revelator. They have their six wings and their many eyes. They stand their post, while the Lord serves His people. These banners are also from our friends at Ad Crucem.

Holy, holy, holy! Blessèd is He.

Rev. Jason M. Kaspar
Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church & Preschool
La Grange, TX

Leo X Excommunicates Martin Luther

On January 3rd, 1521, Pope Leo X carried through on his threat to excommunicate Martin Luther. The proclamation, Decet Romanum Pontificam was little noticed at the time since Luther had been effectively excluded from the church when he failed to retract all his books and reject the teachings the Pope had declared “errors” in the more famous bull Exsurge Domine and had instead burned a copy on December 10 . Luther would later refer to this as the second of three excommunications he had suffered — his friend and monastic superior Johann Staupitz had first released him from his monastic vows, the Pope had now removed his pastoral office, his right to serve as a professor and barred him from receiving the sacraments as a “notorious heretic.” The third would come later that year at a convention of the princes and territories of the Holy Roman Empire in the city of Worms. More about that at its 500th anniversary.

Even still, it took awhile for the document to take effect. It was executed by Leo’s De’ Medici cousin on January 28th. It was sent to Emperor Charles V, then in Worms, on 18 January, but did not arrive until 10 February. The Papal Nuncio, Hieronymus Aleander, made immediate use of its contents, but prevented its publication. The reason is the document excommunicated anyone who supported Luther, including Elector Frederick the Wise and other princes and territories. He feared retaliation from them at a time when the Emperor needed their support. It did not officially take effect until published in October of 1521.

The bull also labels all followers of the teachings of Martin Luther “Lutherans” and declares them all excommunicated and that no sacraments may be performed in the territories that support Lutherans. Called an interdict, this punishment was sometimes effective in bending secular authorities to the will of the Pope and other times not so much. In this case, it was a complete failure, ignored by both supporters and opponents of Luther alike.

Negotiations had already been underway between Elector Frederick and Emperor Charles V to have Martin Luther appear before the Diet of the empire at Worms. These discussions now intensified at set the stage for the next turning point in the history of the Reformation.

Christmas Carols Before Christmas?

Why do we not sing Christmas carols before Christmas?
Or, why do we keeping singing them after Christmas?

These are matched pair of questions that expose one of our national religions, none of which are Christianity. Supply-side economics and its liturgy, consumerism, are the religious drivers of our public understanding of Christmas.

Capitalism and the economic forces contained therein are not evil. But, they are used in evil ways when they impose themselves onto the faith and its practice. Christmas may be the most egregious example of this.

Each year the songs of Christmas in the public square grow less sacred and start sooner before Christmas. The role of the liturgy of secular Christmas music is to compel purchases. The sales begin earlier and earlier. Day-after-Halloween sales appeared recently, stomping all over Black Friday’s turf. It’s a war for your dollars, though not deliberately against Christmas.

Please don’t misunderstand me. Buying gifts for our loved ones is a wonderful act of Christian love. Earning and spending money is a key component of our vocation as citizens in this republic, which is God pleasing work too.

We fall into the ditch, however, when we let emotionally manipulative canned music in the stores and ads direct our understanding of the festivals of the church. For example, it’s not Christmastime until Christmas Eve.

Advent is a season of hopeful expectation. We are in preparation from Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve. Expecting parents don’t get to hear the coos and giggles, or see the smiles and peaceful sleeping until the baby is born. Advent is that pregnancy for the church. Jesus is coming, but not yet.

Now, when we celebrate Jesus’s birth on Christmas, we’re still not done. The twelve days of Christmas run from Dec 26th – Jan 5th. We get to spill-out all that pent up joy for the whole season. We will gather together for church five times during those days.

Is that not enough? Maybe not. Perhaps next year we should have Christmas services each of the twelve days for the body of Christ to gather together and enjoy the celebration of our Savior’s birth. Christmas is one of the shortest seasons of the church year – keep on singing – leave those decorations up. The celebration is here and it’s just begun.

Even if our culture’s religion has worn-down your Christmas Joy too early, there’s no need to stop. Christmas runs all the way to Epiphany on Jan 6th.

Rejoice! The King is Born!

Rev. Jason M. Kaspar
Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church & Preschool
La Grange, TX

God is not at a Distance

Sermon on Galatians 4:4-7
1^st Sunday after Christmas
27 December 2020
Our Hope Lutheran Church Huntertown, Indiana

Text: But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”

Intro: In most of the world’s religions, God is very far away. For some, he is the high god that made the world and left it to lesser gods and humans to manage as they can. In Eastern religious traditions, everything is god, a single being without differences. According to them, the problem is we think we’re individuals and weighed down by our bodies and material things. Deists of the enlightenment — like Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin — think of God as a craftsman — like a watchmaker — who made a fine watch — the world — wound it up and let it run as designed.

Over the last few decades, we’ve caught glimpses of this in popular song. In the 1970s, We were told “the three men I admired most, The Father, Son, and The Holy Ghost, They took the last train for the coast.” and in the 90s that “God is watching us … from a distance.”

Yet God is not far from us and never has been. He made us to be with him. Though sin separated us, he longed to be with us. He spoke with Abraham. He led the people of Israel and lived with them – first in a tent and then in a temple. He sent events in motion to become even closer to us. At just the right time he was born one of us at Bethlehem.

Sin separates us from God – and each other.
1. Rather than live according to God’ will, we live by what we think is best.
2. The result is we are separated from God and at odds with each other.
3. Sins and sorrows grow; Thorns infest the ground; death reigns.
4. We think we are alone, yet we need God and each other.
5. We are the ones who wonder away.

Jesus became one of us to save us.
1. Yet to God we are precious, a lost treasure, a pearl of great price, a lost coin and a lost sheep.
2. He has been looking for us and become one of us.
3. Born at Bethlehem, the same way as we are, except no sin of his own.
4. He dies reconcile us to God and to call to each other.
5. He is with us by our side, now and forever.