Dear saints, about three years ago a pastor opened his sermon for this day with these words: “For a Christian, God’s child, there are severe temptations to despair and give up hope when we see the things going on around us in the world. There is sickness, disease, serious injuries, death, war, political nonsense, rampant immorality, financial anxieties, threats from the weather, threats of terrorist attacks, threats from North Korea—just turn on the news. These are the things going on around us every minute of every day.” Not much has changed. With a couple of very minor changes, it could easily be spoken for today’s context. Some of what we experience today could be worse; this year is an election year.
On top of what we observe around us, we are also tempted to despair when we look at our own hearts and actions. While there will be a lot of overlap, we all have our own temptations and struggles. We desire things and people that aren’t ours to desire. We look at what we have and are disappointed it isn’t more. Perhaps there’s an issue with jealousy or anger. Especially in these times, you may feel lonely or hopeless. In our worst times, we may even desire sinful things.
As these things pile up, we may be tempted to lose hope in God. In doing so, one may forget what God says about us and the world. And worse, forget what he promises us. But this doubt doesn’t keep you continuing to gather here and hearing God’s Word as he gathers his saints. In fact, it is why you come. Our environment, families, bodies, feelings, and even our reason are apt to deceive us. And so, we come here and hear over and over again the Word of our Lord speaking again and again the promises he has made to us. The very promises he has made time and time again from the beginning and in every nation and in every language.
But why is it that such things tempt us to despair? It is because the heathens, the atheists and agnostics, the humanists and the ‘Nones’ of our day have made peace with the world. They don’t have the struggles you and I do with temptation. Rather than feeling the burden on their consciences, they have given in to the philosophies of the day and fully embraced the culture and its ruler. They have either embraced immorality outright or bought into the lie that you can live however you want as long as you are nice to the right people or hold the right thoughts. As long as you sacrifice to its god and make penance (with no forgiveness offered) even for things you didn’t do. Good and evil have been redefined, and more and more, what God calls good is called by those around us the greatest evil. We, therefore, are constantly bombarded with a message of tolerance and compromise, a message of peace at any cost. And the pressure to capitulate or be canceled.
But before we are tempted to think we alone have had this struggle, we look to God’s people’s own past. From the Patriarchs to the prophets and priests to the New Testament church and into our own day, every generation of faithful people has been surrounded by a hostile world and hostile people. It is a good thing for us to hear of biblical examples. They are real people in real-time with real struggles. They had real sins and real doubts. And we hear about how God dealt with them, his children, and see his character through their accounts. In them, we are comforted by his mercy and grace to them, knowing it is also for us. This morning, our lessons give us two of these examples: Elijah and Peter.
Elijah battled powerful kings, hundreds of false prophets, and communicated directly with God. He performed miraculous signs and wonders and was God’s instrument for mighty miracles. Through Elijah, rain was ended for three years, the widow at Zarephath was given food, her son raised from the dead, fire was called down from heaven. But this morning, despite all this, we see him like any of us on a typical day. He despairs at his situation and is disappointed in himself and all others around him. He thinks he alone is left as a faithful servant of God. He tells God, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”
And how does the Lord answer his pity-party-throwing servant? He reminds Elijah that he and his plans are bigger than Elijah. He shows Elijah that he still loves him and will take care of both him and the generations to come. In essence, God says, “Go anoint kings, go name your successor, I was in control before you and I will be in control after you. This should give you hope. I will not leave you alone. Even now, you’re not as alone as you feel. There are others in my household who are faithful. It’s going to be ok.”
Simon Peter knows who Jesus is. Before this morning’s lesson, he has surely heard Jesus teach. We know that he has seen Jesus’ power when his mother-in-law was healed by the Lord of a fever (a condition much more dangerous than today). When Jesus causes him to stop cleaning up after a fish-less night on the Sea so he can teach the pressing crowds, Peter no doubt listens intently. And when our Lord finishes, he tells Peter to let down the nets. Knowing that fishing at this time of day is foolish, but also knowing what he has seen and heard from Jesus, Peter obeys.
The catch is so great, it takes two crews and two boats to bring it in. It is so great that both boats begin to sink. And suddenly it clicks for Peter: he is a wretched sinner in the presence of his holy Lord. He would rather drown than be judged. But judgment isn’t coming to him; a calling is. He is called from serving his neighbor as a fisherman into the vocation of serving his neighbor as a disciple, and later, apostle where he saves men from destruction, bringing them into the boat of the Church.
In these, and so many other narratives, are words of encouragement for you and me. In them we hear and, through the miraculous gift of faith we receive from the Holy Spirit, we believe that God is in control. That he is the creator and controls the sea, the fish, the wind, disease, and ‘natural disasters.’ He is the one in control of presidents, dictators, generals, armies, and even terrorists. All these things are under his control and things carried out by them are for your good. All these things occur as he works as creator and sustainer of all that exists.
He does this because he is also your Savior. The God who spoke the world into existence has taken on your flesh. It isn’t enough that he created all things, but once his creation rebels, he insists on redeeming it. Born of the Virgin, suffering under Pilate, your Lord dies on the cross, is buried, and rises on the third day. Just like he promised to do. And having ascended to heaven, he opened a way for you to follow. As he tells us, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
You are a part of an innumerable multitude he has called and promised to return for when the number of his elect is filled. Though you are a part, he loves you and is gracious to you as if you were the only one. Though you recognize your sin and fear his holiness, he does not cast you off his boat. He does not leave you or forsake you. For you are his.
Jesus has been tempted in every way we are, and yet did not sin. He knows and understands your troubles. And for every temptation that comes your way, he is there for you and provides a way out. You are never without a word of promise from him; he continually speaks to you through his Holy Scripture. He washes you clean in Holy Baptism. And he feeds you in Holy Communion. He continues to call men to be His fishers of men as pastors. Thus, he never leaves his church without his spokesmen. You are never left without his life-giving Word.
The world around you wages continual war against you. So does stress in your life and home. As does the doubt that creeps into your heart and mind. When it does, listen to your Lord Jesus. No matter how much you beg, dear Christian, he will not leave you or forsake you. He has already overcome all you experience. He has already conquered your accuser. He has already overcome your sin. He has placed you in this community of saints for mutual support for one another. So he would continue to nourish and sustain you. So that he could welcome you today to the table he has prepared for you. Amen.
Rev. Brent Keller
Peace Lutheran Church
Alcester, SD
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