Month: February 2013

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Enemies of the Cross

Text: Luke 13:31-35
Date: Lent II + 2/24/13

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. It was because of the word of judgment Jeremiah was sent by the Lord to proclaim—“This house shall be like Shiloah, and this city shall be desolate, without inhabitant”—coupled with a certain sense of sadness—“Do with me as seems good and right to you”—that the prophet warned, “only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth the Lord sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.” Continue reading “Enemies of the Cross”

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First Prize Performance

Text: Luke 4:1-13
Date: Lent I + 2/17/13

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord, for He comes to conquer Satan and to free us from the grasp of sin and death.

The first reason we have come here is because in many and various ways God’s Word, God’s diagnosis of us, has convinced us that we are separated from God, that this separation is the result of sin, and that the wages of this sin is death. But we have come here also because we have heard and believe that God has provided the answer equal to our need, forgiveness of sin, deliverance from death, and communion with God. Continue reading “First Prize Performance”

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A Vision of Glory

Text: Luke 9:28-36
Date: Transfiguration + 2/10/13

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. For we have heard and we believe that He has come in human flesh, that He continues to come to us now by means of His Word and Sacraments, and that He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead and bring us to the life of the world to come. Today we are given a glimpse, a vision of His glory. But it is given to us to remind us that He entered into His glory only after and through His suffering, death, resurrection and ascension. We are to know that that’s the only way to glory for us too, through suffering to glory. This vision is given to us to encourage and strengthen our faith that we may persevere in hope. Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord. Continue reading “A Vision of Glory”

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I Must Preach

Text: Jeremiah 1:4-10 & Luke 4:43
Date: Epiphany IV + 2/3/13

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. He is blessed because He has come for us and He has appointed us to proclaim and to preach His coming. Jeremiah said, “I must preach” (Jer 1:7). Jesus said, “I must preach” (Luke 4:43). St. Paul said, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Cor 9:16). And I say today, “I Must Preach.” Speaking for all, we “must preach” because we have been called and sent by God to preach, to announce, to proclaim, to evangelize, to declare with all the baptized the wonderful deeds of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light; to announce the light of the Gospel of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life by faith in Christ. This divine “must” is compelling. Who knows how it comes to a person? It came to Jeremiah through “the word of the Lord.” It came to the man named Saul of Tarsus through a vision, a miracle and instruction. It comes to men today in many and various ways by means of the Spirit of God calling and forming and sending through the Church. It comes to all in Holy Baptism. It comes to us because Jesus has come. Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Continue reading “I Must Preach”