Sermon for Easter 2

Jesus says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” John 30:29. is our text.

 

That's us. That's we who believe. We are blessed. 

 

We long for the beatific vision of Christ, to see him face to face to touch his hands to be in his presence face to face. We confess that. We will say in the Creed that we look forward to the resurrection of the body and the life of the world to come, but Jesus says we're blessed when we don't yet see and yet believe.

 

It’s as if Jesus says to us “Just wait.” You'll see me soon enough. In the meantime, believe. Believe that I am risen from the dead. Believe what I say when I say you who are in me have that resurrection and that life -- life eternal. Believe what I say. And for this meantime I will give you the things to help you believe.

Jesus says “I want you to believe. Don't regret that you weren't one of the witnesses of my resurrection, that you weren't there to see me on that first Easter. There were over 500 people who saw me alive risen from the dead. And they told about it. Don't believe the lies that some have put forward.”

Some of the enemies of Christ’s gospel made up this story, that the disciples stole the body from the tomb and then went around spreading the story that Jesus rose from the dead. It's impossible to get 500 people to keep a lie going for 2000 years. Couldn’t be. The Apostles and Mary Magdalene and many others told what they saw and touched and it’s reliable, well attested and documented.

There have been other rumors and lies spread about the resurrection of Jesus. You might have heard them repeated even to this day. One theory told most notably by the false prophet Mohammed, is that Jesus didn’t really die on the cross, he just passed out and later, in the tomb, came to his senses, and walked out of the tomb and went around meeting up with His friends. That would have been physically and biologically impossible given the kind of beating he took at the hands of the Roman soldiers; the flogging they gave Jesus was so severe that he couldn’t stand up under the weight of the cross; and then there was the bitter, excruciating crucifixion. If any man could have survived that, it would be impossible to believe He could then walk through locked doors and hold a blessed conversation with His disciples. Really it’s easier to simply believe what God has said. “He was delivered up for our sins, and rose again for our justification.” John wrote in our Epistle reading today: If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. (1 John 5:9).

The Lord gives you the testimony, so hear it and believe.

The Lord gave old Thomas His body, so Thomas could see it, touch it and believe. But then He says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

The Lord gives you things, so you can believe what you can’t see. That’s how He wants you to believe. Get what He gives, and then believe in what is unseen.

Here’s an example of that, Jesus breathed on His disciples and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). The Holy Spirit is unseen. Jesus breath, was noticeable. When He breathed on them, they could see it and feel it. But then He told them, believe in what is unseen, the Holy Spirit. Believe that He is with you, at work in you, and doing His work on you, namely, “If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld” (John 20:23).

Now you have the Church and the minister of the church so you can believe in what is unseen. You hear the Gospel preached in the Church, from the mouth of the pastor and you believe in what is unseen, in heaven your sins are forgiven.

The Lord gives you His word, written back then and proclaimed today. With the Holy Spirit that word has power for you to believe even what is unseen.

Here’s how it goes: God’s word reveals things unseen. Faith is believing what is unseen, what’s beyond our senses and experiences, even what’s beyond our ability to imagine. It’s understandable that rebellious thinkers would try to find ways to explain that Jesus was not truly risen. Such a thing never happens. People die and that’s it. God’s word says otherwise. Jesus who was dead, now lives, and speaks and blesses and saves.

So likewise the sacrament, under the visible bread and wine, the Lord gives you the unseen body and blood. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe”.

We continue to do what the Lord does. Like Jesus breathing to show the unseen Spirit. By our actions in the Divine Service, we are showing the unseen that we believe. By our standing out of respect in the presence of our unseen Savior, we are acting as if we believe in what is unseen.

That’s what you do on Sunday morning -- so also in the other days of the week. Think, talk, and act as if you believe in what is unseen going on around you.

·         Bow your head in prayer, because you believe that the unseen Lord is there listening to you.

·         Go about the tasks you have to do, working diligently, because you believe that the service you are doing is for the visible world, but also and more importantly for the unseen Lord who gives you your work to do.

·         Look at the people you are with this way, even the most difficult and annoying person you have to deal with. Keep in mind what is unseen about them. Although it doesn’t look like it, remember that this person is God’s creation, valued by God, so precious to God that He gave His Son up for this person. Then when you talk to that person, interact with that person, do so with the respect and honor bestowed on him or her from our unseen Lord.

·         Live all your days not in the worry and suffering of the world of your sight and experience, but with the peace and joy of what you believe.

How blest are they who have not seen
And yet whose faith has constant been,
For they eternal life shall win.
    Alleluia! Amen.

 

 

 

Sermon for Holy Thursday

Luke 22:19 & 20

 ¹⁹ And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁰ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

Twice that night when He was betrayed, Jesus said this little prepositional phrase, “for you.” “This is my body, which is given for you.” And This cup (my blood) is poured out for you”.

These words, “for you” require all hearts to believe. These words are an invitation to believe. They are a challenge to believe. They are a call to prepare your hearts for what Jesus has to give “for you”, by repenting of sins, all wrong doing, wrong saying, wrong thinking, wrong believing, repent of those and then call on Jesus, asking Him to give what He has promised, His body and blood for the forgiveness of sins.

Tomorrow we observe and remember Good Friday, our Lord’s death on the cross. Tonight we observe and remember His sacrament where the fruits of the cross are given for you for the forgiveness sins. The cross is where Jesus died for the whole world of sinners. The Good of Good Friday, what Jesus did on the cross, took care of all the sins of all those who have ever lived or who will ever live, until the end of time. More about that tomorrow. But there’s something incomprehensible about that, isn’t it? It’s for billions. If something is for everybody, free for all, then it’s easy to take for granted, like the air we breathe. Most days, it’s no big deal. So the death of Jesus on the cross can become not so interesting, not so applicable to you, most days. On the cross is the body and blood of Jesus Christ, given and shed for the for the world. Tonight in the Holy Supper for you to eat and to drink, is the body and blood of Jesus Christ given and shed for you. You need not feel like just another face in the innumerable crowd. The Lord says, “This is for you.”

And He can say such things honestly. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He has the powers and attributes of God, like forgiveness of sins and omniscience. He knows all, and everyone. He knows the hairs on your head and the cares of your heart. And He wants you to hear Him and believe Him when He says, “This is for you.” My cross is for you. My resurrection is for you. My life is for you.

Would that no one would disagree with Jesus Christ. But alas, some do. They will say, “nope, it’s not for me.” Some might not say such things with these exact words, but by their actions, they will may it clear that what Christ gives, is not for them. Even more will by their inaction say this, “no, it’s not for me.” Some say it out of arrogance. “For me? For the forgiveness of my sins? What are you talking about? There’s nothing wrong with me? I do it my way and no regrets.”

Others say “nope, it’s not for me” not out of arrogance but out of hopelessness and regret. Saying, maybe it’s for them, it’s not for me. Let not a guilty conscience say, “nope, it’s not for me, because of what I’ve said, what I’ve thought, what I’ve done.” In fact it is exactly for you the sinner that Jesus says, this is for you, for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus Christ has gone to great lengths so you would hear that and believe it.

Those great lengths started back there in Old Jerusalem in the upper room. When we hear this reading again this year of that Thursday evening when Jesus had His last supper, Most of us have some picture in our mind of what it must have been like, Da Vinci’s, or maybe a scene we have in mind from one of the movies made about Jesus’ last days. It is that nicely furnished upper room, with Jesus and 11 or 12 disciples in their various positions. It was behind closed doors. It was a closed communion. When we picture that scene we can figure that when Jesus said, “For you”, He meant at least those 12 guys.

But Jesus wanted it to go on from there. So He said “Do this, often, in remembrance of me.” Saying that, He was getting His apostles ready for the time when He would no longer be with them, but would be at the right hand of His Father in heaven. These Apostles would remember that and after His resurrection and ascension they would gather believers to hear what Jesus said and to eat and drink what Jesus promised to give. And when Jesus gave them the Holy Spirit, He said to them, “He who hears you, hears me.” Jesus wanted them and the church built up around them to “Do this, often, in remembrance of Me”.  So, by the way, this is why I asked you at the start, “Do you believe that the forgiveness I speak is not my forgiveness, but God’s?” Our Lord instituted such things so that future generations would have the forgiveness of their sins accompanied by this assurance, “This is for you.” And so it has gone, with the constant care of the Holy Spirit that His words remain, and come true over and over again. Eternal Salvation and the forgiveness of sins Jesus won on the cross back there long ago, far away. But given here and now for you. Amen.

Sermon for Lent Midweek 4

 “We preach Christ Crucified.”

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

1 Corinthians 1:18-25  For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. . . . ²² For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

We preach Christ crucified. That word “Preach” has become a technical term and specifically churchly activity. But all Christians do it, when we talk about Christ crucified to others. When a mother sings “Jesus loves me” to her infant, she’s preaching Christ crucified. When a father prays with his small children and teaches them by word and action, he is preaching Christ crucified. When a Christian sees their neighbor down in the dumps and gives the consolation of heavenly forgiveness and hope of heavenly life, you’re preaching Christ crucified.

But mostly we use that word “preach” to mean what the whole church does together publicly, corporately, when the man appointed and ordained preaches, proclaims, announces the word of Jesus Christ.

Paul here in 1 Corinthians used the Greek word for preach, that was used especially of official announcements. Before there was mass media there were specially appointed messengers, or criers who would go into the center of town or at the entry gate of town, wherever people gathered and he would announce or proclaim important messages. Maybe there would be chariot races tomorrow afternoon. Maybe the king had issued an important decree. Maybe there was news to announce that the king’s armies were victorious in an epic battle.

We preach Christ crucified. And in this announcement there is good news of our King’s important decree—you are justified by His grace. There is good news of our King’s victory in an epic battle. As we sing in the hymn, he is the death of death our foe.

Christ crucified, some may think it sounds like Christ lost, God’s Son was beaten and defeated. But no, Christ crucified is the power of God. Some may think it sounds foolish. But no, “Christ crucified the power of God and the wisdom of God.  For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

You heard how those who passed by the crucified Christ mocked Him. They said, “If You are the Son of God, come down. But they had it all wrong. It’s just the opposite. Since He is the Son of God, He must stay on the cross. The true Savior, the true Son of God, the true Christ is the crucified Christ.

The opening hymn said it this way,

“Uplifted for the world to see

He hangs in strangest victory,

For in His body on the tree

He carries all our ills.

Romans 3 says that Christ crucified is how we who have sinned and fall short of the glory of God are redeemed and justified and given atonement for our sins. And it says this is for all who believe (vs. 22). So that we believe, we preach and we listen, to this announcement, this good news, this proclamation from on high:  Christ crucified. Amen.

Sermon for 4th Sunday in Lent

The Lord feeds His People

Exodus 16:4  ⁴ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.

This moment in the wilderness was a situation of testing for the people of God.

I’m told the Sinai Desert is like the surface of the moon or Mars. There’s no water, no vegetation, just rocks, lots of rocks. Little rocks and big rocks. It sounds like that’s what it was like back then, also. A nice place to visit, maybe, but you wouldn’t want to live there. Also, you wouldn’t want to spend 40 years walking around out there.

That place and climate made the lesson God was teaching very clear, a couple of million people camping out in a wilderness like this – within a week or two they will be completely helpless to find food or water, shelter or safety. They would have nowhere to turn for help and rescue. Nowhere but from heaven. That was their test.

The long story of the Old Testament teaches that testing is good, contrary to what we might expect. It’s good to just get a pass, an easy A, It’s nice when you can just move right along. But the truth is, it’s better for your character and for your faith, to be tested now and again.

It was good for the ancient people of Israel, that God fed them. It was also good for them to get hungry. The Lord let them get hungry that they would call out to Him and know that He is the Lord, that they would believe that He in His good mercy fed them.

Exodus 16:16-19 Moses said:  ¹⁶ This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Gather of it, each one of you, as much as he can eat. You shall each take an omer,^[a] according to the number of the persons that each of you has in his tent.’” ¹⁷ And the people of Israel did so. They gathered, some more, some less. ¹⁸ But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat. ¹⁹ And Moses said to them, “Let no one leave any of it over till the morning.”

If you’re following along with the daily Bible readings we list in the monthly church newsletter, you’re just getting into this book of Exodus. When you read Exodus, admittedly, it can be tedious. There is so much detail, so many instructions that are exact, precise, and detailed. So think of it this way, the Lord with these meticulous instructions is training His people. He’s teaching them how to listen to His words. He said “Let no one leave any of it over till the morning.”

Exodus 16:20 ²⁰ But they did not listen to Moses. Some left part of it till the morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them.

So they learned an unpleasant lesson. When the Lord speaks, it’s good to listen to Him. When He speaks there is misfortune and curses for those who will not listen to Him. There is promises and blessings for those who hear His word and keep it. Each of the commandments of God have these curses and blessings attached to them. Take the third commandment for example, Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Those who hear it and keep it are given the blessings that flow from worshipping God, hearing His word, receiving His sacrament, strengthening their faith, directing their lives for the week ahead. Those who do not listen to this commandment are left outside of the Lord’s means of grace and in danger of being left outside of His kingdom. Or take the 6^th Commandment, you shall not commit adultery. This world in which we live is hurting under the misfortune and curse of not hearing and obeying this commandment. When  marriage and the family is disrespected everything else about society and life suffer. But when Husbands love their wives and the home is filled with love and peace and joy, the family, the community, society is blessed.

Exodus 16:21 ²¹ Morning by morning they gathered it, each as much as he could eat;

The Lord gave. The people ate and lived.

Many years later, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. . . Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:54).

Jesus makes a connection between bread and eternal life. If we truly understand our daily bread, If we are truly thankful for every morsel, our Lord provides, we will come to understand and believe in His gift of life everlasting.

A good prayer before meals is this verse from the Psalms: 

Psalm 145:15-16 ¹⁵ The eyes of all look to you,
    and you give them their food in due season.
¹⁶ You open your hand;
    you satisfy the desire of every living thing.

 

You can picture the living things that are daily satisfied by the Lord’s hand, feeding them. The bird in the nest, for whom the Lord provides good parents who bring the worm and bug. The lamb or calf for whom the Lord provides the nursing ewe or cow. The hungry beggar, and the Lord provides for him or her a good neighbor.

Food and faith go together. We trust the Lord to give us our daily bread, and all things we need. We trust the Lord to give us the forgiveness of our sins, salvation and eternal life. Amen. 

Sermon for Lent Midweek 3

Christ crucified. “The Wisdom of God”

1 Corinthians 3:18-22

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Christ crucified seemed to be foolish. So we who cling to Christ crucified, would seem to be fools.

Pilate was amazed that Jesus would not defend Himself, but would go forward to crucifixion. Pilate’s wife wanted him to have nothing to do with Christ crucified. In the same way, many Greeks and Romans heard the good news of Christ crucified, brushed it off as foolishness. Every century since, there have many who were wise in this world, so wise that they considered Christ crucified foolishness. It is of them, that the verse says, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

So we hold dear what the world says is foolish. We believe that Christ crucified is the Wisdom of God. All these years later and we talk about it, we sing about it, we pray about it, we lean our faith on it. We pray that the Lord would imprint this image on our hearts, that the full inscription be, Jesus Crucified for me.

In 1 Corinthians 3 Paul shows the great contrast between human, worldly wisdom and God’s wisdom. “If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.”

The Lord does not care how smart you are in the wisdom of this age, this world. He calls you to have His wisdom.

Now of course, there is some stuff you gotta know to get by in life. When you learn your lessons, when you pass a test, earn a certificate, you get a measurable recognition. But the true wisdom that God seeks in you is not something you can show off or boast about. It must come from above. And it is placed into you.

One of the problems that Paul was dealing with in 1 Corinthians, was that the Corinthians were dividing themselves up into different groups. Some were bragging that they were taught by the Apostle Paul. Others said well, we are of Peter’s.  Others said Apollos, is ours. It was silly, and it was missing the big idea of what it means to be a Christian. Paul tells them, “So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, ²² whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, ²³ and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.”

The Corinthian’s problem was that they were thinking too little of themselves and what all they have because they are saved by Christ. They had forgiveness of their sins, eternal life,  the Holy Spirit and his many gifts, and they had the wisdom of heaven.

All things are yours. You have to think that way, when you lust after pleasures in this world, why? All things are yours.  When you feel the frustration of not getting your way, All things are yours. When you suffer a loss, and lose what you thought you could never live without, All things are yours, because you are Christ’s.

There is a fear of the unknown. You might have a fear of being foolish. People often have the bad dream in which they show up to work and suddenly can’t remember how to do their job.

When it comes to knowing the heavenly truth. You don’t need to fear or worry. Don’t ever allow feelings of inadequacy into your head when it comes to your faith and wisdom. All things are yours. And you are Christ’s.

Many Christians are tongue-tied when it comes to their faith. They feel unfit to speak about the things of Christ; they are afraid to say something wrong and sound like a fool.  

Take stock of the wisdom that is yours in Christ crucified.

Christ crucified is the Wisdom of God. When Christ was crucified for you, He gave you all things. In Christ you have it all and you lack nothing. You can say, The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Amen.

Sermon for Lent Midweek 2

 Christ crucified. “The Power of God”

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Jesus said to Caiaphas, the High Priest, “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.” But Caiphas didn’t believe Him.  He turned to the rest of Jewish ruling council and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” (Matthew 26:64-66).

In the ears of his enemies, what Jesus says sounds like blasphemy and lies. They could not, would not believe that Christ is the Power of God.

We who are in Christ, believe what He says. We believe Christ crucified. “The Power of God.”

Colossians chapter 1 was written to teach us Christ. It shows us who He is and what He can do:

Who He is:  The image of the invisible God. God who is invisible to us mere mortals, becomes accessible to us in the person of Jesus Christ, the image of God. In Jesus, the Son of Man, the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.

And what He does:  Jesus Christ true God, yet also true man, was crucified for us and then became the firstborn from the dead. He is Head of the Church of all believers, and we believers are members of His body, and we go together, headfirst, through death and into eternal life.

Colossians chapter 1 lists things Christ can do. That’s what the word “power” means “can do.” As we meditate on Christ crucified. “The Power of God”, we consider what Christ can do.

Christ crucified has the power to deliver us.  Colossians 1: 13 ^“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son”.

That’s how come you can call Him Lord. He was powerful enough to defeat the domain of darkness. He has established His Kingdom by overcoming all enemies. He has delivered you and answered your prayer of “Thy Kingdom Come.”  Christ crucified is the power of God to deliver you from the enemies of Sin and Death and the Power of the devil and to transfer you to the Kingdom of Light and eternal life. Do you believe that? If so, then leave behind all thoughts and acts of darkness. Desire nothing but His Kingdom and His life.

Christ crucified is the Power of God to Redeem.  Colossians 1: 14 “in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

When we meditate on Christ crucified, it’s a delight to recite, or sing the catechism’s words: “who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sin, from death and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver but with His holy precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death.”

Christ crucified is the Power of God to Redeem.  Do you believe that? Do you count on that? Such that no matter what scary, ugly situations you may have found yourself in, Christ is the Power of God, the Can Do of God, there is nothing, nowhere that Christ cannot redeem you out of.

That verse 14 said, “in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Christ crucified is the Power of God to forgive sins. Do you believe that? If so then you ought not to be sulking in regret and a guilty conscience. When you hang onto old sins, when you have those recurring thoughts that you have done some things that you can never get over, when you listen to the accusations the devil would stir up against you, you’re thinking like even Jesus can’t forgive you.  Christ crucified Can Do. He is the Power of God to forgive sins.

Lastly, peace: Christ crucified is the Power of God to make peace. It takes someone powerful to make peace. He reconciles you and me to Himself. Forgiving our sins redeeming us out of the Domain of sin, death and the devil, He has reconciled us, brought us back into good standing, and made a peaceful relationship with us.  Do you believe that? Then have a high priority to live out that peace every day, in your heart and with your neighbor. Christ is the Power of God to make peace. With His power, you can do it. You can forget old grievances. You can overcome hard feelings. You can say, “I’m sorry.” And you can sincerely forgive those who have trespassed against you.

Caiphas and any other characters who have set their hearts to despise Jesus will not believe the power of Christ crucified. We believe this. We count on this. We are blessed by Christ crucified, the Power of God. Amen.

Sermon for Lent Midweek 1

Bless us with the mind of Christ crucified.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5).

These are some of the encouraging words Paul wrote to the Christians in Philippi. He told them, “let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.” This was an exhortation and an encouragement. Not just the scolding of the law, as if Paul would tell you, “Why can’t you be more like Jesus?” Rather, He was inviting the Philippians to consider how they would do well to have the mind of Christ.

We join with those Christians of that far away place, long ago and we pray to the same Lord, saying, “Bless us with the mind of Christ crucified.”

Let’s then consider having the mind of Christ in three ways:  In prayer, in peace, in patience.

First, in prayer. Bless us with the mind of Christ crucified in our worship and prayer. We are blessed to have the actual prayers of Jesus that He spoke on the night He was betrayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. He prayed, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). Three times he prayed this prayer.

Learn the mind of Christ crucified from the way he prays. When we pray with the mind of Christ, we are not only begging for what our hearts desire. But we are willing to have our desires conformed to His. In Jesus’ prayers in the garden, we hear Him coming to terms with the cross and the suffering that He is about to endure.

The cross is no accident. It was the Father’s will for Jesus Christ to suffer and die, punished for your sins and my sins. Our Lord Jesus, true man, prone to human suffering and death and so struggling with the built-in desire to avoid suffering and pain and live, He struggles in prayer. Until He says, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, (this bitter drink), then so be it, your will be done.

Bless us with the mind of Christ crucified that we may pray for our Lord’s will to be done and trust that His will is done. And after we have brought our prayers to the Lord, three times even, let that be enough. Trust His good and gracious will. Be at peace.

And that’s number 2: Peace. Bless us with the mind of Christ crucified – a mind of peace. After this prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, our Lord is at peace. He is resolute. He doesn’t hesitate again. He has no anxiety, no anger. Unlike Peter who pulls out a sword and clumsily cuts off the ear of one of the bad guys, Jesus has no violence within Himself. No rash reactions to the suffering inflicted upon Him. He simply says to His Judas, “Do what you came to do.”

In Christ crucified find peace. He obediently, willingly, suffered and died for you. That your sins would be forgiven, and your guilt atoned for. Let the mind of Christ crucified fill you with peace, trusting that because He who died for you in such humiliation is now exalted to the highest heavens to reign in glory forever and He calls you to His presence so you can share in that exaltation and glory in eternal life.

In due time that is. Just as Christ was exalted after His time of suffering, so you also will need to have some patience through suffering before the glory is full. Let your prayer be, Bless us with the mind of Christ crucified. Crucified. Think about what you’re asking for. You want to be like Jesus, to pray like Jesus, to have peace like Jesus, that, of course will include suffering in this life, like Jesus. Philippians 1:29 says this:  ^“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,”

In this life, those who have the mind of Christ will expect suffering. You will suffer because things aren’t like they should be, because of sin and sin’s companion, death. You will suffer because your flesh will constantly be drawn to sin and there will be the ongoing internal struggle against. You will suffer because the devil hates you and all that is good. You will suffer because the world has scorn for Christ and mocks you for following His way. You will have to suffer, because the alternative is to just give up and not care and just let evil happen and never let good happen. Because as soon as you let the mind of Christ be at work in you, there will be suffering also. “Bless us with the mind of Christ crucified that we may have His patience in suffering.”

Hear again Paul’s encouragement in Philippians 5: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). Did you catch what he’s saying? that it is yours?  Baptism’s reminder is that you are Baptized into Christ. Into His death to sin and into His life of peace and eventual glory. You have Christ. You have the mind of Christ. In prayer, in peace and in patience.

Amen.