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.