November 8, 2020 Text: Amos 5:18-24
Dear Friends in Christ,
Do you ever think about who set the standards? Who set the standard for the type of fuel our vehicles would need? Who decided how much weight a wall could bear so that buildings don’t crash down? Who set the standard for furnaces, air conditioners, refrigerators and that airplane you want to ride in? I thought about all this because tomorrow I go for a colonoscopy. Who came up with the common procedure to get ready and then perform this medical deed? The last time I had this done, anesthesia was administered for the 20-30 minutes the procedure took. I’ve always wondered who allowed themselves to be knocked out with this type of medicine the first time so that all the rest of us had a standard? I picture this at the pharmaceutical company: “Jones hop on the table and we will give you a dose. Hope to see you when you wake up.”
Aren’t you glad we don’t set the standards? For the things I have mentioned we don’t. But aren’t their times we have our self-conceived standards and people better fall in line? Or we tell God what His standard should be? It’s the Old Testament from Amos and we wonder . . .
“WHAT IS THE STANDARD?”
Israel has a problem in our text. They were smug in their estimation that they were achieving a great standard of godliness. They looked forward to the Day of the Lord. It would be a good thing because they were pleasing to God and their standard of living proved it.
However, Israel’s standards were self-made and they were failing miserably to achieve God’s standard. His standard is perfect obedience to His holy Law. They were going to experience judgment and not the blessings they expected.
They thought their worship was pleasing to God, but Amos tells them that their heart is not in it. They lacked justice and humility and no matter how orthodox the ritual or how fine the music was, the worship was a hypocritical sham. Corrupt worship would lead to corrupt living.
Are we in tune with God’s standard for these New Testament times? Jesus established our worship. He comes with abundant blessings of life and forgiveness and salvation. The standard was set in Baptism, in Absolution, in His Word, in Holy Communion.
Too many times we think we can worship apart from these means of grace. Why can’t I commune with God on the golf course or lake? I can receive His forgiveness while shopping or on vacation. The Word is always available, so what if my mind is on how quick we can get out of here today. I’ve been baptized, doesn’t that seal my faith for a number of years? Shouldn’t I get a medal or some sort of recognition for my steadfastness in worship?
The Divine Service is not something to check off your list. God has established this eternal blessing so that your faith can grow. Right worship leads to right living. “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” God’s people produce justice like the flow of a river. Animals and plants need water to survive. We need the gift of worship so that our faith grows and is strengthened. The standard for us is Jesus.
Jesus is the exact reversal of everything Amos uses to warn you concerning the Day of the Lord. Repent of less than honest worship. Repent of trying to set your own standards. Repent of the corrupt living that comes from corrupt worship. Repent and rejoice.
Rejoice that on the cross, God’s justice poured out His wrath on Jesus. Justice was served and every sin was punished. God’s justice rolled over Christ so that His righteousness flows to you. You have been baptized into the death of Jesus. You have been baptized into the resurrection of Jesus. The waters flow down to you from Jesus and roll down from you to serve your neighbor. A new man daily emerges to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.
The next time you drive your car or go to the top of a tall building or have surgery or fly in a plane thank God for the standards that are set. They are meant to protect you. The Lord puts us in the shelter of His wings and protects us from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Evil cannot overcome the Standard our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.