July 14, 2024 Text:  Mark 6:14-29

Dear Friends in Christ,

Herod the King was enjoying himself greatly.  His belly was stuffed, the drinks were flowing, the hall was hot and smoky.  Then a young woman, beautiful in his eyes danced for him.  That it was his stepdaughter and niece disturbs us, but not him.  This tells you a lot about him.  He was so pleased that he made this ridiculous offer:  “I’ll give you whatever you ask for, up to half of my kingdom.”  The room probably became still and silent.  The king was probably drunk, and they could gain a favor.  She had the power. 

She takes this promise from Herod seriously.  She goes to her mother who says, “I want the head of John the Baptist.”  But it gets even more vile, “I want it on a platter.”  This King who had broken promises his whole life, kept his worthless word this time.  He waved his hand and made it so.  They could’ve have asked for half the kingdom, but they chose something more valuable, at least to them, life without guilt.  

Herod’s wife was smart, savvy, and evil.  While all through the palace party people were losing their heads, she had kept hers, clear and cunning.  She was playing a game you might know, the one where you win or you die, and she craved more influence, and this prophet, bearded and ugly and dirty, had stood in her way.

“STANDING IN THE WAY”

John had long been in prison because of Herod.  But for whatever reason, in moments of clarity, the king occasionally brought John into his throne room to hear him speak.  And that makes sense.  Thousands upon thousands had come to the wilderness to hear John preach.  They were baptized by Him in the Jordan River, just as Jesus himself was.  John’s message had not changed.  He was always taking repentance.  Now standing before this fool king, he still talked of repentance.  He didn’t ask for his release or butter up the sloppy king, but said rather, “How you are living right now, it ain’t right.”  John’s message was standing in the way.

What had Herod done that wasn’t right?  Taken his brother’s wife to be his wife.  The problem – his brother hadn’t died.  He simply took her because he could.  That is what happens with power.  John told him clearly that this wasn’t the way to live.  And the queen didn’t like it.  She felt the words of John kept her influence over the king in check.  She felt trapped by the words of this man in prison.  He was standing in the way.  So, the moment presents itself and she gets the head of John the Baptist.  That head on a platter threw her guilt away.  Herod and his wife would not have to hear his incisive sermons again.

Is that a desire we can relate to?  Not participating in this cruel spectacle, not ending the life of another, but to live without guilt.  John brought a message to Herod about God’s Law, and how Herod’s life needed changing.  Instead of changing heart and life, it was easier to put his head on a platter.  Our lives might be filled with less obvious darkness than was evident at that party in Herod’s palace.  Do we occasionally have a similar reaction . . . easier to kill the messenger than hear the message?

No matter who you are, no matter what you are, there are times when the word of God stands in our way, interrupts our lives and says, “stop, turn, and hear righteousness and holiness from God.”  And the hard truth is we would rather turn our backs on God, than hear his words.  People leave the church because they don’t want to live with the guilt.  God’s Word is standing in the way of their lifestyle.  So, they adopt a new world view that doesn’t conflict with their behavior.

This misunderstands guilt.  When we are faced with guilt, when we bump into God’s Word that says, “this ain’t right,” we are not offered only two choices – either turning our back on it or trying to work are way out of it.

The message of today, the invitation from Jesus is rather that you bring your guilt to him.  Watch as God nails your guilt to the cross.  Watch as He turns to you and changes you, and then, in the freedom of forgiveness, turns you toward righteousness and holiness.  You see, righteousness and holiness, they don’t gain God’s favor.  They are gifts that come with God’s favor.

So, for those struggling to believe or behave or to keep the faith, or to turn your backs…to all of us…comes this encouragement from God’s Word today.  You are welcomed into the feast the King provides.  You leave with no regret or shame.  Those things were washed away when Jesus showed His mighty power of love, when on the cross he purchased your seat at the table.  He stands in the way of your guilt.  His bloodied body shows that for all to see.

We can live without guilt as we live under the power of the cross.  Listen to John preach.  It may not always be easy . . . but in the end, it will be worth it.

Amen.   

July 7, 2024 Text:  2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Dear Friends in Christ,

As 18 of us Christian souls head to Europe on Tuesday, it has been said by some around the world that Americans are cocky and arrogant.  I’ll let you know what we find!  Because of our economic power, vast natural resources and standard of living it is tempting to be a little proud.  When we have closets as big as houses . . . well you get you the picture.  We have the natural barriers of two oceans.  Our freedoms are prolific.

Sometimes we can become a little laisse faire about why we have all these blessings.  God’s grace.  There is nothing biblical about our form of government or that this way of life will continue indefinitely.  Our place in history is not because we have pleased God more than others.

Remember, God will do with this nation what He alone chooses to do, regardless of which party is in the majority of our legislatures and regardless of which personality is in the office of president.  Our country and way of life stand by God’s grace alone.

This applies to our Missouri Synod as well.  Her growth during the 19^th and 20^th centuries has now been replaced with declines.  Are both of these happenings under God’s grace alone?  Sure they are. 

In our text Paul has been given revelation.  Yet throughout his 2^nd Epistle, Paul struggles to be heard by the hard-hearted members of the congregation.  What a dichotomy, stupendous revelations yet closed-minded congregants.

These internal struggles came to a head in chapter 12.  Paul is still the poster child for God’s grace, but he had been given a “thorn in the flesh.”  This was a messenger from Satan.  Could Paul explain it?  Could these difficulties be attributed to the grace of God?

Paul knew what it was like to have problems.  God uses Paul’s problems and our problems to shape our weaknesses.   God is in control of them.  He uses them to draw us closer to Him.  St. Paul says in this morning’s text that these trials are brought to finality, the Greek here implies the completion and ending, in our weakness.  This same root word of finality was used by our Lord when He cried from the cross, “It is finished!”  Paul reminds us of God’s love and care.  Simply . . .

“GRACE MIGHTIER THAN THORN”

The power of His grace spreads over us, covering us with Himself and His strength in our great weakness.  Hence, our Lord’s comforting words, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (v. 9)  This is counterintuitive and only understood by faith.  “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me . . . For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (v. 9-10)

Our nation might be well served to be put that on a bumper sticker.  Instead of cocky and strong, we could use some weakness to turn us back to God.  The Lord is allowing many thorns in the flesh, is he not?  Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote about Germany in 1939 these stirring words:  “Christians in Germany will face the terrible alternative of either willing defeat of their nation in order that Christian civilization may survive or willing the victory of their nation and thereby destroying our civilization.  I know which of these alternatives I must choose.”  Bonhoeffer was asked by the general secretary of the World Council of Church this question:  “What do you pray for in these days?”  His answer raises the hair on the back of our necks, “If you want to know the truth, I pray for the defeat of my country.”

We are nowhere near that yet, but the thorns might be painful.  God’s grace is always with us.  Think of God’s immigration plans.  He requires background checks and can only be accessed through a “narrow door.”  We can’t do it.  Only the work of Christ for our salvation allows us into the streets of gold and perfect homeland that awaits.  On the other hand, Satan has an open border policy.  The ways to go to hell are endless.  

Take strength from God’s Word.  1 John 5:  “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (v. 4-5)  The writer to the Hebrews:  “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:15-16)

Regardless of who is in the Oval office, Congress, or state houses, God’s grace trumps any thorn we may bear in this nation.  It is the same in our churches.  No matter who is in pew or pulpit, God’s grace is greater than any thorn we may encounter.  We have been appointed as His children in our Baptism.  God holds us near and dear.  Relax.  Grace Is Mightier Than Thorn.

Amen.