February 14, 2021                                                                            Text:  2 Kings 2:1-12

Dear Friends in Christ,

            What is the hardest separation moment you have had?  The death of a close friend or relative?  A child that has gone to college or the military or moved halfway across the United States for a new job?   A mentor left at your workplace?  A divorce you never saw coming? 

            One that tears at the heartstrings were a few moments when the boys were little and I got called away for a death, a hospital call, even a meeting I had to attend.  To see them standing at the door crying or with that disappointed look in their eyes gave this Pastor an emotion that is difficult to comprehend.  If you can relate to this story you know what it is like.  I was fortunate as they got older to take them with me and the separation was lessened.

            In our Gospel lesson for this morning Christ is leading three of his inner circle to a mountain to prepare them for his death and resurrection.  He is giving them hope in the Transfiguration.  In another location across the Jordan River and many years earlier, despite the pain of separation from his master, Elijah, Elisha received a similar confidence via a spectacular display of God’s presence. 

            For our title today I am going to use a line that I share with people like the brothers and sisters at our former congregations or relatives and friends that may not be seen for awhile – if ever here on earth.  It fits our direction this morning . . .

“IF I DON’T SEE YOU IN THIS LIFE, I’LL SEE YOU IN THE NEXT”

            That line is used for people that are Christians.  It is our great hope to see them again.  But even for those of us who believe in God and His Word, separation is still a painful loss. 

            Elijah is the one man in the Bible who didn’t die.  He was literally taken to heaven and separated from Elisha.  And while Elisha knew this was going to happen he still cried when it occurred.  He mourned. 

            It can be like this for us who watch a loved one creep toward death because of cancer or other lingering illness.  We know the separation is inevitable but the end pounds the last nail in the coffin.  Even in the midst of that we know the separation is temporary.  Elisha knew that this was not a forever situation.

            Jesus’ disciples would mourn his suffering and death.  They grieve from a distance at his trial and crucifixion.  The believing women are still in sorrow at Sunday’s first light.  They all are weeping even though the Lord shared the final chapter of the story.  He told them numerous times that on the third day he would rise again. 

            Death’s sting inflicts pain on us.  We can’t make that phone call or have that conversation we had in the past.  We can’t see the joy on their face in our accomplishments or the grandchildren’s victories.  We miss them at the dinner table and next to us in the pew.  Even though death is the result of our sin, we still can have tears flow for what seems like the silliest of reasons even though we know that in Christ it is only temporary.  “If I don’t see you in this life, I’ll see you in the next.”

            God’s divine plan brings comfort and hope.  Elijah knows the comfort of God’s promises.  He goes to his final destination knowing that his crossover to heaven brings a joyous end to his times of misery and despair.  Elijah felt abandonment in life and he had Jezebel who wanted to kill him.  This man of God was resuscitated by the Lord’s angel and was shown that God had not abandoned him.  It is this quiet confidence in his destination that we see in our text.

            Elisha confidently follows his master to the end.  He knew the Master had a plan.  God revealed this truth in each stage of the journey.

            God’s glory, which we will experience some day, is on display this morning.  The chariots and horses of fire and Elisha exclaiming, “My father, my father!  The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”  Our Lord’s transfiguration elicits awe and this from Peter, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here.  Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”  Even our Lord’s greatest manifestation of glory on the cross, which takes away the permanent sting of death and sin, caused at least one man to declare, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Mk. 15:39)

            As a result of Christ’s victory over sin, death, and the devil, the company of heaven broke out in jubilant song.  When reunited with one another and in the visible presence of Almighty God day and night, they never stopped saying, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” (Rev. 4:8)

            One day we join that heavenly chorus – no tryouts needed.  One day we celebrate the eternal reunion of all believers in Christ and with our loving and gracious God.  One day the promise we hear in church and read in our Bible will be our reality.  Home at last.  But until then remember . . . “If I Don’t See You In This Life, I’ll See You In The Next.”

                                                            Amen.  

February 7, 2021                                                                             Text:  Mark 1:29-39

Dear Friends in Christ,

            There is a church in Sweden that has a painting by Danish artist Carl Heinrich Bloch who painted the Lord Jesus Christ in various episodes of his life.  In this painting titled, “Christus Consolator,” Bloch shows the resurrected Christ surrounded by people of all ages both male and female.  Two are laying their heads on his body while grasping his tunic.  Most of the rest are looking into his eyes.  One or two are gazing elsewhere.  Each one is below Jesus as they seek comfort.  “Christus Consolator” can be translated the “Christ who consoles.”

            Consolator is not a word we hear anymore.  A word we do hear is consolation.  That word usually means we lost at something.  Here is a participation trophy.  Go home and console yourself with that; you lost.

            Those of us of a certain vintage may recall a commercial where his father was consoling a young hockey goalie after he let in the winning goal.  The dad felt the son’s anguish but could only console him with a Life Saver candy.  The son grudgingly took it as the father said there would be other games.  The announcer said as the scene ended that Life Saver candies are a part of life.

            Is it that simple when you need consolation?  Do you want a Life Saver?  A candy bar?  A stiff drink?  A hug? 

            Let’s see what Jesus does in our Gospel lesson for those who needed some help . . .

“WHAT KIND OF CONSOLING DOES JESUS PROVIDE?”

            Isn’t it appropriate that the painting we referenced at the beginning hangs directly above the altar?  Jesus is welcoming the distressed and those who need healing and rest.  Here He comforts with His love and forgiveness and death and resurrection and life and heaven.  That painting makes sense hanging over an altar.

            Jesus strides into the sickroom of Peter’s mother-in-law.  She has a fever.  A few of the other translations have “high fever” or “great fever.”  As one who suffered fevers of 103 to 105 as a child I know that kind of fever makes you delirious.  She was very sick and there were no antibiotics so her life hangs in the balance.  Mark was close to Peter but doesn’t tell us her name even though he must know it.  Why?  Mark is telling us that the Lord Christ attends the anonymous, the forgotten, and the nameless, faceless individual that is in need of consolation.  The Lord came to her and lifted her up.  He took the initiative to extend her life.  The fever left.

            When I had my high fevers they were the result of step throat.  The sickness of choice that afflicted me quite often in my younger years.  Man, I hated those penicillin shots in my rump, but they always had the desired affect.  My fever would lessen and eventually go away.

            The Lord provided that medicine to console me.  He does even more than that.  Isaiah writes, “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” (Is. 53:4)  Matthew writes, “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” (Mt. 8:17)  He became our sin and took our death.  He takes what robs us of our humanity, and He restores us with His virtue, His blessing, His victory, His truth, His love.  That is consolation.

            This life is often not pretty.  This life is often not comfortable.  People are looking for ways to cope with trouble.  Some look for it in an ill-conceived relationship.  Some try a fifth of bourbon or gambling with their monies.  Some try to grasp it in online shopping or a makeover.  Others overeat or spend hours in mindless entertainment.  This is all vanity and it usually exacerbates the problem we are trying to escape.  Our Lord brings us something more.

            He lifted the woman.  He saved the no-name daughter of Jairus.  A Life Saver candy was no solution but the Giver of Life gave her life back.  He raised her up.  Resurrection is consolation.  The Lord’s empty tomb is divine consolation for sinners like us who face death constantly.  “I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (Jn. 10:10)  Simon’s mother-in-law received life and then she got up and served others.

            How do you see this in your life?  Here in the Divine Service Christus Consolator serves you through the Word that you hear preached.  Christus Consolator serves you at the altar as you receive His body and blood.  He consoles you with resurrection and then He sends you out to serve the other men and women He created.  Your high fever of sin is forgiven.  Shame has been removed.

            In the Christus Consolator painting there is one child looking at us sad and lonely.  As our Savior hangs onto us, will we be there for the young person, the elderly, those sick with sin?  May the Holy Spirit lead us because we got to see and experience what kind of consoling Jesus provides.

                                                                                                Amen.