Palos Lutheran Church

It does not surprise us that from the beginning of his ministry Jesus  demonstrated his commitment to proclaiming good news of the kingdom of  God, regardless of whether people rejected his message or embraced it.  That was Christ's agenda, and he was committed to it. What is surprising  is that, also from the beginning, Jesus demonstrated his plan to carry  out this proclamation by sending others to speak on his behalf. More  surprising is whom he sends, not angels, but mere human beings. In many  cases, it was individuals who seemed to lack the qualifications to speak  on Christ's behalf. Yet, Christ equipped and prepared them. Do you feel  unqualified to tell others the good news? Then be assured, Jesus plans to use you exactly for that purpose.

Pastor Evan Chartrand guest preaching.

Last week we saw that there can be a temptation to alter the message we  proclaim to avoid apparent failure and rejection. This week we see that  there is also a temptation to alter the message we proclaim because of  apparent success. If a church makes its central focus things like  personal improvement, healing for the sick, or social justice, that  church may draw a crowd. It just fails to carry out the agenda Christ  has given his Church. The gospel of forgiveness is to be the center of  all our preaching and teaching. The agenda for Christ's Church is set.  It's the same agenda that was followed by the Church's Christ.

Is the pursuit of God and the pursuit of pleasure two separate paths? Many make that assumption—that life with  Jesus is a boring, sterile experience. They are dead wrong. Jesus came to undo everything that is wrong with our  world as a result of sin's curse. He also came to multiply our joy and deliver delight beyond our wildest dreams. Note  that when Jesus begins to reveal his glory, it isn't by going to a hospital to cure every ailment. Instead, he starts at a  local wedding, one of the greatest sources of joy in this life. The truth uncovered for us this week is that life with  Jesus is not a life with less delight, but infinitely more.

When one proclaims God's Word, typically the intentions are good. We  want others to know the joy of salvation and the love of Christ.  Therefore, it can be surprising to us when God's Word is met with apathy  or rejection by those  who hear it. It's easy to conclude that when the Word of God offends  human minds and hearts (including our own), something has gone wrong.  The truth that is uncovered this week is that rejection of Jesus' words  is not the  exception but the rule. Jesus' words will always offend. However, we  will see that God can use even the rejection of his Word for good.

Our sight tends to be the sense we trust most. We say we will believe something when we see it. That presents a problem when it comes to the work of God. So often what our eye sees differs from what God decrees. This is true of the life of Jesus. In the eyes of the world, he was nothing special. This is also true in the life of the Christian. To the world, the believer does not look more blessed than the unbeliever. In fact, the believer may appear to have more hardships as the devil and his allies attempt to destroy him. So, to assure his children, God connects his grace, power, and blessing to something we can see—a visible sign: the anointing of baptism.

The twelve days of Christmas are over. Likewise, our worship series—What Child Is This—comes to an end today with  the Festival of the Epiphany, a celebration of the first time non-Jewish believers worshiped the newborn Savior. They  were guided by a special light in the sky to a child who would be a light for all people. We live in a world where sin  can divide people along so many lines: ethnicity and race, rich and poor, red states and blue states, etc. The only  dividing line Jesus cares about is the one that separated sinful mankind from a holy God. By his death and  resurrection, he removed that line and united all believers into one kingdom. For that, we offer him our finest gifts

The Lord had told Moses, "No one may see me and live." If sinners cannot even bear to look upon the glory of God, then they certainly could not hope to live with God in the glory of heaven. So, on that first Christmas, God chose to hide his glory under flesh. What child is this? It is God and man in one person, exactly what the human race needed to deliver it from its enemies of sin, death, and Satan. Christmas Day serves up the deep stuff of Christmas: the miracle and mystery of the incarnation.

This Christmas Eve, an angel answers that question. "A savior has been born to you." It is a stunning statement, for two reasons. First, this child looks nothing like what we would expect in a hero-savior. This child is weak, helpless, and mired in poverty. Second, he has come to bring salvation "to you." It is a salvation we all need desperately. It was God's gift to us, given on that first Christmas Eve.

Last week we saw that the Lord sends mesengers to call us to repentance. This week we learn that those who refuse to heed that call to humble themselves will be humbled anyway. The Lord who once came near in flesh and now comes near in Word and sacrament will one day come near with consuming fire and judgment. The Lord will humble his enemies. This truth does two important things. First, it adds urgency to God's Advent call to repentance. Second, it gives us comfort when we, as God's people, experience opposition from the world. Those who oppress and harm God's people will face justice.

The Angel Gabriel appears to Mary