Jesus Has Authority - Mark 1: 21-28

Jesus enters Capernaum and immediately, on the Sabbath, enters the town synagogue. Jesus, synagogues and Sabbath all fit together nicely, a worshipful trifecta, as it were. The Sabbath was made for man’s day of rest from a week’s labors so man could rejoice in receiving the gifts of God. Synagogues were made for God’s people to gather in their communities to receive the gifts of God in the reading and teaching of the Torah, the Writings and the Prophets and, in return, to offer their prayers to God. It makes sense, then, that Jesus – who is the Word incarnate – would go to the place where the Word is preached and taught, the Word that foretold of Him and His salvific work, and in His preaching, the Kingdom would be present.

We don’t know the specifics of what Jesus was teaching, but He was doing it with great authority – so much so that it was amazing the scribes who would normally hold forth on the Law. In Jewish tradition, scribes and teachers of the Law would cite the great rabbis, as if reading the footnotes of a dissertation: Rabbi A received this from his teacher, who heard it from his teacher, who was taught by his teacher,” and so on, if possible tracing it back to Moses. It was an ancient form of two children playing and arguing until one or the other cries out, “Oh, yeah? Well, Mom says…” Jesus doesn’t need to cite rabbis; he doesn’t need a chain of argument that concludes at the foot of Mount Sinai. He doesn’t need to qualify with, “Here’s what I think.” Where others teach about God’s Word, Jesus is the very Word of God enfleshed, so with His full Divine authority, Jesus is able to say, “You have heard it said…but I say to you.”

Martin Luther once said something like this: Wherever the Lord builds a church, satan builds a chapel next door. He wants nothing more than to stop God’s people from receiving God’s gifts that deliver forgiveness, life and salvation. Anything satan can do to keep people’s eyes from Jesus, their ears from the preaching of the cross, their hearts from trusting Christ, their minds from following only God’s Word, their conscience from their identity as a baptized child of God, he’ll throw it at Christians, trying to drive a wedge – no matter how great or small – between them and God.

In Capernaum, satan isn’t content with a next-door chapel; he tries to invade Jesus’ Kingdom that has appeared in the synagogue. The devil hates that the poor in spirit are being enriched. He hates that those who mourn Israel’s unfaithfulness were being filled with joy in the words of Jesus. He despises that people who are hungering and thirsting for righteousness are satisfied and that empty cups are filled to the top. He loathes that the beggar’s sacks of sinners are overflowing with the eternal blessings of God that neither rust nor fade. Something needs to happen…something needs to interrupt Jesus’ authoritative teaching and preaching.

St. Mark says, “And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the holy one of God!”

Today, satan isn’t content with a next-door chapel; he tries to invade Jesus Kingdom that is the Church, here and across the globe. 

Some of it seems relatively harmless. In fact, we’ve grown so accustomed to it that it now seems ordinary and mundane: the coach calls for practice on Sunday morning and the implication is if you go to church and skip practice, you aren’t dedicated to the team’s success. Oh, well…pragmatism wins. Binge-watching a new TV show late into the night leads to a late morning start which takes up our personal devotion and prayer time. Oh, well…Jesus knows what I need anyway. We are surrounded by images on screen and in print that glorify the sexuality of the human body in the name of “art” while degrading the gift of husband and wife to each other. Oh, well…it’s just the way it goes.

Other times it rears its sinister and ugly head and we see it for the evil that it is: Political differences lead to vile, angry name calling among friends and family, all under the guise of “free speech” (of course) while tossing the 8^th Commandment out the window. Violence and mayhem are portrayed as a perfectly good strategy to deal with anger and disappointment...unless you disagree with their position.  Our culture teaches that if you want something, get it by any means necessary – even if you have to beg, borrow, steal or murder. We see people scream at each other; love for others is left behind; selfishness is fueled, grudges are held and honed to a razor’s edge.

And we – the people of God – stand in the middle of it, in the world but not of the world – and see the chaos around us. But, if we’re honest, it’s not just around us. We get caught up in it, too, wrapped up in it, distracted by it so that we lose sight of the one who can rescue us from this world: Jesus. And satan giggles with joy that he’s pulled our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds away from Jesus and the cross, and instead focus on ourselves and how we can win and how we can retaliate and how we can overcome.

Jesus entered into this very chaos to put satan back into his place. He comes to establish the Kingdom of God and put down the kingdom of darkness. He comes to destroy the destroyer. He speaks truth to the father of lies. He comes to rescue and save.

Here is why Jesus entered Capernaum’s synagogue and why He continues to enter into the Church still today: to face satan’s lies and distractions, to silence the devil’s minions and return order to creation. With a Word, Jesus silences the man with the unclean spirit. Jesus is able to speak for Himself; He is able to show His own power and authority – He doesn’t need the devil to do it for him, or to mislead those gathered. Jesus speaks again and the evil spirit is driven out. This demonstrates Christ’s power, not only in Word but also in action. In that moment, Jesus is showing that the Kingdom of God is truly present and that He has come to establish His throne.

It’s not much of a throne, really. It’s made of rough wood. The throne isn’t housed in a palace. It’s driven into the ground outside of the city walls. And instead of a kingly crown of gold, He will wear a crown of thorns. But from that throne, Jesus defeats and silences the devil eternally and restores perfect order into the world.

We’re not there, yet. While these things have all happened in Christ’s cross, we are still waiting for the fulfillment of them in His return. We live in the “now,” as we wait for the “not yet.” For a little while, the devil roars about like a hungry lion seeking whom he may devour, and he does everything he can to distract us. Hear the Word of the Lord: repent, for the Kingdom of God is here. When your eyes are tempted, look to Jesus. When the siren songs try to pull you away, listen to Jesus. When the chaos of this world incites fear, trust in Jesus. And, when you do sin, do not despair. Turn to Jesus: confess your sins and trust in His perfect forgiveness that He won for you at that very cross. No tricks…no distractions. Simply Jesus and His promises for you.

When those people left the Capernaum synagogue, they went back out into the world, but they did so telling what they had heard and seen that day. In a few moments, you will leave this house of God and re-enter the world with all of the devil’s distractions. Do so, likewise remembering all that you had seen and heard this morning. Go back to you homes and places of work, to your restaurants and grocery stores in the sure and certain confidence that is yours in the cross of Christ. Remember your baptism and trust the promises that God made for you there. You are His; He is yours.  Nothing can separate you from Him. In His name. Amen.

Come and See...and Welcome Home: John 1:43-51

(NB: Today, after a year's "exile" because of sanctuary remodeling and renovations, we returned to the Lord's House.)

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Several years ago, a popular home renovation show became famous for how they did their big reveal. While the family was off on a vacation, the crew was hard at work demo-ing, fixing, and rebuilding. Finally, it was time for the family to see their old house made new. They gathered behind a large tour bus that separated them from their home. Their excitement and anticipation was so palpable you could feel it in your stomach. Finally, the host – along with the audience gathered at the work sight – commanded the driver to move the bus. After a tearful exploratory journey, the host gathered the family together and gently said, “Welcome home, family…welcome home.”

This morning, after a year’s separation from this sanctuary, we have returned to this home, to this House of God. If you are thinking it’s been a long time, you are right: the last time we worshipped here was December 29, 2019. In those almost thirteen months, there was a lot of work done by committee members, our architect, two contractor firms, their sub-contractors, and by many of you who volunteered in many ways. There were some surprises along the way: some old construction treasures, Covid’s unwelcomed arrival and impact on the industry, and material shortages, just to name a few. So, after three hundred and eighty-five days of exile from the sanctuary, welcome home, family of God…welcome home. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your diligent work. Thank you for supporting those who worked these projects through. Thank you for remembering these projects and workers in your prayers. Thank you for your faithfulness.

Make no mistake: this was all done for a very specific reason. For years, there was talk about needing more space, updating and bringing a 1968-year-model building into the 21^st century, and making the whole space more inviting and welcoming so people would want to be here. It would be tempting to think these are the reasons why the remodel and renovation was done. Yes, but no. Those are all secondary or even tertiary reasons for the work done here. The reason, the ultimate reason for all of this work is for the glory of God and for the beautification of the House of the Lord.

In the Old Testament, David lamented that he dwelled in a house made of the finest of woods and precious metals but the shekinah shul Yahweh – the glory of the Lord – dwelled in a tent. Beginning with King David and then culminating with his son, Solomon, the people brought their gifts for the construction of the Temple. Only the best – the best  of their gifts, the best building materials, the best workers, the best workmanship – for the Lord’s house. Finally, on the day of dedication, Solomon prayed that the Lord, who does not need an earthly dwelling yet promised to dwell among His people, would enter the Temple and abide with His people. The shekinah shul Yahweh – the glory of the Lord – entered, and what was a building, a beautifully exquisite building the likes of which the world has scarcely ever seen again, became the House of the Lord.

The House of the Lord: it’s His House. He dwelt in the Temple and He dwells here, in this sacred building. Here, in His own spiritually present and sacramental way, God deigns to dwell among His people. And, He invites us into His presence. He comes among us who gather in His name, in Water and Word, in Bread and Wine. Again, make no mistake about it: this is His house, and it is for His purpose. He doesn’t entertain; He absolves. He doesn’t merely encourage; He blesses. He doesn’t give you what you want; He gives what we often don’t even realize. He doesn’t answer in our time; He answers in His time, in His way.

He calls us into His house and into His presence so He can deliver His gifts to us in Christ Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus, who called Philip with the simple invitation, “Follow me,” still calls us. “Follow me” – through Baptismal water into death and resurrection. “Follow me” – through the Word that is read and preached. “Follow me” – to the Table where He Himself is both Host and Feast. “Follow me” – from this Holy House out into the world where you encounter people, not that unlike Nathaniel, who was found while sitting under a fig tree.

I find it fascinating that St. John includes that little detail about a fig tree. Not just a tree, or even a shade tree but a fig tree.

There is a story, found outside the Biblical text, that in the ancient world, the fig trees would grow with roots that would come up out of the ground. Old trees had such a gnarled, standing root system – think of something like cypress trees – that these became popular places for rabbis to teach their students who used the roots for both benches and tables. There, Rabbis taught the Scriptures and students learned the Biblical text. So, when Nathaniel was sitting under a fig tree, he wasn’t kicked back waiting for a fig Newton.[1] He was searching the Scriptures, seeking the One prophesied of old, perhaps even comparing what the Biblical texts said with the One baptized by John in the Jordan. Nathaniel’s comment about nothing good coming from Nazareth was less a derogatory comment – “the 4^th Ward? Nothing good ever happens in the 4^th Ward” – and simply overstating the case, doubting if the Messiah would come from Nazareth. “So what if he’s from Nazareth…Moses, the Law, and the prophets didn’t say anything about that.” Philip’s invitation to Nathaniel was as simple as Jesus’ invitation to him: Come and see.

Indeed, they would see. For Jacob, seeing heaven open and angels ascending and descending was only a dream. For Philip and Nathaniel and all the other disciples whom Jesus would call, in the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, they would see heaven being opened and God dwelling among them to rescue and redeem the world. They would see miracles as the Creator controls creation. They would see the Lord of Life heal the sick and raise the dead to life. They would hear the Word made flesh speak light into the darkness. They would believe, and they would confess, Jesus as Christ the Son of the Living God. They would see evil men rise up against Jesus, plotting to kill Him because He was stealing the spotlight from them. But, they would not be present when Jesus hung from the cross, or when He was crying for His Father’s presence, only for the Father to neither respond nor send angels to minister to Him in His dying breath. Then, they would see Him, on the third day as He promised, risen from the grave and, forty days later, ascend into the heavens. In all of this, He fulfilled not only His promises but all that had been written of Him by Moses and the Law and the prophets.

We live in a time and place where we are surrounded by people who also are searching for Someone or Something, often not knowing who or what that might be. They are given ideas from television and magazines, from Hollywood personalities and professional athletes, from social media and social “influencers” who tell us to worship fame, popularity, and fashion, and – of course – the almighty dollar. Often, the unholy trinity of me, myself and I is espoused as the biggest god – lower case g – to worship, because no one else is looking out for ol’ number one. People want to think they can contribute to their salvation – either by the good things they do, or by the lifestyle they live, or by the choices they make they become good enough or worthy enough. Against a seemingly endless supply of gods of health, wealth and happiness, the church stands with her message of Christ Jesus and He alone, crucified, resurrected and ascended, saves. It’s not a popular message. But it’s the only message, the only Word, that can save.

For two thousand years, the Christian church has continued the invitation to come and see. For one hundred and seven years, Zion has carried the same invitation to our neighbors and family and friends. And now, entering our 108^th year, we still preach the same message and still offer the same invitation. Come. Come and see.

So, invite them. Invite them – friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, your doctor, your accountant, your feed salesman, your beauty consultant, the kid flipping burgers, the senior citizen 42-player - invite them to come and see. Invite them here, to the Lord’s House, to come, see the One who knows those who are still afar. Welcome them to come, see the One who knows your sins, yet invites you to His presence. Come, see the One who calls you to be baptized in His name. Come, see the One who son of Joseph, son of Man, son of God. Come, see the One who tabernacles among us – in this building, yes, but more than that, in His means of Grace that bestow forgiveness, life and salvation without limit or limitation.

And perhaps, one day, by God’s grace, you’ll be able to say to that once-lost soul, “Welcome home, my friend…welcome home.”

Amen.

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[1] If you are reading this sermon and got that trifecta play on figs, Sir Isaac Newton, and the delicious cookie, that’s a gold star for you. 😊

 

Doing His Father's Business - Luke 2:40-52

I could imagine Mary asking Joseph, “Where is Jesus? Have you seen Him?” Just a question of curiosity, no big deal, equally matched by Joseph’s relaxed reply, “No…have you?” Mary and Joseph were journeying back home from Jerusalem. They probably hadn’t seen Jesus all morning – at least, not since they left the Holy City at sunup – and traveling with the group, they assumed that he, like most twelve-year-old boys, were running ahead, exploring off the road, enjoying the company of other boys his own age. Maybe when they stopped for lunch, they asked a few friends, “Have you seen our son?” they started to wonder, but still didn’t get too worried – he was probably eating with a family that had something better to offer. Maybe curiosity started to grow when he didn’t zip by and ask for a snack mid-day. But as the group started to settle in for the evening, as fires were built and as camps were set up and the traveler’s meals were being prepared and still no Boy, you can very easily imagine their concern growing into worry. “Mary, you go this way; I’ll go that way. Ask everyone if they’ve seen Jesus…” Remember – it was a few days before Passover. There was a lot of traffic on the road, people coming into and going out of Jerusalem. Plus, there are always men of questionable character on the road, looking for easy prey to mug. Mary’s maternal instincts were firing on all 8 cylinders; Joseph was growing worried. No one among the travelers – not fellow moms or dads or Jesus’ running buddies – no one had seen their Son. Concern, wonder, worry – they were all replaced by full-on fear. Their son was missing.

Maybe they spent the night in camp, trying to remember the last place they had seen him and work up a plan for the morning. Maybe they interviewed friends and family members, trying to discern if any of them had seen Jesus. Maybe they got a few hours of fitful sleep while waiting for the sunrise to illumine their way back to Jerusalem. Maybe they even turned around that very night and stagger-stumbled their way back into Jerusalem. I can imagine their search: Day one, checking the place where they had stayed, hunting in shops, looking among extended family who lived there in the city, anxiety growing each passing hour. Day two, now frantically stopping passers-by, desperately asking merchants, catching travelers who are entering the swelling city for Passover, asking if they saw a lost boy on their way into the city. Day three, a terrible sense of trepidation settles into their hearts. When was the last time they ate or slept? They can’t remember. Perhaps they went so far as to find a kind-looking soldier, daring to ask him if they heard of a boy who may have gotten arrested or hurt or...something worse. It’s been three days. Where’s left to look?

Three days…three lonesome, terrifying, days without their son. Their son…lost. Finally, Mary and Joseph turn to the temple. The temple – the early Jewish church. Then, as now, the house of the Lord.  Funny, how people return to the house of the Lord in times of crisis. When the world crumbles, when lives turn upside down, when crisis crashes upon crisis and answers are not forthcoming, when you really, finally understand why the last straw broke the camel’s back, that’s when people – physically, emotionally, spiritually broken people - return to the Lord’s house. It makes sense. When you can’t rescue yourself, when you can’t save yourself, when you can’t fix it, when you can’t find the strength to go one more step, when you have no more answers or options or solutions or resolutions, when you have lost everything, people return to the Lord’s House.

And so, Joseph and Mary went to the Temple. Physically exhausted, emotionally spent, spiritually emptied, they returned to the Lord’s House. Were they seeking succor, rest, answers, support, prayers, a few coins from the community pauper’s chest to help them stay a few more days to search?

Imagine when there, in the Temple, they find Jesus and the flood of emptions that threatened to overwhelm them. Of course, there’s relief and joy – that which was lost is found! But there’s also frustration and anger that He was not with them in their journey; exasperation at the hurt He caused. And there’s astonishment, of course, at His teaching the elders. It all comes to a head that you can hear in Mary’s words, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold your father and I have been searching for you in great distress” (v. 48).

“Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?”

Did you catch that? There’s a subtle clue in that interchange. Mary said, “Behold, your father and I have been searching…” Jesus answered that He must be in “My Father’s house.” Although the answer seems harsh, don’t hear it with anything less than a respectful tone towards His mother. Don’t hear any sass or in the voice of a smart-alecked pre-teen boy. Hear it with the voice of a Boy who is being obedient to His mother but also His Father – His heavenly Father. It’s a gentle, but not so subtle reminder to Mary that while Jesus is her son, and therefore to be obedient to her as His mother, Jesus is also God’s Son, and He must be obedient to His Heavenly Father as well. While He would be obedient to both Mary and Joseph, He must first and foremost be obedient to God. Mary and Joseph needed a sharp reminder of who Jesus really was, why He was given to them, and what His mission is.

We need that reminder too, especially after Christmas and at the dawn’s breaking of a new year. It’s all too easy, all too common for us to make Jesus into whatever we want Him to be – a Stretch Armstrong form of Jesus that we can shape into whatever kind of image we want Him to be. And, isn’t it strange – when we do that, often He winds up looking just like us. Listen to how people talk: My Jesus wouldn’t judge people; My Jesus wouldn’t talk that way; the Jesus I worship would never vote for him or her; the Jesus I know wouldn’t say no to what I want. Our made-in-our-own-image Jesus espouses our causes, He cheers our points, He furthers our dreams. He doesn’t challenge; he coddles. He doesn’t call to repentance; instead, He eggs us on, reveling in whatever we enjoy. So, Jesus becomes a racial Jesus, a pro- and anti-Jesus, a Democrat Republican Independent Jesus, a consumer-driven Jesus. And us? What does that make us? It makes us out to be God – lower case g - or, at least, we make ourselves into the image of a god, one who can create a Jesus that fits our needs. This man-made, in-our-image Jesus that we create is not who Jesus is.

So, when we see Jesus in the Temple, in the Lord’s House, in His House, it serves as our wake-up call. It reminds us of who Jesus really is; why He was born; what He came to do: His Father’s business.

The Father’s business is always the opposite of our idea of business. There is no buying or selling or exchanging goods and services. There is only grace giving and grace receiving. The Father’s business is giving His Son for the sins of the world through the womb of Mary into a world gone wrong, into a vortex of suffering and bleeding and dying. This took place in a far different temple where the altar was the cross, the priests were Roman soldiers, and the sacrifice was the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  

The Father’s business would result in another time when Jesus seemed lost to Mary. Jesus’ mother spent another three days agonizing without her Son. She didn’t have to frantically search for Him though; she knew where He was. Her Son, Her firstborn Son whom she once wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a manger, was instead wrapped in burial linen and placed into a cold, stone sepulcher. Three days, dead; three days, separated; three days without her Son.

 “Don’t you know I must be about My Father’s business?” That’s as true for Easter as it was in the temple that day. The Father’s business is life from death; resurrection from the grave. And in this Jesus, the Father’s business is made known in His resurrection, conquering sin, death and the grave for us. So we never forget, He makes it known to us in this House – this Lord’s House. He gives Jesus into the splashing of water that drenches you in grace on the day you are baptized and floods you every day afterward with the Father’s grace-drenched love. He gives Him into a temple of nouns and verbs and adjectives, into the temple of His Word read and preached, through which the Spirit works and speaks life into your worn and weary soul. The Father gives Jesus into your mouth, into that fifty-cent sized piece of bread that is stuffed with the golden grace of heaven and a sip of wine that has fermented in the veins of God.

The Father’s business is to always give the Son so that you might always be receiving the Son, and in Him and with Him, You receive everything the Father wants you to have here in His House.

It’s in this House, this church among the body of Christ where the Son does the Father’s business. In the Father’s house, you are delivered a clean slate, a personal history that is purged of every wrongdoing – no matter how great or small – and what you receive is Jesus. The Father’s business is to deliver to you a clean conscience: wholeness, no matter how broken you are; peace, no matter how conflicted your life may seem; hope, no matter how you overwhelmed you may feel. In His house, the Father delivers Jesus to you.

In His name. Amen.