“Christ: Our Cornerstone” (Matthew 21:42, 44)

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes?’ … He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.” (Matthew 21:42, 44)

What is the purpose of a “cornerstone?” Ours at Holy Cross – decorative – celebrative. However, in Jesus’ day, a “cornerstone” and a “capstone” were the two most important, because they were the first and the last stones installed.

The cornerstone was larger than the other stones because it was the starting point and from this large stone every other stone was perfectly aligned and built up. And the capstone was often the very last stone installed on a building. If all the stones didn’t align from the cornerstone to the capstone as expected, the structure would be ruined. A good builder never let this happen!

God is building His plan for you, based on His Son, Jesus Christ who is the beginning and the end. So we ask: Am I building my life aligned with Christ: Our Cornerstone? If not, Jesus says this cornerstone breaks and crushes those on whom it falls! What does this mean?

Jesus spoke these words on Tuesday of Holy Week. On Sunday (Palm Sunday), He had ridden into Jerusalem amidst the shouts of “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!” And on Monday, He had cleansed the Temple saying: “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers!” He had totally upset the religious leaders and now, the next day, He’s back; continuing to teach the people.

As we read and heard last weekend, the chief priests and the elders of the people challenged Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?” The chief priests had the false “cornerstone” of their own sense of authority and entitlement. (Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?)

Jesus wanted the religious leaders (all people!) to “build their lives” on the true cornerstone of repentance and faith in Jesus. That’s the messages of the two parables Jesus told: The first parable (we read last weekend) is about the father who told his first son to work in the vineyard. The first son said, “I will not.” But, this son repented of his selfishness and served his Father’s will. The second son said, “I will,” but didn’t. Which one are we like? In the absence of repentance, people today refuse to do God’s will. We ask ourselves, is Jesus my cornerstone – is all of my life aligned and built on Him – or do I “do my own thing?”

Without repenting / recognizing the true owner (authority), we are God’s enemies and we lose everything. This was the important message in Jesus’ next parable. Matthew 22:33: “Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard.” The very best! He rented the vineyard to some farmers, who rather than paying the rent, beat, killed and stoned those sent to collect it. These renters considered themselves as owners not renters. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? – “My life!” “My body!” “My Possessions!” “No one tells me what to do!”

Jesus says, “Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’” he said. “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

Jesus concluded this sad and shocking parable with a question, “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” (they answered) He will bring those wretches to a wretched end…” Ironically, the chief priests and the elders just foretold their own judgment not realizing that’s what Jesus warned when He said: “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone… He on whom the stone falls will be crushed.” Matthew 21:42-44 By rejecting Jesus’ authority over their lives / “the cornerstone,” they lost all of the blessings God desired for them.

The death and resurrection of Jesus is “the capstone / cornerstone,” the “beginning and the end” for all of us. Oh, what blessings we have as Jesus constantly calls us to repentance, as He works in us to build our lives through His Word and Sacraments on the true cornerstone!

What a joy and privilege to see you in worship and Bible Study this next weekend – and daily building our lives through God’s Word on Christ, our Cornerstone!

Pastor Dan Myers

Sermon Audio

“Living as Sons and Daughters” (Matthew 21:23-32)

The gospel reading finds Jesus entering the temple courts, preaching and teaching there as He often did. While He was doing so, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him. They were unable to challenge what He was saying and doing, so they “shifted the discussion” with their own questions of authority… “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” (Matthew 21: 23)

Wow! Authority? Jesus could have really “unloaded on them” regarding His authority! He could have told them… “I am the Great ‘I Am!’ Before the world began, I was, and after the world is gone, I will yet remain! I Am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I was in the beginning with the Father. I am the ‘Word made flesh’ Who dwells among you with truth and grace. I created the World and everything in it – everything visible and invisible.” He could have said all of this and much more, but He didn’t. Rather, He simply asked them a question about authority… “John’s baptism – where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?” (Matthew 21: 25)

Jesus’ opponents huddled together and discussed how to answer Him. If they answered that John’s authority came “from heaven,” Jesus would justly accuse them of not following John’s heavenly teachings, and if they answered “from man,” they were afraid of the reaction of the crowds because they knew the people believed that John was a prophet sent by God. So, the cowards simply replied to Jesus, “We don’t know where John received his authority.” “Then Jesus said, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’” (Matthew 21: 27)

Jesus told them that by their flagrant, rebellious disobedience to God’s will, it would be much more difficult for them to enter heaven than it would be for openly sinful people (thieves, prostitutes, tax collectors, murderers, etc.) who later repented, believed in Him and followed the will of God.

To make His point, He told the story of a father who asked his two sons to go out and work in the field. One said, “No,” but later repented, changed his actions and went to serve as his father desired. The other son immediately replied to his father’s request by saying, “Yes,” but ultimately turned his back on his father’s will and refused to go and work. Which did the will of his father? It was the first son who, at first, disobeyed but who later repented and showed his love for his father by doing his father’s will.

Which type of son (daughter/servant) are you? Do you say, “No,” to God’s call to you but change your mind and go? Or do you say, “Yes,” but never go to do the will of your Heavenly Father? We say we will be “in” God’s Word, but how faithful are you in your personal Bible reading, in family devotions or corporate Bible study? We know God’s desire that we worship regularly (frequently/weekly) but the attendance of so many is so infrequent and irregular! We should serve those in need, but it seems so hard to find enough volunteers who are willing to serve “Love Wichita,” “Love Holy Cross” and in other ways. And how about voting? Studies tell us that 75 % of all Christians don’t vote when they have an opportunity! Rather than taking our biblical Christian values with us into the Voting Booth, many sit on the sidelines and let others make important decisions which negatively affect our country, our freedoms and our lifestyle! As Jesus called the religious leaders of His day to repent, so He calls us to do repent today!

He calls us to humble ourselves at the foot of His cross – to come repentantly and confess our failure to live as His sons and daughters! And He does forgive us! His sacrificial death and resurrection welcome us back into the loving arms of our forgiving Heavenly Father. Through His grace we are made right with God; are united in Christ; and are made one in humble service.

Our greatest joy, in turn, is to “Live as Sons and Daughters” of the King!

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Snow

Sermon Audio

“Grace Isn’t Fair” (Isaiah 55:6-9; Matthew 20:9-16)

“Grace isn’t Fair!” – and aren’t you glad? “Fairness” deals with “rewards and punishments,” keeping score. If God dealt with us in “fairness” we would have no hope, no forgiveness, no salvation. “Fair” means we get what we deserve; “Grace” means we get what we don’t deserve. It is “By grace that we are saved through faith.” (Ephesians 2:8)

In our first Scripture reading we read: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) And again this weekend, we rejoice greatly that God’s generous ways are not our ways (of what we consider “fair”), as Jesus again illustrates in “The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard.”

Jesus tells us: “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning (6 AM) to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.” A “denarius” was a day’s wage. To make it easy, let’s say, $10 per hour; so the work day was 12 hours = $120 for a day’s work.

Jesus continues: “About the third hour (9 AM) he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace… He told them, “You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. He went out again about the sixth hour (noon) and the ninth hour (3 PM) and did the same thing. About the eleventh hour (5 PM, with only one hour of work left) He went out and found still others standing around… He said to them, “You also go and work in my vineyard.” (Matthew 20:1-7)

Although it’s not part of Jesus’ parable, I imagine they did some “checking amongst themselves.” Those hired at 9 AM probably asked those who had started at 6 AM – “What’s the boss paying you? He just told us that he’d pay us what is right.” When they found out $120, they easily calculated that they’d be paid $90; the others figured $10 per hour. In this world, we expect “fair labor practices” to “receive equal pay for equal work.”

Jesus says: “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, “Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.” The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius ($120!). So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more.” But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble… “These men who were hired last worked only one hour,” they said, “and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.” But he answered one of them, “Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?” So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

But it isn’t fair! We protest! We are so caught up in the “American way” of “work harder – get ahead of your neighbor.”

Jesus is NOT giving instructions on “how to do business in this world.” We know that a “landowner” (in this world) wouldn’t be able to afford this kind of generosity! Jesus says: “For the kingdom of heaven is like…” Take special note that Jesus IS telling us a parable about “The Owner” who can afford this kind of generosity and regularly gives it!

Grace Isn’t Fair (otherwise it wouldn’t be “grace”!). “Grace” is God’s generous gift of eternal life in the Kingdom of heaven. It is ONLY because Jesus willingly suffered and died on the cross, taking the full punishment for our sins and rising again to life that we have the generous gift of eternal life in the Kingdom of heaven! Grace Isn’t Fair but it IS God’s generous gift given to those who in this world appear to be “last” – the “sinners,” the “losers;” as well as to those who appear to be “first” – the “faithful followers” of Jesus; who find great joy in working in God’s vineyard.

Pastor Myers

Sermon Audio

“Lift High the Cross!” (Numbers 21:9; John 12: 32-33)

Among many of our churches, this weekend is observed as either the 14th Sunday After Pentecost or Holy Cross Day. It seemed especially fitting that we observe Holy Cross Day at Holy Cross Lutheran Church! And all three of the appointed lessons for the weekend either “foreshadow” or point us directly to the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the Old Testament reading we find the people of Israel wandering through the wilderness of the Sinai Peninsula. Because of their disobedience and lack of faith in God’s promise of protection years earlier when He freed them from Egyptian slavery, and again on many subsequent occasions throughout their arduous journey, they were subjected to various trials and hardships. We read that they complained and rebelled against God and Moses. “The people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!’” (Numbers 21: 4-5)

The people often showed themselves to be cantankerous, rebellious and impatient. God demonstrated His judgment upon their sin when He “sent venomous snakes among them; [the snakes] bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, ‘We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.’ So, Moses prayed for the people.” (Numbers 21: 6-7)

In His infinite mercy, God heard their prayer and forgave their sin. “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a snake and put it upon on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.’… Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.” (Numbers 21: 8-9) When they looked up and believed what God promised, they were forgiven, healed and were saved!

In the gospel reading, non-Jews (Greeks) came looking for Jesus. But for what exactly were they looking?… A magician? A performer? A miracle worker? Jesus knew they needed to know the truth – that He was the Messiah sent by God to suffer and die for the forgiveness of sins; the sins of ALL people. In an illustrative way, He told them, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (John 12: 24) In other words, He would come into His own glory – the purpose for which He had come – and would bring glory to His Heavenly Father by dying, being buried and rising again. His death brought life to countless others – to you and me, and multitudes more who have been given the gifts of faith, forgiveness and eternal life!

God is glorified and we are richly blessed when the un-Holy Trinity (the devil, the world and our sinful flesh) are defeated and destroyed through the power of the cross. Now when we look up to Jesus on the Cross and believe what God promised, we are forgiven, healed and saved!

Jesus said, “Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant also will be.” (John 12: 26) He was lifted up for us, so now we Lift Up the Cross for Him! How will the Holy Spirit work in you to “Lift High the Cross?” May God bring us closer to one another and help us to Lift High the Cross in our families, neighborhoods, with our friends and among our daily acquaintances!

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Snow

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“Knowing and Sharing the Love of Jesus” (Romans 13:8-10)

In 1967 one of the most popular songs was, What the World Needs Now Is Love Sweet Love.”

  • Surely no truer words were ever spoken. The world does need love. But do we really know what love is? What does the Bible say about love? Is it really that important? Jesus explains that “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22: 37-40). Here Jesus is saying that if you had to summarize the Bible in one word you could do it with the word “love.” The Gospel is about God’s love for us expressed through Jesus. And the law is about our love for others expressed in our daily living.The first three commandments show us how to love God. Then the rest of the commandments (4-10) show us how we are to love one another. But God did more than just explain to us love in the 10 commandments. He also showed us what real love looks like through the life of Jesus. On Maundy Thursday Jesus explained. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34–35). Jesus came to serve, not to be served (Matt. 20:28). That’s what love does. It serves others in their need. Jesus looked down from heaven and saw you and me and all humanity in our great need for redemption. So he humbled himself and was born of Mary, lived and suffered and died not only to accomplish our redemption, but also to set an example—of sacrificial love—for us to follow. We can follow the example of Jesus because His love empowers us.
  • Because God loves us in Christ, He forgives us: therefore we are empowered to forgive others.
  • Because God loves us in Christ, He is patient with us: therefore we are empowered to be patient with others.
  • Because God loves us in Christ, He is good & kind to us: therefore we are empowered to be good & kind to others.

This is how God expresses His love toward us—through His forgiveness and patience—through His kindness and mercy. And that is how we are to express our love for others.

This is nothing less than the very meaning of life. Dr. Luther writes, “A man is placed between God and his neighbor as a medium which receives from above and gives out again below, and is like a vessel or tube through which the stream of divine blessings must flow without intermission to other people.” Again Luther writes, “We have no other reason for living on earth than to be of help to others. If this were not the case, it would be best for God to kill us and let us die as soon as we are baptized and have begun to believe.” This gives every life divine significance. Don’t you ever think your life is insignificant or unimportant. Not only did God make you and redeem you in Jesus Christ, but He has also put you here on this earth here and now on purpose. He has given you the most important job in the world—to be the channel through which His love flows out to others.The most important thing in the world is knowing and sharing the love of Jesus.

In His name,

Dr. John Tape, Guest Preacher

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“Take Up Your Cross” (Matthew 16:21-28)

Last weekend’s Gospel reading recorded the strong, clear, correct and confident confession of faith made by Simon Peter through the power of the Holy Spirit to Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?… Simon Peter answered, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” (Matthew 16: 16)

This week we continue to read, “From that that time on Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (Matthew 16: 21)

In these few, powerful words, Jesus revealed the whole purpose of His earthly ministry, the Father’s divine plan for the salvation of all humankind and the good news (Gospel) that He, the Christ, had come to suffer, die and be raised again for the forgiveness of our sins and the sins of the whole world!

Poor Peter couldn’t comprehend all that Jesus was revealing to them and he responded, “Never, Lord! This shall never happen to You!” (Matthew 16: 22) He, and the other disciples, were looking for “another kind of Christ,” one who would come like a shining knight on a white horse – coming as an earthly savior to free them from the tyranny of their Roman captures. But Jesus knew Who He was and why He had come! Looking “through” Peter, Jesus said to the devil, “Out of My sight, satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16: 23)

Jesus knew that He had come to “take up His cross” and follow the will of His Heavenly Father. It was absolutely necessary that He must go to Jerusalem; suffer unjustly at the hands of wicked, hateful men; die a cruel death on the cross and three days later be raised again to life by the power of Almighty God. By doing so, He took on my sins and yours, and through this forgiveness restored our relationship with the Father.

Just as He did for us, so He calls us to “take up our cross” and follow Him. So often, however, it seems that we misunderstand what a cross is. Our “cross” is not something common to all people – Christian and non-Christian alike. Difficulties at work, illnesses and disease, struggles in relationships are not necessarily “crosses” because they are common to all human beings. Rather, our cross is something He places before us to willing endure (suffer) because we are His followers, because we are believers, because we are His disciples. Loving the unlovable; caring for the lonely and forgotten; sharing a hug with the “untouchable;” volunteering to help those in need; providing a ride to worship for a newcomer in our community; giving to the Lord “over-and-above the tithe” to help us meet unusual ministry challenges at this time; and many other ways listed in Life at Holy Cross this week may be ways in which God is calling you to “take up your cross and follow Christ.”

A beautiful corporate example of taking up our cross can be seen in our sister Lutheran church, St. Paul, Duluth, Kansas as they cancelled their Sunday worship service, and traveled – taking their Sunday offerings with them – to support another neighboring congregation (St. John, Easton, Kansas) who tragically discovered the recent loss of nearly every dollar from their congregational treasury and savings! What a wonderful way to show the love of God in Christ to their brothers and sisters in need!

Finally, Jesus said, “the Son of Man is going to come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what He has done.” (Matthew 16:27) We know that He doesn’t promise eternal life because of what we do, but rather what we do – how we willingly take up our cross to follow Him – demonstrates the faith in our hearts and our loving response for all that He has done for us. It is this faith which He promises to reward with the gift of eternal life.

So, how is the Holy Spirit working in you? What cross is Jesus placing before you today? How will you respond in joyful service to your Savior? How will you “Take Up Your Cross” to follow Jesus?

May God graciously give you “eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts filled with compassion” as you “Take Up Your Cross” to follow Jesus!

Blessings in Christ, Pastor Snow

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“A Faith that Won’t Give Up!” (Matthew 15: 21-28)

In Matthew 15 we read that after Jesus had yet another “run in” with the Pharisees who had come from Jerusalem to scrutinize His actions and criticize His failure to follow the ceremonial traditions of the elders, He and His disciples withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon, two Mediterranean seaside villages northwest of the Sea of Galilee.

From a distance, a Canaanite woman saw, recognized and cried out to Jesus, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.”(Matthew 15: 22) Surprisingly, He did not respond to her at all! He was not “ignoring” her. He may, instead, have been testing the tenacity of her faith. So, with a faith that wouldn’t give up, she kept crying out to Him – to the point that Jesus’ disciples begged Him to “send her away!”

At that time, Jesus finally did respond to her, telling her that His ministry is only to the children (lost sheep) of Israel. But even this response – His recognition of her – is enough to embolden her to come closer to Him, throw herself at His feet and beg Him “Lord, help me!”(Matthew 15: 25)

He then said something to her that seems to our ears as even more harsh and “off-putting”… He told her that it is not right for Him to give the blessings that belong to the children of Israel to the dogs that surround them! With a faith that just won’t give up, she told Him she believed that He had more than enough mercy, grace, love, care, power, help and healing for the children of Israel, for her and for her ailing daughter. What GREAT faith she had!

Jesus saw her faith, commended her, granted her request and completely healed her daughter “from that very hour.” Hers was a great faith that called Him “Lord” or “Master.” Her faith caused her to come on behalf of her daughter. Against all odds, even when it appeared that she was being ignored and even turned away, she trusted, believed and hoped in Jesus! Her tenacious faith kept hanging on to the hope that He would have mercy and help her; and He did!

Have you ever felt like you were “at the end of your rope, and just barely hanging on?” perhaps it a situation at work; with your health or that of a loved one; maybe your family – or one near you – is in crisis. Does it seem, at times, that God is ignoring you, or at least distant and unapproachable?

It is at times such as these, against all odds, that God calls us to trust, believe and hope in Jesus! Our gracious Heavenly Father welcomes all who come to Him by faith. (See Isaiah 56 and Romans 11, the other scripture readings from this weekend’s services.)

He does know, love, hear and provide for us as He knows is best for us. Chiefly, God shows His mercy, grace and help for all people through the cross of Jesus – through His life-giving sacrifice for our forgiveness and the salvation of the entire world!

As we live out our faith through trials and testing, our faith grows into the “Great Faith” which Jesus commends – a Great Faith which invites us to come to Him; empowers us to seek Him every day, in every situation; and enables us to trust Him completely.

May God graciously grant you that kind of faith – “A Faith that Won’t Give Up!” – a faith that trusts your Savior, won’t let go of His promises, and carries you safely through this world and eventually into the arms of your loving, waiting Savior in the world to come!

See you in church this next weekend!

Blessings in Christ, Pastor Snow

Sermon Audio

“Three Strikes and He’s…” (Matthew 14:22-33)

In baseball it’s “three strikes and you’re out.” You don’t get more chances until you finally hit a home run or get on base. But the devil NEVER plays by the rules – and when we don’t recognize this, especially when we “play his game,” he’ll “score” on us and “destroy the ball game” in a big way! Today’s Scripture readings expose some of his strategies and show us how God gives us strength to “stay out of the devil’s ball-game!”

God’s Word begins: “Immediately, Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd.” (v.22) This is NOT a friendly suggestion or a mutually agreed upon plan – Jesus made His disciples leave – and He dismissed the crowd. Jesus knew that He would have to dismiss this crowd, for as we read, the crowd wanted to “take Jesus by force and make Him (Bread King).” (John 6:15) Jesus knew how easily His disciples would be swayed to go along with the crowd. And Jesus recognized the temptation of the devil: Remember at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, the devil came to Jesus in the wilderness after 40 days and nights without eating and said, “turn these stones into bread?” And another temptation – the devil said to Jesus: “I will give You all the kingdoms of this world if You fall down and worship me.” This was a seemingly “easy” way to avoid the cross; the very reason why He had come!

JESUS KNEW (AND TEACHES US) TO FLEE SUCH TEMPTATIONS and to keep others from being tempted! God’s Word in Psalm 1 says: “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked nor stand in the way of sinners.” And Jesus FURTHER shows us what strengthens us in times of temptation: “After He had dismissed them, He went… by Himself to pray.” (v.23)   How much time do we spend, avoiding temptations and being strengthened by prayer?

 

STRIKE ONE on the devil! He didn’t “get” Jesus, nor the disciples, nor the crowd!

But the devil is not easily defeated. Scene 2 of the text occurs a few hours later. Jesus had been praying throughout the night; His disciples had been rowing across the Sea of Galilee (probably very tired after serving and cleaning up after 5,000 people!) when the wind began to gust so that “the boat was buffeted by the waves.” AGAIN, the devil is not missing any opportunities! Especially when we are tired, feeling alone and afraid, we are more easily tricked! To the disciples, it must have seemed like Jesus was “far away.” Have you ever had that feeling? Especially when the “storms of life” seem to be “buffeting” all around you? When you just don’t know what to do, or how you will “get through” a certain situation? Does it seem that God is off somewhere else, not even aware of your needs? THAT’S what the devil would have you believe. But God knows and supplies our every need. God’s Word tells us: “During the fourth watch of the night (between 3-6 AM!) Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.” (v.25)

Isn’t it “something” that the waves were too wild for the seasoned fishermen, struggling in the boat – but they were not too rough or high for Jesus to walk through to “come” to His disciples? Jesus is able to “walk right through” to be with us and help us! God does not promise an escape FROM our problems, but He always promises that He will be with us and help us THROUGH our problems.

“When the disciples saw (Jesus) walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost’ they said, and cried out in fear.” (v.26) Did they think He was “the angel of death” coming to get them? The devil loves to cause fear and great anxiety in any way he can! “But Jesus immediately said to them, ‘Take courage! It is I. Stop being afraid.'” (v.27)

Jesus comforts His disciples (and us) as He speaks His Word to them. How well do you know and listen to God’s Word? The devil would like nothing better than for you to “stay away” from Bible Study and worship; for you to “turn a deaf ear” to His Word through daily devotions – for THAT is how the devil and his temptations are defeated, and we are strengthened – by God’s Word.

 

STRIKE TWO on the devil as Jesus says, “Take courage! It is I. Stop being afraid.” (v.27)

But the devil doesn’t quit yet – impetuous Peter said, “’Lord, if it’s You, tell me to come to You on the water.’ ‘Come,’ Jesus said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ Jesus said, ‘why did you doubt?’ And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God!'” (v.28-33)

Because of Jesus’ presence and powerful help; STRIKE THREE on the devil, although he came close to getting Peter!

The devil comes mighty close to getting us at times too! When you feel like you’re drowning:

  • a loved one dies or goes through a terrible personal tragedy;
  • we lose our job or our health;
  • there is no financial security;
  • we are betrayed by a spouse, a child or a friend;
  • we are caught up in some kind of sinful behavior in our lives;
  • a natural disaster destroys property and lives…

so many things that the devil uses to draw our attention away from our “firm foundation of faith in Jesus!”

Sadly, the devil DOES get some people! He gets those who do not recognize: “My help comes from the Lord;” he gets those who refuse Jesus’ outstretched hand of salvation. Peter confessed his great need for Jesus, crying out: ‘Lord, save me!’ This also must be our first response of faith – recognizing our helplessness and desperate need for a Savior. Jesus “reached out His hand.” In a much greater way, Jesus “reached out His hands” on the cross, RESCUING US from the terrible death we deserve. And He continues to “reach out” to us through His Word and Sacraments.

 

STRIKE THREE on the devil that day, but he continues in our lives each day. Jesus gives us the strength of resisting temptation through

  • continual prayer; and He also promises His presence and strength through
  • continual use of His Word, and
  • continual coming at His invitation to His Supper.

ONLY THROUGH JESUS’ POWER AND PRESENCE WE ARE NOT TAKEN BY THE DEVIL’S TEMPTATIONS. Three strikes and the devil’s out – and we’re IN – in the Kingdom of Heaven, willingly serving through Jesus Christ who strengthens and preserves us through continual prayer and God’s Word and Sacraments as we live out our lives in this “STORMY” and “temptation-filled” world.

 

See you in church this next weekend!

 

Pastor Myers