Behold, Your King Is Coming To You!

The text for our meditation on God’s Holy Word is the Gospel lesson appointed for the day. I bring you grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

This lesson from Matthew’s Gospel is read two times in the church year. When it is preached on Palm Sunday the emphasis is on what Jesus rides into Jerusalem to do: to suffer and die and rise again for the sins of the world. When it is preached on the first Sunday in Advent the emphasis is on who it is that rides into Jerusalem that day. It answers the question that we hear from the citizens of Jerusalem: “Who is this”?

Matthew gives a four-fold answer to that question. He shows Jesus to be the Lord—the God of Israel en-fleshed. He shows him to be the promised King of Israel. He shows him to be the Savior of the world and he shows him to be the prophet who truly speaks the Word of God.

As we reflect upon God’s Word to us this morning we will see what each of these pictures of our Lord’s person and work means for us and what our response ought to be as Jesus comes to us in Word and Sacrament just as surely as he came that day to the people of Jerusalem. The Bible says that:

When they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Beth-phage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once."

Because we live in a very different time and place, the importance of how Jesus refers to himself in these verses is lost on us. During his earthly ministry Jesus’ favorite title for himself was “Son of Man” but as he rode into Jerusalem to suffer and die, he called himself “the Lord.”

When we hear that title “the Lord” we tend to think of our word “master” and of course Jesus is our master—the One to whom we yield every part of our life in holy obedience. But for the people of that day, the title “the Lord” meant much more than just master—it was the name of God himself. Let me explain.

The Old Testament covenant name of God that was given to Moses to take to the Israelites is comprised of four consonants in the Hebrew—it is called the “tetragrammaton”. Sometimes in old hymns we see this covenant name of God rendered in English as Jehovah or more recently Yahweh. The point is this: the word that was used by the Jews for the covenant name of God was: Lord.

People who say that Jesus never claimed to be God are either ignorant or intentionally deceitful. When Jesus called himself the “I am” who existed before Moses, the Jews knew exactly who he was claiming to be and picked up rocks to stone him for blasphemy. Here he called himself- what his fellow Jews called- God. Jesus claimed to be, and was indeed, the one true God of Israel clothed in human flesh.

Jesus’ divine identity completely changes how we see what happens as he rides into Jerusalem and dies on the cross and rises again. It is not just a great king or wise teacher or good man who does these things—it is God who takes on flesh and saves us. His “humility and suffering and death” take on a whole new dimension when we see who he truly is-- and that knowledge invites our worship and love and trust.

That is why God came to us in the humility and frailty of human flesh of Jesus—so that we could love him and trust him and have a relationship with him.

Throughout the Old Testament, to come into the presence of God was to know only fear and death because his holiness and our sin. But God revealed himself in Jesus of Nazareth so that the fear that separated God and man from the time of Adam and Eve would be done away with and we could come to him in faith and love.

To know Jesus is to know God--and to believe in him-- is the only way to have a life with God. There has always been just one way of salvation—even back on the days of the prophets and patriarchs—and that is faith in God’s Messiah. Matthew makes that connection between Jesus and the Messiah promised in Hebrew Scriptures. He writes:

This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.' "The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

Throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry and especially during Holy Week—everything that happened—down to the smallest detail-- had been foretold by Hebrew prophets. Hundreds of prophecies were fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus—including the way he rode into Jerusalem that day.

Jesus was the fulfillment of the promised king who would set the prisoners free by the blood of his covenant--shedding his life’s blood upon the cross to set the world free from sin and death. He was the promised king who would speak peace to the nations—peace between God and all men through him. He was the promised king whose rule would extend from one end of the earth to another in human hearts everywhere.

The humble king who rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey was not just any king—but THE king from David’s line who had been promised to the people of Israel. The bible says that:

The crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David!

The humble king that the people of Jerusalem welcomed that day was the direct descendant of David—the One whom God had promised would rule over his people forever. The disciples understood at least that much and they did what you do for your king—they obeyed him. Matthew tells us that "The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. The guy who owned the donkey understood it too. When the disciples came to him asking for his donkey—he gave it because the Lord needed it.

As the King of the world, Jesus has the right to expect our obedience in all things. He has the right to use our possessions for his mission. The point is this: the identity of Jesus that the Holy Spirit reveals to us today is not some theological speculation far removed from our day-to-day lives but has the deepest implications for how we live our lives.

In every moment of our lives- and in every decision that we make -and in every dollar that we spend-- it is to be our King’s voice that we are to be obey. But when we are honest with ourselves we see that his word is not always the final word in our lives—that oftentimes we live our lives or some part of our lives in open rebellion against our rightful king-- and for that we deserve what every traitor deserves: death.

But the Good News for us today is that Jesus is not only the God in human flesh—he is not only our king—but he is also our Savior. That’s what the people of Jerusalem were confessing that day when they said:

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, "Who is this?"

The Hebrew word “hosanna” means “save us now” and it reveals that there were at least some people there that day who understood who Jesus was and what he had come to do—that he had come to save the world from sin and death. And in crying out “hosanna in the highest” they called upon the voices of heaven to join their own just as they had at Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.

The Holy Evangelists portray this scene in their Gospels because the Holy Spirit wants us to join our voices in confessing Jesus as Lord and King and Savior who fulfilled all the promises of God to save the world.

But the Holy Evangelists also paint this scene for us so that the citizens’ questions of “who is this?” would continue to resonate in our ears because that question is still being asked by the world today and we Christians are the only ones who have the correct answer—the answer that saves.

Of course there are all kinds of people who have all kinds of answers to the questions about Jesus. They say Jesus was a great man and a great teacher and a great moral example but those answers won’t save anyone if that is all they know. Only we in the church have the answer that bestows salvation: that Jesus of Nazareth, David’s descendant, is God-- and that faith in his death for our sins and his resurrection that gives life is the only way that God has provided for salvation.

When we hear those voices in the Jerusalem crowd asking “who is this” the Holy Spirit would, by these words, open our ears to the same questions being asked today by those around us in this community. He would open our eyes to the great harvest field that lies before us. And he would open our hearts so that we might be ready to give an answer for the hope that we have. An answer from God’s Word. Matthew writes: And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee."

After being identified as Lord and King and Savior maybe it seems to be a bit of a letdown to hear Jesus identified as “the prophet”. But whether the people that day realized it or not, this title conveys one of the deepest truths as to the identity of Jesus that John brings out in the very first chapter of his Gospel:

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

As the en-fleshed Word of God, Jesus was truly THE PROPHET. He was the voice of the prophets and the content of the prophets and the hope of the prophets. Everything that is written in the Old Testament is written about him. The writer to the Hebrews says it this way:

In many and various ways God spoke to his people of old, but now in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.

The person and work of Jesus is God’s last Word to mankind and to know God and to have a life with God all that is needed, is to know that the answer to the question: “Who is this?” is Jesus—our God and our King and our Savior. May God grant us this saving faith that we might welcome him aright during this Advent Season. Amen.

And now may the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!

The text for our meditation on God’s Holy Word on this Thanksgiving Eve is Psalm 65 that we read responsively earlier in the service. I bring you grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

In Luther’s explanation to the First Article of the Creed in the Small Catechism he says: I believe that God has made me and all creatures…that he richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life…that he defends me against all danger…that he does all this out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy…and for all this (for his creating me and providing for me and protecting me) it is MY duty to thank and praise him, serve and obey him.

Luther wrote these words in 1529 but all they really are is a summary of the words that the Holy Spirit inspired David to write 2500 years before that in the psalm we read tonight in our service.

I’m not sure it happened this exactly way, but I can picture David looking out over the fields and orchards and meadows around Jerusalem in awe and wonder at the beauty of God’s creation- and his ongoing provision and protection- that caused the rain to fall and the sun to shine and the earth to be bountiful. And being filled with gratitude and thanksgiving he said:

Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed. O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.

All of us recognize, I think, that there are duties that are burdensome—things that we simply have to do because our job or station in life require them—but we also know that there are duties that are delights—things that are required of us—but that we would do even if they weren’t required.

I like to garden and work in the yard. If I didn’t keep my lawn mown, eventually the city would get around to giving me a ticket. But I don’t work in the yard out fear of punishment—I work in the yard because it is a pleasant thing to be outside and see the flowers I have planted and smell water on Tomato plants. How marvelous are the smallest parts of God’s creation! It is a duty to keep up my lawn—but a delightful one.

So it is with the gratitude and praise and thanksgiving that is due to God for all his blessings and tender mercies. It is a duty—a requirement. We are God’s creatures and he is our Creator and it is simply our duty to thank and praise him—serve and obey him.

But for the child of God—thankfulness is much, much more than a burdensome duty. It is a delight—a blessing to give our praise and gratitude, service and obedience to the Lord because he is not just our Creator—he is our Father (through faith in Jesus) who has atoned for our transgressions and taken away our iniquities. David writes:

When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions. Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!

Our American, national day of thanksgiving is set aside by our government so that all our fellow citizens—no matter what their religion—can thank the Creator. The Bible is clear that all people—even those who say they don’t—recognize that there is a Creator who is responsible for all they have—even their own lives—and so it is right that all our fellow citizens take time to thank the God of creation for his gifts.

But we Christians know much, much more about God than that he is simply the Creator—we know him as our heavenly Father through faith in his Son Jesus Christ. This is what is different for us Christians on Thanksgiving Day compared to all our fellow citizens—we know that there is not some impersonal force out there in the cosmos who has created this world—but we know that the Creator is a personal God who has a will and a plan and a purpose for his creatures: that we would know him and love him and serve him as his children.

Knowing God this way—as a personal Being who is not only powerful-- but holy and righteous and just—and desires that his creatures would be the same-- places a moral imperative on each and every person to live in the way that God says is good and right. The knowledge that the Creator has a will for us also convicts every one of us--for we have failed to do what God requires—and left to ourselves we never could do what pleases God.

But God in his mercy has not only created us and given us physical life—he has given us a new spiritual life—by atoning for our transgressions by the blood of his Son Jesus. As much as we thank God for his physical gifts, it is this gift of salvation (that we have in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ) that comes first in our hearts on this Thanksgiving Day as that which deserves our thanks and praise.
From eternity God has chosen us in Christ to be his children—he atoned for our sins by the death of his Son Jesus—and he incorporated us into his holy people the church through baptism.

Earthly blessings ebb and flow—there are times of plenty and scarcity—at our death we will leave behind all our earthly possessions—but the gift of salvation that God has given us in Jesus extends even beyond the grave and will call for our praise and gratitude in eternity.

It is our duty and delight—first of all as Christians—to thank God for the gift of salvation even as we join with our fellow citizens to thank him for earthly, material blessings as well. The psalmist writes:

By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation,
the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might; who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.

The Bible writers simply take it for granted that God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth. This identity and work is not just the teaching of the first three chapters of Genesis—it runs through the Bible from beginning to end. That God established the mountains by his might--is what the Bible teaches-- and it is what we believe and confess.

On Thanksgiving Day it is our privilege and responsibility as Christians to affirm this biblical teaching with our worship and praise of God for his creation and preservation of the world. This is no “Turkey Day” for us—but the day to confess that God is the Creator and Giver of all good gifts. But there is even more.

God is not only the Creator—he is the ongoing source of all that exists at this moment. We exist- and the world around us exists—because God speaks an ongoing “yes” about his creation—and if he did not, we would not be here. Yes, there are “laws of nature” that govern the universe-- but they are simply the efficient cause of the world-- whose beginning and ending is God.

It is his providential care of the world that continues to order and govern everything in the universe---and that is good news for us.

Far from being at the mercy of impersonal forces we cannot control and barely understand—we know that our heavenly Father is the One who stills the stormy waves—who says to the sea “this far and no further”—who causes the sun to rise and set—who orders the affairs of men.

Our heavenly Father is in control. We are not simply hurdling through space, along for the ride, on a giant globe which knows no ultimate purpose and has no ultimate meaning. All creation-- and time and space-- are in the wise hands of the One who called it into being and will bring it to its final end. And the creation around us -and the rise and fall of nations- and the plans of men- are all ultimately ordered and directed by our heavenly Father for our eternal salvation.

On this Thanksgiving Day we thank God for all the gifts of creation—but we also thank him for his ongoing involvement in creation—that he still rules and guides and directs this world to provide for the needs of our bodily life needs. David writes of the heavenly Provider:

You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide their grain, for so you have prepared it. You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth. You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.

During Jesus’ earthly ministry he taught his disciples about the foolishness of worrying and being anxious for the necessities of life and he directed their attention to the natural world around them. “Look at the birds who never plow and yet God feeds them—look at the flowers of the field who neither toil nor spin and yet God clothes them more beautifully than the richest man who ever lived”. Nature herself reveals a God who abundantly provides for his creation.

David invites us to do the same. The hills and valleys—the pastures and meadows-- overflow with the bounty that God provides.

Caroline and I have been at both H-E-B and Walmart numerous times over the last several days—it seems like we always have forgotten something. And I have a feeling that we’re like most folks, in that we walk into the store, knowing that we will find what we are looking for-- but blind to the abundance around us.

But the next time you’re there at the store, just reflect for a moment on the overflowing abundance that God provides. All of the grocery items on those shelves—row after row—in store after store across this great land-- has come from the hills and valleys and farmland furrows that God has softened with the rain and warmed with the sun and fed with the soil—abundantly providing for our needs and the needs of our fellow citizens.

The words that David wrote in this psalm are a song of praise to the Creator for his great gifts and David pictures creation itself joining in that hymn of praise for God’s abundant, overflowing blessings.

The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain,
they shout and sing together for joy.

Thanksgiving Day is an opportunity for us to do the same—to join our voices with those of God’s people and God’s creation as they praise him for his overflowing abundance that has fed us and clothed us and sheltered us over this last year.

In just a moment we are going to rise and sing, “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” and as we do so I hope you will remember those things that we have talked about this evening: how God has blessed us with the gift of life and salvation—how his protecting, guiding hand has gently rested upon our lives this last year--and how he has abundantly provided for all of our needs.

Praise is due to God from his people and it is our duty to thank and praise him, serve and obey him-- but it is also our privilege and delight to come together and praise God from whom all blessing flow! Amen.

And now may the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.

This Week at Mt. Olive

Good afternoon, fellow redeemed!

"And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead."
How often we have heard and recited those words from the Nicene Creed. Unfortunately, the meaning of these words is often lost in today's world. Jesus is often seen as a buddy, a helper to get us through the really tough times now. We can be thankful on Thanksgiving because Jesus provides everything we need. The sad fact is that these thoughts miss the greatest comfort of what Holy Scripture tells us, and what the Church fathers desired to keep in the forefront of Christian minds.

St. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15, If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied." Yet, this is the only redemption many heard this morning in worship: hope in Christ only for accomplishing things today. To be sure, we have the comfort of the forgiveness of sins in Christ now. Yet, the great realization of life in Christ comes at the end of time when our Lord Jesus appears in glory "to judge both the living and the dead." The great news for those who are joined to Christ by faith is that His kingdom "shall have no end."

Eternal Father, through the advent of Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, You have redeemed us and made us Your children. By Your Holy Spirit, keep us in the true faith, looking always for the day of the resurrection of all flesh, when we will be with Christ forever, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

This morning, I attended a Lutheran church and realized how spoiled I am at Mt. Olive. Being able to sing the robust hymns of the faith is something I often take for granted. Being able to hear the proclamation of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus among dear friends of the faith is something that I expect so much, it usually is commonplace. Yet, take me away from one week, and I miss it already! I praise God for you and for the service among you to which our Lord Jesus has called me!

This week is a bit slower at Mt. Olive. The school will be opened only Monday and Tuesday. Many are out of town, visiting family or on a mini vacation. Kathy, the kids, and I are in Austin until Wednesday. To tell the truth, I'm not sure if there is Zumba this week, and Young Adult Bible Class and Wednesday Morning Bible Class will not meet.

Here are a few thoughts for this week:
Don't forget about Thanksgiving Day service at 9:30 a.m.
If you are at home, I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving celebration.
If you are traveling, don't drink and drive, buckle your safety belt, and get home safely. You are very dear to me and I want to see you back at church.

The first Christmas program practice will be held Sunday, November 28, at 1:30 p.m., just after Confirmation Class. We'll be done by 3 p.m., I promise. As always, we need shepherds, angels, Mary and Joseph, and readers.

And item of some importance: During the Sundays of Advent, a skit will be used to introduce each Sunday sermon. Currently, I have the following needs: one youth participant for all services on all Sundays (28 NOV, 5, 12, 19 DEC - rehearsals will be on the Saturday before), some other participants as we go along, two sailor white "dixie" cup hats, one white garrison cover hat (whether it's officer or not doesn't matter). If you are able to help me out, please drop me a line or call the church office.

Finally, the December voters meeting is slated for 12 DEC. The schedule for that day is: Divine Service (9:30 a.m.); Sunday School (10:30 a.m.); Voters Assembly (10:30 a.m.); Meal

Prayer Concerns:
Those who serve in our armed forces and their families: Rob Vadney (Afghanistan), Richard Rhode (North Carolina), Dru Blanc, John Sorensen, Ryan Radtke, Michael Baker (Corpus Christi)
The home bound among us: Emmet Wright, Ruth Prytz, Donnae Blake, Ruby Rieder, Ann Cleveland
Those who travel
Our nation as it celebrates a week of thanksgiving
The residents and staff of Bokenkamp Children's Shelter as they celebrate together, many being away from home

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Thursday, November 25
9:30 a.m.
Thanksgiving Day Worship Service

Sunday, November 28
8 and 10:30 a.m.
Divine Service

9:15 a.m.
Sunday School and Bible Class

12 p.m.
Confirmation Instruction (memory work: the first three commandments and instructions)

1:30 a.m.
Christmas Program rehearsal

God bless!
PKJ

Rev. Franke's Theme Thoughts

THE SUNDAYS IN ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS
Series A, Advent 1

Lessons for The First Sunday in Advent

Isaiah 2:1-5 ~In the last days God will settle disputes and His people will live in peace.
Psalm 122 (ant. v. 6)
Romans 13:(8–10) 11–14 ~ We should always be ready to live in the daytime of God’s Kingdom.
Matthew 24:36–44 ~ When we focus on business as usual, we miss the business of the Kingdom.

GATHERING THE TEXTS: God's Promise of Peace
The universal dream of peace proclaimed by Isaiah will be realized when all people will walk in the light of the Lord. Then the Messiah will teach all nations his ways and settle all disputes. When that day dawns the deeds of darkness will be put aside and all people will be clothed in the Lord Jesus Christ and his righteousness. The only way to get ready for that day is to be ready at all times for the Lord's return. We are ready when we live in the peace of sins forgiven through Christ our Savior.

A PRAYER BEFORE THE SERVICE: Lord, stir me up with your power so that I may truly be ready to welcome Christ my Savior with the peace he has placed in my heart through his forgiveness of my sins. Keep me ready at all times; help me live by the light of the dawn of Christ's righteousness. Amen.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT: Possessions that we often use to exercise power and authority over others are better used in the service of Christ’s coming kingdom by showing love and restoring peace so that God’s righteous rule may be seen in our lives as we await Christ’s return.

OFFERING PRAYER: Lord, take these gifts we bring today
And let them build Your peace.
Use our lives in loving ways
To make our warfare cease.

CONVICTION AND COMFORT: God has promised to restore this world to the peace He created when He pronounced it all “Good,” but we think peace comes when we force others to live by our expectations, so we wield swords and shields to settle disputes. When God settles our disputes according to His righteous judgment we will have no need of weapons of war. Peace will reign in God’s kingdom. He has already begun this peace by settling the differences of our sin through the life and death of Jesus Christ.

Christ the King

If you were part of a committee to choose readings for each Sunday of the church year, what readings would you choose for a Sunday called “Christ the King”? You might pick a reading like our epistle lesson today where Christ is called the image of the invisible God and the one in whom the fullness of God dwelt bodily. That sounds like a king.

You might choose one of the majestic readings from the book of Revelation that pictures Jesus with his face shining as the sun and his voice like rushing waters and sword coming from his mouth and his hand holding the seven stars. That sounds like a king.

When we think of the title “Christ the King”-- we naturally think of our Lord as he is now—seated at the right hand of his Father—clothed in majesty and glory—ruling all things in heaven and on earth for the sake of his people the church.

I don’t know if any of us would think to choose the Gospel account of his death on the cross as the main reading-- because the way he is portrayed there—beaten, broken, bloody-- looks nothing like a king. Kings reign in pomp and splendor. Kings rule with power and authority. Kings ride to victory and conquest.

The scene that we have before us today in Luke’s Gospel is anything but that. It is a picture of broken-ness and death and ugliness. And yet the truth of the matter is that the Church got it right in choosing this account of our Lord’s death on the cross for Christ the King Sunday because it captures the central mystery of our Faith: that the fullness of God dwelt bodily in the womb of the Blessed Virgin—that the One who is before all things and after all things entered into human history at a particular point of time under the demands of the law—that the One who is the author of life and creator of all-- died for his creature’s sins. That paradox of a crucified king is the heart of our faith.

Today as we reflect upon God’s Word to us from Luke’s Gospel, we will see that there is a flurry of activity and a whole host of characters and a din of voices that surrounds our Lord’s death—women weeping, soldiers gambling for his garments, rulers mocking him, and criminals dying with him.

But what I want to focus on are the three things that Jesus says in the midst of it all—three things that reveal Jesus’ absolute authority, not only as the King of the Jews—but as the King of kings.

Jesus says: “Weep for yourselves”. “Father, forgive them”. And “Today you will be with me in paradise”. That call to repentance—that petition for forgiveness—that promise of paradise—only our King can make. The Bible says:

And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. But turning to them Jesus said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us,' and to the hills, 'Cover us.' For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

From our gospel lesson last Sunday we know why Jesus tells these women that as bad as it is for him at that moment, heading to crucifixion at Calvary, it will be even worse for them in the years to come. Many of these women whom Jesus addresses along the way to Calvary were still be alive in 70 A.D. and certainly their children were alive when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple and murdered and enslaved its inhabitants.

It’s important that we see that event—not just as a fact of history—but from the Bible’s perspective—as an unmistakable sign of the final judgment still to come. As Jesus carried his cross through the streets of Jerusalem, he knew what was ahead for him—a terrible, painful death and separation from his heavenly Father. But he also knew that suffering and death was not the end for him: that he would be raised from the dead, ascend to heaven, and re-take his rightful place at his Father’s right hand.

In effect Jesus asks the daughters of Jerusalem: “Do you have the same certainty of eternal life?” “Do you know beyond a shadow of doubt that you have the same eternal future in God’s presence?” If they were going to wail and mourn and weep for anyone, they ought to do so for themselves and those they love before it was too late—before the time of repentance came to an end with God’s judgment upon Jerusalem.

The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple—as terrible as it was-- was a picture pointing to something much, much worse-- and that is what will befall all of those on the Last Day who have not repented of their sins and come to faith in Jesus. And so Jesus told the daughters of Jerusalem to weep for themselves.

He tells us the same. Repent in sorrow and heartfelt tears before it is too late—before the day of grace ends. That is what Jesus means when he said: For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?

With each passing moment-- the hour of judgment—draws ever closer and the hour of grace ebbs away. And if that were true for the daughters of Jerusalem 2000 years ago, how much more is it true for us here today? We do not know when this world end-- but we know beyond any shadow of a doubt that it will end. That is why today is the day for us to weep and wail—mourn and lament-- our broken human condition and repent of our sinfulness.

There is only One who has the right to call us to repentance --and that is the King of Glory who walked the way of suffering with a cross upon his shoulders, bearing the weight of our sins. It is only in repentance and faith in him that we find the shelter we need to endure the day of his coming.

Forty years after Jesus spoke these words, many of the daughters of Jerusalem and their children tried to take shelter in the mountains and hills around Jerusalem but it became the place of their death.

So it still is for all those who try to take shelter in anyone or in anyplace or in anything other than the one shelter that God has provided in the blood of his Son shed upon Calvary. Our good works and our sincere intentions will not hide our sins from God’s view—only in the blood of Jesus can we find refuge from God’s judgment. The Bible says:

Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!" The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews."

Father, forgive them. Forgive those who have done wrong. Forgive those who have crucified me by their sins. Forgive those who are ignorant of their sins. Forgive those who are interested only in material things. Forgive those who scoff and mock and ridicule. Father, forgive them—forgive them all.

There was only one person there that day on the rocky hill of Calvary who did not need forgiveness—only one who never needed to be forgiven-- and that was the Lamb of God who sacrificed his life there—the perfect, fully sufficient, atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews—David’s Son and David’s Lord—just like God had promised—the heir who would sit on David’s throne forever as the one true king.

That day on the cross, Jesus did what he came to do --and what he still lives to do: intercede for us poor sinners before his heavenly Father—lifting up the sacrifice of his own life between our sins and God’s wrath. Only a truly great King can petition the living God of the universe and expect to be heard. Jesus is that king. The Bible tells us of that priestly role of the One who sits on David’s throne:

We have one who speaks in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but for the sins of the world.

It is entirely appropriate that this Gospel lesson of our Lord’s crucifixion was chosen for Christ the King Sunday (the last Sunday of the church year when our attention is focused upon our Lord’s return in glory to judge the living and the dead) because there is only one thing that will matter on that day: and that is Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins. His saving work changes us from objects of God’s wrath bound for hell--to sons and daughters who will live with him forever in paradise. The Bible says:

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

There was at least one person there day who heard what Jesus had to say about weeping for yourself in repentance—one who heard Jesus ask his Father to forgive—and hearing these words the repentant thief was changed by them for eternity-- for he recognized by faith that the broken, bloody man who hangs on the cross was truly a king with a kingdom to give—and in that late hour—a dying sinner was born again into eternal life.

The Holy Spirit was working though those words that Jesus spoke that day (just as he always works through the preaching of the Gospel) and the repentant, believing thief was changed from an object of God’s wrath to a son of God with a place prepared for him in paradise.

The story of the repentant, believing thief is every Christian’s story. He was unworthy of a place in God’s kingdom. He was guilty as sin under God’s law. He deserved punishment in time and eternity. And yet he heard the promise of forgiveness from the lips of Christ--believed him-- and was saved eternally by the crucified king.

Christ speaks those same forgiving words to us today Holy Absolution and Holy Communion. Can we ever hear them too much! No! Can we receive the gifts of salvation too often? No! Each of us must find ourselves in the same place as the repentant thief—confessing our sins and believing in Jesus and receiving his forgiveness if we are to be saved when the King comes again.

The scene of the cross will be mirrored on the Last Day as a scene of judgment. Sinners will be assembled both on Christ’s left and Christ’s right. Those on both sides will deserve death. But some will be saved and some will not. And the only difference between the two is the one who stands between the two groups—the crucified King. Those who confess him as Lord and Savior will be saved-- and those who deny him will be condemned. I pray that God would grant us his grace so that we may confess Christ as our Savior King today and eternally. Amen.

Christ the King Sunday General Prayer

Lord God heavenly Farther, we stand in awe of You as we lift up our hearts to you in prayer, asking that you would bless us from Zion:

We especially ask Your blessing upon Ray as he celebrates a birthday. Bless him in body and soul all his days. We also ask Your blessing on those who are ill, that You would give them healing according to Your will. We especially ask for Your healing touch upon Bernice who is hospitalized.

Grant that we would always be numbered among those who fear You and esteem Your holy name. Help us by the Holy Spirit to serve You, not looking for reward, but only to do Your will as faithful sons and daughters.

You know that we live in a day when evildoers prosper and the arrogant are called blessed. Keep us from despair and discouragement in the face of injustice. Prosper Your servants who work in government, that the evil would be punished and the good rewarded.

We thank You that You have delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of Your beloved Son by His death and resurrection. Help us to always keep him preeminent in every part of our individual and congregational lives.

Just as we know the destruction of Jerusalem as an accomplished fact of history, help us to know with certainty that there will be a last day and the end of all things and the judgment of mankind. By the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives through Word and Sacrament, help us to repent of our sins—put our faith in Your Son Jesus—and look forward in hope to being with him in Paradise.

All of these things and whatever else You see that we need—whatever is good for our neighbor and redounds to Your glory—we pray that You would grant to us dear Father in heaven. We ask it in the name of our crucified, resurrected, and ascended King. Amen.

Rev. Franke's Theme Thoughts

Christ the King, Series C November 21, 2010

Lessons for Christ the King Sunday (LSB Proper 29)

Malachi 3:13-18 ~ In the judgement day the distinction between the wicked and the righteous will be seen.
OR Jeremiah 23:1-6 ~ Because the shepherds scattered His flock, God promised to send a righteous King.
Psalm 46 (antiphon: v. 7)
Colossians 1:13-20 ~ By the victory of His conquest on the cross, Jesus has won us for His kingdom of grace.
Luke 23:27-43 ~ Upon His unlikely throne, Jesus was mocked by some, but acclaimed as King by one.

GATHERING THE TEXTS: Waiting Eagerly
The cry of the church is “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!” The thief on the cross heard the words of promise: “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Identified by the title above his head, Jesus was proclaimed the King of the Jews. By giving his life for the sins of the world, he has become King of kings and Lord of lords. He has claimed us as his treasured possession and rescued us from the kingdom of this world to make us citizens in his Kingdom of light. We join the eager cry of the saints in glory, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!”

PRAYER BEFORE THE SERVICE: When time passes slowly, Lord, give me confidence. Because you have promised the fulfillment of your Kingdom, build up my trust that I may live each day as a citizen of heaven. Then I will eagerly look for your return and urgently share the news of your Kingship! Amen.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT: As citizens of Christ’s Kingdom, all that we have is dedicated to the task of gathering those scattered into the domain of darkness and declaring the good news of His redemptive victory over sin and death. We rejoice in His promise that we have a place with Him in Paradise!

OFFERING PRAYER: Christ our King, to You we sing
Our hymn of exaltation!
Here we bring our offering
To use in proclamation!

CONVICTION AND COMFORT: Even though we acknowledge Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords, we have lost our eager expectation of His return. We have become comfortable with the kingdoms of this world and even question whether those who serve God are any better off than those who do not. And still God says of us, “I will gather them from the places where they have been scattered and will raise up a righteous king to watch over them.” By the blood of His cross, Christ the King says to us, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”