St. Luke 23:27-43 Dearly beloved,
How often have we heard this account read from St. Luke’s gospel? How many times have you been directed by pastors to gaze upon the cross of Christ? Even upon listening to St. Paul’s words to the Colossians, we are being reminded of Jesus’ deliverance from evil. We continue to hear about our salvation. St. Paul even reminds the young pastor, Timothy, to command and teach these things (1 Timothy 4:11). St. Paul goes so far as to remind Timothy that, as a pastor, it is his duty to give attention to the public reading of Scripture, as well as to preaching and teaching the content of those Scriptures. Timothy is being reminded that the gospel must ring forth in the space of the church and in the ears of the hearers. The sinful flesh may retort-- “It is boring to hear the same thing. Can we not move on to other things?!” Because the sinful flesh grows weary. But, we are reminded by St. Paul that the focus of the church is to be Jesus--always Jesus. Look again at how Colossians 1 reads. St. Paul recounts the correct doctrine of Jesus. “He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born over all creation....He is the head of the body, the church....in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.” St. Paul is confessing the church’s creed, and it is written for the church to always ponder and hear. Why is the gospel reading for today the passion narrative for Good Friday? Today is the last Sunday in the church year, so what gives? As you know, the readings have been appointed by the church for every Sunday in the church year. These readings were appointed to be read because they carry with them the theme for the day, in this case, the Sunday of the Fulfillment. We are a church in waiting, which suggests that we are a church that is in prayer and much thought concerning the things of Christ. What the lectionary is trying to teach us is that our life on earth is supposed to be centered around the cross of Jesus. This is what we are to do while we wait for Jesus’ return. This is so because we are on a battlefield of sorts, and battles can cause a whole host of reactions. We may become weary in a battle. Maybe we grow impatient or angry. Perhaps we threaten to lose hope. Maybe we are lured to go to the other side, thinking the battle will be easier. This is a spiritual battle, of course. St. Peter even reminds us of this when he writes in 1 Peter 5:8, “Brethren, be sober and vigilant for the devil prowls about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Resist him steadfast in the faith.” The trouble is that we would like it to be different, but it is what it is. A battle rages for souls on this earth. It wasn’t intended to be this way, but we can thank Adam and Eve for it. Therefore, it is befitting of the church to be prepared in these last days. It is true that Jesus could come at any moment on any day. Therefore, how shall the church spend her days? The gospel is our weapon. The gospel is our food. The preaching of Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected is the substance that protects us on the spiritual battlefield. So, this is what we do--We gather in the liturgy. The liturgy leads our hearts and minds to Christ. We confess our sins, receive holy absolution, and then sing the liturgy, which fills us with thoughts of God. We sing hymns proclaiming the gospel and we confess the Nicene Creed, which unites us together in this faith. We remember Who God is and what He has done and continues to do. We listen to the Holy Scriptures, which all focus our thoughts and hearts onto the one critical event in the life of the world--the death of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Your salvation is secured in Christ’s death and resurrection. You cannot know God’s goodness apart from it. You cannot know true love, grace, and compassion apart from Jesus Christ crucified. This is the one, single, definitive act that is the victory blow to the enemy in the spiritual battle. You know this. So, if you know this, why are you continually brought back to this act in your thoughts and beliefs? Why does your pastor continue to preach this? Because, hearing the gospel means you are being brought into Jesus again and again. The Holy Spirit draws you and changes you. The Lord is forgiving you and protecting you. As you hear the gospel and the love of Christ showered upon you, you learn in time of the steadfast and unshakeable love of Jesus for you. This sort of reflection over time deepens the impact that Jesus‘ compassion has on you. Because, let’s face it, we all have sin. And nothing hurts us more than continual and habitual sin. As we continue to hear the gospel year after year, we grow in Christ. Then we see our sin year after year and it pains us. By continuing to hear of the death and resurrection of Jesus for our sins, we learn of the depth of Christ’s concern for us, and we learn just what the gospel is, and we know how unwavering Jesus’ forgiveness is for us. And so the church remembers, lest she forget. The church’s life on the battlefield of this world is one of constant prayer and meditation upon the Scriptures. In these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things”(Hebrews 1:2), and in Him is our salvation. Jesus shall come, and we will behold Him as our Lord and Savior because we know Who He is and we will recognize Him, because we have spent our time pondering all that concerns Him. You know what salvation looks like because the gospel has been ringing in your ears all your days, and you shall hear the blessed words that Jesus uttered to the repentant thief on the cross, “Truly, truly, I say to you....today you shall be with me in paradise.” Amen. -- Rev. Chad Kendall Trinity Lutheran Church Lowell, Indiana www.trinitylowell.org
