Sexagesima

Sexagesima – February 23, 2025

Psalm 44; Isaiah 55:10-13; 2 Corinthians 11:19-12:9

St. Luke 8:4-15

In the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

A seed is a wonderful thing. On its own, it shows no signs of life. It is not a stone. It is not a plant. It doesn’t grow or multiply. It can’t move. By itself, it is not alive. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone.”[1] An acorn looks like little more than a stone wearing a fancy hat. But within that acorn is the beginning of a mighty oak tree. The same is true of all seeds. They contain the power of life itself. When placed in warm, moist ground, this dormant potential is released, and the seed springs to life, becoming a plant with leaf, blossom, and fruit. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”[2]

Our Lord compares the Word of God to a seed. In a certain sense, on its own, the Word of God is inert. Whether ink on a page or sounds issuing from the lips of man, it shows no signs of life. It is living and active, but again, on its own, it can’t do much. When it finds the warm, moist soil of the heart of man, it springs forth with great life, imbuing the heart with faith, producing the wondrous works of God. It is instructive and informative and stimulates acts of piety. It takes water, bread, and wine and makes them the Holy Sacraments, delivering life and salvation. The Word of God is living and active, but it must be planted home in the hearts of man.[3]

It may be surprising to you to hear the Word of God talked about in this way. But it is important because we must understand that the Word of God is not God’s telos, His end goal. The Word of God is the means by which God effects His goal – the salvation of man. This is why we call the Word one of the means of grace. It is the means by which the Holy Spirit delivers God’s grace into the hearts of man.

This is one of the errors of those churches rightly called “Fundamentalists.” They do not recognize the Word of God as a means of grace but rather as one of the end goals of God. For them, Christ spoke the words of Scripture for the purpose of creating Scripture. Yet the bible itself says that these things were written that you might believe and by believing would have life, that is salvation, in the name of Christ.[4] As a means of grace, the purpose of the Word of God is to be planted in the soil of your soul, both bringing you life and salvation and transforming you into a son or daughter of God.

The heart, or soul, of man is soil in which the Word of God springs to life. In the parable, our Lord describes four types of soil into which the seed fell. It is important to note that in this parable, our Lord is not describing the unbelieving world. All these categories apply to those who hear the Word of God in one way or another. It does not apply to heathens. It applies to those who hear the Word. Of these hearers, there are four types.

First, there is the wayside. Although these may hear the Word with their ears or read a few words on a page, the seed of the Word finds no purchase in the soil of their hearts. It remains on the surface and is easily snatched away by Satan and his demons. This is the ‘spiritual but not religious’ crowd. This is those who press “like” on a pretty picture with a few words of Scripture on Facebook while scheduling their next tarot reading. They may even memorize a few verses of Scripture, especially those that fit with their own musings on the divine or internet assembled philosophy.

Second, there is the rocky soil. These receive the Word with joy. For a time, they are elated by the Words of Scripture and often dive into the life of the Church with both feet. They join various groups within the congregation right away and attend every bible study and event that is offered. But at the first sign of temptation, they fall away. The first time they have a late Saturday night and find waking up on Sunday difficult, they miss the Divine Service. Once becomes twice, twice becomes four times. Soon, the joy they had is shifted to a new and exciting adventure. Maybe a new job. Maybe a new hobby. Maybe a great difficulty arises, a health concern or marriage troubles, and rather than turning to the source of life they have found in the Word of God, they turn to doctors and therapists, neglecting the soil of their souls.

Third, our Lord describes the thorny soil. These hear the Word of God, and it begins to sprout and bring forth good fruit. They receive the Word of God with sincerity. They believe for a time. But then the cares of this life, riches, and pleasure steal their attention away from the Word of God. Finances become more important than faith. The world becomes a business venture where the measure of a man is not his relationship with God but his success in property, investments, profits, or collecting things.

To the thorny soil also belongs those who become caught up in pleasure, who don’t mind taking a month off of church to go on vacation without finding a church to attend near the lake. Here also belongs those who hear God’s law but value their own pleasure more highly. “God wants me to be happy, doesn’t He? So God wants me to divorce my wife and marry my mistress.” Such thoughts make light not only the Law of God but also His Gospel. Such thoughts turn God’s grace into something cheap that can so easily be applied that no matter what you do or how you live, it doesn’t matter because God forgives. So eat, drink, and be merry. Such an attitude chokes out the Word of God and withers what fruit had begun within the soul.

Finally, there is the good soil. These hear the Word with a noble and good heart. They keep and cherish the Word of God, finding in it the consolation of their souls. These turn to the Word of God in good times and in bad. These constantly examine the soil of their hearts and make sure that it continues to be a fertile ground for God’s Word, removing the weeds and stones that inevitably crop up. These pray that God’s Word would transform what stones and weeds are to be found that they would remain steadfast in the Word. They bear fruit in due season and endure the trials and temptations of the world with patience and endurance, knowing that the telos, the end goal, of this Word is their salvation.

Having heard descriptions of the various soils, lest you either despair or become prideful of the condition of your own soul, you must recognize that these soils do not primarily describe different people. They describe the condition of every soul at different times of life. You have all experienced seasons of life in which your soul matched each of the types of soil. If you haven’t, I can promise you that you will. The heart of man is fickle. There are the good seasons, when the soil of your heart is rich, warm, and moist, when the Word of God brings joy and gladness. At these times, your mind is filled with the things of God, and you turn to Him no matter the circumstance you find yourself in. Thanks be to God for these seasons. They are truly blessed times.

But the Old Adam, the sin clinging to our flesh, is very persuasive. Even the best fields will occasionally sprout thorns or turn up rocks. They must be constantly tended. If not cared for, they will quickly become wild and house all manner of thorns and crows, becoming unfit for fruitful plants. The same is true of your soul. Sin lies at the door and its desire is for you.[5] Satan stalks as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.[6]

For this reason, the soil of man must be cultivated and cared for. This begins with examination. Have you been disobedient, unfaithful, or slothful? Have you grieved any person by word or deed? Have you stolen, neglected, or wasted anything?[7] Consider your life according to the Ten Commandments. Have you been reading the Word of God? Have you prayed recently? Have you confessed to God your sins and begged His forgiveness? Are you certain you have been forgiven? Are you confident that the blood of Christ was shed not just for the whole world but for you? Have you helped your neighbor in need so that others would recognize your good efforts or in thanksgiving to the God who has given you more than you need so that you might help others?

Such examination is not for the purpose of making you feel bad. It is about being honest about the condition of your soul. Perhaps you find yourself among the rocky soil, in danger of providing shallow roots for the Word of God and fleeing from it at the first sign of temptation. It is good for you to recognize that! If you recognize that about yourself, then you know how to go about amending the soil of your soul. Devote yourself to the Word of God and the things of God, begging Him that He will sift you and remove the stones from your heart. Come to Private Confession & Absolution that you might hear the Word of God applied to you and no one else. Allow the servant of God to apply the healing balm of God’s Word directly to the wounds of your soul.

It won’t happen immediately. God sometimes takes His time, but even that is for your benefit. He allows you to struggle with sin so that you would remember it is not you who creates or sustains the good soil of faith, but it is Him, and Him alone. St. Paul struggled his entire life with a thorn in the flesh, likely a besetting sin.[8] He prayed that God would remove that thorn and yet God allowed St. Paul to struggle with it. Such suffering produces “perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”[9]

The life of the Christian is hard. Christ has promised that those who would follow Him will bear the cross of suffering, persecution, temptation, and sin.[10] Yet this yoke is easy and the burden is light.[11] It is light and easy because we do not bear it alone. We bear it with the Word of God, with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and with the knowledge that freedom from the burdens of the world is already ours.[12] If Christ is for us, who can stand against us?[13] These words have been given to you that you would know the mysteries of the kingdom of God.[14] Take these words and plant them deeply in the soil of your heart, that they might burst forth with life and salvation.

In + Jesus’ name. Amen.

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[1] St. John 12:24.

[2] St. John 12:24. This paragraph is a summary of Pius Parsch, The Church’s Year of Grace, Volume 2 (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1953), 38.

[3] Hebrews 4:12.

[4] St. John 20:31.

[5] Genesis 4:7.

[6] 1 Peter 5:8.

[7] Small Catechism V.6.

[8] 2 Corinthians 12:7.

[9] Romans 5:3-5.

[10] St. Matthew 16:24.

[11] St. Matthew 11:30.

[12] St. John 8:36.

[13] Romans 8:31.

[14] St. Luke 8:10.

The Ascension of our Lord

The Ascension of our Lord – May 9, 2024

Psalm 47; 2 Kings 2:8-15; Acts 1:1-11

St. Mark 16:14-20

In the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Forty days after the Resurrection, Jesus gathered the Apostles on a mountain near Bethany and taught them directly, one last time. He said many things to them, important things. He spoke to them about how the Old Testament testified of Him, foretelling His coming, life, death, resurrection, and ascension; that all of this was done for your salvation. He “opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.”[1]

He commanded them to preach the Good News about His life, death, resurrection, and ascension to all the ends of the earth[2] but first to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit had descended upon them.[3] Then, He instructed them to begin in Jerusalem before going into Samaria and all the ends of the earth.[4]

How is it that the Apostles are to accomplish this? How are they to bring this saving Gospel to all people? By baptizing and teaching, for, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”[5] After saying these things, Jesus was received into heaven, being lifted up into the sky until a cloud covered Him and removed Him from the sight of the Apostles.

It would be tempting to think that Jesus went away at the ascension. Afterall, when Elijah was carried up into the sky on a flaming chariot, he was no longer present with his dear student, Elisha. If I walked away and went out of your sight, I wouldn’t be with you anymore. I would be somewhere else, with other people. The difference between me, Elijah, and Jesus is that Elijah and I are not God. Jesus is God. He is true God and true Man.

When Jesus ascends to the Father, He sits down at the Father’s right hand. The right hand of the Father is not a golden throne floating somewhere in the sky. The Father’s “right hand” is a phrase that means Jesus is the Father’s power, the one through whom and in whom the Father works. It means Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords, who rules the entire universe not by being away from it but by being present within all of it. And Jesus does this ruling as both true God and true Man.

A truly great theologian of our church, Martin Chemnitz, says it this way,

There are many clear statements in Scripture regarding the presence of Christ in the church, which is His kingdom. And not the least part of the work of Christ as our Mediator and Savior is that as Head He is present with His members, gathering, ruling, defending, preserving, and saving His church. For in all our afflictions and temptations—in the depraved infirmity of our nature, among the various offenses and the many pitfalls under the powerful tyranny and the rage of Satan, the world, and all the enemies of the church—our greatest and only comfort is our knowledge that Christ is present as our King, our High Priest, our Head, and the pastor of us who are His sheep in the midst of ravening wolves. He does not place the burdens of governing in His kingdom on the shoulders of others through delegated work, as the custom of our kings is, for the government is always on His shoulders (Is. 9:6), but when He Himself is present He cares for us, governs, defends, preserves, and saves us, as His peculiar people whom He has bought with His own blood. As John says, ‘He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world’ [1 John 4:4]. And Ezekiel 34:24 says, ‘My Servant David is prince in the midst of them.’[6]

Christ is present with all of Creation because He is God, but He has especially promised to be with His Church through the means of grace. The means of grace are those things through which God works to bring you the forgiveness of sins. These are the Word of God, Holy Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and the Absolution.

When it comes to the Word of God, Jesus is always working through His Word. That means when you hear the Bible read in Church, when you attend Sunday School, when you read the Bible together as a family, and when you read the bible on your own, Jesus is speaking to you. He is working through His Word. But Jesus has also established the Office of the Holy Ministry to give voice to that Word. He has established preaching so that His Word would be brought especially to you in this time and place.

With the other means of grace, those that we call the Sacraments, Jesus has combined His Word with physical elements—water in the case of Holy Baptism; bread and wine in the case of the Lord’s Supper; and the voice and hands of the pastor in the Holy Absolution. He is doing this not because Pastors have special powers but so that you would know that Jesus is true God and true Man. He has established His Office—into which He places men—such that when a human being, a man, baptizes, gives you the Lord’s Supper, or absolves your sins, you would know that Jesus Christ, in His human body and in His divinity, is present delivering it to you. It is easy to remember that Jesus is God. It is difficult to remember that He is man. So, He has set His means of grace into the hands of men as a reminder that God became man to forgive your sins.

Now, we mustn’t forget that immediately before and immediately after His ascension, the Apostles are rebuked for their lack of faith. Before the ascension, they are rebuked because “they did not believe those who had seen [Jesus] after He had risen.”[7] Even though the Apostles themselves had seen the risen Christ, they questioned others who had seen the same. Perhaps they still didn’t believe the resurrection themselves. Perhaps they thought it necessary for an Apostle to be present to make it a true appearance of Christ. Or perhaps they thought themselves to be above the “normal” disciples so that only their word could stand. It was probably a little of everything.

Then after the ascension, two angels rebuke the Apostles for staring up into the sky. This is the same rebuke Jesus gives to Mary Magdelene on the day of the Resurrection, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father, but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.”[8] Mary and the Apostles have a job to do and standing on a mountain, staring into heaven is not it. They are to go and tell others about Jesus. They are to live in this world, even if they are citizens of heaven. In fact, because they are citizens of heaven. They are to live in this world as citizens of Christ’s Church, as subjects of the Almighty God who has ascended to His throne, “far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; and hath put all things under His feet.”[9]

For you, that means being in the place that Jesus has promised to give you His means of grace, that is, most especially His Church. That means receiving those means of grace—His Word, Holy Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and the Holy Absolution. It also means to carry this grace with you as you go about your station in life. Be the best mother that you can be, changing diapers and teaching your children to pray. Be the best husband and father you can be, working hard to provide and teaching your children the catechism. Be the best child you can be by obeying your parents, paying attention to your studies, learning about the world around you, and paying attention in church.

Do all of this because Jesus is with you. He is with you as true God and true Man. He is not absent in anyway, but He is present in many ways. Do these things because your King reigns from the right hand of the Father, where you will be with Him for all eternity.

In + Jesus’ name. Amen.

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[1] St. Luke 24:45.

[2] St. Mark 16:15.

[3] Acts 1:8.

[4] Acts 1:8.

[5] St. Mark 16:16.

[6] Martin Chemnitz, The Two Natures in Christ, translated by J.A.O. Preus (1971; repr., St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2007), 423.

[7] St. Mark 16:14.

[8] St. Luke 20:17.

[9] Ephesians 1:20-23.

Cantate (Easter 4)

Cantate (Easter 4) – April 28, 2024

Psalm 98; Isaiah 12:1-6; James 1:16-21

St. John 16:5-15

In the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

This morning’s portion of the farewell discourse of our Lord reveals a significant stumbling block to the faith of the Apostles. We tend to look at the life of the Apostles and envy them since they had the privilege of walking with Jesus during the time of His local presence, that is, when He was present with them in such a way that you could distinguish His knee from His elbow.

But today we see that while the Apostles did experience Christ’s local presence, they also had to experience life in the Church after Christ ascends to the Father. They knew both types of Christ’s presence and they had to endure the transition from one to the other. They had grown accustomed to Christ’s local presence and it is now time for Jesus to prepare them for the time when He would no longer be present in that way.

Thus, Jesus says, “It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment…when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.”[1] Enduring the transition from Christ’s local presence to His Ascension, as we know the Apostles did, was not on the basis of their reason, knowledge, understanding, or strength. It was by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth. Based on these Words of Jesus, what is this work of the Holy Spirit and how does He accomplish it?

From the Small Catechism, we know that the work of the Holy Spirit is to “call, gather, enlighten, and sanctify the whole Christian Church on earth and keep it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.”[2] The statement of Jesus that the Holy Spirit will “convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment,” is another way to say the same thing.

The first thing to know is this word “convict” might be a bit confusing. It sounds like a strictly negative thing. When a person is convicted in court, it usually means that he is guilty. When a person is found innocent, we say he is “acquitted.” That is not how Jesus is using the word “convict.” He is using it in the same way we might speak of someone’s conviction, that is to say, they are absolutely convinced of something. The Holy Spirit will convince – persuade beyond any doubt – the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment.

The Holy Spirit convinces the world regarding sin because the world does not believe in Jesus. The first work of the Holy Spirit in any heart is to convince you that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. If you are not a sinner, you have no need of Jesus. If you have no need for Jesus, then you do not believe in Him and have no part in Him.

This work of the Holy Spirit does not stop once you are a Christian. Reach your hand up to your chest and feel if you are still alive. If you are, you are still a sinner and thus still need forgiveness. You are still in this world, even if you have received the second birth of Holy Baptism. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to confront you with your sin so that you would have reason to trust the words and promises of Christ.

This is, in fact, the primary use of God’s Law – to show you your sin. The Holy Spirit brings the Word of God’s Law into your ears so that you would be terrified of your sins and flee to the Risen Savior. To ignore this work of God is to refuse to be convinced by the Holy Spirit. But refusal to be convinced by the Holy Spirit will only last so long. There are no atheists in hell. Refusing to see your sin for what it is will only last until you depart this life or Christ reveals Himself on the last day. Then, all will be made plain, and you can no longer hide from your own sinfulness.

The second work of the Holy Spirit described in the text is to convict—or convince—the world of righteousness. This is a reference to what I said about the Apostles that is also true of all people. “I cannot, by my own reason or strength, believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but [it is] the Holy Ghost [who] has called me by the Gospel.”[3] You can provide all the logical, historical, and archaeological proofs of the resurrection and yet no one is converted by them. Conversion is strictly the working of the Holy Spirit. And not only conversion, but retaining the faith, that is, staying a Christian, is only the work of the Holy Spirit. Only by the grace of God, delivered by the Holy Spirit, does anyone remain a Christian unto salvation.

The Holy Spirit works through means to bring you the faith and to keep you in it. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. The Holy Spirit brings you pastors to preach and teach the Word of God. He gives you mothers to read the Word of God to you. He gives you fathers to teach you the catechism that you would understand what the Word of God says. He works in the Word of God combined with water that your sins would be buried with Christ and then you would rise as a new creation.

The sustaining of your faith is chiefly worked out by continuing to hear the Word of God and by receiving that Word of God combined with bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper. The Holy Sacrament is for the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of body and soul to life everlasting. It is the food to sustain you on your way. It will sustain your faith.

These means of grace are the ways in which the Holy Spirit convicts the world of righteousness.

The third work of the Holy Spirit our Lord describes today is to convict the world of judgment because the ruler of this world is judged. On the one hand, this means that the Holy Spirit convinces the hearts of man that sin is wicked, and that this world is passing away. Without the Holy Spirit, man can conclude that there is something wrong with this world and it needs correction. By the illumination of the Holy Spirit, man can see that what is wrong with this world is his sin and that this sin has been judged by God. By this illumination, man can see that all who belong to this world, who cling to the kingdom of the ruler of this world, have already been judged in the death of Jesus and will receive the inheritance of their father, the devil.

But this conviction regarding judgment has a second side. On the other hand, it is the Holy Spirit who enlightens the hearts of Christians to see that they too have already been judged. Those who are in Christ have nothing more to fear from the judgement of God. The verdict was passed and the sentence carried out on Calvary. All that is left is to receive the inheritance promised to you in Holy Baptism. This judgment is the acquittal of the righteous, who have received and continue to receive the Holy Spirit and all His blessings.

And although such a judgment is done and over, yours by faith, it does not remove the very real possibility of refusing the judgment. It sounds insane but it is entirely within the power of the Christian to turn to God the Father and say, “I do not need your declaration of innocence because I am innocent according to my own conscience.” While it would be helpful if such a verbal declaration was necessary for one to lose his faith, it is not. Declaring you know better than the Word of God, as in transgenderism, is such a declaration. Rejecting the Words and means of the Holy Spirit, as in women’s ordination, Unitarianism, and Anabaptistry, is such a declaration. Living contrary to the Word of God, as in fornication, is such a declaration.

Our Lord’s description of how the Holy Spirit will accomplish these things is quite interesting. “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.”[4]

The simplest understanding of the majority of these words is something I’ve already said—the Holy Spirit works through means. He works through the means of the Word and Sacraments. What’s more is that we learn that the Holy Spirit does not add anything to the Word of God that Jesus Christ has already brought within Himself (for He is the Word of God). The Holy Spirit does not testify to Himself nor reveal new messages for man. He speaks only that which He has heard from the Son and the Father. He proceeds from the Father and the Son. He is the herald of the great King of Kings, not authorized to add-to or subtract-from the Word of the King.

But we know that the Word of the Spirit is truth because He is the Spirit of Truth. This describes the inspiration of Holy Scripture. It describes that God has ordained that human men would be the means through which He worked to put His Word into writing that it may be proclaimed to man throughout time. We can be certain of the truth of the Holy Scriptures because it was communicated by God Himself, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, and He is the Spirit of Truth.

But why utilize human authors? When a human means? First, it is entirely consistent with every way that God works in man. He works through the means of this world. Even the concept of communicating in language such that man can understand it is a means of this world. Second, it is in keeping with the Incarnation. Christ took on the flesh of man to redeem the flesh of man. Therefore, it is fitting that He would “enflesh” His Word in the words of man. And, just as Jesus Christ is True God and True Man, so too are the Words of Scripture the pure Word of God and written by Inspired human hands.

The four Gospels do not compete or contradict but there are occasions where they describe something differently. This is the mark of the human authors who are describing events from different perspectives. Even these perspectives have been used by the Holy Spirit to communicate the different facets of the faith.

Third, the Holy Spirit works through present means to deliver this faith to you. This is the Office of the Holy Ministry. God did not leave the Church alone after the Ascension nor the death of the Apostles. He established the Office of the Holy Ministry that men might stand in the stead and by the command of Christ to bring you His Word and Sacraments – the means of grace. He has placed men into the Office for the sake of loving and caring for the present needs of the Church – to preach and teach the faith but also to forgive and retain sins. These are activities of the Holy Spirit as He guides the whole Christian Church into all truth.

How is it then, that we know when we are hearing the Holy Spirit and when we are hearing the doctrine of demons or the teaching of men? The Spirit of Truth will glorify Jesus. If the Scriptures are glorifying Jesus, they are the Word of God. If the pastor is glorifying Jesus, he is speaking on the authority of the Holy Spirit and standing in the stead of Christ. If, however, he is telling tales, building himself a following, or submitting to the human authority of the pope, he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He is a hireling. He is not speaking by the Holy Spirit because the Spirit of Truth glorifies Jesus.

In + Jesus’ name. Amen.

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[1] St. John 16:7-8, 13.

[2] Small Catechism II 3.

[3] Small Catechism II 3.

[4] St. John 16:13-14.

The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity

The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity – September 25, 2022

Psalm 86; 1 Kings 17:8-16; Galatians 5:25-6:10

St. Matthew 6:24-34

In the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The most destructive lies tell mostly the truth. One modern lie that uses this tactic so effectively is to take something that is black and white and claim it is a spectrum. You are either a man or a woman. There is no spectrum between these two options.

The flipside of this lie is also true, that is, taking something that is a spectrum and turning it into a binary. Republicans are good and Democrats are evil. Democrats are good and Republicans are evil. These statements are false even by our own ideals (that voting records and stances on issues are the most important factor) and yet seeing a certain letter next to someone’s name inevitably taints our view of him.

Satan would use the same lie on today’s text. He would have you believe that anxiety is a spectrum, that is, it is alright to be anxious for the right reasons. It is not a sin to be anxious is you have a diagnosis. Worrying is part of adult life.

Satan would also apply this lie to mammon. He would have you believe that seeking excessive wealth is certainly a sin but in order to get by in this life, you must focus on beating the next guy. ‘He who dies with the most toys wins.’ What’s more, Satan uses this lie on Christians with greater deception. He says that since children are a gift from God, their happiness is more important than regular attendance at church. He would have you believe that your brother’s name on a membership role is more important than his attendance at the Divine Service.

Christ is calling us to recognize mammon for what it is. Mammon is a gift of God. It is something you have been given to use. All types of mammon have been given to you to use to the glory of God and the benefit of your neighbor.

There is a medieval distinction between that which is to be used and that which is to be enjoyed. All things in creation have been given to man to be used. Only God is to be enjoyed. Certainly, you can find pleasure in the sound of the songbirds or the beauty of the lilies, but the idea is that you do not enjoy them for their own sake. You may find enjoyment in bird, lilies, fine food or drink only because these have been given to you from God. You find enjoyment in the Giver. You use the gift to find enjoyment in God.

It is so easy for us to place our fulfillment, our joy, our love on things of this world. Mammon includes money, possessions, reputation, and even relationships. Why set your heart on temporal things when they are so fleeting and trivial? The most difficult aspect of love is calling your beloved to repentance. But you endure this frightful difficulty for her sake. By calling her to repentance, you are drawing her into eternity. You are serving her eternal soul that you might enjoy the bliss of heaven together, forever. A little temporal suffering is worth an eternity of bliss.

Our Lord clearly defines what is at stake. He says that the heathen seeks after temporal gain.[1] He is saying that to set your heart on temporal things is the same as rejecting your Savior. One who places his fear, love, or trust in anything but God is committing idolatry and is in danger of hellfire. The heathen naturally concerns himself with temporal things because he knows nothing else. We Christians have the promise of eternal glory. We have the promise of eternal life with Christ. We have the promise of a heavenly mansion prepared for us by the Son of God, and any promise given by God is as certain as though it were already in your hand.

Why then do we worry over trifling things? We worry because of sin. We worry because our faith is frail and fragile. We worry because we refuse to see the promises of God. It is true. You cannot walk out those doors and see a mansion in the sky with your name on it. What you can do is open your bible and see what God has said to you. You can look to the Baptismal font and see that your sins have been washed away. You can look to the altar and see the image of Christ dying for your sins and the reality of His holy Body and precious Blood given to you that your body and soul would be strengthened and preserved unto life everlasting.

What you can do is come to your heavenly Father in prayer and tell Him that you are anxious. You can come to Him and beg that He grant you peace and pardon. Jesus died that you would have rest, not further anxiety. Jesus died that you would have peace with God and with your neighbor, which includes yourself. Jesus died that you would have eternal joy with Him. What God ordains is always good.

In + Jesus’ name. Amen.

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[1] This insight is drawn from Johann Gerhard, Postilla, Volume 2, translated by O. Marc Tangner (Malone, TX: Repristination Press, 2007), 163.