What is – and What isn’t – Repentance?

 “If you ask God to take you back without [repentance], you are really asking Him to let you go back without going back. It cannot happen.”

Those above words are that of C.S. Lewis from his book Mere Christianity. Here, Lewis is writing what repentance is not. By not repenting of sins, the person is actually saying that he or she does not need Jesus. By living an unrepentant life, this person is saying that he or she is fine with the way things are. This may seem fine and good today, but what about tomorrow?

Satan has a way of fooling all of us. Satan isn’t just a cartoonish figure. He is real and we are living in his kingdom. When things are going well, we often like to just pat ourselves on the back and say, “I’ve done a good job,” instead of saying a prayer of thanksgiving to God. Satan fools us into thinking that “I am personally pro-life, but I think...”, or “I would like to tithe, but I need…”

When Jesus was asked about why there was so much suffering in the world (Luke 13:1-5), He replied saying: “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

During the season of Lent, we hear a lot about repentance, but to be honest, repentance is not just something Christians do during Lent, this is actually the daily life of any Christian. So, what exactly is repentance? Repentance is turning away from sin – all those thoughts, things spoken, and things done against God’s command – to faith in Jesus and His forgiveness. Repentance is not just attending a Sunday church service by going through the motions with the singing, standing, sitting, and praying. Repentance is much more than that. Repentance is actually hearing and reading God’s inerrant Word as revealed in the Holy Bible as Christ’s Words become our words. Repentance is not just an hour on a Sunday morning. Repentance is life.

Now, the repentant life is never easy, especially since our sinful nature, the world, and Satan are constantly trying to deceive us. It is difficult to admit that we are sorry for our sins and surrender our lives to God. No human being enjoys eating humble pie, when we know we are wrong, or have fled astray. We must all remember that God is God and we are not. His ways are not our ways. Although how weird God’s ways may be, His ways are always perfect.

Human reason could never fathom God the Father sending His only begotten Son to suffer and die in our place in order to bring us back to Him. It took Jesus, who is fully God and fully human to atone for all of our sins. Any ordinary human, that is, a sinful human, could never atone for humanity’s sin. Only a sinless human would suffice. This sinless Man would be baptized with a sinners’ baptism, so all sinners could partake in His sacrificial suffering and death, so that through our baptism into Christ, we would receive Christ’s blessings of forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. However, the Christian life does not stop there. The Christian life continues as we live a life of repentance. Satan does not admit defeat at the very moment a Christian is adopted by the triune God at baptism, he tries harder. Satan constantly seeds doubt and fear as he entices us to sin, and often, we fall into his trap. Satan thinks he has us. But we are not doomed as long as we daily repent and return to God. It is through turning away from sin and back to faith in Jesus that we have no doubt about our salvation.

Sermon for the Transfiguration of Our Lord: "A Glimpse of What is to Come"

Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen!

Happy Valentine’s Day to my dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

[Intro]

“And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them” (Mark 9:2).

In just mere minutes, Peter, James, and John saw a glimpse of what is to come. So, what did they see? What did they hear? What did this experience mean for Jesus, for the disciples, and for us?

First, let’s go back six days before this mountaintop experience. Six days earlier, Jesus was with His disciples as they were on their way to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way, Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” (Mark 8:27b) The disciples then responded with what they heard from the crowds about Jesus, saying: “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets” (Mark 8:28).

Jesus then asks them, “But who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29a) Peter immediately answered, “You are the Christ” (Mark 8:29b).

But that day did not end with Peter’s confession. That day continued, as Jesus talks about His going to Jerusalem. He talks about His upcoming suffering and death. He says that after three days, He would rise again. Jesus spoke this plainly. Each disciple understood what Jesus had said to them. But Peter, who just confessed Jesus to be the Christ, the very Messiah, could not fathom His Lord dying. Peter spoke up rebuking Jesus saying things like, “Never, I will never let you die!”

Then Jesus rebuked Peter for setting his mind on the things of man, rather than the things of God. Then Jesus speaks that if anyone would follow Him, they must deny themselves, they must take up a cross and always be ready to lose their life. Here, Jesus is preparing His disciples for what is to come.

[The Mount of Transfiguration]

Fast forward to today’s lesson, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain by themselves. Now, many crucial things in God’s saving plan have taken place on mountains. This mountaintop experience would be no different.

Suddenly, Jesus’ appearance transformed before their eyes. Jesus became dazzling bright and radiant. His face was radiating like the sun. His clothing became intensely white as white as pure light as no one on earth could bleach them. Now, there was no spotlight beaming onto Him; this was pure light coming from Him. Jesus was the source of this light. Jesus’ human appearance was being overpowered by His divine glory.

As Peter, James, and John were astounded by the light radiating from Jesus, there appeared in front of them Elijah and Moses talking with Jesus. Now, Elijah and Moses were also known for their own mountaintop experiences. God spoke to Elijah upon Mount Horeb. God also gave Moses the Ten Commandments upon Mount Sinai. But this mountaintop experience was like no other.

As there was confusion on who Jesus was six days earlier. Upon this mountain, there was no confusion. At this moment, Moses and Elijah – who represent the Law and the Prophets – are bearing witness that Jesus is the Savior of the world, who has come to suffer, die, and rise to restore humanity to God the Father.

As the disciples are overhearing this conversation between Jesus, Elijah and Moses, not knowing what to say, Peter blurts out, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents” (Mark 9:5a).

Sometimes, we are like Peter. We, too, often do not know what to say when it comes to suffering and death. And, frankly, if we had it our way, we would like to skip suffering and death, altogether.

But suffering and death is the way of Jesus. He would come down from that mountain and once again hide His glorious appearance. He would walk through the valley of the shadow of death for all people. He would be falsely tried and unjustly convicted. He would carry His own cross to Golgotha. He would feel the heavy nails piercing His wrists and ankles. He would experience the lifting of the cross into its place in the stone. He would die.

Knowing all that was ahead of Him, Jesus gives a glimpse of His glory. Jesus revealed His glory for His disciples and for us. But why did Jesus do this? This morning, we’ll look at some of those reasons Jesus manifested His divine glory.

[Christ is Our Hope]

First, Jesus knew His time on earth was coming to a close and He knew His departure would cause fear and doubt in the minds of His disciples. Although, Christ’s disciples have seen many miracles and signs, they still lacked faith from time to time, just as we do.

We, like the disciples, tend to worry about what is next. We can get ourselves caught up in being world-weary. After watching any news cast, many of us ask, “Where do we go from here?”

Like us, the disciples were world-weary. Like us, they needed hope. This is why Jesus displayed His real glory on the mountaintop. You see, Jesus knew that His upcoming suffering and death may cause His disciples to lose heart. This is why He displayed His divine glory to give them hope and to remind them that He is in fact still in control. Despite being nailed to the cross, Jesus is still in control. All we have to do is to trust.

So, even in what seems like the worst of times, God is there to turn that bad into good. Through His Transfiguration, He is teaching His disciples that it is only through His suffering and death that He will show is true glory – His resurrection glory!

[Christ Gives Us a Glimpse of Heaven]

Second, Jesus gave His disciples and us a glimpse of heaven. You see, a little glimpse of heaven was displayed upon that mountaintop.

On the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus never introduced Moses and Elijah to Peter, James, and John. And there were not any quality pictures of Moses and Elijah. Yet, these three disciples instinctively knew they were in the presence of Moses and Elijah. How would they recognize Moses and Elijah?

Many of us may wonder if we would, in fact, recognize our loved ones in heaven.

This moment at the Transfiguration proves that we will recognize our loved ones in heaven. This includes even those we have never seen with our own eyes. For anyone who has experienced the death of a child, or you never met a grandparent, you will recognize everyone you see in heaven. This is how Peter, James, and John recognized Moses and Elijah as this glimpse of heaven on earth was revealed to them. You see, when we are in heaven, we will recognize everyone, those we knew in our earthly life and those we never met.

[Christ Leads us to Follow Him]

Third, Jesus gives us a glimpse of our transformation in Christ. You see, by grace through faith in Jesus, we are transformed, even in this life in a fallen world. As Paul says in our epistle lesson, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit”… So, “we renounce disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s Word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 3:18, 4:2).

As God the Father proclaimed from the cloud upon the mountaintop, “This is my beloved Son; listen to Him” (Mark 9:7), we listen to our Savior Jesus as we hear His words of life, forgiveness, and salvation. In this, we are transformed. Due to Jesus and His life-giving cross, we have a striking alteration of our character. Instead of becoming a lover of self, we become a lover of God in Christ. And, we become a lover of our neighbor, too.

So, whatever our vocations in life – male or female; mother, father, or child; in the workplace; or in the Church – we receive a new life in Christ. In this new life, we repent of our sins daily and remember that our identity is that of a child of the heavenly Father, which God proclaimed at your baptism.

[Glimpse of Our Resurrected Bodies]

Today, on this Transfiguration of Our Lord Sunday, Christ prepares us for what is to come. He alone gives us the sure and certain hope in all circumstances.

As we soon will begin the season of Lent, Jesus will leave the mount of Transfiguration and turn His face to Mount Calvary. Even through the darkness of Mount Calvary, His light shines through that darkness and bursts forth on Easter.

Even today, we continue to receive a glimpse of Christ’s glory as He continues to transform us through His Word and Sacrament. Through His Word, we hear His life-giving voice as He leads us in His Law and Gospel. Through His Sacrament, Jesus comes to us transformed in the form of bread and wine to forgive our sins and strengthen our faith.

Lastly, Christ reveals to us a glimpse of our own resurrected bodies. You see, when Christ returns in all glory, everyone in Christ will be transformed to the fullness of our inheritance as He will transform our mortal bodies into a body like His. We will be transformed into immortal bodies. This will all happen “in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:52).

In this blessed moment upon the mount of Transfiguration, we receive a glimpse of the blessings to come that are ours by grace through faith in Jesus Christ! Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

T SOLI DEO GLORIA T

Sermon for Epiphany 5: "For That is Why I Came"

Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen!

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

[Intro]

Simon Peter and those who were looking for Jesus said to Jesus, “‘Everyone is looking for you.” And Jesus said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out’” (Mark 1:37-38).

This has been a busy day for Jesus. In the morning, while He passed alongside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon Peter and Andrew his brother casting a fishing net into the sea. Immediately after Jesus spoke to them: “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men” (Mark 1:17), they followed Jesus.

As Jesus, Peter, and Andrew walked further, Jesus saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee, mending their fishing nets and He called them. Immediately, James and John followed Jesus.

Then, Jesus, Peter, Andrew, James, and John went to Capernaum and Jesus began teaching in the synagogue. Everyone was astonished at His teaching, since He taught with authority and not like any other rabbi or scribe. While at the synagogue, a man possessed by an unclean spirit cried out to Jesus and immediately, the unclean spirit left this man. Immediately, the conversation began to spread all throughout Capernaum about what Jesus did at the synagogue.

Jesus then left the synagogue and visited the home of Peter and Andrew, with James and John. While there, Peter’s mother-in-law was extremely ill with a high fever. Now, at this time, high fevers meant that death was likely near, but Jesus did the unexpected. Instead of protecting Himself from her illness, He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up and the fever left her. She was completely healed, and even to the point that she began to serve her son-in-law’s guests.

That evening, the conversation that began at the synagogue had spread all throughout the city of Capernaum. Soon, the entire city began to gather at the door to see Jesus. One after another, after another gather outside of the door. These people were curious if all the chatter was true. Wouldn’t you be?

Among these people are the ill – those with various diseases and illnesses – and those possessed by demons. They were curious if Jesus could, in fact, heal them.

Now, you may be wondering: “How could an entire city be gathered outside a single house in Capernaum?” Well, although Capernaum was known as a city, it was not a very large city. It is likely the population was around 1,500 people. And, Capernaum was situated along a trade route, so there could have been even some curious outsiders mixed in with the locals.

So, as He did with Peter’s mother-in-law, Jesus does not hesitate to touch the sick and demon possessed as He heals them all. Now, what caused all these people to come to Jesus? And what were they seeking? Were they seeking only a miracle worker, or were they seeking the promised Messiah?

From our text, we do not know for sure. But it is likely that many came not to hear the preaching of Jesus, but in order to be healed by Him. With all the crowds, it was only a matter of time until Jesus could have been anointed the leader, or king, of Capernaum, due to His popularity. Jesus knew this. He knew this quite well.

So, under the cover of the darkness of night, Jesus left early in the morning and went to a desolate place and there He prayed. Eventually Peter and the others found Jesus and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for you.” Jesus replied to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out” (Mark 1:36-37).

During this season of Epiphany, Jesus is revealed to us as the Son of God in many ways. But what is Jesus revealing to us this morning? Yes, we see that He has the divine power to heal and cast out demons. Yes, we see that He preaches and teaches with authority. But what does Jesus mean by His reply to “Everyone is looking for you” when He says, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out”?

[God Does Not Overlook Anyone]

As awesome as it would be for an ordinary man to be crowned king of a city due to his popularity, this is not the reason Jesus came. This is not the reason God took upon Himself our human flesh.

At times, we may think that if God is so great, mighty, and powerful, that He may not notice us. Afterall, how often are we, in the Midwest, noticed by the national media? To many, the Midwest is known simply as “flyover country.” Sometimes, we may feel that we are forgotten. Many during the time of the Prophet Isaiah thought God had forgotten them. To them, God’s promises seemed meaningless. In fact, it was common for many to speak this way: “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God” (Isaiah 40:27).

Even if God’s people lack faith in God’s promises, this does not deter the one true God. Isaiah proclaims: “The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable” (Isaiah 40:28b).

So, even when we are weary and doubt, God is there offering us comfort and assurance. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. And even when we are weak and we may see ourselves as insignificant, God increases our strength as Isaiah writes, “They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31).

This great God does not overlook anyone. This is why everyone who comes to Jesus at Capernaum for healing is healed. Jesus cannot overlook anyone. This is not His nature. He cares for the weary and the weak.

But Jesus knows that He cannot be in Capernaum forever, since this is not the reason He came. So, when Peter and the others say to Jesus, “Everyone is looking for you,” Jesus knows this is not totally true. So far only those in Capernaum are looking for Him, but He did not come as the Savior of only Capernaum. Now, Capernaum matters to Jesus, since He cares deeply for these people, but He came for everyone! He came for the entire world! He came as the Savior for Cana, Nazareth, Samaria, Jerusalem, and to the ends of the earth. Jesus came as the Savior for all people and not just a few.

[Jesus Came to Save All People]

Peter and the others wanted Jesus to focus on the people of Capernaum. Afterall, everything was going well there, and Jesus’ popularity could open doors of opportunities for all of the disciples.

We, too, can often lose our focus. You see, every day, our sinful nature tempts us to lose our focus by turning away from God and His will. We look for refuge in temporal things, such as money and health. We look for knowledge outside of God’s Word, instead of seeking knowledge in His Word, which is true knowledge. We seek out man’s favor, rather than what God commands of us.

So, what does God command of us? He teaches us to learn and apply the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer, so we can regulate our entire life in being in accordance with His Word. We are to devote ourselves with God’s Word daily and carry it in our hearts and on our lips. We are to grow in knowledge as we gladly hear and read God’s Word and apply God’s Word in our lives. We are to fear and love God and love, help, and support all of our neighbors from conception in the mother’s womb all the way to natural death.

Jesus commands us to repent – that is, turn away from sin. In fact, the first words Jesus spoke in His ministry were: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

But sometimes, even when we know this, we may think we know better than God Himself. Like the disciples, many of us get ourselves caught up in popular thought, rather than God’s wisdom for us. When this happens, and we come back to our senses, we repent and receive Christ’s forgiveness.

Thanks be to God that He did not lose His focus. Even though the people of Capernaum did not want Jesus to leave, Jesus knew that His focus was to save the lost. He came to defeat the power of sin, death, and the devil through His suffering and death. He came to save you!

This is why Jesus came. He came to set us free from our bondage to sin and Satan. Again, God cannot and will not ever overlook anyone for everyone is created in His image. You see, Christ’s atoning suffering and death on the cross, as well as His bodily resurrection from the dead has set us free from Satan’s bondage and we receive this all by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

Unlike Peter and the others who were searching for Jesus that morning in Capernaum, we do not have to search hard to find Him. You see, through His Means of Grace – the Word and Sacrament – Jesus is never far away.

Jesus is still preaching repentance, He is still casting out demons, and He is still healing the ill, the weak, and the weary. Christ is here with us. He comes to each of us in a very personal and special way. He comes to us through His Word and Sacrament. He is here to personally hear us confess our sins as He personally forgives each of our sins.

Through His Word, Christ is still preaching and teaching. We hear His voice through Christ’s called and ordained servants as Christ continues to shepherd His flock. Christ’s Words lead us to eternal life in His constant care and away from the wolves who would destroy us.

Christ is still healing. He continues to be the Great Physician. In the temporal realm, Christ uses doctors, nurses, therapists, but when a person is healed, that person is healed because of Jesus. In the eternal realm, Christ brings us healing through the eating and drinking of His very Body and Blood in, with, and under the bread and wine, which forgives our sins and strengthens our faith in Christ to meet the days ahead.

So, what does Christ reveal to us this day? He reveals that He came not just for a chosen few! In fact, He came so that everyone who would repent and trust in Him would be saved! This is why He came! He came to save you! Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

T SOLI DEO GLORIA T