Sermon for Lent 5: "The Son of Man Came to Serve You" (Mark 10:32-45)

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:

[Jesus said:] “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

 

Who here remembers those rubber bracelets from the 1990s? You know those rubber bracelets with those four letters: “WWJD,” which ask, “What would Jesus do?”

 

For a time, I wore one of those rubber bracelets. I thought they were cool. I thought they were hip. I wanted to be just like the crowd. And, whenever I looked down at my wrist, I was always reminded to ask myself, “What would Jesus do?”

 

As inspiring as those “WWJD” rubber bracelets were, there was a flaw. Now, the flaw was not in Jesus, so whatever Jesus would do would always be correct. No, the flaw is in us – you and me.

 

You see, whenever you think to yourself, “What would Jesus do?,” you are likely thinking the things of men; you are likely thinking of yourself. You are thinking from a self-centered point of view. Afterall, how many of us actually searched the Scriptures to find out what Jesus would do? So, of course, Jesus would do whatever you wanted to do. You are putting yourself in the stead of Jesus; you are putting yourself in the stead of almighty God Himself.

 

Just think about the Twelve Apostles. They are prime examples of self-centeredness, even when they were in the presence of God Himself. Earlier in Mark’s Gospel, we find them arguing amongst each other on who is the greatest. Jesus asked them, “‘What were you discussing on the way?’ But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And [Jesus] sat down the Twelve and said to them, ‘If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all’” (Mark 9:33-35).

 

Later on, John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your Name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us” (Mark 9:38). To that, Jesus said to John, “Do not stop him … for the one who is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:39, 40). 

John was curved in upon himself. He thought only those among the Twelve could do awesome things in the Name of Jesus.

 

We have this attitude too. It’s only those who attend the right church that inherit the kingdom of God, right? I’ve heard that all my life. It’s only those LCMS Lutherans. It’s only those Roman Catholics. It’s only those in my denomination.

 

Normally we like to critique Simon Peter, but today it’s James and John’s turn for critique. It’s those sons of Zebedee who are desiring positions of glory in their Lord’s kingdom. They ask Jesus, “Grant us to sit, one at your right and one at your left, in your glory” (Mark 10:37). I can only imagine what the other apostles thought of that question. Peter could have looked over at his brother Andrew and each thought: “Why didn’t we think of that? And, really, this honor should go to us! Jesus called us first!”

 

Like the rest of us sinners, they craved attention and the recognition for their own accomplishments. Like children shoving their siblings out of the way, we want the important people in the world to take notice: “Hey, look at me!”

 

Like the apostles, we get caught up in ourselves. We stop seeing our neighbor as someone to serve and instead look inward and say, “What do I want?” This fractures us. Self-centeredness leads to feuds, divorce, and all other sorts of splinters.

 

So Jesus dismisses the request of James and John. Jesus says to them, “It’s not Mine to grant, but the Father’s. Those positions have already been filled.”

 

Jesus asks James and John: “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” (Mark 10:38) To this, they say: “We are able” (Mark 10:39).

 

It's this request to be Jesus’ right and left hands in His glory by James and John that leads Jesus to say: “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

 

Now, James and John, as well as the rest of the apostles will drink from Christ’s cup. They will suffer for proclaiming Christ crucified for the forgiveness of sins. None of them would have the celebrity life of a televangelist, the fast cars, the luxury houses, the luxury jet; instead, they would be hated and reviled, stoned, stabbed, poisoned and crucified.

 

§  Did you know that you would be mercilessly ridiculed and derided by the fallen world when you were baptized? 

§  Did you know that when you confessed your Christian faith on your Confirmation Day that you said that you would rather die than to fall away from the one true Christian faith? 

§  Did you know that your confession of faith would exclude you from a fallen world of fleshly delight, from sexual immorality to elective abortion?

 

It's not easy when the tide of the fallen world turns against you, when those shouts of “Hosanna!”change to “Crucify Him!” It’s not easy when those around you pit you against “the science” or “tolerance.”

 

We certainly have our own bitter cups to drink from. It’s hard to choke down the dregs of illness and death, disappointment and heartache that can come from this life. It’s hard, but it’s not impossible. Even unbelievers experience suffering in this life, but we have something else. We have the promise.

 

The fallen world has its false gods of tolerance, fairness and being nice and living life to the fullest, but all that leads to is death. All the good deeds in this fallen world cannot keep us alive. All the tolerance and equity in this fallen world cannot forgive sins or take away your guilt. You will still suffer. You will still die.

 

Jesus is different. Jesus is the Lord of Life. Jesus offers up the cup of salvation. Jesus marches to the cross in order to save you, so He can serve you. Jesus enters Jerusalem to be the Suffering Servant who offers up the once-for-all sacrifice for your sins and for the sins of the whole world. God became man to be that sacrifice, for without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

 

God became man for a single purpose: to be “wounded for our transgressions” and be “crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5). Jesus comes in order to “bear the sin of many, and make intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12), because of Him will be laid “the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). This is the purpose of Jesus’ mission. He came to “give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

 

Besides the Suffering Servant of Isaiah, we have the Passover of Exodus 12. In the Passover, the lamb was killed – sacrificed – in the stead of the firstborn of the people of Israel, ensuring that the destroyer would “pass over” the people of God when the lamb’s blood was spread upon the lintel and the doorposts of their homes.

 

As with Christ, in His sacrifice, He endured the smiting and striking by God the Father as His blood was poured out for the multitudes, so that all who trust in Him would be saved from God’s wrath. To this, St. Paul writes, “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7b).

 

So, what would Jesus do? He suffers for you. He dies for you. He does this to save you from bondage. He does this to save you from your self-centeredness. He does this to save you from Satan’s accusations. He does this to save you from this fallen world.

 

Our self-centeredness does not want to deny yourself. Our self-centeredness wants to make yourself your own god.

 

But Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for you and for me wipes that away and causes us to not look inward, but outward, toward God and our neighbor. Jesus’ chief mission, His central issue, was to restore the relationship between God and man. In order to restore this relationship, the dividing wall must be destroyed – and this wall is sin. 

 

Jesus’ focus is the forgiveness of sins. He has come to serve and not to be served. He has come to serve you and He has come to serve me. For this reason, our church services are not called the worship service, but the “Divine Service.” This comes from the German word “Gottesdienst,” which means “service of God.”

This church service is called “Divine Service” because God continues to serve us to this day. He serves us with His Means of Grace – His Word and Sacraments, which give us the forgiveness of sins that Christ won for us upon the cross as our Suffering Servant.

 

So, what would Jesus do? He would suffer. So, we must be prepared to suffer. But He also gives us the fruit from His cup. He has taken away the sin and punishment from you so that the cup you drink at this altar is only His blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins, for your salvation and your eternal life.

 

The Son of Man came to serve. He came to serve you! Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus serves you His Means of Grace so He can sustain you to life everlasting. Amen.

 

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

+ SOLI DEO GLORIA +

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