Sermon for 25 December 2012, The Nativity of Our Lord

The Rev. Paul J Cain

John 1:1-14 (15-18)

Light of Day

The Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Day, 25 December 2012

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sheridan, Wyoming

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Angels, shepherds, and a miraculous birth. The whole heavenly host sang of He who was born Savior of the world. How would things look in the light of day?

If anything, Jesus shines brighter. As our hymn of the day says, “The Light Eternal breaking through, Made the world to gleam anew; His beams have pierced the core of night, He makes us children of the light. Alleluia!” (LSB 382:4)

Some gifts given yesterday and today will be forgotten tomorrow. One Christmas gift, Jesus, the original Christmas gift, endures. He is the gift that keeps on giving. St. John does not give us an account of angels, shepherds, or the specific events surrounding the first Christmas Day. He does tell us Who Jesus is and what He means to all of us in the light of heavenly day.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Darkness is the absence of light. Light is something. Science tells us that it is both particles and waves. Common sense tells us that light in darkness is comforting. God said, “Let there be light!” and there was light. Jesus’ Christmas birth renews the world. And John the Baptist prepared the way for Him.

⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. ⁸ He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

Jesus Christ is the light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome. His light spread from Bethlehem and Jerusalem and all Judea to Samaria and to the ends of the earth.

⁹ The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹ He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. ¹² But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, ¹³ who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

We celebrate new life, new birth, and new creation this Christmas as our congregation celebrates a Christmas Day baptism today and six other baptisms yesterday afternoon. God the Father has no grandchildren—only children. And you are a dear child of God.

¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. ¹⁵ (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) ¹⁶ For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

It is a privilege and special blessing to celebrate Jesus’ birth with both of His sacraments. He dwells with us according to His own promises. Again, we receive grace and truth from the Lord’s fullness, grace upon grace, even the grace and truth that came and still comes only through Jesus Christ. He has made Himself known to us. Thanks be to God!

LSB 382:5: The very Son of God sublime Entered into earthly time To lead us from this world of cares To heaven’s courts as blessed heirs. Alleluia! Alleluia! We praise You, Jesus, at Your Birth!

Merry Christmas! Amen.

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Sermon for 24 December 2012, The Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Eve

The Rev. Paul J Cain

Luke 2:19 et al

Treasure to Ponder

The Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Eve, 24 December 2012

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sheridan, Wyoming

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

We are distracted this Christmas. It could be said that people are always distracted at Christmas about their own business, but this year, events in Connecticut weigh heavily on our hearts and minds whether we’ll admit it or not.

Tonight, Luke 2:19 is a verse that resonates with parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and others with love and care for children: But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

So, what was Mary pondering?

Most recently, shepherds showed up at their makeshift nursery in a cave used as a stable because there no room in the main hotel. The shepherds told Mary and Joseph what the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:9-12). This is what Mary treasured up and pondered in her heart.

All that the shepherds shared fit with what the angel Gabriel told Mary herself: “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God…” This is Mary’s treasure to ponder.

Mary also pondered what an angel told Joseph: “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

Mary confesses that she was in need of a Savior. She has been told that her own Son is that Savior. How would the Lord’s salvation be accomplished? Everyone knew that there was no forgiveness of sins without the shedding of blood.

This is what Mary was pondering that first Christmas. She knows how we feel.

Did Mary know everything that her Son would have to suffer through? Probably not. Yet, she was told more / a mere forty days later: Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all people,  a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.

This Simeon, this prophet of peace, had another word of the Lord for Mary and Joseph about Jesus: And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:25-35).

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. Yet, how do you treasure up such difficult things? A mere forty days after she gave birth to Jesus Simeon prophesied that a sword would one day pierce through Mary’s own soul.

Skip ahead a little more. Jesus may be as old as two. Wise men come to Jerusalem and they ask King Herod for permission to see the one born to be King of the Jews. They were seeking Jesus. King Herod felt threatened.

The prophet Micah wrote about Bethlehem, and so we sing our hymns of joy because of He who was born in that little town. Micah also prophesies of Bethlehem Ephrathah, because of the horrors of what would happen “in Bethlehem and in all that region” when King Herod tried to kill the King of Kings.

Matthew tells the tragic history: Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Rachel, wife of Jacob, also known as Israel, weeps for her children. Scripture tells us she is buried not far from Bethlehem. She reminds us all how much we need the peace of God. As matriarch of Israel, she weeps with a nation in mourning. At the very least, we have someone who knows how we feel this Christmas.

Mary did not know such events would follow the birth of her firstborn Son. Who could treasure such difficult things? Even we would rather not ponder them.

Jesus’ Father knew what was in store for His Son.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil (John 3:16-19).

How different are we as human beings. When we know we have a difficult day ahead, we only reluctantly get out of bed. On the night in which He was betrayed, Jesus prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). This is why Jesus teaches His Christians to pray, “Thy will be done…” and not “my will be done.”

Jesus knew the difficult task before Him and went through it anyway. This is a message to treasure, good news to ponder in your hearts and minds. Jesus’ innocent suffering and death and Resurrection means that He fulfills His Name, for He saves His people from their sins.

The birth of the Savior of our fallen race took place in royal David’s city, the little town of Bethlehem on a silent night. Angels from on high told of the Father’s love begotten, a new rose blooming from the line of Jesse, the Christ child laid in a manger by His mother, Mary. Therefore, come, all ye faithful, sing this Christmas night and every day henceforth of a beauteous heavenly light, Jesus, that breaks forth into our darkened world.

Ours is a message to treasure and celebrate, good news of salvation to ponder in your hearts and minds, reconciliation to share. Jesus knew the difficult task before Him and went through it anyway. For you. And that is the true meaning of Christmas. Jesus is our Treasure to Ponder. Amen.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Sermon for 23 December 2012, Fourth Sunday in Advent

The Rev. Paul J Cain

Micah 5:2-5a

Peace, Peace

Fourth Sunday in Advent C, 23 December 2012

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sheridan, Wyoming

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

About the Cover: Little Bethlehem was a humble town whose name means “the house of bread.” There, [Jesus,] the Bread of Life would be born. [The town was] So like Him—humble and unpretentious. Who would even guess that such a village would have the honor of welcoming the King of kings at His birth among us? [Jesus] (He) continues His unpretentious ways today, coming to us still in humble words, water, bread, and wine. [Humble, yes, yet still a royal, hence the blue for Advent. Jesus brings you peace the world cannot give.]

Today, the sermon text is the Old Testament reading for the Fourth Sunday in Advent, five verses from chapter five of the book of the prophet Micah.

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Bethlehem, “house of bread,” is a Hebrew word, and so is “Ephrathah,” a specific term for the specific surrounding area of the suburbs of Bethlehem, the “greater metropolitan region” around Bethlehem. Other than being a name for a few people, the word is only used here and Ruth chapter four.

St. Matthew, in his second chapter, quotes this verse as “And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah…” Matthew shows there is something more going on later in that chapter(16-18) as he writes:

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation,        Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Micah wrote about Bethlehem, and so we sing our hymns of joy because of He who was born in that little town. Micah also prophesies of Bethlehem Ephrathah, because of the horrors of what would happen “in Bethlehem and in all that region” when King Herod tried to kill the King of Kings. We will meditate more on that tomorrow evening. Even today, Rachel, wife of Jacob, also known as Israel, weeps for her children. She reminds us all how much we need the peace of God.

Martin Luther takes the time to focus on the latter part of this first portion of our text, where Micah predicts: “from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”

About the timing of all of this Dr. Luther writes: “He does not come forth first from Bethlehem [right] after the Babylonian captivity but came forth a long time ago already. This is just the way John [the Evangelist] describes the divinity of Christ (John 1:1): ‘In the beginning was the Word.’ In his song, Ps. 90:2, Moses sings: ‘From everlasting to everlasting Thou art God.’ There Moses used the same expression that Micah uses here, that is: ‘You did not begin with the world, but, when the world began to be, You already were.’ Christ also says about Himself: ‘Before Abraham was, I am’ (John 8:58)” (AE 18:248).^[1] End quote.

There’s another issue of timing in the text. Between the time of the Prophet Micah and the fulfillment of this next prophecy, the people would suffer at the hands of their enemies.

Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.

The phrase “give them up” means what you think it does. When the good guys come to arrest the bad guys, they call out, “Come out with your hands up. Give it up.” God’s ancient people would be conquered for cause—unfaithfulness to the Lord.

Micah writes during the time the northern kingdom of Israel was defeated by Assyria, just over 700 years before the first Christmas. Less than 600 years before the first Christmas, the city of Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians, and Judah, including Bethlehem, was defeated. The people were taken into captivity. They were allowed to return seventy years later, but were henceforth under the thumb of foreign rulers, including the Greeks and the Romans in between the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Even the chief priests and scribes of bad King Herod’s day knew where THE King of the Jews was to be born, little Bethlehem, Ephratha, and that there would be political ramifications for whoever thought he was king at the time. That’s why Herod felt so threatened by a baby boy.

Until the time. That’s what we’re waiting for, “when the fullness of time had come,” according to Galatians 4, or as our text says, “until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.”

We know that the virgin Mary is the mother in labor. We know that the first Christmas is the day. We know that Jesus is the birthday boy. Who are “the rest of his brothers”?

First, his brothers are those of His own people, the Jews. Many believed in Him during His earthly ministry and were the first apostles and Christians. Some of the Lord’s ancient people rejected Him in ancient times, all the way back to the very beginning of history. Some rejected Jesus’ claims in during Jesus’ earthly ministry. Many Jews still reject Jesus as Messiah and the Son of God even today. Some don’t, thanks be to God!

Second, “his brothers” are those whom He calls brothers, when He teaches all Gentile and Jewish believers in Him to pray, “Our Father who art in Heaven.” Yes, ladies, Jesus even calls you His brother. All who pray “Our Father” as Jesus taught are included.

Third and finally, “his brothers” are potentially the entire human race. St. Matthew begins his Gospel account in this way: The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham (Mt. 1:1) At the end of Luke 3, St. Luke concludes his genealogy of Jesus by tracing Him back to the very beginning: ³⁸ the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God (Luke 3:38). Christmas is to be good news of great joy for all people.

Jesus, the Prince of Peace, has roles to fulfill according to the prophet Micah:

And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace.

He shall be your peace. How? He is your shepherd, your Good Shepherd. And that word transcends languages and cultures, continents and centuries to be a word familiar to all of us, pastor. The word “p a s t o r” means shepherd in Latin, German, and even in English. Jesus will stand and shepherd you. He will pastor you through me, through your Called and Ordained servant of the Word.

Jesus will continue to shepherd you through good days and bad, war and peace, prosperity and adversity, even sickness and health, and He will do so in the strength of the Lord for He is the Lord. He will shepherd you in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God for He is the Lord God and has the Name that is above every name in heaven and on earth and under the earth. And you—even you—shall dwell secure. And He is Great to the ends of the earth. The sun never goes down on the holy Christian Church. He has His Christians around the world and one day, peoples of every tribe, nation, and language will gather around His throne to praise Him. That is heavenly peace. In the meantime, Jesus is your peace now and always. Amen.

The peace of God, which [sur]passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

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^[1] Engelbrecht, E. A. (2009). The Lutheran Study Bible (1492). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.

Sermon for 16 December 2012, Third Sunday in Advent

The Rev. Paul J Cain, Jr.

Luke 7:18-28 (29-35)

The One

Third Sunday in Advent, 16 December 2012

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sheridan, Wyoming

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

LCMS First Vice President Mueller writes: “We live in a world in which Satan thrashes about, seeking to destroy God’s good creation. He’s an enemy defeated, for Christ is Lord! But he still tries to take people down with him. Pray that the love of Christ for the world, the comfort of the Gospel and the sure promise of resurrection in Christ will prevail, also here. He is the one who tells us, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last and the Living One. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and Hell.’ (Revelation 1:17-18). All is in His hand.”

About the Cover: Jesus wasn’t acting like the Judge whom John had foretold. John sends some disciples to sort out the puzzle: “Are You the one who is to come?” Jesus lets Isaiah’s prophecy provide the answer as they witness what they saw and heard: healing and restoration, the dead raised, good news preached to the poor. John would need their witness before the end—what comfort to go into death knowing Jesus raises the dead!

‘‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’ How does Jesus answer this question? If He were as judgmental as many in this world are, He could have said, “What do you mean you don’t believe in me? Get out of my sight!” But no, our Lord has compassion upon those who are weak in faith so that their faith will be strengthened. As Isaiah 42:3 says, “a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.”

Jesus does not answer with words first, but with deeds. He heals and preaches and then says, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

This is how Jesus handles weak faith. Lack of faith is another thing entirely. Some have said that a preacher’s work is to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. That’s true as long as the Law and the Gospel from the Holy Scriptures are rightly distinguished and used for those important tasks. The Law of God is preached to those who are comfortable in their unfaith, sin, or lack of compassion and good works. The Holy Gospel is proclaimed to all who burdened by their sins, and flee for refuge to the Lord’s infinite mercy.

Those with weak faith are in danger of falling away from faith completely. In our day, many people have been raised in Christian homes. They have been taught that Jesus is The One to come, yet they search for another. You have seen it happen.

Work is good and salutary. But when providing for one’s family means a work schedule where one hardly sees that family? Is it really worth it? What about when work conflicts with weekly opportunities to hear the Word of the Lord, receive His gifts, and offer Him our offerings and sacrifice of praise? How can we as adults model this so that our young people can say, “I’m sorry, but I can’t work Sunday mornings.”

Sports and physical activity are good ways to train and discipline the body, as well as support your community. How many times do we just sit there and watch instead of engaging in physical activity ourselves? How many times do we forget that a game is just a game? When sporting events conflict with Divine Service, how many times does a ball become a Baal, an idol, a false god?

Name the person, place, or thing, and under the right circumstances, it can become a false god to someone, replacing the one, true God. ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’ Many were taught that Jesus is The One, but now look for someone or something else.

In the Large Catechism, Luther writes, “You shall have no other gods. What this means: You shall have Me alone as your God. What is the meaning of this and how is it to be understood? What does it mean to have a god? Or, what is God? Answer: A god means that from which we are to expect all good and in which we are to take refuge in all distress. So, to have a God is nothing other than trusting and believing Him with the heart. I have often said that the confidence and faith of the heart alone make both God and an idol. If your faith and trust is right, then your god is also true. On the other hand, if your trust is false and wrong, then you do not have the true God. For these two belong together, faith and God (Hebrews 11:6). Now, I say that whatever you set your heart on and put your trust in is truly your god.”

Do you believe that Jesus is The One who is to come, or will you look for another?

²⁴ When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ²⁵ What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. ²⁶ What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ²⁷ This is he of whom it is written, “ ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’

The book of the prophet Malachi (3:1) is the source of this prophecy. John prepared the way for the Lord Jesus. What did the people go out to see? A prophet and more than a prophet. This has much to teach us about how to choose a church.

Look for good, faithful, Biblical preaching and teaching. Does the pastor use a lectionary, a system of readings? That can help prevent preachers from coming up with their own agendas. John prepared the Lord’s way by preaching the Word of God. Look for a pastor who takes his ordination vows seriously, and teaches in accord with the Lutheran confessions—not just what people tell him to say.

Any compromise of what God’s Word says is a reason to flee. On numerous occasions the confirmands have been taught to avoid false teachers: (Say it with me.) “Run. Away. As fast as you can. And never go back.”

Christians are not to choose a congregation based upon the personality of the pastor, the way he or the people dress, how friendly the congregation is, the style of music, the programs the church offers, a convenient location, the amount of parking, how good the coffee is, or what time the service is. We are to look for God’s truth and a faithful servant of the Word. To be sure, people may be turned off by a great number of things, so we must take care not to offend someone in an unnecessary way. We must always preach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help us God.

John preached and administered a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus commends a hopeful, humble, repentant faith. He calls to repentance those like the Pharisees. The Pharisees rejected a baptism of repentance because they wrongly thought they had no sins to repent of. They went through the motions of piety without faith. It is the lack of faith that condemns.

³¹ “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, [Jesus continued,] and what are they like? ³² They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, “ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’

Much of so-called “Contemporary Worship” is similarly childlike, with religious songs where the emotion that the music creates in the “audience” is, in practice, more important than what the words say. This is psychological manipulation at best, and unfaithfulness in the worst cases. People are subtly taught by their experience that emotion equals being spiritual, and being spiritual means you have to have an emotional response. If you don’t have an emotional response, they begin to believe, then they doubt if God can really be present.

We hold to God’s promises. We know that God is present where He has promised to be, even if we don’t feel it. Our emotions can lead us astray. God’s promises will not. He promises to be with us where two or three are gathered in His name. We don’t need to worry about any other numbers other than loving concern for those who neglect to receive the Lord’s Gifts on the Lord’s Day in the Lord’s House. God has promised to deliver the forgiveness Jesus won on the cross in Holy Baptism, Holy Absolution, and Holy Communion. He has given us the sacraments so that we would be forgiven.

If God said, “People of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Hear me! When you eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, I will forgive your sins,” wouldn’t you run right out and eat that peanut butter and jelly sandwich? That some would argue about what kind of bread, crunchy or smooth peanut butter, and what fruit the jelly is made out of is missing the point.

To put it another way, some may say, “I already know my sins are forgiven ‘cause I asked for that in the Lord’s Prayer. Why do I need baptism or communion?” Remember grandma’s Christmas tree? Rejecting Holy Baptism and Holy Communion after being absolved of your sins is like saying, “Grandma, thanks for the underwear. But I don’t need those other gifts from you that are still under the tree.” Does that make sense to anyone of any age? God has good Gifts for you in Christ Jesus. It is to your benefit to receive them by faith. It is only to your detriment to reject them—that’s unfaith.

The people didn’t want to follow John or Jesus. They wanted to do whatever made them feel good. They didn’t want to follow John’s rules and they didn’t like it when Jesus freely associated with sinners in order to bring them to repentance and faith. People then were scandalized and offended by Jesus. It’s no different today. The clothing, food, and government have changed, but not the darkness of human hearts apart from faith in Christ.

CPR [Modified] An article in the September 5, 2005 issue of Newsweek magazine, entitled, “Spirituality in America,” reported that over one thousand Americans were asked the following question: “Can a good person who doesn’t share your religious beliefs attain salvation or go to heaven? Approximately 79 percent of the respondents answered yes [, showing how little they knew the Christian Scriptures]. One has to wonder how many of them are scandalized or offended by Jesus when He speaks so clearly in John’s Gospel: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (14;6). It should be noted that the margin of error for the Newsweek poll is 4 percent, give or take. Unfortunately, there is no margin of error when it comes to eternity and faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’ Jesus does not answer with words first, but with deeds. He heals and preaches and then says, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. ²³ And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

We know Jesus to be The One. Blessed are you who are not offended by Him. Amen.

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