Brent Kuhlman

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Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 11)
19 July 2009

Jeremiah 23:1-6

“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD.  “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them; behold, I am about to attend to you for the evil of your deeds,” declares the LORD. 

And most of Israel yawned.  Bored with God’s Word.  Apathetic to the Word.  Gave her typical:  “Whatever!”   “Who cares?”

After all, there were unfaithful Shepherds in Israel.  I.E. unfaithful pastors in Israel.  They didn’t care.  And so the people learned from them.  Imitated the “holy” men.  What the shepherds did, the people did also.  Living openly and unrepentantly immoral lives.  Holding to false teaching.  Reveling in false worship. Sermons that gave itching ears whatever they wanted to hear.  Sheep neglect.  Sheep abuse.  Scattering the flock with their unfaithfulness.  The few faithful pastors like Jeremiah were ignored.  And the king worked very hard to silence him.  Isaiah was sawn in two pieces.   

God is not pleased.  When He says, “You shall have no other gods,” He means it.  When He speaks He is jealous that His Word be heard and trusted.  He’s deadly serious.  And yet most of Israel and her shepherds loved their idols and foreign alliances more than the Lord Himself.  They just wouldn’t trust the Lord and His Word of Promise to care for them.  To provide for them.   

No wonder Israel was gobbled up by the ferocious Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar.  The prophet Daniel and his three friends were among many of the people taken in exile.  You know Daniel’s three friends by their Babylonian names:  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  Babylonian names.  Given to disgrace them.  And Israel’s king’s name was changed too:  from Mattaniah to Zedekiah.  Zedekiah means:  “The Righteousness of Yahweh.”  That too was a big time Nebuchadnezzar slam on Israel and her God.  After all, what kind of God lets His people be defeated, dishonored, humiliated, and exiled?  What kind of God lets the royal line of kings come to a disgraceful end in a lap dog, puppet renamed Zedekiah? 

All seems to be at an end:  Israel, her entire history, and the Davidic royal line.  And with that what of God’s promise to give Israel a son of David that would reign forever?  What of His promise to Abraham?  To Adam and Eve?  All that appears to be going right down the drain.

For the remnant of believers in Israel this is very hard.  Agonizingly hard.  An extremely bitter pill to swallow.  Doesn’t God care any more?  Has He gone against His promises? 

Learn this brothers and sisters:  that in the midst of your agonizing struggles the Lord teaches you to experience how right, how true, how sweet, how lovely, how mighty, how comforting God’s Word is,” (Luther, “Preface of Wittenberg Edition of Luther’s Writings,” 1539)!  Brothers and sisters:  agonizing struggle is one of the ways God teaches you to pay attention to His Word!

The remnant in Israel and you the remnant of the new Israel, the Church, learn this all your life long.  And so through Jeremiah God speaks a wonderful “Nevertheless!” 

So it’s time to pay attention!  To listen up!  And to trust.  For the idolatry, adultery, and wickedness of Israel will not frustrate the Lord’s will to save sinners.  Here too we learn that sinners cannot save themselves.  Sinners can only make their condition worse.   That’s Israel.  That’s all of us.  And it’s bad.  Not that Israel and we don’t try to save ourselves.  We try everything.  Relying on ourselves, our own will power, other idols, you name it.  Nothing new under the sun here.  And Israel and we are good at it.  But all that ends in death and God’s wrath. 

But the Lord’s cup of tea is raising the dead.  He loves to save sinners.  Nothing will frustrate His plan of salvation for sinners.  He will see to it Himself.  Without Israel’s help.  Without any sinners’ help.

Listen to His magnificent promises in the midst of Israel’s death:  “I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock from all the countries where I have driven them.  I will bring them back to their pasture and they will be fruitful and multiply.” “I will raise up shepherds to tend My people.”

And that’s Jesus!  The Good Shepherd.  Who gives His life on the cross for Israel, for you, for me!  Jesus is the promised Son of David.  He shepherds wisely.  Takes sin in His Body and answers for it all.  Yes, that’s right.  Name the sin.  It’s His.  He insists on it.  And it damns Him.  With the result that you are forgiven.  And to be forgiven is to be saved and dwell securely.   

This is His justice.  This is righteousness.  Jesus is Israel’s righteousness.  He is your righteousness.  Jesus bore all your sin on the cross.  Baptized in His death and life you are covered with His righteousness, perfection, and holiness. 

God the Father uses His Son Jesus to go between us and Himself.  And when Jesus, the One named “The Lord our righteousness,” mediates, God the Father sees you, me and Israel through the lens of His Son’s bloody death. 

“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch.  And He will reign as king and act wisely.”  That’s Calvary!  That’s Good Friday!  Purple robe.  Crown of thorns.  The cross is His throne.  And the sign above His head bears witness:  “Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews.”   

“In His days Judah will be saved.  Israel will dwell securely.”  Indeed.  In Son of David Savior King David.  Jesus is your righteousness.  He died for you.  And now He lords His saving death over you in His Supper.  Bread for His Body.  Wine for His Blood.  The benefits of His last will and testament:  given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.  For you.  He is your Good Shepherd.  You are His sheep. 

In the Name of Jesus.     
 

Click here to listen to an mp3 of this sermon.

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 10)
12 July 2009

St. Mark 6:14-29
Confirmation of Justin Waites, Michael & Rachelle Mathes

Word about Jesus – His ministry of forgiveness, teaching, preaching repentance, healing the sick, casting out demons, making the lame to walk and raising the dead – has been leaking out all over the place.  Word of Jesus has even reached the inner sanctum of the royal Jerusalem palace.  The name of Jesus has become so well known that even the naughty adulterous King Herod hears.

Word on the street is that this Jesus must be like one of the great prophets of old.  Like Elijah perhaps.  But others place their bets that this Jesus is John the Baptist come back from the dead.  Yeah, that’s the spin.  That’s the ticket.  After all, what else could explain the fact that this Jesus could do so many miraculous deeds?  Herod himself believes it.  He keeps repeating to himself:  “John, whom I beheaded, has risen!”   

Now if Jesus is indeed John the Baptist come back from the dead, Herod, Herodius, and Herodius’ lap dancing daughter better get ready for a heavy dose of sermons calling them to some big time repentance. 

Repentance for their sick, twisted, freakish immorality and idolatry.  After all, the king acts like he’s God.  Takes his brother Philip’s wife to be his very own.  Steals her and beds her right out from under his own flesh and blood! 

Repentance for being a drunken show off at his blowout birthday bash by making the ridiculous oath that he’d give his pole dancing niece anything she wanted – up to half of his kingdom.  That idiotic, intoxicated, show off before all your friends and big shots promise cost incarcerated John the Baptist his head.  Then the severed head brought up from the dungeon to be put on a platter for all the party animals to see, to cheer, and then more drinks to chug!  Talk about out-Hollywooding Hollywood!  Out-soaping the soap operas!  Stuff like this is evil.  Very evil.

And the last thing in the world Herod and company want to hear is another sermon from the Baptist calling them all to:  “Repent you brood of vipers!  The kingdom of God is at hand!”  

Jesus, however, isn’t John the Baptist back from the dead, head reattached and vocal chords resurrectedly mended.  Herod is mistaken.

Jesus is Jesus.  The Savior of sinners.  Even sinners who reject Him.  In this Jesus sinners “have redemption through His blood.”  And through His Calvary blood sinners have the forgiveness of sins “according to the riches of His grace.”   Sinners like Justin, Michael and Rachelle.

Word’s leaked out about this Jesus who has come to save sinners right here where we live.  Justin, Michael, and Rachelle are here today to confess this Jesus who died for them.  They are happy to repent, that is to say, they have great joy in Savior Jesus who shed His blood for them:  sick, twisted, curved in on themselves sinners.  They know that they’re no better than Herod, Herodias and all the rest.  We do too.  We’re all rotten, dead in our trespasses sinners.

But Justin, Michael, and Rachelle and all of us here gathered in Jesus’ Name today use Jesus and His Blood against all our sin.  After all, it’s His Blood that is the detergent in our Baptisms to wash us clean and provide us the new birth from above.  There’s no sin too big for Jesus!  No sin for which His Blood didn’t atone!  Consequently, we don’t hold any of our sins outside of Jesus’ forgiveness.  He is the Savior who took them all in His Body.  Yours.  Mine.  An entire world full!  Your sins don’t belong to you any more!

There are worse things in life than being made shorter by a head.  The worst, of course, is unbelief.  Unbelief, purposely holding on to your sin – outside of Jesus’ forgiveness -- buys you a one-way ticket straight to hell. 

John the Baptist preached to Herod and all of us sinners like him so that he and we would repent of our sin and believe in Jesus the Savior.  He endured mockery, prison, and finally a hasty in prison beheading.  Why?  For confessing Jesus.  For confessing Jesus.  The Savior!  For sinners!    

Now today Justin, Michael, and Rachelle are here to confess.  To confess Jesus.  The Savior.  Savior for them.  Savior for you.  To confess what He’s done for them.  Given Himself totally into death – death on the cross – for them.  For their salvation.  For your salvation. 

Listen to what they will confess in just a few minutes.  It’s what you confess too.  Faith only speaks about what it has been given.  Given to by the Lord Himself through His Word. 

The devil, all his works, and all his ways are renounced.  The Holy Trinity is confessed.  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Gives Himself totally for you with His Name put on you in Holy Baptism.  The Father who created you.  The Son who redeemed you.  The Spirit who sanctified you. 

What the Lord’s given to you is certain and sure Justin, Michael, and Rachelle.  Heaven is yours.  “Blessed you in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ,” the Epistle states.  “Chose you in Christ before the creation of the world.”  “Predestined you to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ.” 

Jesus gave His life for you and your salvation.  Who knows what this confession and faith in Jesus will bring to you in this life.  After all, it appears that the world in which we live contains many like Herod and his grudge holding wife that can’t wait to bear their teeth against us.  And then the promise to “continue steadfast in this confession [of Jesus] and His Church and to suffer all, even death” may just stare us in the face. 

Come what may Jesus remains Jesus.  Savior of sinners.  You are redeemed through His Blood.

Happy Confirmation Day Justin, Michael, and Rachelle!

In the Name of Jesus.       
 

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Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 9)
5 July 2009

St. Mark 10:13-16
Baptisms of Jarret, Ty, and Shaynah Mathes

Good thing the disciples aren’t here today.  I mean it.  Good grief!  Unlike our greeters at Trinity they would have bounced Michael and Rachelle right out of here today.  “Why are you here with these children?” they would have asked you.  “Cute kids!  But Jesus is busy.  He’s with the adults.  Doesn’t have time for the kids,” is what the know-it-all disciples would have said to you.  And you would have responded:  “But we’ve brought our children to have Him touch them.  The bless them.  To put His Name on them in Holy Baptism.” 

And that’s when Peter would have stepped up to the plate and taken charge as the Church Door Czar.  Clearing his throat he would have his say:  “Mr. and Mrs. Mathes.  Here, let’s step into my office for just a moment.  Now, let me be clear.  Let there be no mistake.  As the soon to be first ever bishop of Rome I command you:  GET THESE KIDS OUT OF HERE IMMEDIATELY!  I’ll not let you bother the Lord Jesus with children.  Children are verboten here!  More pressing items are on His plate.”

“As you can see Matthew has a 10:30 a.m. appointment to discuss what’s a fair tax to pay the Romans.  Judas Iscariot has the 11:30 to hash out his treasurer’s report from this past month.  The numbers just don’t add up.  Very strange!  Iscariot claims up and down that he has nothing to do with the mathematical discrepancy.  Then I’ll have to make sure that Jesus breaks for lunch.  Perhaps He’ll pull off one of those feeding the five thousand miracles again from a five loaves of bread and two fish.” 

“After that, well, I’ll insist that He take a nap before the 2:00 with James, John and their mother.  That one should be a doozey!  Word has it that Mama Sons of Thunder wants both her boys to be President and Vice President in Jesus’ Kingdom.  Good luck with that!  Then there’s the 3:00 to deal with Thomas’ doubting problem and the 4:00 to take care of Simon the Zealot’s war mongering obsession.  I have the 5:00 to put in my request for a mitre, crosier, hand-woven vestments, and gold ring.” 

“So as you can see – Jesus is exceptionally busy and these children will only get in the way.  Are you willing to listen to my polite rebuke and leave now while you can still walk or shall I have my bouncers Andrew and Philip escort you out with cement shoes?  Know what I mean?”

Well, Jesus overheard.  He’s not too pleased.  In fact, He’s downright livid!  If you ever want to spike the Lord’s blood pressure and get one of His veins to pop, KEEP THE CHILDREN AWAY FROM HIM!  TREAT THE KIDS AS IF THE LORD JESUS DOESN’T CARE ABOUT THEM!  AS IF THE LORD JESUS DIDN’T COME TO DIE FOR JARRET, TY AND SHAYNAH!

The opposite of course is that Jesus came from heaven – took on our flesh – in order to make atonement for all sinners.  For a whole world full!  “God so loved the world that He sent His only-begotten Son.”  “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”  “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting our sins against us.” 

Who would dare to exclude the children from the Lord’s suffering and dying?  Who would have the nerve to prohibit Jarret, Ty, and Shayna from the Lord’s mandate to make disciples by baptizing all nations?  I’ll tell you who!  Stupid, proud, arrogant, adult, know-it-all disciples!

On the other hand there are the words of Jesus:  “Let the children come to Me.”  “Do not, DO NOT I tell you forbid them.”

Why?  “For of such is the kingdom of God.”  In other words:  “I’ve come to be their Savior too!  I’m Savior for all.  Adults.  Senior Citizens.  The babies.  And yes, even the tweens, teens, and riotous college students.  I’ll not be leaving any out of my atoning Good Friday dying.  That includes Jarret, Ty, and Shaynah!  Let the children come to me.  Do not forbid them for of such is the kingdom of God.”

What a Savior!  That He would lord His suffering and dying over deadbeat sinners.  That He would reign among sinners!  Win a salvation for sinners in that Friday afternoon we call “Good!”

Indeed it is GOOD!  Good for you.  Good for even the children.  And so very good that He bestows the benefits of His dying in and through Holy Baptism.   

And like all children Jarret, Ty and Shaynah receive it all as gift.  From the Lord Jesus Himself.  Rejoicing to be given to by Him.  Trusting in what Jesus says, does, and gives.  Ignoring all the adult objections that all this Jesus stuff can’t be for them. 

If you’re one of those adult know-it-all objectors like the disciples in Mark 10, Jesus warns you:  “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”   Receiving the kingdom of God as a little child is spelled:
F-A-I-T-H. 

Jesus put His Name (Matthew 28:19) and all His Good Friday merit and benefits in the water of Holy Baptism today for the three Mathes kids.  Jesus forgave all their sin and gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Saved them through this washing of rebirth and renewal by His Spirit (Titus 3).

And how does faith talk?  Faith says:  “Thanks Jesus.  Gift given.  Gift received.  Amen.” 

Jarret, Ty, and Shaynah:  today in the water of Holy Baptism Jesus took you up in His arms, put His hands on you, and blessed you with the salvation He won for you on the Cross.  Jesus also makes this most certain promise to you:  “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved,” (Mark 16:16).  Saved you are!  Jesus died for you.  And you are baptized in His precious Name.   

We’re all delighted that Mom and Dad brought you to Jesus today to receive His gift.  And that no one, not even Peter, James, John or any of the disciples had their way but that Jesus did! 

Happy Baptism Day Jarret, Ty and Shaynah!

In the Name of Jesus.          
 

Click here to listen to an mp3 of this sermon.

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 8)
21 June 2009

St. Mark 5:21-43

No sleeping, snoring Jesus this week.  No boating this weekend.  He’s on the beach after calming the storm and after healing a demon possessed man who lived in a cemetery.  Lord Jesus.  Lord of the winds and the waves.  Lord over sin, death, and the devil.  No wonder a great crowd is waiting for Him on the shore.  People have been waiting.  Waiting for generations.  For centuries.  For the kingdom of God.  For the Christ.  And here He is – fully awake -- on the seashore.

In Mark’s Gospel people come out of the woodwork.  People you’d never expect.  But word has been leaking out that the Messiah has come.  And so off these hungry-for-the-Gospel-people go looking for Jesus.  Trusting in Jesus.  Giving Him the highest of worship:  faith. 

Today there’s two.  No “little” faith with them like the disciples in the boat last week.  Or total rejection by the Gerasenes just a few verses before this text.     

First up:  Jairus -- the big shot synagogue ruler.  Has a little girl.  Twelve years old.  She is very sick.  Deathbed sick.  Hospice sick.  There’s not much time left.  Down to just hours.  Maybe even minutes.  Where does Jairus look for help?  To whom does he desperately look?

Not to himself.  Jairus is nothing.  But to the Savior who has burst on to the scene!  Jairus gets through the crowd to Jesus.  But the mighty synagogue official comes before Lord Jesus only as a beggar.  Falls down before Jesus’ feet and out spills the beggar’s cry of faith:  “My little girl is at death’s door.  Please, please come.  Lay your hands on her and bless her Jesus so that she can get better and live.”       

They take off.  Off to the house.  “Hurry Jesus!  We don’t have much time!”  Everyone’s on the edge of their seats to see what will happen.  Jesus marches along to save a little girl from the icy grip of death itself.  As they go the throng of humanity presses, squeezes and pushes against the Lord Jesus.

They’re making progress.  Going as fast as they can to the house.  Then all of sudden Lord Jesus hesitates.  No.  Comes full stop!  Someone has touched His coat!  And Jesus perceives that He’s helped someone because His divine healing power flowed from His body.  He won’t budge until He finds out who came to Him in faith.  “Which one of you touched my garments?”  Jesus asks.

Are you kidding Jesus?  Good grief!  There’s a whole mass of humanity pressing up against you!  It’s a scene of human gridlock and yet you ask, “Who touched me?” 

During this delay Jairus is probably getting quite anxious.  Every second counts.  But Jesus delays.  He wants to know.  Someone who believes in Him touched Him. 

And lo and behold it is a woman.  An unclean, outcast from the worshiping community hemorrhaging-for-twelve-years-woman.  Spent all her savings on physicians.  And their health care only made her condition worse.  She’s heard that Messiah has come.  So she dares to come up from behind Him to touch – just touch a piece of His coat.  And she felt it.  The healing.  The hemorrhaging dries up. 

His eyes meet up with hers.  She’s terrified.  She too is reduced to being only a beggar before the Lord.  Falls down before Him.  Confesses what she, an unclean, hemorrhaging woman has done.  “It was me Lord!  I touched you!  I’m sorry.  I was so sick.  The physicians took all my money.  Made my condition worse.  You’re all I have left Jesus.  You’re the only one who can help me!” 

And Lord Jesus, in this mass of humanity, is there entirely for her.  Yes, that’s right, there just for her – this poor, poor woman.  He absorbs her uncleanness.  Takes it in His body in order to take it to Calvary and die for it.  And in exchange she is cleansed.  Restored.  Redeemed.  She is not just a woman.  Now she is a:  DAUGHTER!  She belongs.  She’s a part of God’s family.

Jesus praises her faith.  Her faith in Jesus.  “Daughter, your faith has made you well.  Go in peace and be healed of your sickness.”          

But this delay has cost Jairus dearly.  While Jesus was having this divine service on the road, messengers arrive to tell Jairus that his daughter has died.  “No need to bother with this Jesus anymore Master Jairus,” they say.  “He’s of no use now!” 

Jesus overhears this conversation.  He steps up to the plate.  “Do not be so afraid any more.  I’m here.  Only believe!”   An outstanding promise from the One who is the Resurrection and the Life.  “Do not fear.  Only believe.”   

So off they go again to the house.  Jesus lets Peter, James and John go along.  Once they get to the house the commotion and lamentation is in full swing.  In those days mourners were even hired. 

Jesus acts like nothing is wrong.  And really with Him nothing is ever wrong.  “Why all the weeping and wailing?  The child isn’t dead.  She’s only sleeping!”  And their crying turns into hilarious laughter.  The only time in the New Testament that Jesus evokes laughter.  It’s a mocking laughter.  “What an idiot!  What a maroon!  Of course she’s dead!  Who is this fool Jairus?”  And the world still laughs at this Jesus who treats death like a sleep.

Jesus leaves the mockers outside and goes in to the little girl’s bedroom.  Takes Dad, Mom, Peter, James, and John with Him.  Grabs her hand. He’s there entirely for her.  “Talitha kum! (Little girl, it’s time to get up now!)” 

And His words do what they say.  They give what they say.  The twelve year old daughter “immediately” gets up and walks around the room.

The woman was hemorrhaging to death.  Jairus’ daughter died.  But Jesus was there entirely for them.  Two daughters.  One healed.  One raised from the dead.  Both given even more:  salvation. 

Today you’ve come out of the woodwork.  Expecting good gifts from Lord Jesus.  You have His promise too:  “Do not be afraid.  Only believe.  Believe that I’ve raised you from the dead in Baptism to live a new life of faith in Me.”  Yes, indeed.  Jesus is here entirely for you.  With all the power of His dying for you.  His Body.  His Blood.  For you for you to eat for pardon from all your sin.  That’s His promise.  Once you were dead.  But now you are alive.  And then more to come.  Resurrection and eternal life on the Last Day.  "I’m here entirely for you too.  Do not be afraid.  Only believe."

In the Name of Jesus. 
 

Click here to listen to an mp3 of this sermon.

Third Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 7)
21 June 2009

St. Mark 4:35-41

Jesus is asleep.  Sleeping soundly.  That’s just fine until disaster strikes.  All of a sudden a massive sea storm hits.  It rages out of control.  And Jesus just goes on snoozing.  Even as the boat’s filling with water and going under.  The fishermen and boating disciples are squared up to the possibility of experiencing a tragic death by drowning at sea.  What any maritime sailor or fisherman fears the most.  And where’s Jesus?  At the stern sacked out on a soft cushion.  What a time to be sawing logs!  What a time for Jesus to be taking a nap!

Didn’t have life jackets in those days.  No cell phones or ham radios to issue an S.O.S.  No coast guard or boat patrols.  The boat is no match for the waves.  The sea faring disciples are no match for the furious tempest.  They can’t bail fast enough. All they’ve got is a snoring Jesus!  That’s right, a sleeping, snoring, completely at peace Jesus!  The storm doesn’t bother Him a bit!   

Can they trust a sleeping at the stern Jesus in the midst of such a deadly storm?  How about you? 

The disciples have their doubts.  The stormy sea seems greater than Jesus.  “Good grief Jesus!  Don’t you care that we’re drowning?  Peter, take him by the shoulders and shake Him!  Wake up Jesus!  Wake up!”      

What is it in your life that appears bigger than Jesus?  Something that you believe Jesus can’t handle?  Especially a slumbering Jesus?  What sin or sins?  Is it death?  Is it Satan?  Hell?  An illness?  Family or work problems?  What dangers?  Too big for Jesus are they? 

Faith is little when the object of faith – Jesus -- grows little!

And so as the storm rages the disciples struggle to trust a sleeping on the stern cushion Jesus.  Little faith – little Jesus. 

What’s the storm or storms in your life that block or hinder you from trusting Jesus who goes into the deep sleep of death on the cross?  “Don’t you care Jesus?  Are you sleeping on the job?  Wake up!  Wake up!”   

He does care.  Very much.  He entered our world because He cares.  Took on our flesh and blood because He cares.  Preached the good news of God’s kingdom, healed the sick, cast out demons, and absolved sinners because He cares.  He goes to the cross to die -- all because He cares so deeply!

And so Jesus asks the disciples and us today:  “Why are you so afraid?  How is it that you have no faith?” 

So Jesus gives the disciples, you, and me a bigger dose of Himself.  He wakes up.  Stands up in the boat.  Rebukes the wind and commands the sea to:  “Hush up!  Be still!”   His words do what they say.  No winds.  No waves.  Perfectly calm.  Saved from certain death by drowning by the words from His mouth. 

The disciples and we are nothing.  Jesus is everything!  Who are we compared to Jesus?  Even an asleep at the stern Jesus?  Nothing!  Job learned this lesson too after suffering misfortune and tremendous tragedy in his life.  

“Who is this Jesus then?” the disciples ask each other.  “That even the wind and the sea obey him?” 

Jesus is the One who laid the foundation of the earth.  He set the boundaries for the oceans.  Jesus is the Lord of all – Lord of everything He’s created.  We are not. 

“So why were you so afraid?” Jesus asks.  “Why let wind and waves terrify you when I’m with you?  Do you still have no faith?” 

That is a huge question from the Lord Jesus!  Why are we so afraid?  What do we trust more than Jesus?  Who do we trust more than Jesus?  Especially when our lives are thrown into chaotic disorder? 

What’s the answer?  What’s the honest answer?  It’s because we struggle to believe.  We’d rather not trust Jesus above all things.  We’d rather not love Him with all our heart.  We are bound and determined to reserve control of things and situations for ourselves.  Use this gimmick or that idol to ensure and create our own wellbeing and eternal welfare.  Or to put it this way:  we reserve the right to keep two hands on the rudder because sometimes Jesus is asleep at the stern. 

For this Jesus would lead us to repentance and faith.  The good news is that we are not in control.  Jesus is. 

He is with us in His little boat the holy Christian Church.  Sometimes she appears to be going under as she encounters all sorts of worldly temptations and demonic attacks.  But Jesus remains the captain of His ship.  You’re safe and sound with Him.  He went into the deep sleep of death for you on the cross. 

And in what looked like utter and complete weakness Jesus revealed His power.  For now you are covered in His sin cleansing Blood.  He speaks His holy and saving Name on you in Baptism.  Breathed His own life giving breath into you through the Word of Absolution.  He speaks and gives you His Body and His Blood as the medicine of immortality.  He bespeaks you righteous with His Word of forgiveness.   

“Who is this Jesus that even the winds and the waves obey Him?”  He is the Savior.  Calmly leading you to heaven through every storm and every disaster.  Gently guiding you to trust only in Him even when everything appears to be going under.  Even when it appears that He doesn’t care.

He does.  He took all your fears, your deepest dreads, everything that troubles you, terrifies you, keeps you up at night, causes you to panic in His Body on the cross.  Absorbed it all into His death.  Nailed it all to the tree.  Buried them in His tomb.  And now with His words of “I died for you; you are forgiven; heaven is yours,” everything is calm, ordered, and in peace.

In the Name of Jesus.