- Feb 2, 2025
- 5 min read
[Hebrews 2:14-18] Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Like His Brothers in Every Way
“He’s a man like us.” “Down to earth.” Men and women running for political office – by how they dress or their choice of words – go to lengths to appear as “regular folk”, someone like me. Or, in a helpful way, your heart surgeon might try to be “down to earth” when talking to you.
We like to believe that those in whom we put great trust are able to sympathize with us – that they know and care about what it’s like to be one of us. Yet, importantly, they are also unlike us in some ways – like, they know how to perform the surgery or are skilled in administration, etc.
This sympathy is a powerful thing. Mom and dad’s sympathy already makes the skinned knee start to feel better. Sympathy in a time of grief from those who have also suffered loss and have survived it is a powerful help. And sympathy in the aftermath of tragedy, like the recent plane and helicopter crash, is a needed comfort.
It is simply helpful to know that someone else has felt what we feel, yet they are on their feet, standing with their head up. That lifts my head up.
Our second reading from Holy Scripture this morning was from Hebrews chapter two. Here we learn that our God and Lord is a great sympathizer. That He has become like one of us, truly. The Lord, the Son of God the Father, was “made like His brothers in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest.”
From highest to lowest – from pauper to president – you and I are flesh and blood. Beset with limitations. Weaknesses and frailty. Even in perfection, at our best, we are not God but are limited beings.
And, we do not live in perfection or at our best but in a fallen condition. “In Adam – that man from whom we all come – all die” [1 Corinthians 15:22]. “Just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned…” [Romans 5:12]
In our individual flesh and blood, and in the whole world, death reigns. We share a common, sin-fallen condition. It comes from our ancestors, in our flesh – we come from them – and is passed to our children from us. Death reigns, and sin and failure and mistakes are present – in this common, fallen human condition – and the fear of death enslaves [Hebrews 2:15].
We are, at the same time, victims of grief and tragedy that befall us and culprits of wrong-doing and wrong-being that comes from us. These are connected – as symptoms of the same malady that affects us all.
Because of sin and death, we by nature live under grief. And, we, by nature, live under the Law. Pressed under the thumb of divine laws broken which therefore slay us with guilt, pierce us, condemn us.
What we need, and what we have, in Jesus, is a King and Ruler, a Great Physician and skilled Healer – a God and a Lord – who has become like one of us, in every way, and sympathizes.
God lives in relation to Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, One God – and God is, by nature, untouched by all other things. God is, by nature, unaffected by everything. He is the Almighty, the Untouchable, the Unapproachable Light.
But God became flesh and blood. In Jesus, God the Son became brother to us, sharing in the same flesh and blood we have. Taking upon Himself and experiencing limitation, weakness, fear, frailty, pain, grief. And life beset with tragedies. And life under the requirements of God’s heavy Law.
“When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law” [Galatians 4:4]. Jesus’ mother, under the Law, presented herself and Him at the Temple, offering the required sacrifice [Luke 2:22-24].
He was born surrounded by His mother’s labor pains [Luke 2:23]. He was raised in a family of sin-fallen people, like your family, and experienced the same tempers and arguing around Him that go on in your family.
He had the same emotions as us – joy and sadness – friendship and loneliness. Friends left Him at times. He experienced prejudice based on where His family lived – “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” And saw His countrymen hypocritically angry at the foreign Samaritans.
Jesus suffered the death of loved ones and good friends and wept [John 11:33-36]. And Jesus, though He had no sin, suffered all this as a burdened sinner [2 Corinthians 5:21] – under the burden of our sin: “He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities.” [Isaiah 53:4-5]
God, in His Son, has experienced life as His frail, broken creature – like you. “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things… Like His brothers in every way.”
Yet, importantly, unlike us in that one way: Without sin. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” [Hebrews 4:15]
Griefs in our life – like the death of loved ones – and tragedies like we witnessed in the D.C. plane crash this week certainly cause us to be tempted – it puts our faith through the wringer, through the hard test. “How can things like this happen?”
And my sins – real flesh and blood wrongs – also certainly put my faith through the test: Can it really be that I still have a Savior?
Our God and Lord shared in our flesh and blood to be tempted like us in every way – but without sin – to not only sympathize with us but also to become our priest. Our sympathetic and once-and-for-all High Priest:
“He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” [Hebrews 9:24-26]. One Holy and Perfect offering, offered up by our Priest for us – the offering of Himself for His brothers and sisters.
He became “A merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God” His Father, “to make propitiation – atonement – for the sins of the people. For because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.”
It is our Lord and God, Jesus, eternally God with the Father, who has truly become like one of us, down to earth. Having such a Brother and High Priest as Jesus, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” [Hebrews 4:16]
Now let us depart in peace and serve our neighbor by finding ways to point them to this same Savior that they also have in Jesus Christ. [Luke 2:29]. Amen.
- Jan 26, 2025
- 6 min read
[Titus 1:1-9] Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began 3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; 4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith:
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior…
For the Sake of Faith
For the health of your body, you call upon someone to be your doctor. To make your children into safe and capable drivers, you call upon someone to be their driving instructor. To become an accountant or an engineer, you go to college and call upon someone to be professor.
And, for the sake of saving faith in Christ – that you may be children of God, saved by faith alone – God created the preaching office, the office of teaching and preaching God’s Word. So, a congregation calls for itself a pastor.
Today, on the Church’s calendar, is the feast of St. Titus, Pastor and Confessor. In the New Testament scriptures, we get two main examples of young men serving as pastors – Timothy and Titus. Titus, like Timothy, was a pastor of God’s flock, a confessor of the saving Gospel.
The book called “Titus” in the Bible is a letter, not written by Titus, but written by the Apostle Paul to Titus – “To Titus, my true child in a common faith…” Titus was a young man – a gentile, a non-Israelite – who accompanied Paul and was made a pastor, an under-shepherd of the true Shepherd, Jesus, for God’s people in an area called Crete.
In the New Testament, the terms Elder, Shepherd, and Overseer (bishop) are used interchangeably [Titus 1:5,7] to refer to the same people: Men called to care for and oversee a congregation of God’s people by preaching God’s Word. What we call a pastor.
Titus is, for now, responsible for an entire region in Crete. Paul is writing to Titus from prison in Rome (68 AD). This is during Paul’s second imprisonment for the Gospel just before his martyrdom.
When Paul was hauled away, he appointed Titus to finish his work of finding men to be elders/overseers in the various towns in Crete: “…This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you.” [Titus 1:5]
The appointing of elders/pastors/overseers has a purpose – the same purpose there is for pastors today. The same purpose the Apostle Paul had in his ministry, which he mentions in the introduction of this letter: Saving faith in Christ. That the Word of God may work saving faith into hearts. “…for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth.”
How can a sinner become right with God? How does an unbeliever become a believer? How can our ungodly nature decrees and godliness increase? By the power of God’s Word preached.
But our natural tendency – the tendency of our fallen nature – is to look to ourselves. The job of the preacher is to constantly proclaim the saving work of Jesus to direct your faith to your Savior.
We know that, on our own, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God…” And that “by works of the law no human being will be justified in His sight” – “since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” [Romans 3:10-11,20]
And we know this: that “the righteousness of God” – in a sinner – is “through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe” – “ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith.” [Romans 3:22-25]
Therefore, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” [Romans 10:13]. But, here’s the question: “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” [Romans 10:14-17]
Faith in Jesus comes through hearing. Faith in Jesus comes through hearing about Jesus – hearing of His death and resurrection for sinners. Faith doesn’t come by our own strength or reason. Faith is the work of the Holy Spirit who comes to our hearts in the message of the cross of Jesus about what He has done for you.
So, if you would be saved by faith in Jesus, be a hearer of His Word. Because faith comes by hearing. And hearing comes when there is someone preaching. This is the purpose of the pastoral ministry. Just as we have doctors for the health of our bodies, the Church has preachers and shepherds for the sake of saving faith in Christ.
The “knowledge of the truth” about God’s love in Christ, and “the faith of God’s elect” in that truth, is also the source – the fountain – of all good works and growing-godliness in us. We don’t naturally know how to live the new life Christ has given us. But “the knowledge of the truth” “accords with godliness.” The preacher preaches the Gospel to give life and then preaches God’s commandments to give us guidance in that new life.
Just as you utilize your doctor – asking questions or bringing up health issues – utilize your pastor. Ask the questions you have. Ask for Bible studies on the issues you’re thinking about. Seek guidance. Ask to be visited. Seek comfort and God’s forgiveness spoken to you. Increase the use of the pastor God has put in your life. (That’s what we want!)
And, consider this: The Apostle Paul writes to the young pastor, Titus, in today’s Scripture reading because pastors are sinners too who fall short of their tasks and as persons. In this letter to Titus, the assurance of the Gospel by faith, not by works, is given [Titus 3:4-7] – and the comfort of baptism – which speaks to both Titus and his flock hearing this letter.
Also, helpful instruction and guidance is given in this letter – including a reminder about the expectations for an elder/overseer: “…the husband of one wife” – “his children are believers” – “above reproach” – “not arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain” – “but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined” – holding “firm to the trustworthy word as taught” – “able to give instruction in sound doctrine” and to “rebuke those who contradict it.” [Titus 1:6-9]
Scripture gives requirements to the preachers: “Pay careful attention… to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God…” [Acts 20:28] — And requirements to the hearers: “Respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and who admonish you… esteem them very highly in love” [1 Thessalonians 5:12-13] – “for they are keeping watch over your souls…” [Hebrews 13:17]
Lastly, because of the work of saving faith that Christ works through the preaching of the Gospel, our Savior Himself urges us to pray that more such laborers would enter His harvest field – “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few… Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” [Luke 10:2]
The Church must pray – and men must consider if perhaps they may be called to enter the harvest in the role of pastors. Every man in the pulpit was once a layperson in the pew. God does call men from His flock into this ministry. Pray and consider and encourage one another.
Lastly last of all, do pray for and encourage your current pastor. Pastors are fellow redeemed sinners – who cannot do this task without the prayers and encouraging attitudes of God’s people – nor can we do this task without the forgiveness and patience of God’s people, and assurance of God’s forgiveness in Christ. [Isaiah 6:5-8]
Let’s give thanks to God for Titus and Timothy and Saint Paul and for all the pastors in our lives through whom each of us has heard the saving Word of Christ. Amen.
- Jan 19, 2025
- 5 min read
[John 2:1-11] On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
The Best Wine Comes Last
Talk about brides and grooms – white dresses, tuxedos, and flowers – wedding ceremonies – and especially, finally, the wedding feast at the reception – generally brings thoughts of joy. The day of marriage, the uniting of a man and woman, is joyous. Although, the many preparations to make that day possible might be painful.
Another sign of joy in the Bible – the joy of God’s people – is flowing and abundant wine. The wedding feast at Cana in Galilee – which Jesus’ mother attended and to which He and His disciples were also invited – was certainly a joyous occasion, but the wine ran out.
The mother of our Lord, having some idea about what her Son can supply, tells Him: “They have no wine.”
Jesus, who had not yet healed any sick, raised the dead, or performed any signs manifesting (revealing) Himself to be the Son of God – and whose hour had not yet come – says, “Woman, what does that have to do with Me?” (Jesus referred to Mary as the Woman in Genesis 3:15 whose Offspring would be the Savior.)
It was not yet the hour for Jesus to provide the wine He came to provide, but He does concede and provides wine for that wedding in Cana – by means of a miracle, pointing to what He would be accomplishing when His hour does come.
His mother tells the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” There were six stone water jars present, with a capacity of twenty to thirty gallons a piece. Jesus tells them to fill the jars with water, which they do to the brim. “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast,” He says. So they take it.
The master of the feast, upon tasting the water that has now become wine – not knowing that it has come from the Lord – says to the groom, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Usually, the good wine comes first. But, in this case, the good wine has come last.
It is fitting that the first of Christ’s signs – revealing His glory – would be done at a wedding. In Scripture, God and His people are depicted as Groom & Bride: “For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name… for the Lord has called you like a wife… like a wife of youth.” [Isaiah 54:5]
Weddings are joyous and create a life-long bond. The dividing of a marriage is therefore painful and destructive – whether it’s caused by infidelity, abandonment, or abuse – hardheartedness – or by a misguided decision to divorce.
To fix such a division is difficult and takes sacrifice. To fail in marriage is sin. But there is forgiveness in Jesus. Being wronged in marriage hurts. But there is healing in Jesus.
In Scripture, God Himself is found to be Groom in a nearly divorced marriage - due to His people’s unfaithfulness: “You trusted in your beauty and were unfaithful… and lavished your unfaithfulness on any passerby” [Ezekiel 16:15]. “‘You have played the harlot with many lovers, and would you return to Me,’ declares the Lord.” [Jeremiah 3:1]
Yet He did promise to bring her back: “You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her” [Isaiah 62:4]. At His hour, Jesus made the sacrifice to reunite us to Himself.
Jesus’ hour is the cross. Upon the cross, Jesus made the atoning sacrifice to forgive your sins – to forgive your unfaithfulness to the One who is yours.
Under the Law of God, marital infidelity was a capital crime – it warranted the death penalty. Upon the cross, Jesus, God-in-the-flesh, suffered that death penalty in His unfaithful Bride’s place – the penalty we owed.
Jesus’ death in our place created a pardon and a washing that makes us His again. What was accomplished fully in His hour on the cross has been applied to us, in our time, in Holy Baptism: “Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” [Ephesians 5:25-27]
Jesus made you presentable to Him once and for all – “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” [Isaiah 1:18]
What does this mean? It means for us that we now live in the best of times. We often look with nostalgia to the past for better times. But the reality is that whatever might be happening in the world in our day, we, each of us, still live in the very best of times.
You and I do not live in the times of Moses or the Prophets who hoped for this salvation to come. We live in the time when it already has come. We do not live in the time of a rocky relationship with our God. We live in the time when that union has already been repaired by the Savior Jesus. The best of times have come last.
We do not live in the time when we were not His people. We live in the time when we are His people – Jew or Gentile – by faith in Christ, which has spread across the globe. The better wine has come last – the greater joy. We live in the later, better time.
And the best of the best time is yet to come, and many of our loved ones in the faith have gone ahead to it – the wedding reception. The Wedding Feast of the Lamb in His Kingdom. The forever-Wedding Banquet of heaven. The family reunion in Christ Jesus to which we will soon come. That best of the best wine is coming last and forever. Amen.
