+ In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti + Amen.
Text: Mark 4:26-28
Theme: Adam, The Farmer
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
You are inextricably connected to the soil. Everyone is. There are no exceptions. But, as the world becomes more urbanized, and our lives become more ensconced in artificial luxuries, awareness and appreciation of our dependence on and connection to the soil is in steady and even precipitous decline. But that that doesn’t alter fundamental realities. Every morsel that sustains you is dependent on the virility of the earth. Furthermore, your father is Adam and your fate is decomposition- back into particles of dust. These are deeper truths.
When the holy God said to the fallen man, “for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."1 He was doing more than rendering judgment for transgression and rebellion. Adam had been crafted from the soil and the Almighty breathed into him the breath of life. The decree was that his flesh and bones would now return to the earth from which it came. The Fall affected more than Adam and Eve. God said to Adam, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.”2
The entire creation was maligned by the rebellion of Adam and Eve. Perfectly arranged, interdependent, and harmonious from the beginning, it was now in disorder, disarray, and marked by conflict. Plants and animals were no longer in a state of peaceful equilibrium. Weeds are plants that grow where they’re not needed or not wanted. They compete with, squeeze out, and sometimes overpower the desired crop. They rob the soil of moisture and nutrients. The same thing happens spiritually. Sin is more than a localized or personal predicament. Transgression caused universal dystopia- an environment to live in so dysfunctional as to be frightening and dangerous.
It’s not surprising Jesus used agricultural references to teach spiritual truths. Today He says, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain- first the stalk, then the head…”3 Of, the soil doesn’t do it all by itself. The earth is part of creation. It doesn’t have the power of life. But God works so winsomely and imperceptibly most of the time that we don’t discern His power, His presence, and His purpose in the daily activities of life as we should. Hopefully farmers are a little more aware than those in other vocations?
Adam was a famer by necessity. Some of you may have actually taken it on by choice!
Faming in the Mallee is marginal even in some of the better seasons. Goyder was not far off the mark and it will be interesting to see in the coming years if the prevailing wisdom will be modified. We can’t expect the status of the biosphere to be static. We know in the broader perspective the earth is in decay. We are stewards of creation, but we have no sovereign powers over it. Our frailties and liabilities are intimately intertwined.
In recognition of both our limitations and our needs we look to God. We pray for rain and every blessing. Farming is a vocation of faith. As the need for rain grows more urgent our appreciation of God’s blessings should grow more vivid. Our unreasonable expectations must be tamed by God’s frugality. May God give us the faith to see that even in drought His blessings are generous far beyond what we deserve. We pray “Give us today our daily bread.”4 What does this mean? “God certainly gives daily bread to everyone without our prayers, even to all evil people, but we pray in this petition that God would lead us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.”5 God “sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous.”6
Jesus compares Himself to a grain of wheat that falls into the soil and dies7. Unless it dies, unless it ‘sacrifices’ itself, it remains only a single seed. To provide life for others, its own life must be consumed. Of course, it was no figure of speech when Jesus was hung upon the cross. His life was sacrificed to atone for the sins of the world. All of our fretting and praying, our seeding and reaping, our grumbling and rejoicing, our fears and our hopes mean nothing if we’ve lost sight of Him who both created and redeems.
Jesus is risen. He is living. Life will prevail not because we’ll be able to save the world from collapse through human ingenuity, but because all existence is reliant on Him and His life is incorruptible. Just as the fall into sin had consequences beyond the human race, so also, redemption in Christ brings transformation to the whole creation. The Holy Spirit Himself (along with the Father) are incorporeal- they do not have physical bodies. But Christ our Saviour, and all creation connected to Him are physical realities. God is not an idea and His promises are not theoretical.
Of the much anticipated liberation from all the consequences of sin that will be ushered in with Jesus’ Second Coming, the Scripture says, “The creation itself will be itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.”8 The restored creation will exceed that of the original. We are baptized into that promised inheritance.
In the centre of that first Paradise called Eden stood the tree of life. About its characteristics we know very little except that on it grew the food of immortality9. It’s no coincidence, of course, that ancient Christians referred to Holy Communion as the food of immortality. In St. John’s description of the new heavens and the new earth, the tree features prominently. “On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”10
Adam, the farmer, lived to be 93011 before his body was returned to the dust. It’s highly questionable whether the same longevity will apply to you. It doesn’t matter. Reflect with gratitude on the blessings God has granted you. In resurrected body and perfected restored soul, you will be able to feast with Adam off the tree of life in the new and eternal paradise of God. And imagine what interesting conversations about farming you might have with him!
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
+ In nomine Jesu +
Third Sunday of Easter
5 May 2019
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 Genesis 3:19
2 Genesis 3:17-18
3 Mark 4:26-28
4 Matthew 6:11
5 Luther’s Small Catechism
6 Matthew 5:45
7 See John 12:23-24
8 Romans 8:21
9 See Genesis 3:22
10 Revelation 22:2
11 See Genesis 5:5
Monday, May 6, 2019
Sunday, April 28, 2019
Second Sunday of Easter (C) 2019
+ In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti + Amen.
Text: John 20:31
Theme: ‘That You May Believe’
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
It must have been a long week for Thomas! As far as we know, the entire week passed before the apostles saw their resurrected Lord a second time. Thomas did not have the benefit of the first eye-witness meeting with the risen Jesus. He was skeptical. What the others told him seemed too good to be true. Perhaps they were giddy from grief? Perhaps they’d dreamed a vision of Jesus? Perhaps they were trying to spare his feelings? It didn’t matter. Thomas insisted on seeing the flesh-and-blood Jesus with his own eyes. The Lord was gracious enough to yield to his request. “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.”1 Suddenly his confession of faith was resolute.
Thomas doubted, but he was not a deserter. He was not a traitor. He struggled with a truth so inconceivable that even the hard evidence seemed insufficient. We should definitely not be too judgmental. In the encounter between the risen Jesus and the ‘doubting’ Thomas, the relationship between evidence and faith takes center stage. The Bible certainly doesn’t dismiss the importance of empirical evidence. The historical credibility of people, places and events is established by it. In the rational world, seeing is believing. But when it comes to the promises of God, empirical evidence must take second place to faith. Not everything can be explained to the satisfaction of the senses. This is one of the great crises of the past 200 years.
Dear friends, if the existence of God is ruled inadmissible from the start, then another explanation will be sought for every phenomenon regardless of how implausible. It must be. If the sun were to stand still in the sky the atheist would need to account for it by proposing that some intergalactic upheaval had taken place. (It doesn’t remove the possibility that the Holy Spirit could convert the person through such a miracle- insofar as it is predicated on God’s word.)
Miracles are only truly such to believers because they recognize them as acts of God. To the faithless, miracles are inexplicable natural phenomena, but finally they are judgments against unbelief.
Some approach belief in God from a worst-case scenario mindset. It is logical to them. It’s done both by people of good intention and by the hypocritical. The premise goes as follows: If hell is real, if everlasting punishment is true, if eternal separation from God will come to pass for some, is it not safer for me to ‘believe’ in God than not to? The potential liabilities of being on the wrong side of the equation are enormous. Conversely, it seems like a fairly effortless thing to pledge some association with Him. What’s the most it could cost me in this life? Some time? Some resources? A little inconvenience? What’s the worst that could happen in the bigger picture? That I find out it’s all a misguided hope and there is no heaven or hell or life to come? Then we’re all in the same boat anyway. Aren’t we? Therefore, in the interest of safeguarding my well-being, it seems sensible to ‘believe’ in God. Be aware, dear friends, that people aren’t always self-aware that this mentality is their true motivation. Satan is subtle in his manipulations.
You can see, firstly, that this approach is based on ifs. Fear of possibilities, or probabilities, leads one to the position that certain liabilities should be considered. What if this should happen? What if that is true? What if this goes wrong? In our daily affairs this is a wise approach. It is the reason we buy insurance and invest in all sorts of resources to mitigate risk. But what seems reasonable from a logical standpoint doesn’t transfer spiritually. The Holy Spirit doesn’t gift people with conditional faith. There’s no, “I’ll trust God if…,” Or, “I’ll trust God under these circumstances and conditions.” That approach amounts to no real trust at all. So, faith is not a tool to mitigate risk. We can’t make any ‘pre-nuptial’ agreements with God.
These realities aside, the approach is popular. It is appealing to our natural tendencies of self-preservation. Some people pursue it honestly, others duplicitously. Hypocrites use the name of the Lord in derision, calling out God for failing to act when they think He should, or, calling on Him in desperation. When you’re at the end of your rope and all human powers have failed you, why not try your luck with God? Such attempts are futile because they don’t originate from faith. In response the Lord says, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.”2 God will judge.
Of course, the enterprise will still continue. God’s name, truth, and word will always be manipulated in pursuit of personal gain and fortune. The merchandizing of religious commodities is as old as the trafficking of sex. Some people are always willing to pay for quick fixes and ‘miracle cures’. Someone always wants to bargain with God. But none such efforts will be successful in the end. Christians can have clear consciences when it comes to speaking openly about God’s love and truth. There is nothing secret about it. Therefore, the apostle Paul says, “We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”3
The mission directive for the Christian church is clear: Set forth the truth plainly. The risen Christ greeted the bewildered and incredulous disciples with forgiveness and peace. He authorized them to extend that forgiveness to others. His directive to the apostles is the basis for the Office of the Ministry. Ordained pastors are representing the living Jesus when they say, “On behalf of my Lord Jesus Christ, and by his command, I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”4 When Christ gave the apostles this command He also gave them the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit no one can discern that Christ is the Son of God. And the Holy Spirit does not promise to convert anyone without the external word. Without the written and incarnate Word of God no one can discern between the works of God and the works of Satan.
Thomas wanted to touch and see the Risen Lord. That sounds sensible to us. But God gives firmer assurance than our senses can grasp. Right here at His altar is the closest we come in this life to touching the risen Lord. It’s as close as we need to get. When you take His body into your hands and His blood upon your lips the crucified and resurrected God, the one who has saved us from sin’s condemnation and eternal separation called hell, bolsters our faith- a gift of veracity that survives all absences of empirical evidence, both temporary and permanent. In short, there’s more certainty in accessing God where He wishes to be found- in His word and sacraments- than where we’d like to find Him- through the apprehension of the senses. Consider how this chapter of John 20 ends. Firstly, with Jesus saying, “Because you have seen Me you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”5 And then the apostle saying, “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”6
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
+ In nomine Jesu +
Second Sunday of Easter
28 April 2019
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 John 20:27
2 Matthew 7:21
3 2 Corinthians 4:2
4 LH, p.7
5 John 20:29
6 John 20:30-31
Text: John 20:31
Theme: ‘That You May Believe’
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
It must have been a long week for Thomas! As far as we know, the entire week passed before the apostles saw their resurrected Lord a second time. Thomas did not have the benefit of the first eye-witness meeting with the risen Jesus. He was skeptical. What the others told him seemed too good to be true. Perhaps they were giddy from grief? Perhaps they’d dreamed a vision of Jesus? Perhaps they were trying to spare his feelings? It didn’t matter. Thomas insisted on seeing the flesh-and-blood Jesus with his own eyes. The Lord was gracious enough to yield to his request. “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.”1 Suddenly his confession of faith was resolute.
Thomas doubted, but he was not a deserter. He was not a traitor. He struggled with a truth so inconceivable that even the hard evidence seemed insufficient. We should definitely not be too judgmental. In the encounter between the risen Jesus and the ‘doubting’ Thomas, the relationship between evidence and faith takes center stage. The Bible certainly doesn’t dismiss the importance of empirical evidence. The historical credibility of people, places and events is established by it. In the rational world, seeing is believing. But when it comes to the promises of God, empirical evidence must take second place to faith. Not everything can be explained to the satisfaction of the senses. This is one of the great crises of the past 200 years.
Dear friends, if the existence of God is ruled inadmissible from the start, then another explanation will be sought for every phenomenon regardless of how implausible. It must be. If the sun were to stand still in the sky the atheist would need to account for it by proposing that some intergalactic upheaval had taken place. (It doesn’t remove the possibility that the Holy Spirit could convert the person through such a miracle- insofar as it is predicated on God’s word.)
Miracles are only truly such to believers because they recognize them as acts of God. To the faithless, miracles are inexplicable natural phenomena, but finally they are judgments against unbelief.
Some approach belief in God from a worst-case scenario mindset. It is logical to them. It’s done both by people of good intention and by the hypocritical. The premise goes as follows: If hell is real, if everlasting punishment is true, if eternal separation from God will come to pass for some, is it not safer for me to ‘believe’ in God than not to? The potential liabilities of being on the wrong side of the equation are enormous. Conversely, it seems like a fairly effortless thing to pledge some association with Him. What’s the most it could cost me in this life? Some time? Some resources? A little inconvenience? What’s the worst that could happen in the bigger picture? That I find out it’s all a misguided hope and there is no heaven or hell or life to come? Then we’re all in the same boat anyway. Aren’t we? Therefore, in the interest of safeguarding my well-being, it seems sensible to ‘believe’ in God. Be aware, dear friends, that people aren’t always self-aware that this mentality is their true motivation. Satan is subtle in his manipulations.
You can see, firstly, that this approach is based on ifs. Fear of possibilities, or probabilities, leads one to the position that certain liabilities should be considered. What if this should happen? What if that is true? What if this goes wrong? In our daily affairs this is a wise approach. It is the reason we buy insurance and invest in all sorts of resources to mitigate risk. But what seems reasonable from a logical standpoint doesn’t transfer spiritually. The Holy Spirit doesn’t gift people with conditional faith. There’s no, “I’ll trust God if…,” Or, “I’ll trust God under these circumstances and conditions.” That approach amounts to no real trust at all. So, faith is not a tool to mitigate risk. We can’t make any ‘pre-nuptial’ agreements with God.
These realities aside, the approach is popular. It is appealing to our natural tendencies of self-preservation. Some people pursue it honestly, others duplicitously. Hypocrites use the name of the Lord in derision, calling out God for failing to act when they think He should, or, calling on Him in desperation. When you’re at the end of your rope and all human powers have failed you, why not try your luck with God? Such attempts are futile because they don’t originate from faith. In response the Lord says, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.”2 God will judge.
Of course, the enterprise will still continue. God’s name, truth, and word will always be manipulated in pursuit of personal gain and fortune. The merchandizing of religious commodities is as old as the trafficking of sex. Some people are always willing to pay for quick fixes and ‘miracle cures’. Someone always wants to bargain with God. But none such efforts will be successful in the end. Christians can have clear consciences when it comes to speaking openly about God’s love and truth. There is nothing secret about it. Therefore, the apostle Paul says, “We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”3
The mission directive for the Christian church is clear: Set forth the truth plainly. The risen Christ greeted the bewildered and incredulous disciples with forgiveness and peace. He authorized them to extend that forgiveness to others. His directive to the apostles is the basis for the Office of the Ministry. Ordained pastors are representing the living Jesus when they say, “On behalf of my Lord Jesus Christ, and by his command, I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”4 When Christ gave the apostles this command He also gave them the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit no one can discern that Christ is the Son of God. And the Holy Spirit does not promise to convert anyone without the external word. Without the written and incarnate Word of God no one can discern between the works of God and the works of Satan.
Thomas wanted to touch and see the Risen Lord. That sounds sensible to us. But God gives firmer assurance than our senses can grasp. Right here at His altar is the closest we come in this life to touching the risen Lord. It’s as close as we need to get. When you take His body into your hands and His blood upon your lips the crucified and resurrected God, the one who has saved us from sin’s condemnation and eternal separation called hell, bolsters our faith- a gift of veracity that survives all absences of empirical evidence, both temporary and permanent. In short, there’s more certainty in accessing God where He wishes to be found- in His word and sacraments- than where we’d like to find Him- through the apprehension of the senses. Consider how this chapter of John 20 ends. Firstly, with Jesus saying, “Because you have seen Me you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”5 And then the apostle saying, “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”6
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
+ In nomine Jesu +
Second Sunday of Easter
28 April 2019
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 John 20:27
2 Matthew 7:21
3 2 Corinthians 4:2
4 LH, p.7
5 John 20:29
6 John 20:30-31
Friday, April 26, 2019
ANZAC Day Address 2019
Anzac Day Address 2019
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
Their frames were slouched against the inside wall of the trench. They weren’t being lazy. They were under fire. The barrage had been relentless. The losses that day were heavy, four of their own. The pain was palpable. But there was no time to pause- not now. No opportunity for grieving was granted. The shells continued to pound... A few stars became visible through the haze and smoke in the heavens above. The sight was enough to trigger longing for that bright sky under the southern cross, so vivid and clear. In a moment of quiet, other memories of home came flooding in; the pounding of the surf, the warbling of the Magpie, the distinctive laugh of the Kookaburra, the smell of Gum trees in the rain. Sometimes the homesickness was unbearable. They were bereft of the support of family, the embrace of lovers, the company of friends. These were shadows, dreams, hopes. They were a half a world away- so inaccessible as to be almost surreal.
The sudden shout of commands jarred them back to the present. The leisure of daydreams is not permitted to those involved in the night of war. They pressed on, not because they were heroes in their own minds but because duty demanded it. They were normal people… mostly. They weren’t bred for war. They were husbands, fathers, sons, and mates. They had sisters, daughters, and mothers. They had dreams, families, goals, and futures. They left normal lives. They answered the call for country and for freedom. Many paid the ultimate price. Others came home broken and scarred; all were changed. They loved the common good more than their individual desires. They gave up the present to secure the future. They engaged in conflict that we might enjoy peace.
They should not be forgotten, or their sacrifice ignored. They forged a legacy one act of courage at a time. We are the beneficiaries. We enjoy the freedom. So, have your whinge about pollies. Have your say about laws. Debate. Contest. Challenge. Oppose. Support. Be annoyed. Be delighted. Be disheartened. Be inspired- about this version of democracy we all share. It’s not perfect. The best institutions of men are still corrupted by sin. Still, we have blessings many nations around the world long to possess. But pray that you don’t become indifferent. Your freedoms are not free. Speak without fear and recognise you owe the privilege to do so to others. Democracy is not a default form of government. If its ideals are not intentionally maintained it will cease to function properly. Then the weak will be ruled by the strong. The ‘haves’ will dominate the ‘have nots’.
Love is not the default position of God either. It is not His fall-back plan. His love is active, seeking, searching, embracing. Divine love entered our world of conflict and pain in the person of Christ. He came not to destroy, but to restore. He is the friend of sinners. He is the Suffering Servant. He is the Prince of Peace. His sacrifice ended the conflict that separated God from man. Peace, true peace, lasting peace, was made at the cross. It was His blood that was shed. It gives us true freedom. It releases us to serve others without fear.
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”1 John 4:10 “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.” 1 John 3:16 The world is not free from conflict. Terrorism and violence continue to rage. Still, we have the presence and promise of Him for whom all the fury and savagery of men is no threat. May the merciful God, for sake of His Son give us the determination to pursue peace, the courage to value life, the means to protect the vulnerable, and the respect necessary to properly honour the fallen.
Prayer
Merciful Lord God, giver and restorer of life, at this hour of solemn observance we recognise the sacrifice of those who paid the ultimate price. We commend to you our reflections made with the help of words and those silent meditations that rest deep within caring hearts. Bless those families and individuals affected by the legacy of conflict and war. Embrace them in Your love. Guide the leaders of our nation. Equip them with wisdom and arm them with integrity. Favour us with your divine love for the sake of Him who gave His life in sacrifice for all. Amen.
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
Their frames were slouched against the inside wall of the trench. They weren’t being lazy. They were under fire. The barrage had been relentless. The losses that day were heavy, four of their own. The pain was palpable. But there was no time to pause- not now. No opportunity for grieving was granted. The shells continued to pound... A few stars became visible through the haze and smoke in the heavens above. The sight was enough to trigger longing for that bright sky under the southern cross, so vivid and clear. In a moment of quiet, other memories of home came flooding in; the pounding of the surf, the warbling of the Magpie, the distinctive laugh of the Kookaburra, the smell of Gum trees in the rain. Sometimes the homesickness was unbearable. They were bereft of the support of family, the embrace of lovers, the company of friends. These were shadows, dreams, hopes. They were a half a world away- so inaccessible as to be almost surreal.
The sudden shout of commands jarred them back to the present. The leisure of daydreams is not permitted to those involved in the night of war. They pressed on, not because they were heroes in their own minds but because duty demanded it. They were normal people… mostly. They weren’t bred for war. They were husbands, fathers, sons, and mates. They had sisters, daughters, and mothers. They had dreams, families, goals, and futures. They left normal lives. They answered the call for country and for freedom. Many paid the ultimate price. Others came home broken and scarred; all were changed. They loved the common good more than their individual desires. They gave up the present to secure the future. They engaged in conflict that we might enjoy peace.
They should not be forgotten, or their sacrifice ignored. They forged a legacy one act of courage at a time. We are the beneficiaries. We enjoy the freedom. So, have your whinge about pollies. Have your say about laws. Debate. Contest. Challenge. Oppose. Support. Be annoyed. Be delighted. Be disheartened. Be inspired- about this version of democracy we all share. It’s not perfect. The best institutions of men are still corrupted by sin. Still, we have blessings many nations around the world long to possess. But pray that you don’t become indifferent. Your freedoms are not free. Speak without fear and recognise you owe the privilege to do so to others. Democracy is not a default form of government. If its ideals are not intentionally maintained it will cease to function properly. Then the weak will be ruled by the strong. The ‘haves’ will dominate the ‘have nots’.
Love is not the default position of God either. It is not His fall-back plan. His love is active, seeking, searching, embracing. Divine love entered our world of conflict and pain in the person of Christ. He came not to destroy, but to restore. He is the friend of sinners. He is the Suffering Servant. He is the Prince of Peace. His sacrifice ended the conflict that separated God from man. Peace, true peace, lasting peace, was made at the cross. It was His blood that was shed. It gives us true freedom. It releases us to serve others without fear.
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”1 John 4:10 “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.” 1 John 3:16 The world is not free from conflict. Terrorism and violence continue to rage. Still, we have the presence and promise of Him for whom all the fury and savagery of men is no threat. May the merciful God, for sake of His Son give us the determination to pursue peace, the courage to value life, the means to protect the vulnerable, and the respect necessary to properly honour the fallen.
Prayer
Merciful Lord God, giver and restorer of life, at this hour of solemn observance we recognise the sacrifice of those who paid the ultimate price. We commend to you our reflections made with the help of words and those silent meditations that rest deep within caring hearts. Bless those families and individuals affected by the legacy of conflict and war. Embrace them in Your love. Guide the leaders of our nation. Equip them with wisdom and arm them with integrity. Favour us with your divine love for the sake of Him who gave His life in sacrifice for all. Amen.
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
The Resurrection of our Lord (2019) Easter Sunday
+ In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti + Amen.
Text: Luke 24:1
Theme: They Went To The Tomb
Chris risen! Alleluia!
He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
They shouldn’t have gone! They should not have gone because Jesus was NEVER going to be found in that tomb- wrapped up in those grave clothes. They shouldn’t have gone, but they were fueled by grief and they could do nothing else. You and I would have done the same thing. Or, we wouldn’t have gone at all because we might have been too distraught, too overcome. But they went, and they were greeted by angels. And it was necessary for those angels to pose one of the most profound questions ever spoken, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!”1 They were looking for the giver of life in the place of the dead.
We cannot reproduce the tone of the angel’s voices or the expressions on the women’s faces, but we can be certain that that exchange was one of the most surreal conversations that ever took place. Jesus Christ was resurrected from death. That reality could not be comprehended from a simple exchange of information. How could it be? Reflection on the recent events must have swirled in their minds like a maelstrom. His covert arrest. His illicit trial. His illegal sentence. The Sanhedrin. Pilate. The shouts. The taunting. The mockery. The nails. The spear. His body was beaten. His dignity was destroyed. His life was forfeited. His corpse was entombed. The order was given. The guards were posted.
And now, on the third day… The angels were present! The tomb was empty. The body was gone. The Saviour was risen. It meant: Death was defeated. Satan was conquered. Hell was vanquished. Sin was forgiven. Guilt was removed. Life was restored. The Scripture says, “We know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him. The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God.”2 Therefore, with all God’s people let us say, “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give glory to Him! For the wedding for the Lamb has come…”3
Easter is a celebration for sinners. We need His resurrection. It is essential. If He remained in the grave, we would remain there too. So, we raise our alleluias not because Christ needs us to, but because it is evidence of the authenticity of our faith. God Himself doesn’t have any needs. Jesus, as a man, had needs when He walked this earth. The Bible tells us He hungered, He thirsted, and He became tired. Though sinless, He had feelings and emotions. Yet, as the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, like the Father and the Spirit, He requires nothing to sustain His existence. That includes our adoration and praise. If not one single person were to ever worship God that doesn’t mean He would cease to exist. If no one believes in Him that doesn’t mean He’s not there.
God is not dependent on us for His happiness, His security, or His identity. He is completely self-reliant and non-contingent. Yet, He is not content to limit exposure to His presence or access to His blessings. His love flows outward inexorably. His compassion cannot be contained. His desire to forgive cannot be measured. Still, the immeasurability of His grace should never be an excuse for apathy, but a cause for adoration. We seek the Spirit’s gift of continual revival our faith- particularly genuine gratitude for the remission of our sins.
Underestimation of the gravity of sin leads to a corresponding under appreciation of the crucifixion and resurrection- of the gospel message.
The self-righteous will never believe, on their own, they need a Saviour. The Spirit must convict the heart otherwise the arrogant egotist continues on the path to self-destruction. As the Scripture says, “Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”4 Remember, Christ, the man, was not destined to die. He committed no sin. He was not conceived in iniquity. The penalty of death was not relevant to Him. The sharing of our fate was an act of His will. It was a selfless outpouring of His love. As the Son of God, He is the only One who was capable to atone for sin. Today we rejoice in His victory.
Christ rose from the dead and it’s not your concern to prove to skeptics how it happened. The credible testimony is available to all. We have it in the Scriptures and we should study them diligently. But the how of the resurrection can never be explained. God won’t be pushed into a corner or painted into a box. No one can summon Him for interrogation. He knows how to defend Himself. So, stand firm, dear friends, even though belief that metaphysical questions can be answered by scientific explanation continues to gain popularity. We’re marching towards a materialism that is much more profoundly soulless than the material affluence ‘suffered’ for some time now by wealthy societies. The Bible calls mishandled material affluence mammon- misused wealth, idolized wealth. Greed is as ancient as the fall into sin. But the materialism we’re speaking of here is the conviction that there is no spiritual realm at all. All that exists is matter in all of its combinations. For the scientific materialist there’s no heaven, no hell, no design or purpose built into life by a creator.
Of course, an increasingly evident irony exists here. One of the great blessings of technological and scientific advancement is the ability to more comprehensively document the great diversity and complexity of life that exists. Examples and expressions of living things from the microscopic to the enormous are beyond most superlative designations we can attribute to them. They are miraculous. Life is astonishing beyond our ability to appreciate it. Imagine what it must have been like in that first paradise called Eden before the world fell into decay? Imagine what it will be like in the new creation? The Scripture says, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”5
What relevance does the resurrection still have today? Does the message fall only on deaf ears? In spite of the aggressive move towards secularism in our culture, there are still many in society acutely attuned to spiritual realities. Humans are wired, or should I say ‘Wi-Fied’ this way! Some are openly searching for answers in non-Christian sources. They seek advice from palm readers and psychics. They hope to channel their own inner god or goddess. They look to tap into the lifeforce of the universe. They attempt to access the haunting and cursing capabilities of dead relatives. They consult horoscopes and mediums. They experiment with an array of occultic practices. They are reviving pagan rituals. Just one notable example: Thousands of pagans and Druids gather each year at Stonehenge to honour the cycles of life and death and to celebrate the sun’s rebirth. Such practices and gatherings are becoming more mainstream.
Should we be concerned? Should be alarmed? Should we afraid? The angel said to the women, “Do not be alarmed.”6. The risen Jesus said to His disciples, “Peace be with you!”7
So, with the Psalmist we can say, “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”8 And with the apostle we can confess, “Neither life, nor death…nor any powers…will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”9 The resurrection of Jesus Christ is never an historical reality relegated to the past. Christ is living! He is the immortal, unchanging, Son of God not subject to ageing or decay. He says, “I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and hades.”10 We are not baptized into the names of deposed deities or motionless divinities, but into the existence of the Ruler over life and death. We don’t participate in oblations to obsolete idols, but in the body and blood of the living Saviour.
Jesus was never going to be found lying in the tomb on Easter morning. It wasn’t the shortest time a person ever spent in a grave. (There are cases the world over where people were presumed dead but buried alive.) But this is the only case where one who was dead walked out of the grave under His own power. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Chris risen! Alleluia!
He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
+ In nomine Jesu +
The Resurrection of our Lord
21 April 2019
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 Luke 24:5-6
2 Romans 6:9-10
3 Revelation 19:6-7
4 James 1:15
5 Revelation 21:4
6 Mark 16:6
7 John 20:19
8 Psalm 118:6
9 Romans 8:38-39
10 Revelation 1:17-18
Text: Luke 24:1
Theme: They Went To The Tomb
Chris risen! Alleluia!
He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
They shouldn’t have gone! They should not have gone because Jesus was NEVER going to be found in that tomb- wrapped up in those grave clothes. They shouldn’t have gone, but they were fueled by grief and they could do nothing else. You and I would have done the same thing. Or, we wouldn’t have gone at all because we might have been too distraught, too overcome. But they went, and they were greeted by angels. And it was necessary for those angels to pose one of the most profound questions ever spoken, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!”1 They were looking for the giver of life in the place of the dead.
We cannot reproduce the tone of the angel’s voices or the expressions on the women’s faces, but we can be certain that that exchange was one of the most surreal conversations that ever took place. Jesus Christ was resurrected from death. That reality could not be comprehended from a simple exchange of information. How could it be? Reflection on the recent events must have swirled in their minds like a maelstrom. His covert arrest. His illicit trial. His illegal sentence. The Sanhedrin. Pilate. The shouts. The taunting. The mockery. The nails. The spear. His body was beaten. His dignity was destroyed. His life was forfeited. His corpse was entombed. The order was given. The guards were posted.
And now, on the third day… The angels were present! The tomb was empty. The body was gone. The Saviour was risen. It meant: Death was defeated. Satan was conquered. Hell was vanquished. Sin was forgiven. Guilt was removed. Life was restored. The Scripture says, “We know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him. The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God.”2 Therefore, with all God’s people let us say, “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give glory to Him! For the wedding for the Lamb has come…”3
Easter is a celebration for sinners. We need His resurrection. It is essential. If He remained in the grave, we would remain there too. So, we raise our alleluias not because Christ needs us to, but because it is evidence of the authenticity of our faith. God Himself doesn’t have any needs. Jesus, as a man, had needs when He walked this earth. The Bible tells us He hungered, He thirsted, and He became tired. Though sinless, He had feelings and emotions. Yet, as the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, like the Father and the Spirit, He requires nothing to sustain His existence. That includes our adoration and praise. If not one single person were to ever worship God that doesn’t mean He would cease to exist. If no one believes in Him that doesn’t mean He’s not there.
God is not dependent on us for His happiness, His security, or His identity. He is completely self-reliant and non-contingent. Yet, He is not content to limit exposure to His presence or access to His blessings. His love flows outward inexorably. His compassion cannot be contained. His desire to forgive cannot be measured. Still, the immeasurability of His grace should never be an excuse for apathy, but a cause for adoration. We seek the Spirit’s gift of continual revival our faith- particularly genuine gratitude for the remission of our sins.
Underestimation of the gravity of sin leads to a corresponding under appreciation of the crucifixion and resurrection- of the gospel message.
The self-righteous will never believe, on their own, they need a Saviour. The Spirit must convict the heart otherwise the arrogant egotist continues on the path to self-destruction. As the Scripture says, “Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”4 Remember, Christ, the man, was not destined to die. He committed no sin. He was not conceived in iniquity. The penalty of death was not relevant to Him. The sharing of our fate was an act of His will. It was a selfless outpouring of His love. As the Son of God, He is the only One who was capable to atone for sin. Today we rejoice in His victory.
Christ rose from the dead and it’s not your concern to prove to skeptics how it happened. The credible testimony is available to all. We have it in the Scriptures and we should study them diligently. But the how of the resurrection can never be explained. God won’t be pushed into a corner or painted into a box. No one can summon Him for interrogation. He knows how to defend Himself. So, stand firm, dear friends, even though belief that metaphysical questions can be answered by scientific explanation continues to gain popularity. We’re marching towards a materialism that is much more profoundly soulless than the material affluence ‘suffered’ for some time now by wealthy societies. The Bible calls mishandled material affluence mammon- misused wealth, idolized wealth. Greed is as ancient as the fall into sin. But the materialism we’re speaking of here is the conviction that there is no spiritual realm at all. All that exists is matter in all of its combinations. For the scientific materialist there’s no heaven, no hell, no design or purpose built into life by a creator.
Of course, an increasingly evident irony exists here. One of the great blessings of technological and scientific advancement is the ability to more comprehensively document the great diversity and complexity of life that exists. Examples and expressions of living things from the microscopic to the enormous are beyond most superlative designations we can attribute to them. They are miraculous. Life is astonishing beyond our ability to appreciate it. Imagine what it must have been like in that first paradise called Eden before the world fell into decay? Imagine what it will be like in the new creation? The Scripture says, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”5
What relevance does the resurrection still have today? Does the message fall only on deaf ears? In spite of the aggressive move towards secularism in our culture, there are still many in society acutely attuned to spiritual realities. Humans are wired, or should I say ‘Wi-Fied’ this way! Some are openly searching for answers in non-Christian sources. They seek advice from palm readers and psychics. They hope to channel their own inner god or goddess. They look to tap into the lifeforce of the universe. They attempt to access the haunting and cursing capabilities of dead relatives. They consult horoscopes and mediums. They experiment with an array of occultic practices. They are reviving pagan rituals. Just one notable example: Thousands of pagans and Druids gather each year at Stonehenge to honour the cycles of life and death and to celebrate the sun’s rebirth. Such practices and gatherings are becoming more mainstream.
Should we be concerned? Should be alarmed? Should we afraid? The angel said to the women, “Do not be alarmed.”6. The risen Jesus said to His disciples, “Peace be with you!”7
So, with the Psalmist we can say, “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”8 And with the apostle we can confess, “Neither life, nor death…nor any powers…will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”9 The resurrection of Jesus Christ is never an historical reality relegated to the past. Christ is living! He is the immortal, unchanging, Son of God not subject to ageing or decay. He says, “I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and hades.”10 We are not baptized into the names of deposed deities or motionless divinities, but into the existence of the Ruler over life and death. We don’t participate in oblations to obsolete idols, but in the body and blood of the living Saviour.
Jesus was never going to be found lying in the tomb on Easter morning. It wasn’t the shortest time a person ever spent in a grave. (There are cases the world over where people were presumed dead but buried alive.) But this is the only case where one who was dead walked out of the grave under His own power. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Chris risen! Alleluia!
He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
+ In nomine Jesu +
The Resurrection of our Lord
21 April 2019
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 Luke 24:5-6
2 Romans 6:9-10
3 Revelation 19:6-7
4 James 1:15
5 Revelation 21:4
6 Mark 16:6
7 John 20:19
8 Psalm 118:6
9 Romans 8:38-39
10 Revelation 1:17-18
Good Friday 2019
+ In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti + Amen.
Text: John 19:15
Theme: “Crucify Him!”
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
Crucifixions were repulsive. All victims were stripped of their dignity. Such scenes were not unfamiliar to Roman citizens. They were meant to deter lawlessness. They were meant to break the will of anyone opposed to Caesar’s rule. In this regard, they were effective. The crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth was different. But who knew that at the time? Hindsight gives us the benefit of thoroughly considered reflection. Most importantly, we have the insight of the Holy Spirit. God was not simply there at the scene; He was on the cross!
To human eyes He seemed so be a pretty weak and puny God. There He was, hanging helplessly, derelict on the tree- defeated. The culture of the day honoured Mars, the mythological Roman god of war. He showed no weakness or pity. He exercised brutality over his enemies. He would never be put to public shame or suffer humiliation. But here now is Jesus, an itinerant prophet and worker of miracles who seems to have run out of luck. Had He used up His bag of tricks? The large crowds that had previously thronged about Him and praised His name, mostly turned against Him now. Expectations had been crushed. Hopes were dashed.
Yet there were clues that this was no ordinary crucifixion. An earthquake rattled the sight, the sun was eclipsed, the centurion on guard made an exceptional confession, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”1The universe convulsed. Its Creator was condemned to destruction. The death of God’s Son was real, and the victory of darkness seemed evident. For the followers of Jesus, the crucifixion seemed too horrifying to be true, an utter tragedy. For the minions of Satan, it seemed too good to be true, a dream that the ancient rebellion could still gain supremacy. If the Son of God failed, the Fall would be legitimized. Its permanence would be established. The exile of Adam and Eve from the garden paradise would be a preview of Satan’s ultimate victory. Paradise would never be restored. But on the third day the verdict was rendered. Death could not prevail.
Still, the time between His crucifixion and Easter morning must have seemed like an eternity to Jesus’ followers. If you tell a small child to wait three more days until something stressful or painful ends; or until something they are really looking forward to arrives, it means little to them. They can’t get easily past the moment. They can’t see beyond the here and now. Three days could seem like three minutes, or three years.
Spiritually we often suffer from the same myopic perspective. We can’t see God’s fulfilment. It’s not evident to us. We can’t bear His freedom to contravene time- either collapsing it or extending it. Even less easily do we tolerate His right to intervene in our affairs. So, we try to confine His actions to our parameters. We might concede to Him the role of a cosmic superintendent, but we expect that He will spare us from most traumas.
We presume He won’t let the good die young, or let bad things happen to those we consider to be innocent people. When they do, we question His justice and/or omnipotence. We struggle to trust unconditionally that He has our welfare in mind. So, we set about managing things our way; a way that safeguards our own interests first, a way that seems more practical to us. What do you think the disciples were planning to do on the evening of Good Friday? When our way comes into conflict with God’s commands and His will, our faith is put to the test.
The crucifixion obliterates the idea that we can domesticate God. And it gets us past the fallacy that we can contribute anything to our reconciliation with the Father. The crucifixion also intends to move us beyond the ‘suspended animation’ of being stuck here and now. We are future-orientated people. The crucifixion is the turning point of spiritual maturity for the believer according to what St. Paul says, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.”2 The crucified Jesus is the Man in whom we mature. Hence the Scripture, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”3
He died, and so we are spared the penalty of eternal death. Still, our protestations are not easily laid to rest. Like Philip, we can’t easily see the Father in Jesus. Therefore, we fear putting all of our eggs into one basket. Ultimately, we fear crossing the threshold to the next life. Here the strong words of Jesus should ring so clearly in our ears that they penetrate our hearts. “Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.”4 That thought should be in your mind when you receive His body and blood.
Dear friends, you may know of a believer, or two, who died in the past couple of years? You may know one who will be celebrating their next Holy Week in heaven. It could be any of us, at any time. Good Friday reminds us that sin no longer separates the believer from God. The portal to eternity is opened. His life-giving sacrifice gives us complete confidence that God’s favour rests upon us. Even our deepest, darkest transgressions, along with the guilt and shame that attends them, have been washed away. Though we may feel like we have everything to hide, we can be transparent before Him. We can put all the cards on the table. There’s no need for bluffing. There’s nothing to be achieved by gambling with any spiritual currency we believe we possess. The Scripture says, “If while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life.”5 It says, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”6
When Christ said, “It is finished,”7 He meant the payment for your sins. He declared that though you are guilty, you are now presumed innocent. Divine presumption is as certain as the existence of the universe. When Jesus’ corpse is entombed, the guilt for our sins is laid to rest. It’s an image we should have clearly fixed in our minds. Sin does not have the power to condemn us. We have the Spirit. We are justified by grace, through faith, for Christ’s sake. Divine presumption is as certain as God Himself. All crucifixions were dehumanizing. Only this one redeemed humanity. Amen.
+ In nomine Jesu +
Good Friday
19 April 2019
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 Mark 15:39
2 1 Corinthians 13:11
3 Romans 6:3-4
4 Matthew 25:34
5 Romans 5:10
6 Romans 5:8
7 John 19:30
Text: John 19:15
Theme: “Crucify Him!”
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
Crucifixions were repulsive. All victims were stripped of their dignity. Such scenes were not unfamiliar to Roman citizens. They were meant to deter lawlessness. They were meant to break the will of anyone opposed to Caesar’s rule. In this regard, they were effective. The crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth was different. But who knew that at the time? Hindsight gives us the benefit of thoroughly considered reflection. Most importantly, we have the insight of the Holy Spirit. God was not simply there at the scene; He was on the cross!
To human eyes He seemed so be a pretty weak and puny God. There He was, hanging helplessly, derelict on the tree- defeated. The culture of the day honoured Mars, the mythological Roman god of war. He showed no weakness or pity. He exercised brutality over his enemies. He would never be put to public shame or suffer humiliation. But here now is Jesus, an itinerant prophet and worker of miracles who seems to have run out of luck. Had He used up His bag of tricks? The large crowds that had previously thronged about Him and praised His name, mostly turned against Him now. Expectations had been crushed. Hopes were dashed.
Yet there were clues that this was no ordinary crucifixion. An earthquake rattled the sight, the sun was eclipsed, the centurion on guard made an exceptional confession, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”1The universe convulsed. Its Creator was condemned to destruction. The death of God’s Son was real, and the victory of darkness seemed evident. For the followers of Jesus, the crucifixion seemed too horrifying to be true, an utter tragedy. For the minions of Satan, it seemed too good to be true, a dream that the ancient rebellion could still gain supremacy. If the Son of God failed, the Fall would be legitimized. Its permanence would be established. The exile of Adam and Eve from the garden paradise would be a preview of Satan’s ultimate victory. Paradise would never be restored. But on the third day the verdict was rendered. Death could not prevail.
Still, the time between His crucifixion and Easter morning must have seemed like an eternity to Jesus’ followers. If you tell a small child to wait three more days until something stressful or painful ends; or until something they are really looking forward to arrives, it means little to them. They can’t get easily past the moment. They can’t see beyond the here and now. Three days could seem like three minutes, or three years.
Spiritually we often suffer from the same myopic perspective. We can’t see God’s fulfilment. It’s not evident to us. We can’t bear His freedom to contravene time- either collapsing it or extending it. Even less easily do we tolerate His right to intervene in our affairs. So, we try to confine His actions to our parameters. We might concede to Him the role of a cosmic superintendent, but we expect that He will spare us from most traumas.
We presume He won’t let the good die young, or let bad things happen to those we consider to be innocent people. When they do, we question His justice and/or omnipotence. We struggle to trust unconditionally that He has our welfare in mind. So, we set about managing things our way; a way that safeguards our own interests first, a way that seems more practical to us. What do you think the disciples were planning to do on the evening of Good Friday? When our way comes into conflict with God’s commands and His will, our faith is put to the test.
The crucifixion obliterates the idea that we can domesticate God. And it gets us past the fallacy that we can contribute anything to our reconciliation with the Father. The crucifixion also intends to move us beyond the ‘suspended animation’ of being stuck here and now. We are future-orientated people. The crucifixion is the turning point of spiritual maturity for the believer according to what St. Paul says, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.”2 The crucified Jesus is the Man in whom we mature. Hence the Scripture, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”3
He died, and so we are spared the penalty of eternal death. Still, our protestations are not easily laid to rest. Like Philip, we can’t easily see the Father in Jesus. Therefore, we fear putting all of our eggs into one basket. Ultimately, we fear crossing the threshold to the next life. Here the strong words of Jesus should ring so clearly in our ears that they penetrate our hearts. “Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.”4 That thought should be in your mind when you receive His body and blood.
Dear friends, you may know of a believer, or two, who died in the past couple of years? You may know one who will be celebrating their next Holy Week in heaven. It could be any of us, at any time. Good Friday reminds us that sin no longer separates the believer from God. The portal to eternity is opened. His life-giving sacrifice gives us complete confidence that God’s favour rests upon us. Even our deepest, darkest transgressions, along with the guilt and shame that attends them, have been washed away. Though we may feel like we have everything to hide, we can be transparent before Him. We can put all the cards on the table. There’s no need for bluffing. There’s nothing to be achieved by gambling with any spiritual currency we believe we possess. The Scripture says, “If while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life.”5 It says, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”6
When Christ said, “It is finished,”7 He meant the payment for your sins. He declared that though you are guilty, you are now presumed innocent. Divine presumption is as certain as the existence of the universe. When Jesus’ corpse is entombed, the guilt for our sins is laid to rest. It’s an image we should have clearly fixed in our minds. Sin does not have the power to condemn us. We have the Spirit. We are justified by grace, through faith, for Christ’s sake. Divine presumption is as certain as God Himself. All crucifixions were dehumanizing. Only this one redeemed humanity. Amen.
+ In nomine Jesu +
Good Friday
19 April 2019
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 Mark 15:39
2 1 Corinthians 13:11
3 Romans 6:3-4
4 Matthew 25:34
5 Romans 5:10
6 Romans 5:8
7 John 19:30
Maundy Thursday 2019
+ In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti + Amen.
Text: John 13:10
Theme: “You Are Clean”
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
It’s natural that Jesus chose the celebration of the Passover meal to institute Holy Communion. The annual Passover celebration commemorated God’s deliverance of His people from bondage in Egypt. It is a primary image of redemption in the Old Testament. The blood of lambs on the doorposts of Israelite houses spared them from the punishment against the firstborn rendered on the Egyptians. God is long-suffering, but He doesn’t allow evil to prevail. The lamb’s blood wasn’t magical, of course, it was a sign. Those who dwelled within were God’s people. Their faith resided in Him. The slaughtered lambs pointed to a greater sacrifice to come.
So, it was natural for Jesus to choose the Passover. What’s not natural is the reality He instituted. The Lord’s Supper is supernatural in its very essence. The common elements of bread and wine are present, yet these are just vehicles for Christ’s body and blood. His true body and blood are present in a mystical way and we receive them through sacramental eating. There is nothing ordinary about this meal. It has no peers. There are no direct points of comparison. It involves an internalization of the sacrificial work of Christ. And, as the saying goes, you are what you eat.
It may seem obligatory on Maundy Thursday to say that the Lord’s Supper is the most important meal that anyone can ever receive. But that doesn’t make it any less true. It is the only meal that nourishes the soul as well as the body. It is the only meal that communicates divine forgiveness. These truths must be taken on faith. They can never be proven. When we receive the Lord’s Supper, we are eating the promises of God. We participate together in His holy blessings and are galvanized as His people.
Holy Communion is a concession to the frailty of our faith. We are natural doubters. Like Thomas, we prefer to touch and feel before we believe. In so doing, we are desiring evidence before surrendering trust. In the Sacrament of the Altar the tongue and the teeth come into contact with the surrendered body and poured out blood of the Lord. It is tangible to our senses, but not immediately measurable by our souls. (Who can quantify the increase of his or her faith that is a result of receiving Holy Communion?) But God’s holy gifts do not fail to have their effects. Holy Communion, when received in good faith, always benefits the recipient even when its value isn’t immediately evident.
Conversely, those who partake of the sacrament unworthily incur the judgment of God according to the Scripture, “Whoever eats the bread and drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.”1 So, how do we prepare properly to receive Holy Communion? What is the benchmark? What is the standard? Intentional efforts to deny or cover up our sins make us unfit to receive this blessing. We can’t pull the wool over God’s eyes. We can’t pick and choose which of our transgressions we think need forgiving. People who are in steadfast denial of sin are not ready to receive forgiveness. They are not seeking it. They are, in fact, saying they don’t need it. The Lord’s Supper then becomes a confirmation of their impenitence.
Christians have adopted many fine customs over the centuries to aide in preparation for proper reception of the sacrament. They include, fasting, self-denial, charitable giving, special meditation, and self-examination involving reviewing one’s status before God. Luther drew up a set of questions, some of which we used earlier in the service, for just this purpose. But the critical issue is expressed by Luther in the Small Catechism when he says, “That person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: ‘Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.’”2 Take God at His word. Don’t question whether your transgressions are beyond the pale of His forgiveness. He died and rose again for you. He cleanses your soul, just as He said to His disciples in the Passover account tonight.
Holy Communion also has important implications on the horizontal level. It is not a private matter between us and God. It empowers our bearing of one another’s burdens, of loving others as Christ loved us. At the Last Supper Jesus models humility in the washing of the disciples’ feet. It was a menial task. It certainly didn’t fall under the job description of a Rabbi. But Jesus wasn’t just a Rabbi; He is the Son of God. He says, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash one another’s feet.”3 In your acts of service, you’re not only a spouse or parent, a child, a boss, or a worker, you’re a servant of the Servant King. You’re an envoy of the Sovereign of the universe. When we understand that, our whole outlook on how we relate to others is transformed.
Dear friends, it’s no coincidence that Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper in the context of His passion. It’s not an ordinary meal where we recline at the table with Jesus as the disciples did many times during their tutelage. The apostle says, “Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”4 Our Lord is now only hours from His crucifixion. On the cross forgiveness, life, and salvation were secured. He invites you to receive the blessings He procured there. You are God’s own, His baptized. He welcomes you to His table. There He promises, “You are clean.”5 according to the Scripture that says, “The blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.”6 In His most holy name, Amen.
+ In nomine Jesu +
Maundy Thursday
18 April 2019
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 1 Corinthians 11:27-28
2 Luther’s Small Catechism
3 John 13:14
4 1 Corinthians 11:26
5 John 13:10
6 1 John 1:9
Text: John 13:10
Theme: “You Are Clean”
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
It’s natural that Jesus chose the celebration of the Passover meal to institute Holy Communion. The annual Passover celebration commemorated God’s deliverance of His people from bondage in Egypt. It is a primary image of redemption in the Old Testament. The blood of lambs on the doorposts of Israelite houses spared them from the punishment against the firstborn rendered on the Egyptians. God is long-suffering, but He doesn’t allow evil to prevail. The lamb’s blood wasn’t magical, of course, it was a sign. Those who dwelled within were God’s people. Their faith resided in Him. The slaughtered lambs pointed to a greater sacrifice to come.
So, it was natural for Jesus to choose the Passover. What’s not natural is the reality He instituted. The Lord’s Supper is supernatural in its very essence. The common elements of bread and wine are present, yet these are just vehicles for Christ’s body and blood. His true body and blood are present in a mystical way and we receive them through sacramental eating. There is nothing ordinary about this meal. It has no peers. There are no direct points of comparison. It involves an internalization of the sacrificial work of Christ. And, as the saying goes, you are what you eat.
It may seem obligatory on Maundy Thursday to say that the Lord’s Supper is the most important meal that anyone can ever receive. But that doesn’t make it any less true. It is the only meal that nourishes the soul as well as the body. It is the only meal that communicates divine forgiveness. These truths must be taken on faith. They can never be proven. When we receive the Lord’s Supper, we are eating the promises of God. We participate together in His holy blessings and are galvanized as His people.
Holy Communion is a concession to the frailty of our faith. We are natural doubters. Like Thomas, we prefer to touch and feel before we believe. In so doing, we are desiring evidence before surrendering trust. In the Sacrament of the Altar the tongue and the teeth come into contact with the surrendered body and poured out blood of the Lord. It is tangible to our senses, but not immediately measurable by our souls. (Who can quantify the increase of his or her faith that is a result of receiving Holy Communion?) But God’s holy gifts do not fail to have their effects. Holy Communion, when received in good faith, always benefits the recipient even when its value isn’t immediately evident.
Conversely, those who partake of the sacrament unworthily incur the judgment of God according to the Scripture, “Whoever eats the bread and drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.”1 So, how do we prepare properly to receive Holy Communion? What is the benchmark? What is the standard? Intentional efforts to deny or cover up our sins make us unfit to receive this blessing. We can’t pull the wool over God’s eyes. We can’t pick and choose which of our transgressions we think need forgiving. People who are in steadfast denial of sin are not ready to receive forgiveness. They are not seeking it. They are, in fact, saying they don’t need it. The Lord’s Supper then becomes a confirmation of their impenitence.
Christians have adopted many fine customs over the centuries to aide in preparation for proper reception of the sacrament. They include, fasting, self-denial, charitable giving, special meditation, and self-examination involving reviewing one’s status before God. Luther drew up a set of questions, some of which we used earlier in the service, for just this purpose. But the critical issue is expressed by Luther in the Small Catechism when he says, “That person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: ‘Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.’”2 Take God at His word. Don’t question whether your transgressions are beyond the pale of His forgiveness. He died and rose again for you. He cleanses your soul, just as He said to His disciples in the Passover account tonight.
Holy Communion also has important implications on the horizontal level. It is not a private matter between us and God. It empowers our bearing of one another’s burdens, of loving others as Christ loved us. At the Last Supper Jesus models humility in the washing of the disciples’ feet. It was a menial task. It certainly didn’t fall under the job description of a Rabbi. But Jesus wasn’t just a Rabbi; He is the Son of God. He says, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash one another’s feet.”3 In your acts of service, you’re not only a spouse or parent, a child, a boss, or a worker, you’re a servant of the Servant King. You’re an envoy of the Sovereign of the universe. When we understand that, our whole outlook on how we relate to others is transformed.
Dear friends, it’s no coincidence that Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper in the context of His passion. It’s not an ordinary meal where we recline at the table with Jesus as the disciples did many times during their tutelage. The apostle says, “Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”4 Our Lord is now only hours from His crucifixion. On the cross forgiveness, life, and salvation were secured. He invites you to receive the blessings He procured there. You are God’s own, His baptized. He welcomes you to His table. There He promises, “You are clean.”5 according to the Scripture that says, “The blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.”6 In His most holy name, Amen.
+ In nomine Jesu +
Maundy Thursday
18 April 2019
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 1 Corinthians 11:27-28
2 Luther’s Small Catechism
3 John 13:14
4 1 Corinthians 11:26
5 John 13:10
6 1 John 1:9
Sunday, April 14, 2019
Palm Sunday (C) 2019
+ In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti + Amen.
Text: Luke 19:37
Theme: High Hopes
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
Emperors and victorious generals rode on stallions. Jesus rode on a donkey. Yet here, in this relatively insignificant corner of the empire “the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords”1 was about to commence the inauguration of His kingdom. From human perspective it seemed a very unlikely undertaking. Was this how the Father’s plan of redeeming humanity would come to fruition? Would God confront evil with such an implausible scheme? Yet, the One riding on a beast of burden “…is the living God and He endures forever; His kingdom will not be destroyed, His dominion will never end.”2 Veiled in humility the King of majesty rode on. He rode on to sacrifice, to death, to the achievement of our salvation.
Clothed in human flesh, the immortal God was greeted by an eager and desperate group of Messiah-seekers. They were inflated with hope but incumbered with misinterpretation. They waved palm branches. They spread their cloaks on the road to adorn His way. They cried, “Hosanna”, Lord, save, on His descent from the Mount of Olives. By the end of the week most were fully disillusioned. They shouted “Crucify” before His ascent up the hill of Calvary. Some opposed Him from the start. “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher rebuke your disciples!’ ‘I tell you, He replied, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.’”3
Jesus seems to be using a proverbial saying. Even if the people present are prevented from acclaiming Jesus as the Messiah- stones, inanimate objects, will cry out and announce Him. Here Jesus rejoins the rebuke of the Pharisees with one of His own. The term ‘stones’ was often used as a jaundiced reference to the Gentiles. Jesus was warning the Jewish leaders that if they reject His Messiahship, they will soon find that the Gentiles were embracing Him. Exactly that happened in the early church. It happens today when the gospel falls on deaf ears and hardened hearts. Like a passing shower of rain, Luther says, the Spirit moves on.
Dear friends, Palm Sunday meant that the claims, teachings, and mission of Christ were soon to be tested. The time of preparation and prophecy was over. Palm Sunday was mistakenly thought by many to be the beginning of freedom from the Roman occupation of Judea. They welcomed their political and nationalistic Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. They were soon disillusioned and bitterly disappointed. Instead, Palm Sunday was the beginning of the true Messiah’s accomplishment of much more important things. A much more sinister occupation was overthrown; the occupation of this realm by Satan’s supremacy. His supremacy is always accompanied by the prevalence of discord, and finally the triumph of death. As Christ enters Jerusalem the devil knows that his own time is short. He works furiously and viciously to still sidetrack Jesus from the road to Calvary. His efforts were in vain. Jesus would be sacrificed on the altar of the cross and God’s just wrath against sin would be appeased.
It's hard to imagine what was going through the hearts and minds of Jesus’ followers as they rode the emotional rollercoaster that was holy week. Common wisdom says that we should hope for the best but prepare for the worst. We don’t like to be disappointed. We fear that may happen if our hopes are set too high. It can be difficult for both optimists and pessimists to be realists. Striking the balance is an art, not a science. Your optimism or pessimism can also be greatly affected by your worldview. One person’s cause for celebration is another person’s reason for disgust. Divisive issues in society currently provide vivid examples. Convictions about homosexuality, gender identity, abortion, and euthanasia are high-profile instances. It takes passion and perseverance to maintain hope when it seems like the reality will never be reached. We pray that the Spirit would give us exactly such perseverance and devotion regarding our faith.
Truly, our hopes in the Messiah cannot be too high. The One riding on a donkey now rules at the right hand of God. What appeared to be abject failure- His execution as a criminal- turns out to be the salvation of the world! No wonder St. Paul ends Ephesians 3 with this doxology, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us…”4 Dear friends, we cannot ask too much of Him. We can ask foolishly. We can ask selfishly. We can ask ignorantly. All of which we are prone to do all too frequently. Our best requests are still tainted with sin. “Our righteous acts are like filthy rags,”5 says Isaiah. We pray that the Spirit would give us the repentance, the wisdom, strength, and discipline to avoid such petitioning.
Still, nothing is impossible for Him. You cannot dream bigger than He can deliver. Luke says today, “…the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen.”6 Do you think God can perform miracles in your life? He already has. He rescued you from the darkness of unbelief and brought you to faith. Can He do, will He do, has He done other miracles in your life? Dear friends, you cannot even conceive of anything so grand that God could not bring it to pass.
Think only of His ultimate promise. Do you think heaven will be substandard? Do you think being resurrected in a glorified body will be a pedestrian experience? Do you believe that being permanently relieved of all fear, anxiety, worry, and care is only of minor significance? Do you think being freed from all guilt, shame, sin, and condemnation will be an uninspiring situation? Do you think the elimination of all war, bloodshed, hunger, trauma and trial is not something to eagerly look forward too?
Let’s banish the notion that the resolution of our mortality- our transformation into unending vitality- will be in any measure mundane or insipid. The Spirit says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.”7 The Scripture says, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”8 Baptized into His death and resurrection we are joined to His immortal life. Sin cannot finally prevail over us. When you assemble before His altar to receive His sacrificed body and life-giving blood, let your hearts be filled with hosannas. “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.”9 He doesn’t just pass through. He’s still here! Amen.
+ In nomine Jesu +
Palm Sunday
14 April 2019
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 1 Timothy 6:15
2 Daniel 6:26
3 Luke 19:39-40
4 Ephesians 3:20
5 Isaiah 64:6
6 Luke 19:37
7 1 Corinthians 2:9
8 1 John 3:1
9 Luke 19:38
Text: Luke 19:37
Theme: High Hopes
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
Emperors and victorious generals rode on stallions. Jesus rode on a donkey. Yet here, in this relatively insignificant corner of the empire “the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords”1 was about to commence the inauguration of His kingdom. From human perspective it seemed a very unlikely undertaking. Was this how the Father’s plan of redeeming humanity would come to fruition? Would God confront evil with such an implausible scheme? Yet, the One riding on a beast of burden “…is the living God and He endures forever; His kingdom will not be destroyed, His dominion will never end.”2 Veiled in humility the King of majesty rode on. He rode on to sacrifice, to death, to the achievement of our salvation.
Clothed in human flesh, the immortal God was greeted by an eager and desperate group of Messiah-seekers. They were inflated with hope but incumbered with misinterpretation. They waved palm branches. They spread their cloaks on the road to adorn His way. They cried, “Hosanna”, Lord, save, on His descent from the Mount of Olives. By the end of the week most were fully disillusioned. They shouted “Crucify” before His ascent up the hill of Calvary. Some opposed Him from the start. “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher rebuke your disciples!’ ‘I tell you, He replied, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.’”3
Jesus seems to be using a proverbial saying. Even if the people present are prevented from acclaiming Jesus as the Messiah- stones, inanimate objects, will cry out and announce Him. Here Jesus rejoins the rebuke of the Pharisees with one of His own. The term ‘stones’ was often used as a jaundiced reference to the Gentiles. Jesus was warning the Jewish leaders that if they reject His Messiahship, they will soon find that the Gentiles were embracing Him. Exactly that happened in the early church. It happens today when the gospel falls on deaf ears and hardened hearts. Like a passing shower of rain, Luther says, the Spirit moves on.
Dear friends, Palm Sunday meant that the claims, teachings, and mission of Christ were soon to be tested. The time of preparation and prophecy was over. Palm Sunday was mistakenly thought by many to be the beginning of freedom from the Roman occupation of Judea. They welcomed their political and nationalistic Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. They were soon disillusioned and bitterly disappointed. Instead, Palm Sunday was the beginning of the true Messiah’s accomplishment of much more important things. A much more sinister occupation was overthrown; the occupation of this realm by Satan’s supremacy. His supremacy is always accompanied by the prevalence of discord, and finally the triumph of death. As Christ enters Jerusalem the devil knows that his own time is short. He works furiously and viciously to still sidetrack Jesus from the road to Calvary. His efforts were in vain. Jesus would be sacrificed on the altar of the cross and God’s just wrath against sin would be appeased.
It's hard to imagine what was going through the hearts and minds of Jesus’ followers as they rode the emotional rollercoaster that was holy week. Common wisdom says that we should hope for the best but prepare for the worst. We don’t like to be disappointed. We fear that may happen if our hopes are set too high. It can be difficult for both optimists and pessimists to be realists. Striking the balance is an art, not a science. Your optimism or pessimism can also be greatly affected by your worldview. One person’s cause for celebration is another person’s reason for disgust. Divisive issues in society currently provide vivid examples. Convictions about homosexuality, gender identity, abortion, and euthanasia are high-profile instances. It takes passion and perseverance to maintain hope when it seems like the reality will never be reached. We pray that the Spirit would give us exactly such perseverance and devotion regarding our faith.
Truly, our hopes in the Messiah cannot be too high. The One riding on a donkey now rules at the right hand of God. What appeared to be abject failure- His execution as a criminal- turns out to be the salvation of the world! No wonder St. Paul ends Ephesians 3 with this doxology, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us…”4 Dear friends, we cannot ask too much of Him. We can ask foolishly. We can ask selfishly. We can ask ignorantly. All of which we are prone to do all too frequently. Our best requests are still tainted with sin. “Our righteous acts are like filthy rags,”5 says Isaiah. We pray that the Spirit would give us the repentance, the wisdom, strength, and discipline to avoid such petitioning.
Still, nothing is impossible for Him. You cannot dream bigger than He can deliver. Luke says today, “…the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen.”6 Do you think God can perform miracles in your life? He already has. He rescued you from the darkness of unbelief and brought you to faith. Can He do, will He do, has He done other miracles in your life? Dear friends, you cannot even conceive of anything so grand that God could not bring it to pass.
Think only of His ultimate promise. Do you think heaven will be substandard? Do you think being resurrected in a glorified body will be a pedestrian experience? Do you believe that being permanently relieved of all fear, anxiety, worry, and care is only of minor significance? Do you think being freed from all guilt, shame, sin, and condemnation will be an uninspiring situation? Do you think the elimination of all war, bloodshed, hunger, trauma and trial is not something to eagerly look forward too?
Let’s banish the notion that the resolution of our mortality- our transformation into unending vitality- will be in any measure mundane or insipid. The Spirit says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.”7 The Scripture says, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”8 Baptized into His death and resurrection we are joined to His immortal life. Sin cannot finally prevail over us. When you assemble before His altar to receive His sacrificed body and life-giving blood, let your hearts be filled with hosannas. “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.”9 He doesn’t just pass through. He’s still here! Amen.
+ In nomine Jesu +
Palm Sunday
14 April 2019
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt
1 1 Timothy 6:15
2 Daniel 6:26
3 Luke 19:39-40
4 Ephesians 3:20
5 Isaiah 64:6
6 Luke 19:37
7 1 Corinthians 2:9
8 1 John 3:1
9 Luke 19:38
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