cross

There are 9 posts tagged cross (this is page 2 of 3).

Rogate ’12 – John 16:23-33

Summary: On this Sunday of Christian prayer, our Lord Jesus Christ gives us three necessary and essential marks of the Christian life. First, the Christian lives a life of prayer. Second, this life of prayer is grounded in the life of sonship. Third, a life lived in prayer and trusting in our adoption of sons is a life lived at peace. This is the life of the Christian, lived in communion with the Holy Trinity and with each other as one body.

Quasimodo Geniti ’12 – John 20:19-31

Today’s Gospel comes in two parts. On Easter evening, Jesus says to the disciples, “Peace be with you.” He shows them His hands and feet. Peace is in the wounds of Christ. “We have seen the Lord,” the disciples exclaim. Yet, Thomas missed it. “Unless I see in His hands and mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will never believe.”

Today, the octave evening, Jesus comes again and says, “Peace be with you.” Peace is good, comforting, happiness, and well-being. Peace in the midst of horrible things. Jesus said He would rise — look and see my hands and side. “Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and my God!” His belief is coupled with proof of the promise. Jesus has kept His Word.Our faith is not an empty faith that believes in empty words. God’s Word of promise is coupled with testimony and signs, the Word of the eyewitnesses and the testimony of the Spirit, water, and the blood.

Good Friday Hauptgottesdienst ’12 – John 18:1—19:42

Why do we commemorate Good Friday when it is so familiar to us? Why consider the Passion of Christ when it is confessed each Lord’s day: “He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried?” We are not reliving the moments, being transported in a “where you there?” sense. No, we are dutifully hearing God’s Word and rejoicing in its fulfillment. All things are being accomplished “according to the Scriptures.” The Word of the Prophets must be fulfilled and it is in our hearing the Passover. “Crucify Him!” is the Word fulfilled. The Word of promise to Eve and against Satan fulfilled. The Psalmist fulfilled. Isaiah fulfilled. The Passover fulfilled. Eternal salvation fulfilled.

(I am heavily indebted to Luther’s 1533 Good Friday House Postil for this sermon.)