Proper 29 B
What do You Think Will Happen?
Jude 20-25
22 November 2015 – Redeemer
The role of a pastor is sometimes like the role of your father. He is there to ask questions that you haven’t considered or perhaps don’t want to ask.
So when you’re building a ski jump in the cold of winter and using the garden hose to slick down an already frozen driveway so you can get some good air, it’s your father’s job to ask you, “What do you think is going to happen when you go off that jump? Have you thought about how you’re going to stop before you get to the street? Do you have any idea how your body is going to handle landing on frozen pavement?” Now when you’re all excited about this ski jump and the fun you’re going to have, the last person you want to see is your father and the last words you want to hear are his questions, but in such a way, God protects you from yourself.
Today is a Sunday where pastors ask people a question they probably don’t want to hear. Today is the Last Sunday of the Church Year and the question I must ask you is, “What do you think is going to happen?” In today’s introit we prayed to the Lord, “Make me know my end and what is the measure of my days.” In the collect we prayed that we would be ever mindful of Christ’s glorious return.” So what is going to happen to the world, to you, to your neighbor?
I do indeed want you to think about what will happen, but I do not want you to use your own thoughts. For as Scripture clearly teaches that your thoughts are not the Lord’s thoughts. You might think that coal plants have destined our plant for destruction through global warming. You might think that terrorism is coming to a concert or cafe near you. You might think that if the right person isn’t elected in the next presidential election our nation is doomed. Or, to be honest, you might try not to think about what is going to happen, blissfully pouring water on the frozen driveway, looking forward to a good ride, and not caring where you land. To all of that – to fear, to despair, to blissful ignorance, as your Father in the faith I say, “repent.” Repent, and hear God’s Word which tells us very clearly what will happen.
In both today’s Old Testament and Gospel readings we are called upon to see. Give attention to me, My people. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath. Jesus uses a fig tree in the Springtime – there’s a nice thought, Spring, once you see little branches and tender leaves you know that summer is coming. Be on guard, keep awake, says Jesus, keep your eyes open.
What would our Father in heaven have us see? What is going to happen to the world? He says, “The heavens will vanish like smoke and the earth will wear out like a garment.” Being mindful of the Lord’s coming means that we see this fallen world for what it is, temporary, because it is destined for destruction. Our heavenly Father wants us to see this world like a garment, a piece of clothing. How do you regard your nicest piece of clothing? You wear it, use it, care for it, but hopefully you realize you cannot and will not wear it forever. Someday it is destined for the garbage. That is how we ought to regard the world and everything in it. It is a gift from God, but because of our sin it is doomed for destruction – it is wearing out. It isn’t our job to save the planet. It cannot be saved and nothing on earth can save us. You could be sitting on a mountain of gold, be 90 years old and in perfect health, have the perfect American household with 1.7 above average children. Keep your eyes open. It won’t last. These are all created gifts, gifts from our heavenly Father. We use them, enjoy them, care for them, but God wants us to know and realize they won’t last forever.
“Heaven and earth will pass away,” says Jesus, “but my words will not pass away.” The word of God endures forever. The word of Jesus endures. And since the Word of Jesus was spoken for you, that means you endure in Jesus. That is what Saint Jude told the recipients of his letter in today’s Epistle. But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
You are beloved – that is what God’s Word tells you. And that ought to humble you. Because according to God’s Word you aren’t that loveable. An honest and careful look in the mirror of God’s Law reveals a pretty ugly picture. Have you been a faithful husband this week or have you lusted after other women? Have you been a loving wife who encouraged your husband to lead your house in a Godly manner? Have you parents taught your children to pray? Have you employees been diligent in your work? Have you children honored and loved your parents? No, no, no, we are not loveable. Our lives and hearts are stained and filthy rags of unrighteousness, but here stands the word of God from Saint Jude, the child of Joseph and Mary, the younger step-brother of Jesus. You are God’s “beloved.”
How can that be? Well, Jude tells us – that truth comes through our most holy faith, as we pray in the Holy Spirit, and wait upon the mercy of Lord Jesus Christ. We believe, according to God’s own Word, that God had mercy on us sinners, that He sent His Son Jesus to love us by laying down His life for us. Our most holy faith is this – that Christ Jesus died for sinners, that He bore our husband sins and wife sins and children sins, our citizen and neighbor sins. At the cross He became the ugly and damned sinner that you are and there He took your punishment, that you might be the beloved Son that He is. God made His beloved lovely by loving her in Jesus. You are the beloved of God, and that Word of forgiveness, that mercy of Jesus, leads to eternal life for you. Heaven and earth are passing away, but you are not passing away.
Christ is able to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy. Whenever anyone thinks of judgment day the first picture that comes to mind is standing before the judge. There is God, upon His throne and there are you, before the judge who knows everything you’ve done, what you managed to hide from your parents when you were young, what you hid from your spouse when you were married, what you hid from your children when you were old, what you hid from your boss when he wasn’t looking. And what is the verdict of this omniscient Judge?What is your verdict? Not guilty. Blameless. He does not see a blemish on your life or a stain on your soul. Why? Because His Holy Spirit scrubbed you clean with the blood of the Lamb. Because He made Christ to be our sin so that we could be righteous. He cleansed us by the washing of water with the word so that we might be His beloved bride, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish. That is why we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness, our home in Christ.
What is going to happen? The world is passing away. In Christ, you are not. That leaves your neighbor. If God was only concerned about you He would have ended your earthly life the moment you were baptized, but He left you here to be a father or mother, a sister or brother, policeman, nurse, farmer, pastor, clerk, or cook. He left your here to love as you have been loved, to forgive as you have been forgiven. In the word of God through Saint Jude, “Have mercy on those who doubt, save others by snatching them out of the fire, to others show mercy with fear, hating the garment stained by the flesh.” Christians live holy lives, fearful of sin, calling evil evil, and showing mercy to those in need and forgiveness to those who repent. We love as we have been loved. We live as God’s beloved.
The world is passing away. You are not. Your neighbor is in need of Jesus. As your father in the faith I urge you to be ever mindful of Christ’s return, persevere in the faith and in holy living. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Pr. Bruce Timm
21 November 2015 anno Domini