Holy Innocents

Matthew 2:13-23

Pastor Tom Johnson, December 29, 2013

Just a few days ago, we celebrated the birth of the Christ Child. He is born in true innocence. His life is a gift from God to the whole world. Through this child people from all nations will receive forgiveness and eternal life. Today’s Gospel reading is about the Holy Innocents—the massacre of children two years and younger in and around the town of Bethlehem. God’s angel warns Joseph in a dream to flee the country into Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath. Perhaps they were only able to afford this move because of the gold, frankincense, and myrrh—the gifts of the Magi.

But what about all the children left behind? How could the Roman authorities allow Herod to kill toddlers, infants, and newborns? Why didn’t God send his angels to warn the other fathers and mothers of young children? In a perverse sense of irony, these young babies are the first Christian martyrs of the Church. The blood of innocent babes is shed because of the promise of the Messiah. I wish this was simply a legend or folktale that crept into Scripture. But it isn’t. You can see the bones of these children for yourself in the Cave of the Holy Innocents in Bethlehem today. Perhaps some of you have.

Our Gospel says this was to fulfill the Scripture: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.” Parents naturally refused to be consoled for such a tragic loss. No parent should have to mourn the death of their children. It violates the natural order of life and death. How much more those lives cut short by a ruthless despot like Herod? What do you say to a parent who loses a child? What can you say to the grandparents? How do you explain what happened to their older brothers and sisters? How can you console such grief? It seems to me that no explanation, no affection, no Scripture, no theology...nothing could ease the pain of loss of these young families. Rachel refused to be consoled. These parents in Bethlehem refuse to be consoled. And I, too, reject any pat answers or easy remedy for the very difficult path of grief that any of us endure. The Christmas season is difficult for many people for precisely the same reason. The birth of the Messiah can sometimes be overshadowed by tragic loss. The very first Christmas was accompanied by great tragedy.

This story also points back to the sufferings of God’s people who found refuge in Egypt before—when Pharaoh tried to kill all the male Hebrew children. God heard their cries and sent Moses to deliver them from 300 hundred years of slavery. God also hears the cries of Rachel and these young families in Bethlehem who lost their children. A new and better Moses will be raised up in Egypt. And he will grow strong and lead his people out of a deeper captivity, slavery, and death. And his name is Jesus. As Matthew tells his Gospel account, he courageously names the pain and loss. He does not sugarcoat it. But he continues to tell the story of Jesus and how this Christ Child will bring life and hope to the world.

He will tell the rest of the story of how the One who was born in true innocence will continue to be tempted in every way that we are, yet, without sin. He will tell how other people in authority will lash out in violence to hold onto their power—the high priest Caiaphas, Herod’s son, and Pontius Pilate. There will be more casualties of war and tragic collateral damage before Jesus himself spills his blood on the cross. There will be more martyrs to follow beginning with Stephen. And, sadly, there are more even today. There are Christians who are persecuted all over the world. Prince Charles just issued a statement a week ago condemning the violence against Christians particularly in North Africa and the Middle East.

This morning we are reminded that these little children are the first to show the way of the cross. Ultimately, their lives and death point to their Savior. In Jesus Christ we have a High Priest who is able to identify with our sufferings. For he too suffered for our sake. He overcame the powers, the principalities, and our captivity to sin and death. In time, Rachel and the other parents will no longer refuse to be comforted. Jesus, the innocent and spotless lamb, will take away our guilt and assure us of eternal life. God the Father will lose his only Son to tragic loss. But in giving his Son for the life of the world, he adopts these holy innocents just as he adopts all of us through Baptism and our faith in him. And like the little ones who have gone before us, he will one day gather us up into his eternal embrace.

“Unwilling to expose her to public disgrace”

Matthew 1:18-25



Pastor Tom Johnson, December 22, 2013

Mary and Joseph. They are on Christmas cards with Mary on a donkey and Joseph leading her to Bethlehem. In the manger scene, they look adoringly at their infant King. We sing nostalgically about the baby Jesus and his two-parent home. This morning we hear in our Gospel and we confess that Jesus was “conceived by the Holy Spirit.” and “born of the virgin Mary.” We remember that Mary was a young, unmarried woman at this time. She was engaged to Joseph. They still lived with their families. They were both saving themselves for marriage.

When God called Mary to be the mother of our Lord, he was calling her to walk by faith not by sight. But He was also calling her to bear a huge burden—to bear potential shame—and possible rejection—of her family, friends, and future husband. For a woman to be pregnant and unmarried was scandalous in the first century. It would have brought shame to her, her family, and her fiancé. Imagine how much more shame it would bring if her fiancé was not the father. The fact that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary is miraculous; but it also complicates things. Somehow Joseph finds out that Mary is pregnant. Maybe she tried to tell him the story of how the angel came to her. But it may have been too far-fetched of a story for him to believe. Nothing like that has ever happened before. No one just gets pregnant like that. I imagine Joseph thought that Mary was either coming up with an elaborate lie to cover herself or that she was not well mentally.

Our text says that Joseph was “resolved to dismiss her quietly.” There was really no alternative but to call off the engagement. He could not marry someone who seems to have so badly betrayed him. We know the rest of the story. But Joseph does not at this point. He only knows that his fiancé is pregnant and that he is not the father. But here is the amazing thing about Joseph: Joseph still loves Mary.  Despite the fact that it appears that Mary has allegedly broken her promise, he does not want her to suffer public disgrace or the wrath of those who would call upon Mosaic Law—this surely would be the death of her.

Joseph gives us a foretaste of this unborn Child who will one day show the strength of mercy over the letter of the Law. He shows us how grace surpasses judgment. “He is unwilling to expose her to public disgrace—unwilling put her to shame.” He wants her reputation to be untarnished. He will go quietly into the night and not make a fuss. He will protect her honor as well as his own. Joseph’s love for Mary is astounding. We know that because our text says that continued to think about her day to day even while laid there falling asleep with his head on his pillow. Because, our Scripture says, “as he considered these things…an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.” The angel tells Joseph to not fear. “Do not fear.” “Don’t break it off with Mary. She is not pregnant by another man. She is pregnant by the Holy Spirit.” Joseph is encouraged to go through the marriage and adopt her infant Son as his own. And that is exactly what Joseph does. He overcomes his fear. He takes courage. He returns to Mary’s house. And probably to her amazement, and to the amazement of her parents, Joseph will take her as his bride.

Not only is Joseph an amazing example of a husband in this story, he himself exemplifies and illustrates the love of God—the love that God has for us in His Son, Jesus Christ, this infant child who is our Bridegroom—our Betrothed—our Husband. We are the Bride of Christ. We hope and long for our Husband who comes and prepares the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in his Kingdom which will have no end. Our wedding day is draws near. And like Mary, there is cause to put us to public disgrace and open shame. But unlike Mary, we are guilty of unfaithfulness. We deserve to be put to open shame. We deserve for God to go quietly into eternity and leave us behind in our brokenness and guilt. But like Joseph, God is unwilling to put us to public disgrace. He still loves us. He knows we are guilty. But he loves us all the same. That is why Jesus was born—so that God would be with us, save us from our sin, betroth us, and marry us.

It is that same Babe born in a manger to Joseph and Mary who comes for us. He not inclined to abandon us even though we have broken our promises. He is unwilling to expose us to public disgrace. Instead, he claims us as his own. He takes us as his Bride. And one day, he will carry us across the threshold to our heavenly home. And so we pray, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

"Doubting John"

Matthew 11:2-15

Pastor Tom Johnson, December 15, 2013

During Advent, John the Baptist prepares the way of the Lord. He prepared people for the Messiah’s first coming. And he prepares us for his second coming. Perhaps one of the unlikely ways he prepares us is by his honest struggle with who Jesus is.

You’ll remember that from the very beginning, he questioned why Jesus would need to be baptized. “I need to be baptized by you, Jesus! You don’t need cleansing or repentance.” But Jesus assures him that it is to fulfill righteousness. And so John baptizes Jesus to make his baptism the foundation of our baptism—a baptism of perfect righteousness. As John baptizes Jesus, a voice says, “This my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” The Holy Spirit, appears and descends upon Jesus. And so God strengthens John’s faith and leads the way to strengthen our faith.

We are reminded that John the Baptizer is human—a little odd, perhaps, but flesh and blood nonetheless. In our Gospel reading, Jesus comments on John’s wardrobe. He says, “What did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes—a suit and tie? Suits and ties are for politicians. You went out to see a prophet.” And Jesus tells us he is unlike any other prophet. He is the greatest. He is a greater prophet because his ministry immediately precedes the unveiling of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. But even though John is lifted up and esteemed by Jesus, he not so nicely treated by Herod and his vengeful wife. Herod has John arrested for speaking out about his marriage—that he married his brother’s wife. And so, Herod throws John in prison.

I imagine that was a huge change for John. He is used to living in the wide and open wilderness. Now he is living in a small cell. He is used to being free to go from place to place. Now he is in chains. He is used to having a large audience to speak to publicly and disciples to speak to privately. Now he is alone. John is most likely lonely, suffering, discouraged, and more susceptible to temptation than ever before. He wants to be assured that his life’s work was worth it. He has faith in Jesus as the Messiah but he needs his faith strengthened. And so he asks Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another.” Does this sound like the same prophet who, when he saw Jesus, cried out, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”?

It is interesting how many people want to understand John’s question in any other way than a struggle with Jesus’ identity and his own mission. But the more I think about it, the less surprising it is. I even find it comforting. You’ll remember the father of a boy who was oppressed by an unclean spirit—how Jesus told the father that his son would be healed if he believed. And the father said, “I believe, help my unbelief.” And so Jesus both healed the boy as well as helped to strengthen the man’s faith. You’ll remember how Thomas refused to believe that Jesus rose from the dead and said, “Unless I see in his hands the 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” (Jn 20). It was that same Thomas, who when he saw Jesus in his glorious, new Body gave us one of the greatest confessions of faith in the Bible. He said, “My Lord and My God!” Jesus strengthens Thomas’ faith. You’ll remember Peter how he showed faith and unbelief on the same day. When Jesus said that he will be killed by the leadership in Jerusalem, Peter said, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you!” (Matt 16). But it was that same Peter, who when asked who Jesus is, said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said that Peter was blessed and that his faith was a gift, and that the Church will be built on that solid rock of faith. John, Thomas, and Peter...they were doubters and disciples.

And so there will be times when our faith is the size of a mustard seed. We doubt, we struggle, we question, we wonder. We have unanswered questions to many of life’s riddles. But the good news is: that’s okay. It is normal. As Scripture says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common” (1 Cor 10:13). Jesus will be there for us just as he was with John. Even if we feel least in the Kingdom of heaven, Jesus says, we are greater than John. Because just as Jesus lifted up John with his words of praise, so Jesus will lift us up even higher.

We are not saved by the strength of our faith in Jesus. We are saved by the strength of Jesus through faith—the gift of faith by his Word and Spirit. We are not saved by our hands that grasp Jesus but by Jesus’ hands that grasp us. We are loved despite our struggles. We have certain forgiveness despite our questions. And Jesus’ faith in us and what He has done for us will remain strong even though our faith may, at times, be weak. And so we pray, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

“St. Nicholas"

Isaiah 11:1-6

Matthew 19:13-14

Pastor Tom Johnson, December 6, 2013
Concordia University Chapel

“You better watch out, You better not cry, Better not pout, I'm telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town. He’s making a list, And checking it twice; Gonna find out Who’s naughty and nice. Santa Claus is coming to town. He sees you when you’re sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows if you’ve been bad or good, So be good for goodness sake! Oh, you better watch out! You better not cry. Better not pout, I’m telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town!”

This song is terrifying. 24 hour surveillance all year round! Perhaps Santa should strap an ankle monitor on all the children of the world! He has declared crying and pouting to be unnatural acts. And so, all tear ducts must stop their watery ways. Santa has divided all children into two: bad or good. He does not want to hear your story of struggle with bad and longing to be good. He has made his judgment. There are no gifts for children who have been naughty, stayed up past their bedtime, been passive aggressive, or shed any tear. And so, as this story goes, our motive for good behavior is the threat of empty stockings. And, if that is true, even the fear of a white bearded home invader will  not change us. Fear of punishment never transforms. The threat of the Law only damns. There is not a shoe out in the hallway that deserves one coin or ounce of chocolate. All our shoes deserve to be empty forever. Merry Christmas!

But thanks be to God that this very recent Santa folklore is nothing less than a defamation of the historic St. Nicolas' character. He was born and lived in what is now modern day southern Turkey far from the arctic circle and over 1,500 years ago in the early fourth century. He did not own or supervise a toy factory. He studied theology—perhaps sent away by his wealthy parents to study the Scriptures in Jerusalem. St. Nick was ordained and later became bishop of Myra—also in modern day southern Turkey. The truth is that Bishop Nicholas’ parishioners loved him. They were struck by his love for all people—especially the little ones, the children. Perhaps it’s difficult for us to imagine living in a culture that treated women and children as property, but that is exactly the kind of treatment that St. Nicholas rejected and abhorred. We know that people in this time of the Roman Empire would leave their newborn infants outside the city walls exposed to die. And it was often the Christians who adopted them as their own.

There is one story about St. Nicholas that might transform the way we look at our socks and shoes during the Christmas season. Like our day, the sex trade and human trafficking in the fourth century was at one of its heights. In the town of Myra where St. Nicholas was bishop, he found out about a group of young girls who were soon to be auctioned to the highest bidding pervert. And so, legend says, St. Nicholas filled three pairs of stockings with coins, threw them into the courtyard where they were locked up, and subsequently purchased their freedom. And that is the root of our hanging stockings jammed with gifts—a reminder that we too have been purchased with a price—not with gold or silver—but by the precious blood of Jesus—not because we have controlled our emotions, stayed in our beds, been on our best behavior, and lived in fear—but because of the one who says, “Let the little children come to me, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.”

And so, St. Nicholas’ loved children. “A little child shall lead them” (Isiah 11:6) Scripture says—even children who are naughty and not always so nice. Little children lead us to a right understanding of the love of God even though they are smaller, weaker, and needier—no, because they are smaller, weaker, and needier. Little children epitomize what it means to be a human being and an object of the grace, mercy, and love of God—the Friend of sinners. What made St. Nicholas jolly was he was a sinner saved by grace too—by Jesus, the greatest lover of the human race especially her little ones. That’s what captured the heart and imagination of Bishop Nicholas and whose childlike and Christ-like love inspired generations. For all I care, the Santa of folklore can stay in isolation at the North Pole! But the true St. Nicholas has me singing and praying that great, Advent prayer, “Amen, come Lord Jesus!”

"No one knows"

Matthew 24:36-44



Pastor Tom Johnson, November 28, 2010

This morning we hear Jesus’ words about “the hour of the coming of the Son of Man.” He compares this event to the days of Noah when the world carried on as if nothing were going to happen. And then the flood came. And God preserved for himself a people and a boatload of creatures to begin anew. Movie makers love these doomsday scenarios. Right now in theatres you can watch a movie about the threat of darkness taking over the whole universe. Or, in another movie, there is the threat of eternal winter. There are plenty of movies with comets and asteroids crashing into the earth, alien invasions, global warming, global freezing, zombie world wars, nuclear holocausts, and viral epidemics. A year ago, the world’s end was predicted to happen according to some interpretations of the Mayan calendar. There is as much talk today about the end of the world as there was in Jesus’ day…perhaps more. Perhaps we have more to worry about and more uncertainty about our future today. There are some very real threats to our planet and our future as the human race.

But Jesus leads us away from this anxiety and fear. He does not want us speculate or worry about the future. He wants us to get busy with the present. He says, “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” This saying raises more questions than it answers. How could the day and hour of His return be so top secret that even He does not know when it will be?

Jesus likens His arrival in human history to a thief’s arrival at night. There is no way to know when the thief will come during the night. Likewise, there is no way to know exactly when Jesus will come back in human history. Just as the master of the house must stay awake and alert all night to be ready for the thief, so we must be spiritually awake and ready for the Lord’s return. We are to be ready for Jesus’ return. We don’t know when—but we know who, what, where, why, and how. And that is enough to cast out our fear and anxieties.

We know who—the eternal Son of God, the One who came from heaven to earth out of love for the whole world, the One who died and rose again to conquer death and sin, the One who said He will come back again as our triumphant King.

We know what—He has told us what to do in the meantime—to make disciples of all the nations, to teach, to baptize, to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love one another as he has loved us.

We know where—he will appear to humanity everywhere—His glory will be seen in every corner of the globe—his power will be displayed on the face of the whole earth.

We know why—he comes back to bring us final deliverance from death, the devil, this world’s injustice and brokenness, and even our own sin. He will wipe away every tear from our eyes. He will make all things new.

We know how—the angel told the disciples that He will come back just as He ascended into heaven—in the clouds—in great glory—he will reappear as dramatically as he said ages ago when he ascended to the Father.

We know who, what, where, why, and how—we just don’t know when. Jesus encourages us to live our lives in readiness and alertness—to be spiritually awake and prepared for this world to be transformed by his return. We are not truly living our lives as God wants us to if we don’t live our lives in faith that he will return one day. The reality of who Jesus is and what this world will be will intersect one day in time.

At some point in human history, everyone will know that Jesus is Lord of lords and King of kings. There will be a day and an hour when this world will never be the same—there will be an end to the world as we know it—there will be a new beginning to this world that will transform our lives forever. Jesus wants us to live our lives as if his presence will break through into our experience at any moment. He wants us to stop our speculation and begin living in the moment—prepared and ready for great arrival—not that he is absent. He is simply not here as fully as He one day will be.

This season of Advent reminds us that Jesus has come. He speaks to us in His Word. He has made us children of the heavenly Father through baptism. And His Body and Blood are present with us in the bread and wine of Communion. He is with us this morning and one day he will come in even greater glory. And when he does, he will make all things new. This is our comfort. This is the assurance that we have a good and gracious God. He comes for us. He comes to bring us to our eternal home. And so we pray, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”