Exodus 3:1-15; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, 13-17; Luke 20:27-40

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Comparisons are a wonderful thing (as long as they are accurate). Apples to apples, house to house, similar to similar. Comparisons are often the way we learn new and harder teachings. We compare something we know to that which we don’t know. It helps us bridge the gap in our knowledge so we can both know and learn more things than before. 

But not everything can be compared. Some things are unique and simply can’t be compared with anythin

g else. By their essence, they are unlike everything else. These “one-of-a-kind” items must be understood by other means. 

This is the dilemma we find ourselves in when discussing heaven and the resurrection on the last day. Many Christians wonder what these things will be like. Yes, we try to understand them by comparing them to what we already know. But in our Gospel reading, Jesus shows us an important truth. There is no comparison. As Jesus says, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection,” Luke 20:34-36. What we know of this life is not a good comparison to the life that is to come.

Consider how deep sin runs in our world. It touches every aspect of human life and experience, that is, there’s nothing in this world that isn’t affected by human sin. Thus, even the best parts of human life pale in comparison to the goodness of heaven and the resurrection. On the opposite side, we know that the worst parts of life won’t even be present in the age to come. As we struggle with all the evil in our world, we must be aware (as Paul tells us) that it will only get worse before the end. “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming,” 2 Thessalonians 2:8.

So how can we know anything about heaven and eternity? If not through comparison, though experience in this life, then what? And of course, the simple answer is always… Jesus. It’s because Jesus has told us what to expect, what it will be like. He makes the comparisons for us because he has already experienced it. Jesus who came down from heaven, gave up his throne, now joins us in our world of misery so that you and me may be “worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead…” Luke 20:35. By Jesus’ death on the cross, Jesus has paid for all of our sins. He’s erased our ledger so that by his grace, we may be considered worthy of eternity! In that life, there will be no more marriage for we shall no longer die. There will be no more sin, pain, suffering, greed, or any evil thing. Rather, we shall live with God in holiness and perfection for all eternity!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

Living God, Your almighty power is made known chiefly in showing mercy and pity. Grant us the fullness of Your grace to lay hold of Your promises and live forever in Your presence; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!

Revelation 7:9-17; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Congratulations! You came in last place! Congratulations! You broke your arm! Congratulations! Life is falling apart and you have nothing left. Yes, these aren’t normally things that we celebrate. The sympathy trophies for those who come in last or the participation medals for those who started but didn’t finish might feel more like a greater insult than losing does. This isn’t what we normally do. We like to celebrate winners—the strongest, the fastest, the smartest. These are the people that we celebrate.

But congratulations. Life is terrible... and that’s good! Yes, it’s the complete upside-down logic from what we normally think. But that’s because it’s not our normal logic. It’s God’s logic. God’s kingdom works in an upside-down fashion from what we experience here. Hence, we get the beatitudes this week.

As we come to celebrate All Saints’ Day this week, we hear the upside-down way in which God is at work in our world. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted...” Matthew 5:3-4. Blessed are those who have everything going wrong in life. It sounds strange to us because it is! Jesus comes and blesses those whose life is in shambles, who has nothing left, who can’t even accomplish anything themselves. And yes, that’s a good thing!

For let’s not lose sight of the significance of this church holiday. All Saints’ Day is the day where we remember all those Christians who have died in the faith—our mothers and fathers, our sisters and brothers, our sons and daughters, our friends, and all those we love. It’s a somber day because we weep and we mourn for the pain that death has caused in our life. For in our world, death is seen as the final barrier, even as it’s called a “natural” end. No one is able to escape death. 

But blessed are you who mourn, for you shall be comforted. Not comforted by the ways of this world, but by the upside-down rule of Jesus. For those who find themselves in such low estate know that God alone is their help. Those who suffer the death of a loved one have felt the mortality of their own flesh and know that there’s nothing we can do. But God can... and does! For you who mourn shall be comforted by Jesus’ death. You shall be comforted that Jesus has already died for you and for your sins. Jesus gave himself over to death so that death would no longer have anything on us! “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven...” Matthew 5:12. Yes, All Saints’ Day is a somber day because we still feel the sting of death, however, we find comfort and reason to celebrate because Jesus has defeated death! By Jesus’ resurrection, he has ripped the door off its hinges, rolled back the stone, and shown us that death’s reign is over! So, blessed are you who mourn, for we look to Christ and find eternal life!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God, You knit together Your faithful people of all times and places into one holy communion, the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that, together with them, we may come to the unspeakable joys You have prepared for those who love You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!

Revelation 14:6-7; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

There are so many lasting legacies of the Reformation that it can be hard to talk about them all. Of course, the common refrain about the Reformation is the restoration of the gospel to the Church. However, this doesn’t even capture the full picture. For what does it mean that the gospel was restored? Was it only the teaching of salvation by faith alone? What about the teaching of the law? Or good works?

Indeed, these are all good topics and all worthy of discussion. However, there’s another topic that gets passed over all too often. While Luther came to understand these core truths, he also had to find a way to teach them, pass them down to future generations, and ensure they wouldn’t be forgotten. For the secret of the Reformation was music! Luther came to write, use, and master the art of music for teaching important doctrines of faith. 

First, let us consider the popular Psalm which Luther turns into the “battle hymn” of the Reformation (“A Mighty Fortress is our God”). By singing this hymn, we hear right from the Psalm, “A mighty fortress is our God, a trusty shield and weapon.” It reminds us that God is our mighty fortress against all storms of life. No matter what comes our way in this life, God alone can stand strong for us. Though we find that “On earth is not [the devil’s] equal,” we also hear that Jesus fights for us and needs but one “little word” to fell this mighty opponent.

Yet, we turn to the Gospel and hear the sad truth about our captivity to sin. As Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin,” John 8:34. Luther captures this same sentiment in another hymn (“Salvation unto Us Has Come”), where he writes, “From sin our flesh could not abstain, sin held its sway unceasing…” We all must know just how deep our sin goes lest we fall into false belief that we’re able to justify ourselves. In a way, Luther sought to restore the Law to its proper place just as much as he sought to rediscover the Gospel.

To get all the way to this point, Luther came to know and appreciate what the true core of the Reformation was. The doctrines, the hymns, the other debates were all periphery to this one thing. Salvation counted on Jesus alone. If we had Jesus only, we had true life and eternal salvation! If we had Jesus plus anything, then we really had nothing at all. As his hymn says, “Faith clings to Jesus’ cross alone and rests in Him unceasing… for faith alone can justify”. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed,” John 8:36. It was Jesus alone who could justify and set us free from sin, death, and the devil. It was Jesus that he (and all of us) needed most of all. And if it was Jesus we need, then it was Jesus that needed to be preached, taught, and passed on. Not just his teachings, but Christ crucified for you and me! Yes, it’s Jesus on the cross that sets us free. It’s Jesus alone who we look to and find as our “mighty fortress.” It’s Jesus alone who offers us the blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!