The First Sunday after the Epiphany, 2020
Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual Romans 12:1-5
The Gospel Luke 2:41-52
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #660 Heaven Is My Home
The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #267 If God Had Not
Prayers and Announcements
- Lynda Roper, recovering from a fall.
- Pastor and Mrs. Jim Shrader.
- Randy Anderson's leg (Andrea's father).
- Pastor K and Doc Lito Cruz - dealing with diabetes.
- Those looking for work and a better income.
- Our media ministries - Alec Satin, Norma Boeckler, Travis and Lauren Cartee, Pastor Jordan Palangyos.
- Understanding Pilgrim's Progress, Wednesdays, 7 PM..
- BethanyPhilippine Mission has enough to order materials and start on the permanent roof. Some additional items after are - steel doors, windows, seating. Prayers for Glen Kotten.
KJV Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
KJV Luke 2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Background for the Sermon on Jesus in the Temple
The Two Natures in Christ, means He possessed divinity from conception, even though most saw Him at first as simply human. This mystery of His human-divine nature is revealed only through the Holy Spirit in the Word. Many rely on Dame Hulda, their human reason, and claim, "If it is beyond my experience and human reason, it is impossible." These slaves of their own philosophy first eliminate certain miracles which are beneath them. Later, they eliminate all miracles and His divinity. Once He is down to their size, they promote a religion without faith and without the fruits of faith.
They remind me of the girl who said in our college class, "Dr. Levin, I don't understand this." He gulped and said, "What don't you understand?" She said, "ALL of it." Once faith in Christ is turned into a weakness or problem, the entire message is lost, no matter how much they dig for new, exciting, and dramatic insights. The old errors are repeated endlessly. They still are.
In contrast, we have in this story a insight into the Person, the God-man Jesus Christ. Although He appeared to be only a boy, Jesus's divinity came through in His discussions in the Temple. He did not need to be taught. Instead, He was teaching them.
"47 And all that heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers." Considering seniority at the Temple, it is a wonder that anyone paid attention to a boy among scholars. But His divine wisdom could not be hidden.
The Gospel in the Temple
KJV Luke 2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
Many have said, "If only we knew more about Jesus growing up. It would make me so happy."
But we do have this story, so people are likely to say, "But we know that one." The Holy Spirit is stingy with words. I suspect it is because people would want an increasing number of pages and stories and wonders. We have that in all the Gospel references in the Old Testament. There we can see Him at work before the Incarnation.
If every Gospel passage from the Old Testament were put into the Four Gospels, we would all say, "Oh, that is too much. Condense it for us."
How can the Jacob's wrestling with the Angel be edited into one or more Gospels? Genesis 32:30
And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. (Hosea 12:4 also)
So we should dwell on each passage and see how much is revealed and indicated for building our faith.
Jesus was presented at the Temple as a baby, and there people witnessed to His fulfillment of all prophecies. The family came to Jerusalem regularly for the Passover, so this is one of many appearances. This one, like His presentation as an infant, brought the Gospel to the center of Judaism, to make clear the Promises of God were being fulfilled.
Likewise, the Wise Men spoke what the Star of Bethlehem promised, and Herod heard this message from them. But the Gospel was not effective for Herod? Oh yes, it was, because he reacted in fear, so much that the Wise Men were warned by God not to return. The Word is effective in blinding and hardening, but also in converting and enlightening.
Jesus was 12 years old, so I see this narrative as fulfilling what was promised at His Presentation. How could that have happened with no one remembering? I was talking to my uncle once and he said, "Some of Jacksons were part of chasing the Mormons out of Nauvoo, Illinois. Those Jacksons were cowboys." That was one offhand remark, but it stuck in my memory.
Lenski, in his commentary on Luke, wrote that the event was not as dramatic as some paint it. However, the does not lessen the meaning of this story, because Jesus chose to stay in Jerusalem and speak with the religious leaders.
Impact is an interesting idea. John Bunyan was the lowest of the low when he went to prison and wrote The Pilgrim's Progress. He was not among the elite since he did not belong to the Church of England and his ministry was considered a crime at the time. His book, because it is Biblical, has been issued in 2001 editions. He realized that being in prison was a blessing for him, and it was for everyone else, because he dressed up the Biblical message in a great allegory, helping people grasp the Word of God.
The story of Jesus is a series of improbably minor events - from the viewpoint of world history - but nothing else in our history has been like it. Nothing is really small in God's perspective, and what we think is big - like championships - are nothing to Him. After all, He already knows which games are fixed.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
This experience is part of what Luther called Mary's great sorrow and suffering.
Luther:
2. Thus they also falsely imagined to exalt the mother of Christ and know of no greater honor for her than to fill and over-load her with graces and gifts, as if she had never suffered temptations, had never faltered nor failed in reason, nor in anything else. The holy Scriptures and this Gospel, on the other hand, show how God deals with his saints in a wonderful manner, according to Psalm 4:4 and in a way altogether contrary to human reason; and that the more highly he endows them with grace and exalts and honors them, the deeper he thrusts them into sorrow and suffering, yea, even into dishonor, shame and desertion.
3. Human reason would undoubtedly teach and advise God not to permit his own Son to be shamefully and ignominiously dealt with as a murderer and malefactor, and allow his blood to be shed, but rather see to it that the angels should bear him on their hands, all kings and nobles fall at his feet and render him all honor. For human wisdom consists in this, that it neither sees, nor seeks, nor desires anything except that which is high and precious, and that which brings honor; and, again, neither shuns nor flees from anything more readily than dishonor, contempt, suffering, misery, and the like. Thus God reverses the order and acts in a contrary way, deals so harshly and offensively, according to human reason and opinion, with his dearly beloved Son as he would not deal with any man on earth, as if he were not the Son of God, or of man, but the child of Satan! In the same way he also dealt with his well-beloved servant, John the Baptist, of whom Christ says, Matthew 11:11, that among those that are born of women there hath not arisen a greater than he, and yet upon him he conferred the honor of being beheaded by a knave. This was, indeed, a most dishonorable and shameful death.
In the examples above, we are reminded not to retreat into the world of human reason, where we only think of what serves us at the moment. In all those cases, we can see how God used what was lowly to exalt Himself and His Gospel.
Of course, human wisdom and planning are not so sparkling in the long rung. Where is Imperial Rome? Portugal owned the seas at one time. "The glory that was Greece is of another day." We have uncovered great empires, some which disappeared from human history. "Heave and earth will pass away, but My Word will never pass away."
The description of Mary and Joseph's agony is easy for parents to understand. No matter what the cause of the grief, loving parents suffer from whatever happens to their children. Joseph was warned by God to accept Mary - and he did. They were warned by God to escape the terror of Herod, so they saved their lives. Why no warning or help? God seems to withdraw at times like that.
Luther called it parallel to persecution, which is quite similar, when families are attacked, tortured, killed, and exiled. Some do that silently with their sacrament of shunning. But the Reformer also noted that great blessings follow. As the prophet says, "Who knows that He will repent and leave an offering?" Joel 2:14 - That means, He will follow the time of trial with a blessing. Be patient.
Notice too that this agony is entirely internal. Jesus was not harmed. He was not in any danger. However, they did not know and suffered terribly during the search. When we are afraid (for whatever reason) the dangers multiply in number and severity.
This is described in Peter Rabbit. The mother was always anxious and sighing. The bunnies would say, "Don't worry, Mother," and she would just sigh some more. One might say a mother's life is one of worry and suffering.
Luther wisely taught that emotional pain is the worst and invites scorn rather than sympathy (Paul's thorn in the flesh). If someone's limb is lost in a careless accident, sympathy follows. However, debilitating emotional pain attracts scorn, bad advice, and avoidance.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed [Lenski - struck as with a blow]: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
48 και ιδοντες αυτον, εξεπλαγησαν και προς αυτον η μητηρ αυτου ειπεν τεκνον [child, not son] τι εποιησας ημιν ουτως? ιδου ο πατηρ σου καγω οδυνωμενοι εζητουμεν σε
https://biblehub.com/thayers/1605.htm
Lenski, Luke Commentary, p. 165:
"The verb that states the effect upon the parents is still stronger than the one that was used to indicate the reaction of the hearers; they were actually struck as by a blow (second passive aorist) at seeing their boy in this place and so occupied. It is not sufficient to say that parents often fail to perceive the wealth of nature in their children—this was something that was far different from natural wealth. This shocked condition betrays how quietly Jesus had acted up to this time, he had never opened his mouth in the synagogue—and here he sits in the very Temple itself with prominent rabbis all about him, all eyes and all ears are fixed upon him. Their shock had ample reason."
This passage is one more reason to ban the word "amazing," because it is too vague. Greek is full of great picture words that give a precise impression.
Human reason tells us that Mary and Joseph had every reason to be shocked and angry after days of searching for Jesus. But since God decided upon this remarkable journey for them, faith in His wisdom and guidance would have tempered their panic and anger.
We are in a similar position all our lives. What seems terrible at the moment can turn out to be the greatest blessing. That is how we must view the cross - pain as a result of teaching the Word. Until we see that, we do not really know the meaning of the cross and why Jesus said - "Take up the cross daily."
Luther:
11. Thus you see, that God can deal with his saints in a way to deprive them of happiness and comfort whenever he pleases, and cast them into the greatest fear concerning that in which they have their greatest joy. So, likewise, he can again confer the greatest joy. For this was the greatest joy of this holy Virgin, that she had become the mother of this child, but now she has no greater terror and sorrow than that caused by this Son. Thus, we can have no greater terror than that caused by sin and death; and yet God can comfort us even in this, so that we may glory in the fact, as St.
Paul says, Romans 5:20-21, that sin was compelled to serve to the end that grace might be greater and much more abound. And death, overcome by Christ, furnishes the reason why we may desire death and be able to die with gladness.
12. Again, if God has given us a precious faith and we therefore live in strong confidence of the fact that we have a gracious God through Christ, we are in paradise.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
Here is Jesus simply responding as the Savior. For everything to take place, He must necessarily follow the Father's will. That places Him above all family concerns. More importantly, at the moment they cannot really comprehend what must happen.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
This was not boyish rebellion but the way things had to be. Jesus remained a boy and subject to them, part of His role. Mary kept those memories and was with the apostles in Jerusalem after His Ascension. We know nothing for certain after that, which gave rise to people speculating and inventing tales which eventually elevated Mary beyond her role in the New Testament and a great burden for those understanding Jesus as the gracious Savior.
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| Jesus taught in the Temple area and denounced the merchants for turning the House of God into a den of thieves. |
