Good News: God Isn't Fair!

[Below, you can find live stream video of both of yesterday's worship services with the people and friends of Living Water Lutheran Church in Centerville, Ohio. Also below is the prepared text of the message shared during the services. God bless your week with faith in Christ and the certainty of Christ's presence with you now and of the eternal life with God He has secured for you through His death and resurrection.]

Matthew 20:1-16

In one of his sermons on today’s gospel lesson, Matthew 20:1-1-16, Martin Luther said, “This [lesson] is intricate, and very difficult for the young and the simple…”

But it’s not just the young in faith or the simple in thought who find the parable that Jesus tells us today difficult. In fact, I doubt that Jesus ever said anything more offensive to good church-going folks than what He says to us today.

Let’s set the scene.

Just before this parable in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus tells a rich man confident of his place in the kingdom of God that, because he relies on his wealth and his good works for salvation, he must sell all that he has, give the proceeds to the poor, and follow Him. The rich man walks away sad, knowing that he will be damned in eternity because of his unwillingness to let go of his favorite god. money, and his favorite sin, covetousness.

The disciples think, like many people falsely think today, that wealth is a sign of God’s favor. They ask Jesus if a rich person can’t enter God’s kingdom, who can? Jesus tells them that anything is possible with God; anyone who turns from their idols and sins and turns instead to Him for forgiveness and new life can have life with God.

Then Jesus tells them that in the kingdom of God, unlike the kingdoms of this world, “many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” (Matthew 19:30)

Maybe in response to the troubled looks He sees around Him, Jesus then tells today’s parable. You know it well.

At the beginning of the workday, about 6:00 in the morning, a landowner goes out, presumably to the town square, and agrees to pay a group of men a denarius, the going rate for a day on the job, to work in his vineyard. This is the only time in the parable when Jesus mentions the landowner making any agreement on the rate of pay.

There’s apparently a lot of work to do because, Jesus says, the man goes out at 9:00 AM, at noon, at 3:00 PM, and, finally, at 5:00 PM, the final hour of the work day, promising only that he will pay “whatever is right,” (Matthew 20:4) literally, whatever is just, correct, or righteous, to the late-hires.

At 6:00 PM, when the workday is over, the owner has the foreman call the last men hired, the ones who have worked an hour or less, to receive their pay. They’re given a denarius.

The anticipation undoubtedly must be rising among the first-hired. If the latecomers are getting a denarius from the pleased landowner, how much more might they be able to expect?

But anticipation turns to anger as all the workers hired at different times of the day are given the exact same pay, a single denarius.

“These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ [the first-hires in Jesus’ story say], “and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.” (Matthew 20:12) But the landowner says: “Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?” (Matthew 20:13-15)

At my first parish, a man approached me after worship when I preached on this text and told me, “I’ve always hated that parable.” “It isn’t fair,” he went on, “Is Jesus saying that someone who’s led a sinful life and shows up at church in their old age, all repentant and confessing faith in Jesus, is going to get the same reward as me? I’ve always believed. I’ve always given offerings. I’ve always helped when the church needed help.”

I was a young pastor and a bit afraid of offending this man I loved. But I silently prayed, then told him, “Yes, that’s exactly what Jesus is saying. In His Kingdom, all believers are equal.”

You see, friends, the old sinner who repents and trusts that Jesus died and rose for them is equal to all of you in the kingdom of God, no matter how long you’ve believed or how many good things you’ve done.

So, is the newly baptized baby.

So is the believer who has never been able to put much in the offering plate.

So is the believer who’s disabled.

The reason for this is simple: The God we know in Jesus Christ is NOT fair. Instead, He is righteous. In His kingdom, God doesn’t do the fair thing; He does the right thing, the good thing, the loving thing, the compassionate thing.

He gives the reward of eternal life not on the bases of what we do or how long we’ve been doing it, but on the bases of the grace He bears for all who, by the power of the Gospel Word about the crucified and risen Jesus, daily turn from sin and death and instead, turn in trust to Jesus for forgiveness and new and everlasting life.

Jesus tells us this parable in order to show us the difference between life in “the kingdoms” of this world–be it, the organizational structure of a congregation, a place of work, or a government–and life in His kingdom.

As long as we live in this world, there will be inequalities. It doesn’t matter whether as a people, we adopt the motto, “All people are created equal.” The simple fact of the matter is that in this fallen world, there are and will always be inequalities.”

Some people will be wealthier than others, some more powerful than others, some smarter than others, and some, even, more spiritually gifted than others.

But, as Luther points out, “...in the kingdom of Christ it is otherwise; there is no distinction there among believers; they are all alike, whether they be kings, princes, governors, masters or servants. All have the same Baptism, Gospel, Faith, Sacrament, the same Christ and God. They all attend divine worship in perfect equality; the servant, the mechanic and the peasant hear the same Word as the mightiest lord. The Baptism [by which] I was baptized belongs to every other child, whether rich or poor. Magdalene and the [thief] on the cross have the same faith which St. Peter and St. Paul had; yea, the [same] faith which you or I have, if we are Christians. All sinners, if converted, have the same God and Christ whom John the Baptist had. There is no difference here, though one may by far excel the other in his station in life, in his calling, or in his talents.”

If you and I are intent on nudging our ways past others in the kingdom of God, we will be disappointed. God does not bless and life with God does not come, to those with sharp elbows and unrepentant hearts, only to those who are like the repentant tax collector in another of Jesus’ parables. Jesus says the repentant man “stood a distance” from the altar of the temple out of trembling fear of God’s goodness and holiness, and “beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner..” (Luke 18:13)

There is good news, friends! God has had mercy on us sinners.

“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

And whoever and whatever sinner who heeds His invitation to life in His eternal vineyard–all who repent and believe in Him–will, on the last day, after Jesus has returned to the earth and raised the dead, receive the same reward: life with God that never ends!

And, in the meantime, just like Saint Paul, writing to the Philippian Christians, from a prison cell, his crime being his faith in Jesus and his proclamation of the forgiveness of sins and new and everlasting for all who repent and believe in Jesus, we know that God is with us even now.

It’s hard to understand God.

Hard to understand why He loves us, why He hasn’t given up on us, why He forgives us no matter how many times we come back to Him in repentant faith.

But thank God that He is Who He is.

God is not fair; He’s only right and righteous and good.

Because the God you know in Jesus is good, you can also live each day knowing that “it is by [His] grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

No one can boast, no matter how hard or how long God allows us to work in His vineyard on this earth.

But all who turn to Jesus can rejoice, for the grace He gives us freely in Jesus.

No matter our circumstances in this life.

No matter our position.

Friends, each day, you can claim the inheritance of your baptism and trust Jesus to be with you now AND to give you your eternal reward.

Amen

Our Good Samaritan

[Below you'll find video of the live stream presentations of both the 8:45 AM traditional and 11:00 AM modern worship services of Living Water Lutheran Church, Centerville, Ohio, from earlier today. There were some audio issues during at the beginning of the early service, meaning that you may have to turn up the volume to hear it well. You'll also find the text prepared for the message. Have a good week!]





Luke 10:25-37

Near evening on the first Easter Sunday, you’ll recall, two disciples of Jesus headed for a village called Emmaus. They were saddened by Jesus’ crucifixion and baffled by claims from some of Jesus’ female disciples that Jesus was risen. The two disciples encounter a stranger. This stranger, it turns out, is the risen Jesus. Before revealing Himself, Jesus chastises the disciples for not believing that their Lord, once crucified, was now resurrected. Then we’re told: “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)

Jesus teaches that the whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is about Him. One pastor has said that the Old Testament is about anticipation of Jesus; the Gospels are about the manifestation of Jesus; the book of Acts is the proclamation of Jesus; the letters of the New Testament give us the explanation of Jesus; and Revelation gives us the consummation of life in Jesus’ kingdom.

There are two main ways in which the Bible points us to Jesus. In the Law, we’re confronted by the will of God for human beings to which none of us measures up. In the Gospel–or God’s grace given in Jesus–by which Jesus, through His death, pays the price for our sin, and then rises to open eternity to all who believe in Him. The Law then shows us our need of Jesus, simply because we’re incapable of keeping God’s holy Law, and the Gospel gives us Jesus because Jesus has kept God’s Law perfectly for us. The Gospel assures us that, “...it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

So, what to make of today’s Gospel lesson, Luke 10:25-37? In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus tells the story of a man, presumably a Jew who is beaten and robbed by thieves on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. Two Jews come upon the wounded man: a Levite–the Levites were charged with taking care of the temple in Jerusalem, and a priest–the priests were in charge of offering sacrifices at the temple. Even though God’s Law commands love for neighbor, both of the men walk away from their wounded countryman. But a foreigner, a Samaritan, happens upon the man, and takes extraordinary measures to save his life and provide for his recovery. At the conclusion of His parable, Jesus says, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37)

On the face of it, Jesus seems to be saying, “Love your neighbor and you’ll have everlasting life.” We might think that because remember, Jesus told this parable in response to man who asked Him, “[W]hat must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25)

But if we can be saved by obeying God’s Law of love, by doing good deeds like the Samaritan did, then why did Jesus have to die on a cross for us? Is Jesus rescinding John 3:16? Or is He saying that we don’t need to take up our crosses and follow Him? (Luke 9:23) Is Jesus saying that the Law can save us?

We know none of that is true. So, let’s put our thinking caps on to understand what’s going on in our Gospel lesson. “Let Scripture interpret Scripture” is an important principle for understanding God’s Word. To understand a particular place in the Bible, it’s important to remember what the whole of the Bible tells us. The Bible, taken as a whole, presents us with coherent picture of God and the way to eternal life with God.

So, consider several truths gleaned from the rest of Scripture. First, consider who Jesus was responding to in our lesson. At the beginning, we’re told that an expert in God’s Law stood up to test Jesus. This man knew about every Law of God as given in the Old Testament, including the Ten Commandments, the Holiness Code–part of which makes up our first lesson today, and all the civic and ritual laws in the Bible. He presumably would have also known the 600+ additional laws recognized by the Jewish Pharisees. Believing that a human being could be saved from sin and death by obedience to the Law, the man asks Jesus what laws he needs to keep to have eternal life. (And by asking who his neighbor is, he wants Jesus to tell him who he can hate or ignore.)

The man clearly doesn’t believe that Jesus is the Savior of the world. He believed, like many do and all of us secretly want to believe, that he could save himself by being a good person. Jesus always told unbelievers like this man, parables, explaining, “This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’” (Matthew 13:13) Jesus told parables in order to get unbelievers, not yet ready to follow Him, to perceive their need of Him and the salvation only He can bring. Honesty should have compelled the man to say, “If self-sacrificing love like that, the kind of love that looks out for people I hate or of whom I’m suspicious, is what I have to do to be saved, how can I possibly be saved?” The man wasn’t ready to admit, “I am in bondage to sin and cannot free myself.” The Law in Jesus’ parable should have caused the the expert in the Law to cry out to Jesus, “[H]ave mercy on me, a sinner.” (Luke 18:13) Instead, a man of doing, of action, apparently satisfied that he’s done enough good to earn eternal life, says nothing when Jesus tells Him, “Go and do likewise.”

The second thing to consider to understand Jesus’ parable is what comes next in Luke’s gospel. In Luke 10:38-42, we meet another person who thinks that good works and being a good person will gain them eternal life, Jesus’ friend Martha. You know the incident well. Jesus has come to the home of sisters Martha and Mary and their brother Lazarus. Jesus is teaching. Mary sits and listens to Jesus as He shares His Word of life. Martha though, is like the expert in the Law, a doer busy serving. Resentful, she asks Jesus to tell Mary to get busy too. But Jesus tells her, “Martha, Martha,...you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42) Jesus is telling Martha, a believer, directly, what He told the law expert indirectly through the parable of the Good Samaritan: You could never do enough good or be a good enough person to merit eternal life with God. But those who turn to Jesus and receive Him and His Word of love and forgiveness with faith, will be given the gift of eternity with God.

All of this helps us to see Jesus’ parable in a different light. Yes, we’re called to be good neighbors, but not to earn eternal life. That comes to us as pure gift. You don’t deserve a gift. It springs entirely from the undeserved love the giver bears for us. You, friends–you and I–are the man left for dead by the side of the road in Jesus’ parable. The devil, the world, and our sinful selves constantly accost us and tempt us, luring us to death and away from God. We sin, violating God’s Law, even when we resolve to love Him completely and love others as we love ourselves. This past week, I posted on Twitter, “My name is Mark and I’m a recovering sin addict.” A  follower replied, “It’s been 17 seconds since my last sin…” To which another responded, “17 seconds? You’re GOOD!” We are, as Saint Paul puts it, so “dead in our trespasses” that we would have no hope for life with God were it not for our Good Samaritan. This good Samaritan, Jesus, comes to us, heals the wounds caused by the sin within and around us, scoops us up, and freely carries us into the eternal arms of God, kept in God’s grace today despite our sins and faults: forgiven, saved, freed from sin and death. But even more than that, like the good Samaritan of Jesus’ parable who promises to return for the wounded man, Jesus promises ti return for us. Right now, He says, He’s preparing an eternal place with God for His people: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:3)

Jesus does what you and I cannot do for ourselves. He obeys God’s law of perfect love for God and for neighbor. Then, He takes all our sin into Himself so that He can give all His righteousness–everything that could fit a person for eternity with God–to us. As we turn to Jesus in our desperate helplessness and trust, He gives us an eternity with God we could never earn. Friends, Jesus is your Good Samaritan and He loves you into everlasting life with God. Trust in Him. Amen

The Work, the Mission, the Power, and the Model

[This past Sunday, I was privileged to lead worship and preach at the non-denominational Emma Anderson Memorial Chapel in Topsail, North Carolina. As they do with guest pastors fifty Sundays a year, the people of the chapel provided my family and me with a parsonage-by-the-sea, an opportunity to rest and recharge our batteries, and incredible hospitality!]

EMMA Anderson Sunday Worship Service from Emma Anderson Memorial Chapel on Vimeo.

John 20:19-31

Today, in light of the Bible lesson, I want to talk with you about four things: the work, the mission, the power, and the model.

The lesson opens with Jesus’ disciples huddled in a locked room on the first Easter evening. The doors are locked because they’re afraid of their fellow Jews, afraid that, like their Lord and teacher, they might become targets for rejection, arrest, torture, and death.

Now, the disciples had heard the report of some of the women of their group that Jesus was risen and alive. John’s gospel tells us that John himself had hurried to the tomb in that foot race with Peter and, as a consequence, believed the women’s words. But most of the disciples seem to have concluded that, even if the reports were true, they had no idea of whether, if they were crucified like Jesus, they would also rise again. Besides, because we’re all averse to pain, they surely don’t want to be crucified even if they are going to be raised again!

Some have suggested that on that first Easter evening, the disciples may have had another fear. Namely, if Jesus really was risen, what would He do or say to them after they had scattered and abandoned Him the second He was arrested?

Amid this scene of fear and uncertainty, the risen Jesus, no longer constrained by time or space, appears in that locked room and says, “Peace be with you!” These are more than the words of a well-wisher. Jesus is God the Son and when God speaks, things happen. When, at the creation of this universe, God said, “Let there be light,” there was light. God said through the prophet Isaiah: “My Word will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire...” (Isaiah 55:11) So, in pronouncing peace on the disciples, Jesus isn’t just wishing them His peace, He’s giving them peace.

When Jesus talks about peace, He’s not telling the disciples that their lives on earth will be a smooth ride and they’ll never know conflict and they’ll always get what they want. To have Jesus’ peace is to have a right relationship with God, our sins are forgiven, and we have life with God, both here in this imperfect world and in perfection in life beyond the grave.

And this brings us to our first word; work. Peace with God is not something we can work for or attain. Peace is God’s gift to us through Jesus. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God...”

When Jesus said from the cross, “It is finished,” He meant it. Everything necessary for the forgiveness of your sins and for everlasting life with God has already been accomplished by Jesus. He took the death sentence for sin we deserve. He rose again to open up your never-ending life with God. True peace is God’s work and God’s gift to us through Jesus. I hope that’s as big a relief to you as it is to me!

The Bible teaches that we are born in sin. That is, we have a sinful nature that leads us to commit individual sins. Our sin is a serious matter. The Bible is unblinking in saying the rightful punishment for our sinful nature is separation from God, eternal chaos and condemnation rather than peace. That’s why Jesus’ work from the cross and tomb is so amazing and wonderful! With the apostle Paul, we can say: “Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25) Thank God for the finished work of Jesus Christ for us!

After giving His disciples His peace, Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21) This is a remarkable thing! Jesus was sent into our fallen world by God the Father to do the work of our salvation. Now, Jesus says, He’s sending His disciples, including you and me, into the world. He does because He has a particular calling for us: We’re to share the good news of new and everlasting life for all who believe in Jesus and the work He’s already accomplished for every human being. Giving others the Word of new and everlasting life for sinful people who trust in Jesus is our mission. This, of course, is called the great commission, the mission Jesus gives the Church and individual Christians: to be and make disciples, sharing what Jesus has done to save us from sin and death to give us His peace! He describes that mission in today’s lesson as declaring God’s forgiveness to repentant believers in Jesus and withholding God’s forgiveness from those who refuse to trust in Jesus.

I’m convinced that more people are open to our mission from Christ than we Christians often realize. Part of my personal mission field is the deli of a Kroger grocery stor near me. I’ve gotten to know some of the employees and there’s one man in particular that our church has been able to help in the past. A few weeks ago, I was at the deli counter again. While another employee waited on me, this man we’ll call Bill wrote a note for me on the back of a deli order form. In large letters, he wrote, “Please! Please pray for my son!” I looked at him after reading his note. I could see how much he wanted God in his son’s life circumstances. You and I are surrounded by people like Bill who need Christian disciples who will pursue the mission Jesus has given to us of sharing the Gospel with everyone!

Of course, if we try to do our mission on the basis of our own sparkling personalities, we won’t get done what Jesus has sent us to get done. That’s why after Jesus had given the disciples–all disciples, including you and me–His mission, John says, “with that [Jesus] breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (John 20:22) This brings us to our third word for the morning. After Jesus has done all the work for us to know God’s peace and after He gives us our mission, He gives us the power to fulfill that mission. He gives us the Holy Spirit!

Jesus says elsewhere in John’s gospel, “apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) We Christians often forget this. When I was a seminary student, our spiritual and academic progress was assessed annually by a committee that included laypeople, professors, and classmates. In preparation for these evaluations, we had to write essays in response to a series of questions. I’m embarrassed to say that in my first year, I began one essay with these  words, “I have great confidence in my potential for being a good pastor.” I was rightly called out for arrogance! No Christian and no Christian pastor will ever fulfill Christ’s mission for them by their own “potential” or abilities. That’s why Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to every believer. Jesus promised this to His disciples before His crucifixion: “I  will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16-17) If you can say that Jesus is your Lord, you can be assured that Jesus has given you the Holy Spirit. God’s power for fulfilling His mission for you is in you!

The last part of our lesson is well known to you. It takes place one week after the resurrection. Thomas, who hadn’t been in the locked room when the risen Jesus appeared, had refused to believe that Jesus was risen. But Jesus didn’t give up on Thomas, any more than He gives up on us when we stubbornly refuse to trust Him or when we violate His will. Jesus appears to Thomas and the other disciples. Jesus invites Thomas to touch His wounds. Then Jesus tells Thomas, literally, in John 20:27, “Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” At this, the formerly unbelieving Thomas calls Jesus, “My Lord and my God.” (John 1:28) Here, Jesus becomes our model for pursuing our mission. Jesus doesn’t upbraid Thomas. He doesn’t criticize Thomas’ lack of faith. Instead, He calls Thomas to believe in Him and so to know the peace of God. Would Thomas have come to believe in Jesus had Jesus not been patient with Thomas? As a former atheist, I can tell you that it was the patient, loving witness of Christians who shared Christ and His Gospel with me that brought me to being able to say of Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”

Often today, it seems that Christians treat their unbelieving neighbors as enemies. But the Bible tells us that our real enemies aren’t other people. Our enemies are the devil and the spiritual forces of darkness who imprison people in unbelief and sin. Our neighbors are people who, just like us, need the peace Jesus has secured through His death and resurrection. This is why 1 Peter tells us: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” (1 Peter 3:15) For this, friends, Jesus is our model.

So, four words for us to consider today. The work for our peace with God, others, and ourselves, which has already been completed by Jesus; the mission Jesus gives to share that peace; the power Jesus gives us to fulfill our mission by sending the Holy Spirit; and the model Jesus has given us for pursuing our mission with gentleness and respect. May Jesus bless and guide you as you and this remarkable fellowship of believers follow Him and lift Him up to this community and world. Amen