True wisdom is made visible in Christ Jesus (August 16, 2009)
By Rev. Bert Thompson

Many people say the Bible is difficult to understand. Yes, some things in Scripture are very deep and profound.

But much of God’s Word is simple and clear. Simply, we are sinners. Clearly, Christ saves us from our sins. Knowing this is true wisdom. True wisdom is made visible in Christ Jesus.

The Pharisees in Jesus’ day are fools. They refuse to see themselves as sinners. Therefore, they are blind to the real Christ Jesus. Instead of hearing God speaking to them, they see only a man telling them to eat his body and drink his blood. How gross! In their spiritual blindness, they decide that Jesus is a fool. Many people agree with them. They all leave Jesus.

Who are these people who leave Jesus? These people come to worship in the synagogue each week. These people sing praises to God. These people think they are good people. But when Jesus preaches in their house of worship; when Jesus exposes them as the sinners they are; when Jesus offers them Himself – His real Body and His real Blood for their forgiveness, they are offended.

So many people leave Him that Jesus turns to His twelve disciples. He asks them, “Do you also want to go away?”

Peter answers with the words we sing before our Gospel lesson. Peter says: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Jesus is eternal life.

But what about all those people who refuse to listen to Jesus? Where are they next weekend? They are back in worship singing praises to God but refusing to listen to Jesus. Wow.

Here is Jesus Himself as their preacher, but they’ve already decided that He’s wrong and they are right. They think they will outlast Jesus. “This preacher named Jesus tells us we are bad people. We don’t like Him. Hopefully, He will leave soon.” Yes. Jesus does not stay where He is not wanted. Soon, Jesus will be preaching in other synagogues. Then they’ll have their preachers back who will tell them what their itching ears want to hear.

Could this ever happen in our day: could there be people who come to churches week after week, but do not really believe what Jesus says? Could some people want preachers who will tell them only what they want to hear?

So, what does God want to tell us? God says all our righteousness acts are like filthy rags and our sins, like the wind, sweep us away (Is. 64). However, even when the Holy Spirit shows us our sin we are tempted to make up excuses. We don’t always see our desperate need for forgiveness.

Jesus knows our need. He knows we need to be connected to His sinless Body. Jesus says, “As often as you eat this Bread and drink this Cup…” but our Old Nature tempts us to come to His Table only when we feel like it, because we are not that bad, are we? We don’t need His Body and His Blood that often, do we?

We have the opportunity to come to His Table each week. Not everyone can do that. Think of our shut-ins or our soldiers. Think of travelers and workers in foreign lands. Some people have to wait months and ever years to come to a place where this holy Supper is celebrated according to Christ’s command.

But, you are here this morning; you don’t have to wait. You are blessed beyond measure. Jesus is here for you.

Thorough water and Word and bread and wine, He gives you what you desperately need: the forgiveness of all your sins.

Through Christ, you are joined to God, in the flesh. You are joined to His purity and to His righteousness. Now, it is Christ Who works good things through you. You are doing that which is well pleasing in God’s sight, because what you do is done through Christ. Being joined to Christ, you automatically do good works. A good tree bears good fruit.

Pastor, I have a question: if I am a good tree, why do I still do what I know is wrong? Why do I still curse, swear and gossip? Why am I so fearful of the future? Why am I so angry? Why do I blow up at my wife or my husband or my parents or my children? Why do I keep lusting for things I cannot have or for people I cannot touch? Why do bad thoughts keep entering my mind? Why am I so unconcerned for other people? Why do I constantly complain?

Why? Because you and I have an Old Nature inside us that fights against Christ. We can still choose to do the wrong thing. Sinning is easy; sinning is so very easy.

Christ knows what we are going through, every minute. He was tempted in every way, just as we are, yet He never sinned.

Imagine how difficult it must be to never sin, ever. Jesus knows we need His strength. We cannot fight this good fight of faith using our own strength. When we do, we fail.

We can only begin to do battle with the strength of Christ. In Christ and in His strength, we can begin to forgive others with the forgiveness we have received from Christ. In Christ, we can begin to fight the evil inside of us and outside of us. In Christ, we can begin to love God and love other people, even our enemies.

Daily we fall into sin. Daily, we live in the forgiveness of our Baptism. Here, Christ gives us His Holy Absolution. Here, Christ gives us His pure Body and sinless Blood for our daily strength in our daily battles – and for our eternal salvation.

Rejoice that the Holy Spirit has opened your eyes. Rejoice that you see your sin and that you see your Savior. God’s Word may be deep and profound at times, but in His simple words you see Jesus.

Jesus came to you in the water of your Baptism. Jesus meets you where He’s promised to meet you: here, in His Father’s house. His words comfort and strengthen you. He absolves you of all your sins. He feeds you Himself with the food of forgiveness and eternal life.

In Christ you live, now and forever. Amen.