(Series A)
Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 146
Psalm 146
James 5:7-11
Matthew 11:2-15
Matthew 11:2-15
“True Rejoicing”
Central Christological Statement: “The Coming of Christ brings true joy into the heart of Christians.”
Sermon
There are many things that bring joy into our lives. College graduation and the new job. The marriage proposal and ensuing “yes.” The wedding day. The firstborn to a young couple. Promotion in work, a raise in income. Good marks in school. These are some of the things that really bring joy into our lives. But there are smaller things too that bring joy such having your favorite football team win the match or seeing a wonderful movie; reading an inspiring novel. Regardless of the cause, we humans love having joy. But there is one type of joy that people sometimes set aside or fail to experience. The sad part is that this joy that I speak of today is the real thing. True Joy.
Today is the third Sunday in Advent. Traditionally this Sunday is called Gaudet Sunday from the Latin: “Rejoice.” On this day we are especially reminded of true joy and true rejoicing that comes from Christ. If you remember nothing else today, remember this: “The Coming of Christ brings true joy into the heart of Christians.” (Repeat)
From our text, we see a man who truly know the joy of the Coming of Christ. The forerunner to the Messiah, John the Baptist. Last week we saw the beginning of His ministry by baptizing for repentance. Today we see him shortly before his martyrdom. He is now imprisoned for speaking the truth. However, he continues to his mission, pointing to the Christ as the Messiah. Today he sends his disciples to hear and see the Messiah Himself.
We can honestly ask the question here, how is it that John the Baptist can faithfully continue his ministry amidst his deadly persecution? What enables him to continue in such circumstances? The answer is simple: “The coming of Christ brought true joy into the heart of John the Baptist!”
The joy of Christ is seen throughout the life of John. We can trace it all the way back to before he was born:
39In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."
Who is this child who leaped for joy because of the Christ? John the Baptist!
John’s joy in Christ was with him his ministry ordained by God to prepared the way of the Lord through preaching of repentance. In the wilderness he faithfully and boldly proclaimed God’s Word so that the “all of Judea” was coming to him. Baptizing Christ and witnessing the Holy Trinity! What other than the joy of knowing that Messiah had finally come could give such boldness?
There could have been a temptation for John to take his popularity and power to a higher level. Sure enough he had the following. His disciples were ready to leave everything and follow him. Jesus on the other hand wasn’t attractive or appealing to them. They were looking for this great temporal king to come and establish his earthly reign. They were looking for glory. They were looking for something great! But they didn’t see these things when they looked to Jesus. Rather they saw a servant. How could this lowly man give such joy to their teacher John?
Amidst this temptation, John unfailingly points them to Jesus. Perhaps he is becoming a bit annoyed by his students failure to listen to him. Throughout his life they heard his preaching: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” “I am not the Christ.” “The One coming after me is Greater.” “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Why can’t they see what John saw? What were they looking for? They were looking for the Messiah, but they saw a man. They were looking for a king, but they saw a servant. In the knowledge and joy of Jesus, John desperately points his confused disciples to Christ.
Dear friends in Christ, there is nothing stoping you from finding the same joy that John the Baptist had. But all too often we become like his disciples looking for a pompous king or leader. We often fail to see the works and to hear the words of Christ like the disciples of John. And it is at this point that I have to say: beware! When we become bored of Christ and His Word we can turn to false teachers.
(Excursus)
Many false prophets come in this world claiming to be a new messenger of God. Be aware of such people. These are not true teachers. Rather than pointing to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the focus on temporal works such as speaking in tongues, miraculous healing, and financial riches and blessings from God. These are not true teachers. They are not proclaiming Christ and Him Crucified! They are preaching another gospel, not of God. Don’t go for them, or your soul is at risk to be eternally. The are instruments of the devil himself.
The preachers and bishops in the ELCK are called to preach and teach Christ faithfully just as John the Baptist did. They are bearers of the divine gifts of Christ: forgiveness, life, and salvation. The true preachers are here in your midst. This is Christ working as Good News is preached here through the Lutheran Church. Those faithful pastors and leaders in the Lutheran Church here and throughout the world hold the sacred gifts of God. Listen to them. You will receive true blessings from God, true Joy.
With that said, we can again look at the true joy that comes from Christ. As I mentioned, the same joy that came to John comes to you. Look to the Christ. Go to Him. Ask Him, “are you the One is to come?” His answer is this: “the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6And blessed is the one who is not offended by me." Just as Jesus affirmed the teaching of John, so also He affirms our preaching today. We receive Good News! We receive absolution for our sins. We receive His Holy Word. We receive His most precious body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins! Leap for joy dear friends in Christ! Rejoice!
This true joy is far greater than any joy we can experience in life. It doesn’t end. It is with you and me all the days of our pilgrimage in this world. As long as we come to receive the gifts of the Lord in His Word and Sacrament, we have this true joy!
But there is something that is to be said about the joys and sorrows that we experience in life. When we have the joy of Christ in our hearts, we are able to further enjoy the blessings and joys of life, because we know that they come from Him. When we experience the marriages, births, promotions, the “good” things of life, we can rejoice that they are from God whose joy is within us. But the converse is true as well. When we have the joy of Christ in our hearts, we are able to bear the burdens of life. Sickness, death, pain, demotion, failure, rejection, struggles. Whatever you may be dealing with now, or at some point in your life, Christ’s joy of salvation in your heart will sustain you.
While we go through these ups and downs in life we can be assured that Christ is always with us. But we can also be assured that our Joy will be complete when Christ comes again. On that day we who have confessed Him here will receive the consummation of our faith on earth. The joy that is with us now will be brought to full bloom when Christ comes in glory. That my friends is the way that it is on this 12th day of December in the year of our Lord 2010. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Advent III
Uhuru Highway Lutheran Church
December 12, 2010
Vicar Jeff Ross
