Exodus 24:8-18; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Being a parent can be a rollercoaster of emotions. One moment, you are marveling at what great kids you have, and the next, you are putting them in time out just to have a moment’s peace. Yet, it’s a parent’s love and affection that children crave the most. We all want to know that our parents are proud of us and pay attention to us. This is part of why kids can say the funniest and silliest of things. They want the attention.

It interesting then that in this season of Epiphany, we hear this phrase spoken concerning Jesus. As God says, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” Matthew 17:5. We begin Epiphany with this phrase at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan river and we finish Epiphany with this proclamation at Jesus’ transfiguration. Even Jesus in his life needed this validation from his Father. For the season of Epiphany reveals to us who Jesus is, that is, the beloved Son of God.

This week, as we celebrate the Transfiguration of Jesus, we’re shown more than just the Father’s validation of his Son. Indeed, the Father was pleased with Jesus, his Son, for Jesus has been faithful in all his work. But Jesus brought with him three of his disciples—Peter, James, and John. For while Jesus appeared in all his glory, alongside Moses and Elijah, Peter jumps into the conversation. “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah,” Matthew 17:4. It’s that moment where you speak too soon and sound silly.

While Jesus is the beloved Son, the rest of us might have a thing or two to learn about being a child of the Almighty. We love the glory of that mountain and get so excited to experience it for ourselves that we blurt the first thing that comes to mind. We act childish, not only in our speech but in our behavior also. It would be better for us to be quiet, than to speak more sin into our world.

For so, we hear the voice come from the clouds which speaks not only to Jesus, but to us as well. Jesus isn’t just the Son of God, but also our brother. Hence, we hear God say, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him,” Matthew 17:5. Listen to Jesus! Yes, everything we’re looking for comes from the mouth of our Lord. Learning what it means to be a son or daughter can only come from him who is Son. For it’s no mistake that when the disciples lift their eyes again, “they saw no one but Jesus only,” Matthew 17:8. By the cross, the fog of sin lifts. Because Jesus went to the cross for us, we’re to look to him alone for life and salvation. For so, God grants us the new birth of water and the word as we hear his voice over us, say, “This is my beloved child, with whom I am well pleased!”

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O God, in the glorious transfiguration of Your beloved Son You confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of Moses and Elijah. In the voice that came from the bright cloud You wonderfully foreshowed our adoption by grace. Mercifully make us co-heirs with the King in His glory and bring us to the fullness of our inheritance in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!

Isaiah 58:3-9a; 1 Corinthians 2:1-12; Matthew 5:13-20

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

There is almost no recipe that doesn’t require salt. It’s an essential ingredient to make food taste good. Without salt, so many things just taste bland. Of course, we know some foods naturally have salt in them so there’s not much need to add extra, though sometimes I still do. Salt not only enhances flavors in other foods, but it can also be used for many other things too, like as a preservative.

Not enough salt is a common issue. But so is too much. If you dump the entire shaker of salt on your plate, you’re not going to enjoy eating it. Salt needs to be spread out to be useful, lest it become a waste. Light in the same way can be a great blessing. A flashlight is useful outside at night to see, or in a dark room. However, it’s nonsense to turn on a flashlight during the day or in a room that’s already lit. 

For consider our Gospel reading this week as Jesus calls us both salt and light. “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? …You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden,” Matthew 5:13-14. Jesus’ disciples are meant to be both salt and light to the world. Salt to preserve the world from God’s wrath and light to reveal the love of God. 

Witnessing, sharing our faith is such an essential part of being a Christian. We can’t segregate ourselves away from the rest of the world, just like you can’t dump an entire shaker of salt on your plate and expect the food to taste good. Unsalty salt is an oxymoron. So is a non-witnessing Christian. “It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet,” Matthew 5:13. Faith is not private. It’s not something only between you and God. For so, it’s tempting for us to hide our light, to congregate together away from the world and think we’re no worse a Christian. 

Think about it this way, though. Jesus never said you must “turn on your light”. He never said you must “become” salt. He makes you both salt and light. You are the light of the world. Jesus makes us both when he calls us to follow him, when he makes us his disciple, when he fills us with his word. Being salt and light isn’t something we have to do, it’s who we already are! For it’s not our own light that we shine. Our words and deeds shine a light not on ourselves, but on God who saved us. Jesus Christ has restored you by dying on the cross for your sins. For this is how we give glory to God, how we be both salt and light in the world. We tell the world about Jesus and all that he has done for us through his death and resurrection. Through us, then, God uses our words and deeds to “preserve” the world that we, his children may enter his kingdom through the righteousness of Christ!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O Lord, keep Your family the Church continually in the true faith that, relying on the hope of Your heavenly grace, we may ever be defended by Your mighty power; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!

Micah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

It’s amazing the difference that glasses can make for your vision if your eyes aren’t working properly. When vision begins to fail us, or even if we were born with poor vision, we know there are options to improve it. Putting on glasses that are properly suited for you can be like seeing a new world.

Likewise, we often talk about faith as a type of vision. As believers, we’re meant to look at the world differently than all others. We see a different world by faith than those who look with only earthly eyes. Just as Paul even writes, “We walk by faith, not by sight,” 2 Corinthians 5:7. Faith is meant to reveal to us a whole new world and through that a whole new way of interacting with the world around us.

In our Gospel lesson this week, Jesus speaks the Beatitudes. These are words that Christians have held dear for a long time for good reason. However, there’s more to these words than blessings for believers. As Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth…Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” Matt. 5:3, 5, 10. What Jesus is teaching here isn’t just comforting words for those who are distressed, he’s teaching his followers to look at the world through his eyes. 

It is all too easy to look at this world and see only suffering, disasters, and evil. It is easy to find despair when nothing seems to be going right. Earthly eyes look at this world in the finite, senseless violence that fills our TVs and the never-ending drama that overtakes our lives. It’s our sin that’s ever present before our eyes that clouds our vision and causes us to fixate on the evil around us, rather than on the goodness of God.

Understand then that it’s Jesus’ blessings (or beatitudes) that causes us to reorient our vision away from our sin and evil and towards the work of God still happening among us. While sin, suffering, and disasters remain ever present in our world, the Christian whose eyes have been fixed toward Christ now sees God’s hand sustaining and providing for us. Being meek, merciful, and pure in heart are the virtues that may not gain us anything in this life, but are priceless because of the treasure they provide in eternity. The blessings of Christ come from Christ’s own suffering and death upon the cross. It’s the cross that enables us to look past our sins, past the evil in our world, and know that God and his goodness will triumph over all! “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you,” Matthew 5:11-12. Indeed, put on the glasses of faith so that we may see Christ’s blessings given to you through the cross! 

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

Almighty God, You know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Isaiah 9:1-4; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-25

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

At this time of year, so many of us are already looking forward to spring for one reason or another. We’re eager to emerge from the cold months of the year and enter back into the warmer days. And as we all know now that we’re past the winter solstice the days are getting longer again. The cold and dark of winter does a number on the body and mind. 

Darkness is menacing to us. During winter, it’s not just the cold that prevents us from going outside as much, but the dark. When we can’t see more than a couple feet in front of us, it changes how we think and act. Indeed, we’re also aware that nothing good happens in the dark. Darkness is where the unknown constantly confronts us. Any number of things can happen when sight is hindered. 

For such is the image in our Gospel lesson this week. Christ enters into our world like the dawning of a new day. He is the light that scatters the darkness around us. “The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned,” Matthew 4:16. Matthew marks the beginning of Jesus’ ministry with this image as Jesus takes up the proclamation of John the Baptist, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” Matthew 4:17. 

We are a people who have dwelt in a land of darkness, in the shadow of sin and death. This darkness has changed the way we live and act. It’s menacing to us as the darkness of our world seems to overshadow everything we say and do. Indeed, in sin, we can’t see more than a couple feet in front of us. We don’t always know what lays before us and are afraid of the unknown that may confront us. 

Yet, the night is almost over. The light has appeared over the horizon like the dawning of a new day. For Christ comes as light. In his ministry, He brings to light all our works of evil, all our sins that we may repent. He invites us to follow just as he calls his first disciples, Peter and Andrew, James and John. For his light brings to us a new day, one no more dominated by sin and death but rather by grace and life! Christ comes into the darkness of our world, even going into the darkness of death on the cross. By his death, he dispels the darkness of our world and invites us to follow him. For the night of this world is quickly ending and giving way to the dawning of a new day. For the light of Christ shall arise on us and bring us by faith to the eternal day, even eternal life! 

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities and stretch forth the hand of Your majesty to heal and defend us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!

Isaiah 49:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42a

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

It’s not polite to point. People don’t like it when they’re being stared at, talked about, or singled out. We don’t want to make anyone feel uneasy or unsafe. Pointing has always had a more accusatory emphasis behind it. We usually only point at something or someone that stands out in a negative way. 

It’s takes pointing though to direct our attention. A simple statement of “Look!” isn’t enough. Look where? This is the typical way John the Baptist is depicted. He’s pointing. He doesn’t point at just anything either. He’s pointing to Jesus who’s walking along the road. “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29. He had to point it out. He had to direct people’s attention to this important scene. 

We always talk about John’s ministry as one of preparation. But perhaps his ministry was more of a pointing. John baptized people in the wilderness but that was only half his mission, as we see with two of his disciples. John must point out for them the promised Messiah who had come. Behold! Look over there! That’s him! The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 

John wouldn’t be the only one to point to Jesus though. For many others would point to him and not in a good way. The Lamb of God would be pointed out by the crowds, singled out for his actions. He would be pointed at by Judas who would single him out for the Roman guards to arrest him. He would be pointed at by Pilate who would tell the crowds, “Behold, the man!” John 19:5. Jesus would be pointed out as the sin-bearing lamb of God. 

Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. God would be the last one to point his finger. He would point to Jesus on the cross where his wrath would be poured out. Jesus would be accused, sentenced and condemned for our sins. He would be the one pointed at and mocked by Roman guards. He would be pointed at by all the people shocked that such fate could befall one called the Son of God. Yet, all fingers will point to him again in three days, not in accusation but in bewilderment and awe. For see the Lamb of God having completed the sacrifice for all sins, now risen from the dead. This is the one whom took your sins and my sins, who took our place, who we pointed at in mockery… but now must point to in faith. Let us point, direct, and turn the worlds focus to this one… to Jesus, the Lamb of God who has taken away the sins of the world! 

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace through all our days; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!

Isaiah 42:1-9; Romans 6:1-11; Matthew 3:13-17

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Some people are more stubborn than others. It seems like a natural fact that some people just have more fight in them and are willing to endure the push back also. Like when you go out to eat with family or friends, there’s sometimes that fight over who takes the bill. It’s always the most stubborn one who wins because at some point, everyone else will bow out. 

Now, I’ve never seen stubbornness as purely a negative trait. There are times where stubbornness is simply an unwillingness to give up on something good. It’s more of a resilience in the face of adversity rather than a delight in causing others annoyance.

This week, we find our Lord being stubborn in the face of opposition and for good reason. Jesus travels out to the wilderness, to John the Baptist, so that Jesus may be baptized by John. John, though, has the same reaction as we all would, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Matthew 3:14. John was preaching a baptism of repentance for those who had strayed from God’s way. But here comes Jesus who John has proclaimed as the perfect, sinless, Lamb of God. Thus, John wonders, why does Jesus need to be baptized?

This is why Jesus needed to be stubborn. Because every single one of us would have stood in his way to flip the script. From John’s question comes the recognition of our own sinfulness and imperfection. It’s our sinfulness that demands us to be baptized. We understand this well. When you do something wrong, you need to be “washed” of the guilt. But this raises the last question, where does our “filth” and sin go once it’s washed off?

Jesus’ stubbornness was for our good, not because he needed to be baptized, but rather we needed him to be baptized for us. Jesus insisted before John that this was the way things were meant to happen, and John would finally consent. As Jesus said, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness,” Matthew 3:15. “Now” is the time of Christ’s willing humiliation, his lowering of himself to our level. Righteousness simply means, the act of God making right. It’s our very salvation which Christ came to fulfill by the perfect will of God. This is begun at Jesus’ baptism, but will be finished at the cross. For at his baptism, Christ is made to be the sin-bearer, the one who carries all of our sins so that on the cross, he may pay for them all! By his baptism and cross, Christ removes all the sins of the world and buries them in the grave so that we may now be given the gift of eternal life!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized in His name faithful in their calling as Your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!

Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

From times past, civilizations were built by deciphering the “code” of the heavenly bodies. Star charts were used for navigation on the high seas. People believe, even today, that the stars can tell us something about events happening here on earth. We say something is “written in the stars” if it is meant to happen, certain even.

While I may not believe in Zodiac signs or other astrological beliefs today, I know that God gave us the stars and the heavenly bodies for a reason. Not only does the sun give us light and warmth in our world, but our ability to observe other stars and planets have filled us with awe and wonder to the workings of our universe.

On this Sunday, we celebrate (a couple days early) the epiphany of our Lord! Epiphany is the day we remember the wise men journeying from the east as they see the star in the heavens which leads them to the stable where baby Jesus is. “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him,” Matthew 2:1-2. These Wise Men are also often called the Magi. They are nobles, possibly even kings from another country who come to pay homage to the one born “king of the Jews”. 

Of course, this isn’t such great news for the one who currently held the throne. Herod heard this message and became jealous for his throne. For this is what happens when Jesus appears in our life too. Epiphany means “to shine forth”, or “reveal”. By Jesus’ presence in the world, the hearts of all the world would be revealed. The faithful versus the unfaithful. The good versus the evil. The righteous versus the sinner. Jesus’ incarnation will bring to light many things in our world, and not all of them are things we want brought to light.

Yet, here’s the interesting thing about this star. It wasn’t like any other. It was clearly different to lead the three wise men to the manger. And as for the Wise Men, while Matthew doesn’t tell us where they’re from, we can easily surmise that the most likely origin was Babylon. The same Babylon in which Daniel was made a leader. The same Babylon with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These were people who had been taught about the prophecies from long ago and still believed in the Savior who would be born in Bethlehem. Hence, the Wise Men travel a long way to see the one born King of the Jews because they knew he was more than a king. He was their Savior. With such faith, they gave him precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. With such faith, they returned to tell others about all God had shown to them in the manger!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O God, by the leading of a star You made known Your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles. Lead us, who know You by faith, to enjoy in heaven the fullness of Your divine presence; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!