Baptized for us
At Jesus’ baptism the confusion between John and Jesus comes to an end as John says plainly that one more powerful than himself is coming, and at the baptism the voice from heaven declares Jesus as God’s beloved Son. Until this moment the people had been coming to John for a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin, but now John will fade into the background as Jesus’ ministry begins. It is critical to realize that Jesus was baptized for us, not for himself. He was baptized in order to take our sin to himself, not to be cleansed from his own sin. This is a very critical move, for John could only tell people to act better according to the law, that is to repent and start doing the right deeds of justice. Jesus, by contrast, will forgive sinners. Instead of John's call to repent in order to be forgiven, Jesus will give forgiveness that produces repentance and new life in the gospel.
A Nunc Dimittis For The New Year
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel. … And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, [Simeon] took [the child] up in his arms and blessed God and said, ‘Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for my eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel.’” (Luke 2:25, 26-32; emphasis added)
As we experienced the wondrous message of Christmas this past week … the presence of the Messiah is a mystery. It cannot be said by everyone, and it cannot be seen by everyone, but only by those like Simeon in our gospel reading, who have heard God’s Word of promise and look with eyes that are guided by the Holy Spirit (Luke 2:24d, 27a). And so for us, come Sunday … the first day of the New Year 2017 … there is a renewed call by God to “behold,” to “listen” for his Holy Word that still comes to us – together with a splashing of water at baptism and the bread ‘n wine where Christ promises to be truly present (cf. R. Jenson’s Visible Words). Yes, there’s something surprising, something quite unexpected about the appearance of salvation; something that contradicts pious opinions and intellectual demands (I Corinthians 1:21-23).
As the wise old theologian of the 20th century, Paul Tillich cradles it: “The mystery of salvation is the mystery of a child” (The New Being, p.95). So it was anticipated by the Old Testament prophets (e.g. Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 11:6) … the “wise men from the east” (Matthew 2:1-2) … as well as those beloved advent figures who set-the-stage-in-waiting for the “good news” of the gospel (Mark 1:1): Zechariah ‘n Elizabeth, Mary, and Simeon (Luke 1:5-25; 26-56; 2:22-35). They all believed, as did the early Christians, that the event of salvation is the birth of a child. For a child is real and not yet real, it is in history and not yet historical – its little hands have not yet matured into full reach. A child’s nature is visible and invisible; it is here and not yet fully here. The New Testament is clear in stating that the Kingdom of God is at hand in the person of Jesus; yet, this kingdom is still coming about, in secret mystery, till the time of fulfillment when he returns. This experience of waiting – of “not having but also having” … of “now and not yet” (John 4:23) … is the character of salvation. Salvation has the nature of a child.
And so we wait … we wait in the Spirit of God’s promise in this Christmas Season ‘n beyond … with Zechariah and Elizabeth, with Mary, and with Simeon … and all the “waiting witnesses” of faith … those who trust that the seed of salvation has already been planted, like a seed growing deep in the womb of God’s world and in us …
Yes, salvation has the nature of a child … and when it grows-up is crucified and raised. Only the person who has eyes of faith to see power under weakness, glory under suffering, life under death (cf. Martin Luther’s “theology of the cross”) … can hold out one’s hands with Simeon, as in Rembrandt’s painting that you see attached here … and behold a little child, a little bread ‘n wine, and confess Simeon’s nunc dimittis: “Lord, lettest now thy servant depart in peace according to your Holy Word … For mine eyes have seen thy salvation” (Luke 2:29-30).
A blessed New Year to you and your kin …
Dr. John Christopherson
Senior Pastor
The Greatest Gift of All: God's Presence
“For to you is born this day … a Savior”
And the angel said to the shepherds: “For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Now, here’s the heart of the Gospel, the very core of the Christmas message: “For to you …”
God does not come to us in the leisure distance of some text or phone call: “Hey, how ya’ doin?” Nor does God come to us with an inscribed card from some tropical island that reads: “Wish you were here” … or better yet, “Merry Christmas.” (What? Moving on …) Rather, God gives of God’s very self, to you, to me – we uncertain poor shepherds still out in the wiles of this early 21st century – tending our loneliness, our hurts, our needs, by night – and makes us his own – Emmanuel (“God with us”). God comes into the fear and loneliness of our little darkened rooms and says: “Don’t be afraid. I’m here with you, for you, for always …” (cf. Psalm 23:4). And what great “comfort and joy” is here! You’re not alone. I’m not alone. For God promises to always be with us. “And ALL the people were to be enrolled” (Luke 2:1).
Follow me on this … The baby Jesus couldn’t get into the Ramkota or Hilton, not even the HOLIDAY inn. “And there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7c). This allusion comes from the prophet, Jeremiah who says: “Who am I? am I just a traveler on this land who stays at an inn?” My friends, Jesus can’t get into an inn because he’s not some traveler. He’s going no where. He has to be born on earth because he’s not going to pack-up and leave. This is a permanent presence – “God deep in the flesh” (Martin Luther) – in person – con carne – for our human condition. There will be no walking out of the covenant. There will be no abandonment. This is not some tourist. This is one who’s born on earth.
The Christ Child cannot be born in an inn, because the only people who stay in inns are people who move out. They stay a night and then they leave. Rather … as we sing the beloved Christmas hymn, “What Child Is This?” … the refrain bears witness: “This, this is Christ the Lord …” who does not leave. And you have God’s personal Word on it – marked by the Cross and sealed by the power of the Holy Spirit. “This is my body given for you.” “This is my blood shed for you” (cf. John 15:13). There’s an amazing physicality here. A presence of fleshy vulnerability, wrapped in swaddling cloths. As the medieval mystic, Oetinger would remind us: “Corporeality is the end of the ways of God” (see Paul Tillich’s, A History of Christian Thought, p.262).
I will always remember a university student sharing a very “touching” childhood remembrance with me – one that involved her traveling to Disneyland. As her family was driving on the return to her home state of Montana, her mother posed this question to her: “Honey, what part of the trip did you like the best?” Her unhesitating response: “That Daddy and you could be with me, the whole time.”
Friends and family: Listen. Listen. Personal, physical presence, is the very, very best gift that we can be given. By God for us. And by us for one another, in Jesus’ name. As the Dutch theologian, Eduard Schillebeeckx has observed: “People are the words by which God continues to tell his story of salvation” (Church, p.xiii). Don’t forget this truth; especially when you’re “out there” running around, frazzled, wondering what to buy a loved one for Christmas. Share the comforting word of Christ. Share something of your very presence. Such is the understanding that inspired the Psalmist to write: “In thy presence is fullness of joy!” (Psalm 16:11). Merry Christ-mass!
Dr. John Christopherson
Senior Pastor
Mary: The Theotokos ("Bearer of God")
One of the most beautiful and beloved stories of God's coming to dwell in our lives ... as his children, his chosen ones ... sings right-up-off the page of our Gospel text for today. It tells of the fullness of time when the kingdom of God begins to break in upon our advent darkness - of watching 'n waiting, of singing 'n beholding. Of a new beginning when a young girl, named Mary says "Amen" to God's angelic Announcement" ... So, why do we love this story so much? Perhaps it's because in this story, we're able to hear how it is that we too are loved unconditionally by God's favor. Or, that we, like Mary - a common peasant girl - are given the courage to say "Yes" to the very best gift of all: God's coming to dwell with us, in us, and through us ... in the great joy of being able to bear/share the good news of Christ's birth. "Glory to God in the highest ... AND ... on earth, peace among all people, with whom God is well pleased" (Luke 2:14).
Meister Eckhart, the medieval mystic - a favorite of Martin Luther - once penned these very provocative words, words that connect the Gospel Word with our lives this day. Listen in carefully ... "[With Mary] we are all meant to be 'bearers of God's word' (theotokoi) ... [For] what good is it to me for the Creator to give birth to his Son if I do not also give birth to him in my time and place? This, then, is the fullness of time. Wen the Son of God is begotten in and through us."
j.r. christopherson
Senior Pastor
Thoughts on Isaiah 61
As the Babylonian exile of God’s people ends and their hope of returning to the promised land begins to be realized, the word of God through the prophet Isaiah promises hope, joy, freedom to the captives and restoration of life. But just what did that mean? What does it look like? When the messiah comes to bring these great gifts will it finally be a time for Israel to be restored to glory? Will they finally get all that their hearts desire and all the power, riches, and honor they deserve? With the Spirit of the Lord upon the messiah will there be any stopping them? Imagine the disappointment that awaited when Jesus Christ showed up as messiah. Instead of elevating Israel with power and riches, he proclaimed the kingdom of God’s forgiveness and mercy, so that all that Isaiah had spoken had to be rethought. Really, however, the gifts of God in Christ - forgiveness, life, salvation - are priceless and beyond all worldly value so that they are far more precious than power and wealth. These gifts cannot be bought, but can only be given in Christ through the Holy Spirit.