Sermon Index
anuary 1, 2017
Happy New Year!
In the Orient, 2017 is the Year of the Bird. So I thought it would be fun to see what birds are in the Bible and see how they relate to our salvation in Jesus Christ. I just want to mention two of the many birds in the Bible. One is the dove of the Holy Spirit that came down on Jesus at his baptism. But first, I want to look at the rooster that crowed on the morning of Good Friday.
When that rooster crowed, Peter broke down and wept because he realized that he had denied Jesus, just like it was predicted.
Matthew 26:73-75, [After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.” 74 Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.]
This story in the Bible is not just about Peter, it is about us. That rooster reminds us that we have denied Jesus in our lives, by our sin and fear and lack of trust. We have denied Jesus when we have not given witness to our faith, but have witnessed that we put our trust and confidence in things that are not Christian. The rooster is the accusation of the Law of God. It is not just because we have broken one or two of the Ten Commandments – then that poor rooster would be crowing all day long. We are like a bird that cannot fly. We find that we are unable to fly and escape the things of this world. The rooster crows. It reminds us of our sin. It reminds us of our helplessness. And it creates fear in our hearts. It is the fear that the new year of 2017 is just going to be one more year of denials and regrets and betrayals. That is what the Word of God does. It speaks into our hearts and accuses us and we know our guilt and we become our own jury that convicts us. The rooster cries, “Crucify him, crucify him.” “Put that sinner on the cross.” And the sign above the cross is our name. And the Old Vulture of the Devil shrieks in triumph at our demise.
But if we die with Christ we also rise with Christ. Or rather, if Christ dies with us, we also rise with Christ. Do not forget that in 2017. The Holy Spirit that led us to faith keeps us in faith. As the Holy Spirit descended like a dove on Jesus at his baptism, so he descends upon us daily to forgive our sin, to give us new life, and to give us wings to fly. We fly away from the old sins and fears of past years. With the Holy Spirit we can fly through the new problems of the new year. Like Noah’s dove that returned to the Ark with a fresh olive branch symbolizing peace, the Holy Spirit gives us hope that creates faith in our hearts and peace in our lives. This is the Word and Promise of Jesus Christ.
The Year 2017 marks the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. I want to mention two birds, a goose and a swan. 100 years before Martin Luther there was a Reformer in Prague named John Hus. He promoted God’s Word in the people’s language and protested the abuses of the Church. But Rome wanted him to stop. They condemned Hus and had him burned at the stake. The name “Hus” means “Goose” in English. Shortly before they executed him, he predicted this phrase, “You may roast this ‘goose,’ but after God will send a swan!” We feel that Luther was that swan. Luther clearly proclaimed God’s Word of Law and Gospel, of curse and promise. He was like the rooster to wake up God’s people to the full truth of error and sin. And to those who like Peter knew their sin and repented of it, Luther proclaimed the sweet Gospel that the Holy Spirit brings full forgiveness. We cannot save ourselves, but our faith receives the salvation of Christ. And this is the Dove of our baptism also. It is the peace and hope that will guide us and cheer us and keep us in the new year.
Amen.
Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church