Midweek 3

1  Because of Jesus, We are Reconciled to God

Last week we considered how Jesus’ ordinary death

was really extraordinary because of Him.

Jesus died as a righteous man, deserving life. He died also as God’s Son, our eternal Maker.

As a result of this death,

God can justly forgive us all our sins.

The price of disobedience and rebellion is paid.

God’s Word is kept, and we are free.

At one time, we were counted as God’s enemies,

because that’s what we became

when we placed our own will above God’s will..

But Jesus’ death has reconciled us to God.

The freedom of being a reconciled child of God

is not the same as license to do anything, good or evil.

Instead, it’s freedom to do good in true service to God.

Being delivered from slavery to sin

does not mean we are now masters of our own destiny.

Rather, that we now have our proper place under God:

His honored creatures,

fulfilled in willing service to Him.

2  2 Corinthians 5:15

He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

It says in our Catechism that Jesus purchased or redeemed us

with His holy, precious blood, and His innocent suffering and death.

The Small Catechism also says why.

In order that I might be His own, live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness.

The temptation of Satan

was that we should be our own boss, out from under the thumb of our Creator.

We see that attitude in so many ways.

Sometimes we may even adopt that attitude.

Children disrespecting their parents. Citizens disrespecting the governing authorities. Hearers of God’s Word disrespecting their teachers.

It’s all the same:

rebellion against God’s authority, and establishing ourselves independently.

Maybe those parents haven’t earned their children’s respect. Maybe the government has not deserved good citizens. Maybe the teachers haven’t practiced what they preach.

Yet their authority is not from themselves,

but from God.

We each have been placed under certain authorities,

no matter who we may be.

And those authorites are also placed under others,

so that we all ultimately serve God.

God has established this order for our benefit,

but sin rebels and chooses suffering instead of blessing.

If we could see through Satan’s temptation,

that’s what it would look like.

“Be your own master” sounds good

to those who are puffed up on themselves.

But even that temptation is a big lie.

It’s more like “disown those who care for you.”

Living for yourself.

In the Walt Disney movie, “Lady and the Tramp,”

the Tramp was proud to be his own master.

Lady was a faithful dog for her household,

even when she had to suffer for it.

But then she met the Tramp,

a noble stray dog, with no place to call home.

See, that’s the difference between living under authority,

and leaving that authority to be your own master.

Lady’s loyalty brought her back to serve her family,

and she did it freely,

even suffering with joy for her loyalty.

The Tramp learned in the end that being his own master

was not true freedom, but a false freedom.

Satan would claim to be his own master,

but he still serves God, only against his will.

Men, women, and children, who rebel against our callings

never find the freedom we’re looking for.

Instead, we find slavery to sin and the devil,

those unwilling servants of God.

In the happy ending of that movie,

the Tramp proudly accepted a collar in Lady’s household.

They served their masters together, under their protection,

and their love for each other was blessed with puppies.

If only real life was as easy as the movies.

But when we rebel against our rightful authorities,

we cross a line: the point of no return.

Rebellious children

who refuse to recognize the authority of their father,

must suffer the consequences of their rebellion.

The children may be kicked out of the house. Their suffering may go on for years.

It may even affect the next two or three generations.

How can a rebellious, prodigal son ever return?

We have all received sinfulness and rebellion from our parents.

So we rebel against God’s authority, becoming prodigal sons and daughters,

thinking we’re masters of our own destiny, that we know better than God.

But you may recall the parable of the prodigal son.

After much suffering and humiliation,

his pride was gone.

He returned as a beggar to his father’s house,

and found to his surprise that his father loved him.

Based not upon his obedience, but upon his father’s love,

the prodigal son was again accepted into the family.

So after God has removed our pride,

people the world over find themselves praying as beggars.

Some are surprised to find that God loves them,

and they are received again under His authority.

Others never discover this,

because they never hear about the death of Jesus,

and that He died to reconcile them to God.

When you have finished being your own spiritual boss,

remember Jesus, and what He did for you.

Jesus died to reconcile you to God,

through the forgiveness of all your sins.

Because of what He did for you,

it’s still possible, even now,

for you to belong to Him.

You can belong to Him, live under Him in His kingdom, and even serve Him,

by fulfilling your calling here on earth, and then receiving His eternal blessings in heaven.

Adam and Eve each sinned against the authority above them.

Eve rejected her husband, and both rejected God,

so that they ended up as slaves of the serpent.

But when God promised a Savior,

He gave them faith,

and restored their places under Him.

We are also reconciled to God,

through the same Savior, by the blood of His cross.

Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria!