We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

                        each of us has turned to his own way;

            and the Lord has laid on him

                        the iniquity of us all.  Isaiah 53:6

 

 

Illustration – have children follow and disperse on their own in chancel area.  Although each one is responsible for his/her own actions, I take the blame and suffer the consequences.

 

            We ask the question, “Why is this necessary?”  In a few weeks all are invited to come together to watch Mel Gibson’s movie, “The Passion of the Christ.”  This movie vividly depicts the immense human punishment Jesus suffered from his prayerful time in Gethsemane through his giving up his spirit in death on the cross.  It seems so senseless.  “Why was this necessary?” we ask.

 

            In Isaiah 53, the “Suffering Servant” account God speaks very plainly, simply, and completely to us the answer to that question, “Why is this necessary?”

 

            “We all…”  You are familiar with the expression in parts of our nation, “Y’all come.”  The person wants all of you to know you are included.  Isaiah speaks on behalf of all of humanity from Adam through the end of time that we do not know.  All humanity as one whole bunch of people and no one is excluded.  God wants you to know that you are included in the group. 

 

            “…like sheep…”  If you have ever been around sheep, you find them not the most self-disciplined of animals in that they do not stay in one spot.  They wander around and they wander around with no sense of direction.  Many animals will follow a pattern like cattle on the same path to the barn.  Sheep don’t stay together by their own resolve.  God is calling you a sheep and for valid reason.

 

            “…have gone astray…”  Going astray means to wander, even to stagger as one who is drunk, who has no control not only of balance but also of direction.  Going astray means not being able to find one’s way back, the memory is erased.  Going astray is more than physical wandering, it is a wandering of the mind, going places in thoughts and direction of thinking that one should not be going.  That type of wandering (in the mind) is not as visible initially, but eventually manifests itself in actions and decisions in life.  Going astray in God’s sight is sin, wandering from his commands and his love to follow whatever thoughts and desires you are tempted with, that the world wants you to follow, or that you come up on your own intellect in denial of God’s commands, will, and love for you.

 

            “…each person…”  The children a moment ago wandered off, each on his own and without regard for another.  Each on made a knowing choice by him/herself.  In sin in this earthly life, each person is responsible for his /her own thoughts, words, or deeds.  As people we are pretty good at putting the blame off on someone else.  Think about Jacob’s sons and Joseph.  They even put blame for their actions against their brother on an imaginary wild beast.  David tried to disguise his sin with Bathsheeba and make the it look as if Uriah and Bathsheeba honestly conceived a the child.  We’re pretty sneaky people and try to act as if we are made of Teflon, the blame will roll off onto someone or something else.  No, each one of us people is responsible for one’s own self, inside and out and everything in between.

 

            “…has turned his own way…”  Each one has turned, made a change in direction in life, and followed a very specific path, a very specific course in life.  This direction is away from God as each one has rebelled against God’s will and commands and love if not in something you do, you said it.  And if it is not something you did or said, it is certainly in your heart, in your thinking, in your passion and anger and desire.  You alone are responsible for all that goes on that you do, that you speak, and that you think.

 

            “…and the Lord…”  Here we have none other than the Lord God Almighty.  Here is the one true God of heaven and earth.  God is the great I Am.  Knowing everything that each person has done on this earth, God steps in with what he has decided about all of this.  God’s will is supreme and above the will of even all of the people and powers and authorities of the earth combined.  God’s will is as Jesus demonstrated in his miracles, even above and beyond all things in the natural world.  He changed simple water into the best of wines.  He stilled a devastating storm with two simple words, “Be still.”  He healed with simple words and actions.  God alone created all things just by saying, “Let there be…”  Jesus’ suffering and death is God’s will, his desire alone as Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, “…not my will by yours be done…”  Jesus teaches us also to pray for God’s almighty, perfect and holy will to “…be done on earth as it is in heaven…” 

 

            “..has laid on him…”  In his holy and perfect will, God has interceded on your behalf and put something of yours on Jesus.  God is doing this, not you or me.  In our sinful ways we do not have a clue how to save ourselves.  God steps in and does this for you.

 

            “the iniquity…”  What God has placed on Jesus is wickedness and sinfulness.  God gave a sign to the Israelites in the wilderness.  On the day of atonement, the day of forgiveness of sins, all the sins of all of the people were symbolically placed on a ram that was turned loose away from the camp.  All of the sinfulness and wickedness of that year was removed from the presence of the people who really owned that sin.  God showed how he would take each individual’s sins and place them on someone who would carry them far away.  God tells us how far he takes away your sins in Psalm 103, “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

 

            Who does God do this for?  “…us all.”  Isaiah’s verse ends as it begins.  For all people, no one excluded.  Just as each one of knows that each and every person who ever was, is, or will be, is completely consumed by sin, God wants you to know that each one who ever was, is, or will be, is the reason Jesus suffers and dies, and by God’s grace alone, is offered the forgiveness of sins paid for by Christ, at God’s decision and command, free of all works or any other obligation, just for trusting, believing in God’s love in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

            Y’all, each one of you, is included in the “Why” of Jesus’ life on earth, his suffering, death, resurrection, ascension into heaven, and on the last day for his return again.  God loves you so much that he took care of every detail just for you.  He offers it freely to you and gives you no other option.  This, so that you can live knowing you are bought back from sin, death and the devil in your faith in Jesus for this gift.  This is so that you know that your baptism is a valid baptism, one in which God has given you this gift of forgiveness and new life in this world and eternity.  This is so that you know when you receive the bread and wine you are receiving by God’s miraculous grace and power the very body and blood that paid the price for your sins, and that body and blood is yours to keep as that payment for all eternity.  All of this is necessary because you and I cannot do any part of this on our own.  All of this is necessary because God wants you to be his own and live under him in his kingdom and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness.  (Luther’s explanation to the 2^nd Article of the Creed)

 

            In his word and these sacraments God comforts, strengthens, and keeps you in this one true faith to life everlasting.  Amen.