Today’s Scripture

Psalm 23         Acts 20:17-35  Revelation 7:9-17        John 10:22-30

 

            Each year is the question, “How many are in confirmation?”  There is remembering, “There were ____ in my confirmation class.”  How about, “Remember the year there were only ___ or ____ (big number) in the class?”  We get all concerned about numbers.  What a great joy it is as John records what we will be part of, “…a great multitude that no none could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb,” [v. 9].

 

            The lamb.  On top of Immanuel’s bell tower is the lamb that is depicted here.  It is a lamb with the cross and a banner.  It is the lamb that John writes earlier, “…looking as if it had been slain…” [5:6].  That Lamb is Jesus Christ, who sacrificed himself on the cross for all people.  That Lamb is Jesus Christ who, as the banner signifies, is the conqueror proclaiming the victory over death.

 

            This passage is what confirmation is all about, an eternity with that lamb in heaven.  Confirmation is all about baptism.  Baptism is what saving faith is all about.  The Christian faith, saving faith is this, “the life and salvation God has given in and through Jesus Christ.”  Faith in baptism is all about this, God’s grace, God’s love that gives life and salvation in and through Jesus Christ to all who believe in him.

 

            Jesus Christ is what confirming faith in your baptism is all about.  Jesus is the lamb.  This lamb was slain, crucified on the cross.  This lamb went uncomplaining to the cross, sacrificing himself.  The banner this lamb carries is a banner of the victory this lamb won for us.  This lamb is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Son of Man, our brother, our Lord, our Savior, our Prophet, Priest and King.

 

            Confirmation, confessing faith in this lamb, faith in the gifts God gives in his love to you, is confidence in the eternal life in heaven God reveals to John in this section of Revelation.  Without hope and faith in this promise of heaven, our lives on earth and in faith are useless.

 

            Confirmands traditionally and today wear white robes reminding us of this passage.  Our robes are heavenly garments that are pure white as they have been washed in the blood of this lamb.  Isaiah tells us of this cleansing, “…although your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow,” [1:18].  In baptism, the blood of Jesus has washed your sins, all of your sins, and you are presented in Jesus’ purity, his holiness, the image God made you and intends you to be for all eternity.

 

            Although made in this image, God’s image, you were also conceived in sin, the sin passed on from the first man, Adam.  In the sinful condition you have continued in this life sinning in thought, word and deed.  In baptism you received a new life, a new condition.  Born of water and spirit, God’s spirit, he has adopted you as his dear child for all eternity.  As he has adopted you, he has put his righteousness on you.  In this life you now strive to be his child, to live according to his will.  But you cannot do this  by yourself.

 

            But, the Holy Spirit has called you by the Gospel, the good news God has given in Jesus Christ who is your savior, who has redeemed you from sin, death and the devil who in this world have their grasp on you.  The Holy Spirit has enlightened you with his gifts, and sanctifies you and keeps you in this one true faith to life everlasting. 

 

            Today, you will receive the very body and blood that won this salvation for you.  It is miraculously in the bread and wine to strengthen and preserve you to life everlasting in him.

 

            Sarah Kazakis

Acts 16:31 "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-- you and your household."

 

Joshua Lundgren

Hebrews 13:5b  …God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

 

Angela Cruz

John 10:27-28  My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

 

Eliot Adam

Matthew 6:33  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

 

Krystina Kraemer

Matthew 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

 

Paul Lundgren

Matthew 28:20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

 

Nadine Stadler

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

 

Alyssa Conley

Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

 

Thomas Cerri

Revelation 2:10b  Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

 

            This is the life and salvation God has given in and through Jesus Christ, the lamb who has been slain, who is your Shepherd now and forever,  Amen.

 

            And this peace that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ.  Amen.