Today’s Scripture

Psalm 116:1-9              1 Kings 17:17-24         

Galatians 1:11-24        Luke 7:11-17

 

            Many have heard and/or used the phrase, “You can’t see forest for the trees.”  There are a lot of little things that preoccupy your attention and you miss the main purpose.  We get wrapped up in the details – but forget the whole picture – the entire thing.

 

            In today’s readings, we have the account of Elijah & widow.  God’s grace has certainly been there to sustain widow, Elijah and son as the oil and flour miraculously were present daily in her jars.  When her son dies, she questions Elijah and in effect, blames God, and says this is all to remind her of her sinfulness.  Her son’s death is a punishment to her.  Then Elijah pleads on her behalf to God, for his mercy on her.  When her son is restored, she sees that blessing with all others she has and praises not Elijah, but God.  She trusts his word now.  The death and miracle of resurrecting are for both the widow and us today to see the countless blessings God brings to us, especially the blessing of life, eternal life. 

 

            That is so true in our faith life too, being caught up in the minute by minute things and overlooking the main purpose of this congregation and each individual’s faith.  Paul is an example of that as he explains in today’s epistle.  He was caught up in the traditions of his fathers [v. 14].  Paul was doing things just because it was handed down.  Paul and so many of God’s people had lost both the inward and outward focus – mission, remaining true to faith in God’s work of redemption and telling others of that gift God brings to all.  Paul was wrapped up in the traditions and practices of church, the trees, and overlooking the forest, the gifts of creation, of forgiveness of sins, and of eternal life through God’s redeeming work in Jesus Christ.

 

Paul, with all of his learning and stature within the community finally came to know that those things did not matter.  His self-righteousness and pride in what he had done, could do what mattered.  No, only God’s grace counted.  No matter what Paul knew and practiced,  it was of no good without knowing God’s grace, his undeserved and unconditional love to Paul and all through Jesus Christ.  Luther reflected on his zeal and self-righteousness as a monk.  “…it was all just a “filthy puddle.”  (Luther’s Commentary on Galatians).  Without faith and without the Gospel of Jesus as the focus of all one does, one’s life is just like Luther describe, “a filthy puddle.”

 

Just as Paul was set apart – so too are you.  This morning after the second service, Alex Kowall is going to be set apart – in baptism.  Set apart – made new – given a new life in place of the old life.  Without God’s grace, his love, his saving grace in Jesus Christ, we are nothing but Luther’s filthy puddle.  You cannot save yourself.  In your earthly and sinful condition, you are on a one-way ride to eternal destruction.

 

            We see on the TV shows situations where the host invites someone to become the “new you.”  Makeovers, fashionable clothes, etc. show a new person.  But so many times we see the break-down, inside it is still the same person.  We have that in our lives.  There are new homes, new jobs, new surroundings, new opportunities, but how often do we find ourselves bogged down with the same old same old? 

 

            But, in baptism in faith in Jesus there really is a new life.  There is a new zeal to live according to God’s commands.  There is a new start knowing daily that yesterday’s sins are washed away and you are presented new again in front of God.  What a relief it is to know that by God’s grace, all of your sins are pushed back and away.  They are not hidden under new clothes, new interests, new looks.  Those sins are forever washed from your resume and you are made holy again, just as God created man “in his image.”  Jesus has covered you up, clothed you in his holiness, righteousness, and glory.  He then uses you in good works to show that glory, his glory, to others.

 

            How the Psalm today describes each one of us.  Death entangled me.  It reminds me of a section of a movie I saw on TV as a youngster.  Divers were entangled by a giant octopus and could not escape.  Their air supply was shut off and they could not breath.  Imagine the panic being under water, entangled and left unable to wrestle yourself free, and you are loosing your breath.  It is a helpless situation. 

 

            Likewise, trying to get rid of any one sin, let alone all of them, leaves one in the same condition.  It is like the widows in the two readings.  No husband, now no son, there is no source of support and no purpose for living.

 

            Paul, by God’s grace, was living a new life, one of joy in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The people in the churches in Galatia were living new lives, the joy of knowing sins are forgiven and eternal life is given only in Jesus Christ.  The Psalmist was living a new life, once entangled by death, he now knew God’s grace, hearing his cry for mercy and delivering him from death.  The widows (Elijah and at Nain) knew God’s grace.  Elijah who, instead of helping bury the child, took him and cried on the widow’s behalf to restore her son.  New life and new faith came from one faithful to God.  The widow at Nain did not ask for Jesus’ favor, but he approached her as he showed compassion for her.  “Do not cry,” he said.  He does not want you to cry any longer either.

 

            Baptism makes you new again too.  God doesn’t want you moping around guilt-ridden but restores to you the joy of his salvation.  He rescues you from death and the devil.  What things in life are there to fear other than death, the absence of life, and the devil who wants nothing other than to take you to the eternal sufferings and damnation he lives in today?  You are saved not just for a momentary joy.  This salvation is forever so you can live your entire life thanking and praising God and sharing this good news with others. 

 

            In each of today’s readings are reminders to us of the trees that get in the way and consume our attentions in this life.  Take a brief moment and start counting the trees that pull your attention away from the real purpose God has set you apart for?  God has set you apart for him.  God has set you apart to belong to him.  God has set you apart to show his love to others so they too will believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

            In each of today’s readings is the gift of new life.  It is the best gift one could ever receive.  It is a gift no one deserves or can earn.  But it is a gift given freely out of love for you, by God’s grace alone.  Baptism, one of the two sacraments, is given so that you know you have received that gift of new life, eternal life, forgiveness of sins all by God’s saving grace. 

 

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