NYE 2009
I think it is safe to say that in comparison with the celebrations that
are going on in Times Square and thousands of other places this night: ours
does not seem like much. Whether party-goers are trying to greet the new
year or forget the old one, this gathering will seem tame to most. But
looks can be deceiving. We are not gathered to celebrate the same things.
They are gathering to celebrate themselves, their lives, their
accomplishments, their tragedies, and all things about themselves.
We gather to celebrate the Name of Jesus. On the eighth day of
Christmas, we Christians celebrate how Jesus was named. Under the Old
Covenant, a male child was taken to the Temple or a synagogue on the eighth
day to be circumcised (Genesis 17) and become part of that covenant. In
that rite or ceremony, the child is given a name AND becomes legally bound
to observe all the Jewish Laws. On the eighth day after His birth, Joseph
and Mary gave the Child the name Jesus, as they were instructed by the
angels. "You are to call Him Jesus (which is translated "Savior"), for He
shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21, Luke 1:31).
In this simple act, the Son of God was passively and publicly keeping
the Old Covenant Law in our place. The time had come. God had sent His
Son - born of a woman and born under the Law - to redeem us who are under
the Law, so that we would receive full rights as sons.' (Galatians 4)
Christ Jesus as true man was subjected to all of the laws in our place,
so He could obey them perfectly in our place, so that we could have a place
with Him in heaven. Jesus did not start as our Substitute when He was
baptized in the Jordan. He started in the womb. He Substituted in humble
birth, in circumcision, and in every other act.
Yes, Jesus means "the LORD saves". That Name separates the followers
of Christ from all other religions. In all other belief-systems or
faith-communities on earth, people record good sayings on how to lead a
moral, smooth, righteous life. When you do so and struggle for submission
or obedience to these sayings, they claim, you will be rewarded here on
earth and eventually in some afterlife experience. In effect, their
salvation is a DIY (do-it-yourself) project. Not Christianity. The Name
explains that.
Almighty God does not call for us to be good. He demands "holy" and
"perfect". Even one failure would be too many. We can not save ourselves,
or anyone else, by good thoughts, merits, or accomplishments. God knows
this. He had the Plan.
God Himself would take on flesh and dwell among us (John 1). He would
be called Immanuel, or "God with us". He would crush Satan as promised in
Genesis 3. He would fulfill all the Law in our place. Then He would also
take our place in punishment (Isaiah 53). Salvation is not our job or goal.
"The LORD saves". The Child of Joseph and Mary was (and is) that One.
You and I take part in the Name of Jesus beginning at Holy Baptism.
God puts His Name on you and claims you as His child. Not on the foundation
or actions of water and the Word, but thru His Saving Name. Baptism is not
a new law we are to do on the eighth day to include ourselves in some old
covenant. Baptism is God working thru the water and the Word to include us
in His Name & as His people: a NEW covenant.
So as we pray in the Name of Jesus, our Father regards our prayer as
Jesus' prayer. When sins are forgiven in the Name of Jesus, it is as if
Jesus does the forgiving. When we ask a blessing on our food in Jesus'
Name, it is as if Christ is blessing the food, not us.
When we do any action, even giving a cup of water in the Name of Jesus,
it is as if Christ is acting thru our hands. Whatever we do, in word or
actions, when it is done in the Name of Jesus for the benefit of our
neighbor and to the glory of God: it is a good work in our Father's sight.
He considers the kind word or gracious action as if it has been done by
Christ Himself, and He says to you and me: "well done, thou good and
faithful servant!"
By taking our place in every part of the Old Covenant, even
circumcision, Jesus has totally filled the Law in our place. By God's grace
alone, we are given the Name and included in His family. Because He took
our place, we are no longer under slavery to sin. At this first shedding of
His blood in circumcision, He foreshadows His finishing or completion of the
Old Covenant by the shedding of blood on the cross.
As children of God in Christ we realize God's wrath against sins, so
confess them and flee from them, knowing the Blood of Jesus cleanses us from
all sins. As children of God, we are also confident now, in 2010, and as
long as the sands of time run: that nothing in all of creation can separate
us from the love of God in Christ Jesus - the Name we bear because He came
"to save His people from their sins." We celebrate that blessing every day:
and especially during this evening as we prepare to turn another page on the
calendar.
Luke mentions a 2nd, usually neglected holiday. According to Jewish
Law, a woman had to be purified on the 40th day after the birth of a boy (80
for girls). From these verses we see this family was poor: the offered two
doves instead of a lamb. Some Christians celebrate February 2nd as
Candlemas. The Wiseman and the flight to Egypt came much later. But let's
return to Luke 2:21 and the Name of Jesus.
In short order we will begin the second decade of the twenty first
century. Time continues on. The days of our lives are like the sand in the
hourglass which continues at its own pace until the sands of time run out.
But as Christians, we are always looking to get a firmer grip on the
changeless things and timeless things. This is why we gather to hear and
speak God's Word in the liturgy, and receive the true body and blood of our
Savior and Lord. "As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup we
proclaim His death until He Returns" as First Corinthians 11:26 records; and
as we pray soon occurs.
Our New Year's Eve celebration and ALL our gatherings in God's House
center around God's Good News to us in Jesus. To the fallen world around
us, this festivity may seem like nothing. To those who bear the Name of
Christ, today is a peaceful victory and joyful calm the world can not know
or experience. It is a foretaste of the feast to come in heaven; and it is
all about Jesus.
Many people have made predictions for 2010. I will make one as well.
Hold on to God's grace in faith this year, then whatever will happen in your
personal life, in your family relationships, and even on the international
level - it will be for your good: in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
___________________________________________________________________________
'CAT 41 Sermons & Devotions' consists of works that are, unless otherwise
noted, the copyrighted property of the various authors; posting of such
gives members of this list implied consent for redistribution _with_
_attribution_ unless otherwise specified by the author, as well as
for quoting or use in a congregational setting
_with_or_without_attribution_.
Note: This list's default reply is to the *poster*, NOT the list.
Do *not* reply to the list with your comments, but to the poster.
Subscribe? Send ANY note to: [email protected]
Unsubscribe? Send ANY note to: [email protected]
Archive? <http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/>
For more information on this or other lists offered by Confess And Teach
For Unity, you can contact the CAT 41 list administrator at:
Rev. Fr. Eric J. Stefanski <MoM [at] lists (dot) cat41 <dot> org>
