March 30, 2022 – Lent                                     Text:  John 18:33-40

Dear Friends in Christ,

    William Jefferson was a congressman from Louisiana.  In 2002, he used resources of an organization that would encourage a vote for his daughter to the Statehouse.  He used this same organization to help get his sister elected as a city official in New Orleans.

    During Hurricane Katrina he used the National Guard to recover belongings from his home.  When their truck got stuck in mud he used one of their helicopters to get them out.  All the while this manpower was needed elsewhere.

    In March 2005 a company called iGate sent Representative Jefferson $400,000 so he would persuade the army to use their technology.  When the FBI raided his home they found $90,000 in the freezer.

    Innocent?  Hardly.  In 2007 he was found guilty and sentenced to the largest sentence ever given a congressman for bribery.  He was released a few years back for time served.

    The Witness for Christ series finds us looking tonight at Barabbas.  We have a trial going on.  There are three outcomes:  innocent, guilty, and free.  Here we go . . .

“INNOCENT, GUILTY, AND FREE”

    Innocent – that’s Jesus.  Pilate says so.  “I find no guilt in Him.” (v. 38). Pilate didn’t think Jesus deserved the cross.  Maybe a lecture or a lashing, but no cross.  Pilate is “the governor” which means he decides death-penalty cases.  You live or die according to him.  So Pilate declares Jesus innocent and does it again in John 19:4, 6.

    Guilty – that’s Barabbas.  Barabbas is a violent outlaw.  Our text says robber but he was so much more.  He plunders and steals and he may not just rob you, but kill you.

    So Pilate, the man with all the power, relinquishes the power, and instead goes to the court of public opinion.  “”Do you want me to release the King of the Jews?’  They cried out again, ‘Not this man, but Barabbas!’” (vs. 39, 40)

    Innocent – Jesus.  Guilty – Barabbas.  Guilty – you and me.  We are all born “dead in trespasses and sins.” (Eph. 2:1). We are blinded by the god of this world.  We are hopeless.  Our good works are unclean rags.  Just call you and I “Barabbas.”  Paul called himself a “wretch” and that is what we are – right now…this moment – we are wretches.

    The biblical word is sin.  This isn’t a momentary stumble and lapse in judgment.  This sin we all have is rebellion against God’s rule.  Our sin lays claims to God’s throne.  Our sin defies God’s authority.  Our sin let’s God know we are in charge.

    “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – every one – to his own way.” (Isa. 53:6). We all have a way.  Her way may be flirtation and promiscuity.  His way may be intoxication and bad language.  Her way pride.  His way gossip.  What’s your way?  God has declared us all guilty and the sentence is death.

    Innocent – that’s Jesus.  Guilty – that’s Barabbas.  Guilty – that’s us.  Free – that’s Barabbas.  Listen.  Can you hear it?  The Roman guard with a key.  He unlocks the prison door and shouts, “Barabbas.  You are free.  They have chosen to let you go.”  Barabbas had to be shocked, right?  Shackles gone, crimes pardoned and he walks to the light of day.  Free!

    Free – we see it with Barabbas.  Free – you and I.  How so?  Christ endured not just the Roman nails, the mockery, and the spear, but also the gears of God’s grinding justice.  God doesn’t overlook sin.  He doesn’t poo-poo it as no big deal.  That is not how it works.  God must punish sin.  

    That is why all of sin was placed on Jesus.  My sin.  Your sin.  Barabbas’ sin.  Christ was in our place.  Our sins are many but Christ’s mercy is even more.  We are free.  Psalm 146:7 says, “The Lord sets the prisoners free.”  Galatians 5:1 says, “For freedom Christ has set us free.”  Think of all the way you could become a prisoner.  But there is only way to be free.  Jesus.

    He liberates us from the condemnation of sin.  He frees us from our past.  He opens doors to our worry.  This freedom cannot be taken away.  No power on earth or hell can destroy it.

    Innocent, guilty, and free.  Three important words in any trial.  Which one is the most life-changing?  Innocent?  Guilty?  Free?  Do you have it right?  Free!  “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36).  By faith, forever free.

                                    Amen.   

March 27, 2022                                Text:  Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Dear Friends in Christ,

    Magicians are great at distracting us.  If they can get us to look intently in one direction at what they are doing, we will not see what they are doing elsewhere.  They then pull off their trick and we are stunned.  So . . .

“GET READY FOR SOME SLEIGHT OF HAND THIS MORNING”

    This is the third in a series of parables Jesus has been telling in response to the criticism he has been receiving from, of all people, the upstanding, churchgoing crowd.  This third illustration is designed to be the clincher.  Jesus does a great job of distracting his hearers.

    The younger son.  He wants his inheritance.  In implicit terms he would like his dad to die.  The father still very much alive gives him his share.  He gets away from his parents and spends his monies on prostitutes and other unsavory devices.  He is careless with his life because he has left home and church.  He runs out of money and with famine in this foreign land the only job he can get is with the pigs.  

    Let’s notice something for our ears.  The father enabled the son with the finances he gave.  But he didn’t keep enabling him.  The son had to hit bottom before he changed and repented.  He did this on his own.  His family was not chasing him.  The son came back.

    He gets on his feet and makes his way home.  On the way he practices his apology.  “Dad, I messed up.  I am not worthy to be your son.  Can I hire on as one of your servants?”  Aren’t you and I gloating a little bit?  We always like it when we think people get what they deserve.  He’s no big man.  He just another guy on dad’s payroll.  The magician has our attention.

    The magician pulls us in closer because we can’t wait to watch this spurned dad make this poor sack of a kid lick his boots.  While we wait for this Jesus creates a twist.  The dad greets him like a dignitary.  He throws filet mignon on the hibachi, gives him a ring, Johnston & Murphy shoes and a Brooks Brothers suit.  This isn’t fair!  But the magician smiles and continues.

    Now let’s introduce the character we can identify with:  the older son.  He’s indignant.  “I’ve slaved for and never disobeyed you.  I never even got a pizza party.  This is mockery.”  And the others standing around had to say, “Alright.  Someone thinking clearly.  A voice of justice.  His dad needs a wake-up call and this son has the guts to delivers the goods.”  And the magician smiles even more.

    Now we are really following the action.  How is Pops going to answer that?  Will he come to his senses?  Will he stop mollycoddling this younger son?  “Son,” he begins.  We usually miss this part because we are distracted by the story.  The son just insulted his dad but he still calls him “Son.”  Dad ignores the insults – dad as servant, brother as not part of the family.  He reassures him that the younger son coming home has done nothing to damage his relationship with him.  “All that is mine is yours.  It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.” (vs. 31b-32)

    Now we get it.  The sleight of hand story distracted us that that we missed our resentment and begrudging forgiveness.  Thanks to the Savior’s skillful storytelling, we didn’t even see it coming.  How does the story end?  How you finish it says a lot about you.

    If you want the older son to hold his ground and skip the party and begrudge his father’s grace, well, Jesus shakes his head in sorrow.  You don’t get that you are in God’s family by the same forgiving love that sent the Father’s Son to the cross for those sinners you think are worse than you.

    It is fitting that those who do not forgive as they have been forgiven remain outside the celebration, because that is where they will spend eternity.  They will not enjoy God’s love and forgiveness in Christ. But those who are rejoicing over this one sinner who repents will enter into the feast.  

    You and I enter by the same act of love by the Father – giving Christ Jesus into death on the cross.  There He welcomes and dies for what you have squandered.  He prepares a heavenly feast for you by which His Easter resurrection has made possible.  You are given the clothes of an endless paradise.  

    Hasn’t the greatest of magicians given you a new perspective this Sunday morning?  Some of you are living this story with your own children.  So how does the story end for you? 
The Lord knows.  Trust Him.  It is His grace and mercy that will make the difference.

                                                Amen.   

March 23, 2022 – Lent                                        Text:  John 18:12-27

Dear Friends in Christ,

    He was a professional thief who evoked fear throughout the Wild West.  He terrorized the Wells Fargo stagecoach line from 1875 to 1883 and stole thousands of dollars.  No victim ever saw him.  No artist ever sketched him.  No sheriff could ever track his trail.  His name?  Black Bart.

    John introduces another Black Bart.  If you’ve ever felt shame and disgrace, it was his whisper that crushed your heart.  If you’ve ever felt useless and no good, it was his accusing finger in your face.  He doesn’t just want your money.  This Black Bart comes to destroy everything.

    What’s his name?  Guilt.  What sucked you under?  A one-night stand?  A fight you shouldn’t have had?  Did you steal something?  Language you used on another?  Maybe it wasn’t a moment but a season.  You failed as a parent or spouse.  Your career was not what you thought it could be.  You squandered time and talent.  The result?  Guilt.

    We’re in a series called Witnesses to Christ.  Today we meet Peter.  In the courtyard we see guilt.  Beyond the courtyard – we see grace.

“GRACE FOR PETER AND GRACE FOR US”

    To get some context, let’s rewind the tape.  In John 13 Peter told Jesus he would lay down His life for the Savior.  Peter and Jesus had been through many life events together.  Calling this fisherman.  Peter walking on water.  Peter with Jesus on the mountain.  The disciple with the Lord in the Garden.  No wonder Peter makes the claim, “I will lay down my life for you.”

    We’ve all made that claim.  When we got confirmed, “Do you intend to live according to the Word of God, and in faith, word, and deed remain true to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, even to the point of death?”  We said, “I do!”  “Will you take this man to be your wedded husband?”  And you women said, “I do!”  “Will you take this woman to be your wedded wife?”  And we men said, “I do!”  The claim.  The claim?  That’s easy.

    As we read the events in the courtyard it is like watching a tall building slowly imploding.  A denial.  The building starts to shake.  Another denial.  The building is collapsing.  A third denial.  There it goes…dust and ashes and building on the ground.  Guilt.

    Our collapse may happen with, “Just one more drink.”  “Just one more fling.”  “Just one more lie.”  One more just cracks the building and then boom…guilt enters.

    After the rooster crowed Peter felt left out and rejected.  That is what guilt does.  It turns us into miserable, weary, angry, stressed-out people.  Who loves rejected people?  God does.  God gives grace.

    How does that happen?  In the case of Peter we fast forward the tape to John 21, where Jesus asks Peter if he loves him.  Jesus asks the questions three times – once for every time Peter had denied his Lord.  Each time Peter confesses, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”  Peter confessed his guilt.  How could this be?  Because while Peter was denying Jesus, Jesus was suffering for Peter.

    Jesus doesn’t wait until we get it all together.  Jesus doesn’t wait until we overcome temptation and conquer our sin.  “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Rom. 5:8). In our courtyard, we see guilt.  Beyond the courtyard – at the cross – we see grace.  And grace means what?

    The comeback.  Who preaches the sermon on Pentecost?  Peter.  Whose sermon converts 3,000 souls?  Peter’s.  Who writes two New Testament books?  Peter.  Listen closely.  Comebacks don’t depend on how much we love Jesus.  Comebacks depend on how much Jesus loves us.  Comebacks don’t depend on what we do for Jesus.  Comebacks depend on what Jesus does for us.  Comebacks don’t depend on us giving our life for Jesus.  Comebacks depend on Jesus giving His life for us.

    Remember Black Bart?  He was eventually found and nothing to be afraid of.  He was a mild-tempered businessman from Decatur, IL.  The man storming the Wild West was so afraid of horses he rode around in a horse-drawn buggy.  Black Bart was Charles Boles – the bandit who never once fired a bullet, because he never once loaded his gun.

    See guilt for who he really is.  A deadly monster?  Yes.  A painful feeling that can do great harm?  No doubt.  The tormentor of our souls?  Bet on it.  But know this – guilt is a defeated enemy who has no bullets left in his gun.

    What’s that mean for us?  Our story isn’t over when Jesus is in it.  We can all come back from guilt.  How?  The best G-word of all.  Grace.  Grace for Peter and Grace for us.

                                                Amen.