St. Luke Ev. Lutheran Church

Sermon by Pastor Anthony E. Schultz

Christmas 1 December 31, 2006

Hebrews 2:14-18

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

People of God—rescued from the flaming lake of fire in hell by the innocent blood of the very Lamb of God:

What a feat of design, engineering and construction—the human hand. Four fingers and a thumb—capable of the movement of opposition. The human hand—the tiny hand of a baby still inside their mother’s tummy—as a yet unborn baby sucks their thumb! The human hand—so very tiny—covered with the smallest ridges and swirls—six and a half billion people in the world—and no one—absolutely no one—has a finger print exactly like yours! The human hand—able to tickle 88 keys made of ebony and ivory—or to push the valves on a trumpet. The human hand—able to peel a banana or an orange. The human hand—able to type on a computer—able to flip a pancake or turn a steak on a grill—able to make things out of wood with power tools. There was a little baby born in a stable in Bethlehem. A little baby boy with small hands—with little fingers that could wrap around the finger of his birth mom and his carpenter--foster dad. This little hand would grow bigger and stronger—until one day—without resisting—it would be held down on the rough timber of a cross. There that hand that never ever hurt anyone—would be nailed to a splintered wood—that would be stained with blood and sweat. That little hand would be pierced. The nail mark would last for eternity! This morning—this first Sunday after Christmas we thank and praise God—especially because:

Jesus Is Our Brother

1. He became just like us…

2. Except He never sinned.

The part of God’s Word we are concentrating on today is from the letter to the Hebrews. We don’t know for a fact who wrote this letter to the Hebrews. If we needed to know—Jesus would have made that clear to us—but he didn’t. There was a time when many people thought it was written by the Apostle Paul—like most of the letters of the New Testament. The thing is—all the other letters that we know Paul wrote—he says so—right at the very beginning. It doesn’t say that in Hebrews. Some people thing Barnabas wrote it. Barnabas was Jewish—belonging to the priestly tribe of Levi. He was a faithful co-worker with the Apostle Paul. Some people think a man named Apollos wrote it. Do you know Apollos? God’s Word says, “He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.” He was also known as a very wise man and a very gifted speaker. Martin Luther thought Apollos probably wrote Hebrews. Hebrews builds on a very good foundation—a very good understanding of the Old Testament Scriptures. It is a letter of comparisons. Angels—holy heavenly messengers—wind and fire—are great. Jesus is greater by far! Moses was great—knowing his Heavenly Father face to face! Jesus is greater. Jesus is God! The Sabbath rest for the people of God was great. Jesus is the source of the eternal rest we have for heart and body and soul in Heaven. The High Priest was great—going once a year into the most holy place by the ark of the covenant—the mercy seat—sprinkling blood on the great day of atonement. Jesus is greater—the ultimate Lamb of God—who takes away the sins of the world. Sprinkled through the letter to the Hebrews—are encouragements—to remain faithful. God’s Word says, “We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?” And again, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another---and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23-25

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. I don’t think it’s possible to understand how God who is eternal spirit—real—not imaginary or pretend or make believe—but spirit—can become flesh, too. How can the Son of God at the same time become a human being? How can the one whom heaven and earth cannot contain—suddenly be contained inside the Virgin Mary’s tummy? I don’t know! Jesus has eyes that made tears when he was sad—when people he loved died—even when he knew they were safe in heaven. Even when—like Lazarus—he knew he was going to raise them from the dead—make them alive after 4 days in the grave. Jesus has hands that would get splinters from rough boards. Hands that would get calluses when they were rubbed in the same place again and again. Jesus had feet that would get tired from walking and walking on hard and rocky paths—to the next synagogue or village or field—where he would find people hurting from sin. Jesus had a heart—a tummy—a whole digestive system that would ache—when Jesus saw the painful hurt of a parent whose child was possessed body or soul or both by a demon from hell. Jesus had a back that would ache when it was cut again and again by a Roman scourge. Jesus had a tender forehead that would bleed the way head wounds bleed—when they pressed a crown of thorns on his head. Jesus took upon himself our flesh—so that with a parched throat he would say, “I thirst!” Jesus shared in our humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

This is the time each year—when they publish lists of people who died this year. Don Knotts died—81 years old—last February. He was Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife! Oh, to live in Mayberry—where the Sheriff almost never wore a gun. Where Barney wore a gun but kept his one bullet in his shirt pocket. Where Otis locked himself up—where Aunt Bea made Sunday dinner for the prisoners. Where the biggest crisis is Gomer yelling, “Citizen’s arrest! Citizen’s arrest!”—at Barney for making an illegal u-turn. But Mayberry is make-believe. And Barney died from pulmonary and respiratory complications. A lady named Lillian died. She was 99 years old. She was the last American survivor of the sinking of the Titanic—who was old enough when it happened in 1912—to remember what it was like. She lost her father and 3 brothers. I wonder if she didn’t wish she could forget. That’s something to think about with this new year. To think about forgetting anything and everything sinful that anybody did to you this past year. To think about forgiving and forgetting anything that anyone did to sin against you. God’s Word talks about that—too. The writer to the Hebrews quotes Jeremiah. The LORD says, “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more!” Hebrews 8:12 This past year a man named Ric died. He was only 53 years old. He was very very smart. He invented whole computer systems. He was a high school friend of the guy who helped found Microsoft. He must have had all kinds of fame and money. What he didn’t know was lots of people loved him. He didn’t know how precious his life was. And so he despaired! He had all the things and stuff that so many people believe are the ultimate source of happiness—but again sadly tragically they do not bring real happiness. What is a person profited if they gain the whole world—if they lose their soul? A lady named Rose died. She was almost 100 years old, too. She and her husband invented Haagen-Daz ice cream. Haagen-Daz sounds Scandinavian. In fact—they used to print an outline of Denmark on the package—so people would think Scandinavian. The fact is Haagen-Daz are two imaginary words. There are 700 Haagen-Daz stores in 54 countries—none of which are in Scandinavia. Are we so easily fooled? Do we think snooty ice cream is better because it has a fancy name or costs much more? This new year—pray that Jesus will direct our hearts—our thoughts and our actions toward spiritual treasures—not the things of this world. You know that very happy song—where the only word is “Tequilla”? Well the guy who said, “Tequilla” died. Maybe this year we can be more joyful—more thankful—more content—without the need for so much alcohol. That would give glory to Jesus, too!

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. It is tempting to love things and stuff. The problem is—things and stuff have no lasting value. Jesus said—“Do not store up for yourselves—things on earth—where moth and rust corrupt—where thieves break in and steal.” A man named Frank died this year. He is the man with the spiffy bowtie on the PBS Antique Road Show. Frank’s job was to look at antiques—really old stuff—like patches from a Civil War army uniform—or a cup and saucer—or a pocket knife. And come to find out—these little pieces of fabric or china are worth thousands and thousands of dollars. People are almost always shocked and surprised—that something so small and old and breakable—is in fact worth lots and lots of money. It’s tempting to think—I wish I had that! I wish just one old lunch box or old piece of junk that used to belong to my great grandfather was worth thousands of dollars! It’s tempting—tempting to think if I just had lots and lots of money—then my life would be good. Jesus understands exactly how that feels. Jesus understands how tempting it is—to love things—to love people you aren’t married to—to love pleasure and to hate self-discipline. Jesus understands. Jesus overcame every temptation for us. Then Jesus died—both to wash away our sins. And to make us strong—so we can overcome temptations in the new year. Jesus is our strength the next time we are tempted to do what we know is wrong!

Jesus made atonement for the sins of all people everywhere! I was listening to the radio—when they did one of those traffic reports. They announced one highway was backing up—because of a mattress on the road! This new year—we need to try harder and harder—not to be the people who drop a mattress on the highway. Have you seen people driving—with a mattress on the roof of their car? I don’t care if you are Arnold Schwarzenegger once you start driving—I mean more than a few miles an hour—and some wind gets under that mattress—there is no way you are going to with one hand hold on to that mattress and at the same time steer! We are not that strong physically. Lose a mattress—and someone could end up paying with their life for your mistake. We are certainly not that strong—spiritually. When there is a mattress on the road—we need to stop and pick it up! Again it is tempting to drive around—saying—It’s not my fault—not my responsibility—why should I pick it up? Meanwhile—people are in danger and at risk! When the mattress is a spiritual road hazard the danger is even more serious. When we make mistakes—admit them. Repent of them. Ask your spouse, your children, your brother—your in-law to forgive you. Be strong in the forgiveness that Jesus bought for you!

A man named Hugh died last January. He was an Army helicopter pilot. On a horrible day—in a village called My Lai—civilians were being massacred. It was then—that Hugh landed his helicopter between the civilians and his own fellow soldiers who were shooting their automatic weapons at people were defenseless to save themselves. Hugh risked his life to save people he didn’t even know. He risked his life—to save people who—given the chance very likely would have killed him! Can you imagine courage and compassion like that? As incredible as this bravery and valor were—it pales to insignificance—compared to all that Jesus suffered to save you and me. Jesus endured the blistering white hot holy anger of his father lashing out against all our sins. Jesus endured all that—to pay for the sins of people who would never ever thank him. Jesus died for the sins of people already in hell. Jesus paid for every sin ever committed. That’s how great Jesus’ love is. God is love. And because of Jesus’ love we are children of God by adoption—by grace through faith this past year—and as many new days as Jesus gives us. Amen!

To God alone all glory!

Rev. Anthony E. Schultz