Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Looking at the Lessons - Advent 3 gospel Matthew 11:2-10

Can you take a spaceship to heaven?  How did a leopard get its spots? Take a listen to Looking at the Lessons with Pastor Darren Harbaugh, June and Sam as we look at Matthew 11:2-10, the appointed Gospel lesson for Advent 3 2018

soundcloud.com/user-794642312/advent-3-gospel-2018

Monday, January 4, 2016

Happy New Year! You are Baptized!



Happy 2016!  You know that song Auld Lang Syne? It’s the one you hear every New Year’s Eve that no one can understand.  That phrase is Scottish and is translated “old long since” or perhaps better understood as “times gone by.”  It’s a song reminiscing on (and drinking “a cup of kindness” for) the good old days.  The founder of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, C.F.W. Walther, had quite a different perspective as the new year approached: 

"Should the Christian stand all day long at the grave of all joys which he enjoyed in past years? Through Holy Baptism a great stream of joy has been conducted in his heart, which does not drain away, but streams forward with his life until its waves carry him into the sea of a blessed eternity. Should the Christian be reminded all day long that the flowers of his youth fall more and more? He stands planted by God in the water of his Baptism as a palm tree which becomes greener and greener and whose leaves never wither. Yes, his Baptism makes death for him like a short winter's nap, out of which an eternal spring--an eternal youth—follow”

We Christians have the hope of eternal youth!  The old is gone and the new has come.  We experience a daily rebirth.  I am reminded of images where the passing year is represented by an old man with a long white beard carrying an hourglass and sickle and the new year is imagined as a baby in diapers wearing a top hat. Perhaps not exactly a biblical image, but to me it brings to mind that we Christians  put off the old man (sin) and put on the new man (Christ), not just yearly, but daily.  We daily remember that we are baptized.  This is Walther’s hope for the New Year as well.

”Now then, all of you who believe in God's Word, let your watchword for entering the new year be this: 'I am baptized!' Although the world may laugh at this comfort, the enthusiasts vex its confidence . . . nevertheless, abandon any other dearly held pledges and speak only throughout the entire year to come, in all terrors of conscience and necessity through sin and death: 'I am baptized! I am baptized! Hallelujah!' And you shall prevail! In every time of need, you will find comfort in your Baptism; on account of it Satan will flee from your faith and confession; and in death you will see heaven opened and will finally come into the joy of your Lord to celebrate a great year of jubilee, a year of praise, with all the angels forever and ever. Amen!”

I know a fellow believer, who if you ask him, “How are you?,” his response is often “I am baptized!”  Seems to be a pretty good answer to me.  As Walther reminds us: “Baptism is a bath that washed me not only once when I received it – washed me pure with Christ’s blood – but it continuously washes me clean even daily for as long as I hold it in faith.”

There are lots of pledges and resolutions we can make for the New Year, but our greatest comfort and joy comes from our baptism.  If we are to drink “a cup of kindness” in remembrance of anything, let us toast to our baptisms!  

Note: The quote from C.F.W. Walther comes via Treasury of Daily Prayer (or the PrayNow mobile app), a great resource I highly recommend for devotional use.

Saturday, January 2, 2016

What Child is This?


What Child is This? – Luke 1:40-52 – Christmas 2 2016

Concordia Lutheran Church – Columbus, Ohio – Rev. Darren M. Harbaugh

I’m sure it’s happened to you before.  You go to the store with your family.  Something catches your eye.  Before you know it, your spouse asks, “Where’s the kid?”  
A missing child.  It’s our worst nightmare. So there’s a lot in our gospel reading that causes us to sympathize with Mary and Joseph. 

But this is more than simply a story about a lost kid.  This reading draws attention to who Jesus is – the very Son of God.  And it’s my prayer today that you too remember who Jesus is…and that this brings you comfort in the midst of your troubles.
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In our reading from Luke, Jesus and his family have traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover feast.  And as they are returning home, Mary and Joseph begin to panic when they are unable to find their son among all their relatives and friends. They return to Jerusalem and they find him in the temple…sitting among the teachers…astonishing them with his questions and answers.  It’s a great story…But…Jesus’ mother was not amused.  They had been looking for him for 3 days.

She says to him, “Son, why have you done this do us?  Look, your father and I have been worried sick searching for you.”  Perhaps a similar thing would come out of our mouths if we found ourselves in that situation.

But notice Jesus’ response to his mother.  He says, “Why is it that you were looking for me?  Didn’t you know that I must be in my father’s house?”

Now…it kind of sounds like this 12-year old is giving his mom a little lip, doesn’t it?  But remember who he is.  This isn’t some 7th grader that wants to spend time at a friend’s house.

Yes, Mary and Joseph were freaking out.  Yes, 3 days had passed since they’d last seen their son.  Yes, they had experienced some serious trauma from this whole event.  However, when it comes down to it, the fact is, they had forgotten who their son was.  They should have known that it was completely appropriate for the Son of God to be in his Father’s house, discussing God’s Word.

What was Jesus doing in the Temple?  He was revealing who he was.  Everyone was amazed at his understanding and his answers.  He wasn’t merely sharing interesting facts that he had picked up from Jeopardy or Trivial Pursuit.  The questions and answers of this 12 year old boy displayed for the teachers of Israel that this was indeed the divine Son of the Father.

You’ve got to imagine that this boy’s questions and answers were similar to those he used later in life with the religious authorities.  Like when Jesus said to them, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” or “The baptism of John, from where did it come?  From heaven or from man?” or “Why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” or “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”

And remember again what time of year this episode with the boy Jesus occurred.  Since it was Passover, Jesus likely discussed the Passover sacrifice and prophesies about the coming messiah.  Imagine that. The 12 year old Jesus speaking to the well-educated teachers about the sacrificial death of the coming one - the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world -  who would be led to slaughter; this messiah who would be pieced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities;  the Christ, who would be punished to bring us peace, who would bring healing though his wounds.

Now we don’t know any of the specifics of Jesus’ conversations with the teachers in the temple, but they had to be saying to themselves.  Who is this kid?  Indeed.  What child is this? Nails, spear shall pierce him through.  The cross be borne for me, for you.  Hail, hail, the Word made flesh.  The babe, the son of Mary.

Jesus is the son of the Father.  The Son whose Father had sent him to work salvation for us sinners.
As our reading from Ephesians tells us, God the Father loves us so much that he chose us from the foundation of the world, He predestined us for adoption as sons through his son Jesus Christ.  In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he has lavished upon us...In him we have obtained an eternal inheritance.
And this mystery of salvation was just beginning to be revealed through the young boy in the temple
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So...while we can sympathize with Mary…While we can understand the fears of a Mother who’s lost her child…we’ve got to recognize what’s going on here.  On first glance, Jesus’ response to his worried mother’s scolding may seem harsh and unreasonable. “Why were you looking for me?  Didn’t you know?”

But if we consider who Jesus is, his response in fact is quite gentle and respectful.  Remember, He is the perfect messiah…and he is humbly reminding his parents of the truths that they had been given 12 years earlier about who their son was…and about his purpose in coming to earth.  Mary and Joseph had neglected and forgotten the words that should have guided them and helped them when they were so worried.

They had forgotten the words of the angel Gabriel who had told Mary: “you will…bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High… and of his kingdom there will be no end.… the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”

They had forgotten what the angel had told Joseph: “Your son is from the Holy Spirit..He will save his people from their sins”

They had forgotten what the Elizabeth had said to Mary: “Blessed is the fruit of your womb!...Why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”

They had forgotten the words the angel spoke to the shepherds: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

They had forgotten the words of the angel choir who rejoiced at their sons’ birth saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased”

Mary and Joseph had forgotten the words of Simeon who had held their son in his arms and said, “Lord, my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all people.”

Mary and Joseph had forgotten quite a bit…and the boy Jesus was lovingly reminding his parents about these promises.  He was pointing out where their help is found when are worried, or fearful or in any sort of distress.

-This is an important reminder for us as well.  The amazing promises of Christmas are still fresh in our minds, so let us take Christ’s words of promise to heart as we face the troubles of our own lives.

-Let us accept, in humble repentance, the gentle correction of the Lord.  Jesus answered his mother Mary with a loving rebuke and often God’s word does the same to us.  We are God’s chosen people, but we are also very confused and troubled people as well.  God’s word directs us to truths about Christ that need to be known and constantly remembered.

Remember God rebukes those whom he loves.  When the disciples where in a storm, Jesus pointed out their little faith to them.  They had forgotten that Jesus was the Lord of Creation, that he had repeatedly told them of the great things that he and they would do in the future.

Consider also, Christ’s loving rebuke of Thomas when that doubting disciple neglected Jesus’ predictions that he would rise from the dead; his claims that he was the true messiah, the resurrection and the life.

What about us?  We each face problems of many shapes and sizes.  Health concerns.  Worries about finances.  Anxiety over the future. We each encounter a multitude of questions and doubts – “Where is the Lord now?  Does he really love us?”

And perhaps you feel quite justified about your worries and doubts. “Why are you doing this to me, God?  Don’t you know what I’ve been going through?  I’ve been worried sick.” But like Mary and Joseph, we grieve the Lord by neglecting the truths and promises of his Word.  And frankly, this behavior is sinful.  

We become fearful.  We complain.  We doubt, and by doing this, we are robbing ourselves of the comfort and encouragement that Christ wants us to have.  Listen to his word.  Gladly hear it and learn it.  Christ is constantly speaking to you through his word. In the midst of your weakness, in the middle of your confused thinking…Christ is continually speaking, delivering to you to his word of truth.  His word which is the only thing that will revive you.  And when, through the power of the Holy Spirit, you have discovered once again the encouragement of God’s word, Christ urges you to not forget it.  Keep God’s promises ever before your eyes, ever on your lips.  Speak of his promises.  Speak of them to your children and your grandchildren, speak of them when you rise in the morning and when you lay down to sleep at night.  Speak of them when you leave your house and when you return.    

Cling to the promises of God.  In your complaining, in your confused thinking, in your doubt, God’s Word reminds you of who Jesus is – He the Son of God, the true Passover lamb that takes away the sin of the world.  He is your savior and mine.  In his word, his mercy and his grace are freely offered. You are forgiven.  His word gives you life and comfort and strength when troubles threaten.  In the name of Jesus. Amen.



TS Elliot on the new year


I am not eager to rehearse 
My thoughts and theory which you have forgotten. 
These things have served their purpose: let them be. 
So with your own, and pray they be forgiven 
By others, as I pray you to forgive
Both bad and good. Last season's fruit is eaten 
And the fullfed beast shall kick the empty pail. 
For last year's words belong to last year's language 

And next year's words await another voice.

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Hello deer



There's a big deer statue overlooking the Scioto River here in Columbus. It's pretty cool but kind of freaks me out.  I think its because it reminds me of that creepy Minotour thing that Sean Connery fights in Time Bandits.






Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Christmas Eve Sermon - Mysterous Good News



Christmas Eve 2015 - Luke 2;1-20 - Mysterious Good News

Tonight we come to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We hear that familiar reading from Luke 2…the same old story that we hear every year.  But wrapped inside this familiar story is a great mystery. An incredible truth that confounds the most educated people in the world...yet is something that even little children can comprehend.  A kindergartener can tell you that Jesus was born in a manger and can believe that Christ is savior of the world.
            On the very first Christmas, Almighty God, maker of Heaven and Earth, revealed himself in the newborn flesh of the Christ Child.  You want to know God? You think he’s too mysterious or distant or beyond your understanding? Well, then, look at the manger.  Look at the Christ Child.  Here, the mystery of God is revealed. 

            Scripture often speaks of light coming to dark places. This is precisely how God reveals his greatest mystery, the one that was hidden from the foundation of the worldHe sheds some light on the subject.  Consider that evening in the countryside of Judea so many years ago. The shepherds were out in the fields.  Not much to do but sit under the stars and keep an eye out for straying sheep. Lots of silence and solitude.  And darkness.
            Then, like someone flashing a camera bulb, or flicking on a light switch in a pitch black room…there was a brilliant light.  An angel appeared, the glory of the Lord lit up the sky, and the hills, and the trees, and the sheep, and the grass, the shepherds’ awestruck faces.
            This intense light was also how God appeared to his people Israel in the Old Testament – as a pillar of fire in the night sky, or his glory filling the temple.   Yet the mysterious glory of the Lord that the shepherds saw was a sign that God was physically present in a different way…

            The shepherds are terrified; paralyzed with trembling and fear…as the angel delivers his message. A message that’s good news, of great joy for all the people - “Unto you is born today in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
            It’s all too much to take in. A Savior! The long awaited Christ, the Messiah has come! The Lord, Yahweh, the God of Israel himself, is present..not in a pillar of fire…or in a temple, but in the flesh and blood of a tiny baby, lying a wooden manger where the animals feed. 
            But the greatest mystery of all is this: The angel said, “unto you” a savior is born. This is a sign for you.  Why would the Lord of heaven and earth care to reveal himself to poor shepherds?
            But before there’s even a moment to consider all this incredible news, suddenly “a multitude of the heavenly host appears.”  Meaning a battalion of angelic soldiers arrives on the scene.  The night sky is not filled with fat floating babies with wings.  No, God has called in Supernatural Special Forces of the Heavens for this job.
And they all speak in union, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth, peace to those with whom he is pleased.”  Then as suddenly as they appeared, they’re gone.  Darkness and silence once again.
           
-2000 years ago, God revealed his good news to lowly shepherds.  Today God still reveals that good news of great joy which is for you.  Promising peace among those with whom he is pleased.
            Well, that makes you think.  What causes God to be pleased…with YOU? What do you do to deserve his love? You and I don’t even talk to God all that much.  If we stood before God and he examined our calendars and our pocketbooks, He wouldn’t find evidence that He’s much a priority in our lives.  When your angry thoughts and hateful words and spiteful actions are all piled up, what is there that God sees that makes him love you
            Is it because you’re basically a good person?  Not according to God’s standard. His law says that if you even have a single hateful thought toward another person , you’re in danger of hell. 
            Not one of us can honestly say that we have no sin to repent of or that there’s nothing that we need to change.  God’s light shines on the dark places of your life.  The places that no one else can see.  When His light shines on us and our sin, it’s terrifying.  But as the angel said to the shepherds.  “Don’t be afraid.”
God has a message for you - good news of great joy for all people. A child has been born. God is pleased with you and he loves you because of His Son Jesus Christ. 
In Christ, the mystery is revealed: God became man.  For you.  God, who is so righteous and powerful that it boggles the mind, has taken on human flesh for you.  To save you.  The Father loved you so much that he sent his Son to be born, to live and die for you, to forgive you of all your sins…as He bears their penalty on the cross.  He’s your Savior.  Christ the Lord.  Christmas is all about the birth of Christ. And the birth of Christ is really the story of God’s grace for you.

            The all-powerful, all-knowing God spent 9 months in a womb. Any time you’ve changed a baby’s diapers, given them a bath, rocked them to sleep, remember… that’s what Mary did to God Almighty.  God humbled himself in this way because he loves you that much.  He endured all the struggles and temptations we experience, he was like us in every way -  even as a baby – to bring us salvation.
            On Christmas we don’t simply hear “the same old story,”…like it’s a piece of trivia or a dusty fact long forgotten. The Message of Christmas is an experience of God’s grace.  But it’s an experience that’s leaves us with more than just a warm, fuzzy feeling.  The incarnation of Christ is an actual Historical event, something that really happened in space and time that brings life to you every day.  Right now, you are forgiven!  You are changed by the Word of Christ.
            Notice how Christ affected the Shepherds,  They went to Bethlehem and it was just as the angel had said.  There was Jesus lying in a manger.  The Shepherds encountered Christ, the savior of the World, and then they responded by going and spreading the word,
            But notice what else it says about the shepherds: “They went back to work.”  They heard this amazing message…and they went…back to being shepherds.  Of course!  They’ve got work to do!  But…they went back to work changed.  They returned to their work praising and glorifying God for what they had seen and heard.
You too have encountered Christ, the savior of the World….Through his Word…Through his presence his sacraments.  YOU have been changed.  YOU been given the same amazing message of God’s forgiveness to take with you…to your job…to your family…to your friends.
When you have good news - any good news…an engagement, a birth - you tell people about it. You just can’t keep it in.   Brothers and Sisters, you’ve been given THE greatest news.  And it’s my prayer for you this evening, that the Lord makes this mysterious gift of Christmas fresh in your hearts each and every day.  That Christ’s love may be at work in your lives, as you return to your vocations praising and glorifying God…and sharing His amazing grace to others.
And you want to see even more evidence of God’s amazing grace?  More proof of His undeserved love that is for all people? Then, just look at the folks sitting around you right now.  He chose us to be his people through the waters of baptismGod could have spread His Gospel message any way he wanted to but He chose to use ordinary, lowly, shepherds.  Today he chooses to use you and I, as ordinary and lowly as we may be.  
            What did we do to deserve such a role in God’s salvation story?  Absolutely nothing.  That’s God’s grace.  It’s impossible to explain.  It’s simply a gift to be received. 

-Like the presence of God in a tiny baby in a wooden manger in Bethlehem. Like the presence of God here among us today.  Christ’s body and blood in, with and under the bread and the wine for you for the forgiveness of all your sins.  His Christmas gift for you.  “O holy child of Bethlehem descend to us we pray//  Cast out our sin and enter in.  Be born in us today. Amen.

My School Was In A Field

I think I wrote this sometime last year.

My School Was In A Field

I wonder what it would be like to ride a bus to class,
green seats,
gum stuck underneath
or walk, 
each dark new day,
backpack clad 
beside streets.

My school was in a field.
A Dodge Caravan carried me there.
Twelve years old I would have preferred camels,
shoes with bells, 
traversing moor and mountain,
rather than passing
blurry rows of corn.

Now I sit and stare at blades of grass growing between cobblestones half-covered with asphalt
waiting for the next icy afternoon.