Vicar Christopher Gillespie
Immanuel Lutheran Church of Frankentrost
Saginaw, Michigan
Rogate – Easter 6 (April 27, 2008)
Text: John 16:23-30 (31-33); James 1:22-27; Numbers 21:4-9
Grace and peace be to you from our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
The Gospel for today is the continuation of the Gospel from two weeks ago, where Jesus promises to the disciples that their joy would turn to sorrow, just as a woman who delivers in pain, forgets the pain and is joyful at the birth of her child. Last week, when Jesus leaves the disciples, they won’t be left alone but will be given a comforter and helper, the Holy Spirit to guide them in the way of truth and aid them in their battle with the devil, the world, and their sinful nature. Now, in this third reading from the 16th chapter of Gospel according to St. John, Jesus reveals Himself as the reconciler between God and man so that we may now pray to the Father and so overcome the world and gain peace.
Let us pray: When we know not what to say And our wounded souls are pleading, may Your Spirit, night and day, Groan within us interceding; By His sighs, too deep for words, We are heard. Jesus, advocate on high, Sacrificed on Calvary’s altar, Through Your priestly blood we cry: Hear our prayers, though they may falter; Place them on Your Father’s throne As Your own. Amen (LSB 773 sts. 2-3)
Early in Jesus’ ministry, the disciples asked Him “Lord, teach us how to pray.†(Luke 11:1) What an odd question! Were they not students of the Scriptures? The saints of old prayed in earnest.
Abraham prayed that his servant Abemilech be healed and God answered – healing Abemilech, his wife, and his children. Isaac prayed for his wife Rebekah, who was barren and God granted her children. Moses prayed for the people who had despised the Lord and His prophet and God’s wrath was stayed. Hannah prayed at the conception of her son Samuel. David prayed for forgiveness after his adulterous affair. David’s prayers became the principal prayers of the church in the book of Psalms. His son Solomon prayed. Job, Nehemiah,, Jonah, and Hezekiah all prayed. God answered their prayer.
Why then ask “teach us How to pray?†The disciples recognized prayer is misunderstood. They wanted the richness of Jesus’ instruction to set their heart on true faith and their minds in rightful piety. In true prayer both doctrine and practice converge. To illustrate, Jesus gives them the model prayer, His own Lord’s Prayer.
In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray God’s own Word back to him. We ask for everything He has promised. Preserve the earth, the church, and your name among us. Continue to overcome Satan in our lives and world. Give us this day and every day all we need for our bodies and life. Do not look upon our sins and help us forgive others. Remove from us temptation. Preserve us from all evil.
None of these petitions are unique. The saints prayed the same petitions. Our intercessions to God do not change. Our soul groans under the same weight of sin that plagued the patriarchs and the Apostles. His prayer summarizes the all the needs of body and soul. We pray it daily. Our heart is comforted in the Word of promise. Our mind recalls our utter reliance upon God for every need. It is not vain repetition. It is the yearning of need, the pleas for mercy, and the trust in the promise of grace.
Prayer is not formless or void. It repeats the truth, makes its demand based on these promises, and gives thanksgiving for the gifts given. Like faith, prayer has an object. We don’t just pray. We pray for something or someone. The Creator himself speaks His Word from our lips, breathing in us His very Spirit.
True prayer meditates upon the truth. This truth is extra nos, outside us. The truth is from the Word, God’s Word. True prayer is not just any truth of our device. Our prayer is to God, speaking to Him His Word, asking all things in His name.
Jesus revolutionizes prayer with the introduction to His prayer. He instructs the disciples to pray to the Father. Not to a nameless god but to God, the Father of all believers. Before, prophets, priests, and kings prayed for the people, offering intercessions on their behalf. Now the disciples are told to pray as dear children ask their dear father. In former days they prayed as servants of a King. But now, they are told to pray to God as their Father in heaven.
As this prayer is our prayer, we pray to God with all boldness and confidence, trusting that He will provide for His children. We cry out “Abba, Father†and ask for what we need, not doubting but trusting that He will provide according to His good and gracious will. Jesus says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name He will give to you… Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.†(John 16:23-24)
David called God – Lord and now we call God – Father. How can this be? Has God changed? David looked forward to the Messiah, we know the Messiah has come. David only saw the true glory of God dimly but now we see Him face to face. God’s immutability persists… God has not changed.
Rather, Jesus gives us the full revelation of His perfect will. In His sacrament of water we are joined to the Father by the Son and so become His children and rightful heirs of eternal life.
God answers the intercessions of David in Jesus Christ. With David we plea for mercy. We asks the Lord to blot out his transgressions. Wash me, purge me, create in me a clean heart. All this is done in Jesus. Deliver me, build me, strengthen your church – all are done is Jesus. Jesus is the one who reconciles you before the Father.
Now in these last days, Jesus speaks clearly. The Father himself loves you. Because of the justification wrought by the Son, He calls you His children. He grants to you the same love as the Father for His obedient Son. By the Son we dwell with the Father in love. This fellowship, this communion is the mystical union of Christ and His church. God loved us so much that He gave His only-begotten Son over to death that we might have eternal life with Him.
The freedom from sin, death, and the devil longed for from days of old stands present before the disciples. The Word incarnate, the promise made manifest, stands before the gates of death on Maundy Thursday. His flock scatters on Good Friday. But Easter Sunday, He makes all things new.
His flesh, burdened by the guilt of our sin, was crucified, dead and buried. The grave could not hold Him. He triumphed! His resurrected flesh came forth from the grave. He draws all to Him. His voice called Mary Magdalene, Peter and John, the Emmaeus disciples, and all the witnesses into His presence.
His Spirit breathes into the ears, dwells in the heart, and rests upon the tongues of His church. His body and blood, ever present for the remission of sins, answers the deep cries of desperate pilgrims. It makes ready the path of salvation, guiding all believers in the way of peace.
In His name we pray. Our Father, we confess who you are and what you have done for your people. We ask all things as you have promised. Grant this for the sake of Jesus Christ, the very paschal lamb, who set us free from bondage to Satan, so we can once again walk with you in Eden.
Let not your hearts be troubled by appearances. Is God the Father with you on this journey of life? Does He give you all good things according to His will? Never fear little flock! It is being done as He promised.
“Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.†(Luke 16:32-33)
When doubt lurks within our sinful heart, the Holy Spirit casts all gloom away by His Word. You have trouble, sorrow, or suffering? What of that! Jesus overcome the world. These troubles are but for a breath and will pass away. Be of good cheer! Jesus makes all things new. This present darkness will give way to the everlasting light of my Father’s house. Where Jesus is, there you will go also. Not a tear will drop from your eye nor your heart cry out in sorrow. The heavenly joys won by His victory over unrighteousness are yours eternally.
The gift of the Word grants us the peace that passes all understanding. It bestows trust, that is, faith in Christ who broke the bonds of sin that hold us. His Spirit works faith that restores us, keeping us in the one true faith. His Spirit works through means of water, Word, and the holy sacrament to preserve us unto life everlasting.
The life of the church is the life of faith. Faith lives in our hearts and speaks by our mouths. Faith boldly confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, who loosed the stranglehold of sin and suffered atoning death for you, that you may be free to live as the Father’s children. Faith sings of the great and wondrous deeds wrought by our Lord for you. Faith prays to the Father in the name of Jesus that our hearts may not be troubled. Faith prays to God the Father, asking all things, trusting that He will answer our prayer.
We lay all our fear and despair at the feet of the Father. By prayer, His Holy Spirit he casts them out, replacing them with His promises. Faith does not look within for peace. Faith looks to God whose love is limitless and mercy perfect.
Jesus has overcome the world. When we battle the evil of this world He is with us. When we doubt He comforts us. When we fear he grants us trust. When we do not know what to pray, His Spirit comes with His Word. (John 17)
The mystical union of Father, Son, and His bride, the Church is the place where true joy and comfort is found. In this union, the Son pours forth Himself for the redemption of His people. In this union, the bride offers herself adorned with gladness, in praise and thanksgiving for Christ’s perfect service. By His marriage she is made holy and blameless and is joined in fellowship with His Father. Now, as one His children she asks and receives. She prays for her needs and the needs of all her members.
The faithful church prays. She sings the faith received. She speaks of the mighty works of her Lord. She bows its head in reverence, calling on the Father on behalf of all who suffer for the faith. Great is the Holy One of Israel! He has come to His people and redeemed them! Be of good cheer! Jesus has overcome the world. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full. Amen.
Now may the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
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