The Secret Wireless

“John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”   Oh man, here it comes.   It is the repentance sermon.   John is telling everyone who rotten they are and we’re going to get it too.   Yes you are, because you need it.   I need it.   And God will not leave us without it.                 There was a man named Hosea, whom God commanded, commanded mind you, to marry a prostitute.   Her name was Gomer, not a nice name-especially for a woman-but it is what it is.   Hosea chose a wife, not from among the many young women from the families around him, women who were prized for their beauty and virginity, but a woman who had been used and abused, who had sold herself to the night and embraced many men.                 Hosea marri...

Christian, your good deeds are not filthy rags or polluted garments in the sight of God. Yes, I know, this is every Lutheran pastor's favorite verse to quote when proclaiming the Law: We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. (Isaiah 64:6a) And to an extent this is true.  It is true for the person is is without faith, for the one who is apart from Christ.  The context of Isaiah 64 suggests not a faithful people redeemed by their God, but a stiff-necked people wantonly wallowing in their sin: "Behold, you were angry and we sinned; in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved?" (Isaiah 64:5b) Men and women who have been baptized into Christ, however, are not in this state.  Christians are redeemed by the blood of Jesus and all their sin has been covered.  Their good deeds, therefore, do please God, despite their sin. Saint Paul declares in Romans 14:23, "Whatever does not proceeds f...

From earth below up to the cross Christ bore our burdens and our loss, And there a full atonement made; gained glory that shall never fade. He enters Zion as her king. The people all his praises sing. "Give honor now to David's son, Hosanna to the holy one." Forth from the temple courts he drove The money changers, lamb, and dove. "My house shall be a house of prayer For all who come and worship there." With schemes and questions did they come To test the right of David's son. He answered all their queries told And showed himself now David's Lord. He prophesied the coming night When none shall work, so filled with fright. No man can know that day or hour. The king will judge in righteous power. In humble dress he washed their feet; Portrayed a love for all to meet. Then gave his body and his blood; A sacrifice of holy food. Betrayed by all he called by name He carried cross and sin and shame. The punishment of man came...