Matthew 2:13-23.         Prophecies fulfilled in the face of adversity!      29/12/13

 ¹³ When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

¹⁴ So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, ¹⁵ where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
¹⁶ When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. ¹⁷ Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
¹⁸ “A voice is heard in Ramah,
    weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
    and refusing to be comforted,
    because they are no more.”
¹⁹ After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt ²⁰ and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”
²¹ So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. ²² But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, ²³ and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.

 What a reassurance we have in the knowledge that Christmas continues on in the life of our world even today; even days after our Christmas celebrations have ceased. In fact, now perhaps Christmas might have a greater impact in our lives, than it did on Christmas day. On Wednesday many were too focussed on the family; dinner, presents and travelling. Unfortunately, for far too many, there was not even time for going to God’s house to worship God for this event of such great importance for our lives. It would seem that many had far more important things in mind: at least greater distractions.

 So now perhaps there is time to contemplate this Wonder that is so important for our lives each and every day. Yes Christmas surely is vital for each and every day of our existence. For Christmas is all about God coming into our miserable world to give us life and hope; even more than that to save us from our stupid selves. He is still here for us in the midst of the mess of life to assure us of life and salvation. He is still the best thing that we have ever received in our lives; worthy of our total allegiance.

 In our reading here today we are reminded that God’s word and presence is fulfilled in the face of the tragedies of life. It impacts both positively and negatively in our day to day world. Where Christ is, there is not just peace, joy and blessings, but also opposition and rejection, hatred and murder. 

 In this reading this comes out quite clearly. King Herod was going to ensure that nothing and no one, including a little baby, was going to come between him and his ultimate rule. So what if a whole generation of boys has to be destroyed in order for him to maintain power? So what if tens of thousands of babies are aborted each year so that we can maintain our freedoms and easy lifestyle. What God says and promises does not and cannot be allowed to come between us and what we want from life. Rejection of God brings tragic results.

 So Christ becomes a refugee, having to flee from his own country so that he is not killed. But even this still does not stop ‘God with us’ from continuing and accomplishing what God has in mind. In fact it only fulfils even more prophecies so that it can be even more clearly seen that Christ is so important for our lives.  In the face of the tragedies and horrors perpetuated by a sinful selfish humanity there is now a sure and certain hope.

 Today also unfortunately Christ has to flee from many a heart that is in open rebellion against him. It would also seem that he has in many ways fled from our country as it has sought to push him completely out of our society. This rebellion has brought untold tragedies into our country, on scale far exceeding what Herod did with regard to those little children.

 So this reading here, so soon after Christmas, places Christ and his importance right into the ongoing heartache of life in a sinful  world. His significance and importance is not lessened by the horrors of life. In fact it makes it even more critical and even more uplifting: For here we are reassured that this is really what he came into our world for: to give us a real hope in the midst of the mess that we make of life for ourselves.

 The message here today is that even if he has withdrawn somewhat from our society, he is still ‘God with us’ to be of help and salvation to all who do not reject him. ‘Christ with us,’ is still the important message for us as we live out our lives every day. No matter who we are or how much we have turned our back on him, he is still seeking to be of help, hope and salvation for us.

 As a result we now know that even the murder of children is not the end of the story. No matter how terrible things are there is hope; there is something better; All is not hopeless and futile.  God’s word and his promises: Christ and his coming can and does make a huge difference.

 This Jesus that came to us at Christmas, maybe did not get much of a look in this last week and maybe has even had to flee for a while. But the message here today is that he did return to do what he had to do in order for salvation to be won for us. He was still true to his word and he fulfilled the prophecies made about him and what he had come to do. He did die on the cross, taking the punishment that we deserve on himself; so that we might be forgiven and assured of eternal life with God in heaven.  All who do not turn their backs on him and reject him and what he has won for us, will receive this wondrous gift.

 So Christmas continues on for us. This gift may have been left untouched and not considered, but it is still there for all. The desire for earthly gifts and pleasant family gatherings may have swamped our consideration of Jesus Christ, but he is still with us to help us when the ‘batteries go flat’. The tragedies of a sinful life may still be haunting us deeply, but Christ returns again to forgive us even when we are still mourning our loss. He is still here for us in the midst of worst tragedies imaginable, ready to give us the freedom and hope that we need.

 For all of us each and every day of the rest of our life can be Christmas. We can have peace, hope and joy in abundance every day, no matter what is happening around us. As we recognise that Christ is with us, even though many are seeking to kill him and remove him completely from existence in this country. He is still with us to give us the full assurance that he is true to his Word: he has fulfilled the prophecies  made with regard to him being the saviour of the world.

 This Jesus lived on this earth and performed miracle after miracle so that we can be sure that here in Jesus God himself was at work in our world. He came to be with us and remind us that God is concerned about us and our welfare even though we have failed to live and be the people that he created us to be. He told us quite clearly that we are unable to in any way make up for our rebellion, but that he himself has come to ensure our salvation. That is why he went to the cross and died in our place, so that God would punish him instead of us, and that in turn we might be forgiven.

 Then he rose again three days later just as he said would happen so that we can be absolutely sure that he is for real; and that all who are connected to him will also be raised again on the last day. Through him forgiveness of sin, life and salvation is now there for all who wish to avail themselves of it.

 What a wonderful gift this is for us as we now live out our lives every day. Surely now each day we will want to be reminded of this great thing that has been given to us so that we can live with hope, confidence and certainty in the midst of a world that is constantly seeking to bring death on itself instead of receiving the gift of life that is now available to us.

 So each day let us ponder over and appreciate this great gift that has been given to us. Sunday after Sunday let us gather together here in his house, so  that he can continually remind us of all that he wants us to know so that we can stand firm and confident in the face of all the adversity that comes our way. Let us receive from him what he has to give us so that we can be forever sure that we are forgiven, accepted and have God with us each and every day of our lives.

 Yes, let the real Christmas go on each day of your life, and may God’s Spirit then embolden us live with joy and certainty, ever looking to and giving thanks to Jesus Christ for all that he has done for us. To him be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

 Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish.

John 1:1-14.                            A light in the darkness!!         25/12/13

 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. ⁸ He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
⁹ The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

 Christmas time again - what a great time to be alive: happiness and peace abounds: good news has broken into the midst of the doom and gloom of everyday living: light has come into the darkness that surrounds many people: Salvation, peace, joy and blessing is there for everyone: everything has changed now because of the coming of Jesus Christ into our world.

 But has it? There are many today who wish there lives were ended; and sadly many have even taken their own lives. Many people live with the reality that they may not have a job next year. The news is constantly one of wars, global warming or companies going broke. Families and marriages are still having their ups and downs in relationships. The future looks no better than the past – and maybe, in fact, worse.

 And even Christmas seems to have gone out Christmas in so many ways for so many people. It is merely the receiving of gifts that is important, and even that has lost its charm as many have every gadget they could want. People stay home from church to cook dinner and spend time with the family. And one could go on. However the point is that even Christmas seems to have lost its meaning today. It is another event that promises much and yet doesn’t deliver.

 So where is this Christ of Christmas that makes so much difference? Where is this light that does away with the darkness, doom and gloom of life? Where is this King that is supposed to have come to rule the world with peace and justice? Where is this power of God that has been promised us?

 But that is just it, isn't it? We are looking for the mighty and the spectacular. We are looking for a God who is going to make all things nice and easy for us: Giving us the biggest and best presents; even if that means that we no longer look to and acknowledge him as our Lord. We are seeking a king who will remove all our enemies and give us a nice easy road through life, even though we do not want to live the way that he would have us. We also want a God who is going let us do what we want do through life, but then at end to take us to heaven. We want Christmas and life be one of health, wealth and happiness, even if it sends us to hell.

 But when we are reminded here of that first Christmas, we recognise that it is not quite like that. Instead of a palace and royal comforts, Jesus came as little helpless baby and was born in a backyard stable. Here think about this: this Jesus is the only baby that had a choice in where he would be born, and he chose a stable and a manger for his bed. Incredible! Not only that; the first people to know about it, and who were his first visitors, were rough-necked shepherds.

 When he walked this earth, he did so as a normal frail human being; learnt his trade as a carpenter; lived in the midst of the same human tragedies we have to; subjected to the same temptations we face. However the only difference was that he lived in absolute obedience to his Father: all his life he sought to serve and help others; putting their welfare before his own.

He was beaten, scorned, whipped and rejected in the course of his life; and was finally put to death on the cross. Even that he allowed to happen, so that he could save the lives of mankind.

 There is our king – the light come into our world: Not grand and spectacular in our terms;  but that which is able to identify with and help us in our ordinary situations of life; and so to be able to be of benefit to us as we go through life. There is the real gift of Christmas.

 However, I wonder if that is why people didn't, and don't today, recognise him for who is and that they don't want him as their Lord. Is it because he doesn't fit their picture of what they want from God? He is not a Santa who merely hands out goodies to hang with the long term consequences.

 In his living with us in our world and knowing what life is like for us he is able to identify with us and most importantly to then be able to give us what is of real benefit. But it is ironical isn't it, that we complain about our leaders because they no longer seem to be able to identify with us ordinary people, and they make decisions that are remote from real life without seeming to care about the impact it has on ordinary people: yet here at Christmas we have God who has identifies himself with us in every way and who even gave up his own life - taking our punishment on himself            so that we can live at peace with God and one another, and we all too often reject him also.

 Here we have God come to us and offers life to each one us, where ever we are at in life. We now have one who truly has and can help mankind and can make a real difference; in fact to be a true saviour for each one of us. Here then is a true light that can give light to everyone.

 At last we can see through the mess of life around us to what important. At last there is real hope for a hopeless world. Sure, we are not promised that all our suffering will be taken away in this earthly life and that our hardships will not still be there. But we are shown that so often they are the results of our stupid human race who wants to ignore and live at odds with God. So now God still uses our stupidity to remind us that we have gone off the rails and need his Son Jesus Christ.

Here however, as a result of Christmas, we are promised that we have someone alongside us to help us through it all – to give light to our darkened world. In Jesus we now can know for sure that we have someone we knows what life is like for us, but who also knows what life can and should be like, so that all can good and beneficial for us all.

 He lights up a way through life for us so that we are now able to see what and who is important in life. Now we can see what life is all about and how to get through the mess that we have all around us. Above all we are now able to have real peace and joy in the midst of the hassles of life; as well as to be able to enter into eternity with God.

 This is the message, joy and person that comes us again this year. This is Christmas  - true Christmas. Here is a gift that truly makes a difference for each and every one of us. Here is something to really celebrate about.

 Now our lives have been brightened and the problems and difficulties of life become less important once more. Light is once more shone brightly into our lives so that our spirits can be lifted: Because in Christmas - Christ with us - everything finds meaning and purpose. Christmas can now make a difference to tomorrow also; because have one at our side who truly cares, helps and has done what is necessary for us to see way through life to eternity with God in heaven. The light has come. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

 Now we can have a truly blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

May this Lord Jesus continue to grow in you and light up your life, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

 

 

Isaiah 35:1-10.                   Looking forward with hope                         15/12/13

 {1)  The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, {2} it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendour of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendour of our God. {3} Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; {4} say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you." {5} Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. {6} Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. {7} The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. {8} And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. {9} No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, {10} and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

 Here again we have another important message for us as we approach Christmas. Already we are caught up in the so-called silly season; running around like mad things; finishing off our work commitments for the year; buying gifts, putting up the tree, cleaning house and thinking about all the cooking; then there are the seemingly never-ending round of parties and breakups; hurrying to and fro – getting hassled and run down; but then on top of all of that, there is the high cost of presents and the Christmas pudding turns out a flop, all adding to the frustration of this time of the year.

 Yet despite all of this – for us as Christians - there is an underlying hope and happiness. Not just, because with Christmas comes family gatherings, gifts, a good feed and a few drinks; but our hope and joy lies much deeper and is of far greater consequences. For us, there is again the reminder of the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, which gives us a whole different perspective of life. And it is this which I want us to focus on today.

 To begin with, let us look at the hope that we have in the midst of a hopeless world. Here, how well do the words of our text this morning fit our world today? The difficulties and tragedies that we encounter in our world today are acknowledged by implication in these words, when we read: Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts.

 In our world today, with all that is happening, there are many who are sick, anxious, frightened, discouraged and who see no future; nothing to live for. I could give example after example of this, but never-the-less these threats are facing us from all directions; even within the church. Today, instead of enemy soldiers and deserts, there are concrete jungles and bureaucrats; instead of unclean things and wild beasts – there is materialism and traffic; then there is the constant focus and peddling of an ‘I focussed’ religion.

 So for many today caught in the midst of all of this kind of thinking, what hope is there? Despite all the rhetoric that goes around, there is really very little for many of these people to live for in the present; and even less to look forward to in the future. They are friendless aliens in someone else’s world.

 When speaking of despair, a few years ago, one writer wrote: “it is a state of dejection which gives rise to apathy of mind, and feelings and spirit, to a sluggishness or, as it has been put, a poisoning of the will; to despair, faintheartedness and even desirelessness, a lack of real desire for anything, even for what is good. At the root of it all …. Is despair of the mercy of God and therefore a despair of his creation.”

 Now off course, there are many who do not appear to be in despair. They have placed their hope in their wealth, materialism and technology. They have wrapped themselves in their own desires and wishes and are going full steam ahead: Sadly, however, making it even worse for themselves and others. Because in the end all these false hopes still end in despair: One suffering will be replaced simply by another. As we have seen; the end of the war to end all wars has been replaced by many other wars and even more terrorism. One person’s financial gain has been someone else’s loss. The win on the Tatts has destroyed the family. And the list could go on.

 Then to all those who have placed their hope in these things there is a final despair which will come at the end of their life – when there is nothing more to look forward to – except to face a God they had refused to listen to. Then they will have nothing of their own to stand on. A world without God – that is, the true God who has revealed himself to us in the Scriptures – is still finally hopeless and without any real happiness.

 However we know that it is right in the midst of this hopeless world that hope can be found. Despair in what this world has to offer is also the breeding ground for hope. For it is only when we know that we are in deep trouble and that on our own, as human beings, there is no way out. Then the riches of God’s grace can be found. When we are at our weakest, God’s mercy is sure to be there. Then the baby in the manger becomes that which is vitally important for us.

 Remember it is into this kind of hopeless situation that these words from Isaiah were originally written. To a people who had every reason to believe that all was lost, this promise was given that there would be a rescue and a new and better life in front of them. Your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you." Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.  Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.

        
God would not let them be destroyed – even the weakest of them. So with these promises, they had hope - they had the confidence to keep on going. So it is for us! We have every reason to keep up the struggle; and to do it with hope and confidence. Not only that, we can do this with a sense of underlying joy, because we have this and many other like promises from God. But not only do we have these promise, but in many cases we also have the fulfilment of them.

 Because with the coming of Jesus “the eyes of the blind were opened, the deaf were made to hear, and the lame walked and the dumb, spoke.  While he walked this earth he performed these miracles to show us that he is true to his word. But even more significantly he died on the cross and roses again three days later, just as what God promised hundreds and hundreds of years before hand. Through that death we were promised that our sin is forgiven and that we have the assurance of eternal life with God in heaven.

 So with Christ’s life, death and resurrection we have been rescued from despair – and have every reason to be hopeful. Through our baptisms our life have been connected to Jesus and his death on the cross and his resurrection. We have his guarantee that we are forgiven and have eternal life with him. We can go forward with hope and confidence.

 Yes, our life here on earth, will still be one which is encompassed in hardships, struggles and suffering; and we will still have to die. But we now know for sure that we will also rise again to eternal joy. That being the case we can go forward with hope – a sure and certain hope. Just as Christ lived, died and rose again, so also will we. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

 That being the case: Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come. He has already come and will come again.

 So with that assurance, let us live our lives to the fullest. Now however, not simply for ourselves, but for our Lord and Saviour who has joined us to himself and all the good that he has in mind for us. Also we no longer need to look to our own selfish interests, for we have these promises, and so can now look out for those around us as well. We can go forward with hope and confidence – to strengthen and encourage those around us who are struggling: Pointing them to our Lord Jesus Christ and all that he has and continues to do for us.

 So in your preparation for the Christmas celebrations, lift up your hearts – lift up your spirits. Be joyful and full of hope and confidence, for we have the full assurance of the forgiveness of sin, life and salvation that has been won for us through this Son of God who came as a little babe in a manger all those years ago. Yes, be involved in all these other things that you do in the lead up to Christmas, but do it looking and thinking of our Lord: knowing that in him we have every reason to celebrate: every reason to be hopeful, as we look forward to the future. So a happy, blessed  and hopeful Christmas to you all.  AMEN.

 Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Matthew 3:1-12.                              The World’s Only Way Out!!                       8/12/13

 {1)  In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea {2} and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." {3} This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" {4} John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. {5} People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. {6} Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. {7} But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? {8} Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. {9} And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. {10} The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. {11} "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. {12} His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

 Our world is not in good shape at the moment; typhoons, violence, loneliness, murders, divorce, selfishness, and the list could go on. These are all evidence of a moral and spiritual cancer eating away at our society. And in many ways it would seem as if it is terminal; after a number of wake-up calls in recent years nothing has improved. In fact it is going from bad to worse; even though we keep trying to fool ourselves that we have got it all under control. Unless there is a major change soon our society will self-destruct. Any realistic look at history will show us this.

 However it would seem that we want to continue to be blind to the realities of life itself. Some can see the problems; but they despair for a way out. They have given up and are basically just existing from one day to the next; going through the motions of life, but without their heart in it. In many ways, even we ourselves, are caught up in this decline. So the slide into complete moral decay continues.

 But what is the answer? Can we pull ourselves out of this moral and spiritual disaster that is before us? Is there a way out for us and for our society and our world? Well, John the Baptist here in this reading this morning suggests there is. There is way out of the predicament that faces us at the moment.

 But unfortunately it is not found in the areas that we are accustomed to looking to as a society. It will not be what we earn that will solve the problem; as much as prosperity and a higher standard of living is promoted as the way to go. Surely we can already see that even though we have incredibly high incomes and all the technological gadgets under the sun, we are really no better off morally and spiritually than say 30/50/100 years ago. With our wealth and materialism we have become busier, greedier and more selfish and unhappier; as well as less at peace with ourselves, our world, and above all God. So what we earn is not the way out for our world. How much or little we have is not the way to go; it will not solve this problem.

 Nor is answer to be found in what learn. Education is another part of life that is held up as an area that we need to concentrate on if we want to make this world a better place. We are told that we need to become the clever country. We are encouraged to spend more and more time at school to improve our skills and overcome our shortfalls. Yet the more educated we are becoming the more we seem to be getting ourselves further and further into the moral and spiritual dilemma that we are in. Today we have many people with a great deal of knowledge on many subjects, but not the wisdom to use any it properly. So once again division, sadness and the breakdown of society continues. What we learn is not going to be the way out for our world.

 Nor will burning everything and starting again. Certainly at times we think of getting rid of everything and seeking to make a new start. Then perhaps we will get it right next time. By destroying capitalism, the education system as have it, or whatever, will not solve our problems. Capitalism, communism, fascism, a new world order, one world Government; even a society that is based on Christian principles; no system at all can right the situation that we are facing as a humanity. Getting rid of one system of living and replacing it with another is not the answer.

 Whatever system is put in place, no matter how good will still come undone; the same basic problems will surface again and again. Sinful, selfish humanity will always mess things up. No matter how hard we try, it will all come unstuck because we have this flaw in our makeup that always comes to the fore.

 So the answer for our future is not going to be found in any of these areas:

Earning, learning and burning are not solutions; nor is it in any other brainwave scheme that we might come up with. It is only as we turn back to God that we find the way for our future. John here has the only answer; "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." To repent, is to turn around; it is to turn away from a focus on ourselves and our wants and desires or problems, to God and that which he wants to do through us.

 And why should we and can we do this? Because the kingdom of heaven has come near. There is the answer! There we and our world has something to turn to that really does make a difference. There we have that which our world is searching for and trying to create, but can't. It is all there – peace, happiness, good government and all the rest. No more guilt, pain, loneliness, death; even good directions for us to live by so that we can live happily with one another and God, as well as have all the security, contentment and fulfilment that we could ever want. It is heaven – the ideal place that we are all seeking after.

And here we are reminded that it is near. So near for each and every one of us. It is not something that we have to work hard for in order to get it; requiring a certain amount of money, education or any such thing in order to gain it. Even our failings and shortcomings are no barr to our having a part in it. It is so near!

 Jesus has come into our world; died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins; and now through our baptism; the Lord Supper and his Word, he now physically lives with each one of us. He has chosen to come and live in our lives, and to give us all the help and hope that we could ever possibly need. Jesus Christ now goes with us into our future; and guarantees the very best outcome possible; eternal life with our God in heaven.

 However, even though it is so near, yet for many it is so far! It is there for everyone, but for so many they are unwilling to repent and therefore it is unattainable. It is just a matter of turning back to God and trusting in him, recognising that he alone has the only way out for us. But this is where so many have trouble. They want to live as if there is no God. They still want to hang on to the old things of life. They still want to keep one foot on the track of a worldly life; living and doing as everyone else is.

 Yes, every one of us, wants and longs for this kingdom of heaven; this new and ideal world. But at the same time we still want to live life our way; and then we wonder why things don't go so well. We are trying to walk through life with ‘a leg on each side of a barbed wire fence’ and then wonder why it doesn’t work out. We too often act toward God as we do our doctor: and when he says that we are to go on diet or give up drinking or smoking because it is killing us, we make only a token effort, but then wonder why we end up in hospital and on our death bed. The doctor is supposed to be ‘the miracle worker’ just so that we can go on living our comfortable lifestyle.

The real danger, of course with God, is that we lose out altogether. A foot in both camps will not do. That is not repentance; it is not ‘wanting out’ from the troubles of this world. It is merely trying to use Jesus Christ as an excuse to live as we please; using him for our own ends.

 We need to remember again that when Jesus Christ comes to us; and comes to us as the Lord of life, he comes as King of this heavenly kingdom. He wants to produce in us fruit that is in keeping with one who is a part of this kingdom. If there is not that desire - that repentance - then he warns us that his axe is ready. We can’t have it both ways.

 This world is in trouble. Any blind fool can see that. So it is no good hanging on to our sin and the failings of this world. That is like holding on for dear life to the handle of the poker machine on the Titanic as it is sinking. So also the systems of this world will pull us down if we put too much emphasis on them as the saviour of our society. The only way is to turn to the Lord Jesus and allow him to pull us through.

 At this time of the year we are reminded again of the Saviour’s coming into our world. Jesus came so that he could die on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. We are also remind of his coming again at the end as judge, to take those who have turned to and trusted in him for their life and salvation, to be with him in eternity. We have every good reason to take him seriously.  

 So let us again prepare for his coming by turning away from our sin, so that the dangers of life don’t get in the way. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. And therein find the way out of this world's troubles, in and through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom belongs all glory and honour, now and always. Amen.

 Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish