Hebrews 2:10-18.                             Jesus fully human, fully God!                                       1/1/17

¹⁰ In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. ¹¹ Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. ¹² He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
    in the assembly I will sing your praises.”

¹³ And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”

And again he says,

“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”

¹⁴ Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— ¹⁵ and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. ¹⁶ For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. ¹⁷ For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human 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. ¹⁸ Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Just how amazing is this Jesus whose birth we celebrate again in these days. This is no ordinary human being; he is God himself; and yet he is fully human. All this God himself has done for us so that many sons and daughters could be brought to glory. Despite our rebellion against him; and our desire to do as we please, without regard for God and what he has to say to us; never the less his love for us was such that he does what is necessary for us to be made children of God.

Just think about that for a while: God becomes a human so that we might become children of God for all eternity. That is incredible! What we have all our lives strived after since Adam and Eve – equality with God has been made freely possible. It is there for all who dare to believe it.

Then what is even more remarkable is the fact that so many turn their backs on this wonderful gift. They still want to live and act as if none of this is important. They still want to live apart from God and do as they please. They still want to be selfish, self-centred people who have no real interest in God at all.

Sure many of them will still acknowledge that he is there and that they believe in him. However, they have no sense of appreciation for what he has done for us all, or the desire to live in a relationship with him. They are so wrapped up in themselves and what they make of their own lives. God is someone who is simply there to fix things up when it all goes wrong. Meanwhile they live for here and now; as if this is all there is to life.

So they have made themselves their own little god, who controls his own life. They have then made all these other little idols in their lives to seek to attain all that God promises to freely gives us, if only we would take him seriously. But their arrogance and rebellion is such that they will not.

But the reality of life for us all is that there is always still this one ‘bogey man’ that hangs over our head. Death is constantly before us. The news is full of it. Young and old, rich and poor, famous and unknown; this tragedy is ever before us; and in the end it is a reality for us all, sooner or later.

Then what? We travel toward this great light; to what? To heaven, or hell? Or toward Jesus Christ the Judge who holds our fate in his hands? Yes; and to all who believe in him and who are connected to him through baptism are able to now face that day with confidence and certainty. As we look to this Jesus who came into our world and trust in all that he has said and done for us we know that he will see us through.

This is one of the main points in this reading. This Jesus came for the very purpose: to free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Because of our sin, death is the reality that it is. We all will die because of our rebellion against God. God has made this very clear to us all, all the way from Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, to this very day. Death comes to all who sin. But because of Jesus Christ and his coming into our world he has taken the sting out of death for all who believe in him.

To do that he had to share our humanity. We read: Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of 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.

A sinless human being was needed in order for the sacrifice for the sin of the world to be effective. So God himself becomes one of us. As we are told here:

 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human 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.

So the very reason we celebrate Christmas is a constant reminder to us that Jesus came into this world as a babe in Bethlehem to do this very thing. Despite us and our rejection of him, he comes to do what has to be done for our salvation. He comes so that we can be freed from the fear of death and that he may call them brothers and sisters.

Through his life, death and resurrection Jesus has accomplished that which is truly remarkable. He has done everything that was necessary in order to bring many sons and daughters to glory. It is all there freely available to each and every one of us. Now in connection to him we can face death with confidence and also then to be with our Lord for all eternity in heaven as his brothers and sisters. To him be all glory and honour, now and always.

So:  In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.  Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family.

Here again we have another very important point being made to us in this reading. One that we need to very much reflect on and contemplate deeply. It is God almighty for whom and through whom everything exists. In our western culture we have drastically downplayed this important point. Too often even in our churches we give lip service to this, but in reality we put ourselves and our reasoning to the fore. Life exits for us and our pleasure; Not God.

We must remember that God created us for his purposes and benefit; not us. He is the all-important one around whom and through all things exists. Only in him and what he says will we find the life and being that should be there for us. He wanted us to live happily with him and his creation, but we chose to live by and for ourselves. The result is that we die because of it.

But again it is here that he himself comes to make things right for us. His own Son comes into our world to suffer so that we might be perfected once more. So now Jesus Christ is held up as that which is all important for us and for all. God has lifted him up and given him the name that is above all names.

So now as we look to him, trust him and seek to hold him up for the greatness of who he is and what he has done for us we are reassured of the life and hope that is now ours. We find that we are restored back to the way that was originally planned for us. We, now through belief and baptism are restored back into God’s family and are made once more brothers and sisters of Christs. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family.

Here the point is strongly made from Scripture itself that this is what God himself says to us. This is not some wishful thinking, or a made up story. This is what the Jesus Christ who was born, lived, died and rose again has done and said. Because he is a historical reality and is true to his word we can rely on what is said here.

However, because we live in a culture where this is ignored, ridiculed and down-played it is so easy to doubt this. We have the devil, the world and our sinful selves continually tempting us to doubt this. Continually we are being tempted to look to and trust me, myself and I. Along with that we still live in a sinful world and so constantly face the troubles and hardships that are always a part of it. As long as we live here on earth we will have this suffering and difficulties, and can easily be left wondering if all of this is really true.

Here however we are reminded again that: Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. So as we begin another new year let us resolve to look to him alone as our Lord and Saviour and constantly seek his help so that we do not lose sight of that which is so important for us.

Here also remember that he has promised to be with us always, to the very end of the age. He is right there with us and for us as we face life in whatever way it comes. His Word and very body and blood of Holy Communion are his constant reminder to us of this very fact.

So here as we begin another new year let us ever seek to look to and uphold Jesus Christ as both God and man who has come to win salvation for us and free us from the fear of death. Let us remember that God almighty himself is the one for whom and through whom everything exists. He and what he has done through Jesus and his death and resurrection alone is what has enabled us to be very own sons and daughters. To him the be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Luke 2:8-20.                         True Christmas Joy???                                                     25/12/16

(8)  And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. {9} An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. {10} But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. {11} Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. {12} This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." {13} Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, {14} "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests." {15} When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." {16} So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. {17} When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, {18} and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. {19} But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. {20} The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Christmas is a time when we look for happiness and joy. We speak of it as a time of festivity and the imparting of Christmas cheer to one another. It is to be a season of peace and goodwill: of giving and receiving: and of family. You know the catch words – they are fed to us regularly through the media, ‘junk mail’ and where ever. It is all very warm and enticing; and it feeds into that deep longing that we have in our hearts. We all yearn for a greater degree of these things in our lives.

So at this time of the year our spirits rise within us. Holidays, gifts, parties: one after the other. Yes, this is the life. This is what it is all about. More, bigger, better, all so that this spirit of Christmas may be stronger in our lives. Just maybe this year Christmas may bring us the cheer that we want and need in our lives.

But, unfortunately the boss has put the pressure on in the lead up to this day. Working longer hours so the boss can make a few more quick dollars: late night and weekend shopping bites right in and puts the pressure on. Then when it comes to our buying of gifts. What do we buy someone who has everything? The kids have nearly all the toys that are on the go. No longer is it a few simple gifts with love in the heart; it has to be bigger and better; but oh so much more expensive. So the credit card is at its limit, and the squeeze is on.

Then when it comes to the Christmas parties; it is another night out and another night away from the family. And the pressures continue; the spirit wanes. Then to add to it all, this year the kids have to go to the ex’s, or we have had a ‘blue’ with someone in the family and they are all in a huff over it.

Throughout the emphasis is on what we do, buy and have that is focussed on at this time. It is about having a good time. It is about us making the Christmas spirit through giving, receiving, sharing and all the rest.  Christmas is all about almost everything but what Christmas is all about. 

The spirit of Christmas has been swallowed up by the commercialization of it all and its failure to be what is promised. Christmas has lost its glitter and sparkle. It is another thing that we have to do. It is just another party; another gift; another trying to lift the spirits in a life overfull of these things already. There are glimpses of that which is promised, but it is drowned out by all the competing forces.

Despite the pretences and new gifts that will soon lose their shine, there is still left that longing for something more: something better: something far more significant. The peace, joy and goodwill of this season has promised much but has again failed to deliver. So is Christmas really all that it is cracked up to be? Is it really all that special?

Here today, let us again hear another Christmas message: a message that has been drowned out by the commercialization that our society keeps throwing our way. Hear again that which truly does make Christmas, truly Christmas. Hear again why this day really is special and life changing, in the midst of all of this other ‘bull dust’.

Hear the message of the angels to the shepherds on that first Christmas night. "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Here remember that this is not just some nice fairy story, that has been written down to give some sense of wonderment to our children. This is God’s message to humanity. This is God’s message into our modern day Christmas. It is here in this message; when we are prepared to unwrap this gift, we will find that which gives true peace, joy and goodwill to all mankind. This gift continues on and on giving meaning and purpose to people no matter what they face in life; whether it be plenty or nothing; health or sickness and death: whether in a great family or all alone.

This gift works right into the very core of our lives and gives us all that we really need. This is good news of great joy that is for all the people. This good news: this great Christmas gift, is that the Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. In Jesus, the baby born in Bethlehem some 2,000 years ago, we have the Saviour being born. God himself has come to be with us: is with us now, and has eternal life for all. This surely is good news.

Or is it? Do we believe that we need a saviour? For most people in the western world, we don’t need a saviour. We have got it all. We have told ourselves that we are the centre of life itself. We just need to follow Jesus’ example and we will make this world what we want it to be. It is all ours and it is all up to us.

But as we truly listen and humble ourselves before him we are brought to the knowledge that we are sinful and that we desperately need the Saviour. Already at the beginning of the Bible we see what our problem is. We, like Adam and Eve, have told God to move over: we want to be the centre of life. We want to do what we want to do, instead of following what God has given us and told us is good for us.

We have set our opinions above what God himself has set down for us, and the results are nothing short of catastrophic. We have brought all kinds of troubles on ourselves and one another and most significantly death and eternal separation from God. Now in our selfish pride we still want to work against God: we try to eliminate sickness and death, and we even want to work our way back into God’s presence. We want to even make Christmas all about us and what we want and do. But we cannot achieve it and are doomed to failure because of our sinful human nature. Without God’s intervention we are doomed to an eternity in hell.

However, this is what makes Christmas so truly special and great. God sent his only Son as a gift into our world. He came as one of us, so that not only could he do what was necessary for our salvation, but just maybe we might listen to him and submit ourselves to him. He came as little baby, born in poverty and meanness: he lived as a normal human being, but without sin. He alone listened to God and followed his commands and ways. Then he allowed himself to be killed on the cross, so that God could punish him, instead of us. He gave his life so that we might have life:  eternal life with God. He extended forgiveness of sins to each and every one of us – without exception. There is once again peace made possible between God and us; extended to us as a free gift.

This is his gift to you and me. Jesus Christ has brought forgiveness of sins, life and salvation to each of us. This is his Christmas gift to you and me. This is truly the greatest and most wonderful gift that we could ever receive. This is what makes true peace, joy and goodwill possible. This is what enables us to have the real festive spirit and be able to impart Christmas cheer to one another. We have peace with God: we have eternal life with him. This wonderful gift now impacts on everything else that we face and that we do.

This naturally then gives us hope and joy. Not the joy that is a bubbling over smile from ear to ear; but an underlying contentment which knows that no matter what we now face in life we have eternal life with God, which no one and nothing can take away from us. Now that we have Christ in us, we have that quiet and sure confidence that He will see us through, even when we face our crosses in this life, for we know that he himself goes and has gone before us, and now uses all these things for good. God himself has assured us now that he is at work in and through our lives, seeking to draw all people into his eternal kingdom.

That being the case, now we can share this joy and hope that we have now been given, with one another. We can impart this Christmas cheer with all others that we come into contact with. Not just today and tomorrow; but every day is now Christmas for us. God is with us; we can now share him with those that we come into contact with. We can share his peace and goodwill in all circumstances. And just as we have received from him; and that includes now seeing every gift that we receive from others as a gift given from God Almighty himself; now then we too can give.

Yes, Christmas now has truly given to us all that it has promised. Peace, joy and goodwill has now come to us. Now we can celebrate and now we can live with confidence and hope. For Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Our Lord has come to live with us so that we can live with him for all eternity. To him then be all glory and honour now and always. AMEN.

A blessed Christmas to you all.

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Matthew 11:2-11.                                            Advent a time of expectation                     11/12/16

² When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples ³ to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

⁴ Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. ⁶ Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

⁷ As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? ⁸ If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. ⁹ Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way before you.’

¹¹ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Ah, what a sight! To stand up here and look at all of you sitting there in the pews. All sitting back with an air of expectation. Although I am not sure what the expectations are: perhaps it is a chance for a rest and to let your mind wander; or, how many mistakes will the pastor make today; or how many flies can we count on the ceiling. Others of course, and most of you I hope, are listening to hear what God has to say. Whatever, you all have come with some expectation or other.

At the same time, you are all, I imagine, looking forward to Christmas with certain hopes and expectations. For the children it could well be the presents under the tree. For others it may be a break from work and its pressures. For others again it may be the family get together and the good feed. We pray that for many it may perhaps be the expectation of some peace, hope and joy as they reflect on Christ and his coming to be with us and what that really means for us.

Here this morning we are reminded that Advent is a time of many expectations. As Christians it surely has a great deal to do with the Lord Jesus Christ and his coming into our world to be with us. Firstly, as a baby in Bethlehem and then all the way through to his death on the cross and his resurrection. But also it is a time to reflect on his coming to be with today. Then also to his final coming at the end of time. From each of these events, I am sure, that we have certain expectations.

John Baptist in this reading was looking to Jesus with certain expectations. He was looking forward to the coming of the Messiah, or Saviour, that was promised by God long ago. Then when this Jesus came to him at the Jordan River he knew that there was something special about this man. But, was he this Promised Messiah. As time went on he heard all these reports about how this Jesus was doing some pretty       marvellous things and that people were flocking to him.

All this prompts him to send the question to Jesus: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” To which he received the reply; what do you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.          

Here remember that it was this Jesus doing all of this. Wherever he goes, these things are happening, Fantastic things are happening. Things that only God himself can do.

So yes, here is the expected Messiah: the one promised that would come doing away with sickness, pain, poverty and death. In connection to him true happiness is there for those who do not fall away. Here then, is the one that was to usher in God's rule and be the King of this kingdom of God and of heaven. This is what John the Baptist was looking forward to with great hope and expectation. Now here he was - has come - doing everything that was expected of him.

As he walked this earth he gave glimpses of God's almighty power: showing that he can heal sick, give life to the dead; and who has good news for the poor. Along with that he showed us where to find real happiness, peace and hope. As he walked this earth he showed that he definitely was from God and that he has come be with us to help us.

Then to show us the extent of his love and help, and the real purpose for his coming, he goes to the cross and dies in our place. He takes the punishment for our sin on himself so that we can now have forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. He then rises from the dead three days later just as the Scriptures said he would, so that we can know for sure that here God himself has worked all these things for us so that we can be a part God's family forever. All so that inner peace and joy can be ours in abundance.

So now our expectations of Jesus Christ and his coming all those years ago are grounded in a reality that is sure and certain. We can look back there and know for sure that God has truly come and done what was necessary for our salvation and eternal life. As we look to his life, death and resurrection we can have confidence to live today and to face his coming again at the end of time.

With that confidence in the fact the God has come in Christ Jesus, enables us to have clear expectations now as we live out life today. Even though life may be rough and tough for us, we can have a sure confidence that God himself is with us in the midst of it. Jesus Christ himself is present with us every moment of every day. This is what he has promised us, so we can be sure that this is true.

To help us to remember this he has given us Holy Communion, where he gives us his very body and blood so that we can be sure that he forgives us, and so also lives in us as we go about our daily lives. With him living in and with us we know that; yes, we too then will share in his suffering, but he will be with us to see us through. Because he is with us he will use us and our suffering for good.

With him with us we too can now have the confidence to listen to him and what he tells us through his Word, the Bible. Because the Scriptures that were written hundreds and hundreds of years before, told us of his coming and his death and resurrection, we can now be sure of what he says to us today through his Word, the Bible. There we know that we have encouragement and directions for living that are right, good and helpful for us as we live out our lives in the midst of a sinful world. So with that we can get on with life with confidence and certainty.

Through his presence with us today, we can then face the future with the expectation that there too he will see us through to the end, and then take us to be with himself in eternity. When he comes again to usher in the new kingdom we can face that day with confidence. For as Judge who has died and rose again for us, and who lives with us now, he also enables us to trust in him and his sure promises. So we can be confident that he will see us through and so take us to be with himself in heaven.

So now we are able to have expectations that are sure and certain. As we look to Jesus Christ who has come, is come now and who will come again, we can be sure that all will work out for good. In connection with him we can reliably expect that everything will work out as he has promised.

Unfortunately, too often however, we look with expectation elsewhere. We look in the wrong direction and then wonder why things are not so good. We look to humanity and our technological achievements, for our salvation. We look to money and status to get us where we want to go. We look to our achievements to give us the elixir of life, so that one day we might have eternal youth. We look for happiness and peace within ourselves and what we think should be.

But in all of this we are left sadly disappointed: looking in hope, but in the end finding only despair. And even worse still, beyond death finding only Hell.

We need to remember that it is in Christ alone that we are to put our hope and trust in. For it is in him alone that we will find all these things that we really need. So let us look with eager expectation to the time when our Lord finally does away with all sickness, poverty and death for all time. Looking forward to when he welcomes us into his heavenly home, where we will enjoy his company without fear or want for anything. Ushered in by Christ himself; allowing all who trust in what he done for us through his life, death and resurrection to join him for all eternity.

So this Advent season again, may our expectations find a sure and certain hope that will not         disappoint us or let us down. As we look to Christ and his presence with us we can have the same certain assurance that Christ is for real and his heavenly kingdom is ours, just as John the Baptist had in our reading.

May these days and weeks ahead again, reassure us of the peace, hope and joy that is beyond understanding. May that assurance then sustain us through thick and thin. Yes, these expectations in Christ are guaranteed. So may we now look forward and go forward with great confidence and a sure hope. And may our Lord bless you and grant you the joy that lies in these expectations.

To him again then be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Romans 15:4-13.                                                Good News for all!!                                           4/12/16

⁴ For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

⁵ May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, ⁶ so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁷ Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. ⁸ For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed ⁹ and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written:

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
    I will sing the praises of your name.”

¹⁰ Again, it says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”

¹¹ And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.”

¹² And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.”

¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

There is hope as we go forward as God’s people and that hope is available to all people; if only they would have it. With that we are able to have the courage and endurance to face life in a world that is having great difficulty; but desperately trying to pretend that all is well. Along with that we can have a joy and peace that overflows in our lives.

At this time, as we are approaching Christmas once more, this is a very important message for us to hear and share with those we come into contact with. For despite the fact that this is the season of joy and happiness, for many it is the opposite. Again the other night I heard of the fact that there is a huge increase in in loneliness, depression and troubled relationships at this time of the year.

Despite all the nice adds and rhetoric around the Christmas tree and dinner and the like, the reality is sadly far different. We are told that Christmas is such a wonderful time for us as we enjoy our gifts, relationships and merriment. Yet the reality for many is far different.

The financial pressures for many means that they will be dependent on the Welfare agencies for their basics over Christmas. Broken and divorced families result in tensions over access and who we will and won’t be sharing it all with, and the untold loneliness and hurt that results. The extra work requirements at this time adds to the pressure and lack of time to do what needs to be done. And the list could go on.

Then to make matters even worse Christ is taken out of Christmas and the result is a lot of hype about nothing. For without him the peace, joy and good will is empty and shallow. Christmas becomes a time that we have to work hard at making it what we want it to be; and it just doesn’t work out. The more that we make it about what we do, the more frustrating and divisive it all becomes. There is then no meaning in Christmas other than a few ‘nice’ sentiments.

Yet again, we as a society want to desperately portray it all as a good time and that all is well. We don’t want to admit that life for most people is far from rosy. We put a nice glossy coat over it all, and pretend that all is well. The reality however is far from it.

 This then adds to the dilemma for most people. Since all this is so good, and everyone is wearing their plastic smiles, it must be only me that is the problem. Everyone else is having a good time, and everything is going well for them, so my problem then is even worse. Either I am a failure or everyone is against me, or my problem is worse than the others. So inside the hurt is even worse.

So welcome to today’s real world. This is the harsh reality of life in our sinful world. It is all around us, and even in our own lives. Not only is this real life, but the Bible tells us also that this is the reality of a world that has chosen to disobey and ignore God. Take Christ out of Christmas and this is all that is left. Sin brings untold grief into our world in abundance; and there is no escaping it. As much as we might like to pretend that this is not so; this is reality.

But as we are prepared to acknowledge this reality and the hopelessness that is encapsulated in it, we suddenly are confronted with a whole new story. As we give up on pretending that life is so good, we find that God has some real, Good News for us. And Christmas is all about this Good News that suddenly gives us all hope, peace and joy.

This Good News is that God himself has come into our sick and broken world to give us hope and salvation. He comes right down to where we are in our brokenness and then takes it on himself and goes to the cross to take the punishment that we deserve for it all on himself. In turn he assures us of forgiveness and the certainty of eternal life in heaven, free from all sickness, troubles and death.

So now we can know for sure that we are loved, even though we are up to our eyeballs in muck. No matter who we are or how big the mess might be, God is with us for sure, and promises us that this is not the end of the story. Rich and poor, healthy or sick, religious or not, Jew or Gentile, all are confronted with the same reality and the same hope. It is there for all who do not turn their backs on it.

What a wonderful assurance that is for us as we face the realities of life. God is with us, not necessarily, to take the problems away, but to be with us through it all. He mostly does not suddenly take the problems away, because they are the consequence of and reminders of humanities sin. And we need constant reminders that disobedience and rejection of God has its consequences. We know what happens when life goes well for us, we become more selfish and give God less and less of our time and thinking.

We need troubles and hardships to turn us away from ourselves to look to the great and glorious promises that God has for us. We need to look to him who is not just the creator of all things, but also the redeemer and saviour, and there know for sure that he does have a plan for us all, no matter what sort of mess we make for ourselves and our world. As we recognise that the realities of life in our world are not good at all, we do now have One who we can rely on in the midst of it all.

Here let me repeat that opening verse of our reading: For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. So we have God’s word written down from ages past to help us to know all of this. It was written by God’s inspiration to teach us all of these things. There he tells us why we have all these problems and his answers to them.

But most importantly to teach us that he is there so that we can know that we are loved, forgiven and assured of eternal life in heaven. He teaches us there that we can look to him with certainty and know that in connection with him, the troubles and death of this world is not the end of the story.

In the Bible we have that which will enable us to endure in the face of all the rubbish that surrounds us. As we look to him and what he promises we can ‘hang in there’ and know that it will all work out for good. In that too, we find great encouragement that enables us to keep going forward with a sure hope that will not let us down.

Here we are clearly reminded that it does not matter who we are or what our status in life might be, this Good News is available to all. It is not simply for those who were the Jews, or those who have been born and bred in the Church. It is not just for the ‘good religious people’. 

No, again the Scriptures themselves say: “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” Jesus coming, life, death and resurrection was for all people. He came into our mess to be with us all and help us all, no matter how rugged life may be for us. No one is excluded; except for those who refuse to believe it.

Again it says: For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.

So the reliability of Jesus and his coming for all people is verified again and again throughout the Scriptures. He is true, and his coming for the benefit of us all, is guaranteed. So the message of Christmas truly is a great and joyous one. It is a message that is important and helpful for all who are struggling under the pressures that surround us at this time.

So no matter what our financial, relationship, emotional or whatever struggle it might be; we now can know for sure that God is right there with us and for us in the midst of it. We have one who cares for us no matter what. We have one who has provided a way out the other side for us. We can trust him and so endure and be encouraged in the midst of it all.

So now our peace, hope and joy is no longer dependent on our making or living up to the expectations of others and our world around us. It is not some plastic facade that we place around us. Instead it is found in the rough and grime of life, knowing that God himself has come right down into our mess and has provided life and salvation to each and every one of us.

So: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. To him be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish