“A Man From Nazareth” (Joseph Matthew 1:18-24)

S-1287 CE/3B 12/24/11 Hymns: (O) 379; 368; 380; 361; (S) #376; 363(C) #387

Text: Micah 5:2-5; Galatians 3:26-4:7; Luke 2:1-20; Matthew 1:18-24

Theme: “A Man From Nazareth” (Joseph, Matthew 1:18-24)

A First Person Narrative Sermon will be preached here, Armour, SD

I will enter dressed in simple clothing of the time of Christ. ! The text for Christmas Eve will be read by one of the saints from Matthew

In Nomini Iesu,

For a long time I had been waiting for my wedding day to the love of my life. Just like any other Jewish boy, I was hoping, yearning and dreaming that the woman I was engaged to would help me build my home and raise a family in accordance to the Torah.

When our parents gave us their blessings, we got engaged. Our village people congratulated us and wished us to have a happy life and Mary would be blessed as Rachel and Leah were. We were so excited and waited patiently for the wedding day. I worked very hard in my shop preparing my home for the woman who will share my house and give me children. PAUSE (move to another location)

In the midst of my joy, you can’t believe the pain she brought upon me—like a knife going through my heart. I bled with the news. (Sit down and rub my beard) When she told me the news, here is what went through my mind. What audacity! What foolishness! What does she think any way? Does she think that I am a fool? Doesn’t she know that it takes two people to have a Baby?

But no, she came to my shop one day and told me the news—news that caused me to see my life and dreams unravel. I couldn’t believe my ears, my Mary, the one I knew all of my life, the one I watched grow up in my village, the one who was going to be my wife—now she stands before me and tells me SHE IS GOING TO HAVE A BABY! (Pace back and forth)

I couldn’t look at her. Pain seared in my heart like fire. Hurt was written all over my face. I was angry. I was mad and anguish filled my mind. Just as I was about to leave her, she said, “The Baby that she was carrying is God’s Son and she got pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

I didn’t believe her. But because I love her, I didn’t want to harm or hurt her. I want to spare the love of my life the pain of what the Law requires. You see according to the Torah’s teaching I would be the first one to pick up the stone (pick up a stone) and cast it upon her. Then her father and brothers would have to follow suit and then the whole town would participate until she would fall dead. I couldn’t imagine her bleeding and bruised to death. Though she hurt me with the news of the pregnancy, I couldn’t envision the Baby in her womb to be stricken, smitten and afflicted for her sins. (Is. 53) I was trying to figure out what to do and how to get out from the marriage contract without causing a scene. (Move towards the table and sit down)

I went home dejected. That night I sat at the table with my family but hardly touched my food. My father asked what was wrong, but I gave him no answer. And oh, when I went to bed, I tossed and turned and sleep didn’t come easy. I kept playing in my mind the moment she told me about the Baby. I JUST COULDN’T GET IT OUT OF MY MIND. I don’t know when I finally fell asleep. While sleeping something spoke in my ears; I awoke not knowing if I was dreaming or it was really happening. (Shake my head back and forth)

As I sat at the edge of the mat thinking about what has taken place; the angel of the Lord stood by me and said: “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call [H]is name Jesus, for [H]e will save [H]is people from their sins.” (Mt. 1:20b-21) PAUSE. (Extra long, and move to another place)

I had been raised in a good Jewish home and was taught the Torah in the Synagogue. I had read the prophecy of Isaiah: “Therefore the Lord [H]imself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call [H]is name Immanuel” (7:14). But would it really happen to me, Joseph a mere carpenter from Nazareth? Could it be that it is happening to Mary—my Mary.

I laid back on the mat and tried to go back to sleep, but sleep wouldn’t come. I thought about the words of Mary and the words of the angel and wanted the day to arrive soon. As the morning sun shone upon the Galilean hills I hastened to Mary to tell her of my visitor and I felt ashamed that I doubted her words and thought so low of her.

I asked her to forgive me and grant me the privilege to be her husband and be the protector of God’s Son. Mary smiled and agreed. And soon we were married. Laughter filled our home. As her belly began to grow, we thought of this Child promised by God to Adam and Eve in the Garden—and we were so joyful. We were so excited at the thought of the birth of Emmanuel, God with us—in the flesh. Can it really be…?

Late into the pregnancy a decree came that brought us both discomfort. Caesar Augusts had decreed that all people return to their hometowns to register for the census. I didn’t feel comfortable with that decree but had to obey the law. I had to shut down my shop and take my wife in her state all the way to Bethlehem, {raise my voice} 95 miles away, a journey of 4-5 days. I was nervous! I was afraid! I wasn’t sure if Mary could handle the trip. Besides, what of the Child?” But Mary comforted me saying, “The Lord will guide our way.”

We started out. I set Mary on the donkey and I walked along beside her. All along there were other people from our village traveling too. So we felt safe. Our bread and cheese sustained us on the journey, but the nights were a little chilly. As we got near Bethlehem, Mary was getting nervous and kept telling me “Joseph, the time is getting close we need to find a place to have the Baby!”

My hands hurt as I went from one inn to the next knocking at the doors to see if there was a place for us to stay. But every place, I went, they told us, “Sorry, there is no room in the Inn!” As the night was descending, I was getting nervous and the voices all said the same thing: “There is no room in the Inn!” Mary was getting uncomfortable and I still didn’t have a place for the night. The final Inn we stopped at, the owner Moshe Ben Yehuda and his wife Sarah had compassion on us and allowed us to stay in the animals stall.

Oh, we were happy to be in a warm place and out of the wind. As we were settling to go to sleep, Mary said, “Joseph, its time! The Baby is going to come!” As a young husband, I didn’t know what to do. But Mary, my lovely wife asked me to go and get Sarah. When Sarah came she helped Mary and soon, our Son—God’s Son was born and we gave Him the name “Jesus” as the angel had told us because He will save His people from their sins. Then, I remembered again the words of Isaiah, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel”

(Smiling now and with eyes lifted heavenward), Yes, yes, Mary and I beheld Him with our own eyes. We were so joyful, that God has answered our prayers. Emmanuel has come. We were so happy that we had been given the privilege to be the guardians of God’s Son.

It wasn’t long and there were all kinds of commotion. Shepherds came saying to us, “Angels filled the skies above them and told them the good news: “That today, in the city of David a Savior has been born.” Oh, the joy that filled our hearts at the thought and kindness of God that He has not forgotten His people. But He has fulfilled the promise of sending a Redeemer to restore us back to Him—the One who would forgive our sins; the One who is from the line of David—and will sit on His Throne forever.

But at first Jesus didn’t appear to me to be a king. But when we took Him to the temple, two elderly children of Abraham greeted us. Simeon spoke these words, “Now, Lord, let Thy servant depart in peace for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared for all people.” And He also said to Mary: “This Child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2:34-35). And Anna, a prophetes, “gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38).

All of these people, shepherds, angels, Simeon and Anna all spoke of Him as God’s Son, who has come to redeem His people and forgive their sins. He would be the future King of Israel

If the real king, not Herod was sitting on the throne, I would be in line to be the king. For, I too, come from Royal blood. The blood of David runs through Mary’s and my veins. But God didn’t choose me to be the King of Israel, instead the Baby born to Mary He would be the True King and whose Kingdom would have no end. PAUSE.

Two years has now passed and the angel visited me yet again, and told me to hurry up and take the Child because someone was trying to kill Him. In the middle of the night, I gathered all of our belongings and fled to Egypt, a long, long journey. With the help of our God—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob we made it safely. After the death of Herod, who was trying to kill Him, we felt safe to return.

From there, I returned to my home town Nazareth and lived and worked making sure that Jesus and His brothers were taught the Hebrew Scriptures. What a delight to be home with Mary and listen to all the children had learn in Synagogue school. But it wasn’t anything like the time we traveled to Jerusalem.

When Jesus our oldest son, was 12 years old, we traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. While there, Jesus amazed us by His gifts of teaching as He was talking with the Jewish leaders in the temple. As I looked at Him I marveled at His wisdom and knowledge and I praised God for the privilege of learning from my Son about Gods’ love. PAUSE.

I know what is coming for my son. I heard the words of the angel. I heard the words of Simeon who told Mary that “A sword will pierce her heart.” And I remember the prophecy of Isaiah, “Surely [H]e has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed [H]im stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But [H]e was wounded for our transgressions; [H]e was crushed for our iniquities; upon [H]im was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with [H]is stripes we are healed” (Is. 53:4-6). I, Joseph, son of David, didn’t live to see it face to face like Mary did, but I know and I believe and I praise my Father in heaven for the gift of salvation.

Therefore, I encourage you too, as the sons and daughters of Abraham and Sarah that you too, know these truth and by the power of the Holy Spirit, believe—that Emmanuel has come—Jesus is born to forgive us our sins and give us His salvation.

Joseph leaves the stage.

Zechariahs

First Person Narrative on Zechariahs

Was given at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Armour, (My parish) for the Ladies Advent Tea on Sunday December 4, 2011

It was a most unusual event. It was my turn to serve the God of my father’s Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in His temple. It is a great privilege given to the priests of God to burn incense in the Holy Tabernacle. I had gone to Jerusalem and the temple because it was my turn. While the people were outside waiting and I was offering my prayers and incense a wonder of wonders occurred. I scarcely could believe what my eyes were seeing. There before me stood this angelic being that frightened me to death. But the angel told me not to be afraid and told me that the Lord of my father’s had heard my wife’s Elizabeth and my Zechariahs’ prayers. “I am to call him John. And I will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” He was saying: God will grant to us the privilege of having a son. (Smile here).

My ears could hardly comprehend what the angel was saying and I doubted his words. You see, many years have come and gone, and now I am a very old man; and Elizabeth, well she was beyond child bearing years. The long years of waiting for the prayers to be answered have taken a toll on my weakened heart and all hope that a child would be given us… has long diminished and disappeared. But here was the angel, telling me that my God has heard our prayers and He will do what we asked. Can it be? Can I Zechariah old and weakened man and Elizabeth, the love of my life; whose womb has been silenced and dried up for years bear me a son? I doubted the angel’s words and for that I was struck dumb and couldn’t speak. (Will tell you more about that later).

I should not have doubted Gabriel’s words. For the Lord remembered...us. I Zechariah should have known better. Did you know that my name means “The Lord remembers?” and with the angel’s Words I was awakened from my slumber to see the hand of God bringing joy to us in our old age. {Move here to a different locations}.

When I came out of the temple, the people knew something had happened. A revelation had taken place but I couldn’t speak. My tongue was tied and I couldn’t tell them the good news God revealed to me.

After my term of serving as the Priest in the Holy Temple, I returned to my home in Judea and in time as the manner of men and women (I hate to admit it at my old age) Elizabeth was found with child. She told me with the biggest smile saying, Zechariah, “You are going to be an ABBA—you are going to have a son!” I was so happy and excited, but I couldn’t tell her of my joy, because the Lord withheld my tongue for unbelief.

But poor Elizabeth, for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people”. Oh, don’t misunderstand me. She was soo happy, yet it was an awkward moment. How would you feel if you are already old and you begin to show that you are with child? But I kept comforting her and assuring her that the Lord in mercy has remembered us.

As the baby began to grow in her womb, I would put my hand on her belly and would feel a movement. As I felt the belly of Elizabeth, a kick. We smiled. A kick. We smiled again. Then we wondered if this was how Sarah and Abraham felt with their miracle child.Then we both looked at each other and would smile that the Lord had remembered us. PAUSE {Stare in the distance}

I should like to tell you of a visitor that came to our house one summer day. Elizabeth had begun to show and while she was milking the goat, she looked up and there was a relative—Mary from a far away village—Nazareth. As Mary entered the house and greeted Elizabeth, at her greetings the baby leaped in her womb. And my wife was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” PAUSE.

Mary stayed with us for 3 months and then went home. Soon after Mary left, Elizabeth gave birth to a son. All the neighbors and family celebrated the birth of my son. They were so excited and so were we. And on the 8^th day, as it was the custom for us according to God’s Word we took him to the temple to circumcise him. All of the relatives wanted to call him after me. But Elizabeth wouldn’t hear of it. Then they came to me and asked me “What should my son’s name be? Since I couldn’t speak I asked for a writing tablet. Then I wrote {write out the name} John. As soon as I finished writing John, my tongue was loosed and I could speak.

Oh, the joy that filled my heart. Then I remembered again Gabriel’s words who told me, I will not be able to speak until these things take place. I, Zechariah remembered the kindness of the Lord and my tongue was loosed. By the power of the Holy Spirit I began to say: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David…”

Today, I, Zechariah, stand before you because I remember the mercy of the Lord and want to share it with you. “The Lord remembers…us” We stand like Hannah before Eli, like the enslaved Israelites as Moses comes on the scene, as Abraham with the knife in his hand before Isaac as the Ram in the thicket is revealed. For all time God has remembered His people and in that remembrance has blessed us. Yes, the Lord remembered and gave me “My Son” John who is really a “Gift of God” for that is what his name means. Not Zechariah Jr., but “GIFT OF GOD…JOHN”. PAUSE.

This is the Lord’s way, even when I am weakened by age and inability to have a child, He remembers. He remembers that I am dust... a sinner... and so He gives me... gives you too... your Savior. My doubts are no different from your doubts.

In a dramatic fashion the good news for us seemingly, “too good” and yet it is true. My son, my Gift from God grew up as the last Old Testament Prophet - the forerunner of Him who makes all things new. I didn’t get to see with my eyes or hear with my ears the words he spoke or the Baptisms he performed. Oh how I would have loved to have been there on the banks of the Jordan River that day when God Himself, in my flesh, knelt down and fulfilled all righteousness. But I knew my boy as a boy, and though I taught him the Word of God as a good father must do, my boy taught me that God truly remembers. I am a sinner and a doubter, yet one who has been blessed by the Lord to be His own. In your calling, as women of faith, you stand before the Almighty Father with hands ready to serve Him and His people. Each of us has been called first to be His own - through Jesus’ blood and righteousness. Then, to share His joy with others.

One final thought if you would permit me to share with you before I return to Judea. I believed that doing my “once in a lifetime” service in the priestly service in the Holy Place would be the highlight of my life. And it was, but not because I was serving God, but because He served me, and remembered me and my wife and our prayers, and because He served and loved you in that same moment. The altar of incense offering was not the key, ah but the Word of the Lord, “Fear Not!!! - Now that was the key then and it is now for you. You have fears and needs - Fear not, the Lord, He has remembered you. Even so, Amen!

Zechariah leaves with joy in his heart and on his face.

“Here Am I!” (Isaiah 65:1-2)

S-1195 4SAP/3C Hymns 6/20/10, (O) #3; S #496; (C) #360

Texts: Isaiah 65:1-9; Galatians 3:23-4:7; Luke 8:26-39

Theme: “Here Am I!” (Isaiah 65:1-2)

Questions: Do you volunteer often saying “Here Am I?”

SOLI DEO GLORIA, Armour, SD

(This sermon is preached in a first person dramatic narrative. Isaiah is visiting Redeemer in Armour, SD during the Divine Service he begins from the back of the church).

The text is based on the O.T. lesson: “I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’ to a nation that was not called by my name. I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices;’” (Isaiah 65:1-2).

Introduction: In Nomine IESU

It was nothing but pure, genuine and beautiful grace to undeserved prophet like me; NOTHING BUT GRACE. There I was in the temple in front of the Mercy Seat, praising my Lord and God. Without any warning the walls, doors, and foundation of the temple shook; the voice of angels sounded; smoke filled the whole temple that I couldn’t see before me... (My face will show fear, cover my face with my hands as I move to another corner.) I was terrified. Fear engulfed my whole being. I froze. I stood in awe. I didn’t know what to expect and then I realized I was standing in the presence of the Holy One of Yesrael (Israel). There was fear! There was Awe! There was silence on my part!!!

When I finally found my tongue [“…] I said: ‘Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!’” (Isaiah 6:5). (Here crutch in fear and hide my face) I screamed, I’m Doomed! It’s Doomsday! I am as good as dead! As I was speaking “[O]ne of the seraphim (that is an angel in your language) flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for’” (Is. 6:6). (Smile big here) I knew I should die and be burned up, but that wasn’t the Almighty’s plan. At the sound of the seraph, joy filled my heart and grace was poured upon me like rain to overflowing. Because of God’s mercy, I, Yeshia, will live, and not die.

While still thinking about the words of the seraph God interrupted my thoughts with these words: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Without realized it I said these words: ‘Here am I! Send Me. Something came over me and I spoke those words that changed my life, gave me a message and a ministry to share with the people of Yesrael. But then God spoke again from the smoke filled temple saying: (raise the voice). “Go!” (Is. 6:7).

Ever since, that day in the temple when I saw the vision of the Lord God of Yesrael I have gone and proclaimed the salvation of the Lord to a rebellious and obstinate people. I have even written these words down for the people of Yesrael and those who will follow after them, so that they too may know the grace of God, that pure, holy and beautiful GRACE.

Today, as I meet you in your town, I am at the end of my book which bares my name Yeshia (Isaiah) meaning “God Saves.” Here too, God speaks of the vision that will soon take place. In my book you have read about the great promises of God. Some of them you know by heart because you have studied them in your Holy Book. You have read of the Virgin birth of the Savior that I, I (emphasize with sighing) was longing to see with my own eyes but never did. I wrote of His Kingdom saying “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Is. 9:6). And what a Kingdom it will be.

Later on, I introduced you to the God of all comfort and mercy who told me to tell you: Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins”. And still later on, I informed you of the Suffering Servant who will come from the presence of the Holy One of Yesrael to earth and bear upon His shoulders the sins, of the whole world, accepted the punishment and the wrath of God. “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.” That He would be despised and rejected by men and people would hide their faces from Him. He would be the sacrifice that pleases God as He is punished for my sins and lest you forget yours too (Is. 53). PAUSE.

I wrote of the Suffering Servant who will bring about healing and restoration to mankind. I saw with my mind’s eye the suffering and crucifixion of the Virgin birth Child on a cross outside Jerusalem. I heard with my ears of the rebellion of many people, yet God in mercy spread out His hands of GRACE to welcome them to Him.

Now at the end of my life and the book, I see the vision of the extended hands of God reaching out to humanity all the way back to the Garden of Eden calling our rebellious parents Adam and Eve; who tried to hide behind few fig leaves. (Honestly, can you believe fig leaves for clothing?” smile). He also extends His hands of mercy and grace to the future calling us—the rebellious ones to come back to Him. I saw not with my eyes but in my mind’s eye the crucifixion of Christ and Resurrection and believed it. You, too, have seen the crucifixion of Christ and Resurrection not with your eyes, but with your eyes of faith. This came about as the Holy Spirit instructed you through His written Word and you believed it too. THIS IS NOTHING BUT PURE, GENUINE BEAUTIFUL GRACE.

Today, as I visit with you, I want you to see again with eyes of faith my God—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is right here with you. Here there is majesty and awe and reverence. (Change my voice) Here God speaks and the floors, doors and foundations shake and smoke fills the Sanctuary. Here, you too will receive from the seraph the coal from the altar to take away your sins—ALL your sins.

Indeed, you may say to me Yeshia, we don’t see any smoke; we don’t hear the thunder nor see the majesty. Perhaps not physically, but the God of all Mercy and Grace is here with those extended arms. He reaches out to you with His promises saying: “Come, now let us reason together says the Lord, though your sins be like scarlet they shall be as white as snow…” (Is. 1:18); and again He invites YOU to come and dine with Him on His holy mountain as He prepares for you a feast and banquet unequal anywhere in the world of the richest of meat and the finest of wine. {Paraphrased} (Is. 25:6).

Today, you too, during the Divine Service confess your sins and the prophet of the Most High God of Yesrael absolves you of ALL your sins. Every Divine Service is where God comes to you in mercy and grace. Here He takes your clothes of fig leaves and covers you with His robes of holiness. Here He calls you to be His prophet to a rebellious people and sends you out to the world to confess Him. Here in this place He blesses you, feeds you, nourishes you and pours upon YOU His grace. Here He empowers and equips you to be His men and women who answer the call saying, “Here Am I”

A Long time ago, I, Yeshia said, (raise my voice) “Here Am I! Send Me!” by the Grace of God I was able to carry on the ministry and the message to the people of Israel and to you too. But after me, came the Suffering Servant, Yeshua, He, too, said to the God of all Mercy and Compassion: “Here Am I, Send Me.” God sent Him to earth, to fulfill the greatest mercy mission and ministry ever. He suffered a death unlike any other. He was rejected by men, despised and humiliated. He carried upon His gentle body the sin, the punishment and wrath of God to save me, you and the entire world.

As my visit with you comes to an end, let me share my prayers for you as God’s redeemed people. Go, then, into your community, to your job, to your school, to your vacation as the Lord’s servant today. I encourage you to go with the message of God’s grace and mercy…to do our Lord’s will. The life of faith is the only life worth living. And when your brief earthly life ends, you will join me and all the saints in the life that never ends in heaven. And you will join me in worshiping the One whose coming I promised hundreds of years ago: the perfect Yeshua, our Lord and Savior.

(The prophet leaves as quietly as he came from the back).