Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Friedheim
10653 N – 550 W
Decatur, IN 46733
A 21st Century Parish
with a 1st Century Faith
Acts 2:42
Celebrating our 182nd
Year
Chartered February
25, 1838
“Jesus I will Ponder Now”
A Lenten series based on six Chorales written by Sigismund
v. Birken & Johan Sebastian Bach
Introduction: Hanging on a cross
suspended between earth and heaven Jesus bore our sins in His body. In the
midst of His cruel agony He provided for His mother’s care. John records for us
the Savior’s word of dying concern. “When
Jesus saw His mother, there and the disciple whom He loved, standing nearby, He
said to His mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here
is your mother.” From that time on this disciple took her into his home.”
How beautifully Bach relates these events.
I.
The
death of Jesus was complete. “He of
everything took heed In His hour of dying.”
A.
All
sin was paid for by Jesus’ vicious death.
1.
There
is not one sin left unaccounted.
2.
The
payment is marked: “paid in full!”
B.
The
proclamation of the cross is what frees us.
1.
It
is good news.
2.
It
is the power of God.
II.
On
the cross Jesus singles Mary out for attention. “Caring for His mother’s needs on His friend relying.”
A.
He
calls her “woman”.
1.
A
desire to spare her the hurt of “mother.”
2.
He
imparts a proper perspective – Mary will have to be saved like anyone else. She
receives no dispensation!
B.
He
turns her over to John.
1.
From
that time on he became her son.
2.
He
provides for her taking her into his own house.
a.
By
way of history John will be the only
disciple not to be martyred.
b.
He
will be exiled to the island of Patmos. – Revelation 1:9
III.
By
this act of love Jesus demonstrates the proper regard for family. “O man, do all things aright love God and thy
neighbor.”
A.
Jesus
summed up the life of the Christian when He taught us;
1.
“Love the Lord Thy God with all your heart,
soul and all your might This is the first and greatest commandment.” - Matthew 22:37
2.
“And the second is like it. Love your
neighbor as yourself. All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
-Matthew
22:38-39
There is no commandment greater than these.
B.
“To love Him with all your heart, with all
your understanding and with all your strength and to love your neighbor as
yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” - Mark 12:33
IV.
Through
Jesus’ example expressed to His mother He demonstrates a deep concern for
others. Thus Bach concludes tonight’s hymn verse with these words; “Die then without pain and fright rest from
care and labor.”
A.
We
can leave this world in death without pain or fright.
1.
Christ
bore our sins in His own body on the cross so that we will not have to suffer
the terrors of a guilty conscience.
2.
We receive Christ’s peace as He has secured
for us peace with God.
B.
Thus
we rest from care and labor.
1.
Luther
possibly put is best when, in the conclusion to his morning and evening prayers
he wrote: “Into Thy hands I commend
myself [placing] my body and soul and all thing [into Thy care]. May Your Holy
Angel [Spirit] be with me that the wicked foe may have no power over me.”
2.
This
moved Luther to conclude in the morning the Christian should: “then go joyfully to your work” and in
the evening we rest confidently: “then go
to sleep at once and in good cheer.”
3.
Here is evidence of a clear conscience; not
based on what we do but rather on what Christ has finished. Our salvation is
complete. We can rest in peace because our Father is at peace with Jesus’ work.
At the cross and empty tomb Christ’s mission was accomplished!
Conclusion: Jesus showing
compassion and care for His mother and His dear disciple has shown us how we
too must act. Of the seven words Jesus spoke from the cross half of His last
words are concerned with others. May His words and actions so move us to will
and to do His good pleasure.
Artwork by Ed Rojas © Higher Things
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