In the Name of Jesus, our savior who justifies us, Amen

Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, true Lamb of God, come quickly to heal us, Amen.


Every evening we have a bedtime routine at the house. We have Lonny go to the bathroom, get his pajamas on, brush his teeth, and read some stories. After we read a couple of books, it’s time to say our prayers and go to bed. However, each and every night, just as I am about ready to turn off the lights, Lonny says in a quivering little voice, “Song please Daddy?” I sit down next to his little bed and ask Him what song he wants to hear and every night, no matter how many songs I sing to him from the hymnal, he always asks me to sing, “Away in a Manger.” Every night he needs to hear those words about Christ Jesus as the baby in the manger and how Christ blesses and is near to His creation. This song brings comfort to Lonny no matter how many times he hears it. We have sung this song to him for 2 years now and I pray that Lonny never tires of hearing about who Jesus is and what He has done and continues to do for him.

St. Matthew records the words of Jesus saying, “As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, "'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.'

I don’t think St. John the Baptist would’ve shown up on many congregations call list for a new pastor. He didn’t candy coat the truth of God’s Word. He wasn’t well kept, nor did he wear soft clothing. He didn’t go with the flow, nor did he shy away from the controversial subjects. He didn’t attempt to win any popularity contests, nor did He care if anyone liked him or accepted him. St. John the Baptist was not liked, not understood, and not glorified. He wasn’t a reed shaken by the wind of man’s itching ears, but rather a strong tree rooted deep next to the living waters of God’s Most Holy Word. St. John the Baptist was the messenger that pointed not to the belly and this world’s desires for comfort, but instead lifted His finger to declare to all that Jesus Christ is the true Lamb of God who alone bears the sin of the world.

Unlike the reed like preachers of this world today, St. John the Baptist proclaimed the truth in the face of certain persecution and inevitable death. He could not be purchased like the preachers of today’s politically correct society. Unlike we modern Christians who abandon the word when offered the treasures of the devil, St. John the Baptist continued to preach even in the depths of Herod’s prison. You and I both silence our tongues and accommodate ourselves to what people want to hear. You will not hazard your life, reputation, friends, and family for the sake of the Gospel. You enjoy hearing the Gospel as long as It doesn’t tear away at your skin and limbs. The moment it becomes a risk, you and I are shaken as the reed in the wind and go where the devil and this world bid us journey. Hear the message of St. John the Baptist, Repent. For the Gospel is never an easy task in this world. The truth of God’s Word is not accepted by the hearts of men, but persecuted. You don’t have unshakable confidence in God, but doubt.

For even he who is born the greatest of woman has time of doubt in our text today. St. Matthew records that St. John the Baptist sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?

John is in prison because of his proclamation and chastisement of Herod. He is imprisoned because of his faithfulness to the preaching of the truth. John is persecuted and burdened. From the womb John knew that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. He saw the dove descend on Christ in the Jordan and heard the voice of the Father say, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” John knew that Jesus is the Messiah. He just needed to hear it again. He needed to hear again those words of Christ Jesus. He didn’t need to remember the old days when He was baptizing Jesus, but rather He needed to hear the very words from the mouth of Christ Himself. Therefore, John sent his disciples to hear the word of Christ Jesus and bring it back to him.

It is the same with you and me today. All Christians who have been baptized are the greatest targets of the devil. Our Old Adam daily attempts to resurrect and drag us into despair and utter chaos over our sin. This world and all its flashy lust and vainglory will glorify you because you have done something good in its eyes. Where do we flee for refuge? Where does faith take us in our hour of deepest need? It takes you and me to the very same person that it took John. Faith brings you to Christ Jesus to hear His word. For Jesus answered John’s disciples and says the same to you today, “And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me."

John, that unshakable reed, lying deep in the gullet of Herod’s dungen, hears these words of Christ Jesus. The good news was preached to him. He heard the words of Christ Jesus and sacrificed his head on a silver platter. For St. John the Baptist march forth not to eternal death, for he heard the words of Christ Jesus, “The dead are raised up and the poor have good news preached to them.” Jesus says to John, “I shall not leave you in prison. You shall live forever with me, the true Messiah who comes to bear the sin of the whole world, even your sin my beloved John.”

Hear the same words today that John heard in that dark prison. As you dwell in your own prison of sin and despair, fear not the punishment of your trespasses. For God does not bring wrath against you, but comes today to heal you or your leprous sin. As the prophet Isaiah declared, “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.

Just like my son Lonny desires to hear the same song every night, let us not tire of hearing the words of Christ Jesus. Let us poor miserable sinners never tire of hearing the declaration that our warfare is ended and our iniquity pardoned all on account of the sacrificial death of Christ Jesus upon the bloody cross. Hear the words again this day, for today you receive from the Lord’s very hand double for all your sin. For the forgiveness of God in Christ Jesus our Lord is far greater than your sin.

Your faith has brought you here this day for it hears the call of the Holy Spirit in the Gospel. Hear this day the good news of Christ Jesus from the mouth of God’s called servant. You are forgiven your sin. Always hear these sweet and comforting words for they give you strength. Just as the words of Christ granted courage and endurance to St. John the Baptist, so they grant you fortitude in this chaotic world. Look not to yourself for strength, but to the cross that marks your forehead as one redeemed by He who granted the blind their sight and cleansed the lepers. Take and eat the same Body and drink the same blood that raised the dead and gave the lame a skip in their step. For this day, hear the words of Christ Jesus, the dead are raised. Your end is not eternal death, but everlasting life with Christ Jesus your Lord. Be at peace, for He who came is the one and only Messiah Jesus Christ. He who comes today is your Lord and redeemer Jesus Christ. For behold, Jesus is the true Lamb of God who bears your sin. Rejoice oh believers, for Christ the Lord declares you His own, forgiven, strengthened, and renewed children. Yours is the inheritance and the life. Come Lord Jesus, Come, Amen.