Pentecost Sunday [John 14:23-31]
Sermon From May 23, 2010

In the Name of the Father and of the +Son and of the Holy Spirit;

     It is no secret that in modern times the leaders of world are bent on the idea of attaining world peace. The belief that this is possible, and that it can at least be attained to a greater degree in their lifetime, is what motivates many rulers to govern as they do. They want to see outward peace. And so they advocate greater sharing among cultures and people, greater interaction, commonality, and cooperation in working together. Indeed, these are all potentially good. Individuals who do great accomplishments toward this are held up by as examples for the rest of us. Accordingly there is a cry to "ceasefire," and "put down your swords." "Can't we just all get along?" "Tolerance."

     But remember how it goes that when one person says "drop your guns:" The next thing you hear is "you first." That's usually what those who cry for world peace want everyone else to do. Few who cry for this will actually venture to suffer much for this dream themselves... rulers least of all. No leader is content to be weak or give anything up. No one wants to risk being taken advantage of, or eating the pain, forgetting the past. Your basic needs and beliefs are expendable they get in the way of a powerful ruler's dream for peace. Ironically like this, those calling for world peace usually end up actually causing greater strife.

     The Scriptures tell us of a certain time when the whole world still had one language. Of all things, you'd think having this obstacle out of the way would probably be the greatest advantage for having world peace. The Plain of Shinar was the center of the ancient world's greatest civilization at the time; and many there were able to cooperate so well that they were able to build a great tower that reached to the heavens. That was a big project they chose to do so they could make a name for themselves together, feeling collectively proud of what they'd accomplish. Furthermore, as they resided together around that Tower they could all remain close, lest they be disbursed over all the earth. They had a common language, a common dream, common ideal for how to get there, and common beliefs about their abilities. And with close, easy accessibility and communication nothing would be impossible for them. It was everything that world-peace dreamers hope the internet will lead to.

     ...But what happened? The Lord put an end to it. ...Indeed, God is the enemy of all who hold "world peace" as a goal with mere human ideas of how this is attained. God is the enemy of all who believe nothing is impossible for them to achieve, and that they can do anything if they just put their mind to it, and who make such goals apart from Him. Just as you heard in today's OT, He mocks them for their pride and arrogance.

     The pursuit of the dream of world peace is a farce... for in fact, the means for it are already attained. -In Christ the perfect means for it are already attained. Who in this world would not like the idea of the forgiveness of sins, and resurrection of the body? He suffered and gave His life up so that you could have peace with God. In Christ, God is no longer angry at the world. Despite your sins, in Christ He's no longer angry at you. His wrath is spent. "My peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you." ..."You" doesn't mean only His disciples. "You" doesn't mean only "you" who happened to be born in a Christian family. It's for all. In Christ God has put His gun down first. He's emptied the chamber and thrown it away and invited you to let the blame for your sins be on His Son. They're paid for. Truly. No catch.

     And in Christ, your neighbor's sins are paid for. If the blame is on Him for their sins, too, then in Christ you have the means for perfect reconciliation and harmony among neighbors, despite all inherent differences. And in Him you're also shown the perfect life of love as an example of how to live and live together. And you are given the Holy Spirit to do such, as He continually forgives, renews, and leads you in all truth and love.

     ...And yet the world will not settle for this peace. It insists on doing it the hard way on its own. The devil will not let the world believe it. It upsets him to no end. As blessed Martin Luther observed:

     "When the world does the will of the devil, he lets it rest in peace. But when he hears
     God's Word, he changes his tactics, stops playing, and stirs up strife. To be sure, the
     devil can assist people in acquiring great wealth and honor. He can give the world peace
     and quiet as long as there is no belief in God. But if there is, strife with God
     begins and this is a miserable exchange.
     "Therefore Christ says: "I will not give you such peace. I give you peace with God and
     with me and will put you on good terms with Him....
     [But] consequently, you will be subjected to suffering, not for your own sake but for the sake of
     My name and My Word....
     You will have to risk and choose one of the two: either the devil's displeasure and strife or God's."

     Dear Christians, in Christ you have perfect peace, abiding and eternally even now. Don't step away from Christ. Don't settle for temporary peace in this world apart from Him. Don't seek peace the way it does. Don't compromise with the world's and devil's ways by taking the temporary easy way out when the deck is stacked against you, setting aside God's word commands. Don't think the choices they present are the only way. Don't think that you can have peace by throwing aside the temporary cross and duty you've been given as you bear it with Christ. Don't think ignoring a problem will make it go away. Only for a moment does it seem like the easier route, or that it doesn't matter if you face it or not. ...It does matter. And God does love you, and has greater things planned for you thru the temporary difficulties and "hard choices" and suffering you face. And He invites you to trust Him, call upon Him, and rest in His deliverance.

     Don't let your temporary day-to-day commitments in this world keep you from being with Christ, receiving His gifts, holding firmly to His words. Don't let anything separate you from Him, and from living out the calling He's given you, or from losing your life for the new life you have in Him. The world's offerings won't always be here. But Jesus will. And He will see that you are provided with all you truly need in the meantime. Those things will only add to your worries over petty matters. He will show you all the more how freeing it is to not be tied down by fear of losing them; while maintaining joys that are far greater, which no one can take.

     The fact of the matter is conflicts will come, especially for Christians. But amidst these you can still have Christ's peace. And He's made you a receiver, a witness, and an ambassador of this peace that the world cannot take. God chose you to endure such conflicts, because you have received Jesus' peace and you know it is sure. He knew you would be the suitable witness of His peace for the place where you live, among the people you work with. And you have been given the Holy Spirit to help you in the Way of all truth. And indeed, God is working greater things for His kingdom as you remain in Him.

     After Jesus preached His peace to the disciples He said, "Rise, Let us go from here." This is where they were now getting up from the Last Supper, and going to the Garden of Gethsemane. They were to see the greatest conflicts yet. But they had just received His Supper and some of the most comforting words and promises ever heard. Indeed, if they faithfully remained with Jesus, they would still know His great peace continually.

     They failed, as you know. ...And yet, what happened? -Jesus graciously came to them again after the resurrection, and He bade them "peace" once again, showing His hands and side, breathing on them and saying "receive the Holy Spirit." They were forgiven. Their sins were paid for by Jesus in His death, so that it was almost as if those sins had never happened. It was a new beginning. He was risen so that they should rise as well, and need not fear. Then Jesus soon sent them out to proclaim what God had done in Him to all nations.

     By the words you hear in this place, the same Holy Spirit forgives and restores you. He's begun working faith in Jesus in you. He creates in you a clean heart out of the old, broken one. Because of the Holy Spirit, you are different from the unbelieving world that doesn't love Jesus. That's why you love His words and seek them, though the world doesn't, or doesn't understand them. They either haven't come to know that their real problem is that they stand dead in their sins as they naturally are but that Jesus' work is all freely for them; or they've simply rejected Him, still loving other things of this world, its peace and promises more.

     But Jesus, who was in the state of humiliation, like you are now, has now gone to the Father. That is to say, your Brother and ever-living Savior who loves you, is no longer confined to a limited area, but is ruling over all creation. That's what is meant by "the Father is greater than I." As He is now with the Father, He is now all-powerful and at work anywhere and everywhere thru the Holy Spirit and His gifts. Having died and been raised again with Him in Holy Baptism, you are a member of His beloved bride, the church, the apple of His eye. Tough you temporary still suffer and endure sadness, you have one foot in the door toward your exaltation as you are in Him.

     Jesus has a unique place for you in His body the Church. Though you are unique and different from others, Jesus knows your needs and the needs of others as you are together loved by Him. He makes you a part of His church, made up of different, living stones - different personalities, different gifts, with people having different needs. And yet, as our sins are forgiven, we are one in Christ and co-workers with Him to the glory of God. By the Holy Spirit, He is still powerfully at work for you and in you today. Amen.