Third Sunday in Lent - Oculi

Exodus 8:16–24
Ephesians 5:1–9
St. Luke 11:14–28

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I’m afraid the account of the plagues of Egypt might hit a little too close to home right now. We’re certainly not at the same level of severity, but people are afraid; and when people are afraid, we see they can act very irrationally and selfishly. But, whether you’re nervous about sickness or not, will any of us be honest enough to recognize what the pagan magicians of Egypt recognized? They tried by their secret arts to produce gnats like Moses, but they could not… Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” They admitted that they could not solve this problem. This plague was God’s doing—a higher, more powerful God than any of their idols—more powerful than any of their spells, potions, or medicines. They didn’t love or trust this God, but they recognized His terrible judgment and they feared His power.

I am not saying that this Coronavirus or any other sickness is sent by the finger of God for this or that specific sin. I am not saying if you get sick, it is because God hates you and wants you to die and suffer forever in hell. We only know that God acts in specific ways when He sends His Word to explain what He is doing—when He sends a prophet along with the plague to declare God’s judgment and to show which way the finger of God is pointing.

But, every sickness, every virus, every cancer, every famine, every car crash, every destructive storm, every death—they all remind us of our sin and God’s judgment of sinners. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). You might not get Coronavirus. But you’re still going to die someday. And none of us know when that day will come.

So, when we see or experience death, for whatever reason, we must repent. Sickness, disaster, and death open our eyes to the condemning finger of God and bring us to repentance and prayer, whether it’s the season of Lent or not.
      O Lord, have mercy.
      O Christ, have mercy.
      Be gracious to us. 
      Spare us, good Lord.
If God did not spare us, if He sent the plague that we truly deserve, if He did not have mercy or compassion on sinful mankind, then we would be lost in hell already. Without God’s rescue and help, we are the playthings of the devil, sin, and death. On our own, we are trapped in the devil’s kingdom of darkness.

Jesus’ little parable describes the problem well: When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe. The devil is a strong man, a mighty being, the ruler of this fallen world. And by our sinful hearts and minds, we are the “goods” held captive in the devil’s stronghold. The devil’s armor is temptation, fear, and doubt. With these weapons the devil keeps us locked in prison. He entices us to stay by tempting us to sin. He beats us into submission by playing on our fear of danger and death. He chains us up with doubt so that we do not trust God’s goodness or grace. He wants to keep us fearful so that we believe every lie he feeds us. He wants us to believe everything we hear or dream up—believe everything except the Truth of God’s Word. And so left at his mercy, we languish, we agonize, and we die.

But when one stronger than the devil attacks him and overcomes him, the stronger man takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. As weak as we are in our sinful flesh, and as strong as the devil is in his wicked and tempting power, we have a champion, a stronger man, someone who fights for us and wins. Jesus is the true knight in shining armor who has broken down the doors of the devil’s castle and released us from the dungeon of death and hell. And so then Jesus takes away the armor in which the devil trusted. He forgives sin by His blood. He banishes worry and fear by His strong comfort. And He destroys doubt by His sure and certain promises in the Word and the Sacraments. You are no longer at the devil’s mercy, dear Christians. Take courage! At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

We trust in God as our only Fortress and Deliverer, our only great Physician and Savior, our only Comforter and Giver of Life. Jesus Christ has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows… and with His wounds we are healed (Is. 53:4–5). Ultimately, it is sin that’s the root cause of all sickness and death. But with Jesus’ death as the payment for sin, His death has destroyed death. The holy blood and water that poured from His side fills the chalice and the font, granting the medicine of immortality to those who believe. And His resurrection from the dead is the guarantee that our corruptible flesh will also be raised incorruptible. You have everlasting life in you, right now, just waiting to be revealed at our Lord’s appearing. Nothing can ultimately hurt you or separate you from the love and life of God in Christ Jesus our Savior (Rom. 8:39).

So, with this death-defying faith, Christians have no need for worry or panic. Worry and desperation for this life only leads to fear, despair, and selfishness. Christian faith is freedom—true freedom for life with God and for love towards the neighbor. You are free from fear, even in the face of death. This is why the Christian martyrs can go to lions and to the flame with joy. This is why Christian doctors can serve in the midst of genocides and pandemics. This is why you can live a Christian life in every circumstance, no matter what news the next headline brings.

You are free in Christ, and death is no loss. As St. Paul said while stuck in prison: For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain! (Philippians 1:21). Life is good, and eternal life is better. It’s not enough for us to say “God is good” when things in life are good. The Christian faith that has power over sin, death, and the devil means you can say that God is good even when things are bad. You are safe in your Father’s hands.

Now, I don’t mean to imply that death is nice or easy. Death is no child’s play. And the devil will still try to make you afraid of it; and afraid of your failures, and afraid of God, especially when you’re facing down that final hour. It’s tough, and once again, we wouldn’t have the strength to face it on our own. So, we don’t go looking for death. We don’t encourage it or glory in it or pretend that it’s ever really a good thing. It’s good and right to take what precautions we can. God expects that you stay alive by receiving the food and drink, the medicine and sanitation He provides by His loving care. Don’t tempt God. Don’t put Him to the test, thinking that He must save you without these good earthly gifts. So, we should wash our hands, and take our medicine, while also saying our prayers and trusting only in God, our good Physician. The CDC says we should wash our hands for at least 20 seconds. Saying the Lord’s Prayer is perfect timer—it takes at least 20 seconds at a nice normal pace. Plus, while you get clean hands, you’ll be asking your Father for a clean heart.

Besides taking care of ourselves, Christians have been set free in order to serve our neighbors. Be imitators of God, as beloved children, says St. Paul. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God… Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true). Faith in Christ not only bears fruit in prayer for God’s deliverance, but also bears fruit in the exercise of virtue. We are duty-bound to care for others, especially the weakest and most vulnerable among us. This is why Christians invented hospitals and took seriously works of mercy and care for the sick and poor. The Church has a long track record of guiding and serving communities during times of plague and disaster. And today we can still do what we can and take steps to minimize the ways we might adversely affect the lives of others. As Christians, we have the opportunity and command from God to be good examples for the world in how to trust God in patience and suffering, and how to take wise steps in caring for others.

Still, as much as we should care for the needs of this earthly life, we must never lose sight of the fact that this life is not all there is. Death is coming, and for those who receive the grace of God now there is a better life after this one. Even more than physical health, we must be diligent in caring for the spiritual health of ourselves and of others. So, Christians never stop preparing to die. We never stop praying for the faith that will withstand death. 

This is why we still need the church. We can’t quarantine ourselves off from God’s saving Word. If you are sick, please stay home for your own good and the good of others, but let me know so that you can still receive the Means of Grace. If you have a family member who can’t make it to church, then find ways to bring God’s Word to them. And if you can’t come, or you feel uncomfortable coming with a high risk of exposure, please consider still sending your offering. Because we want our church to stay strong in hard times so that we can continue ministering to God’s people and to the world around us. As long as I can I will hold our regular services. God’s Word and the Lord’s Supper are the only things that can really sustain us in this life of sin and sorrow, and also prepare us for this life to end.

Jesus has promised: “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Not only will He bless you in this life, even despite your sickness or fear. But finally, whenever your last hour comes, He will give you a blessed end, and take you from this valley of sorrow to Himself in heaven. Give thanks to God for each new day He gives you. But also, never forget each new day to look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

In the Holy + Name of Jesus. Amen.


Preached at Trinity, Clinton, IA & Immanuel, Charlotte, IA

Third Sunday in Lent - Oculi

St. Luke 11:14–28

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

When Christ lived on this earth and Satan marshalled his legion of demons against the Son of God, Jesus didn’t call on an army of angels to protect Him. And when Satan stirred up the unbelieving world to reject and kill their Savior, Jesus didn’t fit out His disciples with swords and lead them into battle against the Jews and Romans. Christ cast out demons with His Word. He preached, He suffered, and He died to defeat Satan and all the forces of evil. This is how the Lord continues to work in His Church.

The story of St. Patrick is another good example. When the pagan Irish were raiding the coasts of Britain, enslaving, abusing, and persecuting Christians, God didn’t respond to their warfare by sending fire down from heaven. He responded by taking one of their former victims, Patrick, and sending him back to evangelize his captors. Patrick didn't take up arms against the pagan chiefs in the name of Jesus. He didn't organize armies to tear down their idols and build churches on top of the ashes. Armed with nothing but the Word and Sacraments, Patrick quietly spent his time preaching to slaves, baptizing children, and communing widows. And, in time, the pagan altars crumbed into ruins and the whole of Ireland belonged to Christ. When the world assaults the Church with the sword and the spear, God wins the victory with words and water, bread and wine. When the devil fights with fierce warriors clad in armor, God defeats the devil with little children and other frail people.

And this is still how it works. Christ’s fight with the devil, driving him out of people and rescuing them from the kingdom of darkness, that fight will not cease until the Last Day. And for this fight Christ has given us His weapons: Holy Baptism, the Word and Absolution, and the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. With these, the Holy Spirit comes to enlighten, kindle faith, cleanse, and free people from the devil’s power.

Every child that comes into this world is born into the kingdom of the devil, who rules through the tyranny of sin. But at Christ’s command we bring a child to Holy Baptism, speak the words of promise which He commanded, and the child is born anew into God’s kingdom. When that happens, the devil must surrender and get out.

Yet our Baptism has not completely removed the sinful heart from within us, and so the Devil uses that to his advantage. He tempts and entices us, then accuses and shames us, always trying to regain his control. So when a person is greatly overwhelmed by the devil’s accusations, and comes to me with a heavy heart, seeking forgiveness, comfort, and instruction, then I have the command to comfort the person and pronounce God’s forgiveness on account of Christ. And actually, every Christian has this command to share God’s grace and forgive each other. So the devil must flee, not from me or you, since we are just wretched sinners, but he must flee from the Word and Absolution which Christ has given us to speak.

And of course, there is yet another gift, when your conscience is weak and terrified, and you are unable to grasp tightly enough the forgiveness and comfort that God graciously wants you to have, then Christ has given the Lord’s Supper for you: His true body and blood to eat and drink. When you trust those words and eat that food, then you have no reason to doubt that Christ’s body was given, sacrificed, for you and His blood shed, poured out, for your transgressions. When a Christian eats and drinks with faith the crucified and risen body and blood of Christ, then it is impossible for the devil to dwell there and hold sway.

So Christ’s work of casting out demons continues today. The finger of God that drives out Satan is the Word itself. And so by preaching and administering the Sacraments, the Christian Church is spread throughout the world. Christ worked through Patrick to spread His kingdom in Ireland. Christ works through the ministers and members of Immanuel Lutheran Church to spread His kingdom in Charlotte.

This is not of our own doing. We vanquish the Devil with no other power than simply opening our mouths, preaching and teaching God’s Word. For that reason we should never dismiss God’s Word or treat His Holy Sacraments in a careless way. It’s true that the words we speak are ordinary words, the people who speak them are ordinary, sinful people, and the elements we use are ordinary water, bread, and wine. But when these words and elements come from Christ’s command and they are joined with faith, then we possess and wield the kind of power that can make the Devil flee – the power of Christ Himself, who is victorious over the Devil and frees people from the slavery of sin.

However, since this power is not our own, then we must be careful. We must still recognize our own weakness, our own sin, and our own susceptibility to temptation. And we must recognize the Devil’s strength. He is not almighty, but he is a powerful, evil spirit, and we need to know he is a serious threat. We should not fear him or doubt that Christ is victorious, but we also shouldn’t mock him as a little weakling, or boast that we are safe and secure and too strong for him. He’s always looking for a way to trap us, and until we are safe in heaven, the danger of Satan’s temptations will always be around us.

The Jews thought too highly of themselves. They thought they were so good and holy that they could mock the Devil and treat him as no great threat. They called him Beelzebub, which is a disparaging name that means the “lord of the flies,” as if he were no more dangerous than a little gnat. But these Jews were deceived. They thought they were safe on their own, and did not watch out for the Devil’s attacks. So they ignored God’s Word. And when Jesus spoke God’s Word to them and demonstrated His truth and power by casting out demons, they couldn’t stand it. Not only did they mock the Devil, but they also mocked and judged their Savior. They claimed He was in league with Satan because they didn’t like what He said. They judged Him on their own terms and demanded to hear what they wanted to hear. In reality, they were more oppressed by demons than that mute man was, but they didn’t know it. They had foolishly underestimated Satan, overestimated themselves, and completely rejected Christ. So Satan got the upper hand.

Christians know the Devil’s real power and might. We know it can happen that a pious man who works hard to support his family, can end up stealing from his boss. A devout wife who is living a decent life in her marriage today can commit adultery tomorrow. And the faithful child who honored his parents, can leave the Church and deny Christ. Christians must take Christ’s warning seriously: “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.”

This is not talking about unbelievers. This is a warning for us, Christians – those who have been rescued from the power of demons. We are God’s children and we know the saving message of Christ. But if we neglect Christ’s gifts of Word and Sacraments, if we think we are strong and good enough to stand on our own, if we treat our sins like harmless play things or suppose that we can always repent later, if we knowingly, persistently give into temptation, then we are nothing but an empty house swept clean and ready for seven more demons to move in. And the last state is worse than the first. Leaving ourselves open to the Devil’s attacks and ignoring God’s Word will ultimately harden our hearts against Christ, so that we no longer truly repent or trust in Him. It is possible to lose faith, to deny your Baptism, and not be saved. This is precisely what the Devil wants. He already has the unbelieving world in his pocket. He wants you.

So Christian, you must be on your guard. And the best way to do that is to guard the Word of God. Right after Christ gives His warning, He also gives a blessing: “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” This doesn’t just mean you hear it once or twice. It doesn’t just mean you try to follow and obey. The hearing is a continual, persistent hearing. And “keep” really means “guard, watch over, hold onto and never let go.” Blessed are those who keep hearing the Word of God and keep guarding it. That is the only way for us to overcome and cast out Satan. We can’t do it on our own, but Christ is still doing it today for us with His Word and Sacraments.

Satan is a king with a very united kingdom, tightly held together by the tyranny of sin. And whenever one demon is provoked, all of them get riled up. When you are baptized, or hear the Word of God, or receive the Lord’s Supper, you are taking your stand against Satan’s kingdom and all the forces of evil will come out against you. A Christian’s stance is not an insignificant thing. It’s not make-believe or a game with no consequences. There is a strong kingdom against us, and every moment we are in danger.

But Christ is our Stronger Man and His kingdom is even more united and closely bound together. By His death He robbed the Devil of his power and won us for Himself. And when the Devil attacks a Christian he is also attacking Christ Himself and all His angel host. When the Devil attacks you, the almighty God, the Lord of Sabaoth stands by you with His grace. By the forgiveness of your sins He picks you up when you fall and He strengthens you when you stand. His Holy Spirit dwells with you and steels you for the fight.

Let us thank God for His grace and favor, because He has sent His Son for help against the Devil, to drive him out. And He has given us His Word through which today He still performs this work: destroying Satan’s kingdom, while building and extending the kingdom of God. Thanks be to God.

In the Holy + Name of Jesus. Amen.

Martin Luther’s sermon: Baker, Vol. V, pp.329–343.