Trinity 3
First Peter 5:6-11
Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Surely you have heard the fireworks this past week, celebrating our nation’s Independence Day, and soon there will be many celebrations to honor the 250th birthday of the United States of America.
However, since July 4th, 1776, our nation has seen many battles and wars, many lives lost, and much bloodshed to defend this country and the ideals declared on that first Independence Day.
This brings to mind the words of Jesus from the Gospel of John, “Greater love has no one than this than to lay down one's life for his friends.” (John 15:13) This is, in a way, what a soldier commits to doing when they first take the oath of enlistment – they say;
"I, _____, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
Did you hear the part regarding the enemies? The soldier swears to defend the nation “against all enemies foreign and domestic.” Foreign enemies are often easier to identify, but domestic ones are a different matter.
At the root of the word domestic is the word house, so to speak of a domestic enemy is to talk about an enemy of your house. Or we may say an enemy of nearness, like a neighbor. A significant challenge is that you may not recognize this enemy until it's too late and they've already seduced and overtaken you.
Still, in our epistle today, Peter is not speaking of a domesticated and tame cat that lives within your home, but rather one in constant motion - moving about to devour you – to swallow you up.
Peter says, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
“Be sober-minded” – be free of passion, rashness, or confusion. Instead, be reasonable and self-controlled. But, of course, this is easier said than done…
Have you been “Sober-minded” over the past week? Or has your mind rushed to judgment? Has the silent roar of the lion enflamed life's passions, causing you to act rashly toward your brother or sister in Christ, jumping to sinful conclusions while failing to act in love and charity?
If so, then repent. Confess this sin before God, that you may be freed from these transgressions that bind you. Jesus says in the Gospel, “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
However, the devil is consistently and quietly prowling, learning, and studying your weaknesses to silently lead you away from the Good Shepherd who seeks you.
C.F.W. Walther wrote:
“Satan deludes the senses of the children of unbelief, so they do not see the clearness of Christ in the bright light of the Gospel. We therefore do not have to struggle against flesh and blood, but with princes and powers, namely the lords who rule in the darkness of the world, the evil spirits under heaven.” (God Grant It, Page 250)
The devil is not as easily detected as a foreign enemy of the state; instead, he has found residence within the comfort of your heart.
He deludes your senses as one who stalks, deceives, and misleads you, his prey, away from the Gospel of Christ Jesus so that it is no longer living and active within your heart. So that it no longer affects your words and conduct in love toward God and neighbor alike.
And while you may be quick to say, “Not me, pastor.” Reflect on St. Peter's great confession as he speaks to Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” only to cower and deny Jesus when questioned, and the battle became real on Good Friday. (Matthew 15:15-16)
Still, the words of Jesus remain true for Peter and for you, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13) Even as your weak hearts falter to love your neighbor as yourself, Jesus laid down His life for you upon the cross – He laid down His life that the jaws of the lion may never devour you.
Do you remember the words from the end of the oath of enlistment I read earlier?
They were, “So help me God."
While these words are meant to assure your oaths within life as true and faithful – this statement also recognizes and ascribes genuine fear and faith in God. He is your only help in times of trouble, when you are under assault from all that is evil within this world - the war of cultures, the war of words, the war within your heart.
But you are not alone in this battle of life. Christ continues to seek you, His little lamb, to bring you back into His flock, back into His fold. He wants to rejoice with you not only now but in His Father's eternal kingdom. So, He gives you a foretaste in this Supper as sustenance to refresh you and strengthen your faith. To defend you from becoming indifferent and impatient in this life. He says come unto me, and I will take your burdens upon myself.
This is all cause for great rejoicing.
My friends, you are called in this life to be, first and foremost, faithful to God. Like your country, you will all experience trials and conflict throughout the days of your earthly life. But you have a Savior who is Christ the Lord. He died for your sins upon the cross. He feeds and grants you strength in this Supper and desires to rejoice with you eternally in His Father's House.
So cling to His Word and permit it to dwell within your heart. Put away your quick words of judgment, but be reasonable and self-controlled. Live in harmony with one another, willing to love one another as He has already loved you by laying down His life for you. +INJ+
The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Rev. Noah J. Rogness
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Tomah, WI
