Friday, December 20, 2013

12-20-2013



   Good Morning All,
    Isaiah 22:22; “And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
    Except for the years that I went to college, I don’t think I have ever locked the doors of my house.  In the house that we lived in on the farm before moving to the parsonage, I don’t think we even knew where the keys to the door were.  Where we lived at that time, you had to want to find us.  We always figured that as remote as we were; if someone wanted to break in, they just would go ahead.  We kind of figured the only people who stayed locked out were friends or neighbors who needed a phone or some other help.  The only time this was ever a problem was when someone accidentally locked the door.  We had no way to get in.  We ended up taking part of a door apart.
    Some people lock everything they own and they have a ring of keys to prove it; unless they lose that ring of keys.  Keys can be very important.  Sometimes, the keys turn and unlock the doors like at one of the stores during “Black Friday” as the shoppers rush in.  Sometimes the key keeps bad guys locked away as in a jail cell.  Our antiphon for today speaks of a special key.
                         O Key of David and scepter of the House of Israel;
                         you open and no one can shut;
                        you shut and no one can open:
                       Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house,
                      those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
    The Key of David and the scepter of the House of Israel is a clear reference to Jesus.  He is the scepter, the ruler of Israel and the world.  He is also the key to opening the door to heaven.  He has the key, the only key, to the gates of heaven.  Only be believing that what he has done for us, his death and resurrection, are the keys of heaven going to open the door for you.  Unbelief will keep you locked out forever.  There can be great comfort in this truth.  God’s love for you has opened heaven.  There can also be great fear; you don’t have other options or chances.
    Yet the most wondrous thing is that Jesus, with key in hand, comes to free us from the prison of sin.  He comes to free us from the captivity of the devil.  He comes to free us from the fear of the shadow of death.  Death is only a passage way for a Christian.  It only leads from this life to heaven, where Christ holds the door open for you.  He frees us by his grace to enter into his heavenly kingdom.  Trust in this truth and you will be saved.
Gracious Lord, you are the key to our life.  You open the door of heaven and of God’s grace.  Keep us unlocked from sin and the power of the devil.  Lead us safely home to your eternal joy.  Be with those who are feeling locked away by the devil.  Give them the knowledge of their freedom from sin and the joy in you.  In Your precious name we pray, amen.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Bret  

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