11-4-2016

Good Morning All,

            Acts 7:56; “And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

    Even though we get to see our grandchildren frequently; it does not mean that it is not exciting each time they come.  For the most part, their parents park in front of our garage so we can see them arrive from our kitchen or the area where the TV is located.  We see them pull up and we hurry to the door, oftentimes leaving the kitchen door that goes out into the garage open even though a mouse or two has been seen in that garage.  We hurry to the door out of the garage, fling it open and grab for grandchildren as they come out of their vehicles.  We pick them up and hug them and ask them what is new.  Mom and dad are usually a little frazzled but fine.  So we greet them with open arms, excited to see how they have grown.  Occasionally, Grandpa isn’t quick enough to get his shoes on so I stand at the steps trying to get them to hurry past grandma.  Either way, we have all the doors open welcoming them into our house, our home and into our hearts.

    In many ways, this is the image we can have of Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of lords, sitting at the right hand of God, as we enter into his kingdom.  Each saint who comes into his glorious kingdom is greeted as a much desired guest.  God desires us to be in his presence.  His nature of pure love moves him to call to us, to reach to us as a loving father reaches to his children.  Our entrance into his heavenly kingdom is celebrated throughout the heavens.

    But not just when a redeemed child enters into eternal glory in heaven.  This same type of joy occurs when someone is baptized and marked as one claimed by Jesus.  This entrance into his holy kingdom gives us access to God and in this great washing, God claims us as his own.  He encompasses us with his baptismal grace and never withdraws it from us.  It is always there calling to us to return to his grace.  This baptismal grace is like the door to grandpa’s always being open.  The grandchildren are welcome any time and we desire them to come, we invite them.  Our Lord and Savior Jesus welcomes us at all times as well.

    This is especially true when those who are lost in sin repent of their ways.  Remember how heaven rejoices when one lost sinner is found.  Jesus and the whole company of heaven rejoice and celebrate as each sinner returns to God’s holy family.  As we repent of our sins, God waits for us with loving and open arms saying, “Welcome back!”  There is joy in heaven when a sinner repents and there should be great joy in the heart of the one who repents as well.  God brings us back into his family and we should celebrate with all the holy church, with the communion of saints.  God rejoices when we repent and turn away from our sins.

     So heaven celebrates and we with it.  We celebrate the joining of the Church by the newly baptized and we celebrate when the erring return and we celebrate when the saint’s last battle is won.  We celebrate with Jesus the victory that he gives to us.  We give thanks for all his blessings and we can live joyfully in his blessed kingdom.

Father of mercy, as you celebrate our triumph over sin, death and the devil lead us in this same joy of life in your kingdom.  Guide us to live as true servants of your Word. In the Name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret