Sermon 7-20-25

Pastor Ray Lorthioir

Trinity Lutheran Church

W. Hempstead, NY

Based on the lessons for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost. Genesis 18:1-15; Colossians 1:21-29; Luke 10:38-42

Up Close And Personal

One of the great differences between Islam and Christianity is the God who is worshipped. Allah, the creator-god of the Muslims is all-powerful, remote and aloof. He only speaks to Mohammed. Unless a Muslim dies in battle against infidels, Muslims have no way of knowing what their destiny beyond death will be — whether it will be eternal sensual bliss with Allah or eternal punishment. The only hope someone who does not die in battle has is that they have done enough good in this life to be rewarded by Allah.

On the other hand, Yahweh, the true Creator God of heaven and earth, is all-powerful. However, He’s not remote and aloof. He is what theologians call “immanent.” He’s intimately involved in His creation. He’s close at hand. He even dwells within those who have been Born Again in Messiah Jesus. And He powerfully speaks to us through His Word.

And as for what lies beyond death, Yahweh tells us that we can know our destiny. All those called to faith in the work that Messiah Jesus accomplished on the cross for our sake will have their lives justified on account of Jesus and will enter eternal righteous life with Yahweh. All those who reject Jesus reject the Father who sent Jesus. And so, they will receive their great desire — to be eternally separated from righteous Yahweh. They will be stripped of whatever righteousness they thought they had, and will pass into the nightmare of eternal unrighteousness.

In today’s lessons we’re told of certain individuals in history to whom Yahweh was so immanent — so close at hand — that He showed Himself to them. Now, to show Himself to unrighteous sinners, Yahweh also had to show them His mercy. Otherwise, He would have had to destroy them because of Original Sin and their personal sins. Therefore, all those in history to whom Yahweh personally appeared were also shown His great mercy.

In Genesis we’re told of a man named Abram and his wife, Sarai. Yahweh, Himself, gave them new names: Abraham and Sarah. And that’s how we commonly refer to them. Out of all earth’s population at that time, for reasons known only to Him, Yahweh chose this man and his wife as His own.

We’re told in Deuteronomy 32:7-9, “7 Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you. 8 When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God. 9 But the LORD’S portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage.”

Yahweh divided humanity into nations having different languages at the Tower of Babel. We’re told here in Deuteronomy that when He did so, He put each nation under the spiritual authority of one or more of the spiritual creatures Yahweh had created at the beginning that Scripture calls the “sons of God.” We learn from Psalm 82 that these sons of God sinned. Instead of leading the nations into the worship of Yahweh and obedience to His commands, they led the nations into idolatry and the worship of themselves. This is why idolatry became rampant in the ancient world so that by the time of Jesus all nations had forgotten Yahweh except the Jews.

And so we learn from Deuteronomy 32:9 that after Yahweh had put the nations under the sons of God, He subsequently called a new nation to Himself. These were and are the descendants of a man named Jacob. Jacob was also given a new name by Yahweh — Israel. Jacob is a grandson of Abraham and Sarah.

But Yahweh didn’t begin with Jacob. He began with Abraham, Jacob’s grandfather. Therefore, it’s from Abraham that Yahweh chose a nation for Himself. That nation is the Israelites, the Jews.

Now, in today’s lesson from Genesis 18 we’re told that Yahweh came to visit Abraham in the form of three divine looking men. That’s Yahweh being really immanent — visibly showing Himself directly to Abraham. Very few people in history have had this privilege on earth. 

Yahweh had called Abraham to leave his homeland and become a nomad in what would eventually become the land of Israel. So, when these three divine looking strangers came toward his camp, Abraham immediately showed the hospitality to these travelers that was in accord with the custom of his time. He invited them to rest, visit and have something to eat. Similarly, in accord with the custom, they accepted.

And in accord with custom, Abraham did not sit with them as they ate. He stood by. This custom is practiced even to this day in Eastern cultures. The first time Carol and I were invited to eat with an immigrant Indian family, we were startled that the wife stood by and watched her family and her guests eat. She did not eat until the meal was complete for her guests. That’s the power of custom.

After eating, Abraham’s guests inquired about Sarah. She had not shown herself to them since it was Abraham’s job to entertain and communicate with such important looking guests. So the three guests got down to one of the reasons for their visit. We read in Genesis 18:10 “The LORD said, ‘I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.’” Notice that although there were three, the text says that “the LORD” (singular) made this promise to Abraham. In an English bible, any time we see the word LORD either with the “ORD” in large capital letters or small capital letters, that’s the euphemism for the divine Name, Yahweh. So, it was Yahweh who spoke and made this promise to Abraham. Either Yahweh was one of the guests, or all three guests were Yahweh.

Martin Luther once said that anyone who can properly divide Law from Gospel in Scripture is a doctor of theology. So, here’s a simple way to earn your doctorate in theology. Anything that Yahweh commands in Scripture is Law. Anything that He promises is Gospel. Again. Anything that Yahweh commands in Scripture is Law. Anything that He promises is Gospel. Therefore, the promise Yahweh made to Abraham and Sarah was pure Gospel.

Yahweh’s promise to this couple was significant. For, throughout their married years, Sarah had never been able to conceive. Also, Abraham was 99 when the promise was made and Sarah was 90.

Now, this is not as extreme as it sounds. Prior to the flood of Noah, human beings could live to 969 years of age. Before the flood, Noah had kids when he was 500. However, after the flood, there was a change in human longevity. When we read the ages of the people in the Genesis post-flood genealogies, we see that human lifespan gradually shortened. Still, Abraham lived to 176 and Sarah to 127. Also, consider this. At 99 Abraham ran — ran — to the herd to get an appropriate animal for the guests’ meal. At 90, Sarah easily prepared the whole meal from scratch. 

Now, the text tells us that Sarah was beyond menopause. And for this reason she laughed to herself when she heard Yahweh’s promise. However, that Yahweh was giving Sarah a child at this age tells us something. She was physically capable of chasing after a toddler in her 90’s. Yahweh would not have given her a child otherwise. Indeed, Sarah raised her son, Isaac to maturity. Genesis 23:1 tells us that Sarah lived to be 127 years old. 

Sarah’s laughter about Yahweh’s promise became an issue. So, we read in Genesis 18:13-15, “13 The LORD said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh and say, “Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?” 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.’ 15 But Sarah denied it, saying, ‘I did not laugh,’ for she was afraid. He said, ‘No, but you did laugh.’”

Even at that point in history when people still lived longer and stronger than we do now, it was nevertheless miraculous that a woman, barren throughout her marriage and past menopause, would conceive and give birth in her early 90’s. But, is anything too hard for our Creator? If you can answer yes to that question, then you’ve begun to shake loose from the anti-supernatural Materialist school of philosophy that has gripped this culture for the last hundred years and more. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. Supernatural events are not common. But they do happen on this earth.

Yahweh’s promise to Abraham and Sarah set something most important in motion. Abraham was a Gentile. But Isaac, their son, was circumcised as an infant. Therefore, Isaac was the first Jew on earth. And without Isaac there’s no Jacob. Without Jacob there is no Israel. And without Israel there is no David. And without David, there is no Mary of Nazareth. And without Mary, there is no Israelite Messiah — no Jesus. And Jesus is the promise of all promises. For, as Peter preached concerning Jesus in Acts 4:12, “‘. . . there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.’” Yahweh established the line of His salvation through Abraham and Sarah.

One last thing about Sarah. When Yahweh is immanent with us — personal and close with us — He’s scary. Sarah laughed to herself about Yahweh’s promise, as any of us would in her circumstances. Her laughter bordered on skepticism and scoffing. But, you don’t do that with Yahweh. Whatever He says surely will be. For, this universe has no other Creator. Therefore, when Yahweh asked “Why did Sarah laugh?”, she was terrified and came out of the tent to deny it. That’s the problem with being up, close and personal with Yahweh. Our sinful nature can easily scoff Him off. However, Yahweh was merciful and did nothing to Sarah, except to say, “No. But you did laugh.” And so, that’s how Isaac got his name which means laughter. When Isaac was born, Sarah must have laughed with extreme joy and not with scoffing. For, at long last, she was a mother.

Now, in today’s Gospel we’re told of another up, close and personal encounter with Yahweh. Only, this one was with Jesus — Yahweh the Son, incarnate in human flesh. Indeed, everyone who ever had any interaction with Jesus was up, close and personal with Yahweh Himself. This was true of Mary, Jesus’ mother, from the moment Jesus was conceived in her womb to the executioners and hostile crowd that surrounded Jesus at His death. They were all up close and personal with Yahweh.

Today’s Gospel lesson is the narrative of two Jewish sisters, Mary and Martha. In John chapter 11 we find that they also had a brother, Lazarus, who was resuscitated from the dead by Jesus after four days of death.

We read in Luke 10:38-40, “38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.’”

 As any woman knows, it’s no small thing to open your home to at least thirteen guests — Jesus plus the twelve. This is especially true if there is no such thing as a refrigerator, freezer and processed food. Food must be bought fresh in the market and prepared from scratch. It needs to be served hot from over a wood fire. Enough drink and utensils must be found for all. And then, there’s overnight lodging for all. It’s an enormous piece of work.

In addition, when you open your home to a significant rabbi and His entourage, it’s only right to give them the best. That’s where Martha was coming from. On the other hand, we could say Mary was the distracted one. At least that’s how Martha saw it. Mary was distracted listening to Jesus. Therefore, encumbered with all the work and without the help of her sister, Martha was going out of her mind. We’ve all been participants in this kind of thing, where people who are supposed to help us get distracted. Therefore, Martha appealed to Jesus. “Tell Mary to help me!” It was a righteous appeal made from indignation.

But Jesus didn’t see it that way. We read in Luke 10:41-42, “41 But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.’”

In effect, Jesus said there was only one thing needed to show Him proper hospitality. And He commended Mary for choosing that one thing. What was it? Apparently sitting at Rabbi Jesus’ feet and listening to what He had to say was all the hospitality He required. It was a lot easier to honor Rabbi Jesus and His entourage than Martha thought.

In Scripture we’re told no more about the incident than what we just read. We don’t know what Martha did in response to Jesus’ words. Maybe she decided to sit at His feet also. We don’t know how late everybody ate that night, or if they ate at all. This episode was remembered, transmitted to others and later recorded by Luke for only one reason — the words Jesus spoke. Mary had chosen the one thing that is needed — eternal righteous life. And Jesus is that life.

So, what Jesus said about Mary, was it Law or Gospel? Did you see the promise in it? The better thing Mary desired would not be taken away from her. That’s a promise. That’s Gospel. Did you earn your doctorate?

Now, in order to successfully live in this world, many things have to be done. There’s lots of work. And all of it must be accomplished if we’re to do right by God and by our neighbor. Thus, Martha wasn’t wrong in all the hard work she was doing.

However, there comes a day for all of us when all our work here will cease. We won’t need another thing from this life. We’ll have to leave everything behind for others. But life won’t cease for us. It will only have just begun. The question is: what kind of life? 

Jesus said that our destiny in eternal life is determined right now, right here, by our relationship to Him. Right now in this life we have a status. We’re either with Messiah Jesus or we’re without Him. Until death, that status can still change one way or the other. But the status with Jesus we have at our last breath is the status that will carry over into eternity. Just as we are here at the moment of death, so we will be on the other side. We’ll either be with Messiah or without Him. Therefore, Jesus is the one thing needed for eternal life. And because this is true, Mary had chosen the better portion.

Jesus preached something similar in Matthew 6:31-33, “31 ‘Therefore do not be anxious, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?’ or “What shall we wear?” 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.’” It’s a matter of priorities. Jesus is the Kingdom. He’s the door to the Kingdom and He is the righteousness of God for us. Seek Him first and the things of this world have a way of working out for us.

Last, Yahweh’s immanence — his closeness — to us is also proclaimed by Paul in our second lesson from Colossians. It’s found in a little snippet that can easily sneak by you. Let’s see if you can find it in Colossians 1:25-27, “25 . . . I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

As we’ve often taught, Jesus’ life script as Messiah was chopped up and distributed in little pieces to Moses and the Prophets over a one thousand year period. So, the life script of Jesus found in their writings remained a mystery for 1,500 years. But when Lord Holy Spirit was poured out on humanity, it became possible for a believer in Jesus to string all the pieces together into a whole. And Paul knew this very well since the Holy Spirit was using him to string the pieces together in his teaching and letters. So, the Gospel is no longer a mystery. Through the Apostles and Evangelists, it’s out in the open to be seen by anyone with Holy Spirit “eyes” to see it and believe it.

So, did you catch the promise of Yahweh’s immanence in what Paul wrote? It’s the mystery which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Christ in me? Christ in you? In us failure prone sinners? In us who are frequently oblivious to Christ in us? Yes. That’s how close to us Yahweh is. Jesus promised in John 14:23, “ . . . ‘If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.’” Speaking of Lord Holy Spirit, Jesus promised in John 14:17, “. . . ‘You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.’” 

All of this is powerful Gospel. But there’s even more. Jesus promised in John 15:4 “‘Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.’” Bearing fruit is living righteously before Yahweh and our neighbors, especially our closest neighbors like our family. We can’t do this unless we are in Christ as He is in us.

As we can see from Jesus’ teaching, it’s just amazing how close our holy and righteous Creator wants to be with us. It’s also scary. For His plan is that in Messiah Jesus we are on the path to complete eternal holiness and righteousness — to be fully restored to the Image of God in the resurrection. And that’s why our sinful nature wants to run from Yahweh. Nevertheless, Yahweh has this way of showing up, whether it’s three divine looking men unexpectedly coming into camp or Jesus unexpectedly coming to someone’s home or Lord Holy Spirit shaking up our personal oblivion through the Word of God.

And Yahweh will have His way with us. Therefore, stop fooling around with Yahweh. Surrender and let Messiah Jesus deliver you from slavery to sin so that you might become a slave to His righteousness. Messiah’s sacrifice for our sins makes this all possible. Amen.

All Bible quotes are from the ESV.