An Explosion of Righteousness
The Bible prepares us for the world-wide explosion called Judgment Day in Malachi 4:1-6. However, Jesus Christ comes in "an explosion of righteousness." He is the Sun of Righteousness who has already risen, and his wings (rays of light) have brought healing to sinners. December 11, 2011.
An explosion last Sunday in Koblenz, Germany was traced to two highly explosive bombs that had been dropped, but not detonated, during World War II. With water levels recently reaching record lows along the Rhine River, residents discovered the live bombs that had been lurking dangerously under water for 65 years. In what became the largest German evacuation since the end of the war, hundreds of volunteers and a thousand authorities cleared hospitals, prisons, hotels, and residences, declaring the central part of the city a forbidden area. Then the explosion. The bomb-disposal squad investigated the bombs, studied whether to cut the red wire or black wire and then—silence. They successfully diffused the bombs, and 45,000 people were saved in a different kind of an explosion none of them saw or heard. An explosion of safety.
“Surely the day is coming,” the Bible announces in the book of the prophet Malachi, preparing us for the world-wide explosion called Judgment Day. “’It will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘Not a root or a branch will be left.’” Hand held explosives can blow off fingers or limbs. War bombs detonated on impact can flatten an entire city. The explosion of fire as the final moment of this earth’s existence as we know it will devastate “all the arrogant and every evildoer.” The genius brothers who shot the military flare from his backyard on July 4 ended up burning down the Patrick Cudahy plant in the largest structure fire in Wisconsin history. They didn’t intend to cause any harm, but they’re still evildoers and had to pay the price. What makes them no different from us is that you and I have caused harm by our actions that we didn’t intend to be evil but they were. The Twin Tower terrorists arrogantly rammed jet planes into massive buildings that turned into bombs and killed thousands, all because they considered the western world poisonous and their world perfect. What makes them no different from us is that you and I have arrogantly insisted we’re right and everyone else is wrong. Our evil and arrogance make us extremely flammable in God’s explosive judgment of fire. “Surely, the day is coming.” Now what?
“Before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes” listen to Moses and Elijah, listen to John the Baptist and Jesus, listen to the Advent call of repentance: “Make straight the way for the Lord.” Confess that your mountain of pride has made a barrier between you and God’s blessings. Confess that your crooked behavior has detoured you from walking with Jesus. Confess that your laziness and lack of attention have neglected to fill your fuel tank of faith, and too often you’ve been running on fumes. Evacuate from sins lurking dangerously in your life like bombs, make them a forbidden area, and pray for an explosion of safety.
God says, “For you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.” The sun that shines brightly and safely on our world is really one big explosion of fire. The Son of God who shines brightly on our world is a big explosion of safety, of righteousness. Righteousness is being right with God “through and through” so completely and consistently that being righteous is not something we think or do—because it would then come and go, increase and decrease. No, righteousness is a gift, a privileged status we receive from God. Live in the safety of that righteousness, and you will be “blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Yes, you can “Avoid every kind of evil.” Yes, you can “Hold on to the good.” Turn your heart to the Lord because “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-24). Here’s how…
Jesus Christ comes in an explosion of righteousness. He is the Sun of Righteousness who has already risen, and his wings (rays of light) have brought healing to sinners. Jesus has come to our planet, our lives, our sins. He has suffered for us, died for us, and then risen from the dead to heal us from sin and death. Jesus still comes to our planet, our lives, our sins, in his Word, in his body and blood of the sacrament, and gives us himself, healing us from sin and replenishing our righteous living. All in a different kind of explosion, an explosion of safety, an explosion of righteousness.
70 years ago Japanese fighters, bombers, and torpedo planes launched a successful attack against the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, damaging all eight battleships and sinking four of them. The strategy behind their success was surprise—catching the United States unprepared. The consequence of a world war became devastating. God’s Word urges us to be better prepared both for the day of final judgment and for daily attack from sin and Satan. The consequences of being caught off guard are devastating. So pay attention. Confirmands and you who are new to our New Member Nurture process follow through when we encourage you to attend our nurture activities. Grace Group shepherds and participants watch out for each other, becoming better connected and cared for. Join a Living Branches small group Bible study. Find out more in our open forums today about our 2020 Vision as a congregation, and support it at a new level in 2012. Take in the special worship services of the season and bring a friend. Tune up your prayer life. There’s an explosion coming! Amen.
Preached at Grace Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, WI (www.gracedowntown.org) on December 11, 2011
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