We know God’s Word does not return without result. Here in the last Sunday of the Church year we take time to consider the results of God’s Word here in our midst in this congregation over the last year. Over the course of the year the church in worship follows the ministry of Jesus, Christmas we celebrate his coming, Easter we celebrate His resurrection, and Pentecost we celebrate his sending of the Holy Spirit to the church.
And in the many Sundays after Pentecost we have focused on Christian growth. Now today at the end of the church year we pause and consider what all these events and themes accumulate to and point us to.
The appropriate response to all those events in the church year is to celebrate and let it sink in that Jesus is king over all of creation. Our hymns this weekend give us this opportunity to celebrate that Jesus is king over all. Particularly our gospel reading highlights that Jesus reign among us comes from the statement of love that is the cross.
Listen to these words from the gospel of Luke sharing his passion on the cross. The cross is the event that shapes and defines the last day. From the cross Jesus instituted the absolution of all people. “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Not just those who tortured Jesus and betrayed Jesus, but all those who have sinned against God, including you and I.
It’s almost like we save the best for last when it comes to lectionary readings. In our Epistle reading, we hear this exquisite and majestic description of Jesus from Colossians chapter 1:
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven, and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through Him and for Him. And he is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
All things created, all things hold together. From the beginning at creation and now, Jesus reigns! Without his creating hand there would be no world. Without his reign over the universe nothing would hold together. The world itself would become unglued.
With all this power and glory Jesus has a specific focus, he is the beginning of the church, it’s head. From his resurrection there is a birth after death for all of us. He who created all things and upholds all things and holds all things together desired to reconcile to himself all things. That which is fallen and broken by sin Jesus reconciled through the cross. Through his blood Jesus brought peace to all who had been separated from God.
This is his chief focus of his reign over creation, he shows what kind of king he is on the cross- laying down his life, pouring out his lifeblood, gasping for every last breath so that we, the subjects of his reign might be saved. How amazing to consider the Son of God who reigns over all creation has come here for us.
In light of the reign of Jesus, it is hard to accept the various reasons why people might stay away from church. How trivial our thoughts and feelings, to think hurt feelings are more significant factors than The very image of the invisible God, sacrificing himself for us, so that we would be His own people, so that we can know and hear from Jesus right in this place- ‘today you will be with me in paradise.’
I wonder if we have lost our sense of urgency as a church in telling people about Jesus, knowing that Jesus is coming soon. Maybe you noticed the church sign. Depending on what direction you came in from, “Never been to church before? you are welcome here.”
It is amazing to think that the Son of God comes down to earth, lives among us, and dies for us, rises from the dead, and many people in our community have never been to church, never been to the place where Jesus has invited us to come and worship him.
I want to keep on putting messages to our neighborhood. For those who consider themselves Christians, but do not ever attend church I want the sign to say something like: “Christians desire to meet Jesus in worship. Let’s be honest, staying home means Jesus is not really that important to you”
We know from demographic studies that the millennial generation those who are ages 22-38 are going to church far less than our previous two generations. They are participating in organized activities and social organizations far less, including churches.
Many people in our lifetimes have fallen away from attending church as young adults and then returned once they are married and have children or are settled in careers.
Countless Millennials have not returned as they are older because they rarely if ever went to church when they were younger. They have no foundation of faith that they would return to.
Maybe someone says they are a Christian, but what that means to them is not much at all. And if they do happen to attend a church they are far more likely to be isolated, and make few connections within the church.
In this context of loneliness and isolation and lost shared tradition we are challenged to see what our own tradition is, and be able to passionately speak about it and help those who are so emotionally isolated to see what a relationship can truly mean.
The hymn of the day appointed for this weekend, Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor provides a beautiful summary of why it is important we gather as the body of Christ, why it is important that we worship Him together with the church of all times and places, and why his offering of his life for us is the central focus of our worship.
“Lord enthroned in heavenly splendor, First begotten from the dead, You alone our strong defender, lifting up Your people’s head Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus true and living bread! Jesus true and living bread!”
Though the lowliest form now veil You, as of old in Bethlehem, here as there Your angels hail You, Branch and flower of Jesse’s stem, Alleluia, Alleluia, We in worship join with them; we in worship join with them.
Paschal lamb your offerings finished, Once for all when You were slain, In its fullness undiminished, Shall forevermore remain Alleluia, Alleluia! cleansing souls from every stain, cleansing souls from every stain.
Life imparting heavenly manna, stricken rock with streaming side Heaven and earth with loud hosanna, Worship You the lamb who died. Alleluia, Alleluia! Risen ascended, glorified, Risen ascended glorified!
Alongside the theme of Jesus as King of all, the Last Sunday of the church year points us to another essential part of the theme for the last Sunday of the church year is that of the return of Jesus. What better way to end the church year- because the return of Jesus is the finish line event that the church places her hopes and longings in.
The expectation of the last day is the finish line we envision that means everything to how we run the race. Knowing Jesus is returning, our task is clearly set before us to spread the gospel. To live our lives celebrating that in Jesus all the fullness of God is pleased to dwell.
The fullness of God in Jesus means the fullness of God’s purpose and love for us who follow Jesus. Jesus promises us exactly this “I have come that they might have life, and life to the full.”
He promises us a life in following Him that is the farthest thing from drowsy indifference or boredom. Life in Christ is full because it connects us with all truth and connects us with a purpose for living, glorifying God, serving God.
We wait for Jesus to return, knowing that even as we live in the joy of his kingdom now, an even greater joy awaits us; the perfection of our bodies and eternal life in God’s presence.