The words from our Holy Gospel for today were spoken by Jesus on the night in which He was betrayed. It was Maundy Thursday. Jesus was preparing His disciples for what lay ahead. First, He spoke about the coming day of Pentecost. He said, “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth… He will bear witness about Me. And you also will bear witness.” Then He spoke about what would happen to the disciples after Pentecost. He warned them, “They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.”
Jesus does not promise His disciples earthly comfort or popularity. He plainly told them that suffering and persecution would come. The Gospel would face opposition. Jesus warned His disciples ahead of time so they would not be surprised when persecution came. He did not warn them so they could avoid suffering, but so they could endure. Like a general preparing soldiers for battle, Jesus told His disciples the truth about what lies ahead. The world hated Christ, and therefore the world will also hate those who belong to Him.
Later that same evening, Jesus was arrested in Gethsemane. The disciples fled in fear. Peter denied Jesus three times. The Sanhedrin unjustly condemned Him. The soldiers mocked Him. Crowds shouted, “Crucify Him!” Pilate then sentenced Jesus to death on a cross.
Why did Jesus suffer all of this? Why was He willing to die upon the cross? He died as a righteous sacrifice for our sins. His blood was the purchase payment for our redemption. He died our death. He took our place. He endured the wrath of God in our place. He suffered the punishment that we deserved. If anyone truly suffered, it was Jesus.
And where were the disciples during all of this? They were hiding behind locked doors because they feared that the enemies of Jesus would soon come for them also.
But then came Easter. Jesus rose from the dead. Our enemies of death and the devil were defeated. Jesus appeared to His disciples and said, “Peace be with you.” Jesus showed them His pierced hands and His side.
Then, forty days later, Jesus ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Father. He now reigns over all things for the good of His Church.
And what were the disciples doing? They were waiting in Jerusalem, just as Jesus commanded them.
Then came Pentecost. The Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles just as Christ had promised. The Spirit’s chief work is to testify about Christ, to bear witness that Jesus is the Savior of the world. The Holy Spirit gave the apostle’s the ability to proclaim that Jesus died and rose again and that salvation is found in Christ alone. They proclaimed the forgiveness of sins won through Christ’s death and resurrection. And through that Word, the Holy Spirit created faith in people’s hearts. The Holy Spirit brought comfort and peace to terrified consciences.
Sometime after Pentecost, the Jewish leaders commanded the apostles not to speak in the name of Jesus. But Peter responded saying, “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). And so, they continued to preach about Jesus’ death and resurrection. Then the high priest called them in again and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus. But this time, Peter said, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
Since Christ is their light and their salvation, there is nothing to fear. Since Christ is the strength of their life, there is one to be afraid of. By God’s grace, they spread the Gospel to all nations.
And did they suffer for this confession? Yes. They were mocked, imprisoned, beaten, and killed, just as Jesus predicted. Tradition tells us that nearly all of the apostles died as martyrs confessing Christ. Because they were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ resurrection, they gave their lives rather than retract their testimony to Jesus’ resurrection.
Dearly beloved, you have been baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit has called you by the Gospel and created faith within your hearts. You believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose from the dead. You confess that Jesus is your one and only Savior.
And because you belong to Christ, you should not be surprised when hardship and suffering come. Jesus never promised that the Christian life would be easy. He never promised a life free from suffering.
St. Peter says in our Epistle lesson for today, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you. … but rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed” (1 Peter 4:12-14). So, do not be surprised if you experience hostility from our unbelieving world because your faith in Christ. Rather rejoice and be glad. Count it all joy.
The devil is our real enemy. He tempts us to sin. He fills hearts with doubt. He wants us to become ashamed of the Gospel or weary of confessing the truth. Furthermore, he attacks God’s Word. He attacks the church. He seeks to destroy marriage, family, and society. He causes our world to become increasingly pagan and immoral. We are in a spiritual warfare. We live as the Church Militant always defending the faith and confessing the Gospel.
The world is also our enemy. We live in a culture increasingly hostile to Christianiy. We are pressured to compromise God’s Word regarding marriage, sexuality, creation, truth, sin, and salvation. The world tells us to remain silent. It tells us that all religions are equally true. It mocks the authority of Scripture. It rejects Christ as the only way of salvation.
And yet in the midst of all this conflict, Jesus says to us: “Do not be afraid.” Why? Because Christ rose from the dead and He now sits at the right hand of the Father. He reigns from on high. He governs His Church even now. No persecution can destroy His kingdom. No enemy can overthrow Him. No power on earth can silence the Gospel. Empires rise and fall. Nations come and go. But Christ and His Church remain. He preserves His Church. He has promised that the gates hell will never prevail against His Church.
Our ascended Lord has not abandoned us. Jesus says, “I am with you always even to the end of the earth.” The Gospel continues to be preached. Sins continue to be forgiven. Baptism continues to save. And the Lord’s Supper continues to strengthen and sustain us.
The Holy Spirit is called the Comforter. Your comfort is not found from money or popularity or earthly success. Your comfort is found in the Gospel. Because of Jesus, your sins are forgiven. Death has been defeated, and heaven is yours through faith in Christ.
Who are you? You are a baptized child of God. You are redeemed with the blood of Christ. God loves you and you know that He loves you because He died and rose again for you. Your identity is found in Christ. You are in the world, but you are not of the world. You belong to Christ.
He is your light and your salvation. Therefore, there is nothing to fear. He is the strength of your life. Therefore, there is no one to fear.
It’s easy to be depressed as we see the culture around us getting darker and more hostile to Christianity. But remember that Christ already won the victory over death and the devil. He will preserve His Church. He will make sure that the Gospel and Sacraments will continue for our sake and for the sake of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
So, what should we do? Remain steadfast in the faith. Live daily in repentance. Confess your sins and receive Christ’s absolution. Hear the Gospel preached. Receive the body and blood of Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
Jesus gave His life up for you on the cross, and He rose again. He rescued you from sin, death, and the devil. He has clothed you in His righteousness and promised you the crown of life. Therefore, by God’s grace, remain faithful unto death. Don’t throw in the towel. Don’t comprise with the devil or the world. Christ Himself will strengthen you to persevere in the midst of hostility.
Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you, so that they may repent and come to faith in Christ. Do not be ashamed of the Gospel. Rather be lights in a dark world, confessing Christ as your one and only Savior. Confess the truth of the Gospel to your friends, your coworkers, and your family. Invite them to church.
When suffering and hostility from an unbelieving world come, remember that Christ suffered first for you. When fear comes, remember that Christ reigns. When the devil accuses you, remember your Baptism. When the world opposes you, remember that Christ has overcome the world. The same Holy Spirit who strengthened the apostles continues to strengthen you with His Word and precious Gospel.
One day the Church Militant will become the Church Triumphant. The suffering of this present age will pass away. Christ will return in glory. The dead will be raised. All believers in Christ will be clothed in white robes.
And there, fear will be gone forever. No more suffering. No more persecution. No more tears.
Only everlasting joy in the presence of Christ.
God grant this for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
