To download the mp3 file, right click the image below and "save as."

"And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness."

'Tis the season of Epiphany. 'Epiphany' literally means, 'bright light.' Epiphany begins every year on the 6th of January by recalling that time when the that star in the sky led the Magi from the east to the child in Bethlehem who was born King of the Jews. The light that that star shed was the light that God created by His Word on the 1st day of creation. He packaged that light He created on the 1st day in the stars He created on the 4th day.

Of all of the billions of stars in the sky, each one placed into its exact spot by the Word of God, no star has ever served a more glorious and holy purpose than that star that led the Magi to Jesus. For the light that it radiated shone upon the One who spoke it into existence in the beginning. The light that come into existence in the beginning and packaged in that star, shone upon the light that is eternal, without beginning and without end. Jesus Christ is the light of the world. "The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world."

The very same Word of God who said, "Let there be light" in the beginning, has Himself entered into the darkness. The "light of the world" has entered into the world, and through Him, God has truly separated the light from the darkness, the righteous from the unrighteous, the saint from the sinner, the living from the dead.

So, in the beginning there was God who created the heavens and the earth and the Spirit of God who hovered over the face of the waters, and Word of God, which spoke the formless and void into its proper form and filled with content. In these first three verses of the Bible, we meet our God, the one God, The only God, the Triune God, the Creator, the Spirit, the Word, one divine essence in three distinct persons.

That star that appeared in the east and which that led the Magi to Jesus by its light has been sighted once again. Only this time, it's not up in the sky. It's in the wilderness. It's Matthew who tells us that "a star appeared," but it's Mark who tells us that "John appeared." And just like the star in the sky, this star in the desert leads men and women to Jesus. "And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him." Unlike the Magi who were led to Jesus by the sight of a bright light, these men and women and children were led to Jesus by a bright word. John was "proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."

John the Baptist's baptism was only a preview of the baptism that was to come. John told people that they needed to confess their sins and swear to change their behavior. "Bear fruit in keeping with repentance," John would tell them. For example, rather than stuffing more clothes in your closet that's already so full of clothes you can't close the doors, "whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none." The same thing applies to your food. Whatever your vocation in life might be, do it honestly and in sincere service to those whom you serve. If you're a tax collector, "collect no more than you are authorized to do." If you're a soldier don't abuse your authority to intimidate or extort, "be content with your wages".

And with that, they were baptized. Their sins were forgiven. Really forgiven. Not just symbolically or spiritually forgiven. But really forgiven just like when the pastor says, "I forgive you all of your sins." And they were given a fresh start to return from the wilderness to their lives with a clean slate.

But there was something better just ahead when the one mightier than John made His entrance. "I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." And before they knew it, the time had fully come.

"In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opening and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

Moses told us that, "In the beginning" of the world, there was God, the Creator, the Spirit and the Word. Now Mark tells us that in "the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ," there is God the Father and the Spirit resting on the Son who is coming up out of the water. And all this in just three verses. Behold your God, the one God, the only God, the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one divine essence, three distinct persons.

Personally, I like Mark's account of the baptism of Jesus better than Matthew's. Matthew tells us more than we really want to know. Matthew's the one who tells us that John didn't want to baptize Jesus and argued with Him about whether or not it would be appropriate. Mark skips all of that and simply says, "Jesus was baptized by John." As someone who doesn't like arguments, that's just fine with me.

What's important here is this, the Father is 'well pleased' with His 'beloved Son' who has just been baptized. That should be enough for us to be fully convinced that Jesus' baptism by John was a good thing. The "it was good," that God pronounced over the light He created in the beginning, He here pronounces over His baptized Son. The Father confirms His divine approval for His baptized Son by sending the Holy Spirit to rest upon Him. This is just what the prophet Isaiah had foretold, "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations…" (Isaiah 42:1).

That the Father is well pleased at the baptism of His beloved Son however means more than simply that the Father was glad Jesus got baptized. It means that the Father is well pleased with all that His Son is about to do and will accomplish from this point forward. Here at Jesus' baptism, the Father is pronouncing His divine favor, His 'very good' on His Son's passion and suffering, His crucifixion and burial, on His resurrection from the dead, and His ascension into heaven. The point here is that all that Jesus does for us men and our salvation is contained in His baptism. Jesus' baptism is like the star that holds the light. It is the water that holds the eternal and life giving light of the world. Apart from the Jesus, it's just plain water. But with Jesus in the water, it's a life giving water.

The most practical application of all of this is simply this, your baptism unites you to Christ's baptism. Your baptism unites you to Jesus and His baptism. By your baptism, you have been united to Jesus and all that He has accomplished for you and for your salvation.

This is nothing less than what St. Paul has said to the Romans. "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were been baptized into death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." (Romans 6:2-5).

This union to Jesus Christ happens through Baptism. This is why Jesus, as He is about to ascend into heaven, does not command His disciples to go and crucify all nations, or to resurrect all nations, but to baptize all nations. You are not united to Jesus' crucifixion on the cross by being crucified on a cross. Nor are you united to Jesus' resurrection from the dead by being buried in a tomb and walking out of it three days later. Nor must you ascend into heaven like Jesus ascended into the clouds and disappeared from sight in order to be united to His ascension. In and through baptism you receive all of this by your union to Jesus.

Through holy baptism, * you are crucified with Christ and raised with Christ and ascended into heaven.
* You are reconciled to God, * all of your sins are forgiven, * the righteousness of Christ is credited to you, * the Father calls you 'my beloved,' and with you He is 'well pleased.' * You have been set free from the power of sin, * you are pardoned by the judge who judges between the living and the dead.
* You receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and all the fruits that the Spirit produces in you- * love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

You have been united to all of this by the one, simple, salutary act of holy baptism. What a glorious and bright light is contained in this one, sacramental star.

So, this is not just a point of doctrine to be discussed and debated among us. This is the basis for our life of faith. We live in a time of great uncertainty. Things that seemed so sure and solid have turned out to be much more fragile than we thought and things which we though could never fail have crumbled and fallen. We're not so sure just what's durable and dependable anymore and we feel like our present and our future is on such thin ice, it could all fall through at any time.

So, I can't think of anything more relevant and appropriate to be sure about than our baptism. Here is the basis for real assurance and confidence, not only before the creation that is crumbling because of sin's effect, but also the basis for our assurance and confidence before God. Put no confidence in your sound investments or secure savings, nor in your good works and moral lifestyle. But put all of your trust and confidence in your union to Christ and all of His good works and His holy life and all that He has stored up on heaven for you.

Some people like to pit baptism against faith. "You have your baptism, I have my faith." "I don't need baptism because I've got faith." Don't go there. It's shaky ground and we've already go plenty of that. Don't rely on your faith. Your faith is weak at best and we often stumble and fall. Your union to Christ through your baptism on the other hand is sure and certain because it depends entirely on God and His Word and promise, and not at all on us.

Baptism is not just a sign of our union to Christ. It's the concrete time and place where you were united to Jesus. Paul writes to Titus saying, "He saved us, BY THE WASHING OF REGENERATION and renewal of the Holy Spirit." (Tit.3:5). Speaking of the Church, Paul writes to the Ephesians saying that Christ has "sanctified her, having cleansed her BY THE WASHING OF WATER WITH THE WORD." (Eph.5:26). Writing to the Galatians who are acting as if nothing really happened in their baptism, Paul says, "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Gal.3:27).

It's not too late to still make a New Year's resolution. In addition to going to the gym and losing weight, resolve that this year you will daily remember and think about your baptism. No matter what the New Year has in store, whether it be good or bad, prosperity or poverty, trials and troubles or blessings and benefits, even life or death, resolve to learn to say in all things, at all times, and in every circumstance, "I am baptized!" "I am baptized!" "I am baptized!" "And since I am baptized, I have been united to Christ Jesus, my Redeemer, and nothing can separate me from Him."

Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven maybe compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son and sent his servants to call those who were invited…" The parable that Jesus weaves concerns the way those who are invited to the wedding feast response to His invitation. It is a parable full of surprises, three in particular that we'll highlight this morning.

I. The 1st Surprise – We Are Invited As with every parable that Jesus tells, we do well to hear it as though it were directed to ourselves first and foremost. Even though it has its proper historical situation and audience, every parable, just like every word that comes from the mouth of God is meant for our ears to hear. "Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear," means, this Word is for you.

The Word from Jesus lips that must reach deeply into your ears then, is that the King has prepared a wedding feast for His Son and He has sent His servants out to call you to come. And that is the first surprise of this parable that we dare not miss.

The King wants you and me to come a banquet that He has prepared. He has sent His servants with an invitation to you, personally and individually, inviting you to come. One of those servants that He sent out was the prophet Isaiah. Along with the invitation, Isaiah gives a brief summary of the menu. This is a "feast of rich food, and of well aged wine…" Talk about health food. If you come to this banquet all teary eyed or mournful because of your sins, this food "will wipe away the tears from all faces." As you swallow up this food, it "swallows up death forever."

The very idea that the King should desire the likes of you and me to be present at this banquet is too good to be true, to hard to believe. When the invitation came to a man named Job, he was shocked and said, "what is man that you make so much of him, and that you set your heart on him…" (Job 7:17). When the invitation came another king named David, he was dumbfounded, "what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?" (Psalm 8:4).

Maybe this is why such an invitation must be made to each of us personally and individually. How else are we ever to believe that could possibly by meant for us? Me? You mean me? Yes, you. "I have set a place for you at the banquet table of the feast that I have prepared and I want YOU to be present with me. I want to share my joy with YOU." Which of us would ever believe that we were the ones whom the King had in mind unless the invitation was sent and delivered and address to us personally and individually.

But that is just what the King has done. Isaiah declares that the feast is for "all peoples." Jesus sends His disciples out to "all nations." But each invitation is individually and personally delivered – and nowhere more personally and individually than in your Baptism. Here, in your baptism, the invitation came from heaven above to you below, by name. As you came to the baptismal font, the servant of the King asked you, "what is your name?" And then to you, by name, he said, "I baptize YOU…" "YOU whose name has just been spoken." And with that the invitation was delivered, and engraved on your heart, and signed with His name, the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Whenever you have doubts about whether or not you are worthy of such an invitation to such a wedding feast as this one, recall your baptism. This is why we begin every worship service as we do, recalling our baptism, "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Yes, the King wants you to be here.

II. The 2nd Surprise – Some reject it. Sadly however, as wonderful as the first surprise is, the second is terrible. Many who received the invitation, that is, many who have been baptized, receive the call to come negatively. Some simply refuse it, others pay no attention and head off to their farms and businesses. Still others got so upset that the King actually expected them to interrupt their busy life for some silly wedding reception that they seized his servants, treated them shamefully and killed them. Such a response to such an invitation is surprising in a most terrible way.

How are we to understand this? And how are we to apply this to ourselves? Actually, it shouldn't be too hard for any of us to understand what is going on here if we are willing to be honest with ourselves.

To borrow a slogan that is pretty familiar to us all these days, (and I would ask you to put aside all of the political associations you may have with it) we all want to see some change in our life. We have certain sorrows and frustrations and disappointments that we know we have brought on ourselves. And so we would like to see some change in our life so that we might experience the kind of joy and contentment and satisfaction that we long for. To borrow St. Paul's words, we do not do the good that we will to do and the evil that we hate, that we do. And so we'd like to see some changes in our life so that the good that we will to do we actually do and the evil that we hate we actually resist.

And then, along comes the call to come to this banquet we've been invited to. And now suddenly we are confronted with the fact that in the Kingdom of Heaven where this wedding banquet takes place, this change that we have desired, is no longer just a slogan. To borrow St. Paul's words, "we will be changed." Up to this point, we've thought about it, debated it, read books about it, talked to counselors about it. And as long as it has all remained just talk, we've been all in favor of it. But now the call has come and the change it will make in us is at hand. And now, suddenly we realize we're not so sure we're actually ready for it, at least not right now. Maybe later. But right now I've got farms and businesses to attend to.

But maybe it cuts even deeper than this. Maybe there are certain prejudices, certain jealousies and grudges that we bear that we have become quite comfortable with and we have no real desire to let go of. Yet we know that they will have to go in this banquet hall in the Kingdom of Heaven. And now the invitation and call becomes a judgment against us. And to that we are down right offended.

So, can understand begin to understand why that messenger and his terrible invitation can be so infuriating? We were perfectly happy as long as we could just talk about our religion and our faith and work for change as far as we were comfortable with it. But now that that blasted call has come, we're faced with the change that it will actually make in our life, all of our false pretenses have been lifted and our hypocrisy has been exposed and we deeply resent the disruption it has brought into our life, comfortable in our sin that we were.

Maybe this helps us to understand why we sometimes get such a negative response from someone when we are the King's messenger and invite them to come to the wedding banquet of the Son. As long as the King's servants continue to go out to "all peoples" and "all nations" bearing His invitation to come to the wedding banquet of His Son, there will be strong reactions against and increasing pressure to prevent this invitation from going out. And all because it reminds us that we really don't want the change that His invitation and call promises to work in us.

III. 3rd Surprise Yet, remarkably, rather than declaring the story at its end, which is just what we expect should happen, Jesus continues the story which leads us directly to the 3rd surprise in this parable. "The he said to his servants, 'the wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find. And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests."

Despite the rejections, the wedding hall was filled. Despite all of the great resistance movements and high court rulings and social pressures that have tried to stamp out the gospel of Jesus Christ, the wedding hall was filled. Despite all of our excuses and postponements and rejections, the wedding hall was filled.

For the sake of his story, Jesus puts this is such a way that the filling of the wedding hall is a completed action. And yet, as we know that the King continues, even to this day, to send out His servants, who are to go down every road in the world, inviting everyone that they find, the bad and the good. Over 2000 years after Jesus told this earthly story with a heavenly meaning, the invitations continue to go out. The wedding hall is still being filled. It is not too late. You may still repent.

In fact, repentance is the wedding garment that we enter the wedding hall clothed in. The man who was there without a wedding garment was asked, "Friend, how did you get in here without your wedding garment? And he was speechless." Why was he speechless? Why didn't he confess his sins and ask the King to be merciful to him, a poor, miserable sinner, just as we do every Sunday as we come into this banquet hall for the wedding supper of the Son? Had he done as we do, he would have surely heard his dearest Friend say to Him as you have heard Him say to you. "Friend, I forgive you all of your sins."

IV. 4th Surprise – the bride of Christ. I want to conclude by suggesting that there is one more surprise here that is really the most wonderful surprise of them all. I've not included this one in the three surprises in this parable because this one lies just outside the parable itself. And yet, this parable certainly opens the door to it.

Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son…" The question that this parable raises without answering directly is this one, who is the bride of the king's son? Whom is the king's son marrying? And the surprising answer is, YOU. YOU are the bride of Christ. The King wants YOU to come to the wedding banquet of His Son because He cannot tolerate seeing His Son stood up at the altar.

This is the wedding banquet that St. John sees is going on in heaven as we speak. "Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure…" Her garments of repentance have been changed into garments of righteousness and salvation.

The invitation to this wedding feast in the Kingdom of Heaven has been delivered to you personally and individually in your baptism. The messenger standing before you is calling you to come. So throw off those filthy rags and put on the wedding garment. Yes, this may cause a more than a few tears and you will die to sin. But the Son to whom you have been united to as one flesh, will wipe away all of your tears and swallow up your death forever.

"Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." (Rev. 19:7-9)