DYing to Live, God’s Agricultural Design for Eternal Life

Palm Sunday 2008 (March 16, 2008)

Baptism of H.R.W and Confirmation of K.J.B.

Rev. Steven D. Spencer – Pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church

John 12:20-26

Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

(John 12:20-26)

Grace, peace and mercy from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, amen!

Today is Palm Sunday. Today we celebrate the day of Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem. No doubt you remember the account. The people came to greet Him as He entered Jerusalem, waiving palm branches and crying out, “Hosanna, blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” Hosanna in the highest.

Hosanna? Hosanna means save us! The people were not just crying out, they were shouting, shouting out, “Lord, save us!” Did Jesus hear them? Oh yes He did and He honored their prayers and was going to save them. Our text even tells us how He was going to save them. Verse 24 of our text: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. I think we all know what Jesus was saying. Did you catch the meaning? If you didn’t let me give you a hint, what happens on Good Friday? Jesus dies, that you might live.

Without death there is no life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Someone had to pay the price for our sin. Let me read our passage for you once again. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.  Before we go on, let me ask you another question, “Was this passage just about Jesus? No! It is about all of us. Jesus death provided a way of salvation for all of us. But all of us must die!

About now you might be thinking alright pastor you’ve lost me, or maybe your thinking pastor you need a vacation. You’ve finally gone off the deep end; you’re 1 taco shy of a combination plate. Why don’t you just sit down and let one of the elders finish the service. But before you tune out please listen.

We were all born in sin as a child of Adam. Adam was originally born of God for God had breathed His Spirit into Adam. But Adam decided to forsake God’s council and instead listened to the devil. Adam forsook his birthright from God and instead adopted the devil as his father. The father of the flesh is the devil. In the fall Adam became a child of the flesh a child of death. The father of the natural man is the devil. We are children of Adam, born into sin, born into spiritual death! The only way to break a birthright is to break its bond. How do we do that? By death!

A moment ago we saw that done. We saw it done as Hallie died. She was freed from the birthright of satan through baptism. Many people believe that baptism is just a cleansing, much like washing pots and pans. It’s more than that! St Paul tells us in Romans 6:3: Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? By being baptized into Christ we are baptized into death. Hallie and all who have been baptized have been freed from the birthright of sin, death and the devil. St. Paul continues in Romans 6:4 “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

We have 2 fathers, the father of the flesh, the devil, who seeks to destroy us and our Heavenly Father who seeks to save us and do what is best for us. We are no longer need to fear the devil. Yes he still knows the buttons to push to drive to sin. But we have a Father in heaven that is quick to save us and forgive us. That’s why it is so important that we remain in God’s presence to seek His council, read His Word, and receive His Sacrament. And so Bob and Michelle this is your duty to Hallie, to put the Scriptures in her hands, to bring her to the Lord’s house and instruct her in the paths of righteousness.

This is the same message that can be shared with you, Kaiti! Remain faithful; put yourself into God’s presence that He may fill you with His Word and His grace.  Likewise Dennis and Pam, continue to instruct, admonish and direct your daughter’s steps, that she may grow in faith and truth all of her days.

Dear fellow redeemed, today is all about Jesus great Hosanna, coming to save. And it’s about how He does that. He does it through coming to us in death. We die with Him, for He has died for us. For in baptism we are set free from sin, death and the devil. Confirmation is an affirmation of that baptismal grace. The Lord’s Supper is also an affirmation of our baptismal grace. St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:26: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.” Jesus says: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

You who are baptized have died so that you might live. In death is life. Through the yoke of death you have been connected to Jesus, in Jesus death you have been made alive and set free from sin death and the devil. In other words you are a child of God and all your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and Son and Holy Spirit. For Jesus sake and in Jesus name, Amen and Amen!