Sermon Delivered by
Valerie Landfair, M.Div.
January 10, 2009 Epiphany I
St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Chicago
I Am Well Pleased
I am always excited about a New Year and especially the month of January, for it is a time that I like so many write down my New Year’s resolutions. I will have a goal for health (exercise 3xs weekly), finance (faithfully pay tithes), intellect (read one new book a quarter) and spiritual (memorize one scripture monthly) , these goals are established to be completed within a 12 month cycle. But, I also have other goals that are not as specific, things that I am working on but they have a 5, 10, 20 years life cycle, they are more general and they align to my personal mission statement and vision. The truth of the matter is that I also have a goal that is beyond hopefully a 20 years cycle, that is that one day heaven will be my home and I hope to hear God say, this is my daughter, Valerie, with whom I am well pleased. It is a hope that I have understanding that scripture is clear that my righteousness is but a filthy rag before God, for God is Holy. I know that scripture also states that the wheat and tare should grow together and only God will separate at the end. We know that the wheat will go to heaven and the tare will end up in the lake of hell. I am mindful that scripture recalls that Jesus states that many people will come in that final day and say Lord, Lord I taught your word, I sang for you, I bought flowers for the altar, I raised money for the church and God will say depart from me I knew you not. They had already received their rewards, to be seen by others and receive praise and honor from people. Let us look at Jesus who was sent to be our earthly example of a person dedicated to God in Luke Chapter 3 vs 21 – 23:
21 ¶ Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." 23 ¶ Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age,
Before the start of his ministry God clearly spoke and the gospel records these words “with whom I am well pleased.” It is interesting to note that Jesus had not started his earthly ministry, nor had he overcome the temptations of the devil by the word of God. Jesus was baptized and in a posture of prayer and God affirms that he was pleased with him. I know some will say that God only said that because Jesus was the only begotten son but the grammar does not bare that out. Let’s not forget that Jesus is not the only one to receive positive affirmation from God on this side of heaven for Mary, his mother, was told in Luke 1:28
Hail Mary, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee.
I would love for God to send an angel to greet me; Hail Valerie, thou are highly favored and the Lord is with thee.
My question is that since Jesus had not started his ministry, he had not defeated the devil, had not healed the blind, raised the dead, multiplied the bread and fish, therefore why would God make this statement now?
I think the answer rests in Chapter 2.
Luke 2:41 ¶ And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast; 43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not; 44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: 45 and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him. 46 And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions: 47 and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father's house? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them: and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 ¶ And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
It was the custom that a Jewish boy became a man when he was12 years of age and it was the law that every adult male Jew who lived within 15 miles of Jerusalem must attend the Passover. Jesus is found in the chambers of the temple building where scribes met for teaching and discussion, asking and answering questions concerning the Hebrew Scriptures.
Luke 2:48 And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father's house? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them: and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 ¶ And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Jesus responded to his earthly parents concerns “did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” This response would imply that it was unnecessary for them to search for Jesus because they should have known exactly where to look.
The wording can also render, “did you not know that I must be about my Father’s affairs?” Jesus is therefore expressing surprise that they should not have been anxious at all. In essence where my Father’s affairs are carried on, there you are sure to find Jesus and those who are in relationship with God. To be about the Father’s business expresses the ideal of a life devoted to God. A person whose life is devoted to God will advance in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and humanity v 52.
“In whom I am well pleased” this phrase is only located in one part of the Bible, it is found in the text of Isaiah chapter 42:1. It is interesting to note that this phrase is used as the description of the suffering servant which culminates in Isaiah 53. God’s approval and destiny is the cross which allows the suffering servant to be a person with whom God is well pleased. If we have a life devoted to God, we will all have to endure suffering and everyone will have their own cross. I do not believe in suffering for the sake of suffering to look holy, or because Big Mama raised you to grin and bear it but to suffer for righteousness sake. Suffer in a manner that will allow God to receive glory and honor at the end of your test when you share your testimony. To suffer because you are being obedient to the word of God and everything in your flesh wants to act up.
I do not have to wait until I enter in heavenly gates but if I focus on God’s business I can hear that He is well pleased with me. If I don’t hear that then I need to examine my thoughts, actions, and words with the Bible and see where I line up. I do not need to compare myself to my neighbors, co-workers, peers, or family members because in comparison to them I might be fine and yet I am heading straight to hell. It is only in the word of God that I will be able to truly see what areas I might need to forsake, what areas I need to strengthen, and what areas I need to start a fresh. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit, the comforter of truth who will guide and direct our steps according to God’s will, never speaking of himself but only speaking those things that he heard in heaven.
It is also interesting to note that Jesus was praying so having the spirit of God dwelling within his members and in an active role of praying. He was not in a posture of prayer but praying and Luke records God saying these words; “with whom I am well pleased.” We know that we are commanded in scriptures to pray:
1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing
But this scripture is not isolated and seeing that we desire in this New Year 2010 to hear God tell each and everyone of us that He is well pleased let’s start reading at the 13 verse.
1 Thessalonians 5 Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all. 15 See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all. 16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward. 19 Quench not the Spirit; 20 despise not prophesyings; 21 prove all things; hold fast that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil. 23 ¶ And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it.
…and God will say it is you, my daughter, my son, with whom I am well pleased.
May we leave God’s house seeking after God so that we can clearly hear Him say this year 2010 that we are his sons and his daughters with whom God is well pleased. We desire God to be pleased with our thoughts, for His words states that He knows our thoughts a far off. We desire God to be pleased with our words for scripture is clear that we will give an account of every word spoken. We also desire God to be well pleased regarding the stewardship of our body for scriptures reminds us that it is our body where the Holy Spirit of God dwells. Those things that we meditate on and think about and replay over and over in our minds we are told in the word of God to think only on these things, whatever is true, lovely, pure, and just. We need to examine how we treat one another for God created every men and women in His image and His word is clear that by this they will know that you are my disciples if you have love one to another. Our family, love ones, and community will know that we are a people with whom God is well pleased.
