Sermon “Just a Servant”
Lord, let me speak your thoughts after you, bringing the enormity of the Gospel to light. Amen.
Have you ever thought about what it is to be “just a servant”? The centurion in our gospel reading today has a servant who is ill and needs Jesus’ healing. But he also understands what it is to be a servant, as he is also under the authority of his general. This centurion boldly confesses that Jesus is able to do whatever works of healing he desires. All Jesus needs to do is proclaim the servant healed and the centurion knows he will be healed. Jesus then heals the centurion’s servant. No fuss, no muss, no hassles of any sort, he just heals him.
Today, the feast of St. Michael and All Angels, is a day we recognize the power of God’s servants. When our Lord commands his angels to care for something, can we assume it will be cared for? Consider the mighty power of the angels as revaled in Scripture. One angel is able to kill all the firstborn in Egypt. Yet how much more wonderful when our Lord puts his angels to work to watch over his people? How much more wonderful when God’s servants see to it that we are protected, that we are healed of our illnesses, that we are kept in safety?
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has commanded that his people be kept from all harm. He has proclaimed that his people will prevail over the forces of hell by faithfulness to his name. And as we read in Revelation we do cast down the armies of Satan by our trust in Jesus. This is the service he has commanded. It is the service to Christ that the angels look at and marvel. As mighty as they are, see that it is people who believe on Jesus bringing his kingdom, overcoming Satan himself. In fact, as servants of our living Lord, we accomplish that which no angel can accomplish. For we operate in the power of the crucified and risen Lord.
Do we look for God’s angels to help us? Then we look to a great and mighty power. Do we look to Jesus as the king of all the angels and the redeemer of his people? Then we become servants of the most high, exercising his power at his command. May the Lord so use us to good effect in this world.
Our Lord and Savior, you have appointed your angels to look over us. And you have promised never to leave us or forsake us. As the angels obey you in all things, let us also walk according to your command, bringing your kingdom and will to this world, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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