Daniel 10:10-14; 12:1-3; Revelation 12:7-12; St Matthew 18:1-11
In the Name + of JESUS. Amen.
Woe to you, dear little ones of our Lord Jesus, who live here on earth in the midst of sin and death and the devil’s great wrath. Be on your guard, be vigilant, be sober and watchful. For Satan is a fierce foe and he hates you with a vengeance. He prowls around like a roaring, hungry lion, seeking someone to devour. And he does not rest in his attacks against you, but night and day is plotting to entice and deceive you, and at the same time accuses you of your sin. He mocks you with guilt and shame, whether real or imagined, and he threatens you with death and damnation, even with the condemnation of God’s holy Law.
Pray, dear ones, pray at all times and without ceasing. For the fullness of the Lord’s armor is best utilized by the prayerful soldier. Do not rely upon your own wisdom, reason, or strength, but humble yourself before God, which is the very posture of prayer. Repent of your sins and seek the Lord by His grace and mercy.
Even now, take courage and stand upright. For though it seems as if the Lord’s promises are being negated, as the world spins wildly out of control, there chaos and confusion regarding everything from the cosmos to the chromosome, do not be afraid. Here there is One who helps you, Who is mightier than all sin, than death, than the devil and hell and all his machinations and inclinations. Here is Yahweh Sabaoth, the Lord God of Hosts, who has become true Man, conceived and born of the Virgin Mary. He is your brother in the flesh. He is your shield and tower. He is your Savior.
St Michael and his host of heavenly angels fight and win. And we enjoy the scene, the trouncing of Satan, his body-slam expulsion from heaven. The paintings and statues of St Michael slaying the ancient dragon are impressive. Less impressive, however, to our adrenaline enthused movie culture is how our Lord Jesus fights.
And when He fought, He held nothing back. It’s hard to imagine a story better suited for a comic book or a superhero movie. To defeat a powerful nemeses and rescue mankind from their captivity to the ancient foe, the Creator sent His own Son to be one with those who needed to be saved. He withstood temptations to quit, to join forces with the adversary, and He was never even momentarily deterred in His mission.
Along the way He helped those He encountered, freeing them from momentary and lesser afflictions of the enemy. He repeatedly taught His followers that He would free all mankind from their bondage, but they continuously misunderstood Him. Finally, as the events of His great, cosmic battle unfolded, even on of His closest friends turned into a traitor. When a horde of those who should have been first to trust in this Hero became the unwitting accomplices of the enemy, even those who were closest to this Man fled. In great distress, the Hero faced His battle alone.
He was beaten and abused by those who were vastly His inferiors. He who could have displayed colossal power to free Himself from His captors, but who in so doing would have missed out on His perfect aim, was mocked for His seeming powerlessness. Finally, with the fate of the entire world hanging in the balance, He stared His foe in the face, ready to endure whatever it took, pay whatever price was necessary, or suffer any consequence except His loss of this fight.
With cool, steely resolve, He bent His will to the One who sent Him. The Hero endured the fate that the captives deserved, and in giving His life in exchange for theirs, won them a lasting freedom that nothing can hinder. The good Guy defeated the bad guy through His death. And then, in a miraculous show of strength, He even defeated death! He rose from the dead!
Christ Jesus, who humbled Himself as a little child, robbed the devil of his threatening might and fearsome power. He, the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, has stripped the devil of his teeth and removed all the bars and doors of his prison house, not by the raw power of His Law, which would destroy you along with your enemies, but by the power of His shed blood, as the little Lamb entering the battle field and conquering the great serpent by His own Cross and Resurrection.
The Cross of Christ has satisfied the Law and completely fulfilled it, meeting all its demands and removing all its threats. because the Lord Himself has made propitiation and atonement for all sins, including yours. He has reconciled you and all the world to God the Father.
With what then shall Satan accuse or condemn you? And what threat or fear of death shall the devil hold over your head, since Christ has trodden death and hell under foot and has opened the grace and heaven in His Resurrection?
He has accomplished this victory for all, for men and women, infants and children, for all sons and daughters of Adam and Eve. He has rescued you, in this same victory, by and with His Spirit, as He has given you His Name and Himself with His whole life and salvation in Holy Baptism and through the whole Ministry of the Gospel.
Even more relentless than Satan accuses, the Lord Jesus never ceases to speak forgiveness and peace. So long as the heaven and earth remain, from the rising of the sun to the place of its going down, He preaches His Gospel and removes the sins of the world. By these is Satan cast out and thrown down.
It is for this purpose that the Lord has so ordained and constituted the ministry of men and angels, unto the life and salvation of all who are called by His Name.
You, dear child of God, dear little one of Jesus, are guarded and guided by the Word of the Lord and have the protection of all His holy angels. His Word is a lamp to your feet and light to your path, so that you know the way of faith and love, by which you live.
The Law curbs you from wickedness to spare you the devil’s fiercest wrath and treachery. For the Law exposes your sin and calls you to account, causing you to turn again and become like children, repenting of your sin and being directed to the Cross of Christ and to His sweeter Word of the Gospel. You stumble and fall, but the Gospel lays the hand of Christ upon you and raises you up in His Resurrection, forgiving you all of your sins.
As surely as you are Baptized and received in the Name of Jesus so does He nurture and preserve your faith and life in Him, nourishing you in body and soul with the food and drink of His own Body and Blood. This is the authority with which He has called and sent your Pastor, to preach repentance for the forgiveness of all your sins in His Name. So has He ordered and constituted the ministry of men and angels.
That is why His holy angels surround you, to guard and protect you, in body and soul. They see in you what you often fail to see in yourself and your neighbor - they behold Jesus Christ, His Name, His flesh and blood, the members of His own Body and Bride. And so they serve you.
But angels are not given the highest honor of preaching the Gospel to you. That is done by men of flesh and blood, like that of Christ Himself, who is not an angel, but both God and Man. But the angels do guard and protect you for the sake of the Gospel. And it is by that Word of the Gospel that Christ Jesus has named you with His Name in Holy Baptism and so surely written your name with His own in the Book of Life.
At the command of our Lord Christ the angels preserve your life in order that you may hear and confess the Holy Gospel, so that both you and your neighbor may believe and live.
Be on your guard, dear ones. The devil doesn’t fight fair. He’s a liar and a murderer. And he is crafty, with a serpent’s body that slithers this way and that and strikes in the blink of an eye. By hook and by crook he attacks from all sides and even within. He lures you into sin and then he quickly points the finger at you and vehemently accuses you. He assaults your heart and mind with distractions and enticements, with fears and trepidations, with pride one moment, despair the next, with envy and jealousy, guilt and shame.
And when he cannot shake your hope and confidence within the devil levels all his wrath and hatred against your frail flesh, your household and family and friends. With lying and murderer day and night the devil lets you have no peace within or without.
But do not be afraid, little ones. The armies of the Lord who loves you surround you. And because they always behold the face of your Father who art in heaven, they are more fierce and determined in their protection than even Satan in his wrath. Nothing will injure you. That is the Lord’s promise.
Yes you get sick or injured, suffer and even die. You get hurt. And yes, you are a poor, miserable sinner. You surely deserve nothing but punishment. But by faith in the Blood of the Lamb you are in Christ and He in you. You have the Word of His testimony, the sure and certain Word of His Cross: you are forgiven. There is no condemnation that shall stand against you.
Satan who overcame by a tree was likewise overcome by the Tree of the Cross, the heel of the Seed and the Blood of the Lamb crushing and defeating him. That old serpent is conquered and held under the heel of Christ, the Son of Man, your Savior.
He is Lord God of Hosts. He sends His angels to guard you in all your ways lest you strike your foot against a stone. He sends men to preach and administer His Gospel to you; the salvation and power and kingdom of God and the authority of His Christ have come in His preached Word and under the bread and wine, His Body and Blood.
Rejoice, therefore, and bless the Lord. All that is within you, give thanks and bless His holy Name. For as He feeds you here and now with His own Body so shall He awaken your body from the dust of the earth and raise you to everlasting life in the never-ending feast of His Kingdom. As you worship Him and sing with saints and angels here at His Altar on earth so shall you worship and sing with all the company of the blessed in heaven forever.
In the Name of the Father and + of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
In the Name + of JESUS. Amen.
Woe to you, dear little ones of our Lord Jesus, who live here on earth in the midst of sin and death and the devil’s great wrath. Be on your guard, be vigilant, be sober and watchful. For Satan is a fierce foe and he hates you with a vengeance. He prowls around like a roaring, hungry lion, seeking someone to devour. And he does not rest in his attacks against you, but night and day is plotting to entice and deceive you, and at the same time accuses you of your sin. He mocks you with guilt and shame, whether real or imagined, and he threatens you with death and damnation, even with the condemnation of God’s holy Law.
Pray, dear ones, pray at all times and without ceasing. For the fullness of the Lord’s armor is best utilized by the prayerful soldier. Do not rely upon your own wisdom, reason, or strength, but humble yourself before God, which is the very posture of prayer. Repent of your sins and seek the Lord by His grace and mercy.
Even now, take courage and stand upright. For though it seems as if the Lord’s promises are being negated, as the world spins wildly out of control, there chaos and confusion regarding everything from the cosmos to the chromosome, do not be afraid. Here there is One who helps you, Who is mightier than all sin, than death, than the devil and hell and all his machinations and inclinations. Here is Yahweh Sabaoth, the Lord God of Hosts, who has become true Man, conceived and born of the Virgin Mary. He is your brother in the flesh. He is your shield and tower. He is your Savior.
St Michael and his host of heavenly angels fight and win. And we enjoy the scene, the trouncing of Satan, his body-slam expulsion from heaven. The paintings and statues of St Michael slaying the ancient dragon are impressive. Less impressive, however, to our adrenaline enthused movie culture is how our Lord Jesus fights.
And when He fought, He held nothing back. It’s hard to imagine a story better suited for a comic book or a superhero movie. To defeat a powerful nemeses and rescue mankind from their captivity to the ancient foe, the Creator sent His own Son to be one with those who needed to be saved. He withstood temptations to quit, to join forces with the adversary, and He was never even momentarily deterred in His mission.
Along the way He helped those He encountered, freeing them from momentary and lesser afflictions of the enemy. He repeatedly taught His followers that He would free all mankind from their bondage, but they continuously misunderstood Him. Finally, as the events of His great, cosmic battle unfolded, even on of His closest friends turned into a traitor. When a horde of those who should have been first to trust in this Hero became the unwitting accomplices of the enemy, even those who were closest to this Man fled. In great distress, the Hero faced His battle alone.
He was beaten and abused by those who were vastly His inferiors. He who could have displayed colossal power to free Himself from His captors, but who in so doing would have missed out on His perfect aim, was mocked for His seeming powerlessness. Finally, with the fate of the entire world hanging in the balance, He stared His foe in the face, ready to endure whatever it took, pay whatever price was necessary, or suffer any consequence except His loss of this fight.
With cool, steely resolve, He bent His will to the One who sent Him. The Hero endured the fate that the captives deserved, and in giving His life in exchange for theirs, won them a lasting freedom that nothing can hinder. The good Guy defeated the bad guy through His death. And then, in a miraculous show of strength, He even defeated death! He rose from the dead!
Christ Jesus, who humbled Himself as a little child, robbed the devil of his threatening might and fearsome power. He, the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, has stripped the devil of his teeth and removed all the bars and doors of his prison house, not by the raw power of His Law, which would destroy you along with your enemies, but by the power of His shed blood, as the little Lamb entering the battle field and conquering the great serpent by His own Cross and Resurrection.
The Cross of Christ has satisfied the Law and completely fulfilled it, meeting all its demands and removing all its threats. because the Lord Himself has made propitiation and atonement for all sins, including yours. He has reconciled you and all the world to God the Father.
With what then shall Satan accuse or condemn you? And what threat or fear of death shall the devil hold over your head, since Christ has trodden death and hell under foot and has opened the grace and heaven in His Resurrection?
He has accomplished this victory for all, for men and women, infants and children, for all sons and daughters of Adam and Eve. He has rescued you, in this same victory, by and with His Spirit, as He has given you His Name and Himself with His whole life and salvation in Holy Baptism and through the whole Ministry of the Gospel.
Even more relentless than Satan accuses, the Lord Jesus never ceases to speak forgiveness and peace. So long as the heaven and earth remain, from the rising of the sun to the place of its going down, He preaches His Gospel and removes the sins of the world. By these is Satan cast out and thrown down.
It is for this purpose that the Lord has so ordained and constituted the ministry of men and angels, unto the life and salvation of all who are called by His Name.
You, dear child of God, dear little one of Jesus, are guarded and guided by the Word of the Lord and have the protection of all His holy angels. His Word is a lamp to your feet and light to your path, so that you know the way of faith and love, by which you live.
The Law curbs you from wickedness to spare you the devil’s fiercest wrath and treachery. For the Law exposes your sin and calls you to account, causing you to turn again and become like children, repenting of your sin and being directed to the Cross of Christ and to His sweeter Word of the Gospel. You stumble and fall, but the Gospel lays the hand of Christ upon you and raises you up in His Resurrection, forgiving you all of your sins.
As surely as you are Baptized and received in the Name of Jesus so does He nurture and preserve your faith and life in Him, nourishing you in body and soul with the food and drink of His own Body and Blood. This is the authority with which He has called and sent your Pastor, to preach repentance for the forgiveness of all your sins in His Name. So has He ordered and constituted the ministry of men and angels.
That is why His holy angels surround you, to guard and protect you, in body and soul. They see in you what you often fail to see in yourself and your neighbor - they behold Jesus Christ, His Name, His flesh and blood, the members of His own Body and Bride. And so they serve you.
But angels are not given the highest honor of preaching the Gospel to you. That is done by men of flesh and blood, like that of Christ Himself, who is not an angel, but both God and Man. But the angels do guard and protect you for the sake of the Gospel. And it is by that Word of the Gospel that Christ Jesus has named you with His Name in Holy Baptism and so surely written your name with His own in the Book of Life.
At the command of our Lord Christ the angels preserve your life in order that you may hear and confess the Holy Gospel, so that both you and your neighbor may believe and live.
Be on your guard, dear ones. The devil doesn’t fight fair. He’s a liar and a murderer. And he is crafty, with a serpent’s body that slithers this way and that and strikes in the blink of an eye. By hook and by crook he attacks from all sides and even within. He lures you into sin and then he quickly points the finger at you and vehemently accuses you. He assaults your heart and mind with distractions and enticements, with fears and trepidations, with pride one moment, despair the next, with envy and jealousy, guilt and shame.
And when he cannot shake your hope and confidence within the devil levels all his wrath and hatred against your frail flesh, your household and family and friends. With lying and murderer day and night the devil lets you have no peace within or without.
But do not be afraid, little ones. The armies of the Lord who loves you surround you. And because they always behold the face of your Father who art in heaven, they are more fierce and determined in their protection than even Satan in his wrath. Nothing will injure you. That is the Lord’s promise.
Yes you get sick or injured, suffer and even die. You get hurt. And yes, you are a poor, miserable sinner. You surely deserve nothing but punishment. But by faith in the Blood of the Lamb you are in Christ and He in you. You have the Word of His testimony, the sure and certain Word of His Cross: you are forgiven. There is no condemnation that shall stand against you.
Satan who overcame by a tree was likewise overcome by the Tree of the Cross, the heel of the Seed and the Blood of the Lamb crushing and defeating him. That old serpent is conquered and held under the heel of Christ, the Son of Man, your Savior.
He is Lord God of Hosts. He sends His angels to guard you in all your ways lest you strike your foot against a stone. He sends men to preach and administer His Gospel to you; the salvation and power and kingdom of God and the authority of His Christ have come in His preached Word and under the bread and wine, His Body and Blood.
Rejoice, therefore, and bless the Lord. All that is within you, give thanks and bless His holy Name. For as He feeds you here and now with His own Body so shall He awaken your body from the dust of the earth and raise you to everlasting life in the never-ending feast of His Kingdom. As you worship Him and sing with saints and angels here at His Altar on earth so shall you worship and sing with all the company of the blessed in heaven forever.
In the Name of the Father and + of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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