Jesus forewarned of the cross during his lifetime. And it is at the center of the Christian life. And for every Christian we see it behind us and before us.
This sermon is quite a bit different from how it was written, therefore, please listen to the sermon rather than read it. The sermon notes which are included for convenience.
Sermon delivered at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Berkeley.
September 18 - Holy Cross Sunday
"Lost and Rescued". Text is from John 3:13-17
Good morning to you my sisters and brothers, saints and sinners, disciples of Christ and children of God.
This short little passage from John comes from a discourse Jesus is having with a man by the name of Nicodemus, a Pharasee who wanted to learn more about who Jesus was and was seeking him out to understand what it was to be a follower of Christ. Jesus first explains how a person must be born again to be received into the kingdom of God which baffles and mystifies Nicodemus. And Jesus asks Nicodemus how someone such as him who is professing to be a teacher of the people of Israel, not already know these things.
We know what Jesus is teaching are new teachings for the people of Israel, and yet, he still responds to Nicodemus as if he is supposed to already know these things. We learn how Nicodemus comes to faith is part of the process of learning, part of the process of becoming a disciple of Christ.
