Midweek Lenten Worship February 28, 2024
“The Real Battle” Luke 22:39-62
Rev. John R. Larson Ascension Lutheran Church Littleton, Colorado
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)
After the temptations that Jesus faced against the devil in the desert for 40 days, the last word that Luke gives us about that was: “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.” (Luke 4:13)
Our reading for today tells us about the “opportune time” when the devil came back to assault Jesus. There were so many people who had a part in the death of Jesus. Peter. Judas. Pontius Pilate. Annas. Caiaphas. The crowds and soldiers. The chief priests and their allies looked for ways to destroy the Son of God.
But there was someone behind them, using them for his purposes. Satan. The devil. Earlier we read in Luke 22, “The chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.” (Luke 22:2-4) When Peter was going to do what he did, the denial that he ever knew Jesus, Jesus tells him what is going to happen. “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32)
I guess there really only two people fighting in this battle. Jesus and Satan. As Jeffrey Gibbs says of this, “In a way, then, every other figure in this reading gets thinner and thinner, less and less substantial, until they almost disappear. Yes, of course, the religious authorities still have Jesus under arrest – but the power behind their evil is the evil one.” (You Meant It For Evil, But God Meant It For Good, Concordia Seminary Press, Page 12)
About 6 years ago I applied for, and was accepted, into a 12- week class put on by the FBI. It was a class for citizens of the Denver area to learn about the fight that is being fought against drugs. One of our worshippers was in the FBI and he worked for the Drug Enforcement Agency. He nominated me to be in that class.
Interesting twelve weeks. I learned that the use and abuse of drugs in our country is catastrophic. The havoc it brings to millions of people is awful. The murders of many connected to the sale and abuse of drugs has been growing for decades. The number of people who work in this evil industry is huge. Many crimes have their root in the distribution of illegal drugs.
They told us how they want to catch the “big fish” in the illegal drug industries plot to harm people. They work with judges to get permission to listen in on phone calls that the drug lords are having with others. They use sophisticated surveillance to follow those on the top of the pyramid. The local street dealers are part of this evil, but it is the bosses that the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Agency would love to catch and imprison. The ultimate fight is between two very powerful entities.
Satan hates God. Satan hates Jesus. And Satan was out to destroy Jesus. On one level Satan succeeds. Satan wins. Jesus addresses what is happening and acknowledges to the leaders who opposed Him, “Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour – when darkness reigns.” (Luke 22:53)
Jesus drinks the cup of God’s wrath. That cup is filled to the brim. The cup is filled with God’s righteous and rightful judgment. It is the cup that is prepared for people who are guilty and people who are evil. He drinks it and He dies. I guess the devil won.
Everything that you see was according to a plan, the plan for evil. All the players had a part in this. Some out of cowardice, some out of weakness, some out of hatred, but they all had a part in it. But only one, Satan, was the architect. He meant it all for evil.
But someone else had a plan for good. God did. Jesus did. Satan was bringing darkness, but God was bringing light. Jesus is the light of the world; Satan is the prince of darkness. God meant all of this for good. Our good. Our eternal good. Jesus drank the cup of damnation and allows us now to drink the cup of salvation.
In the Lord’s Prayer we ask in the Seventh and final petition, “Deliver us from evil.” In Martin Luther’s Large Catechism he correctly reminds us that this really says, “Deliver us from the Evil One.” He is speaking about Satan. In Luther’s morning and evening prayers both of these prayers end the same way, “Let your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me.”
How does the devil attack you and me? How about these two – Temptation and Accusation? Satan tries to turn us away from God’s will – God’s ways. He wants to turn us to his ways – to lead us into sin. And then he doesn’t stop. After we have fallen, his finger points at us in condemnation. He is ever the accuser. He fills us with guilt and despair. He leaves us hopeless. Temptation and Accusation.
Do you remember what it says about Peter following Jesus, after Jesus is arrested and was being led to His trial? It says, “Peter followed at a distance.” (Luke 22:54) When you realize that Satan has tempted you and you have fallen, when you realize now that he has his bony finger stuck in your chest, ever telling you of your failure, by faith claim the truth that you are not at a distance from Jesus. No, get up there close, right by His side. You claim your place right there behind and beside Jesus. Grab hold of your baptism and hide there. Hold on to the word of Jesus which says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28)
What you read in the Scriptures is a word about a battle – for the life and the soul of all mankind. It is the battle for each of us, for you and me. Satan meant all of this for evil, but God – He meant it all for good. And God – well He wins!! Amen!!
(Many of the thoughts and the basic outline come from the Lenten Sermon series, “You Meant It For Evil, But God Meant It For Good”, written by Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Gibbs, Concordia Seminary Press, 2002)
