A couple of weeks ago we had a pastors’ circuit meeting. I was up to lead the brothers in what is called a “text study.” That is a study of one of the upcoming texts for worship. I had chosen this text. As I began my presentation, one of the brothers remarked that this is the text where we see “scary Jesus.” He wasn’t trying to be disrespectful. But he was commenting on the appearance of Jesus in this text. Did you listen carefully to the description of your Savior? He is described as having eyes like blazing flames. His robe is bloody. He has a huge, double-edged sword coming out of his mouth. Seems kind of scary!

Today is a big day for two of our youths at Lord of Love. It is their Confirmation Day. They will stand in white robes before the Lord’s altar and they will confess and promise. They will confess faith in the Triune God. They will confess, “I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.” They will promise to be faithful to this God, even pledging to die a martyr’s death rather than deny this confession. It will be obvious to everyone in attendance that these two young adults are Christians!

Pastor John Boggs, Professor at Luther Preparatory School is serving us today.

The Service of Darkness centers on a series of lessons, psalms, and liturgical texts that reflect on the Lord’s crucifixion and our repentance. As the service progresses, the candles of a sevenfold candelabrum are extinguished until only one remains. This candle is not extinguished but is removed from the chancel, leaving the church in darkness. The service is closed by a loud noise (known as the strepitus) that foreshadows the rending of Jesus’ tomb on Easter. After the strepitus, the last candle, still burning, is returned to the chancel. It thus anticipates the light of the paschal candle. The service ends without a benediction. We exit in silence to reassemble on the Festival.

We begin today at the end. We take up something Jesus says at the end of our text. The Pharisees have watched the events of Palm Sunday very carefully. They have seen the reception Jesus received as he entered Jerusalem. They have observed the royal-treatment given to Jesus. The palm branches being waved, as if a conquering hero is coming to town! They have listened to the crowds as they cheer the arrival of Jesus, using portions of Psalm 118 to welcome Jesus with Messianic overtones. They don’t like it! They don’t like it one bit!