In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
What then shall we say to these things? Well, what do we often say to these things? Do we not often say: “Why would God let this happen?” “Maybe God knew that something bad was going to happen later on?” “Everything happens for a reason.” “At least it happened early in your pregnancy.” “Maybe it was for the best.” “You can still have another child someday.” Grant & Sarah, I know that these are hurtful things to hear, and I do not repeat them in order to hurt you, but rather to direct you, and to direct those who say such things, and to direct all of us to – not the things that we too often say – but to the things our Lord has said, to the promises our Lord has made, and to the things our Lord has done. Those who say such things do not mean to hurt you. Truly, they have good intentions. They care for you. It’s just that they are sinners, we are all sinners, and they are as perplexed about what has happened as you are. Maybe they don’t know what to say. Or maybe they’ve forgotten what to say. That is why today we are going to take a moment to remember what God has said, and to reflect upon what God has done for Michaiah, for you, for me, and for all of us through our Lord, our Savior, and our Redeemer Jesus Christ.
What then shall we say to these things? Well, what has the Lord said about these things? “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5). “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them” (Psalm 139:15-16). “I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,” “and I lay down my life for the sheep (John 10:14-15).” “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1). “While we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “[Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Do you see how comforting and compelling the word of our Lord is! Let us say these things!
But still, there’s more! “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). “When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 1:41). “Behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy” (Luke 1:44). “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand” (John 10:27-29). Let us say these things!
Little Michaiah had six weeks to hear the word of Christ spoken by his father and mother and numerous others. That word cannot and does not fail. Little Michaiah heard the prayers of his parents and the faithful at church, the word of the Lord read, and studied, and even preached from the mouth of his father Pastor Tapken. Just as John the Baptist heard the word of Christ in his mother Elizabeth’s womb, so did little Michaiah hear the word of Christ in his mother Sarah’s womb, and the word of Christ never fails, it is always efficacious, and it brings into being what is says: Forgiveness, life, and salvation. Martin Luther wrote that one little word can fell Satan, how much more can we trust that one little word to create and sustain faith in the womb, to forgive inherited sin, and grant salvation and everlasting life to all who do not refuse and reject it?
Our liturgy is good and true. Hear our confession once again: “While alive and in the womb, this child was brought and commended to Christ in our prayers. We should not doubt that these prayers have been heard, for we have God’s own kind and comforting promises that such prayers in the name of Jesus Christ are heard by Him.” And what about baptism? Do not permit Satan to blaspheme the comfort and peace that is baptism by causing you confusion, doubt, and uncertainty about a child who had no opportunity to be baptized. Baptism is a precious gift and a sign of God’s promise of forgiveness, life, and salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Baptism is only and ever to give you confidence, comfort, and peace. To have doubt or uncertainty because a soul did not have the opportunity to be baptized is a work of the devil and an abuse and misuse of the sacrament’s purpose. Hear again what we confessed in our liturgy: “When death comes before Baptism, we trust in [the LORD’s] mercy that by His grace He has received this child to Himself for the sake of the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.”
What then shall we say to these things? Let us say what our LORD has said, and let us, like Abraham, and Jacob, and Moses hold him to it. Yes, that is what we are doing here today! We are holding the LORD to his word and promise. Just like Abraham interceding for Sodom. Just like Jacob wrestling with God all through the night, even when God put his hip out of socket. Just like Moses insisting before the LORD that his glory would be diminished if Israel should perish in the wilderness. So, we must hold the LORD to his word and promise that Jesus’ death is the death of all, even the unborn and the unbaptized, and that Jesus’ resurrection is the resurrection of all who believe and trust in him for forgiveness, life, and salvation. This is not universalism, this is holding God to his word and promise, which is literally, absolutely, and completely all we have, which is literally, absolutely, and completely all we need. Let us say, proclaim, and shout these things to the heavens and to the earth!
What then shall we say to these things? Let us say what our LORD has said, and hold him to it: “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32). “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:35). “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39). This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Let us say these things.
Grant, Sarah, Isaac, family, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in [Jesus]” (John 14:1). For that’s all that truly matters: God’s word. God’s promise. God’s work. What then shall we say to these things? Let us say what our LORD has said and hold him to it.
In the + Name of Jesus. Amen.
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