I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1)
In Name + of Jesus. Amen. Glad to go to church? Really? Pull over the covers, hit the snooze, sleep in, it is the weekend. Football season is here. Recover from the late Saturday and get ready for the pregame for Sunday games. I need to set my fantasy team before kickoff. Glad to go to church? Indeed you are—for you are the New Man or Woman in Christ.
The Third Commandment.
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
What does this mean? -- We should fear and love God that we may not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred, and gladly hear and learn it.
Gladly hear and learn the Word of God. What is it that Holies the Sabbath Day? The Word of God. Going to church! Indeed—we get to go to hear the proclamation of the Gospel! We get to confess our sins to the Lord (1 John 1). Repenting, turning away from our sin and turning to Jesus in faith, our sins are forgiven. Gladly. Rejoicing in Christ we have life eternal.
O LORD, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. (Psalm 26) The House of God is where the Lord gives out His gifts. Gladly entering the House of God we see the font. The place where God made His promises to you. The Lord put His Name on you. New Creation (2 Corinthians 5).
We might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (Galatians. 4) Adoption into the family of God.
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. (Isaiah 12) Filled with the repentance that the Lord gifts—rejoicing that our sins are forgiven by Jesus. His Death for our sins, His blood for our transgressions, His resurrection for life everlasting, we enter the Lord's House gladly.
On Easter night the Risen Lord Jesus came to His Disciples behind locked doors. “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20)
How do we enter the House of the Lord gladly? Because Jesus is our Savior! Jesus has bled, Jesus has died, Jesus has risen for you and your sins are forgiven. This is peace. Peace between you and God through Jesus Christ. This is the peace that surpasses all understanding. Peace with your neighbor because of the love of God that lives in you.
Entering the House of the Lord with gladness—because Jesus is here. The Word of the Lord is ringing in your ears. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100)
Jesus is here with His good gifts of life and salvation—overflowing through His Holy Word and His Blessed Sacraments. Gladly we enter the Lord's House at His invitation. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
533 Jesus Has Come and Brings Pleasure
Jesus has come and brings pleasure eternal, Alpha, Omega, Beginning and End;
Godhead, humanity, union supernal, O great Redeemer, You come as our friend!
Heaven and earth, now proclaim this great wonder: Jesus has come and brings pleasure eternal!