https://app.dropwave.io/episode/3b66e1c3-c79c-49f4-a7b3-f4e88360f2f8/exaltation-of-the-holy-cross-ad-2025.mp3

++ JESU JUVA ++

In the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In the midst of life we are in death; from whom can we seek help? From You alone, O Lord, who by our sins are justly angered. Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and merciful Savior, deliver us not into the bitterness of eternal death.

In the midst of life, we are in death. Those we love in this life, die. This week we remember especially our member Doris Harper, who had been in a nursing home for many years, and died on Wednesday. While she lived, her mind slowly died. Little by little, she could not recognize those around her. She became more and more frail. In the midst of life, she was in death. Many of you have known the sting of death as it comes for your loved ones. My family is away this weekend for the funeral of my wife’s grandmother. In the midst of life, death surrounds us.

In the midst of the death that surrounds us, the Church proclaims Christ crucified for the forgiveness of sins. This message is proclaimed to the world. But the world is a murderous place. It is neither sane nor moral. It does not take kindly to the exclusive claims of Christianity — that if you will not believe in Christ crucified for the forgiveness of your sins, you are lost. It wants to murder Christians who confess this truth.

The world’s hatred was on full display as our nation witnessed a most shocking and gruesome shedding of blood on Wednesday. Charlie Kirk, a Christian who boldly and cheerfully confessed faith in Christ, was violently and publicly murdered. His confession was grounded in the conviction that truth is not invented by man, but revealed by God. He was unashamed to confess God’s design for the family and the sanctity of life. He often spoke of the responsibilities and blessings of fatherhood. He spoke the Gospel plainly, clearly, eloquently — to anyone and everyone. He chased after lost sheep on college campuses. He was willing to speak to anyone and regarded no one as his enemy. And he refused to apologize for what God said.

Some people think that’s arrogance. But it takes more strength, honor, humility to follow another authority. To subject oneself to the rule of another. To subordinate one’s own will and passions for the sake of what is greater. To hold onto what God said, even when everyone else disagrees. For that, Charlie was killed — in front of thousands of college students — and even before the eyes of his own wife and children. Jesus said: Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. (John 16:2).

So we as the ones surrounded by death — we who live in a violent and vindictive world — we come to this place seeking rest from death. In this place, the cross of Christ is set before you. Maybe you hear this and say, Yes, yes, I know Jesus died for me. But that’s not what I need right now. I need something else. I’m frustrated. I’m sad. I’m confused. I’m angry. I know that I need help from Jesus, but I don’t need to hear about the crucifixion. I need something else.

But that’s wrong. Jesus in our Gospel makes it clear that there is nothing you need more than Christ crucified. The way He wishes to be known is as the crucified one.

Sir, we wish to see Jesus. So say some Greeks in today’s Gospel. Even during our Lord’s earthly ministry, Gentiles sought Jesus. Alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope, and without God. Yet these foreigners seek to come near to the Christ, and be saved. How incredible! The nations are coming to Christ!

But Jesus doesn’t respond the way that you or I expect. Instead of granting an audience to the Greeks, Jesus preaches to His disciples. Stick around five more days, and I will show you the most glorious thing. He isn’t ignoring the Greeks. Jesus will let them see Him, but they must look in the place where He will be glorified.

Some think that this glorification is Jesus’ resurrection or His ascension, but that’s wrong. Jesus says: “Shall I say, ‘Father save Me from this hour?’” What hour is that? It’s the hour of His crucifixion; the hour when He suffers the full weight of the Father’s wrath; the hour when He gives Himself into death. And just in case we might have missed the point, the Evangelist John says point-blank: He said this to show by what kind of death He was going to die (John 12:33).

Jesus says the way He wishes the Greeks would see Him —. The way He wishes His disciples would see Him —. The way He wishes the whole world would see Him —. The way He wishes that you would see Him is this: that He is lifted up, on the cross, to die.

He says the most glorious thing is His crucifixion. The most beautiful sight in all the world is His being nailed to the cross and dying for the sins of the world. Sir, we wish to see Jesus.

The cross is graphic. Gory. Shocking. Crucifixion was one of the worst forms of capital punishment. It was a violent way to kill someone as slowly and painfully as possible. It took hours, sometimes days. Those who were crucified died by asphyxiation as they had to press up on the nails in order to breathe. Slowly, they would suffocate to death. Crucifixion was reserved for the worst criminals.

Crucifixion was awful, yes, but it was also just. One who murders would have his life taken by the governing authorities. Crucifixion was a public spectacle as a warning against being a murderer.

I want you to consider two pictures of Jesus. First picture: Jesus is sitting on a great throne in heaven, wearing a golden crown, surrounded by angels. He radiates light. Choirs sing all around Him and bow before Him in eternal homage. Everything is bright and beautiful and peaceful.

Second picture: Jesus is high and lifted up on a cross. A crown of thorns pressed into His brow. Blood on His face. Bruises and lacerations all over His body. Disfigured. Naked. Almost unrecognizable. The sun hides its face, and Jesus cries out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Of these two images, which is more glorious to you? Now which is more glorious to Jesus? Jesus says: My glory is in being nailed to a cross and dying for the sins of the world.