In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“There are two ways, one of life and one of death; but a great difference between the two ways.” The early Christian writing called the Didache begins with this statement. In this way, the whole human life is summarized. Will you take the way of life, or will you take the way of death? The Lord gives us the same choice in today's lessons: “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.” So, then, which will you choose?
The way of life is clear, but not simple. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” This is the way of life; do this, and you will live.
There are some who would make the way of life seem as simple as any other choice in life. Will you choose black or brown pants today? Toast or cereal? Coffee or tea? Brown-bag or lunch out? Crest or Colgate? Charmin or Northern? Marry Leah or Rachel? The way of life or the way of death? Just pick one.
Or not.
Your way has been chosen for you, without any input from you whatsoever. By nature, because of the sin of Adam and Eve that infects each and every one of us, you were born into the way of death. Your selfish ambition, your covetousness and jealousy, your unwillingness to suffer for the sake of another – all these are the result of the sin born in you from your forefathers. And because of this sin, you were cast upon the way of death. You were blinded from ever even knowing about the way of life, much less following it. You were compelled to make your way through this earthly existence in darkness and death, trudging along by yourself. You were made to drag your burden of sin and guilt and shame everywhere you went. That load would keep building and building, until finally it broke upon you and crushed you beneath its awful weight. Then it would sink you into the depths of hell, into the abyss and outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. This is the choice inflicted upon you.
But you were not abandoned to that misery of an existence. Upon that dark and dismal way broke forth the light of heaven. Upon that road, in the midst of your trudge through death toward death, the Light of the World shone. In the dark night, the Lord of Life was born into this realm of death. He entered our forsaken path, and walked upon it with us. He, who knew no sin, became sin for us, that we might receive life. He trudged through this dark and dangerous wilderness. He carried our sorrows and bore our griefs. Jesus Christ, the Lord of Hosts, took up our cross and carried it to the bitter end. Upon our cross He was nailed. Upon our cross He shed His blood, that we might have the forgiveness of sins. Upon our cross He died, that we might receive His eternal life. And that one glorious death has destroyed death forevermore!
Furthermore, that event is not limited to the past happenings on that day in Israel long ago. The Holy Spirit comes to each of us in our own darkness and calls from death to life. He breaks into our dead hearts of stone and gives us beating hearts of flesh, full of the life of Christ. He calls us forth out of the shadows and shines the radiant light of life upon the path. He lifts up our heads, that we may see the road ahead. He lifts up our hearts, that we may rejoice in Christ's gifts. He lifts up our eyes, that we may see whence comes our help and strength and life. He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies us in the one true faith, together with all the Church on earth and all the saints in heaven.
So you have been set upon the way of life. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, you have been equipped for the journey ahead. In the light of Christ, you see the light on the path. You know what awaits you at the end of your path.
Come now, you wounded and weary. Come and receive food for the journey. Come and eat at the feast of salvation. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Receive in your mouth the food that will cleanse your sin and guilt away and strengthen and sustain you along the way of life. Then go forth with joy and break forth into singing! Your Light has shined, your Day has dawned!
Therefore, leave your father and mother, your family and friends, your toys and goodies. Pick up your cross and follow Jesus. Follow where our captain leads. Follow through the fight that lies ahead. Follow through the dark nights that will come upon you. Because you know that your path is sure, and your destination is paradise. Let the light of Christ so shine on and in you, that you may never stray from the way of life.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
