Easter 5 + Cantate

Text: Isaiah 12:1-6

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

I know, for some of you, singing “isn’t your thing.”

That makes me a little sad for a couple of reasons. First, music is such an important part of Scripture.

Think about this: In Genesis, God created the music of even the birds.

The people of Moses sang to proclaim God’s victory over Pharoah in the Red Sea.

The Psalms were written to be sung; they’re meant to be sung.

Jesus even sang the Psalms on the night of his betrayal and arrest. It says in the Gospel of Matthew, “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” (Matthew 26:30)

But secondly, my sadness is because I love music. As a child, I remember how my mother would sing her heart out whether we were in the car traveling to see Grandma and Grandpa or in the church pew. One of the things about my mother was that she didn’t care what others thought of her singing either. She just sang.

In a way, she was an image of Will Ferrell, who played Buddy in the movie Elf, who said, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”

Just sing and sing loud.

I know, for some of you, “Singing isn’t your thing.”

But think about the tremendous gift my mother provided me as she sang not only the songs of this world but especially the Church’s song. Reflect on how the hymns of the Church taught me the faith she was taught and how they confessed the faith she possessed.

You see, whether we like it or not, we are images or icons of our parents. We take on their characteristics and traits. As children, we look up and love our parents, often wanting to be them.

This is one of the reasons I grew to love music: because my mom loved music.

But I know, for some of you, “Singing isn’t your thing.”

Well, you're in luck today, or maybe you aren’t. The Fifth Sunday of Easter is known as Cantate Sunday. This title, of course, comes from the introit, and it simply means to “Sing!”

For that reason, it seems incredibly appropriate that this be a Lutheran Sunday, as the Lutheran Church has long been known as the “Singing Church.”

One reason for this is Martin Luther’s love of music and how he employed music to teach and confess the faith to young and old alike.

Luther once said,

“Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through Music.” (Martin Luther)

In fact, Luther used hymnody to put the whole Divine Service to music; look at Divine Service Setting five sometime in the hymnal.

But why should we sing? Well, again, look to the words of the introit today, it read,
Sing to the Lord a new song,
            for he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

A “new song” must imply there was an “old song,” too.

So, what was that old song?

The old song was very real. It was known as the song of Moses, the song of God’s triumph over Pharoah and his army in the Exodus; it proclaimed Israel’s redemption from slavery.

However, the new song not only looked forward beyond the Old Testament but became your song in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

You heard this great joy being proclaimed in the Old Testament reading today as Isaiah wrote,

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” (Is 12:2)

But what is the cause of this song for Isaiah? What is the force that propels Isaiah to tell God’s people to break forth in hymns and songs of praise?

He says, “[God] has become my salvation.”

Well, how does God become your salvation? Look to the first verse of the Old Testament reading, where Isaiah wrote,

You will say in that day:
             “I will give thanks to you, O LORD,
                        for though you were angry with me,
             your anger turned away,
                        that you might comfort me.

Salvation is the result of God turning away His anger from you.

While your sin, your lack of faith and trust in God alone, causes Him anger, your confession of these sins now causes Him to turn away His anger from you, and instead, He now grants you His forgiveness and comfort.

In this way, the “Lord God is [your] strength and [your] song, and he has become [your] salvation.”

Martin Luther puts it this way as he wrote regarding these passages he says “This is a description of the peace that comes after the forgiveness of sins has been received” (AE 16:129)

And so, the Church rejoices and sings in the glory of this great Easter news that continually finds us returning here to this sanctuary as Isaiah writes, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” (Is 12:3)

This sanctuary becomes an oasis, a well for God’s people.

Just as Israel was rescued out of Egypt and the waters of the Red Sea drowned hardhearted Pharoah, the waters of baptism continue to drown your sin with every confession you make. And in the absolution of your sin, your baptism continues to spring forth the heavenly joy drawn from the well of salvation, drawn from the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

So, for this great gift of forgiveness, peace, and salvation, we join Isaiah as he wrote,
“Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name; make known his deeds among the nations, proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth.”

(Is 12:4–5)

This is what we do as we gather here each and every Sunday: we “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; [we] let this be known in all the earth.” (Is 12:5)

Why?

As we gather here around God’s Word and Sacraments, we are brought into the midst of the “Holy One of Israel.” (Isaiah 12:6b). We are brought into the midst of God where He feeds and nourishes us with His salvation. The forgiveness won for you upon the cross.

For this great joy, we can do nothing other than sing loudly for all to hear.

To make known in all the earth the glory and salvation of God here among your brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. Especially the littlest that look upon us with attentive ears and adoring eyes.

So sing, my friends, tell of God’s Salvation, tell of His resurrection and the resurrection He now gives you in word and song; sing the song of heaven now. +INJ+

Rev. Noah J. Rogness
Pastor
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church