We call this youth confirmation today. A day where young people, who have studied God’s Word, publicly declare what God has been nurturing and growing in their hearts. So, that means that in a bit, Reagan will say things like, “I do reject the devil.” “I do believe in the inspired Word of God.” “I do want to remain in faith.” That is only possible because the God who planted faith in Reagan’s heart at baptism is the God who promises to remain faithful and provide everything he needs to continue living as his child. And because Reagan has studied the teachings of God’s Word and wants to continue living as a child of God, this is also the day when he is publicly welcomed to receive the Lord’s Supper. Certainly, this is one of those big days. I remember it well back in May of 1999. Maybe some of you also remember when you were confirmed, too.
But there is also another vibe to the service today. Do you notice it? About 5-10 minutes ago, I read God’s Word from 1 Corinthians 13, which is all about love, and then I read the command that Jesus gave before he suffered, died, and rose from the dead: “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” [1] And we just sang this beautiful hymn about the love God gives us to live as his loving people.[2] And then, Reagan, what are you wearing right now? …a pretty white gown. And in a little bit, Reagan, you are going promise that you want to be “faithful until death.” And after the service there is a reception, and I’m sure there are cards and gifts for you.
What kind of vibe is that? It kind of sounds a little bit like a wedding, doesn’t it? But before you start thinking that is really weird, just hear me out. I think it’s awesome, because what can so often happen on a Confirmation Day is that we start to look at the confirmands. Reagan, we start to look at your accomplishment. “Wow, look at you! You did it! Yay!” For three years he came to classes. Yup, that means Reagan here even had to put up with the COVID stuff that made catechism classes go virtual for a while back in 2020. But he memorized the passages and handed in worship reviews. And he participated in class. And this past Thursday he made it through the public profession of faith that we call, The Examination! And so now here we are to roll out the red carpet so that Reagan can get his moment in the spotlight.
And that’s not what Confirmation Day is for. Now, it’s true, we can do some of those very same things at weddings. We can make it all about the bride and the groom. We can put them in the spotlight and say it’s their day and celebrate their public promises to each other with a celebration and presents and dancing and food and cake. But I also hope that at a wedding you hear a little bit about love. And when you hear about love, then we have to remember the source of love. And that is always our Lord. That’s why I’m pumped that there is a little bit of a wedding vibe to the service today, because it means that we all get to be reminded of God’s love for us.
That’s what we need. We don’t need another day to try to glorify ourselves. We do that so much already. We look for every opportunity to take the recognition. Maybe you don’t want to admit that. Maybe you think to yourself, “No, I don’t want all the recognition. I just want to be in the background. I just want to be helpful and supportive.” Well, do you know what that is? That is also a way of seeking praise. The praise you want is the kind that comes from within. It’s convincing yourself that you win the comparison. And that’s another form of recognition.
No matter who you are, there is a natural tendency for us to focus on ourselves. I do it. You do it. Reagan does it. We all do it, because we are born with it. Reagan, let’s ask your mom and dad, when he was born, did he immediately start asking, “Mom, Dad, thank you so much. What can I do for you? How can I show you my appreciation for everything you just did?” Is that what happened? No! Reagan the second you were born, you were saying, “Feed me. Change me. Put me down. I’m tired. Pick me up. I’m awake. Put me down. I want to roll around. Pick me up. I’m tired. Now, I’m hungry. Now, I’m messy. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. This is the Reagan show now. You better deal with it.”
It’s how we are all born into this world. It’s selfish. It’s not loving at all, in any way, whatsoever. It’s actually sinful. It’s not the way God designed us to be. God designed us to be like him. Remember that? When God made everything it was perfect. And the crown of his creation was man and woman. We were made in God’s image. That means we were made perfect. We looked like God, not in our physical appearance but in our hearts and in our attitudes, in our selfless words and actions.
And that means we were made to be loving, compassionate, and selfless. We were made to be the “hey everyone, look at how awesome I am, don’t you all want to praise me now? Don’t you all want to be just like me?” kind of way. We were not made to be the kind of people who sound like annoying gongs or clanging cymbals, always using our skills to make ourselves look good. We were not made to so much better than everyone else. We were not made to boast in how well we can handle our situations. We were made to be loving, just like God.
But obviously, I am not. You are not. Reagan is not. I’ve seen you with your siblings and parents, and that little smirk you get. I don’t think that is love. All of this selfishness that we have, all of this need to be recognized, all of this desire for glory, it makes love so difficult. It makes love impossible for us. It makes us the opposite of this list we hear in 1 Corinthians 13. I know that I am not as patient as God wants me to be. I know I am not as kind. I know how jealous I can be. I know how arrogant and “me first” I am. I know how easy it is for me to find things wrong with other people. I know how much I want what I want. I know how quickly anger can flare. I know the list of wrongs that only gets longer. I know the times I walk down the wrong path away from God’s Word. I know the struggle of walking away when you should stand up for someone. I know how easy it is to think, “Yeah right, you say that now, but I’ll believe it when I see it.” I know who easy it is to give up. I know these things. Reagan, I think you do, too.
So, if you are here today to say that God is faithful and loving and you need him to continue to work in your heart. If you are here today to say that you trust his Word and sacraments are powerful and effective. If you are here today to say that you will continue to stay connected. If you are here today to say that you want to be the loving child that God intends you to be, then how is that possible? How is it possible for any of us? How can we be the kind of people that will be selfless and humble and compassionate and sacrificial and helpful and servant-like to others all the days of our lives? It seems like we are just setting you, Reagan, and ourselves up for a massive failure.
Well, that would be true if today was all about us. But it’s not. Remember what I said? It kind of has a little bit of a wedding vibe today, because we are talking about love. But whose love does this describe? Whose love is never annoying but always building us up in the truth? Whose love is never worthless but always able to accomplish incredible and miraculous things? Whose love is always able to handle every single problem and situation that comes up? Whose love is patient and kind and completely humble and servant-like, unwilling to grab all the credit, even though he deserves all the credit? Whose love is never dishonoring others, never seeking self, never easily angered, never keeping score? Whose love hates evil and rejoices only in the eternal truth? Whose love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres? Whose love never fails? Whose? Reagan, yours? A pastor’s? parents’? friends’? NO. We can’t put our names in those descriptions. Only one.
Jesus. The one who humbled himself to serve us. The one who lowered himself to suffer and die for sinners. The one who took the punishment we deserve. Jesus is the one who we are here to talk about. Jesus is the one who shows us what love is. Jesus is the one who provides us with the selfless love that removes our sins. Jesus is the one who has the compassionate power to conquer death so that we can live forever with him. Jesus never fails.
Reagan, that’s why you are here. That’s why I am here. That’s why we are all here. And that’s why we continue to seek out ways to grow in God’s grace. Only his love can save us. Only God’s love can make us children who are no longer destined for death and hell. Only God’s love can make us new creatures, made in God’s likeness to serve him and others with compassion and humble joy.
So, that’s why it’s a good thing today has a little bit of a wedding vibe. Because today is all about God’s perfect love for us and how we get to love one another. Reagan, our Lord and Savior he works this into your heart and into your life. That’s why you are here today. That’s why we are all here, God’s love given to us in Jesus. And God’s love will continue to keep us all faithful, til death do us part.
God grant it. Amen.
[1] John 13:34
[2] O How Good It Is – 731 in Christian Worship
Pastor Tom Moldenhauer 