THE CHURCH CAN'T STAND STILL
The Church is not stagnant. “The holy Christian Church” that we confess in both the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, that group of people who believe in Jesus as their Savior throughout this world, the congregation that has no walls and whose membership only the Lord knows - this Church is not stationary. This Church is fluid. It is always moving. It is always shifting - finding its way into places you would never expect and leaving the lands it had once occupied for so long. And it is the Lord himself who guides his Church to the far reaches of the earth, searching out those who are his and building up his Church with them and around them.
The Church cannot stand still. It moves with the Word of God. It is carried on the tongues of preachers and teachers and every-day Christians. It is found wherever the gospel is heard. And that has always been true. Throughout the history of this world the Church has relocated, it has been expanded, it has been withdrawn, it has been repositioned, it has never remained in one place, and it has always prevailed.
In the years after Jesus’ ascension into heaven, his twelve faithful disciples saw exactly what the Lord could do with his Church. They watched it grow exponentially in a very short time. They watched it spread to lands they had never been to before. And they came to the realization that the Church of God couldn’t stand still. It had to move. And it did move; it rode on the pages of Scripture wherever these disciples took it - just as Jesus promised them it would. This promise it written for us at the very end of Mark’s gospel: 16:15-20. 15He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." 19After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
The Church in those early years certainly did not stand still. As the disciples went out, so did the Church. As new believers were made, the Church expanded its ranks. And as those new Christians in turn shared the gospel with others, “the Lord worked with them” to accomplish his will. The Church didn’t slow down at all after Jesus ascended into heaven. In fact, it seems to have sped up. And it’s not going to slow down anytime soon. The Lord is always pushing his Church in new directions to new people in new places. And he will make sure that every one of his lost sheep throughout the world is found so that they will be forever fed with his life-giving Word.
I just wish I could stop getting in his way. The Lord is set on establishing his Church in households that have yet to welcome him and in hearts that have yet to know him. And just as he used his original disciples to carry out his plans, he uses his disciples today to do the same thing. And so I wish I could stop getting in his way! Because instead of working towards God’s ultimate purpose for his Church, a lot of times that is the farthest thing from my mind as I go about my day. Instead looking for every opportunity to share his Word with someone else, I look for every excuse not to. God’s Church will thrive, of course. He will make it spread regardless of what I do or what I don’t do, but I sure don’t make it any easier for him. He wants to work with me, but I think he probably ends up working around me in many situations. He wants to move forward through me, but I’m sure he sometimes has to forge ahead in spite of me. And that has to get a little frustrating for the Lord to keep doing day in and day out when I should be in the front lines, but I’m instead hiding back in the tents.
Most of you know that for many summers that I worked in the corn fields of Nebraska when I was younger. Four of those years I spent with my own crew that I would take out and work with. On occasion, though, the supervisors back in the office thought it would be good to throw a young kid or two out with my group who had never worked a day in their young lives. And not only were they unable to do the work, they created more work for the rest of us because we had to clean up after them. It was frustrating. It slowed us down. It hurt our crew instead of helped us. I’m sure most of you, if not all of you, have worked with someone who held you back. Whether it was an apathetic co-worker or an incompetent supervisor or a lazy family member or someone who just physically could not do the work that was required, most of you have had to pick up the slack for someone else at one time or another. You were going to get the work done - it had to get done - but the person working next to you wasn’t making things any easier. In fact, that person probably got in the way more than anything else. I think sometimes that is what happens with us as the Lord works to spread his kingdom. We keep getting in the way. We are apathetic (uncaring) and incompetent and lazy and simply unable to do what needs to be done at times. And so when he moves the Church forward, we aren’t in the lead, we are barely making an effort at all while making even more work for the Lord who has to clean up after us.
So if and when this congregation grows, it’ll be a miracle! because our expansion certainly won’t be based on our own efforts and abilities. If our Wisconsin Lutheran Synod prospers for another 150 years in this country, it’ll be a miracle! because our longevity certainly won’t be because of our expertise and intelligence. If you and I remain believers for the rest of our days on this earth, it’ll be a miracle! because our enduring faith certainly won’t be dependant on our dedication and commitment to the Lord! And that’s a good thing. It’s a good thing that our faith and our Synod and our congregation and the Church at large isn’t dependant on anything we do. Because we are unstable people. We are not dependable. We are sinners. And as sinners we will always prove to be unreliable when it comes to the work God has given us to do.
Of course, that’s nothing unique among the people of this world. You can be sure that even Jesus’ 12 disciples were unreliable at times. Judas son of James, Simon the Zealot, James son of Alpheaus, Matthias and the rest of the disciples were definitely faithful Christians, but they were sinners just like you and I. They faltered. They messed up. They got in the way of God promoting his Church at times. But even though they were sinful, that did not prohibit them from being members of his Church. No, they were important pieces of God’s kingdom and they were completely confident that just as the Church would undoubtedly grow, they would undoubtedly always belong to its membership.
But how could they be so sure? How could those disciples be so sure that they would remain members of God’s invisible and everlasting Church if they themselves were unstable and sporadic and sinful? They could be so sure because they knew that their membership in the holy Christian Church was not based on what they were able to do to remain there; it was based on what Christ had done to get them there. And they saw what their Savior had done with their own eyes.
At the time of our sermon text in Mark 16, these men were talking to the resurrected Lord! These men had watched him give up his life on the cross for their sins! These men were the recipients of the very first Lord Supper! These men watched as Jesus performed dozens and dozens of miracles for many different people in many different ways. These men saw the Holy Spirit come down in the form of a dove and they heard with their own ears the voice of the Father when Jesus was baptized! These disciples had their salvation performed for them right in front of their faces for the past three years! They watched it and heard it and touched it and believed it. There was no doubt about what Jesus had done for them and there was no doubt about what it meant. Jesus had won. He had accomplished everything he came to do. He conquered every enemy there ever was. And he had brought the Church to them. And he built up his Church with them and around them and through them. And now as long as the Church would endure, so would they.
You have that same assurance. You can be just as convinced that you will always be a member of the holy Christian Church because Christ has done the same thing for you. He has ascended into heaven and sits at his Father’s right hand, he has risen from the dead, he has died on the cross, he has suffered for your sins, he has lived a life of righteousness and holiness, and he has accomplished it all in your place for your sake. He has won your membership. And he has brought the Church to you. You have been swept up by his pillars and placed in its pews. You have been captivated by its pulpit, comforted by its altar, and cleansed in its font. You are officially on the membership list of this pure and changeless Church of God and your name will never be removed. Your name will never even be erased on account of your sins because your sins have already been erased on account of your Savior. That is the benefit of being a member of this Church: you never have to worry. You never have to doubt. Your salvation is secure.
Isn’t it a joy to know that you did not have to find this Church, but God made sure that his Church found you? The Lord stretched out the boundaries of his Church over rivers and seas, borders and cultures, persecutions and generations to find you. He brought the Church right to you through a family member or through a friend or through a complete stranger. He welcomed you home even though you had never been there before. He accepted you as a child even though you didn’t know he had always been your Father. Because he knew you from before time began. He knew where you needed to be. And now that he has you, he will never let you go.
That is God’s passion for you. That is God’s passion for his Church. He longs to seek out its future members wherever they may be. And with the Word of God working faith in their hearts he brings them in to stay. Can those who once believed fall away? Yes they can. But that is because they lose sight of the Lord’s promises and start to rely on themselves. Do not look inward; there is nothing good there. Look upward. To the King of the Church, to the Head of the Church. He will sustain you. He will secure you. He has given you the promise of eternal life and his promises never fail.
And now it’s time for this Church - of which you are a proud member - to keep moving. Because it can’t stand still. It did not stand still and wait for you to find it. It arrived in your country, in your state, at your front door, in your heart. And it will always search out the hearts of others. It will keep going. It will keep moving. It will keep being driven by the Word of God. And you, you get to play a role in that search and rescue! You get to bring the Church to others! You get to find yet another undeserving recipient of God’s grace! Find those avenues in which the Church can move. Open the doors so that God’s Word can spread like wild fire. The Lord promises to work with you as he did with his very first disciples. And by God’s grace, with his powerful Word, and through you, he will add to the numbers of his Church daily those who are being saved.
Amen.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.” - Psalm 33:12
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
8/16/09 - Judas Iscariot {Christ's Compassion} - John 13:21-28
BEFRIENDING THE BETRAYER
Jesus befriended many different kinds of people during his life on this earth - people who didn’t have many friends at all. He reached out to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, he went out of his way for the despised tax collector Zacchaeus, he stood up for a woman accused of adultery, he took time to heal a man alienated from society because he was possessed by demons... Christ’s concern for the outcast and the rejected, his compassion for the young children and the severely crippled and the desperately lonely is staggering. Because he actually sought out these kind of people! He longed for and cared for and even ached for those who had no one else. Jesus wasn’t interested in what others could do for him or what other people thought about his associations. He was too occupied with what he could do to meet the needs of others.
Christ’s compassion is detailed for us in dozens of different stories throughout Scripture. But his care and concern for a single person is nowhere more remarkable than in the life of Judas Iscariot. Judas, of course, was THE betrayer of the Lord himself! Nothing good is said of him in Scripture and, in fact, he was so deceitful that even those who aren’t Christians know the name of this infamous disciple. And yet, on multiple occasions, Jesus showed a genuine love for Judas. He wanted to help him with his problems. He wanted to relieve him of his troubles. Jesus wanted to befriend his betrayer. And in the upper room on Maundy Thursday evening, Christ’s compassion for the man who would soon hand him over to his enemies is undeniably clear. 21After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me." 22His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means." 25Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" 26Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. 27As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. "What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, 28but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him.
Do you see how the Lord’s heart hurt for Judas? Jesus longed for this disciple’s reconciliation so much that he “was troubled in spirit” and he couldn’t help but reveal to his disciples that someone in the room was going to betray him. And when he was directly asked who it would be, he did not hesitate, but sadly handed that dipped piece of bread to Judas in front of the rest of his followers. Jesus left no doubt that he was fully aware of what was going on so that Judas might admit his sin and repent. And if that public demonstration of Judas’ guilt wasn’t enough, Jesus finally said directly to this traitor: “What you are about to do, do quickly.” “I know, Judas! I know what you’ve been planning. I know about the 30 silver coins in your pocket. I know about the mob waiting for your word to meet me in the Garden. I know about the hypocritical kiss you plan to give me in just a few hours. Judas, I know what you’re up to. I know your heart.” It must have ripped Jesus apart to say these words to one of his chosen twelve. Because Jesus knew everything. He was not fooled. He was not surprised. And he made that clear to Judas in order that this thief and back-stabber might stop what he was about to do and once again believe in his Savior. Of course, Jesus also knew that Judas was too far gone. He wouldn’t come back. He wouldn’t repent. But Jesus tried anyway. Because he loved Judas. Isn’t that remarkable? Jesus loved Judas! He was filled with so much compassion for Judas that he did everything he could to befriend his betrayer. But Judas didn’t want Jesus as his friend. He just wanted the money. And so when Judas left the upper room that night, Jesus was disappointed to see him leave, but he also let him go. Not because he didn’t care anymore, but because he did care. He cared enough for Judas to allow this traitor to take him one step closer to the cross so that he could die for Judas’ sins. And so even the worst thing Judas did to him Jesus worked out for Judas’ good.
Christ is the epitome of compassion. His care and concern for Judas Iscariot is incredible. And realize how different Christ’s compassion is here than any other act of compassion we observe on this earth. Normally, when we think of “compassionate” people, we think of those who have a special place in their hearts for abandoned children or battered women or the mentally disabled or the forgotten elderly… And although that is certainly a commendable Christian quality to have, this kind of compassion does not even compare to the compassion of Christ. Because the type of compassion that is found even in the most noble of Christians in this life is a tenderness for those who are helpless through no fault of their own. Abandoned children, battered women, mentally disabled, and forgotten elderly have done nothing to bring upon themselves the situations they are in; and they certainly have done nothing against the one who is filled with compassion for them. But Christ’s compassion for Judas is far more impressive. It was a profound and intense love for a person who was helpless through every fault of his own! He had done everything to put himself in the situation he was in. Judas had even lied and sold out and plotted against the very one who was filled with compassion for him! Jesus’ compassion for Judas was not just for one who was helpless, but for one who was hurtful and harmful. It was not just for one who was in an unfortunate situation, but for one who was to blame for the situation at hand. That’s why Jesus’ compassion for Judas is so unique. He had compassion for his worst enemy. And because of that, Jesus’ compassion for Judas was never going to change. No matter how many sins Judas committed against him, the Lord would always love him. Because Christ’s compassion is not based on some emotional feeling, but on his choice to care for sinners. Even the stubbornly sinful ones.
I think we are like Judas Iscariot in more ways than we would care to compare ourselves. And especially in this story of Judas on the night of the Passover, his sinful stubbornness is really no different from ours. First of all, he was sitting at the same table of the one he was going to betray that night, but Judas reclined there as if nothing was out of the ordinary. And when Jesus verbally predicted that one of his 12 disciples would hand him over to the enemy, Judas actually acted surprised and dismayed! Even when Jesus handed him that piece of bread Judas didn’t come clean. He stubbornly kept silent. And when Jesus spoke to him personally and told him to do what he had to do quickly, Judas still didn’t admit the sinfulness of his actions. He ignored his conscience, he turned his back on Jesus, and he walked out the door. And I can’t help but see a sad similarity with the stubbornness we display when it comes to our own sins.
There are times when our conscience tugs at us, and we know for a split second that what we are saying is not Christian or what we are doing is not right or what we are thinking is not appropriate in any way, but as quickly as possible we push that thought out of our minds because we stubbornly want to do this particular thing right now and we can deal with that guilty feeling later. And then there are times when we read something in the Bible or hear something in the sermon that hits us hard, words that convict us of something we’ve done, but we end up stubbornly denying it anyway. We tell ourselves that maybe those words of the law apply to others but we really have a legitimate excuse for our actions. And then there are times when commit a sin and we just don’t care. It was worth it or it was unavoidable or it was something that wasn’t too big of a deal. We ignore our consciences, we turn our backs on Jesus, and we walk out the door. Our stubborn refusal to admit our sinfulness at times is nothing different than what Judas did. God reaches out to us in his Word so that we might repent but we knock his hands down. The Lord attempts to befriend us by his grace but we turn the other way. The Lord shows us an unfathomable amount of compassion but there are times when we don’t even want it because we don’t think we need. Our stubbornness in sin is a dangerous thing. It is a deadly thing. It is worthy of the name “Iscariot.”
But if it is true that we act like Judas Iscariot, then it is also true that we are shown the same amount of compassion from the Lord. Just as Jesus loved Judas, Jesus loves you. He longs for you. He aches for you. In fact, Jesus let Judas walk out that door for you. He allowed Judas to kiss him on the cheek for you. He even permitted Judas to condemn himself, so that God himself would be condemned for you. Jesus did not look forward to Judas’ betrayal and his consequent suicide. But he knew that was the way he was going to save you. He knew that was the way in which his blood would be poured out on the cross and your forgiveness would be secured. He prayed to his Father in the Garden of Gethsemane that night: “If there is any other way… but if it has to be this way - if this is your will - then I am willing to do it.” For you. Because he is overflowing with compassion for the helpless, the lost, and the Judas’ of this world. And thankfully he has worked in your heart and he has worked in my heart to bring us to repentance and faith so that we do not end up like Judas. We are turned away from sin. We are brought back to our Savior. We are reconciled and forgiven by our great and loving and compassionate God.
And we can never pay him back. We can never become worthy enough to have earned the compassion he has shown us. And that’s OK. Because he doesn’t ask us to earn it or to repay him in some way. He just wants us to thank him. He is pleased when we thank him with our words and with our hearts, but also with our actions. He enjoys when we take that marvelous compassion that he has shown us and display that same compassion to others. Because there will be plenty of Judas’ in your own life. People whom you do not like. People who hate you. People who stab you in the back and despise everything that you are. But the Lord died for them too. The Lord rose from the grave for them too. The Lord holds out his hands and calls to them from the pages of Scripture and is filled with a never-ending compassion for them too. He wants them to be saved just as much as he wanted Judas to believe in him. He wants them to be forgiven just as much as he wanted your sins to be wiped away. And so for the Lord’s sake: care for those people who do not care for you. Be concerned about those souls who are not concerned about their souls. Have compassion on those who have every right to be left for dead. Befriend Christ’s betrayers. Show them the Lord’s love. Let them know what he did for them on the cross. And reveal to them that their Savior will never give up on them no matter how sinful they are, just as he never gives up on you. A compassion God is an easy God to love. A compassionate God is an easy God to share. Share him with the Judas’ of your life so that they do not end up like Judas, but end up with you. Because there is not other way to relieve the suffering of another, there is no other way to comfort a troubled soul, there is no other way to give someone peace, than through the love and care and concern of their compassionate God.
Amen.
“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” - 2 Thess. 3:5
Jesus befriended many different kinds of people during his life on this earth - people who didn’t have many friends at all. He reached out to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, he went out of his way for the despised tax collector Zacchaeus, he stood up for a woman accused of adultery, he took time to heal a man alienated from society because he was possessed by demons... Christ’s concern for the outcast and the rejected, his compassion for the young children and the severely crippled and the desperately lonely is staggering. Because he actually sought out these kind of people! He longed for and cared for and even ached for those who had no one else. Jesus wasn’t interested in what others could do for him or what other people thought about his associations. He was too occupied with what he could do to meet the needs of others.
Christ’s compassion is detailed for us in dozens of different stories throughout Scripture. But his care and concern for a single person is nowhere more remarkable than in the life of Judas Iscariot. Judas, of course, was THE betrayer of the Lord himself! Nothing good is said of him in Scripture and, in fact, he was so deceitful that even those who aren’t Christians know the name of this infamous disciple. And yet, on multiple occasions, Jesus showed a genuine love for Judas. He wanted to help him with his problems. He wanted to relieve him of his troubles. Jesus wanted to befriend his betrayer. And in the upper room on Maundy Thursday evening, Christ’s compassion for the man who would soon hand him over to his enemies is undeniably clear. 21After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me." 22His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means." 25Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" 26Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. 27As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. "What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, 28but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him.
Do you see how the Lord’s heart hurt for Judas? Jesus longed for this disciple’s reconciliation so much that he “was troubled in spirit” and he couldn’t help but reveal to his disciples that someone in the room was going to betray him. And when he was directly asked who it would be, he did not hesitate, but sadly handed that dipped piece of bread to Judas in front of the rest of his followers. Jesus left no doubt that he was fully aware of what was going on so that Judas might admit his sin and repent. And if that public demonstration of Judas’ guilt wasn’t enough, Jesus finally said directly to this traitor: “What you are about to do, do quickly.” “I know, Judas! I know what you’ve been planning. I know about the 30 silver coins in your pocket. I know about the mob waiting for your word to meet me in the Garden. I know about the hypocritical kiss you plan to give me in just a few hours. Judas, I know what you’re up to. I know your heart.” It must have ripped Jesus apart to say these words to one of his chosen twelve. Because Jesus knew everything. He was not fooled. He was not surprised. And he made that clear to Judas in order that this thief and back-stabber might stop what he was about to do and once again believe in his Savior. Of course, Jesus also knew that Judas was too far gone. He wouldn’t come back. He wouldn’t repent. But Jesus tried anyway. Because he loved Judas. Isn’t that remarkable? Jesus loved Judas! He was filled with so much compassion for Judas that he did everything he could to befriend his betrayer. But Judas didn’t want Jesus as his friend. He just wanted the money. And so when Judas left the upper room that night, Jesus was disappointed to see him leave, but he also let him go. Not because he didn’t care anymore, but because he did care. He cared enough for Judas to allow this traitor to take him one step closer to the cross so that he could die for Judas’ sins. And so even the worst thing Judas did to him Jesus worked out for Judas’ good.
Christ is the epitome of compassion. His care and concern for Judas Iscariot is incredible. And realize how different Christ’s compassion is here than any other act of compassion we observe on this earth. Normally, when we think of “compassionate” people, we think of those who have a special place in their hearts for abandoned children or battered women or the mentally disabled or the forgotten elderly… And although that is certainly a commendable Christian quality to have, this kind of compassion does not even compare to the compassion of Christ. Because the type of compassion that is found even in the most noble of Christians in this life is a tenderness for those who are helpless through no fault of their own. Abandoned children, battered women, mentally disabled, and forgotten elderly have done nothing to bring upon themselves the situations they are in; and they certainly have done nothing against the one who is filled with compassion for them. But Christ’s compassion for Judas is far more impressive. It was a profound and intense love for a person who was helpless through every fault of his own! He had done everything to put himself in the situation he was in. Judas had even lied and sold out and plotted against the very one who was filled with compassion for him! Jesus’ compassion for Judas was not just for one who was helpless, but for one who was hurtful and harmful. It was not just for one who was in an unfortunate situation, but for one who was to blame for the situation at hand. That’s why Jesus’ compassion for Judas is so unique. He had compassion for his worst enemy. And because of that, Jesus’ compassion for Judas was never going to change. No matter how many sins Judas committed against him, the Lord would always love him. Because Christ’s compassion is not based on some emotional feeling, but on his choice to care for sinners. Even the stubbornly sinful ones.
I think we are like Judas Iscariot in more ways than we would care to compare ourselves. And especially in this story of Judas on the night of the Passover, his sinful stubbornness is really no different from ours. First of all, he was sitting at the same table of the one he was going to betray that night, but Judas reclined there as if nothing was out of the ordinary. And when Jesus verbally predicted that one of his 12 disciples would hand him over to the enemy, Judas actually acted surprised and dismayed! Even when Jesus handed him that piece of bread Judas didn’t come clean. He stubbornly kept silent. And when Jesus spoke to him personally and told him to do what he had to do quickly, Judas still didn’t admit the sinfulness of his actions. He ignored his conscience, he turned his back on Jesus, and he walked out the door. And I can’t help but see a sad similarity with the stubbornness we display when it comes to our own sins.
There are times when our conscience tugs at us, and we know for a split second that what we are saying is not Christian or what we are doing is not right or what we are thinking is not appropriate in any way, but as quickly as possible we push that thought out of our minds because we stubbornly want to do this particular thing right now and we can deal with that guilty feeling later. And then there are times when we read something in the Bible or hear something in the sermon that hits us hard, words that convict us of something we’ve done, but we end up stubbornly denying it anyway. We tell ourselves that maybe those words of the law apply to others but we really have a legitimate excuse for our actions. And then there are times when commit a sin and we just don’t care. It was worth it or it was unavoidable or it was something that wasn’t too big of a deal. We ignore our consciences, we turn our backs on Jesus, and we walk out the door. Our stubborn refusal to admit our sinfulness at times is nothing different than what Judas did. God reaches out to us in his Word so that we might repent but we knock his hands down. The Lord attempts to befriend us by his grace but we turn the other way. The Lord shows us an unfathomable amount of compassion but there are times when we don’t even want it because we don’t think we need. Our stubbornness in sin is a dangerous thing. It is a deadly thing. It is worthy of the name “Iscariot.”
But if it is true that we act like Judas Iscariot, then it is also true that we are shown the same amount of compassion from the Lord. Just as Jesus loved Judas, Jesus loves you. He longs for you. He aches for you. In fact, Jesus let Judas walk out that door for you. He allowed Judas to kiss him on the cheek for you. He even permitted Judas to condemn himself, so that God himself would be condemned for you. Jesus did not look forward to Judas’ betrayal and his consequent suicide. But he knew that was the way he was going to save you. He knew that was the way in which his blood would be poured out on the cross and your forgiveness would be secured. He prayed to his Father in the Garden of Gethsemane that night: “If there is any other way… but if it has to be this way - if this is your will - then I am willing to do it.” For you. Because he is overflowing with compassion for the helpless, the lost, and the Judas’ of this world. And thankfully he has worked in your heart and he has worked in my heart to bring us to repentance and faith so that we do not end up like Judas. We are turned away from sin. We are brought back to our Savior. We are reconciled and forgiven by our great and loving and compassionate God.
And we can never pay him back. We can never become worthy enough to have earned the compassion he has shown us. And that’s OK. Because he doesn’t ask us to earn it or to repay him in some way. He just wants us to thank him. He is pleased when we thank him with our words and with our hearts, but also with our actions. He enjoys when we take that marvelous compassion that he has shown us and display that same compassion to others. Because there will be plenty of Judas’ in your own life. People whom you do not like. People who hate you. People who stab you in the back and despise everything that you are. But the Lord died for them too. The Lord rose from the grave for them too. The Lord holds out his hands and calls to them from the pages of Scripture and is filled with a never-ending compassion for them too. He wants them to be saved just as much as he wanted Judas to believe in him. He wants them to be forgiven just as much as he wanted your sins to be wiped away. And so for the Lord’s sake: care for those people who do not care for you. Be concerned about those souls who are not concerned about their souls. Have compassion on those who have every right to be left for dead. Befriend Christ’s betrayers. Show them the Lord’s love. Let them know what he did for them on the cross. And reveal to them that their Savior will never give up on them no matter how sinful they are, just as he never gives up on you. A compassion God is an easy God to love. A compassionate God is an easy God to share. Share him with the Judas’ of your life so that they do not end up like Judas, but end up with you. Because there is not other way to relieve the suffering of another, there is no other way to comfort a troubled soul, there is no other way to give someone peace, than through the love and care and concern of their compassionate God.
Amen.
“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” - 2 Thess. 3:5
Friday, August 14, 2009
8/9/09 - John 11:7-16 - Thomas and Nathanael {Repentance}
ASSUME THE BEST
Very few children are pessimists. On the contrary, children are usually the most unwavering optimists. They are hopeful. They are filled with dreams and goals and possibilities no matter how unrealistic they may be. Children expect something good to come from any situation. They look for the things that will make them happy. They assume that the best will happen.
But then children start to grow up. And they begin to realize that the best doesn’t always happen. And after years of experiencing sinful actions of sinful people in a sinful world, they aren’t so naively optimistic anymore. And after they are slapped in the face by the harshness of reality over and over again, forcing them to accept the fact that the dreams and the goals and the possibilities that they once had are not going to come true - then they even become a little pessimistic. In fact, the older people get the more pessimistic many people become. Instead of looking forward with hope, they look back with regret. Instead of being filled with joy about what could happen, they are filled with uneasiness and anxiety. Instead of assuming the best will happen, they assume the worst.
I think this is a decent description of the disciple Thomas. The way Scripture depicts this disciple is a man who was a pessimist - one who did not expect good things to happen and one who did not believe them even if they did. If Thomas is remembered for anything it is for doubting that Jesus had truly risen from the dead and refusing to admit it had happened unless he saw the nail holes with his own eyes. But other than that infamous night after Jesus’ resurrection, Thomas showed his skepticism in a lesser known story. It was right before Palm Sunday. Jesus was with his disciples on the other side of the Jordan River and he was welcoming all who came to him. And there Thomas, in a very sarcastic way, demonstrates his cynicism and doubt in the Lord’s perfect plans. This incident is written for us in John 11, and listen carefully to what Thomas says at the end of the story. 7Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea." 8"But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?" 9Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. 10It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light." 11After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up." 12His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." 13Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 14So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, 15and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." 16Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
Thomas did not expect anything good to happen if they were to go back to the land of Judea. Lazarus had already died so there was no point in going back to heal him. The Jews were looking to stone Jesus and so there was no reason to risk the trip if they didn’t have to. And there were crowds of people coming out to Jesus where he already was anyway. And so why go? Why bother with a pointless and life-threatening visit into enemy territory when things were going just fine on the other side of the Jordan River? Thomas was not too thrilled about Jesus’ decision. He couldn’t see the sense in it. In fact, he couldn’t see how anything good could come from this journey. And so he turns to his fellow disciples right after Jesus had revealed his plans and says, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." (“Let’s go, guys. If he really wants to go and get killed, we better go with him.”) That’s pessimistic sarcasm at its finest. No one would say something like that with a genuine sense of eagerness and joy. Thomas was not happy to be going back. He didn’t agree with the decision. Because he knew, he knew for certain that this was a bad idea and he expected the worst.
But do you remember what happened when they went back to the land of Judea? Instead of the worst, the best happened in every way. When they got to the city of Bethany Lazarus was certainly dead, but Jesus hadn’t arrived for a funeral service or to pay his respects. He came to raise Lazarus from the dead. And in front of Thomas and the rest of the disciples that’s exactly what he did. He called to Lazarus to come out of the tomb. And this man who had been dead for four days came out alive. But that wasn’t the only thing that happened while they were in Judea. Just a few days later Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. And a massive crowd threw palm branches and robes at his feet, shouting at the top of their lungs, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (John 12:13)! The Jews may have wanted to stone him, and the disciples may have been a little worried about the danger to their lives, but Jesus made sure that the Jewish crowds welcomed him and praised him nevertheless.
And, of course, Palm Sunday was the start of what we call “holy week.” This was the last week of Jesus’ life on this earth. Because Jesus decided to go back to Judea, Thomas and his fellow disciples were able to join Jesus in the upper room on Maundy Thursday evening, witnessing the very first Lord’s Supper and receiving the forgiveness of sins through the bread and wine / the body and blood. They then accompanied Jesus out to the Garden of Gethsemane and were in the presence of the Son of God while he prayed with an unparalleled passion to his Father in heaven. These disciples were then even allowed to escape with their lives from that scene while Jesus was arrested by Judas and the mob. Remember: Thomas sarcastically said he would die with Christ if they went back. But Jesus made sure that Thomas and the rest of the disciples did not die - nor were they even captured. And Jesus himself, although he did die as Thomas predicted, died only to rise again. Jesus was put to death by the Jews as the disciples had feared, but only to conquer death itself. Jesus’ life was ended because he went back to Judea, but only so that he could end the power of Satan and the sting of sin. Thomas had expected the worst. But Jesus worked it all out for the best.
I’m sure that Thomas repented of his pessimism after it was all said and done. After he witnessed what Jesus did at Lazarus’ resurrection, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, the ascension, and Pentecost, how could he have not repented? The Lord showed him in numerous ways that the best thing possible would always happen, that God’s plans would always succeed, that the Lord’s promises would never fail. I’m positive those events in the land of Judea humbled Thomas and maybe even turned him into an optimist... And I pray that these same things humble us.
Because we are pessimists sometimes, aren’t we? Even the most joyous and upbeat among us have a hard time staying positive during the difficult times that this life can bring. All of us can become unsure of God’s power and love when the best doesn’t seem like it will happen and even anything good seems highly unlikely to occur. Some of us might look at particular evangelism efforts of this congregation and say to ourselves, “That’s never going to work! Why even bother? I doubt this congregation will ever grow!” Do we have to be so pessimistic? Do we have to be so negative about God’s power and his love as if there is no way he would ever expand this congregation just because it doesn’t seem like he has done it before? Others of us observe the behavior of some of our fellow Christians and we just shake our heads in disgust. “When are they ever going to grow up and become spiritually mature? Why can’t they act like Christians should? They never help, they never pitch in, they never show up. I find it very hard to believe that their lives will ever match up to the faith they claim to have.” Do we have to be so pessimistic? Do we have to be so negative about God’s power and his love as if he cannot or does not want to work in the hearts of his children to motivate them in their sanctified lives? And still others - perhaps most of us - encounter difficult situations in our lives and we automatically think, “Nothing good will ever come from this. This is such a disaster, this is such a mess, there is so much hurt and pain and loss because of what happened that it is really going to be unsalvagable.” Do we have to be so pessimistic? Do we have to be so negative about God’s power and his love as if he cannot and will not turn even the most sinful of actions for the good of his people?
We are pessimistic in many respects. And that usually is because our past experiences and our sin-clouded foresight color our expectations. We think we know what will happen, we think we can see all of the options, we think there are only a certain number of results that can come from the situation at hand, but in the end we don’t know anything. We don’t know without a doubt what will happen. We don’t see all of the options at the Lord’s disposal. We don’t understand all of the possible results that could come from any given event. And when we assume that the worst will happen, we are assuming the worst of God who is in control of it all! We are assuming that the Lord either cannot or will not deliver the best. We are either doubting his power or his love. Even though he promises to make the best happen, even though he has proved throughout the history of this world that he always has delivered the best thing possible for his children, we still seem to regularly assume the worst.
This sinful attitude calls for repentance: an admission of our guilt and a firm grasp on the forgiveness won for us on the cross. That’s all repentance is: a sorrow over sin and faith in our Savior. And even that is something only worked in our hearts by God through his Word. It is a good thing to repent. It is a God-pleasing thing to repent. And know that he forgives every one of your sins without exception - even those sins of pessimism and cynicism and doubt. And because he forgives us for all of ours sins, he gives us every reason to be an optimist! And if you ever have a problem being optimistic at any point in your life: just look at what Thomas experienced in his life.
If you had accompanied Jesus to Bethany with the knowledge that Lazarus had died four days earlier, would you have ever guessed that Jesus would raise him from the dead? If you would have walked behind Jesus as he sat on a donkey and publically entered the gates of a city that wanted to kill him, would you have ever predicted that these people would praise his name and worship their Lord instead? If you had sat at the table in the upper room on Maundy Thursday know that this would be Jesus’ last meal, would you have ever thought that Jesus would use that opportunity to initiate the New Testament Supper of the Lord? Would you have ever figured out beforehand that Jesus would use Judas and the mob to prove his power? Would you have ever known that Jesus planned on performing a miraculous healing in the middle of his betrayal? Would you have ever thought that as Jesus’ disciple you would escape from that scene not only alive but free from the hands of those who captured your Lord? Would you have seen forgiveness dripping down from that cross instead of just blood? Would you have witnessed life in that tomb instead of just death? Would you have been filled with the joy of your salvation on Easter morning instead of fear and anxiety as the rest of the disciples had before they saw their risen Savior?
Some of the worst things possible happened to Jesus during the last few weeks of his life. But God took every one of those terrible things and turned them into the best. Not for the sake of Jesus, but for your sake! He made sure the best happened for you out of the worst that happened to Christ. And that is true for everything in this life. There is no reason for you to assume that the worst will happen in any situation because it can’t happen to you! The worst cannot and will not happen to God’s children. He won’t allow it. You might as well always assume that the best will happen because that’s exactly what the Lord promises. You may not like “the best.” You may not agree with “the best”. You may not see it as “the best” at the time, but you can be assured that nothing better could have been done by your loving Father. Yes, sins will be committed. Yes, tragedies will strike. Yes, catastrophes will disrupt your life. But know that God has planned for every one of them. He has already determined how and why and when and where they will help your faith and secure your salvation in some way. There is really no reason to be a pessimist because your future is already secured by your Savior’s power and love. And with your Lord’s power and love in control of everything that happens in this life, how could you not be an optimist?
Amen.
“The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:7
Very few children are pessimists. On the contrary, children are usually the most unwavering optimists. They are hopeful. They are filled with dreams and goals and possibilities no matter how unrealistic they may be. Children expect something good to come from any situation. They look for the things that will make them happy. They assume that the best will happen.
But then children start to grow up. And they begin to realize that the best doesn’t always happen. And after years of experiencing sinful actions of sinful people in a sinful world, they aren’t so naively optimistic anymore. And after they are slapped in the face by the harshness of reality over and over again, forcing them to accept the fact that the dreams and the goals and the possibilities that they once had are not going to come true - then they even become a little pessimistic. In fact, the older people get the more pessimistic many people become. Instead of looking forward with hope, they look back with regret. Instead of being filled with joy about what could happen, they are filled with uneasiness and anxiety. Instead of assuming the best will happen, they assume the worst.
I think this is a decent description of the disciple Thomas. The way Scripture depicts this disciple is a man who was a pessimist - one who did not expect good things to happen and one who did not believe them even if they did. If Thomas is remembered for anything it is for doubting that Jesus had truly risen from the dead and refusing to admit it had happened unless he saw the nail holes with his own eyes. But other than that infamous night after Jesus’ resurrection, Thomas showed his skepticism in a lesser known story. It was right before Palm Sunday. Jesus was with his disciples on the other side of the Jordan River and he was welcoming all who came to him. And there Thomas, in a very sarcastic way, demonstrates his cynicism and doubt in the Lord’s perfect plans. This incident is written for us in John 11, and listen carefully to what Thomas says at the end of the story. 7Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea." 8"But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?" 9Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. 10It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light." 11After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up." 12His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." 13Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 14So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, 15and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." 16Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
Thomas did not expect anything good to happen if they were to go back to the land of Judea. Lazarus had already died so there was no point in going back to heal him. The Jews were looking to stone Jesus and so there was no reason to risk the trip if they didn’t have to. And there were crowds of people coming out to Jesus where he already was anyway. And so why go? Why bother with a pointless and life-threatening visit into enemy territory when things were going just fine on the other side of the Jordan River? Thomas was not too thrilled about Jesus’ decision. He couldn’t see the sense in it. In fact, he couldn’t see how anything good could come from this journey. And so he turns to his fellow disciples right after Jesus had revealed his plans and says, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." (“Let’s go, guys. If he really wants to go and get killed, we better go with him.”) That’s pessimistic sarcasm at its finest. No one would say something like that with a genuine sense of eagerness and joy. Thomas was not happy to be going back. He didn’t agree with the decision. Because he knew, he knew for certain that this was a bad idea and he expected the worst.
But do you remember what happened when they went back to the land of Judea? Instead of the worst, the best happened in every way. When they got to the city of Bethany Lazarus was certainly dead, but Jesus hadn’t arrived for a funeral service or to pay his respects. He came to raise Lazarus from the dead. And in front of Thomas and the rest of the disciples that’s exactly what he did. He called to Lazarus to come out of the tomb. And this man who had been dead for four days came out alive. But that wasn’t the only thing that happened while they were in Judea. Just a few days later Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. And a massive crowd threw palm branches and robes at his feet, shouting at the top of their lungs, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (John 12:13)! The Jews may have wanted to stone him, and the disciples may have been a little worried about the danger to their lives, but Jesus made sure that the Jewish crowds welcomed him and praised him nevertheless.
And, of course, Palm Sunday was the start of what we call “holy week.” This was the last week of Jesus’ life on this earth. Because Jesus decided to go back to Judea, Thomas and his fellow disciples were able to join Jesus in the upper room on Maundy Thursday evening, witnessing the very first Lord’s Supper and receiving the forgiveness of sins through the bread and wine / the body and blood. They then accompanied Jesus out to the Garden of Gethsemane and were in the presence of the Son of God while he prayed with an unparalleled passion to his Father in heaven. These disciples were then even allowed to escape with their lives from that scene while Jesus was arrested by Judas and the mob. Remember: Thomas sarcastically said he would die with Christ if they went back. But Jesus made sure that Thomas and the rest of the disciples did not die - nor were they even captured. And Jesus himself, although he did die as Thomas predicted, died only to rise again. Jesus was put to death by the Jews as the disciples had feared, but only to conquer death itself. Jesus’ life was ended because he went back to Judea, but only so that he could end the power of Satan and the sting of sin. Thomas had expected the worst. But Jesus worked it all out for the best.
I’m sure that Thomas repented of his pessimism after it was all said and done. After he witnessed what Jesus did at Lazarus’ resurrection, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, the ascension, and Pentecost, how could he have not repented? The Lord showed him in numerous ways that the best thing possible would always happen, that God’s plans would always succeed, that the Lord’s promises would never fail. I’m positive those events in the land of Judea humbled Thomas and maybe even turned him into an optimist... And I pray that these same things humble us.
Because we are pessimists sometimes, aren’t we? Even the most joyous and upbeat among us have a hard time staying positive during the difficult times that this life can bring. All of us can become unsure of God’s power and love when the best doesn’t seem like it will happen and even anything good seems highly unlikely to occur. Some of us might look at particular evangelism efforts of this congregation and say to ourselves, “That’s never going to work! Why even bother? I doubt this congregation will ever grow!” Do we have to be so pessimistic? Do we have to be so negative about God’s power and his love as if there is no way he would ever expand this congregation just because it doesn’t seem like he has done it before? Others of us observe the behavior of some of our fellow Christians and we just shake our heads in disgust. “When are they ever going to grow up and become spiritually mature? Why can’t they act like Christians should? They never help, they never pitch in, they never show up. I find it very hard to believe that their lives will ever match up to the faith they claim to have.” Do we have to be so pessimistic? Do we have to be so negative about God’s power and his love as if he cannot or does not want to work in the hearts of his children to motivate them in their sanctified lives? And still others - perhaps most of us - encounter difficult situations in our lives and we automatically think, “Nothing good will ever come from this. This is such a disaster, this is such a mess, there is so much hurt and pain and loss because of what happened that it is really going to be unsalvagable.” Do we have to be so pessimistic? Do we have to be so negative about God’s power and his love as if he cannot and will not turn even the most sinful of actions for the good of his people?
We are pessimistic in many respects. And that usually is because our past experiences and our sin-clouded foresight color our expectations. We think we know what will happen, we think we can see all of the options, we think there are only a certain number of results that can come from the situation at hand, but in the end we don’t know anything. We don’t know without a doubt what will happen. We don’t see all of the options at the Lord’s disposal. We don’t understand all of the possible results that could come from any given event. And when we assume that the worst will happen, we are assuming the worst of God who is in control of it all! We are assuming that the Lord either cannot or will not deliver the best. We are either doubting his power or his love. Even though he promises to make the best happen, even though he has proved throughout the history of this world that he always has delivered the best thing possible for his children, we still seem to regularly assume the worst.
This sinful attitude calls for repentance: an admission of our guilt and a firm grasp on the forgiveness won for us on the cross. That’s all repentance is: a sorrow over sin and faith in our Savior. And even that is something only worked in our hearts by God through his Word. It is a good thing to repent. It is a God-pleasing thing to repent. And know that he forgives every one of your sins without exception - even those sins of pessimism and cynicism and doubt. And because he forgives us for all of ours sins, he gives us every reason to be an optimist! And if you ever have a problem being optimistic at any point in your life: just look at what Thomas experienced in his life.
If you had accompanied Jesus to Bethany with the knowledge that Lazarus had died four days earlier, would you have ever guessed that Jesus would raise him from the dead? If you would have walked behind Jesus as he sat on a donkey and publically entered the gates of a city that wanted to kill him, would you have ever predicted that these people would praise his name and worship their Lord instead? If you had sat at the table in the upper room on Maundy Thursday know that this would be Jesus’ last meal, would you have ever thought that Jesus would use that opportunity to initiate the New Testament Supper of the Lord? Would you have ever figured out beforehand that Jesus would use Judas and the mob to prove his power? Would you have ever known that Jesus planned on performing a miraculous healing in the middle of his betrayal? Would you have ever thought that as Jesus’ disciple you would escape from that scene not only alive but free from the hands of those who captured your Lord? Would you have seen forgiveness dripping down from that cross instead of just blood? Would you have witnessed life in that tomb instead of just death? Would you have been filled with the joy of your salvation on Easter morning instead of fear and anxiety as the rest of the disciples had before they saw their risen Savior?
Some of the worst things possible happened to Jesus during the last few weeks of his life. But God took every one of those terrible things and turned them into the best. Not for the sake of Jesus, but for your sake! He made sure the best happened for you out of the worst that happened to Christ. And that is true for everything in this life. There is no reason for you to assume that the worst will happen in any situation because it can’t happen to you! The worst cannot and will not happen to God’s children. He won’t allow it. You might as well always assume that the best will happen because that’s exactly what the Lord promises. You may not like “the best.” You may not agree with “the best”. You may not see it as “the best” at the time, but you can be assured that nothing better could have been done by your loving Father. Yes, sins will be committed. Yes, tragedies will strike. Yes, catastrophes will disrupt your life. But know that God has planned for every one of them. He has already determined how and why and when and where they will help your faith and secure your salvation in some way. There is really no reason to be a pessimist because your future is already secured by your Savior’s power and love. And with your Lord’s power and love in control of everything that happens in this life, how could you not be an optimist?
Amen.
“The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:7
Monday, August 03, 2009
8/2/09 - Philip & Andrew {Evangelism} - John 12:20-22
"LET ME INTRODUCE YOU..."
With so many people in this world, and with so many people traveling to so many different places, introductions have become very important. Most of the time people introduce themselves to others. But on occasion, there is one person who knows two different people that are meeting for the very first time. And it’s usually assumed that this mutual acquaintance of both people will introduce one person to the other. Introductions are given among your friends, among your distant relatives, among co-workers, among visitors here at church. Introductions happen all the time. It’s the socially acceptable thing to do. It’s the polite thing to do.
Of course, if someone forgets to introduce a person to another, that is considered a little impolite. And I have done that with my wife on more than one occasion. Many times when we run into someone that I know but she does not, I usually forget to introduce her and she ends up having to introduce herself. It’s impolite for me to forget. It’s insensitive. Because an introduction is an important thing. It breaks the ice. It gives two people that have never met before an opportunity to begin a conversation. Even though an introduction doesn’t take long and it’s something very simple to do, it is a crucial first step in opening the lines of communication.
Philip and Andrew had the opportunity to do just that. They were in a situation in which they had a chance to introduce some people to Jesus, and they jumped at that chance! The story is recorded for us in John 12: “20Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." 22Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.” This brief incident happened in Jerusalem right before the Feast of the Passover. Philip was there in the city, of course, but he was apparently not around Jesus at the time. And so when these Greeks asked Philip if they could see Jesus, Philip must have certainly said yes and most likely promised them that he would tell Jesus about their request the next time he saw him. Soon after that, Philip ran into Andrew and told him. And then they both went to tell Jesus. It is never said in Scripture if these travelers from Greece ever got the chance to see Jesus face to face or not. But it is clear from these verses that both Philip and Andrew understood the importance of the opportunity in front of them and they genuinely wanted to introduce this group of sinners to their Savior.
Philip and Andrew are wonderful examples of what normal every-day Christians can do. Because this is not a story about the apostle Paul traveling to foreign lands and boldly going where no Christian has gone before. This is not a story about Simon Peter facing imprisonment and threats to his life if he preached the Word. This is not a story about Stephen the martyr who was stoned to death for confessing his faith and refusing to back down. This is just a story about two Christians with the chance to introduce someone to their Savior. And this was not the first time they did it! Three years before, Andrew had introduced his brother Peter to Jesus and Philip and introduced his friend Nathanael to the Lord. This was something they naturally did because of their faith in Christ. They automatically introduced their family and friends and even total strangers to Jesus because that was the way in which they could serve their Lord. It wasn’t anything outwardly spectacular, was it? It wasn’t something accompanied by signs and wonders and miracles. But it was a wonderful way to contribute to the work of God’s kingdom.
We can contribute in the exact same way. We don’t have to travel overseas or face imprisonment or put our lives on the line in order to serve our God. We can do what Philip and Andrew did: introduce others to Christ. Show sinners their Savior. Point people to the cross. It sounds so easy! And, in fact, it is easy! And so why do we find it so hard to do? Why is it so difficult for us to introduce people to our Savior at times? Why does this simple introduction to the Lord cause us so much stress and worry? Evaluating the way I’ve gone about my own life, I would say it is personally hard for me to do this because of two main things: embarrassment and laziness.
I am actually a little embarrassed to introduce people to my Savior at times. I don’t want to be seen as a religious zealot. I don’t want to be thought of as pushy. And as a pastor I don’t want it to seem that I’m just doing my job, as if I’m only doing some face to face advertising for my congregation and that’s all I care about. And because of that mindset there were times when I didn’t introduce someone to the Savior when I probably should have. There were opportunities I missed and openings that I let close. Don’t you think Jesus was a little offended when that happened? He was standing right there by my side waiting to be introduced! But instead of introducing him I ignored that he was even there. He is the Way and the Truth and the Life! And there was a person standing there in front of me who didn’t know the Way and was confused about the Truth and was completely oblivious to the Life. And I didn’t introduce that person to Christ? I had the chance and I blew it! Because I was too embarrassed? Because I was afraid about what that person might have thought about me? How pathetic. How pathetic that I would care more about my own ego than about the eternal welfare of a lost soul.
Of course, laziness prevents me from introducing people to Christ just as much as embarrassment does. “I’m not going to call that person up to invite him to church, I’ll just do that when I see him again,” I tell myself. But when I do see him again then I can always give the excuse, “Well, it wasn’t really the right time. The conversation didn’t lead in that direction. I’ll make sure to mention it next time.” But the next time goes by without a word of introduction. And then the next. And then the next. And finally I say to myself, “If he brings it up then I’ll say something. Otherwise I’ll assume he just isn’t interested. He knows where I stand by now anyway.” Laziness. Laziness and embarrassment. Two roadblocks, not legitimate excuses, but two sinful obstacles that personally prevent me from introducing others to Jesus.
What are yours? What things prevent you from this all-important introduction? It may be laziness or embarrassment. Or maybe it’s fear. Maybe it’s a little bit of selfishness. Maybe it’s a skewed set of priorities if you don’t think this is really all that important for you to do. Maybe it’s even a lack of love. Whatever it may be, I don’t think anyone in this room would claim to have never had a problem introducing anyone and everyone to their Savior at every opportunity. We have all offended the Lord in this aspect of our lives. We have all ignored what we should have been doing on occasion and have even tried to pretend that Jesus wasn’t right their by our sides the entire time! That is being more than impolite to the Lord. That is being rude and offensive and very disrespectful to the Savior who has done so much for us.
Whenever you find that you have missed the opportunity to introduce someone to your Savior again, or if you are still bothered by some of the opportunities you’ve missed in the past, turn around and look at the Savior who is standing by your side. And notice that he’s still standing there. He hasn’t left. Even though you have ignored him and have refused to tell someone who he is and where to find him, he’s still standing there. He did not get mad and walk away. He did not get so frustrated that he threw his hands in the air and gave up on you. No, he’s still standing there. By your side. With his hand on your shoulder. Because he’s your Savior. He’s your Forgiver. And he promises that no matter how many times you let him down he will never let you down.
That means even though we are too lazy to bother with the Lord sometimes, he is never too lazy to care for you, of course. Not only is he constantly on watch to make sure your every need is taken care of, he took on a human life and gave up that life on this earth to make sure you were saved. And he certainly didn’t lack love. Everything he did was for you. Everything that he does is for you. And everything that he will do in the future will be for your good. There is never a moment he is not thinking about you. There is never a moment he doesn’t forgive you. There is never a moment he is not planning for you. And he is never embarrassed of you either. He proudly presents you holy and blameless before his Father in heaven because of what he has done for you. He calls you his own brother and sister. He makes you part of his own body. He shares with you every good thing and promises to let you partake in his glory of heaven because he is proud to call you one of his own. He is actually proud to be related to you! He is proud to be around you! He is proud to be known through you! What an honor! What an honor that the Creator of the universe would be pleased to be associated with people like us. And, of course, that is not because we are such good people, but because we are the children he has adopted us to be.
Turn around and look at the Savior by your side every once in a while. This is the Savior who not only died for you, but died for that person who is standing right in front of you - the person that doesn’t yet know what Jesus has done for them. This is the Savior who not only brought you into his family, but wants to bring your family members into his family. This is the Savior who not only calls you his friend, but desires to call your friends his friend. This is the Savior who not only works faith in your heart, but wants to work faith in those who work with you. This is the Savior who not only wants to be close to you, but wants to be close to those with whom you are close. This is the Savior who has a passion for sinners. He has a deep desire to search out and care for the lost. He loves those around you that do not yet love him. He wants them to be forgiven. He wants them to be saved. But sadly, most of these people do not know who this Savior is because they have never been introduced to him before.
You are the link. You are the link between your Savior and your friend or your co-worker or your family member or your neighbor. Introduce them to Christ. Give them a chance to start a conversation with their Lord. Open the door of communication so that God can speak to their hearts through his Word. And that’s the best thing about an introduction! You bring two people together and your job is done! You present someone with the Savior and you let the Savior do all the talking! Evangelism doesn’t have to mean that you confess everything you believe to every person every time. Evangelism can be as simple as an encouragement, an invitation, an introduction. The Lord can speak for himself - in a worship service, in a printed sermon, in a book, in a meditations publication, in a Forward in Christ magazine, in a conversation with a pastor or another Christian. The Lord is able to tell those people that you know what they are to believe. But that person will never hear Christ speak for himself if that person is never introduced to their Savior for the first time. Someone has to initiate that introduction. Someone has to be the go-between. And you may be the only link to the Lord that they will ever have.
I am speaking urgently because it’s an urgent matter. Not for our congregation, but for the kingdom. There’s very little time left. And with every day that passes, there are fewer and fewer opportunities still remaining. Follow the example of Philip and Andrew: do not hesitate. Do not put it off until tomorrow. Do not give yourself an excuse today. Introduce someone to their Savior. Give them a chance to touch the blood running down the cross. Give them the opportunity to see the folded linens in the empty tomb. And the Lord will take the conversation from there. He is a captivating speaker, after all. He knows how to command attention. He knows how to move the hardest of hearts. And he wants to. Now if he could only be introduced to some of the people you know…
Amen.
“May the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” - 2 Thess. 1:12
With so many people in this world, and with so many people traveling to so many different places, introductions have become very important. Most of the time people introduce themselves to others. But on occasion, there is one person who knows two different people that are meeting for the very first time. And it’s usually assumed that this mutual acquaintance of both people will introduce one person to the other. Introductions are given among your friends, among your distant relatives, among co-workers, among visitors here at church. Introductions happen all the time. It’s the socially acceptable thing to do. It’s the polite thing to do.
Of course, if someone forgets to introduce a person to another, that is considered a little impolite. And I have done that with my wife on more than one occasion. Many times when we run into someone that I know but she does not, I usually forget to introduce her and she ends up having to introduce herself. It’s impolite for me to forget. It’s insensitive. Because an introduction is an important thing. It breaks the ice. It gives two people that have never met before an opportunity to begin a conversation. Even though an introduction doesn’t take long and it’s something very simple to do, it is a crucial first step in opening the lines of communication.
Philip and Andrew had the opportunity to do just that. They were in a situation in which they had a chance to introduce some people to Jesus, and they jumped at that chance! The story is recorded for us in John 12: “20Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." 22Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.” This brief incident happened in Jerusalem right before the Feast of the Passover. Philip was there in the city, of course, but he was apparently not around Jesus at the time. And so when these Greeks asked Philip if they could see Jesus, Philip must have certainly said yes and most likely promised them that he would tell Jesus about their request the next time he saw him. Soon after that, Philip ran into Andrew and told him. And then they both went to tell Jesus. It is never said in Scripture if these travelers from Greece ever got the chance to see Jesus face to face or not. But it is clear from these verses that both Philip and Andrew understood the importance of the opportunity in front of them and they genuinely wanted to introduce this group of sinners to their Savior.
Philip and Andrew are wonderful examples of what normal every-day Christians can do. Because this is not a story about the apostle Paul traveling to foreign lands and boldly going where no Christian has gone before. This is not a story about Simon Peter facing imprisonment and threats to his life if he preached the Word. This is not a story about Stephen the martyr who was stoned to death for confessing his faith and refusing to back down. This is just a story about two Christians with the chance to introduce someone to their Savior. And this was not the first time they did it! Three years before, Andrew had introduced his brother Peter to Jesus and Philip and introduced his friend Nathanael to the Lord. This was something they naturally did because of their faith in Christ. They automatically introduced their family and friends and even total strangers to Jesus because that was the way in which they could serve their Lord. It wasn’t anything outwardly spectacular, was it? It wasn’t something accompanied by signs and wonders and miracles. But it was a wonderful way to contribute to the work of God’s kingdom.
We can contribute in the exact same way. We don’t have to travel overseas or face imprisonment or put our lives on the line in order to serve our God. We can do what Philip and Andrew did: introduce others to Christ. Show sinners their Savior. Point people to the cross. It sounds so easy! And, in fact, it is easy! And so why do we find it so hard to do? Why is it so difficult for us to introduce people to our Savior at times? Why does this simple introduction to the Lord cause us so much stress and worry? Evaluating the way I’ve gone about my own life, I would say it is personally hard for me to do this because of two main things: embarrassment and laziness.
I am actually a little embarrassed to introduce people to my Savior at times. I don’t want to be seen as a religious zealot. I don’t want to be thought of as pushy. And as a pastor I don’t want it to seem that I’m just doing my job, as if I’m only doing some face to face advertising for my congregation and that’s all I care about. And because of that mindset there were times when I didn’t introduce someone to the Savior when I probably should have. There were opportunities I missed and openings that I let close. Don’t you think Jesus was a little offended when that happened? He was standing right there by my side waiting to be introduced! But instead of introducing him I ignored that he was even there. He is the Way and the Truth and the Life! And there was a person standing there in front of me who didn’t know the Way and was confused about the Truth and was completely oblivious to the Life. And I didn’t introduce that person to Christ? I had the chance and I blew it! Because I was too embarrassed? Because I was afraid about what that person might have thought about me? How pathetic. How pathetic that I would care more about my own ego than about the eternal welfare of a lost soul.
Of course, laziness prevents me from introducing people to Christ just as much as embarrassment does. “I’m not going to call that person up to invite him to church, I’ll just do that when I see him again,” I tell myself. But when I do see him again then I can always give the excuse, “Well, it wasn’t really the right time. The conversation didn’t lead in that direction. I’ll make sure to mention it next time.” But the next time goes by without a word of introduction. And then the next. And then the next. And finally I say to myself, “If he brings it up then I’ll say something. Otherwise I’ll assume he just isn’t interested. He knows where I stand by now anyway.” Laziness. Laziness and embarrassment. Two roadblocks, not legitimate excuses, but two sinful obstacles that personally prevent me from introducing others to Jesus.
What are yours? What things prevent you from this all-important introduction? It may be laziness or embarrassment. Or maybe it’s fear. Maybe it’s a little bit of selfishness. Maybe it’s a skewed set of priorities if you don’t think this is really all that important for you to do. Maybe it’s even a lack of love. Whatever it may be, I don’t think anyone in this room would claim to have never had a problem introducing anyone and everyone to their Savior at every opportunity. We have all offended the Lord in this aspect of our lives. We have all ignored what we should have been doing on occasion and have even tried to pretend that Jesus wasn’t right their by our sides the entire time! That is being more than impolite to the Lord. That is being rude and offensive and very disrespectful to the Savior who has done so much for us.
Whenever you find that you have missed the opportunity to introduce someone to your Savior again, or if you are still bothered by some of the opportunities you’ve missed in the past, turn around and look at the Savior who is standing by your side. And notice that he’s still standing there. He hasn’t left. Even though you have ignored him and have refused to tell someone who he is and where to find him, he’s still standing there. He did not get mad and walk away. He did not get so frustrated that he threw his hands in the air and gave up on you. No, he’s still standing there. By your side. With his hand on your shoulder. Because he’s your Savior. He’s your Forgiver. And he promises that no matter how many times you let him down he will never let you down.
That means even though we are too lazy to bother with the Lord sometimes, he is never too lazy to care for you, of course. Not only is he constantly on watch to make sure your every need is taken care of, he took on a human life and gave up that life on this earth to make sure you were saved. And he certainly didn’t lack love. Everything he did was for you. Everything that he does is for you. And everything that he will do in the future will be for your good. There is never a moment he is not thinking about you. There is never a moment he doesn’t forgive you. There is never a moment he is not planning for you. And he is never embarrassed of you either. He proudly presents you holy and blameless before his Father in heaven because of what he has done for you. He calls you his own brother and sister. He makes you part of his own body. He shares with you every good thing and promises to let you partake in his glory of heaven because he is proud to call you one of his own. He is actually proud to be related to you! He is proud to be around you! He is proud to be known through you! What an honor! What an honor that the Creator of the universe would be pleased to be associated with people like us. And, of course, that is not because we are such good people, but because we are the children he has adopted us to be.
Turn around and look at the Savior by your side every once in a while. This is the Savior who not only died for you, but died for that person who is standing right in front of you - the person that doesn’t yet know what Jesus has done for them. This is the Savior who not only brought you into his family, but wants to bring your family members into his family. This is the Savior who not only calls you his friend, but desires to call your friends his friend. This is the Savior who not only works faith in your heart, but wants to work faith in those who work with you. This is the Savior who not only wants to be close to you, but wants to be close to those with whom you are close. This is the Savior who has a passion for sinners. He has a deep desire to search out and care for the lost. He loves those around you that do not yet love him. He wants them to be forgiven. He wants them to be saved. But sadly, most of these people do not know who this Savior is because they have never been introduced to him before.
You are the link. You are the link between your Savior and your friend or your co-worker or your family member or your neighbor. Introduce them to Christ. Give them a chance to start a conversation with their Lord. Open the door of communication so that God can speak to their hearts through his Word. And that’s the best thing about an introduction! You bring two people together and your job is done! You present someone with the Savior and you let the Savior do all the talking! Evangelism doesn’t have to mean that you confess everything you believe to every person every time. Evangelism can be as simple as an encouragement, an invitation, an introduction. The Lord can speak for himself - in a worship service, in a printed sermon, in a book, in a meditations publication, in a Forward in Christ magazine, in a conversation with a pastor or another Christian. The Lord is able to tell those people that you know what they are to believe. But that person will never hear Christ speak for himself if that person is never introduced to their Savior for the first time. Someone has to initiate that introduction. Someone has to be the go-between. And you may be the only link to the Lord that they will ever have.
I am speaking urgently because it’s an urgent matter. Not for our congregation, but for the kingdom. There’s very little time left. And with every day that passes, there are fewer and fewer opportunities still remaining. Follow the example of Philip and Andrew: do not hesitate. Do not put it off until tomorrow. Do not give yourself an excuse today. Introduce someone to their Savior. Give them a chance to touch the blood running down the cross. Give them the opportunity to see the folded linens in the empty tomb. And the Lord will take the conversation from there. He is a captivating speaker, after all. He knows how to command attention. He knows how to move the hardest of hearts. And he wants to. Now if he could only be introduced to some of the people you know…
Amen.
“May the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” - 2 Thess. 1:12
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