PRAYER: Blessed heavenly Father, we pray. As we look at our current culture, we often see it as Christ-less and crumbling. By Your Spirit, drive away despair from the hearts of all those who hear Your Word today. Dear Lord, plant deep into the soul of all listeners the uplifting and the life-transforming power of Your Gospel of forgiveness and faith. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.
Last April, TIME Magazine, on its front cover, had a picture of Jesus riding on a donkey. This was, of course, a reference to our Lord’s Palm Sunday entry into the city of Jerusalem. The title of TIME’s cover story was: “What Jesus Saw – Jerusalem Then and Now.”
Five journalists from New York and Jerusalem described in 10 pages what Jesus might have seen when He rode into Jerusalem 2000 years ago. And, then, they also described what Jesus would most likely see if He rode into Jerusalem today.
This TIME magazine story is indeed interesting! One element, however, recorded in the Bible is missing from this magazine report. You see, in the Bible, in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 19 we read when Jesus approached Jerusalem 2000 years ago “He saw the city and He wept over it” (Luke 19:41).
Almost automatically, you and I are prompted to ask: What did Jesus see in Jerusalem two millenniums ago? What did Jesus see that moved Him to tears? The answer is simple. Jesus saw a people wrapped up in themselves. Jesus saw a people more interested in man than in God, a people who had rejected Jesus as the promised Messiah. In fact, so great was their defiance of the Messiah, months earlier Jesus prophesied the city’s destruction and “Not one stone would be left upon another” (Matthew 24:2). This sober prophecy of Jesus has given even secular historians serious moments of reflection. Because you see, only a few decades after Jesus prophesied the destruction of the city of Jerusalem, this horrible destruction took place. In 70 A.D. the Roman armies, under Titus, totally destroyed Jerusalem.
Now, no matter what we might think of Jesus, this Gospel account of His weeping over the city of Jerusalem is surely a “wake-up call” for all of us today. And this is why you and I need to ask: “What would Jesus see and what would Jesus do if He came to our country and our culture and our life?” What would He see? How would Jesus respond? What would He say? Would He say, “Things don’t get any better than this?” Or would Jesus weep uncontrollably, because He would see our society is destined for a similar horrible judgment?
Well, let’s get serious, shall we? What would Jesus see in your life? What would He see on your television? Would Jesus be thrilled or would He weep?
Furthermore, would how we are living, and what we’re doing today cause Jesus to forecast the coming destruction of our society, just as He foretold of the destruction of Jerusalem? Well, I suspect most people are probably not all that concerned about the future of our society.
You see, no matter how many warnings we seem to receive, even fromtotally secular sources, we have this odd idea that no matter how blasphemous and immoral and ungodly we get, we believe our culture will always survive. For some reason we believe we will not go the way of other civilizations that have collapsed before us.
So, since we’re discussing where our society might be going, I would like you to think about a book published by the Cambridge University Press not long ago. This book is titled “The Collapse of Complex Societies.” The author is not particularly Christian. And yet, like other historians, this man knows throughout history many societies have collapsed. He writes: “The reason why complex societies disintegrate is of vital importance to everyone.” And, “Even if one believes,” this historian explains, “modern societies are less vulnerable to collapse than ancient ones, the very possibility that our society may be vulnerable is deeply ‘troubling!'”
This author then continues “Sensing our own collective future is in jeopardy, we are hungry for historical analysis to help us imagine the direction events might take.”
Finally, the author of this book notes, “However we might like to think of ourselves as something special in world history, the fact is industrial societies are subject and [vulnerable] to the same principles that caused earlier societies to collapse.”
Wow! This is a pretty sobering analysis of our society, not from a Christian, but from a secular point of view. Most people will probably ignore it. You probably also know of people who ignore serious warning signs of their own health. Many people simply don’t care much about anything.
Now let’s return to that section of the Bible we were talking about, where Jesus wept, because He could see ahead what was going to happen. And in order to make this more relevant for today, instead of giving you my impression of what I think Jesus might see, I am instead going to refer you to some secular sources which state what Jesus would surely see if He visited our culture today.
Let’s begin our sobering assessment of what Jesus would obviously see if He saw our society today. What would He see, for example, on Sunday morning? Well, not long ago, TIME magazine made some observations on what people do on Sunday mornings. These journalists pointed out that many people, on any given Sunday, don’t go to church! They drive around or attend sports events, or go out to see what they can buy. TIME concluded, “The Sabbath is for what else? Shopping!” Another survey showed that 73 percent of all Americans say Sunday is of special significance. But for most people, the Sabbath is not necessarily “significant” for worship. One-third of Americans, on Sunday, are just taking pleasure trips in their cars, not going any place in particular, just driving around. They have no interest whatsoever in the God who created them and the God in whose hands their future now lies.
Or what might Jesus find if He “surfed around” on the Internet? Not long ago, U.S. News and World Report stated, “Adult video and DVD sales last year topped $10 billion and pornography is the top business of the Internet!”
Well, now comes the question: Why aren’t the religious leaders and prophets of our day saying anything? Well, it just might be many of them are in worse shape than society itself! Only recently we received a sobering report from Canada explaining that the divorce rate of clergymen is higher than the divorce rate of the general public, in some sections. This is also true in certain areas of the United States. Where are the clergy? Where are God’s prophets who are supposed to be giving moral and spiritual direction to our society?
Well, what you do think Jesus thinks about all of this? If He is not weeping, might His eyes be at least glazed over with tears? And what does our future look like? Not long ago in a full-page story in one of our own church papers, it was pointed out many young people today are very “spiritual.” That sounded like very Good News-at least at first! However, the spirituality of most young people today is not based on the Bible. You might call it a type of “pagan” spirituality. This is also what Jesus would see, and something over which He would surely weep!
Well, I don’t honestly think one has to be a space scientist to see our society is not heading in a very positive direction, even by secular standards. But the real question is not “what did Jesus see when He rode into Jerusalem?” And the real question is not “what would Jesus see if He traveled around our country and observed our culture?” You see, my friends, the real question is: What does Jesus see when He looks at your life? When Jesus looks at your life, do His eyes fill with tears because of your indifference to Him? Is Jesus deeply troubled because you have rejected Him as the promised Messiah, like so many did in Jerusalem? Is Jesus deeply bothered because He sees you not listening and responding to His call of love and mercy, and you will be forever separated from Him? You see, Jesus wants you to be with Him forever in paradise. Listen as Jesus speaks these words, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; and if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:1-3).
This is the joy and this is the Paradise Jesus wants you to enjoy with Him, forever. So, as you observe the deterioration of our society, Jesus does not want you to lose hope. He does not want you to give up. Your blessed crucified and resurrected Lord is inviting you to keep your eyes fixed on Him. He is your salvation. “Fix your eyes on Jesus,” the Bible says, “because He is the author and perfecter of your faith.”
Jesus is like a compass in a raging storm. He is also the compass you need in a crumbling culture. Jesus gives direction. And even more important, through His life-giving Word, Jesus works and creates in your heart a strong and saving faith. And this faith is like a life vest. Therefore, even if the “ship” of society goes down in the storm, you will still survive upheld by the life belt of God’s gift of faith. This is the faith God has given you by grace. “For you are saved by God’s grace through faith,” the Apostle Paul writes.
So now is the time for you and your family to be “heads up” regarding the “crumbling conditions” of our current culture. And while you are, don’t become pessimists. God is calling you not to “turn in” onto yourself. Rather, God is asking through your verbal witness and acts of love and charity to be the salt of the earth. In Jesus Christ, don’t be part of the problem, be part of the solution. Be part of new life and new hope in Christ!
And then, all the while as you shine as God’s candle in the darkness, think again of what Jesus saw when He came upon Jerusalem. Remember also what He did. He wept over that city.
But more importantly, rejoice when Jesus sees you. He sees someone to whom God has given the gift of faith. This means Jesus sees you as a sinner; but at the same time, Jesus sees you as someone He has covered with the cloak of His saving righteousness.
The conditions in our society are not very good-even by secular standards. And in all probability, they will not get any better. But don’t lose heart. God is in charge. And someday soon, the same joy written by the Apostle John in the book of Revelation will be a reality for all those who are “in Christ” through God’s gift of faith. Listen to these words and begin now to see yourself, not part of the current crumbling culture, but “in Christ” and part of God’s new creation. The Apostle John writes, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Behold the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them. He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning or crying or pain. The first things have passed away. And He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ And He said, ‘Write, for these words are faithful and true.'”
Oh, Jesus wept when He rode into Jerusalem. He saw the coming judgment of the city. Oh, may Jesus be thrilled as He sees you today, not soon to be judged with a curse of unbelief, but with the joy of salvation, marked on your heart by your gracious heavenly Father. Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for September 16, 2001
ANNOUNCER: I’m Mark Eischer for “The Lutheran Hour.” Dr. Schulz, in your message today, you made several references to the possible “collapse” of our society. When we talk this way, doesn’t that make us sound like “worry warts” or deluded “doomsday-nay-sayers”?
SCHULZ: Well, Mark, I suppose it could. But, if we really believe the Scriptures, this subject is something I am convinced we need to pay a little more attention to. After all, Jesus spoke repeatedly of this concern during His public ministry.
ANNOUNCER: And through St. Paul, God speaks clearly about the “worsening” conditions of society. So, let me ask you: Is this subject something only the clergy and theologians should concern themselves with?
SCHULZ: I would say definitely not. Numerous secular scholars have written on this very subject. And, as I said earlier, several years ago, Cambridge University Press published a book titled “The Collapse of Complex Societies.” The Cambridge University Press does not print things like the National Enquirer. It will only print material that has a high degree of academic respectability. Anyway, I think it is interesting to remember the one thing this scholar said. He said, “However much we like to think of ourselves as something special in world history, the fact is industrial societies are subject to the same principles that caused earlier societies to collapse.”
ANNOUNCER: These observations are certainly not very encouraging, Dr. Schulz.
SCHULZ: Well, I wouldn’t say they are totally “discouraging” though. I do think, these comments reflect a very sober and honest assessment of reality. Even from a secular point of view, there are definitely trends in our society that are not very encouraging. However, the difference is: “Christians” or “believers” can see the relationship, or the connection, between the “religious” condition of a culture and its imminent collapse. And, of course, this is the story of the Old Testament. Wherever people turned away from God, their social structure eventually crumbled.
ANNOUNCER: Dr. Schulz, how should Christians relate these concerns about the future to our culture?
SCHULZ: Well, I would say followers of Jesus Christ should work toward and pray for the prevention of any collapse of any society. However, because of the sinful and ungodly attitude in some cultures, God may actually permit a particular society to collapse. In this situation, however, Christians need not despair. Throughout history, Christians have always been strengthened, defended, and protected by God. Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have always continued to exist in broken cultures. In fact, Christians often thrive in more difficult times.
ANNOUNCER: So, Dr. Schulz, what is the bottom line?
SCHULZ: Well, today I think the bottom line is as I mentioned earlier-we as believers need to be concerned about the direction our society and culture are now going. However, we must first look at our own life and the lives of our family members. We need to listen to the Lord, as He calls us to repentance. And most of all, we need to realize our faith life and our future are built on the Word of God. Our faith is nurtured and strengthened by the Word of God. Our eternal hope is built upon the foundation of God’s Word, especially in Jesus Christ! Therefore, no matter what happens in life, we always look to Jesus Christ, as He hangs on the cross. This is where Jesus paid for our sin. And then we see the empty tomb where Jesus rose again from the dead. Probably there are no better words one could say to illustrate this than those penned by the apostle Paul when he wrote, “In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor demons; neither the present nor the future nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).
ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Dr. Schulz. Next week’s “Lutheran Hour” message is titled “You are Pardoned!”