The Lutheran Hour

"Born to Redeem"

#71-49
Presented on The Lutheran Hour on August 15, 2004
Speaker: Rev. Ken Klaus
Copyright 2025 Lutheran Hour Ministries

Text: Text: Galatians 4:4b-5a

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! The angel’s words tell us how complete was Christ’s commitment to save us. The resurrection proclamation tells us that God’s Son gave Himself, all of Himself, so that we might be redeemed.

Since I’ve been speaking to you on “The Lutheran Hour,” I’ve generally tried not to talk too much about family. I’m going to break with that rule today. Just for one story; I’ll try not to make it too lengthy or painful. In May of this year, I became a grandfather for the second and third times. Our daughter and son-in- law had twins. The boy’s name is Keenan, the girl’s is Ellianna. They are, however, not the stars of the story. They are only the recipients; recipients of a tremendous investment of love. Our daughter’s pregnancy was not an easy one. Premature labor dictated she would spend four months in bed. She is normally active, but she went to bed, stayed there and didn’t complain. She made an investment of love. Her investment was matched by her husband. He encouraged her when she was down; he put up with small, and not so small bits of temperament; he gave her shots; he changed the pump which supplied a steady stream of medicine to stop the contractions; he prepared the baby’s nursery by himself.

The coming of these little ones meant an investment by both future grandmothers as they prepared meals, cleaned house, and ran errands. It meant an investment by the pastors of St. John’s Church in Chaska as they paid regular visits. It meant an investment by the members of that wonderful congregation who, every week, showed up with meals that just needed to be popped into the oven. It meant an investment of prayer by literally thousands in the Christian community. To all of you, I say, “Thank you for your kindness; I’m thankful for your caring.” As I think back upon those months, I am impressed; I am overwhelmed by the investment which was made by so many people in two unborn, unknown, unthankful children. These little ones will never know, never appreciate, the investment which was been made in them, the love that was shown to them before they ever took their first steps, drew their first breaths, dirtied their first diapers, or let out their first cries.

It’s the kind of thing that almost makes a grown person jealous. After all, how many of us feel that cherished and treasured? Certainly not Merhan Karimi Nasseri. Who? You see what I mean? Let me tell you about Merhan. Merhan ended up in Paris after being expelled from his homeland of Iran. Merhan flew to England, but somebody stole his refugee documents. He was refused admittance. He was returned to the Paris airport where he stayed. From 1988 to 1999–11 years–Merhan lived in Terminal 1 of the Paris airport. Finally in 1999, the French authorities gave Merhan an international travel card, along with a French residency permit. Those two documents gave Merhan all the paperwork he needed to allow him to travel anywhere. Surprisingly, when he was given his papers, Merhan simply smiled and tucked the documents in his folder. He had felt so unvalued for so long that he was afraid to leave the place which had been his home for over a decade.

If I were to ask everyone listening to my voice today; if I were to inquire of you, “Which of these two, the babies or Merhan, illustrate your life?” Most would confess they feel a fellowship with Merhan. Of course we wouldn’t say it in so many words. We’re not whiners; we’re not going to be filled with self-pity, at least not so anybody can see. But if I could crawl into your skin, look into your mind, peer into your heart, I think I’d find a fair number of times when you felt unappreciated, unwanted, unrecognized, unapplauded, and unneeded. There’s the Grandma in the nursing home whose telephone seems to be in her room merely for decoration. Her friends are gone, her family has forgotten. There’s the student who has done great work, but as of today, has not heard from any of the first-pick colleges to which he has applied. How about the grade-schooler who watches all the big parts in the school plays go to someone else; who is never picked first on the playground; whose artwork always seems to end up on the out-of-the-way bulletin board? Been passed up for promotion by someone less qualified? Seen someone less witty, desirable, less caring being asked out for dates while you sit at home? Experienced loneliness when somehow, someway, your name was left off the party invitation list? I could go on. No, there’s not many of us that feel as appreciated as do those twins.

Angus McGillivray was a strong, strapping Scotsman. He was a survivor. Being a survivor was important because Angus, along with contingents of Americans, Australians, and English, was living in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. Living might be too kind a word for his situation. Most of the men in the camp had shaken off the facade of civility and cordiality. “Survival of the fittest” was the rule of the day, and as I said, everyone knew Angus was a survivor. Everyone felt that way until the day came when word spread that Angus was dead. His demise could not be laid at the feet of the Japanese jailers. No, Angus’ death was something far more puzzling, infinitely more perplexing.

Eventually, those around Angus managed to figure things out. Scottish soldiers who often came from the same community, were instilled with the idea that each was responsible for his compatriot. The Scots believed they were obligated to make sure their pal got through, whatever may come. That was what Angus thought when he looked at his buddy. True, the doctors had said, and the rest of the camp knew, that there was no hope for the man. Indeed, they acted as if he were already dead and gone. Everyone acted that way except for Angus. Angus you see had made a commitment. He felt obligated to make sure his buddy would survive. When his friend’s blanket was stolen, Angus saying, “he had found an extra one,” passed his on to the friend. As he gave his rations to his friend, Angus explained, “I can get more food anytime I want.” Angus made every investment necessary to see his friend survived.

Angus’ sacrifice paid off. His friend began to mend; his body started to heal. Then Angus died. “Exhaustion and starvation” was what the doctors said had brought down the big Scotsman. But as the rank and file prisoners thought about it, each of them came to another conclusion. Although they recognized that the doctors were both knowledgeable and skillful, in this case they were wrong. The soldiers knew Angus had died because he had been totally invested in the survival of another. Angus died because his friend’s life was all-important.

You know, I think a person could live most of his life without ever having a friend like Angus. Indeed, many of you listening to me don’t know you have such a Friend. Yes, you do. Now I imagine, when I say that you have such a friend, most of you immediately start thumbing through your mental card file of acquaintances and contacts. Before you go too far, you should know I’m not talking about just any someone. I’m talking about the Individual who is the greatest Love you and this world will ever know. I’m talking about Someone who lived for you and died for you. I’m talking about Jesus, God’s Son. Scripture says, “God sent His Son to redeem those who were under the law.”

“Oh, Him,” I can almost hear some of you say. “Yes, Him.” You may know the name of Jesus; you may even have heard some sermons about Him and what He has done, but have you ever thought, I mean really thought, exactly what those words mean? They mean that everything that Jesus might have wanted; everything He could have been; every human longing He felt was subordinate to saving you. Do you yearn for friends, people you can count on? Jesus’ friends seldom understood Him; fell asleep on Him when He needed them; and ran away rather than standing by His side. One of those fake friends sold Him to His enemies for the price of a broken-down slave; another of His friends denied ever having known Him. Jesus gave up His friends so that you might always have Him as your Friend.

What’s important to you? How about family and home? Jesus gave up family and home for you. When He returned to His hometown to share God’s good news of hope and salvation, they tried to kill Him. His mother, brothers and sisters thought Him insane and tried to closet Him away. He had no home, no room where He could lay His head. Jesus set aside His family so you might always have a Brother, a Savior, a heavenly Father. Jesus never had an earthly home, so you might have an eternal home in heaven.

What is important to you? How about your job, your position, your calling? Most of us get some satisfaction from work, even if that satisfaction is limited to a pretty pathetic paycheck. What was Jesus’ work? He was trained as a carpenter, but He left behind the income and security of woodworking to carry and die upon a wooden cross. Already at the age of 12, He said that He had to be about the Father’s business – the business of saving you and me. To that end He worked–every moment, of every second, of every minute, of every hour, of every day, of every week, of every month, of every year, of every decade, from His first breath until His last. Was that hard to listen to? It was harder doing it.

As He lived His life for you, Jesus didn’t allowed Himself to take a detour; He didn’t go on a vacation where He could let down His hair and get away from it all. As He lived His life for you, He wasn’t allowed to blow off steam, or slip up just a little bit. Each day was filled with committed giving and serious sacrifice for you. For you, He rejected every temptation, every sneaky and sinful pleasure. For you, He fulfilled the laws that you break every day. For you, He lived, and in living, He took your place. In dying, He died your death.

Yes, we should talk about the commitment He made to dying. Throughout Jesus’ life, always in His mind would have been those last, terrible hours which would conclude His earthly ministry. Jesus was and is God’s Son. Being God’s Son means He knew the way in which He would die. Jesus was a Student of Scripture; He knew how the prophets had promised His life would end. When Angus made his sacrifice for a friend, he had no idea what would happen. When Jesus made His sacrifice, He knew exactly what would result. He knew He would be rejected by His church, His government, His friends. He knew His reputation would be ripped to ribbons; He knew His back would be torn by the lash and His head pierced with a crown of thorns. He knew He would be stripped, spit upon, scorned and condemned. He knew iron nails would be driven into His hands and feet. These things Jesus knew, and still He remained committed to reclaiming you from sin, devil, and death.

Of course you might wonder, “How can I know Jesus was successful?” You might think, “I appreciate what He has done very much, but how do I know that I am really redeemed?” It’s a wonderfully easy question to answer. You can know that Jesus was successful in saving you because, on the third day after He was crucified and died, He rose from the dead. Unbelievably, unexpectedly, divinely, Jesus came back and showed to a lost and lonely world just how much God loves them. Christ’s commitment was total; His dedication, total; His giving, total; His sacrifice, total. God says, “See My Son, and having seen, believe. Come away from your old life, filled with sin, and with a repentant heart, believe that Jesus was committed to your freedom.” And to purchase that freedom and your salvation, He lived and died.

If you will allow, I’d like to take you back, just for a moment to Angus’ World War II prison camp. When word of Angus’ sacrifice spread among the surviving prisoners, the men were moved. They didn’t say, “Oh, isn’t that nice,” and then go back to what they had been doing. These men, their attitudes, their outlooks, and their lives were changed. They began to work together. A man who knew how to make musical instruments did his thing and soon the camp had a small orchestra. A man who had formerly been a professor started a school; the doctors opened a hospital; another prisoner began a library. One of the men initiated a worship service. The name of the church? They called it the “Church Without Walls.” So powerful was the message at that church, some of the Japanese guards started to attend. We can hardly be surprised that one man’s selfless sacrifice so touched others. We can hardly be amazed that one man’s dying brought new life to those who heard. Indeed, we would be surprised if changes had not come about.

Today, the Holy Spirit wishes to change your life. He has told you what Christ has done. He has shown you the sacrifice and the commitment of God’s Son. Can you ignore what you have heard? Will you return to life as usual? How could this be? Jesus’ love and commitment deserves a response. Call us at the number we will give before the end of our broadcast.

It was a good number of years ago that a 36-year-old mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. One doctor told her to take a lengthy vacation; another held out hope for a short reprieve if she underwent some terrible chemotherapy and radiation. This is what she wrote to her three small children: “I’ve chosen to survive for you. This has some terrible costs, including pain, loss of my good humor, and moods I will not be able to control. But I must try this, if only on the outside chance that I might live one minute longer. And that minute could be the one you might need me when no one else will do. For this I intend to struggle, tooth and nail, so help me God.” A noble woman? Absolutely. But not as noble as a Savior who said to sinful strangers, “I’ve chosen to die for you. My death has a terrible cost, including pain, loss of family, and being unappreciated. But I must do this, because it is the Father’s will. I must do it, because the day will come when you will need a Savior. On that day, no one else will do. For this I will strive, it is the will of God.” That is the commitment your Friend made. Believe it. Call us. Amen.

Lutheran Hour Mailbox (Questions & Answers) for August 15, 2004
Topic: Why Does God Always Let Me Down and Not Answer My Prayers?

ANNOUNCER: Now more questions about prayer with Pastor Ken Klaus. I’m Mark Eischer. Last week we talked about a person who didn’t want to, shall we say, upset the apple cart and pray for anything that God didn’t want her to have. This week we have another question about prayer, in which a listener asks, “Why does God always let me down and not answer my prayers?”

KLAUS: Sort of the other side of the coin. I take it the individual didn’t give any special details. Are we talking about someone who has been disappointed in love or has on-going financial problems, or health difficulties? Do we know any of that?

ANNOUNCER: Would it make a difference?

KLAUS: I suppose not. But there are certain problems in life that are so profound, so far-reaching, that they can touch everything that we do. For example, if I was a dentist, I could tell you a toothache hurts a person’s entire body. Just one small tooth that’s bad, but the whole body is in pain.

ANNOUNCER: And in a similar way, then, certain difficulties of life can touch anything and everything that we think and feel?

KLAUS: Yes. If an individual has a sick child and the prognosis for the future isn’t good, everything else in life may be falling into place, but it won’t seem that way. If the bill collectors are calling you up day and night, you may be healthy, everything else be all right, but the day seems dark.

ANNOUNCER: So this might help us understand why a listener would say, “Why is God always letting me down and never answering my prayers?”

KLAUS: It can. I can answer the question in one of two ways. First, it’s possible that this person is living the life of Job.

ANNOUNCER: Job? You mean the fellow in the Old Testament who lost his children, his flocks, his health, his home, and just about everything else?

KLAUS: That’s the fellow. I can imagine that the story of Job might be repeated in this individual’s life; everything is going wrong all the time. If that’s the case, I’m sorry. I would say, take a look at Proverbs 3:5. It says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not to your own understanding.” Or possibly the words of Psalm 50:15 might be of encouragement. That’s where God says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.” Listener, I want you to know God will answer your prayer, but His answer may be long in coming, and it might not be what you expect.

ANNOUNCER: Now you said there was another way you could reply.

KLAUS: There is, but it’s probably not going to seem as understanding.

ANNOUNCER: Why do you say that?

KLAUS: It’s equally possible that this person has had, over a period of time, some difficulties in some areas, and they prayed about those matters, and didn’t get the answer they wanted. In looking back, they’re lumping those seemingly unanswered prayers together and come to the wrong conclusion, “That’s it, God doesn’t like me, He’s not paying any attention to me.”

ANNOUNCER: You’re right – that doesn’t sound as good.

KLAUS: No, it doesn’t; and I’m not done. I would also say that sometimes our prayers are a little bit narrow.

ANNOUNCER: Now, what do you mean by narrow?

KLAUS: This person thinks God is always letting him down. Then there must be a lot of things that they’re not praying about. Maybe they’re only praying in desperate situations. You know how it is when you do something strenuous over the weekend and use muscles you hadn’t used for a while?

ANNOUNCER: Sure.

KLAUS: And how do you feel on Monday?

ANNOUNCER: I might not be moving so fast because I hadn’t properly prepared myself and I wasn’t used to it.

KLAUS: That can also happen in prayer life. We go on, day after day, without spending too much thought about prayer. Then something unexpected bad comes along, we start to pray. The prayer doesn’t seem to work. We very quickly get upset with God. We have no endurance in our faith. Has this person prayed about their health? Given thanks for reasonable health or reasonable finances, reasonable most things? Have they been saying a thanks to God for the things that God has listened to, and has given them? That’s part of praying. Have they praised God? That’s part of praying. I don’t think God has disappointed them in everything, all the time, always. No, I think the person needs to realize and be thankful for the many things God does for them, without them ever saying a word.

ANNOUNCER: And then say a prayer of thanks for that.

KLAUS: Maybe just get rid of a little bit of the persecution complex. This person, with faith in Christ, is an adopted child of the Lord. As we said last week, because of His Son, God listens to the prayers of His children.

ANNOUNCER: Thank you Pastor Klaus.