The Lutheran Hour
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Text: Acts 2:32-33
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Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed. Beyond any shadow of a doubt, God’s inspired, inerrant Word tells us the Savior’s resurrection truth offers salvation to all who believe God’s gracious story of salvation.
Today The Lutheran Hour message begins with a test. Don’t get nervous, you won’t be graded on the 10 True-or-False questions I’m going to ask. Let’s begin. Question #1 – True or False: The original color of Coca-Cola was green. Question #2 – True or False: The state with the highest percentage of people who walk to work is Alaska. #3 – True or False: The first novel written on a typewriter was Tom Sawyer. #4 – Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th. Question #5, we’re half way there – True or False: Hershey’s Kisses are called that because the machine which makes them looks like it’s kissing the conveyor belt. #6 – True or False, Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of their birthplace. Question #7 – There are more collect calls made on Father’s Day than any other day of the year. Question #8 – True or False: Honey is the only food which doesn’t spoil. Question #9 – Taken as a group, men can read smaller print than women; as a group, women hear better than men. The last question, #10, is this: The term “the whole nine yards” comes from W.W.II fighter pilots whose ammo belts were 27 feet long. If they fired all their bullets at a target, that target got the whole nine yards.
So you’ve finished the test. Congratulations! How did you do? Oh, sorry, I forgot to give you the answers. Here they are: the answer to question #1, about the color of Coca Cola being green, was: True. In order to save time, the answers to all of the questions, one through ten, were: “True.” At least they’re true according to the Web site which inspired this little test. 1 Now, in all honesty, I haven’t investigated these facts myself. I took the word of somebody, no, I don’t know who–somebody who posted some facts on a Web site. He, or she, said these things were true, but I don’t know; not for sure. The person who made the Web site might be having a practical joke at my expense, and now, at yours. Which leads you to ask the ultimate question of the test: do you believe me?
Two of the great questions of life are: “Whom do you believe?” and “Whom will you trust?” If you turn on your television in the middle of the afternoon, you will find courtroom programs are giving the soap operas a real run for their money. Most of you have watched the parade of people appearing on programs like: Celebrity Justice; Crime & Punishment; Divorce Court; Judge Hatchett; Judge Joe Brown; Judge Judy; Judge Mathes; The People’s Court, and Texas Justice. There is a commonness to these shows. Two people come in, stand before the judge, and tell their stories. Theoretically those stories, covering the same set of facts, should match. They never do. They contradict each other from opening sentence to concluding summary. The judge seems to be able to figure things out right away, but most of us are left pretty much confused. We wonder, “Whom can I believe? Whom can I trust?” We make our judgments based on such irrational things like, “I don’t like the way she smiles,” or “He’s got two earrings in each ear. I think he’s lying.” Then, we turn the channel, giving thanks that we don’t have to decide whether one, or both of the litigants are lying. We can turn the channel because we’re spectators in the whole thing. We’re not participants.
Whom do you trust? Whom do you believe? Think about it: aren’t the things which we say “we know” often really just things “we believe”? If we trust the person who stands behind the fact, we will believe his facts. If we don’t trust that individual, we will reject him, and everything he says.
Whom do you believe? In whom can you place your trust? The answers to those questions are important.
When you married folks stood before the Lord’s altar or a Justice of the Peace and promised to love a special someone; when you swore to stay with that someone, “in sickness and in health; for richer or for poorer; forsaking all others until death parts you;” it was important that you believed what the other person was promising. Your future happiness depended on whether you could believe your spouse was going to keep those vows. Some of you listening to me today have seen your trust reinforced with the passing of each year. Others of you have decided that you have been betrayed and deceived.
Whom do you trust? In whom do you believe? When we are participants and not spectators, the answer to those questions becomes most important. That is especially so when the answer applies to eternity. Let me read to you a sentence which comes to us over 20 centuries of time. It was first spoken by one of Jesus’ disciples, a fellow by the name of Peter. Peter said, “God has raised this Jesus to life and we are all witnesses of the fact.” Peter was referring to Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus had been born in the town of Bethlehem, a small village in a remote province of the Roman empire. At the age of 30, Jesus began a ministry which was a most exceptional thing; a Godly thing. I say a “Godly thing” because Jesus claimed to be “the Son of God,” the divinely designated substitute who would save humanity from its sins. I say a “Godly thing” because, during Jesus’ years of ministry, He gave sight to those who were blind; mobility to paralytics; a new life to those who had been lepers. He fed thousands with a few loaves and fishes and brought the dead back to life.
But this Jesus to whom Peter was referring, did more than walk around and heal people. Jesus told people to love one another. He instructed them to be charitable and courteous and caring, especially to those who didn’t deserve it. So powerful and beautiful were His words, that even those who hated Him had to admit that He spoke with authority. So gentle and gracious were His teachings that even today skeptics concede that His words, if followed, would usher in a new world of harmony and hope for humanity.
As I said, Jesus was someone special – unique in the pages of history. He did more than perform healings and speak new teachings. He was more than a physician or an instructor. Born true man, Jesus was also the Son of God. Fulfilling every prophet’s foretelling, Jesus spent His entire life living, and sacrificing Himself for this fallen world. Without the smallest stumble, He resisted the temptations which have tripped up every one of us. He successfully said “No” to the devil when the rest of us have said “Yes.” He lived without an earthly home so that we might have an eternal home. He loved those who were unlovable. He reached out to those who slapped Him away. He carried the sins which have burdened and broken us.
You might think that the world would have welcomed such an individual. You might think it, but you would be wrong. You might hope that those who met Jesus would appreciate Him and adore Him. You might hope it, but your hope would be unsupported. You might guess that the people who came into contact with Him would recognize His greatness, His goodness, His graciousness, His godliness. Your guess would be groundless. For all that He did for humanity, Jesus was betrayed by a friend, beaten and condemned by His church, deserted by His government, and crucified. On a cross constructed on Calvary, a small, skull-shaped hill outside the walls of Jerusalem, Jesus died. There was no mistake about it, Jesus absolutely, completely, totally, beyond any shadow of a doubt, died. Having had His back torn to ribbons by a Roman lash; His head crowned with thorns; His face bloodied, beaten, and broken, Jesus was nailed to a cross and He died. To make sure of His demise, the soldiers who kept watch during His last hours, put a spear right through His heart. Yes, Jesus died.
That should have been the end of Jesus of Nazareth. It wasn’t. Do you remember what Peter said, “God has raised this Jesus to life”? Such a simple sentence. Yet in that sentence is the plan of God, the power of God, the purpose of God which says that there is hope for every sinful human being. Every one of us who is brought to Jesus with a repentant heart can be forgiven and saved. Jesus has taken our place under the law and willingly received the punishment which we had deserved. Now, because He has risen from the dead, we have a changed life and a changed eternity. Heaven replaces hell. The companionship of the Christ comes to those living in loneliness. The joy of Jesus comes to the sad and sorrowful. Sins are swept away and forgiveness is found in the Savior’s arms. God has raised Jesus to life.
Unbelievable. Peter’s statement really is quite unbelievable. It goes against the laws of nature, learning, and common sense. People don’t die for others, especially for those who are unappreciative. People don’t rise from the grave. Once you’re dead, you’re dead. Period. End of sentence. End of thought. But Peter says it, “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.” Which takes me back to our original questions, “Whom do you trust? Whom do you believe?” These are not some insignificant, irrelevant, and inconsequential questions. If Peter is right, all who believe on Jesus as their Savior will be saved from eternal damnation. If Peter is wrong, he is a liar and those who believe what he says are misled dupes.
Do you trust Peter? Do you believe what he is saying? With a few thousand religions in the world, I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re skeptical. With the Christian religion claiming to be the only way to heaven, I won’t be shocked if you have doubts. It’s normal for you to ask, “How can I know, how can I be sure?” With eternity hanging in the balance, Peter’s words demand an investigation. So, investigate. Check it out. Let’s look at the facts.
Peter says he and the others are witnesses. What did they witness? They, and many others, witnessed a living Lord Jesus. To which you might reply, “I’ve heard of people who say they have gotten glimpses of Bigfoot; Sasquatch, the Loch Ness monster and aliens from outer space.” Good point. Well, Peter and the others got more than a glimpse of Jesus. They saw Him. For a length of time they saw Him; a number of times they saw Him. But there’s more to this witness that Peter talked about. Peter admits that he and the others were, like you, skeptical. They didn’t believe it. Not at first. Maybe not even at second or third. You and I both know that you can’t always trust your eyes. The disciples knew that, too. That’s why, to answer their own doubts, they ate a meal or two with Jesus. Figments of imagination don’t generally eat fish, you know. That’s what this resurrected Jesus did. The doubting disciples felt Jesus’ breath and they touched Him. Let that sink in. They touched Him. That’s what Peter means when he says that they were witnesses of a living Jesus.
But I’m not done yet. Let me tell you something about the disciples. Up until the moment that the Holy Spirit came to them, these disciples didn’t get it. That’s not an insult to their memory; that’s a fact. The disciples generally thought that Jesus was going to build an earthly empire. The disciples generally thought that Jesus had come to assist only the Jews. The disciples generally thought that they were going to profit from their investment in following Jesus. They didn’t get it. Jesus had told His disciples that He would be crucified and on the third day, He would rise. Were the disciples there to welcome their Savior; to see Him rise from the grave? They weren’t. They didn’t get it. When Jesus came out of His grave, only His enemies were there. The disciples were, because of their fears, locked away behind closed doors.
But then, on the day Peter spoke these words, the disciples got it. Jesus sent His Spirit upon them and they were transformed. No longer did they hide in fear, they started to preach with courage. They told the world just as I’m telling you now, that Jesus has risen from the dead. They told the people, “Since Jesus has risen from the dead, His sacrifice for you is complete.” Since Jesus has risen from the dead, repentant hearts can be forgiven. Since Jesus has risen from the dead, His promises can be trusted and everything He said about listening to our prayers, and being with us, and helping us through hardships can be trusted. If Jesus is risen from the dead.
That’s the key, isn’t it. The word “if.” If Jesus is risen from the dead. “Maybe,” you think to yourself, “these disciples were playing a practical joke. After all, people have played practical jokes upon society. Maybe the disciples were doing that, too.” To that very honest question, Peter replies, “We are witnesses of the fact.” As you investigate, let me tell you what that means. Peter was a witness and he stayed a witness. When they crucified him, according to tradition, upside down, he stayed a witness. Every one of the disciples stayed a witness. According to ancient records, one was speared to death, another was crucified; one was beaten to death, one was skinned alive. They all stayed witnesses to what they had seen. Practical jokers don’t die that way. Jesus rose from the dead, and He promises to raise up all who have died believing in Him as Savior and give them eternal life.
Whom will you trust? In whom will you believe? I pray you listen to these witnesses and you believe. I pray you can see, beyond all shadow of a doubt, that Jesus is your Lord. A shadow of a doubt. About 70 years ago, a man in San Francisco was on trial for murder. Things didn’t look good, which is why his lawyer got creative. In his final remarks, the attorney said, “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, if you have the slightest doubt you must find my client not guilty of murder. Which is why I am bringing in my final witness. I have found the real murderer and he is sequestered outside the courtroom. I now ask the police to bring him in through the side door.” Eyes swung towards the door. No one came in. After a reasonable period, the lawyer concluded: “The fact that you looked at that door proves you have a doubt.” The jury considered the case and, within the hour, came back, with a verdict – “Guilty.” The judge passed sentence and the lawyer angrily turned to the jury. He challenged, “I proved beyond question that you had a doubt.” That’s when a shrewd juryman stood up and replied, “Son, when most people looked towards that door, I watched your client. He didn’t look towards that door because he knew no one was coming through. Why? Because he’s the guilty one.”
Today God’s Holy Spirit calls on you to trust Peter and the other witnesses. Believe in their witness, their testimony. Hear God’s Word. Let the Holy Spirit give you faith and forgiveness and hope and heaven. Listen to the words of the witnesses. Look for yourself. Look inside Jesus’ tomb. There is no body there. Look and believe: Jesus has arisen. The disciples, Christ’s witnesses say it. His enemies have never been able to contradict it. See, beyond any shadow of a doubt, a living Lord walks through the doorway to the tomb and grants eternal life to all who believe. If you need to know more about this living Lord, call us at The Lutheran Hour, for we remain His witnesses. Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for May 22, 2005
ANNOUNCER: And now, Pastor Ken Klaus responds to a listener’s comment. I’m Mark Eischer. Pastor, we received an e-mail that had a lot of things to say about the President and his Christian faith, and that e-mail included this statement, “Christianity is responsible for most of the wars during the last 2,000 years.”
KLAUS: You know, Mark, I’ve heard that statement bandied about for a long time. People say it, and they believe it as though it were the gospel truth. But it’s not. It’s a myth. And it’s just about one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever heard. The facts tell a different story. Look at the words of Jesus. He didn’t encourage war. That’s not what He taught. It’s not the way He lived. We have a Savior who was led like a lamb to the slaughter without complaint. He told Peter those who live by the sword will die by the sword. He is the One who said, “blessed are the peacemakers of the world.”
ANNOUNCER: Well, OK, so our listener isn’t necessarily saying that it’s Jesus who caused all these wars. I think they’re talking about His followers in the Church.
KLAUS: Ah, you mean the followers that could have assassinated the emperor but never did, or maybe the followers who were arrested in the hundreds and could have overpowered their jailers with force if they wanted to but decided instead to suffer and be martyred and make their witness that way. I think that’s what the word “martyr” means – it means to witness for your faith.
ANNOUNCER: Well, OK, so it’s not Jesus’ original followers that we’re talking about either. But how about all these people that came later, that formed the powerful Christian Church of the middle ages and fought the Crusades?
KLAUS: Do you realize we’ve just skipped 1,000 years of history? That’s half the time between us and Jesus. OK, let’s look at the Crusades. Nasty business, certainly not conducted in a Christian way. But don’t forget, the Crusades were originally a response to the fact that Christian lands had been conquered. Those leaders had seen Christian lands fall and they wanted to make sure that a defense was going to be made.
ANNOUNCER: Well, OK, so how about the religious was of the Middle Ages? How about the 30 Years War? That was Christians fighting Christians, millions died, the population of Germany decimated. As many as, they say, eight million people dead. Now there’s a good example for you.
KLAUS: Big numbers, tragic numbers. But they are small compared to most of the wars that were fought in the 20th century. The last century saw the three most blood-thirsty murderers in history. Stalin, Hitler, Mao Zedong. Take a look at the estimates. Hitler would come in around third place. Stalin, he’s responsible for about twenty million deaths. Chairman Mao, of China stands unchallenged, responsible for 40 million deaths. You know, the statement originally was “Christianity is responsible for most wars and most deaths.” Maybe they were. “Was Hitler a Christian?”
ANNOUNCER: No, he was baptized but he later rejected the Christian faith. National Socialism became his religion.
KLAUS: Maybe Stalin was a Christian?
ANNOUNCER: No. He was a communist.
KLAUS: Then, Mao must have been the Christian.
ANNOUNCER: No, he was not a Christian, either.
KLAUS: That’s why, I’m confused. I want to know, which Christian Church, or Christian leader is responsible for killing more than 70 million people? If people are going to walk around and blame Christianity and Christ for all these deaths, I’d like to know who they’re talking about.
ANNOUNCER: I really can’t think of any Christian Church that fits that description.
KLAUS: So why would people say something like that? Here’s why: If Christians were guilty of such atrocities, it means you can write off Jesus, write off the faith. You can say His words don’t count. Salvation must be meaningless. Now, as we’ve said in the past, it’s always dangerous to judge the Master by the actions of His servants. That’s true here as well. Don’t judge Jesus by how well His followers behave.
ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Pastor Klaus.
KLAUS: Thank you, Mark, for giving us this opportunity to set the record straight. And, if you don’t mind, I’d like to inform our Lutheran Hour listeners, that starting next month, a special version of The Lutheran Hour called Bringing Christ to the Nations will be carried, Sunday mornings, over the American Forces Network all around the world.
ANNOUNCER: So, if you know someone who’s serving in one of the armed forces, let them know about this new special program, Bringing Christ to the Nations. Encourage them to tune in. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.