The Lutheran Hour
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"A Poor Prognosis"
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Text: Luke 13:2-5
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Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Today the Spirit-sent words of the Christ’s resurrection bring God’s light to your darkness. Listen and hear how your Lord has defeated death for all who believe on Him as their Savior. Amen.
At 3:05 in the afternoon of March 18, 1937, Lemmie Butler, instructor of manual training at the New London Consolidated School in Texas, turned on a sanding machine. The school’s PTA was meeting in the gymnasium, while the students were preparing for an Inter-scholastic meeting which was to take place the next day in Henderson. The switch from Mr. Butler’s sanding machine caused a spark; that spark ignited a mixture of natural gas and air which hovered, unnoticed, in the workroom. That fierce flame raced immediately into a large, enclosed space beneath the schoolhouse – a space into which natural gas had been leaking for an indefinite period of time. Witnesses say the school seemed to actually lift into the air. The explosion was heard four miles away; a two-ton concrete slab was thrown 200 feet. There had been 500 students and 40 teachers in the building that day – almost 300 died. Long after the debris had been cleaned away, after the bodies had been buried, after the inquiries had been made, questions remained. Most of those questions began with the word, “why?” “Why couldn’t the accident have happened ten minutes later. Ten minutes later school would have been dismissed and the students would have been on their way home. Why? Why did one student survive and the next one die? Why did they have to die at all?”
It was a number of years ago, Sid Taylor was working on the steering linkage of his wife, Christy’s car. The jack elevating the car’s front end gave way and the vehicle came crashing down on Sid’s chest. Because Sid couldn’t breathe, he wasn’t able to shout. He did what he could. He kicked at, and knocked over, his toolbox. His wife, hearing the noise, came running from the kitchen and found her husband pinned under the car. As quickly as humanly possible, she did the right thing; she ran back into the house and called 911 for help. When the rescue units arrived they found Sid had already died.
Amazingly, less than a year later, a situation most similar to that which I have just described, was repeated. This time the jack slipped while a man was putting an exhaust system on his truck. The man managed to get out a short yell before the truck began to squeeze the air out of him. His wife heard his cry and came running. Shocked by what she saw, she didn’t hurry back to her phone to call for help; nor did she scream for her neighbors. The 46-year-old lady simply grabbed hold of the truck’s bumper and lifted the front of that vehicle high enough for her husband to roll free. Two stories with similar beginnings; two stories with remarkably different endings. And, having heard those stories, the question remains, “Why did one man die and one man live?”
Ours is a world which is both frightened and fascinated by death. When people come upon an accident, in horror they put their hands over their eyes, and then they open their fingers so that they can get a glimpse of the wreckage. Death is all around us, but many prefer never to speak its name. That’s why, rather than saying a person has died, some prefer to say he: “bit the bullet;” “bought the farm;” “cashed in his chips;” “crossed the river;” “flat-lined;” “went to the happy hunting ground;” “kicked the bucket;” or “left the building.” We say that he’s “pushing up daisies;” “he’s rung down the curtain;” “been taken out of production;” “bought a pine condo;” or has been “deanimated.”
In truth, it’s difficult to preach about the “whys” and “how comes” of death to millions of people. It’s difficult because I know a percentage of you have problems with death in general. Some of you think that if you ignore death, it will go away. You believe if you keep up a level of vigor, verve, and vitality you will be able, all on your own, to evade the grave. There are others who think that there is no point in talking about the questions of death because no answers are possible, and all discussion is just suspicion and speculation. And dare I forget those who don’t like obituaries or funerals, those who don’t want to hear anybody, including me – maybe especially me – talk about death.
It is difficult to speak about the “how comes” of death. While some folks, like the ones I’ve just mentioned, excuse themselves from any conversation at which the Grim Reaper’s name is brought up; there are others who don’t want to hear about death today. If everything in their lives were normal, the topic might not be a difficulty; indeed they might even be interested in hearing what I have to say. But, for them, today isn’t a normal day. Today isn’t normal, because death is too close, too real. Maybe my words are coming to them in a nursing home, hospital, or hospice as they sit at the deathbed of someone they love. Am I describing you? Has your time been spent waiting for that unknown, but close-at-hand day when death will make an appearance? Are you praying that, against all human logic and medical knowledge, death will take a wrong turn, lose his directions, and be unable to find his way to the room of your friend or family member? I understand if you don’t want to hear about death.
And, of course, there are those of you whose lives have already been turned upside down because death recently touched someone close to you. Your brain is in pain because you’ve been trying to condense the life of a loved one into a few cold sentences for a newspaper obituary; your heart is still aching over a recent trip made to the funeral director’s to pick out a casket; you’re physically and emotionally exhausted because you’ve been bumping into a lifetime of memories as you’ve tried to classify and categorize the worldly belongings of a deceased father, mother, spouse, child, friend.
Which may make our listeners ask, “If people don’t want to hear, why bother to talk about the seeming uncertainties of death?” It’s a fair question, which deserves a fair answer. I’m speaking about death, because the Bible speaks about death. The Bible tells how, because of humankind’s deliberate disregard of the Creator’s single commandment, sin was born into the world, bringing death and a pantheon of other evils along with it. I’m talking about the questions of death because history in general, and the Bible in particular, show no person can defeat death – not on his own. Medicine may advance and find cures for cancer and the common cold, but each of us will die. There is no fountain of youth which remains undiscovered; there is no plastic surgery which can guarantee perpetuality; there is no cloning procedure which will make you indestructible, invincible, and invulnerable. By itself, humanity has a pretty poor prognosis of attaining eternity. Did I say a pretty poor prognosis? My friend, it’s a zero possibility. You are going to die. Which is why I’m talking about death today; it is why Jesus talked about death 2,000 years ago.
In the 13th chapter of Luke, you can read how Jesus answered humanity’s questions about the Grim Reaper. Let me set the stage: the Lord had been talking and teaching and answering people’s questions on any number of different subjects. That’s when somebody in the crowd brought up a terribly tragic incident, an event which was, in all probability, on the minds and tongues of everyone. Although we don’t know many details about the event, we know this: the Roman procurator, Pontius Pilate, had ordered some people from Galilee to be killed, and get this because it’s important… he ordered them to be killed, and it happened while they were making their sacred sacrifices to God. Everyone who had heard about what had happened to these poor souls was stunned… at first. Then the shock of this scandalous action by the governor was replaced by questions. Inquiring minds wanted to know, “Why had this happened? What terrible sin had these people committed which would cause God to strike them down in such a shameful and shocking way?” They, like we, wanted to find some sort of direct connection between a person’s sinful action and God-directed punishment. They, like we, thought to themselves, “These guys must have done something pretty bad for God to zap them this way.”
Jesus took the question which was on everybody’s mind and ran with it. He brought up another incident, an item which would have been front-page news on all the newspapers, if they had had newspapers in Jesus’ day. The Savior spoke of a tower in Jerusalem which had collapsed on, and killed, 18 people. Apparently, when folks heard about that unexpected tragedy, they looked upon the tower’s collapse as a heaven-sent catastrophe, visited by God upon some very serious sinners. Jesus lumped both events together and said, Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners because they suffered in this way? Or these 18 on whom the tower fell, do you think that they were worse offenders? Jesus answers His own question when He said: “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Jesus wasn’t being callous or uncaring here. He was trying to make two very important points with His listeners. First, He wanted them to know that God doesn’t delight in destroying His people. Years ago I heard of a lady who, after worship, fell on a church step and broke her hip. After her surgery, the lady didn’t improve, and ended up dying a few days later. At the wake, the woman’s pastor stood by the side of her mourning husband. As she had been dearly loved, many came and offered their condolences. One said, “Be comforted, this is the will of God;” another said, “God is testing you with this tragedy;” and another commented, “You will see God’s direction in this, someday. Every dark cloud has a bright lining.” They were all well-meaning comments, made by sincere friends. Even so, the pastor ended up rewriting his funeral sermon. He began with the words, “Today I proclaim to you a loving Lord who doesn’t push old ladies down church steps.” Then the pastor told them that God cannot be accused of killing little old ladies, or a couple caught in a snow storm, or children in a Texas school house that blows up, or people who are at work in the World Trade Center. He told them how God is the giver of every good and perfect gift, including the gifts of forgiveness, salvation, resurrection, and best gift of all, His only Son.
He told them, as I am telling you now, that God hates death as much, even more, than you do. If circumstances have caused you to doubt the truth of that last statement, even in the least little bit, then I encourage you to look at the price God was willing to pay so death, your death, might be destroyed. Look into the manger of Bethlehem and see God’s Son, Jesus. See your Savior who was wiling to leave the glory, beauty, and joy of heaven to enter a world of sorrow and sadness, to be the sacrifice which needed to be paid for your sins. See Him live His entire life as that sacrifice. See Him as He sacrificed His will, His happiness, and all the pleasures this world can provide as He turned down every temptation Satan tossed at Him. He sacrificed Himself as He turned His back on the crowns of the crowds, the praises of the people, the popularity which could have been His.
He sacrificed Himself when He was betrayed by a friend; when He was given an unfair trial; He sacrificed Himself when He was condemned; when He was whipped; when He was spit upon; when He was crowned with thorns; when He was crucified. He had the power to walk away; He had the ability to save Himself. Even so, He chose to remain a sacrifice. He sacrificed Himself for you by giving up His life as your ransom from sin and Satan. He sacrificed Himself so you could be saved; so the sins of every man, woman, and child could be erased; so every one of us could be delivered from eternal death and damnation.
But I said Jesus wanted to make two points. Here’s the second: Jesus wanted His listeners to understand that while the way a person dies may seem to be shocking or scandalous, terrible or tragic, blessed or cursed, finally and ultimately the way we die isn’t all that important. It doesn’t make much difference because when death comes, and it will come, the results are always the same. When death comes, at that moment our hearts will stop beating, our brains will stop thinking, our ears will stop hearing, our eyes will stop seeing, and all of life’s functions in this world will come to a grinding, screeching halt.
Because death is stalking us, Jesus warns: Don’t waste your time playing guess your neighbor’s sin, don’t pretend to be a coroner entrusted with the performing of post-mortems on the lives of others, don’t be concerned about the desirable or dreadful way somebody else has died; do get ready for what’s going to happen when you die by spending time repenting of your own disobedience. Jesus was saying: Don’t worry about what somebody is going to say about you at your funeral; rather be prepared for what God is going to say to you at your judgment. After all, it’s not the moment of your death which should concern you; it’s your eternity which comes afterwards… your eternity should be the center of the questions you ask. Eternity should be your focus.
It should be, but it isn’t always. Not so long ago a pastor shared a story with me. It spoke of three melancholy friends who had just attended the funeral of an old buddy who had passed on quite unexpectedly. As they were walking away from the gravesite, one of the mourners morosely asked, “Boys, when your time comes, what would you like the preacher to say about you?” One of the men replied, “Well, I don’t know. I guess I’d like him to tell the multitude that will be gathered there that day to mourn me – I want him to say: ‘Before us today lies a great humanitarian, an exceptional man who cared about his community.'”
The man who had originally asked the question countered, “Not bad, but I think I’d prefer the minister to say something like: ‘We are mourning a man who was a great husband and father, a man who always managed to set an example for all of us to follow. He is going to be missed.'” Both men were still congratulating each other on the wisdom and rightness of those eulogies when they realized their companion hadn’t said a word. Treading carefully, lest they upset him in his reflections, they gently asked, “And, old friend, what do you think the pastor ought to say when you leave this veil of tears?” The third fellow broke the somber mood when he said, “I want them to say, ‘Look, he’s moving! He’s alive!'”Silly? Not really. You see, my friends, with some major modifications, that is what is going to happen to all who die believing on Jesus. When our Savior was crucified, they buried Him; then they set a seal on His tomb; then they put a guard in place to make sure there would be no shenanigans. You, I pray, know what happened next. Three days later, long after corruption should have begun to decay and decompose Him, a living Lord Jesus, defeater and destroyer of death, came out and an angel announced, “He is risen.” That’s a theological way of saying, “Look, He’s moving; He’s alive!”
Have you ever you wondered why Christians face death without fear? It is because they know the day will come when the Savior will raise their perfected bodies, and the angels in heaven and all the universe will say, “Look, they’re moving, they’re alive.” That’s God’s promise Saint Paul shared centuries ago when he said: “I stand here testifying both to small and great… the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, He would proclaim light…” Christ’s blood-bought Light to replace the darkness of death. That’s the message the Spirit shares with you today. If you would like to live here, and forever in that Light, call us at The Lutheran Hour. Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for March 11, 2007
TOPIC: Distracted by Grief, part 2ANNOUNCER: Now, Pastor Ken Klaus answers questions from listeners. I’m Mark Eischer. Today, we continue our discussion concerning a listener whose mother died recently. In her grief she feels lonely, distracted in her prayers, and farther away from God.
KLAUS: Yes. Last week when we were talking about this individual, we explained that what she feels was not abnormal. We talked about how the disciples fell asleep instead of praying with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Before we pick up our discussion for this week, I’d like to add something, Mark.
ANNOUNCER: OK.
KLAUS: Our listener said she was having difficulty concentrating and staying awake while praying. You know, I recall the New Testament story of Eutychus. You remember him?
ANNOUNCER: He was the young man who dozed off and then fell out of a third-floor window while Saint Paul talked on, and on, and on, the Bible says (see Acts 20:7-12).
KLAUS: Very good, Mark. Well, the Apostle Paul and the Lord didn’t get mad at Eutychus for not staying awake. A really long sermon on a hot night could be reason for sleep.
ANNOUNCER: And God miraculously restored him back to life.
KLAUS: Right. Let’s continue. The lady, if I remember correctly, had some other things she was asking.
ANNOUNCER: It really gets quite serious. Speaking about this grief she feels and her inability to pray, she said, “I’m starting to wonder if it’s God’s plan that I not go to heaven.” She wants to know whether God predestines some people to go to hell. And she says, “If my pastor knew I felt this way, would he think I’m evil and turn me away from receiving Holy Communion? Please help me,” she writes, “I’m so fearful and I miss my mother’s prayers for me. I feel lost and alone.”
KLAUS: You’re right, it is serious, Mark. Let’s try to get rid of some of the easy questions right off the bat. First, although I don’t know him personally, I can almost guarantee this person’s pastor will not think of her as being evil, or deny giving her the Lord’s Supper. Even as Jesus instituted the Sacrament to support those who felt themselves rocked by life’s misfortunes, He also gave us the Office of the Holy Ministry so that those with heavy hearts might hear one of His representatives personally speak words of forgiveness, comfort, encouragement. To our lady, I would say, “Talk to your pastor. Let him share the Savior’s hope with you.” God’s Gospel is especially for those who are conscious of their sins and troubled in their hearts.
ANNOUNCER: You know, sometimes we think the pastor is only there to condemn sinners, but His real purpose is also to share the forgiveness that Jesus won for us on the cross.
KLAUS: Our listener asks a second question, and that one’s almost as easy to answer.
ANNOUNCER: And that would be what?
KLAUS: The one about whether God predestines some people to hell.
ANNOUNCER: I wouldn’t think that’s a very easy question to answer.
KLAUS: Oh, but it is. I can give you a Scripture passage that answers it completely. The passage is 1 Timothy 2:4. The King James Version of the Bible says, God “will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.” The English Standard Version says, God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” That’s the answer. God wants all people to be saved.
ANNOUNCER: But did God want Judas to be saved?
KLAUS: Oh, yes. And if you look at the Last Supper, Jesus tries to bring that faithless disciple back.
ANNOUNCER: How about Pontius Pilate?
KLAUS: Him, too. In fact, according to a tradition in the Orthodox Church, Pilate later repented of his condemnation of the Christ, was converted, and became a saint. I don’t know if that’s true, but I do know God wants everybody to be saved. He didn’t send His Son into this world just for the so-called “good” folks, the folks who have their act together – whoever they may be. In fact, Jesus says He came to be a physician for the sick, to seek and save the lost. “Perfect” people may not think they need Him, but they do. We all need Jesus, and He lived, suffered, died, and rose to save all of us.
ANNOUNCER: Well, I think you’ve answered all the lady’s questions.
KLAUS: Most, but not all, Mark.
ANNOUNCER: What might we have missed?
KLAUS: The question about her being “evil.” She didn’t want her pastor to think she was “evil.”
ANNOUNCER: I can understand that, can’t you?
KLAUS: Yes, I can, too. But the truth is, every pastor who believes the Bible, knows his people are evil. According to the standards of God’s Law, they’re evil because they’re sinners. Because they’re sinners, they need a Savior. So that all sinners can be saved is why Jesus lived, suffered, died, and rose again.
ANNOUNCER: And we’ll have more to say on this next week. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Music selections for this program:
“A Mighty Fortress” arranged by John Leavitt. Concordia Publishing House/SESAC
“Christ the Life of All the Living” Concordia Publishing House.
“What Wondrous Love Is This?” arranged by Henry Gerike. Used by permission.
“Jesus, Your Blood and Righteousness” arranged by Chris Loemker. Concordia Publishing House/SESAC
“Jesus, Death of My Death” by J.S. Bach.