The Lutheran Hour
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"Making a Grand…Exit"
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Text: Mark 9:2-4
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Originally Broadcast on February 26, 2006
Because first impressions matter so much, people, when they’re out on display, want to make grand entrances. During the televised Academy Awards, many tune in early to watch the actors walk down the red carpet and make a grand entrance into the auditorium. When a state dinner is held, the President of the United States is brought into the banquet with much fanfare and there is a grand entrance. During sporting events, home teams love to file through adoring fans and fawning cheerleaders so theirs will be a grand entrance. The truth is, we are greatly influenced by first impressions and grand entrances. I remember considering this back when I was a senior at Grand Haven High School in Michigan. In order to catch the eye of a female classmate I made a grand entrance into Mr. Smith’s physics class. Waiting until a few minutes after the class bell had rung, I threw open the door, leapt inside and yelled, “And now we’ll go on without further ado; and it’s my great pleasure to introduce to you; held over for years and ready to review; it’s Bill-the-thrill, the king of the blues!” Without missing a beat, Mr. Smith pointed to the door and ordered me out of his class. I certainly was noticed, but not in the way I had hoped. Needless to say, my grand entrance flopped.
It’s interesting that Jesus the Son of God was not about grand entrances when He entered our world. He came through a little hamlet called Bethlehem, not a cosmopolitan and metropolitan city. He was born in a stable, not a palace. He was placed in a straw-filled manger, not a silk and satin, lace laden cradle. Jesus’ first visitors were stable animals and shepherd boys, not the “high- faluting,” fancy, and famous of His day. Nope, Jesus was not about making a grand entrance.
But here’s what Jesus was about: He wanted to make a grand exit. Jesus was more concerned about being noticed and seen in how He left this life and world than how He entered it. Oh, to be sure, the incarnation and birth of Jesus is important to be understood, believed, and confessed; this is foundational for our faith in Jesus as the God-Man. But for Jesus, He chose not to enter our world with trumpet blare and fanfare – oh, this will be His style when He comes again. But His first Advent into our world was subtle, soft, and nearly silent. Indeed, Jesus does want to be known for His birth, but even more He wants to be known for His death; for here is where He takes away the sins of the world. Jesus made a wonderful entrance. I so love celebrating Christmas. But today, Transfiguration Sunday, we shift focus. We begin to look toward Jesus’ grand exit!
Jesus’ grand exit-His death on the cross-is part of the most important event in the world. Indeed, this event would not be done without preparation. Today we see Transfiguration is some of that preparation. On the mountain where Jesus turns dazzling white in the brilliance of God, announced by the heavenly Father as the One to be listened to, He is joined by two of the greatest Old Testament heroes: Moses and Elijah. St. Luke, in his Transfiguration account, tells us why Moses and Elijah are with Jesus. He says the two Old Testament prophets spoke to Jesus about His departure. They came to encourage. They came to support. They came to help prepare. And oh, this is wonderful!
Who better to help Jesus do this? Who better to talk about Jesus’ grand exit, His departure? See, the Greek word Luke uses for departure is the word “exodus.” Who better to talk about Jesus’ exodus than the two prophets who had incredible “exoduses” themselves.
Moses’ exodus from Pharaoh and the slavery in Egypt is important for understanding the whole of God’s plan in showing the mercy, strength, and control of our Lord. God leads Moses and the Israelites out of Egypt through the Red Sea to Mount Sinai and then beyond in a spectacular exodus from slavery to freedom.
Elijah’s exodus is different. His exodus happens when he departs this world. One of only two people recorded in Scripture who did not die but were taken straight into heaven, Elijah makes a grand exit before the eyes of his successor, Elisha. A fiery chariot drawn by fiery horses of heaven collects Elijah and launches him heavenward in a windstorm.
To be sure, both Elijah and Moses stand on the Mount of Transfiguration speaking about Jesus’ departure because they must have understood how God the Father is faithful in using departures for His glory and His will accomplishing. They stand with Jesus and speak with Him knowing that Jesus’ exodus will be the greatest of all. By His death and departure from this life, our sins will be taken away and our punishment for breaking God’s Law will be paid. Jesus will deliver us from the slavery of sin, death, and hell, and will launch us heavenward because He rose from the grave, ascended into heaven, and is preparing a place for us in His Father’s mansion.
Transfiguration is about Jesus being readied to make a history changing, life-giving exodus. This event was Jesus preparing to make a grand exit.
But let me ask you now, are you prepared for your grand exit from this life? I’m not asking about funeral arrangements, I’m asking about soul arrangements. Sadly, many people have failed to be prepared for their grand exits. You can tell a lot about people’s preparation, or lack thereof, by what they say on their deathbeds. Here are some famous last words: Henry VIII said, “All is lost;” Jean-Paul Sartre complained, “I failed;” Winston Churchill asserted, “I’m bored with it all;” W.C. Fields stated, “I’m looking for a loophole.” Sadly, because sin has ravaged bodies and souls, despair and failure are the resignations of many as they stand at death’s door. Regrets abound as thoughts of “Wish I would’ve…” “I suppose I should’ve…” and “I think I could’ve…” flood the brain. Worse yet is the conviction that left to ourselves we cannot keep living in this world and we deserve eternal punishment for neglecting, rejecting, and disrespecting God.
Our text today brings Good News. We can be prepared for our grand exit from this world because Jesus’ grand exit has freed us from the punishment of hell and has paid for our entrance into heaven. Jesus entered our world to place Himself as our substitute under God’s Law. By dying in our place on Calvary’s cross, Jesus atones for our sins and offers us the forgiveness, love, and welcome of our most gracious God. Our Baptism connects us to the Savior and this forgiveness.
Some time ago, I was blessed with the task of preaching the message at a dear friend’s wedding in Detroit. Because the groom had been blessed with means, he provided and paid for housing for the whole wedding party (my family included) at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Dearborn, Michigan. The reception was to be held at the same hotel and it was to be a formal, black tie event. (This remains the only wedding I officiated at where I rented a tuxedo and my wife bought a new formal gown). On the morning of the wedding, I left my sleeping family in our opulent hotel room and made my way downstairs to the restaurant to eat breakfast and memorize my sermon. Looking at the menu, I was somewhat perplexed-there were no prices accompanying the entrees. But I wasn’t too concerned; after all, how expensive could scrambled eggs with salmon, bacon, coffee, orange juice, and toast be? All too soon I found out. The waiter deftly slipped me my bill after I assured him the breakfast had been delicious. Turning over the bill, I almost choked. If memory serves me, this bill was about four times the price of what I normally paid. To my embarrassment I only had a $20 bill on me and the cost of the breakfast was much more than that. Beginning to sweat and panic, I stared at the bill not noticing the waiter approach until he stood next to me clearing his throat. Looking up shame-faced at him, I noticed his embarrassment. Gently removing the bill from my hands he said, “Excuse me Rev. Yonker” (I wondered how he knew my name), “but I was not supposed to give you this bill. Please forgive my foolishness. Your bill has already been paid, including the tip, as is everything you may want or need in this hotel.”
Stunned, I replied, “Oh don’t worry at all about me seeing the bill,” (I was only too willing to surrender it) “but tell me, how do you know my name?”
Glad for my letting him off the hook, he winked and said, “It is our privilege and pleasure to know all of our guests’ names.”
Now I tell you that to tell you this; our Lord and Savior Jesus, who claims us and calls us by name, welcomes us into His heaven. Knowing we could not afford the price of heaven’s admission, He paid the price in full with His own blood and death, and continues to assure us that everything in heaven will be delightfully delicious and phenomenally free.
Without a doubt, we mere mortals consider much the importance of first impressions and grand entrances. Jesus considers more. Transfiguration reminds us He was more concerned with leaving a lasting impression by making a grand exit. The Good News is, because of Jesus’ grand exit on the cross and His grand exit from the grave, we will make a grand exit from this world when we die and will be given a wonderful entrance into heaven to await our own resurrection.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for February 22, 2009
Topic: Witnessing – Part 1ANNOUNCER: Now, Pastor Ken Klaus answers questions from listeners. I’m Mark Eischer, and our topic today is evangelism.
KLAUS: That’s good. Evangelism is a good thing.
ANNOUNCER: But our question comes from a person who is looking for support in not being an evangelist.
KLAUS: I’d like to hear what our listener says about that.
ANNOUNCER: OK, here’s the situation: our listener attends a church where the pastor is constantly encouraging the members to be evangelists, according to the Great Commission.
KLAUS: The Great Commission is the final instruction Jesus gave to His disciples. He said, “Go, therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”
ANNOUNCER: And we understand that’s what the Church is supposed to do. But the truth is, our listener doesn’t see himself as an evangelist. He’s active in the church, he attends services, and he gives a percentage of his income.
KLAUS: So, evangelist or not, this guy’s gonna’ be in demand at a lot of parishes.
ANNOUNCER: I would think so. But the thing is: he doesn’t feel comfortable in the role of an evangelist, if you think of an evangelist as someone who goes door-to-door, making cold calls on strangers. He doesn’t think he looks the part – if people see him coming, he’s afraid they’ll lock the door and go hide downstairs in the basement. He says, “Don’t get me wrong – I try to lead a good Christian life. Isn’t that being enough of an evangelist?”
KLAUS: Mark, this fellow needs to be commended. In an age when many people neither attend church nor support it, this man’s ongoing relationship with the Lord appears to be strong and living. So I say congratulations, and please continue in that.
ANNOUNCER: I agree.
KLAUS: But there are other things which also need to be said. Our listener’s pastor is encouraging the people of his congregation to share their faith, to be witnesses for Jesus. That’s also a good thing. A lot of folks think pastors just say that just so they can report good statistics back to denominational headquarters.
ANNOUNCER: And do they expect to get a raise because the church is growing?
KLAUS: Well, it is what some people think. But the truth is, most of the pastors I know have a genuine sorrow for the lost. They take very seriously the Savior’s story of salvation and do all they can to tell folks that it’s only through faith in Jesus we have forgiveness and salvation. I have to believe that’s the reason why the pastor is encouraging his congregation to be so active in doing this work of evangelism.
ANNOUNCER: But does that mean going door-to-door? Our listener’s self-conscious about his appearance. He doesn’t think he looks the part.
KLAUS: I understand his problem. You know, one of the positive things about being on the radio is listeners are free to imagine what we might look like. Our appearances don’t get in the way of the message.
ANNOUNCER: Speaking for myself, that’s probably a good thing.
KLAUS: Back when I was in the parish, my beard and bulky build did not bode well for me being a door-knocking evangelist, either. When I came to the door, people would turn off their porch lights and pull their blinds.
ANNOUNCER: An exaggeration, perhaps.
KLAUS: Yes; well, maybe, but not completely.
ANNOUNCER: OK, so not everyone is cut out to be an evangelist of that sort. That’s one of God’s gifts, and we’ve all been given different gifts, right? So, is it enough, then, to simply be a good example to those around us?
KLAUS: Well, it certainly should never be a case of, “Look how good we are. You should be more like us!” Rather we ought to be saying, “Look how good God is, in Christ, even to people – sinners – like us.”
ANNOUNCER: In other words, we need to proclaim Christ, not the Christian.
KLAUS: Mark, I will say a good example is a great thing in witnessing. If you are not being a good example, your faith isn’t showing through. People will discount what you say. On the other hand, if you are being a good example and living your faith, people will get curious.
ANNOUNCER: Now I think I see where you’re going with this.
KLAUS: It’s when those around you come and ask about your faith – that’s an opportunity for you to be a witness for Christ.
ANNOUNCER: And it doesn’t necessarily mean your going to go door-to-door and confront strangers, or go stand out on the street corner wearing a sandwich board.
KLAUS: That’s right. Not all of us have that ability. There are times in the lives of most folks when they reach the end of their rope. All the coping mechanisms they’ve used in the past no longer seem to be working for them. They’ve got nowhere else to go. That’s often when they turn to their friends who seem to have something, someone, special – like the Savior. At those crucial moments they want what they perceive their friend has.
ANNOUNCER: So that’s why a good Christian example is important. Well, we’ve reached the end of our time. Should we continue with this next week?
KLAUS: I’d like to do that. We’ll have more to say about evangelism.
ANNOUNCER: 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
“New Songs of Celebration Render” by Linda Cable Shute. Concordia Publishing House
“Jesus on the Mountain Peak” by Brian Wren and Theodore Beck. Text © 1977 Hope Publishing Company
“Oh, Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair” From Hark the Glad Sound by Kathryn Peperkorn (©2004 Christ Lutheran Academy)
“Songs of Thankfulness and Praise” arr. by Henry Gerike.
“How Good, Lord, to Be Here” by John Behnke. From For All Seasons, vol. 2 by John Behnke (©2001 John Behnke) Concordia Publishing House
“Oh, Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair” by Timothy Moke. From Magnificent Christian Hymns, vol. 2 by Timothy Moke (© 2005 T. Moke Recordings)