The Lutheran Hour
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"A Case of Mistaken Identity"
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Text: Mark 6:14-16
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Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! The world still denies His victory over death; some sinners still ignore His sacrifice. Even so, Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world; He is the Redeemer of our souls. Today, so you may know and believe on Him, we share the Savior’s story; we echo the angel’s announcement: Christ is risen. God grant we may believe on Jesus and what He has done to redeem us. Amen.
Elvis is alive! How’s that for a way to begin a Lutheran Hour message? Elvis is alive! That’s what one person said last year. He was absolutely, positively, beyond-any-shadow-of-a-doubt certain he had seen Elvis come out of a Nashville recording studio on Thanksgiving Eve, 2008. The Elvis spotter who reported the incident said Elvis was wearing “an ankle length charcoal duster coat, a royal blue shirt, black slacks, and black boots.” The Elvis spotter said the king “appeared to be in pretty decent shape, slightly paunchy, but not fat. His hair was styled the same, a bit shorter and streaked with gray, with an abbreviated set of sideburns.” In awe, the man who says he saw Elvis comments, “I had witnessed a miracle, Elvis was back!!! But…who would ever believe me?” Running the risk of getting a few thousand letters from those of you who believe “Elvis is alive,” I’m compelled to confess: “I don’t believe the story.” What did happen that Thanksgiving Eve? My best guess would be: this was a case of mistaken identity – the witness had simply seen an Elvis look alike.
Mistaken identity is not an uncommon thing. The Bible records more than one incident of mistaken identity. The narrative which is most important for our message today is found in the sixth chapter of the Gospel of Mark. While I certainly encourage you to read the story for yourself, for the purpose of time, allow me to summarize. At the time of Jesus’ ministry, the ruler of Galilee was a fellow by the name of Herod Antipas. Like many people, Herod found himself falling in love. Normally there is nothing wrong when a king or a commoner falls in love. Normally. But Herod’s love was complicated by a few difficulties. First, Herod was already married – married to a princess whose father was understandably put out when his daughter was cast off like a worn-out, old shoe and ignominiously dumped on his doorstep. The other difficulty, to Herod and his true love, an almost inconsequential detail, was the fact that she was both his niece and she was currently married to his brother. You might rightly understand that the Lord took a dim view of Herod’s double incest.
Indeed, the Lord expressed His displeasure with Herod’s marital misadventures through the preaching of John the Baptist. Never a person to mince words, John thoroughly and repeatedly condemned the ruler’s immoral relationship. For his efforts John found himself locked away in the high security fortress-prison of Machaerus. Now, even though Herod had been blinded by love, he still had enough vision to know the Lord frowns upon monarchs who mess with His men of prophecy. Comforted by the knowledge that his arrest of the Baptizer had effectively taken his criticism off the streets and away from the ears of the people, Herod was content. There was no need for him to do anything more. John would simply stay imprisoned until he died or he shut up. That was Herod’s plan. It was a good plan and it might have worked if Herod had not, at his birthday party, made a boastful, foolish promise. A misplaced sense of values meant that Herod, feeling obliged to keep his word, reluctantly ended up giving the order to have John beheaded.
That should have rung down the curtain on John the Baptizer and he should have faded into obscurity. It didn’t happen that way; not at all. Shortly after John’s body had been buried, reports began to make their way to the palace and Herod’s ear. These were stories about a Man who, like John, was preaching with authority; stories about an Individual who, like John, was calling people to repentance and the kingdom of heaven; stories about a Person who was giving sight to the blind, mobility to the lame, and bringing the dead back to life. Inquiring minds wanted to know, “Who is this Guy?” Differing suggestions were put forward. Some thought: “It’s John the Baptizer who has been raised from the dead.” That idea had to have added some fuel to Herod’s burning, guilty conscience. Others, following a safer route, suggested the fellow was Elijah and yet others were convinced the mystery Man was cut from the same bolt of cloth as the prophets of the Old Testament. Herod, no doubt disturbed by the part he had played in John’s death, was convinced: this Guy was the resurrected John; a risen John who would, in all probability, pick up his criticism where he had left off.
It was a case of mistaken identity. This Fellow who was causing such a stir was not John, nor Elijah, nor Isaiah, nor Ezekiel, nor Joel, Amos, nor Obadiah. This Fellow who spoke with Divine authority and did magnificent miracles was John’s cousin, Jesus of Nazareth. Only a short time before had Jesus come forward to begin the public ministry for which He had been born. It was understandable that Herod’s court, along with others (Matthew 16:14) were confused as to the Savior’s Person and Purpose. People have always been confused in regard to Jesus. Was He a sage or a charlatan; was He humanity’s friend, or merely a fake and a fraud? People get confused. Was the Christ a teacher or a troublemaker; a savior or a scalawag; the world’s Redeemer or humanity’s greatest and most successful Deceiver? Who is Jesus? Herod was wrong in his opinion of the Lord and over the centuries, others have been equally mistaken. Who is Jesus? If He is the only Way for us to be forgiven of our sins, the only Road who leads to heaven (and He is), then we would be wise to believe on Him. On the other hand, if He is nothing more than an incredibly successful conman, then He ought to be summarily dismissed. Who is Jesus; what do you think? I think this is not the time for mistaken identity.
Who is Jesus; what do you think? You know, if I were to ask you what you thought about the President or Prime Minister, it wouldn’t take but a second for you to start sharing your opinion. In a moment I would either hear words of adoration, adulation, and admiration, or I would listen to a stream of anger, annoyance, and antagonism. That’s because you already have an opinion about these men. If I were to list the names of movie stars and other folks who are in the limelight, you would not only know who they are; you would also know if you love them or dislike them. But this Lord’s Day I’m not asking you how you feel about the rich and famous; I’m asking your opinion about the Christ. Who is Jesus; what do you think?
If I were to ask you about your mother-in-law, you could tell me. If I asked your opinion about the policeman who gave you a speeding ticket, you could tell me what you thought about him, couldn’t you? How about your high-school Algebra teacher, or your mailman, or your garbage collector, or your pastor? You could provide a judgment about these people without having to think for hours. But the question for today is: “Who is Jesus?” In regard to Him, we dare not be mistaken; we must not mistake His identity.
Understand, I’m not asking what you think about Him as an instructor. Even those who try to ignore Him will admit He taught as no other man ever has. Jesus took simple things, things like an expensive pearl, a delinquent son, a kindly stranger, and surrounded those simple things with God’s truth. He did this so effectively that never again can you see a pearl of great price, or a prodigal son, or a Good Samaritan, and not think of His message. No, I’m not asking about Jesus as a Teacher, or a Healer, or a Philosopher. I’m asking, “What do you think of Jesus? Is He your crucified and risen Savior?”
Now, if you want to find out something about a person, any person, the best way to do so is to talk to those who know him best. Let’s do that in regard to Jesus. Yes, yes, I know, you’re thinking, “If we’re going to get an honest opinion, we can’t just talk to Jesus’ friends.” I agree. Talking ONLY to Jesus’ friends would give us an unbalanced answer, a prejudiced picture. So, let’s begin by speaking to Jesus’ enemies. Let’s ask the Pharisees. They always found fault in what Jesus said and did. Let’s ask: “Guys, you are upstanding pillars of the community. What is your biggest criticism of the Christ?” To that question, they quickly reply, “This Man received sinners.” That’s your best shot? Jesus associated with sinners? Thank God He did! If Jesus hadn’t associated with sinners; if He hadn’t reached out to us, rescued and redeemed us, what would have happened to us? But, wait, the Pharisees aren’t done. As they huddle at the foot of Jesus’ cross, they call out this challenge: “Jesus, You saved others, why is it You can’t save Yourself?” No one can argue with that. If Jesus had gotten down off that cross; if He had come down and walked away, His mission of rescuing humanity from sin, death, and devil would have been incomplete and we would remain in our sins.
Whom else shall we ask? Jesus had more than enough enemies to pick from. Here, here’s Caiaphas. Caiaphas was the “chief justice” of the Sanhedrin. Caiaphas, probably more than any other person, was responsible for Jesus’ crucifixion. Ask Caiaphas: “Who is Jesus, what do you think?” You ask, Caiaphas answers, “Jesus said He was the Son of God. He spoke words of blasphemy” (Matthew 26:65). Truly, those words, if they had come from the mouth of any mere mortal, would be blasphemy. But when Jesus makes this claim, the words are true. Look at Him. Jesus did works which only God could do; He is given Names that only God deserves; He has the power and authority that only God can command. Peter, observing Jesus’ ministry, was right when he confessed, “Jesus, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Because Jesus is the Son of God, He was able to live His life perfectly, resisting temptations, fulfilling laws, and offering His life as the ransom price which would redeem us.
“Who is Jesus; what do you think?” Ask Pontius Pilate, the Roman procurator who presided over the Savior’s trial. Pilate will tell you, “Jesus is a person in whom I found no fault” (John 19:4). Ask Judas, the traitor who betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Ask him, “Judas, what do you think of Jesus?” The disciple’s guilty conscience will confess, “Jesus,” blood is innocent.’ Can you believe it? Both Jesus’ judge and His betrayer, the ones who have the most to gain by degrading and defaming Jesus, declared Him to be guilt free, innocent of any wrongdoing. And so He was. Jesus, the only Innocent Man this world has ever seen, was sentenced to die so we, the guilty, might be declared forgiven of our wrongful thoughts, words, and deeds.
“Who is Jesus; what do you think?” Let’s have no mistaken identities when it comes to the Christ. Please, ask the Centurion who would have been the overseer at the crucifixion. After Pilate had pronounced sentence, the centurion would have made sure the governor’s judgment was carried out. The centurion would have ordered the cross to be set on Jesus’ bloody back; he would have made sure the nails were properly driven; the spear thrust into the Savior’s side. Let me ask, “Centurion, you were there; you watched Jesus die; you heard what He said. ‘Tell us, who is Jesus, what do you think?'” Listen carefully as this battle-hardened soldier says “This Man was the Son of God” (Mathew 27: 54). Have you heard Jesus’ enemies agreeing? They stand together to say: “Jesus was innocent of wrongdoing and the only charge for which He can be convicted is in caring for sinners.”
“Who is Jesus, what do you think?” We have talked to Jesus’ enemies, now listen to His friends. When the headsman’s ax descended upon the neck of John the Baptist, the prophet died believing what he had confessed at the Jordan River: “Jesus was the Lamb of God Who had come to take away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). Thomas was the disciple who, like much of humanity, couldn’t quite bring himself to believe Jesus had conquered death. Still, when the disciple was confronted by the risen Christ, when He was offered the opportunity to see Jesus’ nail-scarred hands, had the chance to put his fingers into Jesus’ spear-slashed side, he was compelled to confess: “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). Saul, who had once tried to stomp out the first flames of the faith, said, “This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1 Timothy 1:15). The angels of heaven say Jesus had come to be our “Savior, Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). And if you don’t want to hear the angels of heaven, will you not listen to the devils of hell as they call out: “…Jesus of Nazareth. Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One of God” (Luke 4:34). Friends, enemies, angels, and devils have all shared their position on the Savior. Still, there is one, last voice who needs to be heard. Ask the Father in heaven, “Who is Jesus; what do You think?” In reply His voice thunders from heaven, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matthew 17:5).
This Lutheran Hour message has spent a great deal of time sharing the opinions of those who hated Jesus and the thoughts of those who loved Him. Those humans are gone; their lives are done, their race, for good or ill, has been run. Now there is only one question which remains: “What do you think of Jesus – who is He?” Standing before this microphone, I am aware that there are some of you who are hearing Jesus’ story of salvation for the first time. There are others of you for whom this message will be the last encouragement to salvation you will ever hear. To you and all in between, know this: today you have heard that Jesus, the sinless Son of God, entered this world to save you. Saving you was His singular and exclusive purpose. To save you, Jesus resisted Satan’s temptations; to save you He kept the laws of God we all have broken; to save you He took our sins to Himself; to save you He died; He unfairly died, upon the cross of Calvary. To show to a doubting world He has finished His work, He rose from the grave on the third day. Jesus lives, and He wants you to live also. For 79 years that has been the message of this broadcast. For far longer, the Holy Spirit has been calling people to faith. He wants no identity to be mistaken when it comes to Jesus Christ. He wants you to know, to believe Jesus Christ is your Savior and Lord.
When he was vice president of the U.S., Thomas Jefferson, attired in soiled working clothes, tried to get a room in Baltimore’s finest hotel. The manager, a fellow by the name of Boyden, took one look at Jefferson’s scruffy clothes and turned him away. A few minutes later, after someone had informed Boyden he had mistaken the man’s identity and just turned away the vice president, the manager immediately dispatched a servant to find Jefferson and offer him a room, as many rooms, as he wished. After he heard the message, Jefferson, replied: “Tell Boyden that I value his good intentions highly, but if he has no room for a dirty farmer, he shall have none for the vice president.” Mistaken identity.
Who is Jesus; who is He to you? He is far greater than any president, any ruler, any teacher, any scientist, any pastor, or blood-relative. Who is Jesus to you? I pray you will not question Jesus’ identity, that you will not doubt or deny His sacrifice or resurrection. The Babe of Bethlehem, the Christ of the cross, the Savior of the empty tomb is the only One who can correct humankind’s disastrous decisions, our horrible hatreds, our foolishness, our folly, our sad and sorry sins. He is the only One who can erase them and substitute His gracious, blood-bought salvation. Who is Jesus: Who is He to you? By the Holy Spirit’s power may you join with Peter and say, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! (who) According to his great mercy (has given us) a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). If we can help you see this Savior more clearly, please call us at The Lutheran Hour. Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for July 12, 2009
Topic: Why Did Jesus PrayAnnouncer: Why did Jesus pray? Pastor Ken Klaus responds to questions from listeners. I’m Mark Eischer and our question comes to us today from a Bible Class in Louisiana.
Klaus: I think we out to probably just jump right in.
Announcer: Since Jesus is part of the Triune God, why did He pray? Wouldn’t that be like He was praying to Himself?
Klaus: It’s a good question. Jesus is, as the writer correctly identifies, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. The Bible tells us Jesus was present at the creation of the world; it tells us He will be there at its judgment; He will be worshiped for all of eternity, along with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Announcer: But Jesus wasn’t always a man, was He?
Klaus: And with that question, Mark, you really pinpoint the heart of the matter. Jesus wasn’t always a man. That happens at His incarnation.
Announcer: Incarnation… loosely translated to mean, “He was enfleshed, or He acquired a body.”
Klaus: In the Apostles’ Creed we say it this way, “He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary.” He was, although the mathematics don’t work out very well – 100% man and 100% God. It
wasn’t a 50-50 proposition.Announcer: Was Jesus’ conception part of what we call His “state of humiliation”?
Klaus: It was the beginning of His state of humiliation. Now when we say Jesus had a state of humiliation, it conjures up all kinds of ideas for people. It doesn’t mean that He was embarrassed or that somebody played an April Fools joke on Him and He felt really silly. Jesus’ state of humiliation is when true-man-Jesus didn’t always use all of His Divine powers and His attributes.
Announcer: For example, His omnipresence?
Klaus: Exactly. Although Jesus was always holy and loving, qualities which are definitely part of His Godness, He wasn’t present everywhere. When He was in Galilee, He was in Galilee.
Announcer: Of course, He could do Godly things like perform miracles.
Klaus: Absolutely. He was, as we said, still God. As John 10:30 (ESV) quotes Jesus as saying, “I and the Father are one.”
Announcer: OK. Now that takes us back to the original question. Jesus is God, so why did He pray? Was He praying to Himself?
Klaus: And the answer is: Jesus was God – but He was not praying to Himself. As a man, fully one of us, Jesus needed to pray. He needed to pray just as we do. We have many times when we see Jesus doing just that in the Scripture. He would go off and pray by Himself. He taught the disciples how to pray. In John 17 we have the High Priestly Prayer. We see Him praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Announcer: But He is not praying to Himself?
Klaus: No, He’s not. Jesus is the Second Person of the Trinity, but He is also a unique Individual.
Announcer: OK. This is all getting more difficult to understand.
Klaus: Let me try to simplify. When Jesus responds to His disciples who say, “Lord, teach us to pray,” what does He say to them? How does He begin?
Announcer: He says, “Our Father, Who art in heaven….”
Klaus: He doesn’t say, “Our Me, Who art on earth….”?
Announcer: No.
Klaus: How about when Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane. Do you remember what He says?
Announcer: He said, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me.”
Klaus: Is that a prayer which He is directing to Himself?
Announcer: No, once again, it’s a prayer that’s directed to the Father.
Klaus: The same thing is true of John 17:1 where Jesus says, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you….”
Announcer: I think we see a pattern developing here, don’t we?
Klaus: Exactly. We do. Now, we don’t always know the wording of all of Jesus’ prayers. For example, in Luke 22, Jesus says to Peter: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.” Now we don’t know what Jesus’ exact words were, but there is nothing to indicate that Jesus prayed any differently for Peter at that time than He did during those times when we do know what His exact sentences were.
Announcer: How would you sum this all up?
Klaus: As a man, Jesus prayed faithfully and regularly. When He prayed, He did not pray to Himself, but to His Father, our Father who is in heaven.
Announcer: This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Music selection for this program:
“A Mighty Fortress” arranged by John Leavitt. Concordia Publishing House/SESAC
“My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” arranged by Henry Gerike. Used by permission.
“Prelude on Repton” by John Behnke. From For All Seasons, vol. 2 by John Behnke (© 2001 John A. Behnke) Concordia Publishing House
“All Glory Be to God on High” by Paul Manz. From Hymn Improvisations, vol. 1 by Paul Manz (© 1992 Paul Manz)