The Lutheran Hour
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"Nobody Tells Me What To Do"
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Text: Luke 3:1-14
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Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! By God’s grace the story of the crucified and risen Savior is still proclaimed; the Good News of blood-bought salvation still is shared. The Son of God has come and He will come again. May we await that day with repentant, forgiven, and faith-filled hearts. God grant this blessing to us all. Amen
When you tell stories, you have to be careful. For example, the story I’m about to share is an old one, coming from the Middle Ages. Although it’s an ancient tale, the listener needs to be careful he or she doesn’t come away from the hearing with some wrong ideas. This story has a number of miss directions, the first of which speaks of a lady being kicked out of heaven. As she is walking past the pearly gates in exile, she is told she can earn re-admittance for herself if she manages to discover and bring back that single, earthly thing which is most precious to God.
That’s really bad theology. It’s bad because once Jesus brings one of His friends into heaven; they’re not getting kicked out. Second, Scripture is incredibly clear: sinners are given entrance to heaven not because of what they do or the things they discover. They are given admittance to paradise because they have been cleansed of their sin by the blood of Jesus and the Holy Spirit has blessed them with faith in the crucified and ever-living Savior.
So, having said that, the story continues with that lady wandering the earth, always searching, always asking, “What does God want most?” She was pretty sure her search had come to an end when she met a man who was about to be martyred by a heathen monarch. With incredible courage, that Christian man confessed his Lord and publicly stated he preferred to be tortured and murdered rather than deny his Savior. His words were prophetic as he was butchered in the arena later that day. Only after the amphitheater had cleared out, did our exiled lady from heaven manage to procure a few grains of sand – sand made precious because they had been stained with the martyr’s blood. The lady almost danced as she joyfully approached heaven with her unique discovery. She made her presentation — and she was turned down. The blood of the martyrs is truly precious to the Lord, but it wasn’t their blood which the Lord most wanted.
Reluctantly, the lady returned to earth to begin her wandering, her collecting anew. She brought to the Lord some coins an impoverished widow had given to the poor. That wasn’t it. Next she submitted the worn and torn wrinkled pages of a Bible which had been used by a faithful minister. Then there was the dust she collected from the shoes of a missionary who had served in a foreign land. Each discovery had her saying to herself, “Most assuredly this must be that which God most desires.” Each time she was wrong.
It seemed her search would be endless, until the day she saw a boy playing with his little sister by a fountain. There was nothing special about their play; nothing unique about them. That is until a man, a man in a fierce hurry, rode up and roughly reigned in his horse. The little girl might have been trampled if the boy had not risked himself and jerked his sister out of the way. The man watched as the boy comforted his sister who had been startled more than hurt. He watched and then he bent down to drink. As he did, he saw the reflection of his face, a face hardened by past and present transgressions, a face which cared for nothing and no one. And overcome by his sin, in that moment the man wept tears of repentance. The woman caught one of those tears and holding it in her palm she hurried to heaven. As she approached with a tear of repentance, the one thing which the Lord most desires, the doors swung open in welcome.
Today, your newspaper is filled to overflowing with flyers from local retailers, it is gleefully counting down the shopping days left till Christmas. At the same time your car radio is jingling you to death with songs about the products you simply have to buy.
In contrast to this multitude of earthly advertisers who promise to raise your standard of living but only manage to raise your standard of longing, out of the wilderness the Lord brings forth a single man, a lone, powerful voice who calls the sinful world to repentance. His parents had called him “John” but the world has always known him as “The Baptizer,” the forerunner of the promised Savior, Jesus. The son of a priestly family, John might have dressed in the finest of clothing, eaten the choicest of meats, been permitted to serve the Lord in His temple. But that was not the Lord’s plan. Before his conception, God had already selected The Baptizer to be His prophet, His first, legitimate prophet in more than 400 years. In that role of prophet John would not offer people what they wanted to hear; no, he would tell them what they most needed to hear.
In the third chapter of his Gospel, the physician Luke tells us that the word of God came to John who began to preach “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Repentance. Years ago, when my children were young, one of the girls, you don’t need to know which one, had done something wrong and had been sent to her room by her mother. There, in solitary confinement our youngster was to languish until she, with a repentant heart, said she was “sorry.” I was just about to enter her room to reinforce Mom’s verdict when I heard her brother give her this advice: “All you have to do is say you’re sorry. You don’t have to mean it.” That is not the kind of pretend repentance John was preaching.
Nor was The Baptizer speaking about a half-hearted repentance. As long as I’ve embarrassed one daughter, I might as well do the same with the other. Different daughter, similar situation. She also had misbehaved and been sent to her room. She, too, had been told she could come out and join the rest of us when she repented and said she was sorry. Five minutes went by; ten minutes; fifteen minutes. Finally we heard the door to her room creak open and a head poked out into the hallway. “Well, young lady,” I said in my stern, fatherly voice which never managed to fool anybody, especially my daughters. “Well, young lady, are you sorry enough to come out of your room?” And can you believe it, she said, absolutely straight and incredibly sweet, “No, Daddy, but I’m sorry enough to leave the door open.” Half-hearted repentance is not what John was asking for. The Baptizer was not speaking about God giving us a tune-up, an oil change, a rotation of our tires. Because the Holy Spirit had told him, John knew that fallen man is not in need of small alterations, miniscule adjustments, and minor modifications.
Because the Holy Spirit had told him, John knew if the people were going to be ready for the Christ’s coming, they would have to admit they were in need of a Savior. Before they would admit they needed a Savior they would have to confess they were sinners and that kind of a confession only comes when the Holy Spirit gives someone a repentant heart. John had been given a big job and not much time to do it. Using words I’ve never heard a present day pastor use on his parish, The Baptizer lit into his listeners. He said things like: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? (If you want to be saved, you’d better start to) Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.”
Apparently John managed to get through to the people, at least some of them. Those who heard his message started to take a good, serious, in-depth look into their hearts, at their lives, at the things they had said, at their thoughts both horrible and hateful. They looked, some were convicted, and the honest ones concluded: they needed a Savior. One of the great preachers of the 1800s was a Scottish Presbyterian Pastor by the name of Alexander Whyte. For 40 years Whyte served a congregation who loved him, even as he loved them. One day an admiring young lady came to him and gushed, “Dr. Whyte, I just love being in your presence. You are so saintly.” Her comment brought him up short. Whyte looked at her, lowered his voice, and with incredible seriousness said, “Madam, if you could look into my soul, what you would see would make you spit in my face.” That’s honesty. It’s the kind of honesty some of the folks in the Baptizer’s crowd must have felt that day. No longer confident they had the ability to get into heaven on their own, concerned about their eternal destinies, they began to ask questions. They asked, “What shall we do? What can we do?”
John offered some suggestions. To the members of the general audience, The Baptizer told them to quit thinking of themselves and not to be so concerned about accumulating more and more stuff. He suggested that sinners in need of grace might graciously wish to share with others. Giving gifts to others; that’s not a bad idea for those of us who are going to be spending the next few weeks picking out the right gift, the perfect present for those around us. This year, rather than giving because it is seasonal, or it is expected, or because it is obligatory, we can give as a reflection of the gifts God has given to us. This Christmas we can give in recognition that our Father in heaven, having taken a look at lost and doomed sinners, gave His only Son to be our Savior. God gave His Son to live for us, to fulfill the law for us, to suffer for us, to die for us, and rise for us. Jesus is God’s great and gracious Gift who offers us forgiveness and hope.
But John’s suggestions toward the repentant life didn’t end there. When some special interest groups came to him, John had answers for them as well. Answers which fit their particular situation and were designed to take care of their unique transgressions. When some tax collectors asked, “What shall we do?” John told them. Surprisingly, he didn’t tell them to quit their job and pursue a new line of work. Instead of raising the unemployment figures, John said, “Look, guys, you’ve got a pretty bad reputation. You’re good friends with our country’s oppressors, the Romans — and you feather your nest by collecting taxes which you keep for yourselves. It’s time for you folks to be honest. Do your work, collect the correct amounts, and don’t gouge the people.”
When some soldiers asked him, “Baptizer, what should we do?” The Baptizer was just as straight with his answers. He didn’t ask them to go AWOL or quit soldiering and become butchers or bakers or candlestick makers. Many might have wanted John to say that, but he didn’t. Instead he encouraged them to be content with their pay and quit intimidating the people they were supposed to protect. He told them to remember: while they might be stronger than the people around them, God was stronger than they. The Baptizer warned, “Repent! Quit messing around — because you just might, someday, be given a taste of your own medicine. Repent! Quit messing around because the Savior is coming to forgive you, to touch you, to save your soul from the damnation your sins have deserved.”
You know, I’ve often wondered how The Baptizer’s message might be received today. Sure, the news media would give him some coverage. They would, for a while, treat him like they would an act from a circus sideshow. Dressed in camel skins he would be both applauded by the fashion industry and vilified by those who believe animals are people, too. Eating locusts and wild honey would bring him criticism and commendation. But would anyone listen to his message about repentance? If you put him on the radio or on TV, I don’t think it would take too long before people would turn the channel. Today the preachers who sell are the ones who never mention original sin, actual sin, or our need to repent. They don’t talk about a Savior from sin, because they don’t like to talk about sin. No, most of today’s TV preachers wouldn’t have John as a guest on their show. Too unpredictable; too pushy, too strong, too one cause. The Baptizer’s idea of a repentant heart doesn’t leave much room for those who think of God as a cosmic Christmas Wishbook. The Baptizer’s belief of the need for contrition wouldn’t fit in well with those who say we’re all pretty much OK the way we are.
The truth is, we live in an age where people don’t want to admit they sin; that they are foul, that they are evil, that if somebody could look into their hearts that person would be so shocked at what they saw there they would spit in our faces. It doesn’t make any difference that corruption is uncontrolled; scandal remains extensive; perversion is prospering, the family is floundering, and things are going from bad to worse. In spite of the facts; in spite of the Bible and our own consciences, we still cling to the idea that we’re doing pretty good. Besides, nobody has the right to tell me what to do — especially when it comes to repenting. Repenting is something which only looks good on the weak and helpless.
If that’s what you believe, then, like John, I can tell you this: Jesus didn’t come into this world to live for those who were doing just fine on their own. There was no reason for God’s innocent Son to suffer beatings for those who were self-sufficient; there was no purpose in Him dying and rising for those who could take care of sin, death, and devil on their own and without any assistance from Him. No, Jesus came to be the Physician for those who were sick; to be the Way for those who were lost; to be THE Truth for those who were confused, and to be the Gate for those who were shunned. Jesus came to be the sinful soul’s Savior from all that is evil. Jesus came to save sinners, to create new hearts, to cleanse consciences, and make a change in our lives. That is what God’s Son does with a heart that is repentant. He makes changes.
Some time ago I read about a middle-aged couple who picked six correct numbers in the lottery. They won a bundle. When the press interviewed the couple, they said the money was nice, but it wasn’t going to change them or their lifestyle. Their statement seemed so strong the paper came back a year later to see if the couple had kept their word. They had. With a fortune in the bank, the couple was living just as they had been. Same house, same jobs, same old used cars. The only difference was this: they had taken a foreign vacation rather than spending the time locally. Now when I tell that story to others, most become envious. They think, ‘How great it would be to be such a contented couple.”
Me, I think it’s pretty sad. That couple’s got it all, and they’re living as if they had nothing. Just like many people who are listening to my voice. In the Savior they have been given many great and wonderful blessings, but what happens when people don’t want them, act as if they don’t need them? Jesus came into this world to seek and save sinners; to make a change in lost lives. Jesus lived, died, and rose so all who believe might be redeemed and recycled and restored. Do not pretend as if you don’t need Him; don’t pretend that you’re OK on your own. The Baptizer knows you’re not; you know it; I know it, most of all God knows it. That’s why Jesus is here today… He is God’s great gift of grace to you. That is the message of The Baptizer. Repent and believe in the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. To that end, if we can be of service, please call us at The Lutheran Hour. Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for December 6, 2009
TOPIC: Two Kingdoms – Part 1Mark: Now, Pastor Ken Klaus answers questions from listeners. I’m Mark Eischer. A listener writes: “Some Christian broadcasters spend a great deal of their time talking about the government, economics, the environment, and Supreme Court rulings. Even my parish pastor preaches about economic justice and the minimum wage. However, The Lutheran Hour doesn’t do that. Can you explain why, or am I just missing those broadcasts when you do that?”
Ken: No, they’re not missing the programs when we talk about political and social issues.
Mark: And, why don’t we talk about those?
Ken: Simple. 75 years ago, this broadcast was conceived for the sole purpose of preaching a changeless Christ to a changing world. Since that time the world has seen depressions, recessions, wars, terrorism, spread of Communism, fall of the Iron Curtain, the arrival of computers, microwave ovens, iPods, and cell phones.
Mark: A lot of changes.
Ken: Yes, but one thing hasn’t changed. God still wants to save sinners and He does that through the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is the message that we preach, week after week, year after year. For three-quarters of a century The Lutheran Hour has shared God’s Good News: God loves you and He sent His Son to save you by dying for your sins and rising from the dead. By the Spirit’s power you can be given faith in the Good News that your sins are forgiven and your soul is freed from damnation.
Mark: But what about all of those other things the listener mentioned? Aren’t those also important for making the world a better place?
Ken: They are important. We can’t pretend they’re not . They affect us. But our job on this broadcast is to share the Savior who can lead people through whatever difficulty, pain, hurt, sadness, or loss this world can throw at them. We preach Christ, crucified and risen — that’s God’s Good News to a world that’s filled with bad news.
Mark: But why should The Lutheran Hour be different? Why not just do what everybody else is doing?
Ken: Why do we do what we do? I have a number of answers to that Mark. I’ll try to keep them short. First, every week, I stand in front of this microphone, I am speaking to millions of people. Some of them are dying, and they know it. Some of them will die, and death may come to them unexpectedly. The words of this broadcast are the last words the Savior will speak to some of them. I have about 16 minutes to tell them that without the Savior they are eternally lost — but with the Savior, they are saved. How’s that for relevant? I’m simply not ready to spend those minutes talking about something else.
Mark: But, are those other things trivial?
Ken: Certainly not. Still we need to keep them in perspective. Let me tell you what I mean. The Great Depression, a terrible thing, yet today some of the people who lived through those times refer to those years as “the good old days.” Adolph Hitler was once a great evil in this world, but now he’s primarily relegated to the History Channel.
These things which appear as a headline in the newspaper, which are the opening stories on the 6 o’clock news, aren’t trivial, but they’re not all important either.
What is all important is that people know the Savior who is reaching out with His nail-pierced hands to save them from the ultimate evil that awaits. No speaker on The Lutheran Hour has ever forgotten that fact. We are given a chance to share the Savior with those who are lost and we will not squander that opportunity.
Mark: And you said that you had other reasons why we do what we do.
Ken: I do. At least two reasons. The next reason is a simple one: people don’t need to hear my opinions. What Ken Klaus or any of my predecessors have thought about social or political issues isn’t that important. Indeed, quite frequently, we can be wrong, at least I can be.
Times change, more information comes in, circumstances modify what we thought we knew. I’ll give you an example.
We all know good nutrition is important for health. Suppose I were to preach about nutrition? At one time, eggs were considered to be good for you. But then someone decided eggs were bad for you. Now they’re good again. Any sermon I preached about eggs would be outdated.On the other hand, The Lutheran Hour has always preached a message that is never out of date and can never be contradicted by new information. We are all sinners and we need forgiveness. Only in Jesus is that forgiveness possible. That’s what we preach. God’s truth. God’s salvation. God’s Son, crucified and risen for you, for me, for our listeners. When people tune in, they can be sure they will hear God’s word, not man’s — or more specifically, Ken Klaus’s.
Mark: 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
“O Lord, How Shall I Meet You” by Paul Gerhardt & Johann Cruger. From Heirs of the Reformation (© 2008 Concordia Publishing House)
“On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” arr. Peter Prochnow. From Songs to Celebrate the Birth of Our Savior by Peter Prochnow (© 1999 Lutheran Music Missions) www.lutheranmusicmissions.com
“Lift Up Your Heads, You Mighty Gates” by John Behnke. From For All Seasons, vol. 3 by John Behnke (© 2004 John Behnke) Concordia Publishing House/SESAC