The Lutheran Hour
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"A Sermon for Skeptics"
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Text: Matthew 21:28-32
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Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Go to Calvary and see God’s Son die. Run to the empty tomb and see Him live again. Look within your heart and know Jesus is the Savior Who has come to free you from sin, Satan, and death. Look, repent, believe, be saved. God grant such a saving faith to us all. Amen.
It was 1917 when 10-year-old Frances and 16-year-old Elsie produced some pictures of themselves in the presence of winged fairies. Yes, that’s right: fairies, you know, like Disney’s Tinkerbell. The girls and the photographic proof they had provided caused quite the sensation. That notoriety increased when Sir Arthur Conan Doyle used their pictures to illustrate an article he had written for the 1920 Christmas edition of Strand magazine. It took more than 60 years before the girls admitted they had pulled a hoax which had fooled many.
On April 21, 1934, the great British newspaper, The Daily Mail published a photograph of the Loch Ness Monster. The picture, taken by London physician Dr. Robert Kenneth Wilson, sort of showed the head and neck of a supposedly great and unidentified beast. The photograph was wired around the world and picked up by any newspaper worth its salt. Because of the photographic proof, millions of people believed in Nessie. It took the passing of 60 years before one of the fellows involved confessed that the picture was not of a monster, but of a small “monster-shaped” submarine they had made to hoax the gullible.
Of course these jokes made at the expense of others happened a long time ago and in a place far away. They happened in an age when people were simpler, more trusting, more easily deceived. But that was then and this is now; things are different now. People today don’t get fooled as they did in earlier generations. We don’t get tricked because; well, because our mothers didn’t raise no fools. Now we may not be the most educated or the brightest individuals in the world, and super-smart Stephen Hawking probably doesn’t lose any sleep when he hears our names being mentioned; but that being said, this truth remains: you and I take considerable pride in the fact that we’re not easily conned, fooled, or hoodwinked. Doubting Thomases all, we’re proud to say it would take a master to pull the wool over our eyes. And since we approach all of life with this somewhat skeptical perspective, we are proud to say, ‘the tomfoolery which deceived other generations isn’t gonna deceive us.’
Really?! Well, if that’s the case, what would be your reply if I were to mention Richard and Mayumi Heene? Have you forgotten their names? Less than two years ago, it was October 15, 2009, the Heenes reported a helium-filled gas balloon that had floated away and their six-year-old boy, Falcon, was inside. Do you remember how the media followed that balloon? Do you recall how long they reported the lad’s perilous situation? Of course you remember. And you recall how you felt when you found out the whole thing had been a hoax. You were mad because you’d been had.
Which, I imagine, is just one more reason why we try to be so very, very careful about the things we believe.
Understandably our reluctance spills over into things religious. Maybe it especially includes things religious. I mean, how is a person to decide what they are to believe? The world has a number of major religions and a whole gaggle of minor ones. Which one is right? How can a person know? Within each major religion there are numerous subdivisions. Which one of these denominations, if any, has a lock on the truth? Which one is right? How is a person to know? Almost every religion has some prominent representatives, some powerful spokesmen. Quite often it seems that these individuals and their message are special and can be trusted. Then, with the passing of time or just because we get to know them better, we discover they are sinners just like us… and sometimes worse than us. Who are we to follow? How are we to know? Sadly, many people, maybe you or someone close to you, conclude: “I’m not going to follow anyone; I’m not going to believe in anything.” You do that because you don’t wish to be made the fool.
If that accurately describes the way you feel, you may derive some comfort in knowing you are not alone. In the years when Jesus walked among us there were some people who raised skepticism to an art form. These people, the Bible calls them the High Priests and Elders, were among the wisest and most influential of God’s chosen people. Knowing their mothers had raised no fools, these fellows felt it was their job to guide the people, to make sure the common man wasn’t being inflamed by the dubious urgings of a heretic or being led astray by the rantings of a self-appointed prophet.
These fellows, like many modern day skeptics, were pretty sure Jesus was both Heretic and false Prophet. They had their suspicions when Jesus began His ministry and the passing of time hadn’t mellowed their opinion. On the contrary, time had removed all doubt. They were sure Jesus was up to no good… no good for them… no good for the people… no good for anybody. That’s why, when Jesus entered the temple, they confronted and questioned Him. The conversation sounded something like this: (they said) “Look Jesus, we’d sure like to know Who has given You the authority to do the things you do. We’ve been listening and You’ve said some pretty off the wall things; we’ve been watching and we’ve seen You do some stuff the average Joe can’t duplicate. So, tell us who or what gives You Your power and authority?”
Now, if these fellows had been sincere in their questions, if they had been honestly looking for answers about the Redeemer, Jesus would have responded just as sincerely. Jesus was always honest with those whose questions were legitimate. When He met the outcast Samaritan woman at the well, He let her know He was the Water-of-Life. When Mary and Martha were in mourning over their dead brother, He said that anyone who believes in Him would never die. And then He showed them just what His words meant.
My friend, you should know the passing of centuries hasn’t changed things: Jesus still answers the heartfelt requests of those who come to Him acknowledging their sinfulness and their helplessness. Unfortunately, the Priests and Elders hadn’t come as helpless sinners. They had no desire to check out His credentials; they asked no question which would let Him explain His claim to be the Messiah. They didn’t ask because they didn’t want to hear it. That’s because these men had already met together and planned a legal way of having Jesus executed. It’s true, they had already set into motion the mechanics of the plot which would, in less than a week, result in Jesus being betrayed, arrested, tried, condemned, and crucified.
Now that you know what was in their hearts, you can readily see how their question was nothing more than a cruel, inside joke. You can also understand: it didn’t make any difference what defense Jesus might have made or what information He might have shared, He was condemned. Yes, you know what was in their hearts and Jesus knew it too. Because He was God’s Son, the all-knowing Savior, Jesus saw into their hearts and He knew. He knew they had plotted His end, even as He knew the name of His disciple who would betray Him with a kiss. Indeed, there was no part of the plot which was hidden from Him. He knew He would be arrested at night; He knew that He would be run through a series of kangaroo court trials where the verdict would be “He is guilty and deserving of death.” Jesus knew He would be brought before the Roman Procurator Pontius Pilate. He knew that ruler, convinced of His innocence, would try to release Him… but when push came to shove, Pilate would follow the path of least resistance.
Jesus knew and because He knew He had often and clearly told His followers the manner in which He would die. Yes, He was aware He would carry His cross to Golgotha and in the most unfair act this world has ever seen, be nailed to that shameful wood. There, deserted by almost all His friends, mocked by many of His enemies, Jesus would, according to God’s plan and promise, give up His life without a struggle or complaint.
Oh, there is one other thing Jesus knew. He knew His death would not be without purpose. That day, if the Jewish leaders had asked sincerely, Jesus would have told them about that purpose. He would have explained that long ago, when Adam and Even had first sinned, the Father had promised to save them, to redeem them, to ransom them from sin, death, and devil. Jesus would have told them that when He died on the cross He would be dying to save sinful souls. Of course, like most unbelievers they would have been skeptical of an idea which said anyone had to die the death which their sins had earned.
Now lest you misunderstand, let me make this clear: the day Jesus died He wasn’t trying to rescue this handful of Jewish leaders who stood before Him. The Father’s plan was far bigger, far more encompassing than that. It was God’s great and gracious will to save nothing less than the entire world. When Jesus hung on that cross, although you can’t see them, He was carrying your sins, my sins, the sins of every man, woman, and child who ever walked or would walk this sad, sorry, sinful earth. Indeed, so complete and comprehensive, so universal in scope was the Lord’s plan, that it even included these men who thought they were playing games with Jesus; who were mocking Him with the questions they were asking.
Once again I shall say it: when Jesus died, He died for you. No matter how you may feel about Jesus, He felt You should be saved. It doesn’t matter if you think His death and resurrection is a myth which springs from the over-active imaginations of His disciples, He thinks you ought to be rescued. Even if you have, up to this point in your life, felt no need for a Savior, you should know, He died on that cross because He wanted to see you in heaven and not in hell.
The day Jesus gave up His life to save humanity. He did so not because we had earned it or deserved it… not because we were so nice, so kind, so worthy, so special, so unique, beautiful, wonderful, or even likable. Jesus offered His life because He, as God’s Son, is merciful and gracious. That means He doesn’t want to see us get the punishment we deserve and He wants to give us the good we haven’t earned. Jesus gave up His life because of Who He is, not because of who we are.
Jesus had always known that His life would be the price of our salvation. He never forgot that His sacrifice would be complete and total. That’s why, when the Elders and High Priests tried to play games with Him, He refused to join in and He refused to be laughed at. Skeptics and cynics may think Jesus’ story and sacrifice are amusing, but they are playing with fire. The Divine’s desire to save you cost Him a great deal and He is never in the mood to have those He has tried to rescue, discount what He has done or laugh at this costly gift.
That’s why when Jesus was asked, “Tell us, Jesus, Who is backing You?” He didn’t give them a straight answer. He said, “Tell you what, boys, I’ll answer your question if you answer Mine.” When they declined to do so, Jesus summed up the situation this way. He said: When John the Baptist, the promised forerunner came to you and called for repentance, you guys didn’t like him and you didn’t pay attention to his message. When I came to you, fulfilling the prophesies about the Messiah which you have studied your entire lives, you didn’t like that either. If I healed somebody, you didn’t like it. If I raised someone from the dead, you didn’t like it. If I healed a leper or cast out a demon, or preached repentance of sins, or forgave someone, you didn’t like that either.
Jesus continued. He said, “John was a straight shooter, a straight arrow, a straight preacher. He lived simply and you rejected him. I came eating with sinners and publicans and all kinds of people you can’t stand and you rejected Me. The bottom line is this: there’s no pleasing you folks. Which is why, whether you like it or not, those sinners that you so despise are going to be getting into heaven and you’re not.”
My friend, have you ever heard the expression: “He had a come to Jesus meeting”? Well, that’s what happened that day in the temple. Those men had a ‘come to Jesus meeting.’ At the end of that meeting, those fellows should have been convicted, they should have repented, they should have been converted and saved. Sadly, those men stiffened up their spines, jutted out their jaws, and dismissed everything Jesus had said. “After all,” they thought, “Our mamas didn’t raise no fools and we aren’t going to get conned.”
I wonder, how many listeners today haven’t done the same thing? Let me ask, “Have you been denying Jesus, dismissing His story, disparaging His Name, and degrading His Sacrifice?” I pray not, but if you have, please, let me give you a small piece of advice: don’t do as they did. Those Priests and Elders never bothered to take a serious look at what Jesus had done. They never looked at the Old Testament prophecies, nor did they see how Jesus had fulfilled them. They never took a serious look at His miracles, but preferred to regard them as the work of a good magician or a devious conman. They never listened when, from the cross, Jesus forgave the people who put Him there. They never went and looked into His open tomb, His empty tomb. Instead they preferred to believe that Jesus’ body had been moved, or the disciples were confused, or a comatose Jesus revived, escaped, and eloped to France with His girlfriend Mary Magdalene.
Folks, if that’s been your position, then I encourage you, rethink, reevaluate, reconsider. No, I don’t expect you to believe anything because I say so. Your mama didn’t raise no fool, and that would be foolish. But it is equally foolish to dismiss Jesus because of what a skeptic has said or what some author has written. To form a decision about Jesus based on what I say or someone else says would indicate that a fool is exactly what your mother raised. Let me explain: suppose someone wanted to find out who you really are. How would you feel if that person ONLY talked to the people who didn’t like you? How would you feel if that person ONLY talked to the persons who loved you? Either way they aren’t going to get the whole story. No, if they want to know you, they need to come to you, visit with you, watch what you do, and listen to what you say. Only when they have done that can they draw a real conclusion about you.
That is what I’m suggesting you do. Forget me, I love Jesus. Forget some of the things you’ve read and heard which come from people who hate Jesus. Instead of listening to us go to the Gospels: read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Meet Jesus, walk with Him, listen to what He says. Read the words and see for yourself. I will be surprised if you don’t come away as I have, believing Jesus is God’s Son, the Savior.
Take a look. If you find nothing, you can be content that you were right to be skeptical… you were right, Jesus wasn’t your Savior and there’s nothing and Nobody to believe in. On the other hand you may find Jesus is the answer to the questions of your heart and the fears of your soul. You may see, as millions have seen: it’s not foolish to believe in the Christ; no, it’s salvation. Understand, I don’t know what’s going to happen if you look at these books. I do know I’m ready to run the risk. I do know that when you’re done, you will have really met the Savior, not just someone who thinks he knows the Savior.
Which takes me to the end of this message. All that I might add is this: this broadcast is ready and willing to help you. No strings attached. No charges, no nothing. All we want to do is help you by sharing the Savior’s story of salvation. If we can do that, if you need some answers, please, call us at The Lutheran Hour.
Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for October 16, 2011
Topic: Prayer or Demand?Announcer: When does a prayer become more like an ultimatum? That’ll be discussion topic today with our Speaker Emeritus, Pastor Ken Klaus. I’m Mark Eischer.
Klaus: And hello, Mark. It’s good to be back with you… and the Lutheran Hour listeners’ questions.
Announcer: And today’s question comes to us from a mom who writes to us about her teenage daughter.
Klaus: And what seems to be the nature of her concern?
Announcer: It’s her daughter’s prayer life.
Klaus: That sounds promising.
Announcer: How so?
Klaus: At least the daughter has a prayer life! What seems to be the problem?
Announcer: Would you be at all surprised if I told you it has something to do with boys?
Klaus: It would surprise me more if it didn’t revolve around boys. So, we’re off to an interesting start here. A mother is concerned that her daughter’s praying about boys?
Announcer: Well, at least one boy in particular. The mother writes, “My daughter has been seeing a boy–and, no, it’s not that I’m concerned that they’re going too far. They have a good and proper relationship, although I believe my daughter is more interested in him than he is in her.”
Klaus: So far, nothing all that unusual.
Announcer: The mother goes on to say that she’s talked to her daughter about this relationship and each time she’s been told, “Mom, it’s OK, you don’t have to worry–I’m praying about it.” Mom accepted that answer for a while, and then she got to wondering what exactly the daughter was praying. So, she asked her.
Klaus: Mom asked and the daughter said….
Announcer: The daughter said, “Mom, I love him. I know we’re meant to be together. I’m absolutely sure about it,” and that’s why she’s been praying. She wants God to make this boyfriend feel as strongly about her as she does about him and if God makes that happen, she will then believe in Him all the more and she promises not to ask Him for anything else ever again. So … is that an appropriate prayer?
Klaus: Well, let’s start with the positive. First, it’s good the girl is praying. There are a great many people who don’t pray. Next she is praying out of a belief that the Lord actually has the power to do something in regard to this situation and circumstance.
Announcer: Okay. Any other positives you can think of?
Klaus: I’m sure there are, but I can’t think of what they might be right now.
Announcer: OK, how about the negatives?
Klaus: Well, I have to say there is some of that. Now, I like the fact that she is talking to the Lord about her relationships. But she is hardly beginning from the proper place.
Announcer: What do you mean?
Klaus: Let me try to explain. Mark, if you were to come to me and ask me for ten dollars, how would you say it?
Announcer: Well, very respectfully, I would say, “Please, would you consider giving me ten dollars.”
Klaus: And what would be your position if you did that?
Announcer: My position would be that of the person who’s asking.
Klaus: Right. And this girl is taking the position of an individual who is more or less making a demand. Indeed, if I can kind of boil her prayer down and try to raise the volume a little bit, her prayer would sound something like this, “Lord, don’t mess with me. I really like this guy, I want this guy, and You had better make it happen! Understand, Lord, I’m not threatening You, but let’s just say it might be in Your best interest and my best interest if you do what I say!”
Announcer: Although that’s a bit of an exaggeration, it’s pretty much the sum and substance of her prayer. So, what might she have said differently?
Klaus: Mark, this girl is doing what a lot of people do. She didn’t come to God as a petitioner, she came as a demander. When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, “Lord, if possible, let this cup pass from Me. Nevertheless, not My will but Your will be done.”
And then Jesus listened to His Father… and the cup didn’t pass from Him. He went to the cross and died so that all who believe in Him might be forgiven and saved.
Now, back to our young lady. Rather than praying, “Thy will be done”, it seems as if she was praying, “My will be done.”Announcer: And that’s the problem.
Klaus: Absolutely–unless, of course, she can see into the future and understands everything about this relationship more clearly than the Lord already does.
Announcer: Thank you, Pastor Klaus. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Music Selections for this program:
“A Mighty Fortress” arranged by Chris Bergmann. Used by permission.
“O God of Light” by Sarah E. Taylor & H. Barrie Cabena. Text © 1952 The Hymn Society, admin. Hope Publishing Company, renewed 1980. Tune © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship
“Thee Will I Love, My Strength, My Tower” From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)
“Fanfare for Reeds and Other Festal Stops” by Charles Ore. From From My Perspective, vol. 1 by Charles Ore (© 1992 Organ Works Corporation) Augsburg-Fortress/SESAC