Grace, mercy, and peace be with you all, from God, our heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. The text for our consideration is the Gospel reading from St. John. May the Holy Spirit bless us to be patient . . . as we wait just a little while longer . . . for the coming of Jesus Christ.
It was Spring of 1993. I was working on a final paper for one of my classes at Seminary. The paper was worth at least 1/3 of my grade. My five year old son, Doug, came up to me and wanted me to do something with him. I told him, “Not right now, son. I have a paper to write. But I’ll be able to do something in just a little while.”
Not more than two minutes later, Doug came up to me to ask again for my time and attention. I said a bit more firmly, “Not now, son. I have to get this paper done. And it’s going to take more than just a few minutes.” Maybe about 5 minutes later, Doug came up one last time. This time I lost it. Stress from approaching finals, stress from having procrastinated on the paper, and my own sinful weaknesses thrown into the mix . . . and I yelled at my son. I told him how I had already told him . . . and asked him if he hadn’t listened to what I was saying. As I yelled, the tears started rolling down his cheeks . . . and I was justly humbled and convicted of my sinful failings at being a father.
I learned something from that situation, though. I learned that the definition of “just a little while” in a person’s mind varies. To an adult, a little while might be anywhere from a half an hour to maybe an hour or a little more. To a small child, anything over 5 minutes seems like a long time. Or, when a family is going on a vacation . . . mom and dad may say, “Oh my, we will be leaving in less than a month!,” while the children say, “It’s more than three weeks before we leave!”
In the Word of God before us, this morning, Jesus tells His disciples that He is going to be leaving them. He tells them that, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” The disciples are confused. Jesus says His disciples will mourn while the world rejoices. The disciples don’t understand. Among themselves the disciples asked, “What does He mean by ‘a little while’?”
There is still some theological debate regarding the answer to this question. For it could mean a couple of things. Certainly, the next day the disciples would see Jesus die. His body would be laid in a tomb. The corrupt religious leaders and the evil world would rejoice at His crucifixion; the disciples would grieve . . . deeply. Yet, on the third day they would see the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ . . . and they would rejoice . . . filled with the joy of seeing Jesus alive again . . . filled with the hope of life after death for themselves as well.
But was Jesus simply talking about the time between Good Friday and Easter morning? Or was Jesus talking about a longer “just a little while.” Two different things move me to believe that Jesus was talking about a much longer, “just a little while.” First of all, the Words that our Lord Jesus spoke prior to our text, He spoke of sending the Counselor, that is, the Holy Spirit, because Jesus was going to the Father. And the outpouring of the Holy Spirit did not happen on Easter, but 50 days later on the Day of Pentecost. Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, would guide God’s people into all truth. The sending of the Holy Spirit was a part of God’s plan precisely because Jesus was going to return to the Father. Thus, this “little while” had to be more than just the three days.
Secondly, and just as important, if Jesus was only speaking of the three days, His Words would have no application to us. Without a doubt, these words of our Lord have a huge message for us, God’s people living nearly 2000 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. So, when Jesus says, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” The little while must include all the time between Jesus’ first coming and His second coming. You and I, we are still living in that “little while” before Jesus returns in glory.
Now you might say, “but clearly, over 2000 years is not a little while.” However, I would remind you of my opening illustration regarding time when you are a child and time when you are an adult. It’s vastly different. So, what about when you are an eternal being, with no beginning or end?? What’s two thousand years to God??? A couple of days . . . just a little while. The apostle Peter proclaims this very thing in his second epistle:
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Jesus said that during this “little while,” that the world would rejoice at the very same time God’s people would be grieving. This remains true in our own generation. The world rejoices in immoral lifestyles; God’s people grieve. The world rejoices in greed and selfishness; God’s people mourn. The world rejoices in the freedom to choose to end a pregnancy; God’s people mourn the destruction of the unborn. The world actually rejoices in sinful deeds and sinful attitudes; God’s people grieve over sin . . . the world’s sin . . . and even their own.
And I’ll tell you something that grieves me to the depths of my heart and soul: young people falling away from Jesus Christ. A recent survey done by a Christian research firm reveals some startling statistics. The survey was given to 18-29 year olds; here are some of the statistics. 65% said they rarely or never pray with others. Almost 40% said they never pray at all. 65% said they rarely or never attend worship services; 67% said they don’t read the Bible at all. A full 50% said they don’t think that Jesus is the only way to God. And of those surveyed who do believe in Jesus, only 17% read their Bible daily. In another study, 70% of Christians who attended regularly growing up, quit attending church altogether in their mid-20’s.
Jesus said that our grief would turn to joy. It’s hard to be joyful faced with the spiritual challenges of living in this world and the spiritual apathy among so many of God’s people. Where is joy to be found. Jesus said that grief would be turned to joy . . . when His disciples saw Him. The grief of Jesus’ death on the cross was turned to joy when the first disciples literally saw Jesus resurrected from the dead. Joy still comes . . . only as we see Jesus . . . in His Word and in His sacraments. And spiritual resurrection still takes place in the lives of people in our generation. One reason to rejoice is that the Lord is patient. That’s why He hasn’t returned yet. There is still a “little while” left in Jesus’ “just a little while” statement. There is hope for those who have fallen away . . . to be restored to Christian fellowship.
If you know a loved one that has fallen away, write them a letter, tell them how much you love them . . . and tell them that trusting in Jesus is the only hope for this sinful world. If you know someone who has quit coming to church, invite them back . . . offer to pick them up on Sunday morning . . . share with them the joy of God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness. There is a whole world out there . . . going to hell in a hand-basket. Share with them the hope you have even in the midst of a troubled world. Let them know that Jesus came to save them . . . and that He’s coming again.
For the joy we have in our hearts is the joy of knowing that Jesus died and rose again . . . and that He’s coming again, just as He promised. And the day WE get to see HIM face to face, we will experience a joy that will be undiminished and unending. Unending joy . . . or as Jesus said, “. . . no one will take away your joy.” As John heard in the Revelation:
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
That’s all going to be ours . . . “in just a little while.” As we patiently wait for that grand day of resurrection . . . and the joys and glories that follow, let’s share our hope with others . . . because we only have . . . a little while left. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor B
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Great Commission Beginnings (Acts 2:1-21)
Grace, mercy, and peace be with you all, from God, our heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen. The text for our consideration this day is the reading from the book of Acts. May the Holy Spirit bless us to rejoice in the Great Commission Beginnings of that first Pentecost day . . . and move us to continue to fulfill the Great Commission in our own day. Amen.
At the end of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus gave instructions to the apostles . . . instructions that have become known as the “Great Commission.” Jesus said: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.” At the end of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus also told His disciples that they would be His witnesses to all nations . . . but to wait for the day when they would be clothed with power from on high. The power of which He spoke was the Holy Spirit.
This is the day . . . the day of Pentecost. The fiftieth day after His resurrection and ten days after the giving of the Great Commission . . . it happened. They were all together in one place . . . and suddenly the Holy Spirit came upon them . . . with the sound like the blowing of a violent wind from heaven. Tongues of fire separated and came to rest on each of them . . . tongues of the Holy Spirit’s fire . . . tongues of fire that enabled them to speak in different languages . . . tongues of fire the empowered and emboldened them to go into the public square and give the first public proclamation of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God-fearing Jewish people from all over the world were gathered in the Holy City of Jerusalem, no doubt gathered for the Old Testament feast of Pentecost, the first-fruits offering at the Holy Temple. These God-fearing Jews were amazed at hearing the apostles speak in their now native languages. Of course not all were amazed. Some mocked in unbelief. Some claimed that they were drunk, hearing the multitude of languages at the same time. Peter then clarified that they were sober . . . and that what they were witnessing was a fulfillment of prophecy . . . what the prophet Joel had foretold over six centuries earlier.
This was the day of the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit, even as Joel had prophesied. This was the day when men and women would receive the Holy Spirit of God, even as Moses had once wished for all God’s people. This was the day of entering the “lasts days,” last days that God’s people have lived in for the past nearly two-thousand years . . . days moving toward the great and glorious, great and dreadful “Day of the Lord.” For Jesus Christ will come again in glory, accompanied by wonders in the heavens above and the shedding of blood . . . and of fire . . . and billows of smoke on the troubled earth below.
Yes, this was the day of Great Commission beginnings. You know the rest of the story of that day, don’t you? Well, let me refresh your memory. Peter went on that day to proclaim Jesus to be the Messiah. Words of Holy Scripture and prophecy rolled of his tongue, proclaiming how the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of God’s promised salvation. Fiery words inspired by the tongues of fire rolled off his lips . . . as Peter convicted the people of their sin, proclaiming that they had put to death – crucified – the very Son of God, who was now enthroned at God’s right hand as both Lord and Christ.
The people felt bad . . . indeed, they were cut to the heart at the knowledge that their sins nailed Jesus to the cross. We should be cut to the heart over our sins as well. In their Holy Spirit wrought sorrow over their sins, the people asked what they should do. Peter then again proclaimed the wonderful news of the Gospel: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far off . . . for all whom the Lord our God will call.” He pleaded with the people to save themselves from this wicked and perverse generation. Three Thousand people were saved that day, through water and the word and the gift of God’s Holy Spirit. And they devoted themselves to God’s Word. They devoted themselves to each other. They devoted themselves to partaking of Christ’s Supper. And they devoted themselves to prayer.
So much for the Great Commission beginnings. Is there still a wicked and perverse generation that people need to be delivered from? There is no doubt. Does the mission of the Great Commission continue today? Do Holy Spirit inspired words still roll off the tongues of those called to share the gospel? Is the forgiveness of sins and gift of the Holy Spirit still given in baptism today? As surely as God is faithful . . . and as surely as the Word of Jesus Christ is true . . . the answer is absolutely yes. Indeed . . . the Word of the Gospel is spoken even by one pastor . . . who has no tongue.
In the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the title of the article reads: “St. Charles preacher with no tongue speaks wisdom.” His name is Scott Schmieding. He was a classmate of mine at Concordia Seminary. Ordained in 1992, five years later he noticed a sore in the back of his tongue. It was cancer. The entire tongue would have to be surgically removed. This is quite a setback for a preacher. In a pamphlet Pastor Schmieding has written entitled, “Fighting Cancer with Faith,” he writes:
When I first found out I had cancer, I was afraid. But I knew that God had, has, and always will have my life in His loving hands. Still I wanted to know my possible outcomes, my prognosis . . . . When it came right down to it, I knew my fight with cancer had two possible outcomes: God would either grant me health or heaven. I simply prayed, “Dear God, restore my health or take me to heaven. Your will be done. Amen.”
The tumor was spreading rapidly. Doctors thought his speech would likely be unintelligible. Pastor Schmieding wondered about his calling . . . and how he could spread the word of God if he couldn’t speak. They removed the tongue, replaced the cavity with a muscle from his abdomen. He went through months of agonizing speech therapy and returned to parish life. His first public act upon resuming his pastoral duties at a Lutheran Church in Baton Rouge was to preach and celebrate the baptism of his newborn son.
Pastor Schmieding never asked God “why” he got cancer, but rather “for what purpose.” He says he has been given an answer: “I have become an expert at adversity” having also lived through five hurricanes in Louisiana. “I know what people are feeling when they face trials and tragedy.” Quoting Paul’s letter to the Romans, he says he believes strongly that “we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us.” Another favorite passage of his: The Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for you; for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Today the Great Commission continues at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Charles, Missouri, a church of over 3,000 members with a senior pastor who has no tongue . . . but still proclaims the Good News. He believes that his affliction has allowed him to reach more people with the Gospel . . . and for his parishioners, they listen more attentively to the words he speaks . . . both because it is more difficult to understand his speech . . . but also because he has gone through so much . . . to continue to proclaim the Good News of salvation.
Today the Great Commission continues at the Lutheran Church of St. John in Quincy, Illinois, a church of over 800 members with two pastors who regularly use their tongues to preach the gospel and teach God’s Word . . . where members volunteer in caregiving ministries and Vacation Bible Schools, and serve on boards and committees for the furtherance of the Kingdom of Christ. The Great Commission continues at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, in York, Nebraska, where former vicar Tim McCall will be ordained and installed later this summer. The Great Commission continues at Old St. Gertrudes Lutheran Church in Riga, Latvia, where pastor Rinalds Grants, youth worker Ulvis Kravalis, and workers in a soup kitchen work for Christ, restoring people to faith through the gospel of Christ shared in word and deed. Isn’t it a great thing to be Pentecost people of God, working together to spread the Good News of salvation. And inspired by the adversities overcome by the grace of God active in the life of one Pastor Scott Schmeiding, what adversities or obstacles shall we overcome in the name of Christ in the years to come. God only knows . . . indeed, God already knows. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
-Pastor B
At the end of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus gave instructions to the apostles . . . instructions that have become known as the “Great Commission.” Jesus said: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.” At the end of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus also told His disciples that they would be His witnesses to all nations . . . but to wait for the day when they would be clothed with power from on high. The power of which He spoke was the Holy Spirit.
This is the day . . . the day of Pentecost. The fiftieth day after His resurrection and ten days after the giving of the Great Commission . . . it happened. They were all together in one place . . . and suddenly the Holy Spirit came upon them . . . with the sound like the blowing of a violent wind from heaven. Tongues of fire separated and came to rest on each of them . . . tongues of the Holy Spirit’s fire . . . tongues of fire that enabled them to speak in different languages . . . tongues of fire the empowered and emboldened them to go into the public square and give the first public proclamation of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God-fearing Jewish people from all over the world were gathered in the Holy City of Jerusalem, no doubt gathered for the Old Testament feast of Pentecost, the first-fruits offering at the Holy Temple. These God-fearing Jews were amazed at hearing the apostles speak in their now native languages. Of course not all were amazed. Some mocked in unbelief. Some claimed that they were drunk, hearing the multitude of languages at the same time. Peter then clarified that they were sober . . . and that what they were witnessing was a fulfillment of prophecy . . . what the prophet Joel had foretold over six centuries earlier.
This was the day of the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit, even as Joel had prophesied. This was the day when men and women would receive the Holy Spirit of God, even as Moses had once wished for all God’s people. This was the day of entering the “lasts days,” last days that God’s people have lived in for the past nearly two-thousand years . . . days moving toward the great and glorious, great and dreadful “Day of the Lord.” For Jesus Christ will come again in glory, accompanied by wonders in the heavens above and the shedding of blood . . . and of fire . . . and billows of smoke on the troubled earth below.
Yes, this was the day of Great Commission beginnings. You know the rest of the story of that day, don’t you? Well, let me refresh your memory. Peter went on that day to proclaim Jesus to be the Messiah. Words of Holy Scripture and prophecy rolled of his tongue, proclaiming how the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of God’s promised salvation. Fiery words inspired by the tongues of fire rolled off his lips . . . as Peter convicted the people of their sin, proclaiming that they had put to death – crucified – the very Son of God, who was now enthroned at God’s right hand as both Lord and Christ.
The people felt bad . . . indeed, they were cut to the heart at the knowledge that their sins nailed Jesus to the cross. We should be cut to the heart over our sins as well. In their Holy Spirit wrought sorrow over their sins, the people asked what they should do. Peter then again proclaimed the wonderful news of the Gospel: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far off . . . for all whom the Lord our God will call.” He pleaded with the people to save themselves from this wicked and perverse generation. Three Thousand people were saved that day, through water and the word and the gift of God’s Holy Spirit. And they devoted themselves to God’s Word. They devoted themselves to each other. They devoted themselves to partaking of Christ’s Supper. And they devoted themselves to prayer.
So much for the Great Commission beginnings. Is there still a wicked and perverse generation that people need to be delivered from? There is no doubt. Does the mission of the Great Commission continue today? Do Holy Spirit inspired words still roll off the tongues of those called to share the gospel? Is the forgiveness of sins and gift of the Holy Spirit still given in baptism today? As surely as God is faithful . . . and as surely as the Word of Jesus Christ is true . . . the answer is absolutely yes. Indeed . . . the Word of the Gospel is spoken even by one pastor . . . who has no tongue.
In the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the title of the article reads: “St. Charles preacher with no tongue speaks wisdom.” His name is Scott Schmieding. He was a classmate of mine at Concordia Seminary. Ordained in 1992, five years later he noticed a sore in the back of his tongue. It was cancer. The entire tongue would have to be surgically removed. This is quite a setback for a preacher. In a pamphlet Pastor Schmieding has written entitled, “Fighting Cancer with Faith,” he writes:
When I first found out I had cancer, I was afraid. But I knew that God had, has, and always will have my life in His loving hands. Still I wanted to know my possible outcomes, my prognosis . . . . When it came right down to it, I knew my fight with cancer had two possible outcomes: God would either grant me health or heaven. I simply prayed, “Dear God, restore my health or take me to heaven. Your will be done. Amen.”
The tumor was spreading rapidly. Doctors thought his speech would likely be unintelligible. Pastor Schmieding wondered about his calling . . . and how he could spread the word of God if he couldn’t speak. They removed the tongue, replaced the cavity with a muscle from his abdomen. He went through months of agonizing speech therapy and returned to parish life. His first public act upon resuming his pastoral duties at a Lutheran Church in Baton Rouge was to preach and celebrate the baptism of his newborn son.
Pastor Schmieding never asked God “why” he got cancer, but rather “for what purpose.” He says he has been given an answer: “I have become an expert at adversity” having also lived through five hurricanes in Louisiana. “I know what people are feeling when they face trials and tragedy.” Quoting Paul’s letter to the Romans, he says he believes strongly that “we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us.” Another favorite passage of his: The Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for you; for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Today the Great Commission continues at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Charles, Missouri, a church of over 3,000 members with a senior pastor who has no tongue . . . but still proclaims the Good News. He believes that his affliction has allowed him to reach more people with the Gospel . . . and for his parishioners, they listen more attentively to the words he speaks . . . both because it is more difficult to understand his speech . . . but also because he has gone through so much . . . to continue to proclaim the Good News of salvation.
Today the Great Commission continues at the Lutheran Church of St. John in Quincy, Illinois, a church of over 800 members with two pastors who regularly use their tongues to preach the gospel and teach God’s Word . . . where members volunteer in caregiving ministries and Vacation Bible Schools, and serve on boards and committees for the furtherance of the Kingdom of Christ. The Great Commission continues at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, in York, Nebraska, where former vicar Tim McCall will be ordained and installed later this summer. The Great Commission continues at Old St. Gertrudes Lutheran Church in Riga, Latvia, where pastor Rinalds Grants, youth worker Ulvis Kravalis, and workers in a soup kitchen work for Christ, restoring people to faith through the gospel of Christ shared in word and deed. Isn’t it a great thing to be Pentecost people of God, working together to spread the Good News of salvation. And inspired by the adversities overcome by the grace of God active in the life of one Pastor Scott Schmeiding, what adversities or obstacles shall we overcome in the name of Christ in the years to come. God only knows . . . indeed, God already knows. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
-Pastor B
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