Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?

NOTE: This article is part two of a three part series that is being printed in my local Huntington Beach, CA paper, the WAVE. In the first column I addressed the defense of Jesus' resurrection primarily from an existential perspective (i.e. What do I need?) In this second column, I address one of many factual cases made in the defense (apologia) of Christianity's central claim: Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead for you (This method is also popularized and well documented by apologists such as John W. Montgomery). This is basically a boiled down version of an earlier post here entitled, "Apologetics 101 Part 3: The Historical Argument." One brief disclaimer, the paper requires a 425 word limit. And in the final column, I'll be focusing specificially on the resurrection using the approach of well known apologist, Gary Habermas, known as the "bare minimum facts" approach to defending the resurrection.

Jesus’ death is among the best-attested facts in ancient history. But what about his resurrection? Believe it or not, this issue doesn’t require a blind leap of faith. Rather, Christianity’s central claim is a historical one. Namely, that a real guy did real things in history. And this affects you in the most personal way imaginable. Jesus was crucified, then seen alive again three days later. Not once upon a time. But in real human history. Therefore, it can be investigated like any other historical event.

Investigation must precede conclusion. For example, why do you believe Abraham Lincoln was shot in Ford’s Theater on April 15, 1865? Because someone told you, or you read it on the internet? For trained historians, that’s not enough. Historians must apply objective methods to the events in question to determine their reliability. Apply these same objective methods to Christianity’s claim and see what happens. Although space prohibits a detailed and documented citation of these claims, the argument follows a logical step-by-step process (Not, “God says so, I believe it, end of story.”).

1. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are reliable primary source documents. Begin by treating them as ancient sources not books of the Bible. These books were written by eyewitnesses, or close associates of eyewitnesses and have been reliably transmitted over time. This is historical gold: four biographies about the central figure traceable back to his contemporaries. No ancient historical figure has such thorough documentation. Moreover, many non-Christian historians confirm events recorded in the Gospels, and archaeology substantiates many of these claims.
2. In these primary source documents, the central figure, Jesus of Nazareth, claims to be God in human flesh. This is the primary charge against Jesus in the trial preceding his crucifixion.
3. Christ’s physical resurrection from the dead proves his deity. When someone says, “I don’t believe Jesus rose from the dead,” I ask, “What happened to his body?” I’ve heard numerous theories, but none comport with the evidence acknowledged by a vast amount of scholars. The best explanation that takes all the facts into account is that Jesus rose from the dead.
4. If Jesus is God, whatever he says is true. Normally, dead people don’t rise from their graves. But if Jesus rose again, he’s in the best position to tell us what his resurrection means. Jesus proclaims that he has power over his death and yours. Therefore, his promise to give you eternal salvation is also trustworthy.

For more information: www.garyhabermas.com. The next column we’ll examine specific historical evidence for Jesus’ resurrection.

Sermon for Maundy Thursday: "Jesus' Blood is Your Life"

+ Maundy Thursday – March 28^th, 2013 +
Redeemer Lutheran, HB

“Jesus’ Blood is Your Life”

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

             Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.  Blood purifies.  Blood atones for sin.  Blood cries out for justice.  Blood is a substitute. Blood redeems from death.  A crimson canopy for shameful sinners. A scarlet robe of righteousness made white in the blood of the Lamb.

            Where there’s a covenant – there’s blood.  Hurled upon the altar.  Sprinkled on the OT priests– covering his vestments, placed on his ears, his lips, his forehead, his heart – he entered the holy place by means of the sacrificial blood.  Blood even poured out upon the people.  “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you.”  Forgiveness is a bloody affair. Why? Life is in the blood (Lev. 17:11).

            Given all that, perhaps the paraments should be red tonight.  But they’re white instead. For this is how God now sees you in Jesus. Though your sins were as scarlet, you are white as snow. Jesus’ blood is your life.

             In the OT, if God wasn’t using blood, he used something of His creation to bless His people. You’d be hard pressed to find a promise that God makes – Old or New Testament – where He doesn’t attach His Word and promise to us in the physical earthly things of his creation.

 Adam and Eve were clothed in animal skins to cover their naked, guilty flesh.

Cain received a mark upon his forehead to save him from certain death.
Noah was given the bow in the sky, a visible sign of YHWH’s covenant with creation.
Abraham was given the sign of circumcision.
Moses was given the blood and flesh of the Passover Lamb.
Gideon was given the dew upon the fleece that YHWH kept His Word.
Elijah was given bread in the wilderness.
Isaiah was given a burning, cleansing coal upon his lips.
Ezekiel ate the bitter-sweet scroll of YHWH’s Word.

 

            The Lord works no differently in the New Testament. The Water and Word of your Baptism rescue you, clothe you in Christ and forgive sins. Christ’s Word and a human voice declare your sins forgiven in Holy Absolution. Christ’s body and blood in the bread and wine forgive your sins in the Supper.

            There, in the upper room - once again - the shedding of blood provides forgiveness of sins. All the blood of the OT sacrifices and covenants flows downstream to Jesus’ cross. Life is in the blood. Jesus’ blood is your life.
            This is a night of remembrance. A night of forgiveness. 
           This is the night in which God remembers the blood of the first sacrifice, shed to clothe Adam and Eve in their naked, sinful shame.
            This is the night in which God remembers the blood of circumcision as the sign of His promise to the faithful remnant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
            This is the night in which the blood of Isaac is spared for the Lord Himself is the Lamb.
            This is the night in which the blood of Christ speaks a better word than Abel’s.
            This is the night when the Lamb of God is led to slaughter and His blood paints a doorpost of safe passage from slavery to freedom and death to life.  Without the blood you’re dead.  Under the blood of the Lamb, you are safe.  Death passes over.

 Yes, this is a night of remembrance.

            But how easily we forget: our prayers, our study of God’s Word. How easily we grumble like Israelites in the wilderness and forget God’s promises. And how quickly we think of ourselves. How quickly we remember the speck of our neighbors’, our spouses, or our fellow members’ sins all while failing see the forest of our own sin and repent.

            This is also a night to remember that we do not remember, at least not as we should. We’re no different from the Israelites. Oh, we may echo their promise, “All that the Lord has spoken, we will do and we will be obedient.” – but unlike the Lord, we don’t live up to our promises. Israel was disobedient. And so are we. We stand before God naked in Adam’s sin. Uncovered. Ashamed. Humiliated. Dead. Nothing to cling to except our mortality.

            But, this night isn’t only about our remembrance.  For as much as the Israelites remembered YHWH’s salvation at Passover, more importantly, the Lord remembered them. He remembers His covenant and promise.

            And though we remember many things tonight, most important of all, Christ remembers us.

             On the night in which He was betrayed, once again, God uses His creation and attaches His promise to it: bread and wine are now His body and his blood.  But Jesus does something new. In place of the endless animal sacrifices, Jesus provides an everlasting covenant in this Sacrament. In place of the blood of beasts, He pours out His own holy, precious blood securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls purified and made the flesh holy, how much more then, will the blood of Christ, offered without blemish before God, how much more will His blood purify and make us holy. A new promise. A new testament. A new meal.

            This Sacrament is a bridge from Jesus’ cross to the altar, from Jesus’ crucifixion to you, from the Passover Lamb who is sacrificed for us to the Lamb’s high feast. This is what the Albrecht Durer picture on your bulletin insert illustrates. See how the angels are collecting the blood of Christ in the chalice. It’s a visual sermon. What Christ shed for you on the cross is poured out for you in the chalice. Jesus blood is your life.

            The Lord’s Supper brings you forgiveness straight from the source – Christ Crucified – right where it’s needed, our sin-filled lives. What a superb image to have in your heads as you come to the Lord’s Supper, here, where all the signs and promises of the Old Testament point.

            Christ our Passover – our Paschal Lamb – has been sacrifice for us. Once and for all. This Supper is an everlasting sign – both physical and spiritual – that points you to Jesus’ death and gives you the fruit of Jesus’ death in the forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ life is in this blood.

             Behold the Lamb of God who pours out His life to forgive your sins. See on His face the spit He received in order to restore you life and wash away your sin. See the marks of the blows He received in order to refashion your warped nature in His image. See on His back the marks of the scourging He endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back.

            Everything is taken away.  Jesus is stripped. Laid bare. Betrayed.  Garments removed.  There He stands: nailed to the tree.  Naked before God in the sin of all mankind. Uncovered. Ashamed. Humiliated. Forsaken.  Nothing to cling to except our sin and His cross.  All of this He does for you.

            And so, tonight the Church reflects Her Lord.  Everything is taken away.  The chancel is emptied.  The altar is stripped.  Garments, paraments all gone.  Laid bare.    Tonight the church is naked.  Uncovered.  Humiliated.  But not forsaken.  We cling to our Lord Jesus and His New Covenant. 

 

            And He longs to share this Passover, this New Testament with you. His Table is set.  He’s gathered you here. The Paschal feast is ready.  The Cup is full. The Bread is broken.  All is now ready. 

             For the sin-sick man, here’s your medicine of immortality.

            For the dead man, here’s your antidote that restores life.
            For the poor beggar, here’s your sacred treasure.
            For the lonely, here’s your communion of saints.
            For the one attacked by the devil, here’s your trusty shield and weapon.
            For the hungry, here’s your Living Bread from heaven, food for body and soul.
            For the thirsty, here’s your cup of blessing overflowing with Jesus’ forgiveness.
            For the faint and weak pilgrim, here’s your sustenance for the journey.
            For you, Jesus’ blood is life.
                        Christ lays before you the gifts of His cross and says, “These are for you.”

            Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness…But wherever and whenever Christ’s blood is given and shed, Jesus is there forgiving your sins.

            Jesus’ blood is your life.

 A Blessed Maundy Thursday to you all…

 In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

 

 

What Is Easter All About?

NOTE: About a month or so ago, I came across an opportunity to write a bi-monthly column in the Faith and Values section of our local paper the HB WAVE, a subsidiary of the OC Register. It's included as an insert in the weekly paper (every Thursday) and available across town as a stand-alone periodical. The first couple of posts were sermon reviews / previews which allowed for a 425 word summary of a recent sermon. After the initial posts and the editor's encouragement to continue writing for them on a regular basis, I decided to launch a 3-part series relating to Jesus' death and resurrection and the defense of Christianity's historical claims on these events. This is especially vital as we get closer to Easter with all the nonsense they show on the TV these days claiming to have the real story of Jesus and so forth. The challenge of this writing assignment - and it's a delightful challenge at that - is to get whatever needs to be said in under the word count at 425 words. Below is part 1 of this 3 part series. It could be best called an existential approach to the defense of Jesus' resurrection. It addresses our need for Jesus' death and resurrection and how his death and resurrection in turn answer our greatest need, an answer to suffering, guilt and death. In subsequent articles I will begin - as much as one can in 425 words - to address these historical claims with evidence, arguments, sound reasoning, and a few classic apologetic approaches to defending the historicity of Jesus' death and resurrection.  Also of note, the reader may think that Buddha, Mohammad, and Moses are mentioned as pejorative examples. However, the motivation for their inclusion in this piece is not to deride them, but to make a statement of simple fact: they do not claim to do any of the same things Jesus is claiming. And any well-studied student or follower of those religious positions would agree. Now that we've gotten the disclaimers and explanations out of the way, enjoy.

 
What is Easter all about: bunnies, beautifully decorated eggs and marshmallow treats that could survive a zombie apocalypse? That’s the message we hear: Easter equals spring. But in reality, Easter equals good news for you.

And our world needs some good news. Maybe we’re not even sure what’s wrong, but we know this world is broken. Suffering and death fill the nightly news. Sadly, the television doesn’t keep suffering and death at bay. In addition to all our weekly worries, bigger and more personal problems gnaw at our existence. I know I’ve wronged others. I know I’m going to die. And I know I’m powerless to solve my problems of guilt, suffering, and death. I need rescue.

If you’re drowning in the middle of a storm-tossed ocean, do you need Michael Phelps coaching you on your butterfly stroke, or a Coast Guard helicopter to rescue you? So, when it comes to humanity’s greatest problems, do you need a religious guide, coach or guru telling you what to do and how to behave, or a Savior who’ll rescue you from suffering, guilt, and death? What you and I need isn’t some new spiritual fad, how-to book, or self-help program. We need a Savior.

Jesus – and no one else – claims to take your wrongdoings, shame, and failures and nail them to His cross. Buddha doesn’t promise to die for me. Mohammad doesn’t promise to take away my guilt. Moses didn’t live a perfect life for me. Christianity isn’t about whether or not I’ve done enough good to outweigh the bad, or if I’ve behaved better than someone else. Easter is Jesus’ declaration: ““I’m your Savior. I suffered for you. I was judged for you. I conquered death for you. Heaven is yours.”

It may sound too good to be true. But Christianity’s claim isn’t just another myth like the Easter bunny. Christianity’s claim is unique: a real guy did real things in history.

So why is Jesus’ resurrection such a big deal? Death isn’t the end of the story. Easter joyfully announces: Jesus died and rose for you! And by rising from the dead - that is, by having power over death – Jesus is in the greatest possible position to solve our biggest problems: suffering, guilt, and death. What you couldn’t solve on your own, Jesus has already solved for you. Jesus’ death and resurrection is your rescue. That’s what Easter is all about.

In the next column, we’ll investigate one of several logical arguments for Christianity’s historical claim of Jesus’ resurrection.

Lent 5 Sermon: "The Lord of the Vineyard"

+ Lent 5 – March 17^th, 2013 +
Redeemer Lutheran, HB
Series C:  Isaiah 43:16-21; Philippians 3:4-14; Luke 20:9-20

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

             Some of Jesus’ parables are simple, other are complex, but many others are a bit odd to us, backwards really; the opposite of what we’d expect.  Like a rich father who gives his son’s demanded inheritance and later runs to his wayward son even though his son wanted him dead. Like the shepherd who goes looking for one stray sheep when he has 99 perfectly good sheep in the pen already. Like a Good Samaritan who helps a bloody, beaten, mess of a man and expects nothing in return. The Gospel is anything but expected.

            Today’s parable from Luke 20 is no different.  It’s a parable of promise, warning and unexpected forgiveness. Promise in the Lord’s merciful patience and long suffering. And warning, judgment. Don’t reject the Beloved Son as the people of Israel were about to do to Jesus during Holy Week.  And above all, this parable reveals Christ’s shocking forgiveness in the face of outright sin and rebellion. Even after the tenants beat, shame, and traumatize and cast out his servants; The Lord of the vineyard still sends his Beloved Son.

            What’s most astounding about this parable isn’t the perversity of the tenants but the patience of the owner; not their evil, but his good. This parable, at its core, is about the heart of God—the God of second, third, and, yes, fourth chances and even more: 70 x 7. He is portrayed as a man of business, but he doesn’t act according to the ways of the world, for he isn’t a Lord of commerce but a Father of compassion (Chad Bird, w/ slight edits).

            Of course, we understand second chances; we’d even like to think we’re worthy of a second chance if when slip up.  But at some point – perhaps after the third or fourth time - we’ve got to draw the line; fool me once shame on you; fool me twice shame on me. The vineyard owner sent three servants to those murderous tenants. When will that vineyard owner get a clue? And what’s he thinking sending his beloved son? Those deadbeat tenants don’t exactly have the best track record.

            That’s the way we see things.  There has to be limits. Regulations. Conditions.  You can’t just go off giving mercy, forgiveness or even food away for free or giving people second, third and fourth chances; you’ll be taken advantage of. Problem is, that’s the same way the Pharisees saw Jesus’ teaching too. “Look at this guy; he eats with sinners and tax collectors.” They perceived correctly. Jesus taught this parable against them, the religious leaders of Israel. They’re the murderous tenants. They had forgotten the words of the prophet Isaiah:

Thus says the Lord: Behold, I am doing a new thing… I give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.

And in forgetting the Lord’s Word, they forgot that the Lord is the owner of the vineyard, not them.

            Jesus speaks the same warning to His Church, the new Israel. There’s no bride without a groom, no vineyard without the vineyard owner, no church apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. The church that doesn’t proclaim the death and resurrection of Jesus for the forgiveness, life, and salvation of the sinner has the same fate in store for it as OT Israel.

            No wonder Jesus delivers this parable to the religious leaders, the pastors. It’s a reminder of why your pastors are here. We’re not farm owners but tenant-farmers. We’re not the Good Shepherd, but under-shepherds. We’re not kings, but stewards of the mysteries of God, servants of the Word. We dare not take ourselves too seriously…but we dare not fail to take Christ’s Word and confession seriously.

            But Jesus also warns the people as he speaks this parable. Why does this congregation exist? Is it a country club for Pharisees to pat ourselves on the back and bask in God’s favor? No, we’re to be ground zero – an outpost and oasis – of Christ’s mercy and grace for the world. We live like Israel of old – by mercy, not by merit, by looking to Christ, not ourselves.

            We’re tenants, not owners. Everything we have is on loan from God. And we’ve been wicked, violent tenants. We imagine that we’re owners. “It’s my money and I can spend it as I please.” “It’s my body and I can do what I want with it.” “It’s my time to use it however I wish.” “It’s my life and I don’t need God or the Church or anyone to tell me how to live it.” “I can worship God in my own way on my own time.” “It’s our church and we can do as we please.” This is the myth of our old Adam. But it’s a lie.
            Truth is, the Lord is the owner; we’re his tenants, stewards of His gifts, called to use them wisely and faithfully. And He who called you is faithful.
            We live, like Paul lived and confessed. If anyone had a reason to boast in himself it would’ve been Paul. But he calls his entire religious life a loss, rubbish – literally raw sewage. Paul considered his righteousness a bucket of raw sewage, when compared with being found in Christ; but your righteousness isn’t based on what you do but on what Jesus has done for you.

            The Lord of the vineyard sees things completely differently from us and the Pharisees.

            “What shall I do? I will send my beloved son.” What a marvelous picture of God’s patient, relentless mercy. What sort of father would send his beloved son to a lot of murderous deadbeat tenants?
            God loved the world in this manner, He gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life.
            God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
            In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:9-10)
            Jesus is that beloved son in the parable, cast out of the vineyard. But he who was cast out brings you back in, alive with him. He is not ashamed to call you brother, sister, and fellow heir of his kingdom. That’s why he came. Not to die for the righteous but for those whose lives are full of one failure after another, for his love never fails. He came to die not for the clean but for the dirty. And his blood washes away even the filthiest of stains embedded in your soul. He came to search out not those who come running to him, but those who have fled from God, who hide in the darkness of their doubt and unbelief, to find you no matter where you are, to give you hope in place of despair, faith instead of doubt (Chad Bird, w/ edits).

            While we were still His enemies, cut off from God, turned against Him in rebellion, the Father sent His Son into the world, to take on our humanity, to become one with us, to save the very world that rejected him. This is the nature of God’s mercy. He keeps coming back again and again, hounding you with mercy, seeking the fruit of repentance and faith, risking everything to save you. This is God’s way of forgiveness.  He keeps no record of how many chances he’s given you. For in the end, it’s not about how many times you’ve messed up, but how constant, how unwavering, this Father’s love is for you in Christ.

            That’s what Lent is all about – not somber scrunched up faces, gloomy with self-loathing and self-righteousness – but repentance and rejoicing in Christ the Beloved Son who goes to die for you, to be rejected for you, to be buried and raised for you. 

            And that’s what the Pharisees missed. Instead of rejoicing in the Cornerstone, they reject him. Instead of falling upon Christ, broken in repentance, they are crushed in judgment.

            There’s no way out of this parable unscathed. Either we fall on the rock in repentance; or get crushed by the rock in judgment.  But therein rests the fruit of the kingdom: to be broken. To die and rise. For “The sacrifices of God are broken spirit; a broken and contrite spirit, O Lord, you will not despise.” The Lord makes whole what is broken; he restores you, forgives you. And he makes you into living stones in a new temple, the Church, Christ’s body.

            And the same rock that breaks our sin, also breaks our chains. Christ smashes to dust the rock of our judgment by letting the rock of punishment fall upon himself. He stands under the rock of judgment for you and lets all the weight of God’s wrath poor over him so that you might have his inheritance.

            To our world and sinful flesh this sounds utterly ridiculous. Christ’s mercy defies our reason. And in these unexpected ways of God, you are saved. You are made into faithful tenants and stewards that you may bear fruit: the fruit of repentance. The fruit of sharing the unexpected joy of sins forgiven with your neighbor. The fruit of reckless, relentless compassion. And I bet your neighbors and friends will find that just as unexpected.

This is the Lord’s doing; and it is marvelous in our eyes.

 In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

 

 

 

Issues Etc. Interview on the Lord's Supper

Last week I had the joy and priviledge of being a guest on Issues Etc. again. This particular time was in conjunction with other brother pastors on the topic of the Lord's Supper, all leading up to our local Southern California Catechism Convocation for the People. (I keep thinking we need an easier name to say; but this one's sticking). For more information on that front, visit www.smallcatechism.com for all the latest. Prior to the convocation - this year on April 13th - we host a Lenten pulpit exchange. It's fantastic to get to meet the fellow saints at surrounding area Lutheran churches, join in the bonds of Christian fellowship for an evening meal and Vespers service, and our congregations get to hear the the same solid food from our fellow brothers in the ministry (I love the German, amtbruder).  And the bonus is that most of only have to preach one sermon!

In addition to all this, we had asked Issues Etc. if they would be willing to feature some of the pastors who are involved in the Lenten rotation and convocation as guests on their radio show. Thankfully, they said yes. Since my topic for the sermon was on the benefits of the Lord's Supper, following Luther's questions in the Small Catechism, I was also interviewed about this on Issues.  Here's the original sermon, previously posted.  And follow this link to listen or download the interview itself.

Enjoy! And if you're in the Orange County / Greater LA area on April 13th, join us at The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Inglewood, CA from 9 am to 3:30 pm. Matins starts at 9, Pastor Matthew Harrison and Pastor Daniel Harmelink are presenting on the Lord's Supper, we're featuring an all new presentation for youth hosted by Pastor Al Espinosa and I, there's lunch provided, and a closing Divine Service. And it's all free, just like the Gospel and Christ's gifts of forgiveness in the Lord's Supper. That's what the catechism convocation is all about: food for body and food for soul.

Can Anything Good Come from THE BIBLE?

Recently, I posted a lengthy critique of THE BIBLE mini-series on The History Channel. Most of the post was dedicated to the things that were wrong with or missing from the debut episode. I had originally intended to include several of the things from THE BIBLE which I actually enjoyed and thought were positive contributions. As the writing progressed that proved too lengthy.  So, can anything good come out of THE BIBLE? The answer, in the end, is yes. Here are several things I noticed that THE BIBLE got right or did well in its first installment.  Feel free and add anything you think may have also hit the mark.

• The manner in which the story began (not so much the entire content of it) - what with Noah telling his family about creation and the history of the world up until that point - I thought was a bold, yet effective way of opening the story of the Old Testament. No doubt it was over the course of many such story-telling episodes that the history (at least in part) was communicated, handed down and treasured throughout the generations leading up to the day when the Holy Spirit would lead Moses to write the book of Genesis. 
• Although I would've liked to have seen Adam formed from the ground more like a clay pot by a skilled potter, the image of him rising from the dust and coming to life was quite well done. The use of visual effects in this regard was convincing and not at all hokey. I also would've loved to see what they could've done with Eve being taken from the side of man. Since TV is a visual medium, there is no doubt, lots of potential.
• They didn't forget the rainbow and the calm waters after the flood. Not sure if the double rainbow was intentional, but it was clever.  Thankfully, unlike the NBC version of Noah's Ark many years ago, there were no pirates on this high-seas adventure. And the scale of the ark and its contents was also conveyed well, in contrast to the many children's posters and puzzles that fill church nurseries.  Finally, they actually showed the drowning pagans. This may not sound like a good thing. But it shows the reality of what the flood was even though the words of the narrative didn't really go into it that well.  Sometimes the visual aspect of TV can communicate more than the narrator was able to at this point.
• This is also true in the scene of the sacrifice of Isaac. There was the Gospel, stuck in the thicket just like Genesis 22 records. The Lord provided the sacrifice just as He promised. And there was the lamb.
• Although the angels were a bit too teenage-mutant-ninja-turle-ish for me - Angels in the Scriptures are a bit bad ass (pardon my French) after all - at least they weren't like girly-men as in Roma Downey's Touched by an Angel.
• Gospel was also seen in the blood over the doorposts and the deliverance in from Pharaoh's army in the Red Sea. Thankfully they didn't take the higher-critical "sea of reeds" approach and stuck with the miraculous event of the Exodus rescue.
• Even though some of these things appear to be only a foothold or a glimpse or even a small mustard seed of Gospel, it does provide a useful place to start, and from there, move on to the Scriptures and the power of the Gospel therein.

E-nklings Cloud of Witnesses: “The Bible” is not The Bible: Thoughts on The History Channel’s “The Bible” Miniseries

NOTE: From time to time I like to feature other blog posts here in this forum that I have enjoyed reading. Recently, someone returned the favor and published - with some rather helpful edits - a post that I had included both here and on Brothers of John the Steadfast.  Thanks to Paul McCain for his thoughtful introduction, edits and additions to what I had written on THE BIBLE mini-series; here's a bit of what he wrote along with his take on my original post. You can find the whole thing on his blog, Cyber-brethren.

The following in italics are McCain's own words:

"I watched, very carefully, the first episode of “The Bible.” I have been intrigued since the series was first drawn to my attention, and read all I could about it, and watched all the materials available on “The Bible” web site. Now, before anyone says, “Oh, boy, here we go again, another conservative grumpy Lutheran who can’t find anything good, ever, to say about anything a non-Lutheran does” I simply want to say, “Yes, I am a conservative Lutheran, and yes, I can be grumpy.” In this case, I was quite ready and willing to give it the benefit of the doubt, in spite of the “theological advisors” the series gathered, from non-Trinitarians like T.D. Jakes, to Mr. Smiley/No Gospel man, Joel Osteen, to Mr. Purpose-Driven Rick Warren. I recognize that to make a project like this successful you have to try to appeal to the largest possible audience and the way to do that is by getting the input from a wide range of well recognized “celebrity pastors.” OK, fine, I get that; however….here are concerns I had. I invite you to offer your observations. If you disagree with this critique, please provide detailed responses to the concerns and tell me why you don’t agree.

The first episode covered everything from the Creation up to the fall of Jericho, in two hours. Well, actually, more like what seemed like only an hour. Because I had DVRed it, I was able to breeze through the commercials. Wow, there are a lot of commercials, from Christian dating, to the Catholic Church. So, let’s say they had 90 minutes to cover that much Biblical history. I sympathize with anyone attempting to do that! Wow, ambitious. They chose to focus on key events, Abraham and Moses and the Exodus. I thought they handled the Creation account creatively, by having Noah recounting Genesis 1 to his family on the ark, as they were riding out the flood. The special effects portraying the Creation were beautiful! Very well done. I am also intrigued by how they are handling the appearance of the “Angel of the Lord” … clearly they are giving the viewer broad hints that this figure is none other than the pre-incarnate Son of God. If I’m not mistaken, the actor who portrays Christ is the one playing the Angel of the Lord, from the sound of the voice and the back of the head. He is addressed as “Lord” by both Abraham and Moses. The angels clearly are angels. Oddly, the angels are potrayed somewhat as Ninja warriors, which frankly, is closer to their true character than the wimpy winged effiminate figures we usually get, with whispy golden hair and white clothes. But, still…ninja angels?

But then as they got into the accounts I became increasingly distressed with what they were leaving out; namely, the Gospel. Where was the “first Gospel” of Genesis 3:15? Nowhere to be found. No mention of the promise to Eve that from her would come one who would crush the head of the serpent. Other accounts were also shaped more to heighten drama and action, than, in my opinion, to convey the actual Biblical account. And this, precisely, is the problem with “The Bible.” It is not the Bible. It states, very openly, that their intention is to capture “the spirit” of the Bible accounts they show, not the Bible itself. And what is that “spirit” – so far the focus is on man’s response and man’s faith in God, more than God’s saving actions and loving promises to man. You may say, “Oh, you are nitpicking.” Well, ok, I’m nitpicking. Aren’t we to be like those faithful Bereans who, when they heard the Apostle Paul preached, were diligent to go to their Scriptures to see if what Paul said was actually faithful to the Biblical account? Yes, they did. See Acts 17:11 where the Bereans are commended for their “noble character.”

I’ve already heard from people who say, “Oh, but if only one person is led to open the actual Bible and read it, it is all worth it.” I can fully understand that sentiment, in fact, in a way, I do share it. I can see how “The Bible” series can, and no doubt will be, a great discussion starter, and I’ve already experienced this. I’m not precisely sure for whom “The Bible” is intended. Would a person who is wholly Biblically illiterate really be able to track and follow “The Bible”? I’m not so sure. Believers are of course very interested in it. Will I continue to watch it? Of course! I’m looking forward to see what they do with various other episodes and particularly the life of Christ. I’m hopeful that they may do a better job once they get into the New Testament. I will say that the value in watching “The Bible” may come chiefly in comparing/constrasting it to what the Bible actually says and, most importantly, what the Bible actually means! It is disappointing however that this may be the only good thing about “The Bible.”

Let me here, at this point, share what I thought was an excellent review written by Pastor Sam Schuldheisz, offered with some editing by yours truly. I would encourage you to read his remarks carefully. I think he really captures the problems with “The Bible.” Pastor S. has gladly given me his blessing on my use of his excellent blog post. Check our Pastor Schuldheisz’ blog site “e-nklings”"

“Call me a skeptic, but when The History Channel started it’s advertising campaign weeks ago for their latest mini-series THE BIBLE , I knew right away what was going to happen. Either they would hire some two-bit historians, the usual parade of higher-critical, liberal scholar hall-of-famers, or they would fill their theological glass full of the best and brightest in American pop-Christianity. In the end the result is really the same however. The former destroys any objective claim Christians can (and should) make for the historicity of the events in the Bible by writing them off as myths, fairy tales or legends. The latter destroys any hope for an objective preaching of the Gospel by gutting the very essence of the Biblical salvation story (a true one we must add) from every key person event in the Old and New Testament. Now of course, many who support this mini-series project will say, “How could you be such a nay-sayer? It gets the Bible out in the public eye. Isn’t it good that people hear the story of the Bible, even if it is on TV?” That would all be well and good if in fact the Biblical teachings were the primary focus of the mini-series and if the central message of the Bible actually was the central message of THE BIBLE, namely repentance and forgiveness of sins in the Name of Jesus. So far, I’ve heard nothing of sin or forgiveness in any of the pre-broadcast media. The same is true for the actual debut itself.

“To be fair, I’ll hold out judgment for the New Testament segments of THE BIBLE until they are released. But for now, there is plenty to discuss even in the mini-series premier this last Sunday evening, including the previews of the New Testament episodes, which hold little hope. As one of my good friends observed yesterday, it would be easier (and shorter by far) to list the things THE BIBLE got right. The question is, how much will survive Mark Burnett’s History Channel island? In any regard, after watching Sunday’s episode I’ve come up with ten major concerns I have with it:

“10. Follow the Source: If you haven’t seen THE BIBLE TV show yet, you don’t even need to in order to discern what theological direction it will be headed in. A brief glance at the board of advisors and theologians reveals where the prevailing theological winds will take this ship. Of note are three names in particular, Joel Osteen (the smooth talking voice of Christless Christianity), T.D. Jakes (the well-known anti-trinitarian), and Rick Warren (whose theological views tend more toward Law than Gospel). As Chris Rosebrough said on Pirate Christian Radio yesterday, “It’s all about the theology.” And the theology of this thing suffers from the start. A bad tree produces bad apples. If the water you’re drinking is poisoned, all you have to do is look up stream to find out who or what plopped into the water.

“9. The “Spirit” of the Book: In the opening credits, the producers acknowledge the fact that they will take creative license with this series followed by a not-so-reassuring statement that says “We’ve attempted to stay true to the spirit of the book.” What exactly is the “spirit” of this book? For that we have clear words, Jesus’ words: “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms” (Luke 24). The “everything” that Jesus refers to there is his life, death and resurrection in order to save the world from sin, death and the devil. Test the spirit of this show to see if it’s declaring the same message and the same Jesus.

“8. The Devil is in the Details: As I watched the program Sunday night, and again last night on DVR, I was struck by the sheer quantity of missing historical and narrative details in the story telling (from the seemingly small and unimportant to the rather large and glaring ones). We’re first introduced to Abraham not as Abram. We’re never told about his name change or why YHWH made such a big deal about that. His call and the first promise are smashed into an answer blowing in the wind making Abraham look more like a troubled homeless person than than a trustworthy prophet. No mention was made of the covenant YHWH made with Abraham, which by the way, happened when he was sleeping and was entirely the Lord’s work. Pharaoh didn’t die in the Red Sea as Exodus records and Moses must have been a better character single and lonely. Where was YHWH’s pillar of cloud and fire at the Red Sea? Not to mention YHWH’s presence with in the Tabernacle. One simply doesn’t walk into the Holy of holies – such as Joshua was depicted doing – without some heads rolling. And what’s with those ninja-Jason-Bourne-like angels in Sodom?

“I know there’s such a thing as creative and artistic license, that’s fine. But the entire reason a theological advisory board was brought on was to ensure that Biblical details were accurate. And they’re not. I’m not saying I’m surprised. I’m saying this reveals that the theologians involved either knew the details and did not tell them (or production changed them, in which case why bother with advisors) or they didn’t think them important enough to include in the stories. Either way – ignorance or seclusion – reflects poorly on the Christian faith. Historic Christianity is founded on these kinds of seemingly small details. They matter, each and every one of them. We expect Hollywood to get it wrong. We should demand that Christians working in Hollywood get it right. It makes Christians look historically foolish.

“7. Theism: I heard lots of “God-talk” in the opening segment but nothing whatsoever of Christ. Nothing was even so much as hinted at about a Messiah or a Savior or a future hope such as YHWH delivered to his people starting already with Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:15). Theism is popular these days. But it’s not Christianity. There will be plenty of good theists in hell. Thankfully the only way we know God is because of Jesus: “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” It is Christ who makes the Father known to us in his death and resurrection.

’6. Passing over the Passover: Given the amount of time and detail they devote to the Exodus (not to mention the attention the Psalms and prophets give to it), you would expect the Passover sacrifice to be well-narrated and given a bit of exposure. This, however, was not the case. They showed the lamb, the blood and the doorposts. But there was no meal. No explanation why Israel had to eat the bitter herbs and the lamb and the unleavened bread. No atonement mentioned. No forgiveness of sins even hinted at. “The blood of on the doorposts marked them as God’s people,” the narrator said. Yes, but what does this mean?

“5. Promises, Promises: As I mentioned already, THE BIBLE severely botched the Abraham covenant account. In fact it skipped over it all together. Kind of shocking, really, considering how important this covenant was for YHWH’s people. Again, it was a unilateral, one-sided covenant between YHWH and Abraham and his descendants. Instead it was described as God’s covenant that Abraham and his descendants had to keep, as if it were entirely up to them to do the 40 years of purpose-driven, every-day-a-Friday kind of living in the wilderness before they could get to their best promised land ever and be the better “yous” God had planned for them to be. There’s just one problem, “purpose driven” anything isn’t a promise; it’s simply more commands and duties disguised as promises; it’s simply the Law presented as Gospel. No wonder Moses says to Aaron, “Now we get to fulfill Abraham’s covenant with God.” Wow.

And then there was that little statement at the end of the flood chapter where the narrator calmly and quickly said, “Noah and his family could now begin restoring the relationship between God and man.” Noah’s name may have meant rest, but neither he nor his children were capable of restoring the broken relationship of the Fall. That only comes in the New Testament with the true Man of Sabbath Rest, Jesus. And that rest is won by his death and rest in the tomb and his resurrection from the dead to give us an eternal Sabbath.

“4. The Long Arm of the Law Cut Short: Mark Burnett was successful in one thing: he made me appreciate Cecil B. DeMille’s version of the 10 Commandments. I had heretofore not enjoyed that movie. But that movie at least listed the 10 commandments and why they were given. The Law was dulled and its teeth yanked out in THE BIBLE. And if the long arm of the law is cut short, we’re reduced to people having made “bad choices and bad decisions” and behavioral problems instead of an outright rebellion against YHWH almighty that leads to death at every turn.

“3. A Famine of the Gospel: When the Law is dulled, so is the Gospel. When a “sin free” Bible is presented, it’s no wonder that it is also a Christ-free story in the end. If sin is merely a behavioral problem, a bad habit in need of improvement, then there’s really no need for a Savior from sin, death and hell. The Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions repeatedly remind us that it is only the sick who need a physician and that we cannot come to know the cross without knowing how great an evil sin truly is. THE BIBLE mini-series has presented little to no Gospel so far. And what is there has been lost in a computer graphic theology of glory.

“2. Computer Graphics are Cool, but They’re Not the Gospel: If the producers and advisors would have put as much into the presentation of the substance of this movie as they did the style (cinematography, etc.) this would have been a far more accurate presentation of the real Bible they are trying so hard to portray. The Church – as the Scriptures – stands or falls on the article of justification, that God was reconciling the world unto himself in Christ, not counting their sins against them. So far this central message has been noticeably absent. Perhaps it is assumed, but the Gospel assumed is the Gospel denied. Pretty pictures don’t get us one step closer to Jesus, and in this case, they appear to be leading us in the opposite direction.

“1. THE BIBLE is not The Bible: Let the reader understand. Of course THE BIBLE is claiming to tell the Biblical story from Genesis to Revelation. Christians who know and read their Bible and who attend Bible study and Divine Service regularly will see the movie for what it is: another attempt by Christians (even if well motivated, although motives are hard to guess) to present the Bible in a way that is friendly to the outsider and popular to the insider that falls far short of the mark of Biblical accuracy and fidelity. I worry far more about the people who will take their theology and Biblical knowledge from this movie. That would be entirely dangerous. So far, the theology in this mini-series is anything but faithful to the historic Christian faith. And, so far, the Bible presented by THE BIBLE is anything but a good story, even if it’s visually stimulating. In this case, the book – as is always the case – is better than the movie. One good thing that could come of this whole event is that people might actually ask their pastors about the bible and its teaching, or, Lord willing, pick it up and read it themselves from the source instead of relying on a movie. Let’s resolve to understand “The Bible” in light of The Bible and build our understanding on the bedrock of the actual Holy Scriptures, so we will have the gift of Christ’s sure and certain Word in all of it’s life-giving, effective, faith-producing, sin-forgiving, faithful-confession-working power. This is the sure foundation for Lutheran Christians and for all who are called by Christ.”

The 10 Plagues of THE BIBLE Mini-Series

 

Call me a skeptic, but when The History Channel started it's advertising campaign weeks ago for their latest debut mini-series THE BIBLE (which premiered on 3.3.13 - ooh spooky!), I knew right away what was going to happen. Either they would hire some two-bit historians, the usual parade of higher-critical, liberal scholar hall-of-famers, or they would fill their theological glass full of the best and brightest in American pop-Christianity. In the end the result is really the same however. The former destroys any objective claim Christians can (and should) make for the historicity of the events in the Bible by writing them off as myths, fairy tales or legends. The latter destroys any hope for an objective preaching of the Gospel by gutting the very essence of the Biblical salvation story (a true one we must add) from every key person event in the Old and New Testament. Now of course, many who support this mini-series project will say, "How could you be such a nay-sayer? It gets the Bible out in the public eye. Isn't it good that people hear the story of the Bible, even if it is on TV?" That would all be well and good if in fact the Biblical teachings were the primary focus of the mini-series and if the central message of the Bible actually was the central message of THE BIBLE, namely repentance and forgiveness of sins in the Name of Jesus. So far, I've heard nothing of sin or forgiveness in any of the pre-broadcast media. The same is true for the actual debut itself.

To be fair, I'll hold out judgment for the New Testament segments of THE BIBLE until they are released. But for now, there is plenty to discuss even in the mini-series premier this last Sunday evening, including the previews of the New Testament episodes, which hold little hope. As one of my good friends observed yesterday, it would be easier (and shorter by far) to list the things THE BIBLE got right. The question is, how much will survive Mark Burnett's History Channel island?  In any regard, after watching Sunday's episode I've come up with a list of top ten plagues found in this first installment:

10. Follow the Source: If you haven't seen THE BIBLE TV show yet, you don't even need to in order to discern what theological direction it will be headed in. A brief glance at the board of advisors and theologians reveals where the prevailing theological winds will take this ship. Of note are three names in particular, Joel Osteen (the smooth talking voice of Christless Christianity), T.D. Jakes (the well-known anti-trinitarian), and Rick Warren (everyone's favorite player at the Bible context game of Twister).  As Chris Rosebrough said on Pirate Christian Radio yesterday, "It's all about the theology." And the theology of this thing stinks from the start. A bad tree produces bad apples. If the water you're drinking is poisoned, all you have to do is look up stream to find out who or what plopped into the water.

9. The "Spirit" of the Book:  In the opening credits, the producers acknowledge the fact that they will take creative license with this series followed by a not-so-reassuring statement that says "We've attempted to stay true to the spirit of the book." What exactly is the "spirit" of this book? For that we have clear words, Jesus' words: "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms" (Luke 24). The "everything" that Jesus refers to there is his life, death and resurrection in order to save the world from sin, death and the devil. Test the spirit of this show to see if it's declaring the same message and the same Jesus.

8. The Devil is in the Details: As I watched the program Sunday night, and again last night on DVR, I was struck by the sheer quantity of missing historical and narrative details in the story telling (from the seemingly small and unimportant to the rather large and glaring ones). We're first introduced to Abraham not as Abram. We're never told about his name change or why YHWH made such a big deal about that. His call and the first promise are smashed into an answer blowing in the wind making Abraham look more like a side-walk freak on Hollywood Blvd. than a trustworthy prophet.  No mention was made of the covenant YHWH made with Abraham, which by the way, happened when he was sleeping and was entirely the Lord's work. Pharaoh didn't die in the Red Sea as Exodus records and Moses must have been a better character single and lonely. Where was YHWH's pillar of cloud and fire at the Red Sea? Not to mention YHWH's presence with in the Tabernacle. One simply doesn't walk into the Holy of holies - such as Joshua was depicted doing - without some heads rolling. And what's with those ninja-Jason-Bourne-like angels in Sodom? 

I know there's such a thing as creative and artistic license, that's fine. But the entire reason a theological advisory board was brought on was to ensure that Biblical details were accurate. And they're not. I'm not saying I'm surprised. I'm saying this reveals that the theologians involved either knew the details and did not tell them (or production changed them, in which case why bother with advisors) or they didn't think them important enough to include in the stories. Either way - ignorance or seclusion - reflects poorly on the Christian faith.  Historic Christianity is founded upon these kinds of seemingly small details; they matter, each and every one of them. We expect Hollywood to get it wrong. We should demand that Christians working in Hollywood get it right. It makes Christians look historically foolish.

7. Theism: I heard lots of "God-talk" in the opening segment but nothing whatsoever of Christ. Nothing was even so much as hinted at about a Messiah or a Savior or a future hope such as YHWH delivered to his people starting already with Adam and Eve.  Theism is popular these days. But it's not Christianity. There will be plenty of good theists in hell. Thankfully the only way we know God is because of Jesus: "He who has seen me has seen the Father." And it is Christ who makes him known to us in his death and resurrection.

6. Passing over the Passover: Given the amount of time and detail the historical accounts of the Exodus (not to mention the attention the Psalms and prophets give to it), you would expect the Passover sacrifice to be well-narrated and given a bit of exposure. This, however, was not the case. They showed the lamb, the blood and the doorposts. But there was no meal. No explanation why Israel had to eat the bitter herbs and the lamb and the unleavened bread. No atonement mentioned. No forgiveness of sins even hinted at. "The blood of on the doorposts marked them as God's people," the narrator said. Yes, but what does this mean?

5. Promises, Promises: As I mentioned already, THE BIBLE severely botched the Abraham covenant account. In fact it skipped over it all together. Kind of shocking, really, considering how important this covenant was for YHWH's people. Again, it was a unilateral, one-sided covenant between YHWH and Abraham and his descendants. Instead it was described as God's covenant that Abraham and his descendants had to keep, as if it were entirely up to them to do the 40 years of purpose-driven, every-day-a-Friday kind of living in the wilderness before they could get to their best promised land ever and be the better "yous" God had planned for them to be. There's just one problem, "purpose driven" anything isn't a promise; it's simply more commands and duties disguised as promises; it's simply the Law presented as Gospel. No wonder Moses says to Aaron, "Now we get to fulfill Abraham's covenant with God."  Wow. 

And then there was that little statement at the end of the flood chapter where the narrator calmly and quickly said, "Noah and his family could now begin restoring the relationship between God and man."  Noah's name may have meant rest, but neither he nor his children were capable of restoring the broken relationship of the Fall.  That only comes in the New Testament with the true Man of Sabbath Rest, Jesus. And that rest is won by his death and rest in the tomb and his resurrection from the dead to give us an eternal Sabbath. 

4. The Long Arm of the Law Cut Short: Mark Burnett was successful in one thing: he made me appreciate Cecil B. DeMille's version of the 10 Commandments. I had heretofore not enjoyed that movie. But that movie at least listed the 10 commandments and why they were given. The Law was dulled and its teeth yanked out in THE BIBLE. And if the long arm of the law is cut short, we're reduced to people having made "bad choices and bad decisions" and behavioral problems instead of an outright rebellion against YHWH almighty that leads to death at every turn.

3. A Famine of the Gospel: When the Law is dulled, so is the Gospel. When a sinless Bible is presented it's no wonder that it is also a Christ-less story in the end.  If sin is merely a behavioral problem, a bad habit in need of improvement, then there's really no need for a Savior from sin, death and hell. The Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions repeatedly remind us that it is only the sick who need a physician and that we cannot come to know the cross without knowing how great an evil sin truly is. THE BIBLE mini-series has presented little to no Gospel so far. And what is there has been lost in a computer graphic theology of glory.

2. Computer Graphics are Cool, but They're Not the Gospel: If the producers and advisors would have put as much into the presentation of the substance of this movie as they did the style (cinematography, etc.) this would have been a far more accurate presentation of the real Bible they are trying so hard to portray. The Church - as the Scriptures - stands or falls on the article of justification, that God was reconciling the world unto himself in Christ, not counting their sins against them. So far this central message has been noticeably absent. Perhaps it is assumed, but the Gospel assumed is the Gospel denied. Pretty pictures don't get us one step closer to Jesus, and in this case, they appear to be leading us in the opposite direction.

1. THE BIBLE is not The Bible: Let the reader understand. Of course THE BIBLE is claiming to tell the Biblical story from Genesis to Revelation.  Christians who know and read their Bible and who attend Bible study and Divine Service regularly will see the movie for what it is: another attempt by Christians (even if well motivated, although motives are hard to guess) to present the Bible in a way that is friendly to the outsider and popular to the insider that falls far short of the mark of Biblical accuracy and fidelity.  I worry far more about the people who will take their theology and Biblical knowledge from this movie. That would be entirely dangerous. The theology in this mini-series is anything but faithful to the historic Christian faith. And the Bible presented by THE BIBLE is anything but a good story, even if it's visually stimulating. In this case, the book - as is always the case - is better than the movie. One good thing that could come of this whole event is that people might actually ask their pastors about the bible and its teaching, or, Lord willing, pick it up and read it themselves from the source instead of the knock-off brand. Instead of drawing from the sinking sands of THE BIBLE as our source of doctrine and comfort, let's return to the bedrock of the Scriptures, to Christ's sure and certain Word in all of it's life-giving, effective, faith-producing, sin-forgiving, faithful-confession-working power. This is the sure foundation for Lutheran Confessions and for all who are called by Christ.

Sermon for Lent 3: "The Gift of Repentance"

+ Lent 3 – March 3^rd, 2013 +

Redeemer Lutheran, HB
Series C: Ezekiel 33:7-20; 1 Cor. 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9

 In the Name of + Jesus. Amen.

             We love measuring things. It’s true before as well as after birth; what’s her height weight and head-size? As children grow, we mark the walls or door frames: are they bigger or smaller, shorter or taller? School is a workshop of social measurement and comparison: who’s cooler or nerdier? Who’s the cutest girl or the hottest guy?

            Adults are no different; we never grow out of comparing ourselves with one another: from the 102” HD plasma TV and the cars we drive to the wages we earn and bills we pay; who has higher or lower income, mortgage rate and tax bracket? It’s  even true in old age: there’s more or less grey hair, higher or lower cholesterol or blood pressure; how many pills are in your box?
         Apparently, people in Jesus’ day were just as obsessed with measuring things as we are. Some of them came running up to Jesus. “Did you hear what happened to those Galileans, Jesus? Their blood was mingled with the pagan sacrifices. They must have done something really sinful to deserve that; sure glad it wasn’t me.”
            Jesus replies, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
             Comparing and measuring works well, say for example, when you’re building a bridge or a Boeing 787.  However, it never works out well for us when our love of measuring things is applied in the spiritual realm.  Like everything else, our old Adam takes a gift of God and curves it inward on ourselves. Chief of sinners though I be, there’s always someone worse than me.  But who’s really the greater sinner there? The one who knows they are sinful or the one who thinks the other guys’ sin is worse than his?
            Today’s Gospel reading isn’t really about why there’s tragedy, suffering and death in the world (although a fine application to make). Jesus uses this occasion to teach repentance. Not comparison. Not measurement. Not degrees or grades of sinners. Repentance.
            Repentance isn’t taking a look in the mirror of our sins and then tilting it so the light of God’s law shines on the sins of those around us while we sit comfortably saying, “well, I could be worse; “thank God I’m not like those sinners…”
Repentance isn’t doing something to satisfy God’s wrath, as if God were a crooked cop to pay off.
            Repentance isn’t rehab for sinners: “be a better person.” Adam 2.0 – he’s better, stronger, faster at getting rid of bad habits, and improving sinful behavior.
            Repentance never begins with us looking at other people’s sins, only our own. Repentance begins, not by comparing yourself to your own standards or others’, but by Jesus’ standards.

            The standard of the Law is remarkably simple. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind…and love your neighbor as yourself. Keep the Law - all 10 Commandments - and you will live. But break even one squiggly letter of the Law and you’re guilty of breaking the whole thing. Simple, but demanding.

            With Jesus there’s no sliding scale. No “A” for effort. Jesus doesn’t grade on a curve. And he’s not like your youth soccer coach, “Well, better luck next time kid, at least you tried; that’s all that counts.”  No, none of that will do.
“Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
            Repentance, then, begins not by looking at the tragedy or sin of others, but by the tragedy of our own sin.
            Repentance is an outright assault on our inward-bent, navel-gazing ways, a revolution launched against our old sinful flesh and our desire to be god.
            Repentance is a turning, a complete 180 degree change. You were going that way, now go this way. You were walking in the counsel of the wicked. Be planted and live in the living waters of Christ’s righteousness.
            Repentance is confessing the truth about ourselves in light of God’s Word: that our thoughts, words and deeds have earned us nothing short of temporal and eternal damnation. For if we say we have no need of repentance, what we’re really saying is, we have no need of Jesus. Jesus’ words call us to repentance; repent of comparing our sins with our neighbor’s sins. Repent of foolishly thinking we need no repentance. Repent and see our sin for what it is: a death sentence in light of the 10 commandments.
 “How can I possibly measure up to that standard?” we ask. “What could I possibly do that would compare with those demands? That sounds impossible.”
            And for us it is. That’s the point. God’s Law measures and compares us all by the light of His holiness and the same verdict is rendered upon all: total condemnation. We’re exposed. Naked. Guilty. Shamed. But what is impossible for man is not impossible for the God-man, Jesus Christ. Jesus does the impossible for you. Yes, all have fallen short of the glory of God…and you are justified by the grace that comes through His redemption; in His dying you live.
            This is what the season of Lent is all about. The Holy Spirit convicting and exposing our sin; and the same Holy Spirit pointing us to a love beyond comparison: Christ Crucified for you. And so, Luther says, “Repentance is nothing other than a return to our Baptism.” Daily dying to self and Rising in Christ. Daily drowning our sins in Christ’s promises as the Holy Spirit works repentance in us. And out of repentance, Christ also works reconciliation, forgiveness, life and salvation.
            Above all, repentance is God’s gift for you. It may not seem like it at first; it’s painful, but a pain that leads to relief, a death that leads to life.  It is a gift to confess with David, “I have sinned against heaven and earth and then to hear Nathan reply, “The Lord has taken away your sin.” It is God’s gift that you cry out, “Lord, have mercy on me a sinner.” But rejoice, for Christ comes to dwell only among sinners.”  This kind of confession only comes from one place – not from you or your striving to keep the commandments - but from Jesus who keeps the commandments for you and his life-giving Spirit who works repentance in you. Repentance is not our work for God; it’s God’s work in us.

            This is the turning point when we tell the truth about ourselves and our thoughts, words, and actions. God works repentance in us, killing us with the conviction of the commandment that says, “You are a sinner, and you deserve eternal death.” But He also turns us away from our ugly reflection in the Law’s mirror, away from ourselves and all measuring, evaluating ways. And He turns our face to the face of Jesus, crucified for you, raised and glorified for you. Turn and look to Him. He is your righteousness; His blood is the payment for your sins.

             Thankfully, Jesus doesn’t share our twisted love of measurement and calculation. He is gracious and abounding in steadfast love. He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that we would repent and live. And in order to give us life, He gives you what you don’t deserve. He reckons to you a righteousness that is not your own. He declares that you are forgiven; not guilty. On the cross the scales are tipped in your favor. The innocent dies for the guilty. The one who deserved no death laid down his life for us. The sinless One stands in our place as sinner. The obedient Son is faithful for all our disobedience.  
            The vine dies to give life to you, his precious branches.  And by his death he bears great fruit for you, the living fruit of his suffering, death and resurrection. The saving fruit of his water, word, body and blood.
            And by this fruit, he waters, feeds and fertilizes us fruitless fig trees week after week, year after year so that we too bear fruit, the fruit of repentance, the fruit of mercy to the those in need. The fruit of Christ’s gospel spoken to our neighbors and in our community.
            There’s no need to measure or compare any more. Christ has measured up to the Law for you and not fallen short. He lived for you. Died for you. Rose for you.
            And from the tree of His cross, He bears fruit in your Baptism where your sin has been removed from you as far as the East is from the West. Where God changed your mind and has given you a new mind, conformed to the mind of Christ. He’s given you a new heart that rejoices in repentance; and rejoices all the more in Christ Crucified for you. And there is no condemnation for you who are in Christ Jesus. This is one gift without measure or comparison.

In the Name of + Jesus. Amen.