If I Told You Once. . .

based on Matthew 23:37-39

Pentecost 24 – November 3, 2002

Pastor Richard Mau

Immanuel Lutheran – Des Plaines, IL

Today’s Scripture Readings:

Psalm 84:1-7 Amos 5:18-24 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 23:37-39

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. [adapted: Psalm 19:14]

Please complete the expression: “If I told you once . . . (I’ve told you a thousand times!)

What are the emotions behind this expression?

Frustration

Anger

Hurt

Helplessness

Pleading

Love

A last warning

Jesus is crying out to his beloved city. It is the city of most significance to God’s people in all of history. It is supposedly the site where Abraham met the great priest Melchizedek. It is the last city of significance conquered by Israel, and then not until by David. It is the city David so joyfully brought the Ark of the Covenant for its permanent place of glory. It is the city that David planned and provided for, and Solomon built God’s temple. God’s people would no longer come to him in a temporary tent, but in a structure as fitting for God’s glory as man could build. Jerusalem was the capital of God’s people, their home when there was no other home. It is the city that is the symbol of heaven, the final and eternal Jerusalem that God will gather his people in at the end of earthly time.

Many Jewish people were looking to the restoration of Jerusalem as this most prominent city as a sign that God was completing his promise of a savior and restoring his kingdom. They were looking for this glorious moment on their own terms and in earthly power and glory.

As Jesus cries out “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,” one can hear the urgency, the frustration, and the despondency in his voice as he repeats the name of the city that God had set aside for his own people. God is crying out to his people as if to say, “If I told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times, my kingdom is not of this world.” “If I told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times that salvation and eternal life come by my grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ, my dear son, alone. If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times that those who hear my voice and follow my commands are truly my disciples. If I’ve told you once I’ve told you a thousand times that the only way to the father is through the Son who is the way, the truth and the life.

Jesus knew the suffering and death he was going to experience in the next couple of days. Jesus knew the purpose for this price he was about to pay, the purchase of all sins of all believers. Jesus knew the glories he would share with all believers in the resurrection that would follow his burial. Jesus knew that many who thought they were doing the right things were missing his message of forgiveness and trusting in his work alone. Jesus knew the punishment of all who rejected him thereby rejecting God the Father who sent him.

As did many Jews at Jesus’ time, how many people today go through the motions of being Christians, wearing the right jewelry, attending the right services, living the right lives, in expectation that their good works and overall goodness will save them? How many expect the life of a Christian to be free from temptation, evil, poverty, and filled only with joy and contentment here on earth?

You see, following Jesus means eventually going beyond the respectable limits of the world to expect Christianity to be comfortable and an experience where you get what you want out of it, and on your own terms. The world looks upon Christianity as something that really does not bother you and the way that you choose to live, as long as you are “good.” The world does not understand the purpose of God’s law, to convict people of their sin, drive them to repentance, true sorrow before God for disobeying him in thoughts, words, and deeds. The world does not understand the joy of forgiveness, how even the worst sinner will be forgiven as he looks to Christ for that forgiveness. The world does not understand the joy of forgiving others and completely and freely as Jesus forgives each one of us in that peace that passes all understanding.

The world does not understand that baptism is not something good to do but is really a gift from God and also a commitment on the part of family to raise the child in the faith, and for the adult to continue in faithful living, worship and dedication after baptism and publicly proclaiming one’s faith at one’s confirmation of that faith in baptism. The world does not understand that an almighty God who created the world, the universe, and the heavens, has control over every segment of all things, is present in all things at all times, and guards and protects the weakest and the strongest in this world alike. The world does not understand that an almighty and all-powerful God can make himself present in simple bread and wine to strengthen that faith he gives. The world cannot understand that a faithful and just God is so faithful and just that he will not break his word in saving the faithful and forever punishing the unfaithful alike. The world does not understand Satan as the source of evil and his sly attempts to draw the hearts and minds of men away from God in the simplest and subtlest of ways.

Each day Christians are invited to pray that people will accept the invitation to come and listen to the story and believe it as they’ve never believed anything before. We pray that those who have faith come to see it grow in faithful worship, group Bible study and personal devotion. We pray that hose who do not have faith in Jesus hear his name and the love that caused God to send him to do what he did, so they can find faith for the first time.

It is a simple message. It is a simple name. And that name alone saves. That name alone came down from heaven and became one among us to live the life without sin that no person could live. That name alone paid the price for all sins. That name alone broke the bonds of death as he rose victoriously from the grave. That name alone defeats Satan at any time just by the power of saying that name alone. That name alone prepares a place for all believers in our Father’s house. That name alone has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. That name alone will come again to take up all believers to be with him as we sing again, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” At that name, every knee in heaven, on earth, and under the earth will bow. If we’ve heard that name once, we have heard it a thousand times.

Let us strengthen each other in faith singing of that name that saves and gives the love and strength to go out and tell others of that name.

Jesus, name above all names, beautiful Savior, glorious Lord,

Emmanuel, God is with us, blessed Redeemer, living Word.

Jesus, loving shepherd, Vine of the branches, Son of God

Prince of Peace, Wonderful counselor, Lord of the universe, Light of the World.

Jesus, Way of salvation, King of Kings, Lord of Lords,

The way the truth, and the Life, Mighty Creator, my Savior and friend.

This Peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Amen.

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