Category: Current Events

by the Rev. Dr. Rick Stuckwisch

No, I haven’t died and gone to heaven, but this servant of the Lord surely could depart in peace, for my eyes and ears and nose and mouth and hands have beheld the Glory of God in the gifts of His Christ, on earth as it is in heaven, by His Word of the Gospel throughout this week. I’m in St. Louis, completing my duties as the chaplain of the Higher Things conference that began on Tuesday and concludes this afternoon at Vespers. What a joy and delight, what a privilege and a pleasure it has been to serve in this capacity. How rich in grace and mercy the Lord has been to lavish such loving-kindness upon me and all His children here gathered together in this place.

Granted, I have missed having my own Emmaus Youth here with me. There have been times I’ve almost forgotten that, when I have momentarily wanted to seek them out in the midst of the crowd and exult with them as their pastor in the good gifts that we are granted to receive. Then I immediately remember that they have already rejoiced in that privilege last week in the Poconos, and that here I am given to serve as a pastor for other young people, for their parents and pastors and chaperones. There is a twinge of melancholy sadness that I am not able to share this immediate experience with my own young people, who are in many ways almost like my own children (and in some cases are, in fact, my own children). Yet, there is the benefit that I have been able to give my full focus and complete attention to my office as chaplain.

My entire week has really been consumed with preparations for each of the services: ten of them altogether, from Tuesday afternoon through Friday afternoon. I’ve been able to consider every detail ahead of time, so that, when the time comes to pray with this group of 800+ youth, we are simply able to rest in the Word of the Lord and to pray together in peace and quietness. What a marvelous thing that is. There is such a beautiful rhythm to this week. It is more full and complete than we are able to follow back home; though, at the same time, each of the prayer offices are like an old friend, a familiar and comfortable place to be at ease: to be “at home,” as it were, not geographically, but in Christ Jesus our Savior. Praying Evening Prayer and Vespers with my own congregation every week throughout the year, I find that praying with the people here at the conference is simply a continuation and extension of that regular pattern and practice. Thus, even separated by hundreds of miles, I am still praying with and for my dear people at Emmaus.

It was a different experience for me to administer the Holy Communion to a congregation of disciples some ten or twelve times larger than I am normally given to serve. Having bread and wine ready to hand for 900 communicants makes for a lot of food up there on the Altar. To take that in hand with the Words of our Lord and to oversee the distribution of His Body and His Blood into the mouths of His people is an awesome responsibility and task. Yet, the same Lord whose gifts I was given to administer also surrounded and supported me with faithful brothers in Christ and in the Holy Office, that all things might be done in love, in decency and good order. Looking out over the distribution as it was occurring last night, there was such a wave of joy that flooded me, I could hardly have expressed it, except by joining in the singing of the hymns as best I could while remaining attentive to my duties.

The music all week long has been tremendous. I have basked in the opportunity to be served by my dear friend and father in Christ, Kantor Resch, as he has served at the organ bench for all of the services of the conference. Mr. Tim Lacroix returned to this conference to serve, as he has so well in the past, as the choir director, and what great work he has done with a wonderful group of young people. My seat on the chancel has been immediately in front of the choir, and their beautiful singing of the Word of God has both comforted and delighted me.

For each of us here in this place, to sing in the magnificent St. Xavier Church on the campus of St. Louis University is truly a taste of heaven on earth. Architecturally, artistically and acoustically, it is simply marvelous. As the Lord opens our lips to show forth His praise in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, it has been almost an effortless undertaking. And to hear the great Lutheran chorales swell from the lungs and lips of this group is breathtaking.

Three years ago, when I was attending the “Dare To Be Lutheran” conference here in St. Louis (my first Higher Things conference), I was in such awe of the chapel space and daily services. If anything, my perspective and experience as the chaplain has been even more exhilarating. What is definitely sweeter this time around is the weather and my experience of the campus. In 2005, it was so terribly hot and humid all week long, and everything seemed to bake in the sun like the Sahara desert. I remember walking from my dorm, then, to the student center where the sectionals were held, a matter of only four or five blocks I suppose, and arriving drenched in perspiration. Wearing my clericals that week, I felt like a mobile solar panel, and it was dreadful. Our dorm for that conference was the one south of the campus, right on Grand Avenue, immediately off the highway. Consequently, I never actually saw the bulk of the campus, but basically walked back and forth up and down Grand Avenue all week long. Mainly what I saw was concrete and blacktop and lots of traffic. I don’t think anything was very green that summer, either, and the overall feel was that of an inner city.

This year, my dorm is toward the western end of the beautiful campus. I walk amidst fountains and trees and grass. Everything is green and lush and lovely. I’ve seen very little traffic most of the time, because I haven’t had to be on Grand Avenue much. Sure, I’ve spent most of my time in the church, because that’s where I’ve been preparing and officiating all of the services. But I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying the campus in my movement to and fro, and it simply feels like a different place altogether than the last time I was here. My dorm is very nice, too, and I’ve had a couple of great roommates; although I will say that I have missed having my Zach here and rooming with him, which was the other thing I enjoyed best about “Dare To Be Lutheran.”

I suppose that if I got to revel in this kind of splendor all the time, I would be tempted to fall into a theology of glory. Leaving this place will tug and pull at my heart, because this truly has been a joyous opportunity to serve and be served. Yet, the parish and people to whom I return are God’s own children, the very ones He has given me to care for, not only for a week, but for a lifetime. I don’t have a space as architecturally, artistically and acoustically astounding as St. Xavier Church, but our own Emmaus is the place where Christ Jesus comes to be with us, to open the Scriptures to us, to open our ears, our hearts and minds to Himself, and to give Himself to us in the Breaking of the Bread. He gives those gifts to me, His child and servant, and He gives me the tremendous privilege and pleasure of giving them to the congregation in His Name. That, also, is heaven on earth; under the cross, to be sure, but no less so for that reason. Indeed, it is by and with the cross that heaven is ours, even now, by grace through faith in Christ. It has not yet appeared what we shall be. Even here in this place, we do not see or hear or smell or taste outwardly what the full glory of heaven shall be like. Yet, all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily among us in the Word and Flesh and Blood of Christ the Crucified. Heaven itself would be void and bare, if He were not near us, but here and back home He is already a very present help in trouble; and He shall never leave us nor forsake us.

I’ll take my leave of St. Xavier Church with a touch of sadness, but I am already looking forward to being again with the flock entrusted to my pastoral care in South Bend. There it is true, no matter how any given day may feel, that I am given to live a heavenly life here on earth.

The Rev. Dr. Rick Stuckwisch is Pastor of Emmaus Lutheran Church in South Bend, Indiana. In recent years, he also served on the committees that crafted Lutheran Service Book. An outstanding liturgist and preacher, he serves splendidly as chaplain for Amen!

by The Rev. Rich Heinz

“All good things must come to an end,” the expression goes. Yet it is not entirely true.

The best thing, that your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was born, suffered, rose, and lives for you, can never end! “Tetelestai!” — “It is finished!” — “Amen!” Pastor Borghardt reminded us on Tuesday. The saving work of Jesus stands completed and cannot be undone!

The week in Saint Louis (and the week in Scranton) is complete. The catechesis of those particular youth and adults by those particular catechists, in that particular place, is finished. Yet our ongoing catechesis is not. We simply have walked down from that mountaintop and rejoined our families and friends in what they call “real life.”

Many in our Higher Things “community” will gather next week for Amen in Irvine, California. For them, it is nowhere near finished. But even for the Poconos and Saint Louis crowds, Christ would remind us that our catechesis is ongoing. Our learning never stops. Until we fall asleep in Jesus, the Holy Spirit’s daily work to convert us from our unbelief continues.

What a joy and privilege to gather around your own pastor for the next twelve months, receiving the gifts Christ freely gives, until you join hundreds of others at Sola! How amazingly cool to add your “Amen” to the Church’s song and prayers, responding to our Savior’s Holy Word and Blessed Sacrament! How comforting is the privilege to utter your “Amen” when you remember your Baptism, and when you confess to your pastor that Christ may bless you with Holy Absolution!

Not all good things must come to an end. The things that are truly good are these very Gifts of God that we call the Means of Grace. And these will endure. We have His promise! “The Word of our God [both proclaimed and enfleshed] stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8 NKJV.) No ending here! Our dear Lord just gives those Good Things to you in different places, at the hands and mouths of different pastors!

“Woof. Woof.” For those who were not in attendance, look for Pastor Buetow’s sermon to be posted as a Higher Homily. His translation will be provided.

Amen. 

by The Rev. Rich Heinz

Over 800 youth, pastors, and adult chaperones blended their voices in singing Luther’s great hymn, A Mighty Fortress, in St. Francis Xavier College Church on the campus of Saint Louis University. The soaring gothic architecture, beautiful stained glass, statues of our Lord, and of course Higher Things’ processional crucifix were a feast for the eyes, while the organ, trumpet, and voices carried the Word into our ears. Thus began our four days of worship, work, and play at Amen, the 2008 HT conference.

As I was caught up in the moment, I looked throughout the church, taking it all in. My eyes fell on Pastor George Borghardt, who would be preaching; and it struck me. He was grinning! I could already hear his thoughts: “Gift Received! Amen!” Certainly the most important Gift is Christ – born, dead, and resurrected for you – “Gift Received! Amen!” The gift of singing the Gospel of the “Battle Hymn of the Reformation” in a Jesuit nave and chancel is joyous too. “Gift Received! Amen!” The gift of such skilled music from instruments, directors, choir, and attendees was thrilling! “Gift Received! Amen!” The gift of skilled preaching of the pure Gospel is precious. “Gift Received! Amen!”

Watching Pastor Borghardt was almost as enjoyable as hearing his fine sermon (which will be published soon – keep watching for that Higher Homily.) In that moment, there was a “visual” of our reason for gathering for Higher Things conferences. The Word is given. We respond with a joyful “Amen!” of prayer and praise. Tonight and tomorrow have times for individual confession and Holy Absolution, with a humble, “Gift Received! Amen!” On Thursday we shall receive the Lord’s holy and precious Body and Blood. And again, “Gift Received! Amen!”

Indeed! Grin with Pastor Borghardt! There is much joy in the Gospel that Jesus’ “Amen” has brought you forgiveness, peace, and mercy. And now He continues to gift you with faith and its response: “Amen!”

by The Rev. George F. Borghardt III

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

A construction crane falls and two die in New York. That’s two deaths too many. Cranes are used in every city to do work every day. We see them without thinking that they are dangerous. They aren’t supposed to fall. They just aren’t. What happens when they do? Why did this one fall?

Sin. Fall. Adam. Eve. That blasted fruit that they ate and shouldn’t have eaten. That’s where sin and death originated. They took what wasn’t given to them. Today, we sin too – daily and much.

Events like this should cause us all to pause, mourn, and pray for salvation. Your sins and my sins are the reason these things happen. As the Psalmist says, “ Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight “ (51:6) With all my sins, it’s a wonder the stars don’t fall down on me! One day, they will.

And here’s the real kicker: We are born into this sinful world where things fall, and the evil that befalls us is because of our own Fall. With that truth in your mind, who would even want to get up in the morning? Why doesn’t God do anything about this?

Step back. Contemplate the Cross of Jesus Christ. God has done something, He has saved us – despite us – in the giving up of His Son. He buys us back with all our sins by having his Son die in our place. Christ takes upon Himself our suffering, all our falls, our death, so that we might have life in His Name.

There are no accidents. Not really. Our lives, our days, our years, are in His hands. There are no guarantees in this world – not even that the sun will come out tomorrow. Which leads to a valid question, “Why don’t all cranes fall?”

God’s grace. That’s what keeps everything from falling down around us – even the stars. His kindness and loving mercy for us in Christ. 

What He does, He does for our good. What He allows, He allows for our sake. He calls us to repent.  He enlivens us to faith.  He comforts us in our suffering. 

And when our last hour comes, whenever that may be, it is not because He is angry with us. No, He gave up Jesus for that. So, when we fall asleep and one day do not wake up, or when the stars themselves fall on us, at that moment we will most know what it means that Christ died for us.

Then, as certainly as Christ has risen from the dead, we too shall rise in Him.  We already have – in our Baptism.  

Consider that: He’s most our God, He’s most our Savior, at the point in which it all falls down around us. That’s the love God has for us – even us – in Christ Jesus. Until that day, dear Lord, preserve us and keep us.

“Lord, please comfort the families who saw their loved ones and won’t see them again until the Last Day. Thank you for this day. Thank you for safety. Thank you for your grace in another day to serve you by caring for those around us. In the name of Jesus. Amen.”

The Rev. George Broghardt is associate/youth pastor for St. Mark Lutheran Church in Conroe, Texas, and is the Conferences Executive for HT.  He is fearing the reputation of “The Disaster Pastor,” as he has published articles on the Virginia Tech tragedy, preached at For You in North Carolina about the Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis, and addressed other issues of disastrous nature.

by The Rev. Rich Heinz

“Ignorant.” “Pathetic.” “Self-absorbed.” A New Albany, Indiana Kindergarten teacher has made national news with such nasty names for one of her students. After telling his parents for some time that his teacher was mean to him, Gabriel Ross’ family recorded the hateful remarks that he was receiving. The teacher has been suspended, however the teachers’ union is challenging that decision. In the end, there is no justification for such berating of a 5-year-old, and turning classmates against him, as has been recorded.

Setting aside that these names were hurtful and sinful in their context, and simply inappropriate, let’s take a moment to ponder these three statements.

Ignorant

“Ignorant” means that one does not know something. Ignorant is different from (other hurtful adjectives, such as) “dumb” or “stupid.” Ignorance is not an inability to know, it is simply a lack of knowledge. Ironically, at the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Eve and Adam thought they were expanding their knowledge. When it was said and done (and eaten), they knew good and evil, alright! But now they no longer desired the good. They craved what was against God.

Now, they had become ignorant. And we follow in their footsteps. We are born not knowing God. We are without saving knowledge of Him—not just a head knowledge, but the knowledge of a relationship. Only through the work of the Holy Spirit in Baptism and the preaching of the Gospel does that saving “knowledge” come.

Pathetic

“Pathetic.” We are filled with such sadness and sorrow in our fallen nature. This horrible predicament can lead others to have pity (either out of compassion or disgust.) Such a condition is what we call “pathetic.”

“I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him…” The shattered image of God from the Garden makes us pathetic. We cannot do anything to change it. We are helpless. The last words that Luther penned come to mind: “In truth, we are all beggars.” That’s pathetic.

Self-absorbed

“Self-absorbed.” There is no beating around the bush. Every human being has moments when it is quite clear he or she is self-absorbed. Sin, death, and the devil all prompt each of us to make choices in our thoughts, words, and actions that are “best for me.” No longer do we think in terms of community or serving others. We have been fully immersed in a “self-serve” society.

“You gotta do what’s best for you.” “You deserve it.” “Help yourself.” We are surrounded with messages to pamper ourselves, and let everyone else do the same. We end up in a world that does not lack necessary self-esteem, but actually is plagued by an overactive self-esteem!

The Rest of the Story

“Man, Pastor Heinz is being pretty heavy with the Law!” Well, yes, as I am proclaiming to you the shortcomings we all have before the throne of God. Yet, dear friends in Christ, you know that this is not the end of the story.

Precisely because you and I are ignorant, pathetic, and self-absorbed, our dear Lord Jesus has come to suffer all for us. He received the harsh punishment of a world that knew Him not – ignorant of the Son of God!

He gave up all, as He became pathetic for us. The Man of Sorrows endured suffering beyond belief. Why? To make us feel guilty? (You know, I am talking about the “Jesus did all that horrible suffering for you, now don’t you just feel terrible?!” feeling.) Absolutely not! Our Savior did all this purely out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me.

Our Lord became the One who could truly absorb all of our guilt to remove it once and for all. As He stepped into the Jordan to be baptized, our amazing self-less Savior soaked up all our sin and death, that He might make that lasting payment on our behalf.

Should the New Albany teacher have told such things to a Kindergartener? Absolutely not. Are those things true of us? Yes, and every other man, woman, and child on this earth.

However, our Redeemer has purchased and won our righteousness and innocence. The Master Teacher has the divine gift of the knowledge of forgiveness and life – a gift given through His precious Gospel and Sacraments. On account of Jesus Christ, you are no longer ignorant, pathetic, and self-absorbed; you have our Triune God who removes these qualities and makes you His own through His Divine knowledge, empathy, and selflessness.

The Rev. Rich Heinz is senior pastor of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church & School in Lanesville, IN, and the Front Page editor for Higher Things Internet Services.

by The Rev. Mark Buetow

Last week, the Supreme Court of California legalized gay marriage. Homosexual men and women may now actually get a marriage license. The world pretty much welcomed this decision as a wonderful thing, allowing the “love” that exists between two men or two women to be given the same “right” of marriage that was only allowed to a man and woman before. This is a pretty sad decision because it highlights our world and society’s continual advance away from God’s Word.

But here’s the thing. All over the country churches and preachers are going to be preaching and teaching that homosexuality is against God’s order and against God’s Commandments. Well, they’re right. After all, the Book of Leviticus says plainly that “you shall not lie with a man as one lies with a woman” (Leviticus 18:22). And St. Paul seems pretty clear when he includes “homosexuals” and “sodomites” among the list of those who will not inherit the Kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9). So, yeah, homosexuality is clearly against the LAW of God. But so are all other sins!

While it’s true that the Law condemns this sin as it does all sins, what you won’t hear preached and taught is that homosexuality is wrong because it denies the GOSPEL. The Gospel is the “Good News” that God does not hold our sins against us on account of the obedience and death of Jesus for sinners. Part of this “Good News” is that our Lord Jesus has rescued sinners and brought them into His Church. The Church is the Bride of Christ. Just as Eve was formed from the rib taken from Adam’s side, so the Church is born from Christ’s side in water (Baptism) and Blood (the Sacrament of the Altar) when those flowed out on the day of His death. (John 19:34).

St. Paul writes these words to the Ephesians 5:25-32: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

As it turns out, marriage between one man and one woman is actually a picture and example of something much more important than what’s going on with the husband and wife. Marriage is a picture of Christ and His Church. So think about this: If a man and woman united in a lifelong union are a picture of Jesus and His Bride, what does the union of two men or two women mean? For that matter, what is pictured by a couple that is just “living together” without marriage? What is pictured by a couple who divorces for no particular reason other than they “fell out of love?”

The truth is, such unions and lifestyles are a denial of the Good News that God’s Word says is true. Either Christ gave His life for sinners and has taken the Church as His Bride or (as gay “marriage” would illustrate) the Church is on her own, married to herself or Jesus only loved and died for Himself—or something weird like that! The truth is this: Christ has given Himself into death for all sins and sinners. On the cross, Jesus took the curse of sin upon Himself. On Calvary, Jesus is the homosexual, the divorced person, the adulterer, the murder and every other sinner. That is what saves us! THAT is the Good News. And that Good News is given and earthly and physical picture to be witnessed in the blessed union of one man and one woman for life.

So, yeah, it’s not a good thing that the Court saw fit to legalize gay “marriage.” But the great sadness of this sort of thinking is not simply that it breaks God’s holy Law, but that such “marriage” denies the very thing that saves us from the Law’s damning curse: the Good News that Jesus has rescued us from our sins and made us a Bride for Himself. Well, let the world believe and do what it wants. We shall hold fast to the true Good News that declares that our Lord does not count the sins of His Bride against her, but takes her as His own precious treasure now and forever.

by The Rev. Rich Heinz

The earth shook! But it was not the first time. It trembled as in the day of Elijah. “And he said, “And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.” 1 Kings 19:11-12 ESV

Earthquakes are strong – forces to be reckoned with. It was easy even for Elijah to think that this was how the Lord was going to work and appear and speak to him. Yet this was not what the Lord God chose to do.

This morning, across much of the Midwest, people were awakened to sounds and vibrations that shook them out of their sleep. Some experienced awe or amazement, others were troubled or unnerved. At the most recent reports, no serious injuries were encountered, and for that we thank God. Still, the power, strength, and patterns of the Lord’s earth amaze (and sometimes frighten) us.

The Lord was not in Elijah’s earthquake, but He was the One who could stop it, protecting and preserving the prophet. This morning, no one can blame the Lord for sending this earthquake in pointless wrath. It was not divine punishment. Nor was it man’s fault for not living a “green” life. It was simply part of the regular patterns that have existed since our world fell into sin. And it was still the Lord who stopped it from being worse, and protected and preserved people everywhere. Through it all, it is the Lord God pointing us to the saving events of another Friday.

You see, it was another Friday that had an amazing earthquake. On the first Good Friday, when our Savior died, Saint Matthew records that a great earthquake took place. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:51-54 ESV

At that moment, the very earth grieved for her Creator as He died to make all things new. God allowed these miracles, including the Good Friday earthquake, so they would witness to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

This Friday’s earthquake had no purpose as grand as the earth giving an “Amen!” to Christ’s “It is finished.” Yet we acknowledge our Lord permitting it, even as the earth groans in longing for her risen and ascended Lord to return.

The Rev. Rich Heinz is Senior Pastor of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church & School in Lanesville, IN. He and his family, as well as the Buetow family some 3 hours west of the Heinz’s, were awakened to this amazing event on Friday morning.

 by The Rev. Rich Heinz

I am bummed. Moses died this past Saturday.

I can still remember as a child, every Palm Sunday evening, one of the major networks would air The Ten Commandments. Even then, in the 1970’s, I knew the film was old. Not understanding the “magic” of stage make-up, I thought the actor might already be dead. I was happy to discover my misunderstanding.

Charlton Heston was a man who was not afraid to stand up for his beliefs. He is well-known for performing in biblically themed films such as The Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur, The Greatest Story Ever Told (as John the Baptist), and narrating the Scriptures in Charlton Heston Presents the Bible.

A great epic actor for great epic films, Heston set a standard. On his blog this week, Gene Edward Veith comments that attempts by others to portray the Exodus and life of Moses only served to make Heston’s work look even greater.

He also was not afraid to stand up for his political beliefs, which won him many friends, and lost him others. Run-ins with the Screen Actors’ Guild and those who opposed his work with the NRA were a part of his life in this past decade.

Yet for all his accomplishments, even for the great witness of the Gospel that may spring forth from some of his movies, none of his work could save him. Nothing he could do or say could relieve any physical ailments, prevent death, or bring him everlasting life. No. By himself, Moses cannot save you. Even more so the actor playing Moses! The Lord alone does that!

But Charlton Heston knew that. It is reported by Dr. Ted Baehr, a film critic, that during the filming of The Ten Commandments, director Cecil B. De Mille fell off a four-foot ladder. He was injured enough that some predicted he would not be able to finish the film. The next day he returned to the set, letting everyone know that the Lord healed him, and passing out New Testaments. This event and the ongoing witness of De Mille’s faith had an impact on Heston. He grew in his awareness of the faith the Holy Spirit had given.

The Risen Lord who fulfilled and completed Moses has now brought this portrayer of Moses to his rest. The Good Shepherd has gathered another lamb into the heavenly fold, a home worth infinitely more than all the gold and power of Egypt. We rejoice this Eastertide for Charlton, for The Prophet “like [Moses]” has gathered him unto Himself!

The Rev. Rich Heinz is senior pastor of Saint John’s Ev. Lutheran Church & School in Lanesville, IN. He still remembers finding a large stick or broom handle to be his “staff” while playing Moses on many a Holy Monday in his childhood.

As many of you know, the popular radio program “Issues Etc” was removed from the programming of KFUO yesterday without warning.

And for whatever reason they were taken off the air, you can take it back to Jesus. Jesus for you. Jesus for me. For no program more put the focus on what Christ did for you on the Cross more than Issues Etc. tried do and did.

We don’t know the reasons why the program has been canceled. Some say it was money, politics, or personalities. Or maybe it was some combination of all of “them.” No one truly knows who is at fault. We may never know. But make no mistake the reason for the shutting down of this radio program is Jesus.

That’s what we do with Christ in Holy Week. We shut Him up. He rides in on Palm Sunday, the Pharisees want to shut him up. He cleanses the temple, teaches, preaches, and they scheme to silence Him. And finally, when He tells the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, the Pharisees decide that He has to die. We have to shut Him up.

Lots of folks wanna pick up their guns and start firing. Good. Do it. I shot some emails off myself. Issues Etc. was a partner in the Gospel with Higher Things. They interviewed our writers and teachers and gave us permission to post the audio files on our website. Our kids have their podcasts on their iPods!

But don’t pick up your pen for your own sake. How often do we take up causes for someone else when what we are really doing is taking up a cause so people see us taking up a cause! How evil is that? “Finally, I have something to fight for..” No. No. No.

You see, it’s not just “them,” that shut Jesus down. It’s us too. We shut up Jesus on Good Friday. We shut Jeff and Todd up too. And the dirty secret is that we would do it again…..

So, don’t pick up your keyboard or your pen for your own glory. Please, eyes off you. Before anything else, eyes on Jesus. For Jesus only. For Him alone. For the spreading of His Gospel into the ears of every creature. For me, that’s youth too! For the sake of good preaching everywhere!

The Cross is where Pastor Wilken always directed us. Eyes on the Cross – on Jesus crucified for you and me.