January 28, 2018 Text: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Dear Friends in Christ,
Those of us of a more vintage generation may remember the kids game Telephone. You would sit in a circle on the floor; a person would whisper a message into the ear of the person sitting next to them. It would go all the way around the circle. Even if people were trying to be faithful to the first message, most of the time by the time it got to the last person it was something completely different.
In this generation it could be texting or facebook or twitter. As the message gets passed on it changes and usually not for the better. People embellish or change the words to fit their agenda.
In our text for today, Moses, the man God has used for the last forty years to pass along his words, is about to die. So the question is: whom should they listen to now? Would the Word so faithfully passed on by Moses still be passed on faithfully to future generations, even ours? To whom should we listen?
God gives us the answer today when He . . .
“RAISES UP A PROPHET”
As with Moses, we must listen to this prophet. Moses warned of many false prophets – fortune telling and consulting the dead were all ways the people were seeking a word from the gods to get an advantage in life. Today it would equate to horoscopes or Ouija boards or séances. But it could also be the slick Pastor down the street proclaiming such false teachings as giving your heart to Jesus, accepting Jesus in your heart or believe in Jesus and you will prosper.
They may be sincere and believe what they are passing on is faithful, but either way, words not from our Lord are false and dangerous. Do we really want to give Jesus our heart, which at times is cold and uncaring? Scripture is clear that it is Christ who has first chosen us; we didn’t ask Him onto our hearts! (Jn. 15:16) And the promise of prosperity. How does that square with people struggling to pay the mortgage, keeping the heat turned on and feeding their family?
God raised up a prophet and He is Jesus. Every Word He speaks is God’s Word. Moses clearly had Jesus in view even though He wouldn’t come for another 1,400 years. Jesus’ earthly ministry demonstrated that he was the very Son of God. This morning’s Gospel is evidence of that. Jesus spoke with such authority.
Just a few weeks ago at the Baptism of Jesus, God the Father announced that all were to listen to His Son. We listen to Him because He is the way of salvation. He has the words of truth. He has the words of eternal life. He has the Word of faith. No other prophet but Jesus was raised up to free an entire world from sin, to proclaim eternal life to all believers.
As with Moses we can listen to this prophet. Israel asked for God to speak to them through someone they could receive. Jesus is God but He is also our brother. He speaks to us gently, lovingly, in way we can hear. He can only do that because that voice once cried out in agony on a cross. That sacrifice reconciled us to God and we can approach Jesus. Jesus’ words from the cross “It is finished!” are the words we most want to hear. God raising Jesus from the dead is His Word to us that we are forgiven. We still hear the Word today when Scripture is read, the Absolution is pronounced and we receive Christ’s body and blood at this altar.
What do you think is the most efficient item in and around your house, especially when compared to the price? I thought about this and did the math. We have had two dryers, two refrigerators, three hot water heaters, numerous toasters and a myriad of vehicles. Our furniture has changed, mattresses don’t last forever. As I stated on our 25th wedding anniversary, we have had the same washer since we said, “I do.” It is now at 26 ½ years. Only one repair. We paid $350. If we ran it every day it would be over 9,000 days. We probably have since children, but not before then. Let’s say conservatively 8,000 days. It costs us, taking the water and electricity out of the equation – 4 cents a wash. Our freezer is even better. We have had it for over 5,000 days at a cost of $125. That is 2 cents a day. But the winner at our house is the microwave. It was a gift from my vicarage congregation back in 1990. It sits proudly in the corner of our kitchen and still gives us a steaming bag of popcorn in three minutes. What is your answer to this question?
Even with all of that being said, the most efficient item in our house and your house is – drum roll, please – your Bible! Think of what those inspired words have done for you. There is no price we can put on the reminder that our scarlet sins have been washed as pure as snow. Every day since Genesis 1:1 the words have been there for man’s use and our use. When things are inefficient we look to this most efficient resource. It doesn’t stop working. It saves. It comforts. It gives hope. Everything will come and go but the Word of the Lord stands forever.
God raised up a prophet . . . Listen to Him.
Amen.