The Crossroads of Conflict and Grace

A Universal Story : When Personal Paths Clash with Parental Expectations

In every family, there comes a moment when the dreams of parents collide with the choices of their children. This timeless narrative is vividly captured in the film "Luther," where Martin Luther, already a preacher of God's grace in Wittenberg, receives a visit from his father. The elder Luther, with a furrowed brow and a heart heavy with concern, asks, "Are you in trouble?" His son's path as a reformer, challenging the established church, was far from the legal career his father had envisioned. As the father departs, he leaves with a simple yet loaded advice: "Try to hold your tongue!"

This scene resonates deeply with the universal experience of parent-child conflicts. Whether it's a son or daughter choosing a life different from what their parents had hoped, the resulting tension is palpable. Such situations often lead to questions from loved ones: "Are you in trouble? What have you done?" These inquiries, sometimes laced with empathy, other times with judgment, echo the sentiments of those who witness a loved one facing challenges.

The Crucifixion of Jesus: A Day of Questions and Reflection

Good Friday, a day steeped in solemnity and reflection, parallels these personal conflicts on a divine scale. As Jesus hangs on the cross, onlookers and followers alike grapple with the same questions: "What is going on? How did it come to this? What have you done wrong?" The mockers taunt him, "Save yourself if you are the Son of God!" while his followers, with heavy hearts, ask, "O dearest Jesus, what have you done wrong, that such a harsh judgment has been spoken?"

The crucifixion of Jesus, as detailed in the Gospels, was not just a historical event but a profound moment of divine justice and human injustice. The priests, desperate to eliminate Jesus, employed false witnesses and manipulated state power, all while claiming to uphold justice. Yet, as Pilate himself acknowledged, no guilt was found in Jesus. The harsh judgment was driven by religious and political motives, not by any wrongdoing on Jesus' part.

The Burden of Guilt and the Gift of Grace

The question of guilt becomes central on Good Friday. If Jesus, the innocent one, hangs on the cross, who then is truly guilty? The answer, as the poet poignantly states, is personal: "My sins have struck you." This is not an abstract accusation against the world but a direct acknowledgment of personal responsibility. Each of us, entangled in the web of guilt, cannot escape the reality that Jesus suffered for our sins.

This realization is both humbling and transformative. It shifts the perspective from viewing Jesus' death as a distant historical event to understanding it as a personal sacrifice. Jesus, the righteous one, willingly took on the punishment meant for others, ensuring that chaos and sin do not prevail. His death was not just an act of divine justice but a profound expression of God's love and mercy.

The Wondrous Exchange: From Death to Life

The "blessed exchange," as Luther termed it, is at the heart of Good Friday. Jesus, the good shepherd, suffers for his sheep, paying the debt for his servants. The righteous one dies so that the wicked may live. This act of divine love is beyond human comprehension, yet it is the cornerstone of faith.

Death, with its harsh language, takes life from everyone. Yet, the death of Jesus speaks differently. It offers life, proclaiming, "I die so that you may live." This message transforms Good Friday from a day of death to a day of life, a day that foreshadows the glory of Easter and the defeat of death.

A Call to Worship and Gratitude

As we stand in awe of this divine sacrifice, we are moved to worship and gratitude. The love of God, manifested through Jesus, is a love beyond measure, a love that endured torment so that we might live in joy. We cannot fully grasp this love with our senses, but through faith, we embrace it.

When we stand before the throne of Jesus, crowned with glory, we will sing praises and thanks. The harmony of that moment will resonate with the truth of Good Friday: that through death, life is given, and through sacrifice, grace is bestowed.

In the end, whether it's the personal conflicts within families or the divine drama of Good Friday, the message remains the same: grace triumphs over guilt, and love overcomes death. Let us hold fast to this truth, living in the light of the cross and the promise of resurrection.

Amen.

Sermon held on 04/02/2021