( Revelation 3:1-6 ) - [ Deutsch ] - [ Akündigungen360.38 KB ]
You don't even notice them, even though you see them often: you don't really notice them and yet you know: that they save lives: the signs pointing to the emergency exit.
Emergency exit sign - this is the name of the green sign, emergency exit, which marks the escape route. On it you can see a figure running and a white arrow. It shows the running direction to the nearest emergency exit. In this way, everyone can find the quickest way out.
Now there is no arrow on this picture. Fortunately, you can say, there is no such sign. Instead of a clear arrow, there is the question, "Now what?" Such a sign would make any rescue impossible. You would be on your own, because you would have to answer the question for yourself in a major stress situation. Left or right, ahead or back?
A sign would be that, like from a nightmare.
And now? Decide. A short and simple question demands a quick and simple answer.
But sometimes there are no simple answers in the crises we have in our lives and the crises of our world. For example, when it comes to our climate, the question "Now what?" is a very complex question. Wars, terrorist attacks, the security situation here, rising energy prices. What is a priority and what is just? These questions cannot always be answered unambiguously.
The figure on the shield runs, but does not know where to go. The arrow is missing. The direction is unclear. Left to myself, I will hardly find the way out.
And now? When the arrow is missing, when one is disoriented, it helps to stand still. Not to panic. Gather your strength. Think clear thoughts. Remember.
The Day of Prayer and Repentance is made for this: as a day against panic and blind actionism. A day against helplessness and hopelessness; a day to gather strength and to reflect; a day to remember what sustains us and gives us support.
And at the same time it is a day that reminds us that we are not on our own. I do not have to find the way out, the right way, alone. I belong to a community in which no one is left behind. Whoever asks here: And now? Finds people who join in the search for answers: no matter whether it is about one's own life, concern for others or the big questions about life in this world: what is - for God's sake - now?
I find an answer to this in the sermon text for today's Day of Repentance and Prayer.
It is the call to wake up, to be alive, to overcome.
Let us listen to what the angel calls to the congregation, what Christ calls to the church. I read from the book of Revelation 3:1-6
Wake up!
The whole Bible word is one wake-up call. You have the name that you are alive and you are dead. Where is your life energy, your commitment to life? It is an address to the whole Church, to all Christians: you bear the name of Christ, the Risen One, and yet you live as if you were dead. You bear the name of Christ, whom God raised from the dead, and you sleep away life.
Wake up. It is high time.
We bear the name of Christ: we call ourselves Christians. We are awakened, raised like Christ. We have received in baptism all that is needed for life: the spirit and the power, plus love, fellowship and eternal life, life beyond death.
"Protesting against death" is what we actually are. This is what we are called to do: to protest against everything that makes us small and afraid, against everyone and everything that intimidates and delimits, that oppresses and exploits.
But often we do not live this way. Unfortunately, that is how it is. In ourselves, in the world, and in the Church as well. We are not what we should be, what we are called to be by God: I know your works and your works are not perfect. And now?
Turn back, wake up and strengthen the other that already wanted to die.
Giving up, dear congregation, is not an option for us Christian people. Not an option for the protesters against death. Wake up and strengthen one another - that is what we are to do. Listen again carefully to the message of Christ and get out of all inertia and despondency, resignation.
Let's look again at the sign, at the emergency exit sign. And now?
We see all the things that are happening around us, internal alarm and in many places in the world too. Fire alarm. And we? We don't stay down. We don't leave anyone alone. Because we are not alone. Christ is there.
So now remember how you received and heard, and hold on to it and repent!
It is good that there are these emergency exit signs. With an arrow, showing the way to the exit, the way out.
The arrow on the Day of Repentance and Prayer shows us the direction: repent! Charity instead of hatred and demarcation. Community instead of polarization; we should take the weak with us. Whoever is well, helps the one who needs help.
Let's look again at the picture: from the emergency exit sign we see a person running. Every emergency exit sign has a running person drawn on it. I am reminded of this:
Christian people run after Christ. Now. Every day. Every hour. We let ourselves be touched by what is happening. We do not freeze. We run after Christ, who knows the way to life.
I want to ask him: And now?
And Christ, the Living One will answer.
He who has ears to hear, hear what the Spirit says to the church. Amen