( Hebrews 10:32-39 ) - [ Deutsch ]
It is a special moment when you are sitting together, and someone says: do you remember when we first met? Or: when we got married? Or: when our children were born? There is magic in every beginning... Hermann Hesse describes it in his poem "Stufen" (Stairs).
It is good to remember these times, especially when we are going through difficult times. These little treasures can then also help you to brighten up the present.
Our sermon text in the Letter to the Hebrews calls on people to remember earlier times. Their parents had already been Christians and now they must pay for it. They are persecuted for their faith. The following verses in the Letter to the Hebrews speak into this situation:
32 Remember how it was with you in the past. In those days, after God's light had shone on you, you suffered many things, yet were not defeated by the struggle.
33 You were at times publicly insulted and mistreated, and at other times you were ready to join those who were being treated in this way.
34 You shared the sufferings of prisoners, and when all your belongings were seized, you endured your loss gladly, because you knew that you still possessed something much better, which would last forever.
35 Do not lose your courage, then, because it brings with it a great reward.
36 You need to be patient, in order to do the will of God and receive what he promises.
37 For, as the scripture says, “Just a little while longer, and he who is coming will come; he will not delay.
38 My righteous people, however, will believe and live; but if any of them turns back, I will not be pleased with them.”
39 We are not people who turn back and are lost. Instead, we have faith and are saved.
It is not always easy to be steadfast. And even if we are not subject to such oppression because of our faith, the challenges are sometimes intense. What, you go to church? You are a Christian? Young people in particular are sometimes looked at with scepticism or even laughed at by their classmates when they declare their Christian faith. One can sometimes lose courage like the Christians addressed in the Letter to the Hebrews.
They seem to need reminding, because the time of the "wandering people of God" is getting too long and too tedious for them. They are tired, some even leave the church. They give up their faith.
Here in the Johannesgemeinde, we are still doing well, although we have also become fewer in the congregation. We all need to think about how we can convince people of who we are and of our Christian faith. In Europe, but also in other parts of the world, Christian congregations are rapidly shrinking. There are many reasons for this.
For many, the Christian faith is no longer tangible. And that is also a challenge. As Bonhoeffer said, we are living in the penultimate. The kingdom of God is not yet here, yet it is already tangible in places. We are experiencing desert times, thirst for justice, for peace and love. The promised land is still ahead of us.
Grumbling and discontent are normal on such desert journeys. People get tired, their hands go limp, and their knees go weak. And then you ask yourself: just why are we on this journey again? What is the destination and how much longer will it take?
37 For, as the scripture says, “Just a little while longer, and he who is coming will come; he will not delay.
Does God exist? And does he see me? These were all questions, based on the watch word for the year, uttered at the senior citizens' retreat and I realised once again how important it is that we become witnesses for one another. By telling each other about our hopes, dreams and share our Christian faith. The readers of the Letter to the Hebrews also encouraged and strengthened each other in earlier times. Remember the past. What unique witnesses of faith you have been.
Sometimes you need others to remind you not to give up and be brave. And sometimes, fortunately, we are among those who can tell and promise others where our great treasure is, namely in Jesus Christ. No one can take this treasure from us. We are a community on a journey, sharing the kingdom of God. All the while standing firm with the one in whom we trust.
35 Do not lose your courage, then, because it brings with it a great reward.
36 You need to be patient, in order to do the will of God and receive what he promises.
37 For, as the scripture says, “Just a little while longer, and he who is coming will come; he will not delay.
Patience is not simply letting time take its course, instead it is letting the will of God be done. To see where someone needs my help or to have an open ear. And to be guided by God. The anguish we endure in this life are very testing, but suffering is also easier to bear when you know that nothing happens that is not part of God's plan. It is good to know that I am in good hands with God. This faith in God, is something I can only truly ask God for; it is not something I can achieve on my own. Only God can give it to us. For this, however, it is necessary to be open to it and to know that I am dependent on God's grace. So that we can live by faith.
So, what is special about our community? We are on the journey together in sometimes fertile, sometimes arid land. We all know desert times.
Jesus is our Saviour, there is no other Saviour. Our life has a goal, a great goal. Jesus gave his life for us on the cross to get us there. That's how it all began.
Remind yourselves, says the letter to the Hebrews. The goal is glory with him. We remind one another of the beginnings. We strengthen one another and let ourselves be strengthened.
We do it today when we celebrate Holy Communion together. When we can already taste and see today what it will ultimately be like with Jesus. We remember the first Holy Communion. And we know very well that it did not just happen 2000 years ago, but that it happens when two or three or more are together. Because Jesus is then in our midst, and we can already see his salvation today. Our eyes start to shine, our hearts warm up. And I sense that there is a magic in every beginning...
Jesus enlightens my heart.... Every day... until I reach the goal and receive eternal life. Amen