Göttinger
Predigten im Internet,
hg. von Ulrich Nembach und Johannes Neukirch
Sonntag:
3. Sonntag im Kirchenjahr, 3. Advent (englische
Predigt)
Datum:
13.12.1998
Text: Luke
3, 1-14
Verfasser: Dr. Günter Linnenbrink
"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a
decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be
taxed."
St.Luke, the Evangelist whom we know from the Christmas story,
informs us of a meaningful, arousing and at the same time
consoling message.
"In the seventh year of Bill Clinton`s presidency, as
Gerhard Schröder has just become Chancellor of Germany, Gerhard
Glogowski, Ministerpresident of the State of Lower Saxony, Bishop
Lehmann, chairman of the Catholic Bishops conference and Präses
Kock, chairman of the board of the Protestant Church in Germany,
it came to pass, that the word of God, which had been given to
John, the son of Zacharias, in the Parish of X (Friedenskirche
Hannover)...." Total fiction, of course.
I notice that you are somewhat irritated and ask yourself what is
this all about?
Well, the first readers of the book of St.Luke will have reacted
in a similar way after reading or hearing the first sentences.
They were told when and under which political and religious
Leader this strange person and prophet John appeared and spread
the word. Why? Because it was very important for St.Luke to show
that the word of God is not a general truth that spans all time
and is often indifferent. The word of God submits to a much more
concrete historical person, that of John, the son of Zacharias,
in an exactly described historical situation and St.Luke
describes John as somebody who did not voluntarily spread the
word, but of someone who latched onto an old prophetic tradition,
took it and updated it for his time.
And he came into the entire country surrounding Jordan, preaching
the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is
written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying,
"The voice of one cryíng in the wilderness, prepare ye the
way of the Lord, make his path straight.
Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall
be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the
rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the
salvation of God."
The prophetic Godly voice speaks, not in the chambers of
emperors, kings, priests and bishops, nor in agencies of power,
but in the hopelessness and wilderness of the desert where the
people can hear God`s message; Salvation is coming, prepare
youselves! And the people went into the desert of Jordan to hear
John. It was a fearful period of time, the Romans had taken power
in the land, the people were politically and religiously torn and
the gap between the poor and the rich, who were collaborators
with Rome, was great and the longing for deliverance and
liberation even greater. No wonder John was popular when he
proclaimed "All people will see the Salvation of God"
Even today, people are susceptible to proclamations that seem to
promise to solve all our personal, private and public crises,
where one can leave behind the mess of our lives , the confusions
of the world, perhaps also the the constant repetitive rythm of
our everyday lives. I fear, that up until the turn of this
century in two years time, these utterances and messages will be
easily accepted throughout the world.
But St.John is a different calibre to that of the self-proclaimed
prophets who either claim to solve all the worlds problems, or
who allege the end of the world is near.
Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of
him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the
wrath to come?
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not
to say within yourselves, we have Abraham to our father: for I
say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up
children unto Abraham.
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every
tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down,
and cast into the fire.
He should have been pleased that so many came to him in the
desert. Does he not, in the way of certain preachers, past and
present, who in a Christmas service in a Church full of people,
who otherwise would not be there, throw out harmful accusations?
Should he not have appealed to their inner souls? St.John knew
something of the holiness and greatness of God. His experience of
God was bitter, his anger was not a strange imagining but rather
a painful truth. He was worried about the men and women who
didn`t realise the seriousness of the situation. To allude to
being a child of Abraham was not a guarantee of safety and the
baptism in Jordan didn`t make one invulnerable.
Very enlightening, is my spontaneous reaction, but at the same
time I am shocked.St. John is not only a historical figure who
had his time and place, he is also a part of the chronicle of
Jesus, he carries the divine message of conversion.
After such curt language follows the amazing answer to the
question from the people: "What shall we do then?"
And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
He answereth and saith unto them, "He that hath two coats,
let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let
him do likewise.
Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him,
Master, what shall we do?
And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed
you.
And the soldiers likewise demanded of him saying, And what shall
we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither
accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
These are really not radical or utopian demands. Here,
"conversion" means doing the obvious, ethical thing.
It`s partly about the unanimous behaviour even of those in
society who were notorious, the tax collectors, collaborators
with the Roman garrison and the mercenaries of the princes
favored in Rome, they too could be converted. They needed only to
adhere to the rules of decency and fairness, not using their
positions to gain an unfair advantage over others, tax collector
and soldier alike. No sign of ethical stress here!
In February 1997, both churches proclaimed their "
Commentary concerning the social and economic situation in
Germany". In doing this, they have declared themselves the
protectors of the unemployed, the poor and all who suffer under
the injustices of our society. Their comments were certainly
neither radical nor revolutionary. They were simply
understandable, as demands that would not damage the overall
economy of our financial society, as long as they were kept
within acceptable limits. An ethical, natural, matter of course.
This was accepted and praised by almost all, regardless of
political beliefs or social position. But then, it was just filed
away! Possibly this situation might change, due to the new
configuration at this moment in time, comparable to the situation
in our fictitious St. Luke report. Then maybe, the message of
St.John might reach a new audience, us!
Postscript.
St.John proclaimed, during his time, that all mankind would see
the coming of God. He had envisaged this happening in a
completely different fashion to the way St.Luke described it,
which is still the accepted version today; the crucified and
risen Christ. Because God acted in this way, because He
sacrificed His only son for the sake of all mankind, we are able
to attempt a return to ethical matter of course much more easily
- as our thanks to God? I for one, would like to try.
Amen.
Vizepräsident Dr. Günter Linnenbrink
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