Episode 44: 6/3/09

Readings:

Psalm 130
Daniel 3:1-18
2 Timothy 2:14-26
Luke 11:53-12:12

Sermon:

"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
Luke 12:4-5

For most of those present, it must have been an easy decision: fall down and worship the statue or be thrown into the fiery furnace. It’s not surprising then, that as we read in the book of Daniel, that “as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.” (Daniel 3:7)

All except three faithful Jews brought to Babylon as prisoners but now raised to positions of authority in the court of Nebuchadnezzar. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused the King’s order and were brought before him to face their doom.

Nebuchadnezzar could not understand why they would throw away everything they had, everything they were, over such a simple request. They need only bow before the golden statue and all would be forgiven, all would be well. They could continue their lives amidst positions of honor and privilege, worshipping as they pleased in private. All they needed to do was bow.

But for those three faithful men, that was an impossible demand. They could not, they would not separate their public and private lives, mocking in public the God they worshipped in private, the Holy God of Israel who had brought His people out of captivity in Egypt. Even now in exile, facing a fiery death, they trusted in Him to deliver them from this latest trial. Putting their faith in His saving power, they boldly answered the wicked King, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:17-18)

But in fact, God did save them, walking through the fire with them and delivering them unscorched, to the amazement of the wicked King who just moments before, in his rage, had ordered the furnace heated up seven times hotter than normal. Now that King was forced to praise the true God who is able to rescue His people even from certain death.

But still . . . what if? What if God had not rescued Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego? Would their faith have been in vain, would God’s promises have been proven false?

Here the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel reading remind us that our lives do not end at death, that after death we enter into eternity, which we will either spend in the blessed company of Our Lord and the saints who have gone before; or far away from Him, where we will have an eternity to regret our pride and stubbornness that pushed us away from His saving grace.

It is a simple fact that all of us at some point in time will die. We hope that it will be a quiet, peaceful death, but for many people throughout the ages and throughout the world it will be painful and violent. We are horrified when we see the violence that is done to our fellow man, we may despair when we consider the power that a wicked King like Nebuchadnezzer or any of his modern day counterparts may bring to bear against ordinary people. But Our Lord tells us not to despair, not to worry, not to fear those who can kill us.

Though the power of evil is great in this fallen world, it is not omnipotent, as much as those who practice such wickedness would like to think it is. The power of the most evil king or tyrant or terrorist stops at the gates of death. Once they have killed us, they no longer have any power over us, they can do us no more harm. And we, if we trust in God’s saving power, will enter into an eternity where every tear will be wiped away and we will suffer no more.

This promise of Our Lord’s has been a great encouragement to believers throughout the ages who have faced perils and dangers fearlessly, trusting in Almighty God to walk with them through whatever trials they face, whether He delivers them from the fiery furnace or takes them through the gates of death into Paradise where they will enjoy His fellowship for all eternity. And it should encourage us, most of whom will never face persecution and death for our faith, as so many have done and continue to do throughout the world.

Let us be fearless then in proclaiming the love of God, the true God who saves His people and delivers them from death. Let us lift up our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted and oppressed, that they will find the strength to stand firm when they are tested and remain true to the One who has the power not only of death, but of eternal life.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.