You Are My Hands

You can look up all sorts of stories about ruined churches that experience some horrible event and even though the building was ruined, there was a statue or picture of Jesus in the building that somehow escaped the damage.  I found this account about a church in Strasburg, Germany.

“The story is told that during World War II, a church building in Strasburg, Germany, was totally destroyed; but a statue of Christ which stood by the altar was almost unharmed. Only the hands of the statue were missing. When the church was rebuilt, a famous sculptor offered to make new hands; The church leaders met to consider the offer and, after giving it considerable thought, decided not to accept. the members decided to let it stand as it was—without hands. They felt the statue without hands would be a great message to everyone that the work of Jesus Christ is often done through His people. “Christ has no hands but our hands to do His work on earth. If we don’t feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, entertain the stranger, visit the imprisoned, and clothe the naked, and share the Word of God with people, who will?” they said.”

Today we are observing the “Festival of St. Luke” not because he is a saint in heaven, but because Luke was inspired by the Holy Spirit to record holy Scriptures for us.  Luke was a young doctor who grew up in Antioch, one of the cities Paul visited on his early missionary journeys.  As Paul often did, he looked for young men (Mark, Timothy, Titus, etc.) to help him carry out the gospel ministry.  Luke was probably a recruit from Antioch.  We know that Luke was with Paul in Rome when he wrote his letter to the Colossians, “Luke, the dearly loved doctor, greets you, as does Demas” (Col 4:14).

Today we thank the Lord for St. Luke and his service to God’s kingdom as the literal hands that recorded the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.  This makes Luke the only Gentile Christian who was used by the Holy Spirit to record Scriptures for us.  And now you can see why the theme for today’s sermon is so appropriate.  Jesus said to Luke and to us all,

You Are My Hands!

To Bless Jesus’ People

When Jesus was living on the earth he carried out his Father’s will.  Then having Ascended into heaven he passed on responsibility to his people to carry on the gospel work which Jesus himself did while he was on earth.  You realize that the work Jesus gave to us doesn’t come close to the work he already did!  Jesus came and lived a perfect life for all people, proclaimed God’s mercy, grace and love through preaching and teaching,

“⁴⁴ He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”  

After Jesus gave his life on the cross to atone for the sins of the whole world, he proved the power of his great sacrifice by his glorious resurrection from the dead, “The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day” Luke wrote. Now Jesus has returned to his Father in heaven. But, before he left Luke records for us what he told his followers,

“⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things.”

Jesus basically told them to be his hands to bring the message of saving Gospel to the world!  You know it well!

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and gather disciples from all nations by baptizing them inthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and by teaching them to keep all the instructions I have given you. And surely I am with you always until the end of the age”

Matthew 28:20

Think of that statue of Jesus in Strasburg!  Jesus gave his hands to his people to Bless them to do his Gospel work.

You called me to be your pastor 28 years ago. You amaze me that after 28 years you still want to shower me with cards, gifts and buckets of snacks!  Thank you.  I am also deeply aware of the fact that as your pastor I am to be the “hands of Jesus” in my ministry to you. Your divine call also gave me the means to achieve my objectives as your pastor.  You called me to strengthen the faithful, to correct the erring, to gain the unchurched for Christ, and to visit the sick.  You also told me how I was to do that, namely as Matthew recorded, “baptizing them & “teaching them.” You have called me to properly apply God’s law and gospel to you so that the kingdom of God may come and his will be done. To be clear your call did not include being your social leader, recreational director, or your political influencer.  You called me to be your pastor. However, you know me and you know I’m interested in all these activities as a means through which we might share the gospel with more people. When I share God’s Word with you I be the “hands of Jesus” as your pastor.

Luke recorded these words:

“He lifted up his hands and blessed them.”

This blessing was first directed at his disciples, but they are also directed to the members of Divine Peace.  You are also to be the “Hands of Jesus.” You have also been blessed by the Lord to do the work of his Church on earth.  If you are going to have hands that are blessed, strong, ready, and willing it will be necessary for you to have God’s Word open in your hands!  Practically speaking this means you can privately read the Bible at home, with friends during your breaks at work, with Bible study groups at church, and my personal favorite, by being faithful at worship.  Why?  Because this is how the Holy Spirit creates and sustains strong hands ready for service for Jesus.  This means you will often hear me urge you to be in the Word.  I’m not railing on you, but I am acknowledging that being in the Word is vitally necessary for the growth of faith and service as “Hands of Jesus.”  Please remember that faith that is not growing is dying.  Also, hands that are not actively moving will become stiff and paralyzed.  These are the favorite hands of the devil.  So, exercise your hands in the Gospel in Word and Sacrament and your Blessed Hands will be Jesus’ hands serving at Divine Peace.  Your Blessed Hands will also be used by the Lord

To Fulfill Jesus’ Command

That statue of Jesus in Strasburg, Germany was sculpted centuries before by a great artist.  That means that church has been around for long time.  The Lord has also done amazing ministry through Divine Peace that was incorporated in 1995.  You realize that was 31 years ago with just a few families starting a new mission!  I realize the Lord’s work is important everywhere, but we cannot deny the amazing mission work that has been carried out right here!  What comes to mind for me?  What Luke recorded for us:

“From everyone to whom much was given, much will be expected. From the one who was entrusted with much, much more will be asked”

Luke 12:48

With great blessings also comes great responsibility.  We have a responsibility as the Hands of Jesus to support our church’s ministry with our time, talents and treasurers.  As the Hands of Jesus we also have an extraordinary responsibility to the Lord!  The same Jesus who loved us so much to raise his nail-pierced hands over us to bless us, has given us all hands to be a blessing to others!

Now it’s time to take a closer look at the hands of Jesus. You and I must work together as fingers on a hand work together.  You might think the responsibility to have our own church is a big one, but it pales in comparison to the words Luke records for us. “He lifted up his hands and blessed them.” Jesus blessed the first disciples and laid a huge task at their feet.  They were to go to all the world and preach the gospel to every creature!  And how did they react?  “O Lord, we can’t do that!  That takes too much time and effort and costs too much!” Is that what they said and did? No!

“⁵³ They were continually in the temple courts, praising and blessing God.”

This was bold proclamation at a place where Jesus had recently been and ended up on a cross!  They Went Out To Fulfill Jesus’ Command because they were witnesses of Jesus who died and rose again!  They were willing to put not just their time, talent and treasures on the line for Jesus, but their lives!  They believed in Jesus who loved them.  They faithfully did what Jesus commanded them to share the gospel with more people like fingers on the hands of the Lord!

Today you and I are the Hands of Jesus to fulfill Jesus’ Command and proclaim the Gospel to the people in our lives.  Let’s start right in our church!  If you know a member who is lukewarm, failing to participate in Bible study, or even failing to support their church financially (which is identified in worship attendance records, communion attendance, and financial records), then share God’s Word with them. Proclaim God’s law to the unrepentant and the Gospel of Jesus to the repentant.  Would you like some help. Listen to what Luke recorded for us.

“⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹ Look, I am sending you what my Father promised. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” 

Jesus doesn’t let them off the hook in their responsibility as the Hands of Christ, but promises help!  Jesus is referring to Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on his people.  That same Holy Spirit was poured out on you at your baptism and as you celebrate the Lord’s Supper. That is because God’s Word is connected to these visible earthly elements where God goes to work to help us be bold, faithful, loving, eager Hands of Jesus.

After serving each other in our church, then we have so many around us that need to hear about Jesus.  What will be your motivation to be the Hands of Jesus and Fulfill Jesus’ Command in your community?  It is Jesus’ love for you!  The Holy Spirit moves our hearts with thankful response to see our friends, relatives and neighbors as blood-bought souls by Jesus.  Let’s follow the encouragement Luke recorded for us,

“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a hidden place or under a basket, but on a stand so that those who come in may see the light”

Luke 11:33

The statue of Jesus in Strasburg, Germany may not have any hands.  But Jesus does.  It is good for us to thank the Lord for St. Luke and all those the Holy Spirit used to record the Scriptures for us with their hands.  You know those Scriptures, believe in Jesus and have eternal life waiting for in heaven.  I pray the message from Luke motivates us all very much to be the Hands of Jesus To Bless His People and to Fulfill Jesus’ Commands for the salvation of souls.  Amen!