Good Friday, 2011
Earth Day in America was started on April 22, 1970 by the Democratic senator
Gaylord Nelson, from my home-state Wisconsin.
It was intended to be a nationwide focus on the dangers threatening the
environment.
Some estimated that 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and
college campuses in order to draw attention to polluted waters, species
extinction, air pollution, and loss of natural habitats.
Fine and well-intentioned. Even conservative Lutherans appreciate clean air
and water.
Unfortunately, Earth Day has become for some a RELIGIOUS holiday, a
druid-like worship of “mother earth”,
a new-age spirituality that says “god” is in the trees and flowers and
rocks and clouds.
People want to worship something, and the earth is a good substitute for
the true God.
As Lutherans, we have what people want so badly, — the true God Who gives us
life and all that we need.
That’s why tonight we’re here to observe GOOD FRIDAY, not “earth day.”
But there is a connection between this fallen earth, and Christ crucified.
Indeed, the groaning creation itself seemed to join in the drama of Good
Friday when darkness descended over the land;
and the rocks cried out with an earthquake as Christ took His last
breath on the cross.
Yes, even the earth realized the holiness of Good Friday, and the
redemption that was happening.
Because even the earth is caught up in the corruption and death that sin has
brought.
Paul says in Romans 8 “that the creation itself will be set free from
its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the
children of God.”
John says in Revelation that God will create a “new heaven and new
earth, for the 1st heaven and earth will pass away.”
This earth can’t save you, because all of creation itself is corrupted
and dying because of sin!
This “mother earth” can’t answer your prayers, because this earth is not
your mother.
The Church is. And God is your Father.
And your Father loves you so much that He sent Jesus, your brother, to save
you.
Now, aren’t you thankful that the Bible gives us more than just: "For
God so loved the world that He recycled His bottles and cans.”
Or: “Jesus came to deliver us from the unquenchable global warming.”
No, God’s love for the world is not found in His concern about “climate
change” or “renewable energy.”
“God so loved the world” means He loves YOU and all other sinners, and
sent His Son to die for you.
Jesus became our all-sufficient Sacrifice, our suffering Servant, our
sole Savior.
He was forsaken and abandoned by His Father on the cross, so you and I
never need to be separated from Him because of our sin.
Many churches this weekend are trying to unite these 2 themes of Good Friday
and earth day.
the Episcopal Church, for instance, promotes this joint date on a web
page that states "when Earth is degraded and species go extinct, a part of
God's body experiences a different type of crucifixion."
This is simply incorrect. This is exploiting Jesus’ death for a
political cause.
We can’t save the earth, any more than we can save our own souls.
We treat it with respect and gratitude, yes; just as treat our bodies
with respect.
But we know that these bodies, and this earth, is temporary; corrupted with
sin; falling apart.
Christ’s death on the cross shows us what sin brings to our bodies, and
to the world.
And Christ’s resurrection in 3 days assures us what we have to look
forward to: a new body; a new heaven and earth; a new relationship with
God; a joyous and eternal new life.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Dan Schoessow
Anderson, TX.
