In this series we are reprinting Spokesman articles by early leaders in the CLC. Pastor James Albrecht is the curator of the series. Rev. Bertram J. Naumann (1931-2009) was involved in the formation of the CLC. He served as pastor at various CLC congregations, including Marquette, Michigan; Hales Corners, Wisconsin; and Lynnwood, Washington. He also served on various boards and committees of the CLC, notably the Board of Trustees and Board of Doctrine. This article is from the Lutheran Spokesman of February, 1989. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version.
Who spoke these enthusiastic words? No, it wasn’t the welcome of just another would-be follower of Jesus for his revered teacher.
It was an informant for the enemy. And he came from the closest group gathered around Jesus as He faced death. The words, of course, came from the lips of Judas, one of the Twelve (Matthew 26:49).
What’s the word for it? Oh yes— “guile.” “Cunning—deceit—duplicity—treachery” says Webster.
But then came the answer from Him who would shortly pay for just such deceit because, as Scripture records: “[Christ] committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth.” (I Peter 2:22)
As important as it was for all of the disciples of Jesus again in the season just past “to keep Christ in Christmas,” just so important is it “to keep guile out of Lent.”
Getting Personal
Where’s the guile—the deceit? It can be hidden away in numbers. The CLC has an officer who yearly gathers numbers, and he is called the Statistician. Your pastor can give you a copy of last year’s “stats.” And hidden away under an item called “Church Attendance, Average all services,” are your congregation’s attendance stats, including those from Lenten services. Why is it that we can find no church’s Lenten attendance stats higher than the same figures for Sunday’s? Obvious, right? Fewer people attend Lenten services. What’s the reason? Better, what’s yours?
Is it perhaps because there is still a lot of “Rabbi greeting” going on that is far from genuine and free from guile? Let’s get personal.
“Oh, was it Ash Wednesday already last week? It came so soon this year that I missed it.” (Note that there are half-truths in all of this.) “Services reach beyond the children’s bedtime, and with them to distract me, I might as well stay home.” “Once a week is enough.” “It’s raining.” “The roads are treacherous.” “That evening is my ____________ night (you fill in the blank: bowling—cards—union meeting—aerobics—television—sports—work late—class work, etc.). What is so different about saying, rather, with the full intent of the original Judas’s deceit: “Greetings, Rabbi!”?
The Solution
Another Lenten season has come, and there is a wonderful solution to all of the above. The only One who truly has earned and deserves the title “Rabbi” was the One who willingly met His guileful deceiver and called him “friend.” “Friend, why have you come?” (Matthew 26:50)
Jesus knew why Judas had come just as surely as God knew where Adam was before He asked him in Eden: “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9) The reason for the question was and is to invite true repentance.
Our strength in this and any season of the church year is in Christ Who came to pay for our guilt. His Word is “the power of God unto salvation.” (Romans 1:16) “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
It’s not too late. Your pastor has made very special preparations for Lent and midweek services. He has done his best to put the “apples of gold” of God’s Word into the (lesser but still) “settings of silver” of a sermon carefully written just for you (Proverbs 25:11).
And through the Word of God you will hear how God has covered all your guile by sending His Son to pay for it all in full. Yes, Lent is the season for guilt, but it is first and foremost the season for repentance and faith.
It must be granted that there are guileless reasons which necessitate a Lutheran Christian’s absence from Lenten services. But if at all possible, may you be found among those Lenten stats which include all who come to the Savior’s House this Lenten season.
Above all may you be among those who with repentant hearts offer the very same welcome and, completely without guile, say: “Greetings, Rabbi!”
1931-2009