Today, I entered the sanctuary running late and low. It was all I could do to muster the mental energy to get ready and out the door. It’s been a busy season, and I feel used up and worn out. However, I made it, and the simple proclamation of the gospel did its ordinary, miraculous means of grace work on my heart and mind. 

How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news! At our little Lutheran church, the music program isn’t as spectacular as the church down the road, and we don’t have a youth program because there aren’t many youth. But we have what God has called for the church to have: word and sacrament. The good news of Jesus Christ crucified for sinners is proclaimed every week. We gather around the altar rails to receive the body and blood of Christ for the forgiveness of sins. 

As I listened to the sermon today, I was grateful that the pastor didn’t settle for preaching about the gospel, missing the gospel forest for the exegetical trees, or sacrificing the gospel to be relevant. This downtrodden and enslaved heart had the atoning death of Christ pronounced for my liberation! The pastor proclaimed it in live time, and I was free! Were my problems solved and my underlying discouragements dissolved? No, but the gospel did its resurrecting work as I was reminded that Christ’s work was sufficient. 

The power of preaching the gospel does not lie in the exegetical prowess of the preacher. Nor is it contained in amusing anecdotes. The power of preaching the gospel is in the promise of God that His word does not return void and that this gospel is the power of God unto salvation. I’ve sat through many sermons about the gospel as some aspects are described like a textbook definition for a Master of Divinity student. Such a description has its place, but this is not the point of a sermon where the pastor must care for souls. 

Today’s text was from chapter two of Hebrews. While the sermon was engaging and relevant, it was also faithful. It was faithful to the text and it was a faithful proclamation of the gospel. The opening reflection discussed tyrants and slavery while encouraging us to think about how the recently released hostages felt in their newfound freedom. As the backdrop of Hebrews attested, the new followers of Christ during that period of history found themselves in a unique situation. Should they return to their old Jewish ways or persevere as followers of the way of Christ? We, too, were encouraged to reflect and respond as those who have been delivered through Christ! He is a merciful and faithful high priest who Himself was the propitiation for our sins. We are free!

Don’t underestimate the gospel. Don’t assume the gospel. Don’t relegate the gospel. Don’t settle for preaching about the gospel. The good news of Christ is for all people, and it resurrects our hearts and minds into the reality of a right-side-up kingdom in this disheartening, upside-down world.