Exodus 12:33-36
The Egyptians were urgent with the people to send them out of the land in haste. For they said, "We shall all be dead." So the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading bowls being bound up in their cloaks on their shoulders. The people of Israel had also done as Moses told them, for they had asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing. And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.
Again, I want to commend to you the absolutely outstanding radio programming of "Issues, Etc." I’m going to be traveling a few hours in the car to an event for my grandson today, and Sue and I will be listening to “on-demand” programming from Issues, Etc.
The host is Pastor Todd Wilken, and he is assisted by his producer Jeff Schwarz. They are teamed up to make what I say without qualification is the finest Christian (and truly Lutheran) broadcasting anywhere. Hands down!
Three years ago thousands of people, world-wide, were dismayed at the cancellation of Issues, Etc. during Holy Week, but blessedly it has continued independently with listener support. That support is vital.
But I remember something very much worth noting three years ago. Immediately attached to the announcement of concrete plans to take to the air again was a financial accountability page, detailing the costs for studio, salaries, insurance, air time, and so forth. I remember thinking, “Good for them!”
Not only would the show be independent and free and open to speak Christ-centered, cross-focused programming, the whole operation would be, and has continued to be, utterly transparent. No slinking or slight of hand.
We get into trouble whenever we start sneaking around.
I'm not talking here about pastoral confidentiality or keeping the Eighth Commandment by shielding others from exposure if you know their secrets. The Bible clearly says, "Love covers over a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8) There are certain matters which care, propriety, and love must keep concealed for the sake of Christian love and the spiritual welfare of others.
But I'm talking about the clear-eyed, heads-up, shoulders-squared, daylight frankness of being a Christian. That is what is so great about Issues, Etc. And it is the privilege given to all of us to be visibly and candidly Christian.
When God led his people Israel out of Egypt, they didn't sneak out. They didn't have to steal away supplies for their journey. God saw to them getting plenty. They didn't have to connive an escape. They walked out in broad daylight.
The Exodus is an illustration of God's delivery of his holy church out of the darkness of sin into the bright light of freedom through Christ.
God's church is not a secret society like Freemasonry or the Priory of Sion nonsense in The Da Vinci Code.
We Christians have the whole world to tell about the wonders of Christ and the liberty he has won for us. The Gospel is not meant for undertones and whispers. It is for announcing and publicizing far and wide. Christians have the right to be bold and real and vocal.
I liked it when Don Wackerly would walk into my office without knocking. It means he felt as comfortable here as walking into a room of his own home. The church is his home. And what do I have to hide? That's the way it should always be in the church: Lights on. Doors open. Arms wide. Singing thunderously.
Israel didn't skulk out of Egypt or apologize for asking the Egyptians for provisions. If the wealth had not come from them, God would have supplied it from somewhere else. As it was, the scaredy-cat Egyptians were the ones who dove for cover.
A Christian motto should be: Go for it! Speak up! And step lively.
We are free to speak the wondrous truth of the Gospel of Jesus. Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim!
Now certainly, if a pastor needs privacy for a confidential visit, he can secure that. But I wish all our people would regard the relationship they have with each other, with their pastor, and with the world as openly and candidly as our Christian freedom allows.
Jesus didn't sneak around, did he? He didn't duck for cover or keep his intentions narrow. He told his disciple, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." (Mark 16:15)
It is that good news which shines like the sun. The good news that God has worked salvation for us through the life and death of his Son is a full-throated message. The good news is public and open and free.
As soon as the church begins to hedge, hide, or tiptoe around, it doesn't augur well. It's never good when someone in a church says something hush-hush in a clandestine conversation they won't openly and honestly declare to all.
No congregation can bear back-door dealings, monkeying around with funds, or conspiratorial methods. I thank God when he spares us these evils at Grace. But the devil (who is the sneaky one) would have it otherwise.
His plans are foiled by shining the light of Christ Jesus on everything we are and have. Like the children of Israel leaving Egypt, we may freely receive all that God has given us and travel in light and freedom, promulgating the glory of Christ—wide, wide open!
