Hope!

Last week I started a new baptismal preparation class. I asked the group why they came. One young man replied: “I hate Islam. In fact, I hate all religions. But a friend of mine in refugee camp told me about his good experience here and I’m curious.” We read John 3:16, which I explained. Then I gave a thumbnail sketch of the triune God and we looked at some passages from Genesis, chapters 1 to 3—from creation to the fall from grace. I showed how Satan had brought sin and death to all human beings and to all creation, but that God had a solution for this disaster even before the beginning of time. That solution was the Messiah—first mentioned in Genesis 3:15 and in the New Testament revealed as Jesus of Nazareth. Finally, we circled back to John 3:16. The assignment for the next lesson was to read one chapter of the Gospel of John every day and to watch “The Hope Project,” a wonderful 80-minute movie which encapsulates Christianity, available on the Internet. I used that movie for decades back in the States, teaching confirmands and adults. Funny enough, in the ‘90s I networked with Mars Hill Productions, who created the movie, when we were living in the Houston area. In the meantime, they have dubbed it into 39 different languages, including Farsi. In yesterday’s class we discussed the Apostles’ Creed and read Luther’s explanation of the Second Article: “…who has redeemed me…not with gold or silver, but with his…” The student cut me off: “Life.” “Exactly right! How do you know that?” I asked. “From that wonderful movie… I think I’m beginning to understand the main point of Christianity.” “Which is what…?” I asked. “I’m a sinner and on the cross Jesus took my sins upon Himself.” All around the room, big smiles and some moist eyes. “Amen,” I replied. “You’re definitely on the right path.” *** Merry Christmas to all of you as we rejoice in the birth of our Lord, the Messiah Jesus! (Image from the Farsi home page of “The Hope,” thehopeproject.com ).