2 weeks Ago By By Jonathan Rockey Faith
I learned again this week that travel, and life, are full of surprises. Some of those surprises are disappointing, like the lost luggage I mentioned in last week’s devotion. But, some of the adventures and surprises of life are pleasant, delightful even.
I am serving for 10 days in Martin Luther’s home town for Wittenberg English Ministry. This is a non-profit Lutheran Ministry which provides worship, and possibly pastoral care, specifically for English speaking tourists. After all, much of the worship in Wittenberg is conducted, as expected, in the native German language.
But, if a Christian undertakes a faith pilgrimage or trip to this important historic site of the Christian faith, it can be a blessing to worship in that special place. Yet, worship in a foreign language can be confusing. So, Wittenberg English Ministry offers worship opportunities for English speaking tourists in Martin Luther’s home town.
My surprise has been how many different nations have been present for our English speaking worship services. On October 23, an American couple was present in our service. But, on October 24, we had worshipers from Germany and South Africa.
Our Saturday worship included many from various spots in America, but many German speaking people from Wittenberg itself also worshiped with us. However, the worship service which has so far surprised me the most was held on Friday, October 25, in The Castle Church, the church where Luther posted his 95 theses on October 31, 1517. In this October 25 worship service, I counted people from 5 different countries in addition to the U.
S. We had worshipers from Japan, Korea, Germany, and England. But, the largest group was from Brazil.
Pastor Rayfran Batista da Silva from an Assemblies of God church in Santa Ines, brought a group of 34 with him on a tour. According to one of the young men with Pastor da Silva, the congregation has approximately 12,000 members. So, as I led this worship service about 50 people, from 6 countries, praised God in 5 different languages! This unexpected crowd was truly a pleasant and delightful surprise, for me at least.
I told Kathy and our team, “I think that was a picture of heaven.” Do you remember the surprise the Apostle John had in his vision of heaven? In Revelation 7, John describes those worshiping God. 9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" (Revelation 7:9-10) As I read this verse I hear awe in the words of the Apostle John at what God has revealed to him.
Think about those words from God, “a great multitude . . .
from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages.” That gives new meaning for me to John 3:16, "For God so loved the WORLD, that he gave his only Son, Or, perhaps that helps us understand Jesus’ mission call to His Church, “Go therefore and make disciples of ALL NATIONS . .
.” (Matthew 28:19). I am impressed that people from all over the world travel to Wittenberg because of the work and ministry of Martin Luther, who shared God’s love and grace, through faith in Jesus.
But, through my experience in these worship services, I am reinforced and strengthened to know that God loves everyone; that our Lord calls people from every nation, from all tribes and people and languages” to eternal life in heaven through faith in Jesus. What a beautiful thought! I am thankful that I had the privilege of experiencing part of this reality concerning heaven while worshiping my Lord in Wittenberg!.
