Walls
November 11, 2020
As you read this, faith friend, it’s November 11, Veterans Day. THANK YOU to all our friends and many other people who gave/give of their time and talent to provide security and opportunities for our country.
As I write this, it’s November 9. Exactly one year ago, I was in Wittenberg, Germany, with 20 other Lutheran pastors from 19 different nations around the world. For two weeks, the Lutheran World Federation brought us together to study Luther’s writings and the question of what it means to be Lutheran today. I’ll never forget this magnificent time exploring our faith, heritage, and new brothers and sisters in Christ who were very different from me yet still family.
On November 9, we took a field trip to Berlin, because November 9 is a day of deep, deep significance for the German people.
November 9 is:
- The conclusion of World War One for Germany. Last year was the 101st anniversary. As you remember, for Germany it meant not only the conclusion of the horrors of war but the beginning of horrible economic times for the country.
- Eighty years ago today, Kristallnacht or “Crystal Night” (also referred to as the Night of Broken Glass) was carried out by SA paramilitary forces and German civilians. (This was a program that targeted Jews throughout Nazi Germany on November 9-10, 1938.) The German authorities looked on without intervening. The name Kristallnacht comes from the shards of broken glass that littered the streets after the windows of Jewish-owned stores, buildings, and synagogues were smashed (information from Wikipedia). As we know, the evil of Crystal Night would spread to the gas chambers and concentration camps of the Holocaust.
- The fall of the Berlin Wall constructed in the heat of the Cold War, which literally separated not only a city and country but also families who lived in different parts of the city. Last year marked the 30th Anniversary of the fall of the wall. How powerful it was for our group to tour Berlin, where the wall used to stand, learn the stories of pain, and see the almost one million Germans gather to celebrate the divisive wall’s demise.
So, can you understand the power of November 9 for our German friends? They remember three HORRIBLE events in their country’s history: a grizzly war, the commencement of their nation’s deepest shame and sin (Holocaust), and the divisive tool that ripped apart their culture and population for decades. Yet, November 9 also marks CELEBRATION: the war ended, they repented of the Holocaust, the wall fell.
To deeply grieve and celebrate, both, on the same day is complicated isn’t it? But maybe, on a simpler level, we all feel that quite often. Each day has its joys and sorrows both to be honored appropriately.
As I reflect on that powerful day in Berlin last year, I realize all three events were “walls” of sorts. The wall of war. The wall of prejudice. The physical wall of Berlin which represented so many other kinds of walls that separated our countries and peoples.
But God’s Word invites us to be people where the walls of division come down!
First, as children, we all loved the story of Joshua leading the people to bring down the walls of Jericho. Secondly, Scripture warns against people who try to build walls among us. For example, Titus 3:10 teaches “If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them.” Thirdly, St. Paul explains how Christ tears down walls, all kinds of walls that separate God from people, and people from each other: “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3.
Question for you today:
How might the Lord help you today tear down some sort of wall causing division? And if not the whole wall, at least a couple of bricks?
Prayer:
Dear God, on this Veterans Day, keep all those who serve safe and guide their decision making. We also pray for our friends in Germany and around the world who do the hard work of remembering hard times, but also celebrating the promise that we can build a better future with you. Give us courage to remove walls of division and build bridges of peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
-Pastor Fritz