St. John Lutheran Church

John 12:20-33

“The Cross is our Standard”

“Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

At the center of the battle were two flags. The battle flag of the Confederacy and Old Glory, the flag of the United States. Both sides would face heavy casualties. This was especially so for those who held, marched, and led with the flags. These men were the standard bearers.   Standard bearers suffered some of the highest mortality rates in the war.

Civil War standard bearers played a practical role as well as a highly symbolic one. The colors helped soldiers see where their units were located in the confusing, smoke-filled battlefield. Standard bearers also set the pace for the march, making sure it was the proper length and cadence. Flags were the centerpieces of the battle, often resulting in high casualty rates of color bearers and their guards. In addition, standard bearers didn’t carry weapons, increasing their likeliness of being killed or wounded. If a standard bearer happened to be shot down, a member of his guard would immediately pick up the standard; the flag in order to avoid the disgrace of losing one.

In the Roman world crucifixions were the most painful and disgraceful methods of capital punishment. Rome used the crucifixion to deter people from breaking the law. If you did this…you will be crucified. No mercy. No pity. Only suffering and death. Crucifixion was reserved for the worst offenders. There was no pride or dignity in a crucifixion.

But the cross is our standard. The cross is central to our faith. The cross is our rallying point. But why?

   “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.” (John 12:27-33)

The cross is our standard because it was on the cross where our Lord was lifted up, took our sins upon himself, suffered the wrath that we deserved, and died for us. It was on the cross where Christ won for us salvation.

  “For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:22-24)

Human wisdom finds no glory in dying like a common criminal on the cross. The Jews found the cross to be a stumbling block as they looked for a Savior that would restore their kingdom to glory…for there is no glory in dying like a common criminal on the cross. It’s hard to have faith in a God that dies…regardless of the reason. And yet in the cross of Christ we glory. We lift high the cross. We rally around the cross. We raise up the cross as our standard as we march into war; war with this sinful world, war with our own sinful nature; war with our own flesh.

Today is Rally Day. Today we gather together as 3 congregations…brothers and sisters in Christ…and rally around Christ. We join together, united, to remind one another of our common faith and show this community, people we call friends, family, and neighbors, that we share a common faith, hope, and love. We do so gathering around Christ and rallying around the cross.

In her song “Fight Song,” Rachel Platten sings the words: “This is my fight song. Take back my life song. Prove I’m alright song. My power’s turned on. Starting right now I’ll be strong. I’ll play my fight song. And I don’t really care if nobody else believes. ‘Cause I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me.”

Dear Christian…what is your fight song? And when are we going to cry out to this world and show that we have a lot of fight left in us?

My favorite version of “Fight Song” is done by The Piano Guys. As you watch the video one man plays the piano as the other plays the violin. No words are sung as they play the tune to “Fight Song.” It’s beautiful. Yet suddenly the tune changes to Amazing Grace. Both are played together with bagpipes joining in.

In the beauty of this arrangement is the reminder that our fight song is God’s Amazing Grace. Our standard is the cross. For on the cross God’s amazing grace for each of you…and all of those in the world around us is found. Our fight song might seem a little “weak,” “mushy,” or “wimpy.” But our fight song is about God’s grace and love for a dying world.

Others may abandon the cross. Churches may abandon God’s Word. Many do not believe. Many are ready to give up or hide. But on this rally day I want each of you to be reminded as we join together as three congregations… as part of the LCMS… as part of the Church made up of saints on earth and in heaven… that we have alot of fight left in us. And yes we will rally around the standard of the cross. And we shall boldly shout of God’s Amazing grace!

    “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17)

That the world might be saved through him! The world. Sinners. Liars, murderers, adulterers, thieves, drunks, abusers, dictators…the world might be saved through him. That sinners like you and I would be saved through him. God’s amazing grace and love. That is our fight song. Amen.

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.