4 SEPTEMBER 2005
MATTHEW 18:15-20
SALEM EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH, MILWAUKEE WI
JOHN L. HOH, JR.
In ancient days cities had walls. At certain points in the wall were towers where watchmen would stand and keep watch over the city. They would be on the lookout for invading armies. When an invader was spotted, they would call out the threat to the townspeople. At such a time everyone has a job to do: secure food and water supplies, raise any drawbridges, close the gates, get civilians out of harm's way, even have water ready to put out any fires caused by flaming arrows launched by the enemy. Everyone had a function if the whole city was to be spared.
Even today as citizens we all have duties for national security and the safety of citizens. The recent admonitions by our government to report any suspicious activity is a continuation of a long tradition of civilian involvement in war efforts. We have had the Civilian Air Patrol or people would watch the shores for German submarines. Even when we are not at threat of war citizens act when disaster is imminent. One time when I worked at a golf course the sirens went off for a tornado warning. The nearest shelter was a nursing home next door, which welcomed us in during the crisis. While waiting we noticed that the entire staff had roles each one performed to ensure the safety of all the residents. They certainly welcomed our help in pushing wheelchairs to the safety zones in the building.
As citizens of God's kingdom we are all called to be watchmen. In our text today Jesus gives us a job description about our roles as watchmen and tells us why this role of watchman is important. Let us study then The Watchman's Job Description. I. We are Acting on God's Behalf Here on Earth and II. We are Acting for the Benefit of God's Church
The role of the watchman is important because in this role we act on God's behalf. Thus a job description is needed so we know how and why God wants us to act in his behalf. Most of us who have jobs have job descriptions. This document usually calls out what we are to do for the person employing us, what each party can expect from the other, and what the employer expects from the employee as far as duties and prerequisites such as necessary training and experience.
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to John L. Hoh, Jr.'s Lutheranism topic, please visit the Discussions page.