Faith in tribulation: Passion is followed by the resurrection

Attitudes of expectation were the focus of the sermon conducted by the Chief Apostle on Palm Sunday, 29 March in Hamburg-Lurup (Germany). The sermon was based on a Bible text from John 12: 14-16: “Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it: as it is written: ‘Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.’ His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.”

Expectations and disappointment at that time

To begin with, Chief Apostle Schneider made reference to the attitudes of anticipation among the people who cheered Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem: some were curious to see the Man who had raised Lazarus from the dead. Others were expecting that Jesus would liberate them from the yoke of the Romans. And the devout thought that he was going to re-establish the kingdom of David and thereby show the world that Israel was the chosen people of God.

“And what happened? Nothing!”said the Chief Apostle as he continued. “Thus all of these expectations were disappointed and the people rejected the Lord.” Even the disciples were in some distress. “They had recognized that Jesus is the Son of God. And now Jesus was telling them: ‘I have to suffer. I have to die.’ And nevertheless, they remained with Him. This was because they heeded the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.”

Expectation and disappointment today

“Now let us come back to our time.” Here too, the Chief Apostle referenced many expectations: “People expect god to perform miracles. He is supposed to help people in need, illness, and war. We as Christians at times also harbour the hope that the dear God should finally show the world that we are His elect! After all, the church of Christ should be successful, shouldn’t it?” And in the New Apostolic Church? “We at times have this idea that the bride of the Lord will set off on a triumphal march as she enters into the kingdom of God. The Church will get bigger and bigger, more and more beautiful, stronger and stronger—and then it will triumph and the Lord will come.”

“But in reality, things look a little different,” said the Chief Apostle, pointing to the distresses of our day. In many places, especially in Europe, the Christian faith is on the retreat. The churches are starting to look more and more empty. The ratio of church attendees in the New Apostolic Church is relatively good by comparison, “but nevertheless, you cannot help notice that things are on the decline. — And then we are disappointment. Perhaps at times we are a little perplexed and even at a loss.”

The inspiration of the Holy Spirit

“This is because we simply think too much in human terms,” explained Chief Apostle Schneider. “After all, we are trained that way by society: if you have a good product and a good strategy, then you will also be successful. And if things do not work out, then either the product is not good or the strategy is not good.” However, “Jesus Christ is not a strategist and the gospel of Jesus CHrist is not a product, and the church is not a business enterprise. The important thing is the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.”

And what does the Holy Spirit tell us? The answers of the Chief Apostles are as follows:

• The Holy Spirit leads us into the knowledge of Jesus Christ. “We are coming closer and closer to the Lord Jesus. — And those who love Jesus will remain with Him, come what may.”
• The Holy Spirit reminds us about the doctrine of Jesus and the Apostles — even as regards tribulation and distress. “See, I have told you beforehand.”
• The Holy Spirit encourages us to zealously follow Jesus and to continue following Jesus.

Resurrection after Passiontide

“The resurrection is only possible when the Passion precedes it,” emphasized Chief Apostle Schneider. These sufferings include the very personal afflictions we must face, but also the tribulation of the church, and finally even the situations that prevail in the congregations. “It will become more and more complicated to keep our faith. It will require a battle to simply remain faithful despite disappointments.”

“After the time of suffering comes the resurrection!” stressed the Chief Apostle.

• “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you” (1 Peter 4: 12).
• “Let us simply follow the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.”
• “Remember Jesus Christ! Love Him, listen to Him, follow Him, and remain faithful!”

After all, “Those who remain faithful to the end will also experience the resurrection.”