The Weightier Matters of the Gospel

Psalm 126 describes, in striking terms, the type of people we become in response to our redemption. The psalmist describes the experience of the Israelites returning from exile. The Israelites “were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter. And our tongue with singing.” Their confession was simple: “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad.” And beloved, the Lord has likewise done great things for you. He has brought you into the true Israel of God from a bondage far worse than that of Egypt or Babylon. He has brought you out of the kingdom of Satan and into the kingdom of His Beloved Son. In doing so he has forgiven the guilt of your sins and adopted you as his children. And the proper response to this bounteous grace is joy and gladness, laughter and singing. Don’t get so bogged down in the details and duties of the Christian life that you neglect these weightier matters of the gospel. Yes, you have many duties and the responsibilities of rearing children, providing for your families, and serving those in need are great, but don’t neglect laughter and singing. Luther once quipped at his monkish assistant Melanchthon, “For heaven’s sake, why don’t you go out and sin a little? God deserves to have something to forgive you for!” Luther was saying, “Where is your joy? Loosen up a little and live!” Now of course to some extent joy, gladness, laughter, and singing can’t be, nor should they be conjured up. That’s the hollow way of our entertainment culture, which attempts to package and sell laughter and happiness. No, these weightier matters of the gospel come from sustained reflection upon and experience of God’s grace. And that is why we’re gathered here today. We come as poor and needy pilgrims, sowing in tears and heavy hearts that we might reap in joy. We come confessing that the joy of the Lord is our strength and our song!