Dr. Timothy Tennent: The Wordless Gospel
There is a story of Medieval monk who had preached many sermons about the gospel and the love of God, but none of them seemed to penetrate the hearts of those who belonged to his struggling church. So, one Sunday he decided to “shake things up” and do something which no one expected. He got up and said, “I am going to preach a sermon today on the love of God.” At that point, he came down from the pulpit (in those days the pulpit was raised and about ten steps above the sanctuary floor). He walked over to the altar, took a candle and lit it. He then silently walked over, still holding his lit candle, to a large picture of the crucified Christ. He held the candle up to illuminate the crown of thorns which Jesus’ mockers had placed on his head (Matt. 27:29). Then, ever so slowly, he moved the candle to illuminate the place in the side of Jesus where the sword had pierced his blessed body, bringing forth water and blood (John 19:34). Then, the monk slowly moved the candle to illuminate the nails which pierced Jesus’ hands and held him on the cross (Mark 15:24). Finally, he moved the candle down to the feet of Jesus to illuminate the nails which where driven through his feet (Mark 15:24). The monk then returned the candle to the altar. He had not spoken another word. But, that day, the congregation seemed to finally “hear” the amazing depth of the love of God for us in Christ Jesus.
As important as words are, sometimes words cannot convey the power of a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus. You will remember that Jesus gave a full exposition of Old Testament prophecies concerning himself to the two He joined on the road to Emmaus. Yet, despite His many words, “they failed to recognize Him” (Luke 24:16). Later, they recognized Him in His action – the breaking of the bread (Luke 24:30, 31). Earlier, on Resurrection morning, Jesus had appeared to Mary in the garden, and she thought He was a gardener (John 20:15). But, when she looked up and saw Jesus, He simply said one word: “Mary” – and she recognized Him. The text does not indicate for certain, but I believe that Jesus spoke her name in almost a whisper.
People hear the gospel in different ways. Sometimes many words are just not enough. Sometimes one quiet word will do. Other times, it is not in any words but in our sacred actions (breaking of the bread or serving the poor) that people find their spiritual eyes and ears opened.
In my first pastorate, I served a four-point circuit of churches. Most of my congregations were made up of elderly people. I had 52 funerals in my first two years of ministry. I was only 24 years old and did not have much experience at anything, but certainly not with death and dying. I learned rather quickly that when I jumped in my car and rushed to the hospital or to the home of someone who was dying or had passed away and the family was gathering, they did not need me to say anything. I mostly just sat with them and held their hands or gave them a hug. Nothing more needed to be said. The ministry of presence is sometimes enough.
When your parishioners come to church on Sunday morning, they have certain expectations about what is going to happen on a given Sunday. Each of you has been well-trained to know how to conduct services, call people to worship, lead prayers, preach sermons, and give benedictions. But, sometimes the very regularity of the whole thing also means that many will be sitting just a few yards from you but not actually listen or be attentive to the glorious Good News that is unfolding right before their eyes and being spoken right into their ears. You might need to surprise them with something unexpected.
In my second pastoral appointment, I served a church that was a county seat church and had some of the most beautiful stained-glass windows in the state. They had been there for many years, and no one ever really paid any attention to them. But, at some point, I took time to walk around the sanctuary and look at each window, and I realized that they were a wordless testimony to the gospel. Each of the main scenes in the life of Jesus was depicted in those windows. So, taking a cue from the Medieval monk, I decided to come down from the pulpit one Sunday (my pulpit wasn’t nearly as high as those ancient cathedrals), and I walked over to the windows. I walked from window to window sharing the story of each window. I did not need to prepare a sermon that week because I realized that there was a silent sermon all around us every Sunday longing to be told. I simply drew their attention to what had been there all along.
A few years later, when Julie and I had completed our ministry at that dear church, the congregation had a reception thanking my wife and I for the years we had spent shepherding them. It was then that I was surprised. They said, “Pastor, the one sermon you preached that we will never forget was that time you preached to us from our own stained-glass windows!” They may had forgotten most of my sermons, but that one stuck with them. Perhaps some Sunday in the future you should surprise your congregation with something unexpected. They just might hear the gospel afresh!
Great message from the President. Relevant Illustrations. Always my joy to read the Alumni monthly link. It connects me back so well with Asbury Seminary.
This is so true, Dr Timothy. Ralph Lewis profoundly affected me in my “preaching”, to this day: he always emphasized that people will remember the Message we bring if they go away with an image in their minds from it. Storytelling, like Jesus did frequently, does that and so much more is retained than from a lecture. I’m still working at being better at that! (class of ’84 or so). : )
Dear Dr Tennent,
I am an Mdiv alumni class of 1982. As a Hospice Chaplain these days you can imagine how much your message resonated with my ministry these days! Thank you!!
Blessings, Chaplain Chris Clark
Kindred Hospice
San Jose, Ca
Hi Tim
Your column has always been deep and inspiring.
I’m bless here.
Thank You
Thank you for lifting up the simplicity of the gospel of Christ. During this COVID time, God has been gracious in granting creative ways to minister.