Historic First Lutheran Church of Pasadena

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

“Where is God?”

We have all asked that question. Whether or not you want to admit it, of that you can be certain.

This past Friday afternoon I received a telephone message from Julie Castañeda, one of our newer members who faithfully sits here on the pulpit side near the front with Walter and the kids, who has been assisting with our Sunday School. The message informed me about the death of her grandmother. Her death was not in any way unexpected, but you’re still never ready.

“Where is God?” Julie didn’t ask me that, but I know she’s asking herself. And if she hasn’t yet asked herself that, she will during the immediate days ahead. And so will her family. How do I know that? Because I have lost all my grandparents and, even as faithful Christians as they were, even as faithful a Christian as I am, even though their deaths brought peace and eternal life to their earthly pain and suffering, it’s just a question you ask. It’s a question that the devil loves to plant in our minds.

“Where is God?”

That’s, of course, not a question that only gets asked when someone dies. That’s a question that gets asked when planes fly into world famous buildings. That’s a question that gets asked when a friend or loved one receives notice that he or she is being deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. That’s a question that gets asked when lab reports carry news you didn’t want to hear. That’s a question that gets asked when a pressure is felt on the chest and pain is experienced down the left arm. That’s a question that gets asked when pink slips accompany paychecks. That’s a question that gets asked when rehab gets a little tougher than expected. That’s a question that gets asked when a “Dear John” letter is written or spoken. That’s a question that gets asked when you receive a visit or telephone call from police personnel. That’s a question that gets asked when you’re already running late for an important appointment and your car doesn’t start. That’s a question that gets asked when the bills piled in front of the checkbook outnumber the figure the checkbook records. That’s a question that gets asked in many hospital and nursing home rooms, both by the patient and by family members. And, trust me, that’s a question that gets asked when a shattered glass mixing bowl changes the plans of a vacation on the very first day of that vacation.

“Where is God?” We have all asked that question at least once during our lives at one time or another.

My friends, I can answer that question with all certainty this morning. “Where is God?” He’s where He always is – He’s seated on His Heavenly Throne, ruling and reigning this world in power and might. He’s always in control of all things. Of that there is no doubt. It’s exactly where the Bible tells us God is. “Where is God?” He’s where He always is – right alongside you and me as His dearly loved children. Of that there is no doubt. It’s exactly where the Bible tells us God is.
I suggest to you this morning that the next time that question pops into your mind, before it actually rolls off your tongue, you tweak it a little. Instead of asking, “Where is God?,” next time ask, “Where am I?” That’s a necessary tweak because if, as the Bible tells us, God is seated in power and glory and if, as the Bible also tells us, He’s right alongside us as His dearly loved children, there are no variables on His part. There’s no doubt where He is. There’s nothing else He can or should be doing. There’s no need to ask that question. The only possible variable is me – “Where am I” in relation to God?

That was the subject of the interaction between some Jews and Jesus in our Gospel today. Within the confines of the temple, they were basically asking, “Where is God?” Their actual question to Jesus was “When will You tell us plainly Who You are?” That’s when Jesus corrected them, pointing out their question was incorrect. He reminded them He had already on multiple occasions told them and showed them Who He was. Through those words and actions He had already on multiple occasions answered that question, “Where is God?,” showing God, through Himself, to be incarnate in their very midst. Then Jesus masterfully followed up with a challenge, “You do not believe because you are not My sheep. My sheep listen to My voice. I know them and they follow Me” [John 10:26-27].

With those simple words, Jesus paints a beautiful picture. He paints a picture similar to the one we see on our bulletin cover this morning, a picture of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, lovingly cuddling and cradling each of us as His beloved sheep, His valued possession, a Shepherd completely aware of what’s on our minds, a Shepherd in total control of any situation, a Shepherd leading us through those valleys of the shadow of death to those still waters and those green pastures [Psalm 23], a Shepherd protecting us, a Shepherd guarding us, a Shepherd driving away from us all the earthly and demonic creatures that attempt to attack us and drag us out of His loving arms [John 10:7-13], a Shepherd laying down His own life in order to ensure for us life [John 10:17-18].

The very last words Jesus spoke, as His feet were lifting up off the ground and He was ascending back into Heaven to again sit on His Heavenly Throne, were “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” [Matthew 28:20]. Can you say those words with me? “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus said it. I believe it. That settles it.

We need never ask “Where is God?” We instead should ask, “Where am I?” Am I listening to His voice? Am I hearing Him assure me “I am with you always”? Have I wandered from the loving cradle of His Arms? Am I, like impetuous sheep of all times and places, stretching my wings, confident I don’t need the shepherd? If we’re asking “that” question, the answer is “Yes.”

“Where is God?” He’s where He always is – in power and control in Heaven while also alongside us every step of every day. If you’re finding yourself challenged to ask that question, the better question to ask is “Where am I?”, followed up by the action, by the power of God’s own Holy Spirit, of getting ourselves back into the loving arms of our Good Shepherd and allowing Him to again whisper into our ear, “My dear child, I love you. Let me deal with this.” And He will.

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

Pastor Christopher Schaar
Historic First Lutheran Church of Pasadena