November 30,
2016
“11 Pipers Piping”
“11 Pipers Piping”
Living in Virginia, we lived only 3 hours from
Colonial Williamsburg. We as a family
and in public school made many field trips to see the historic sites, smell the
distinct aromas and hear especially the sounds that clearly began the
independence of our nation. Daily in
Williamsburg there would be a parade down the wide Colonial Avenue that not
only would have the historic militia marching down the main street, but out in
front would be the drummer keeping the men in step with the beat of the drum. Just as Sunday we heard about the 12 drummers
drumming, out front with the drummers would be a piper piping as part of the
corp that were marching. So distinct and
clear was the sound of the piper it would carry down Colonial avenue and
command attention for what was coming.
In our series of the 12 Days of Christmas
song, there are not only 12 Drummers Drumming the faith that we confess in the
Apostle’s Creed, but also like in the corp in Colonial Williamsburg, there are “11
Pipers Piping”. The “11 Pipers Piping” that we
celebrate during the 12 Days of Christmas are connected to 11 men, who walked
with Jesus, talked with Jesus, ate meals with and saw Jesus not only perform
miracles, but were called by Him to be His disciples.
Accurately, you could say, “I thought there
were 12” and that would be correct. But
after Jesus resurrection on Easter morning, only 11 Disciples remained. Sadly, Judas had played his part in the plan
of salvation by betraying Jesus in order for Jesus to die in order that we
might have eternal life.
These 11 Men on the other hand, the “11 Pipers Piping” would after
Jesus resurrection up until His ascension 40 days after Easter, continue to
listen, learn and begin to fully comprehend and understand the plan of
salvation. Not only had they experienced
Jesus for the three years prior when Jesus walked throughout Israel, fished the
waters with them and shared His ministry and life with them. These 11 Disciples, these men would become
associated and known in their connection to the 12 Days of Christmas Song as
the “11 Pipers Piping”.
The role they play in the plan of salvation
is minimal at first. However, after
Jesus had been nailed to the Cross, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven,
their role changed. When they gathered
together 50 Days after Easter, they previously had been minor players in the
larger drama of the life of Jesus. For
it was only then on the Day of Pentecost that the “11 Pipers Piping” would come into their own and then
proclaim the message that had been passed down to them by their Lord and our
Savior, Jesus Christ.
You see, the “11 Pipers Piping” are the reason we are here today. If the message of Jesus had died when He
ascended into heaven, we would not be gathered here this First Wednesday of
Advent here at Emmanuel in Goodland.
Without the “11 Pipers Piping”
and preaching and proclaiming the message of what Jesus Christ did, the church
would not exist. For without the “11 Pipers Piping” making sure
the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was preached, proclaimed and
passionately and purposefully spread throughout the world, the sweet Gospel
that proclaims salvation and eternal life would not be heard here at Emmanuel. Without the “11 Pipers Piping” Martin Luther would have not been a
Christian, but a Jew. Without the “11 Pipers Piping” we would not
be celebrating Advent. Without the “11 Pipers Piping” the message of
the Gospel would not have spread and we would not have the 12 Days of Christmas
Song.
The “11
Pipers Piping” play the pivotal role in the spread of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ. From those 11 men, they
like Jesus Christ had done with them, discipled others and introduced others to
the sweetness of the Gospel of salvation message. Without the “11 Pipers Piping” our understanding and way of life and
belief would not have spread. Without
the gift of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, Who is the wind beneath their wings,
but also the breath to make the sweet sound of the Gospel the message of
salvation would not have the fullest impact.
Without these “11 Pipers
Piping” the world would not know, nor understand the beauty of the
message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
So key and pivotal is the role of the “11 Pipers Piping” that without
their drive and intentionality not only as disciples, but as believers,
Christianity would have ceased to exist.
We who gather here tonight are a direct result of the “11 Pipers Piping”. The song the 12 Days of Christmas tells a beautiful
story. We are the “11 Pipers Piping” spiritual descendants. The question we need to ask ourselves is, will
we only sing this song, because it’s a Christmas favorite, or are we ready to
join the “11 Pipers Piping”? The decision is ours. For it is very clear the “11 Pipers Piping” were
responsible for our hearing the message of the Gospel. Let’s intentionally, purposefully and
joyfully use the 12 Days of Christmas Song and be responsible for the spread of
the Gospel to and for another generation as we join “11 Pipers Piping”. AMEN.
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