Survivalism was a hot topic at the height of the Cold
War and again nine years ago before Y2K. It seems to
reemerge as doomsdayers forecast economic collapse or some
other calamity.
According
to one survivalist organization, I need at least two camo
trousers for hunting and combat situations. Yea, right. You
can just see Pastor Reed in fatigues sneaking around the
Huron-Manistee woods while consulting a manual on edible
mushrooms. When that happens you know the
world's in trouble.
These
same survivalists suggest stocking up on military surplus,
warm winter jacket, wool pullovers, a minimum of seven pairs
of insulated socks, scarves ("two because you'll definitely
lose one", they say), fur headwear to cover the ears,
waterproof gloves and a Neoprene face mask.
Doesn't
it look at first like John the Baptist fits the breed? He was
a wilderness man who grew up in remote surroundings. He
looked the part too. Rough camel haircloth isn't exactly easy
on skin. I also assume eating locusts was an acquired taste.
So, John definitely was not a weekend outbacker.
Many
details about him are left out of the Bible, though doubtless
he was a fascinating guy. Yet, God saw fit to mention one
aspect about John that explains how he really survived.
"He
grew and became strong in spirit."
John was
a different kind of survivalist. He wasn't into defending
property or stockpiling. He wasn't a zealot interested in
militia exercise. John's exercise was to exert himself in
repentance and the habits of prayer and devotion to the
kingdom of God. John became strong in spirit.
John was
the opposite of someone who trains to provide for himself.
John focused on Christ. John survived the boarderland of the
Transjordan by the Spirit of the Lord. His strength was not a
cache of ammo. Continued existence didn't depend on
provisions squirreled away in a cave but on the Lamb of God
who takes away the sin of the world.
Whereas
self-reliance is the chief article in survivalist
doctrine, Christ was the central object for John who confessed
he was not even fit to unlace the sandals of Jesus' feet. And
if one is not fit even for that, it doesn't matter how
otherwise ready one may be for natural catastrophe, nuclear
war, or societal collapse.
I look at
the children of our congregation and Lutheran school, and I
think: If we distill the aims of Christian education to the
bare essential is it not this: that every child grow and
become strong in spirit?
I'm glad
for educators who build academic proficiency, athletic
stamina, and develop people skills in our youngsters. I
appreciate those who want them to be able to "survive" in the
real world. But even with all our effort, preparation, and
groundwork no one can outlive sin or outlast the catastrophe
of Adam's Fall.
Only in
the strength and Name of the Lord can a person really endure.
The only way to meet the future and live is to be thoroughly
equipped with the Word of God.
Being
made wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, being
baptized, trained in repentance, and concentrating one's trust
in the Lamb of God (all portrayed in John's life), are the
decisive things.
The
children who grow up with an open Bible in hand, with the sign
of baptism on their forehead and hearts, with the Gospel of
sins forgiven repeatedly spoken into their ears, with the
equipage of the catechism as their instruction manual, and
with the clothing of Christ's righteousness are fully prepared
not only to survive but to flourish.
Survivalists hope that with the proper paraphernalia and
vigilance they can outlive a global disaster. But the other
side looks bleak, a world barely hanging on after nuclear
winter, or a society which must start all over again with a
primitive economy, or a ruthless social order in which people
must claw their way back.
This is
not the life God has delivered to us by His Son. Rather, "The
Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of
his anointed." (Psalm 28:8) We Christians already have
the brightness and buoyancy of eternal life. We have already
been granted the beauty of God's unearned favor. We have the
Child of Bethlehem. We have His victory by the cross which,
by the way, He didn't survive. Jesus didn't survive the
cross; he demolished it.
It is by
this Christ that John the Baptist became strong in spirit.
And so shall we.
