How sad it was on the Monday of Holy Week, April 15th, to see the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, engulfed in flames. Watching the television coverage of the fire unfold felt like Christ and the Christian church itself were being attacked! Many news commentators wondered if that actually was the case on the part of anti-Christian terrorists that have claimed to be responsible for numerous other attacks on Christian churches in France. From what I have read, it has been determined to not have been an act of terrorism. It has been ruled as an accident of some sort.
As I watched the flames consume the aged and famous landmark, especially when its noted spire fell, I was reminiscent of the hymn: “Built on the Rock the Church doth Stand.” Following the first line title the lyrics continue: “… Even when steeples are falling; Crumbled have spires in every land, Bells still are chiming and calling.” As news anchors and their expert guests went on and on about the tragic loss of this old and beautiful architectural icon, especially in the days of Holy Week, I couldn’t help thinking how sad it was that the depth of their grief was limited to that of an old gothic structure and its beautiful artwork inside. Don’t get me wrong, that truly is sad and a great loss. Commissioned to be built in 1160 AD, it took about 100 years to complete. That was 232 years before Christopher Columbus sailed to the Americas! Some quick math reveals that Notre Dame was in the process of being built some 900 years ago! A lot of history was going up in smoke and ash. But, even as old and beautiful as it is (was), God’s church was not being destroyed!
The great hymn continues, “Surely in temples made with hands, God, the Most High, is not dwelling; … We are God’s house of living stones, Builded for His habitation.” God’s church was not being destroyed. A very old and beautiful man-made structure called a cathedral was burning. How much more tragic and sad is the decline of Christendom in France, Europe and around the world! Why do we not see “Breaking News” – Christianity is Rapidly in Decline! While Christianity remains the largest religion in the world with the most adherents, it is declining. And many so called “Christians,” are nominal at best. They are Christian in name only. There in lies a real and honest to goodness tragedy! That’s the church that needs to be restored and rebuilt. Our Lord has called us to proclaim His Law and Gospel and, by His Spirit, build up the church.
Even while the fire was still burning up the cathedral, the French president was promising that the structure would be rebuilt. A week later about 1 billion dollars has been pledged to fund the restoration of Notre Dame. Just imagine what a billion dollars could do for expanding and building up God’s church of “living stones” (believers)! Our Lord commended Peter for his rock solid confession of faith in “Christ, the Son of the living God.” He said that upon this “rock,” this faith in Jesus, He would build His church. And He promised to go and prepare a mansion for His believers and to take them one day to live with Him there! Certainly that divine mansion will eclipse that of Notre Dame!
“Grant, then, O God where’er men roam, That, when the church bells are ringing, Many in saving faith may come – Where Christ His message is bringing!”
~ Pastor Dennis J. Krueger