Although we no longer use literal stones to mark the miles along our roads and highways, we all understand the reference to “milestones.” Tracing their history back to the Roman Empire when they were called “miliarium” they were used to mark distances along their vast network of roads. Yes, they were originally stone markers–made from granite, marble, or whatever local stone was available—that marked distances along the roads that Rome built across the Europe, and Africa, and even into Asia.
For travelers in the ancient world milestones served a number of practical purposes. They were set in place to provide reference points along a road as a person journeyed on them. They would in a way reassure travelers that they were going in the right direction and indicate either the distance they had travelled, or the remaining distance to their destination. These stones could also let a traveler know where lodging and food might be available.
Today we have gathered to observe a significant “milestone” in the life of this congregation. And, I would say in each of our lives, although to a lesser degree. Obviously, we are not marking literal miles today. (Although this congregation has moved a few miles in its history.) No, today we are marking years, not miles. And the specific milestone we are observing today says “50-ish” years on it! Brothers in Sisters in the faith, let’s take some time today time to consider what this milestone means for this congregation, for each of us gathered here today, and also for the Church of Christ at large.
To that end we will direct our attention to a time in the Old Testament history of God’s people where some literal stones marked a spiritual milestone and a pivotal event. We read from Joshua 4:4-7. (Read text.) Although Joshua and his conquest of the Promised Land is somewhat familiar to us the specific event recorded in these verses of the Bible may not be as familiar. At a monumental occasion in their history, God told the Israelites to set up some stones as a lasting memorial to his power and grace. Today as we mark the celebration of the milestone of 50 years let’s answer the question that Joshua predicted his people would ask when they saw that pile of stones next to the Jordan River. May God the Holy Spirit enable us to answer this question:
“WHAT DOES THIS MILESTONE MEAN?”
I. It stands as a monument to God’s power
II. It stands as a monument to God’s grace
After forty years of wandering in the wilderness God’s people were almost home. But the Jordan River (which was also at flood stage) stood between the Israelites and the Promised Land. To remind the people of his power and his grace the LORD God broke the laws of nature that he set in place at creation. God miraculously stopped the flow of the river. The Book of Joshua tells us that once the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant touched the water the river began to “pile up” toward the Sea of Galilee. Similar to what their ancestors had done a generation before at the Red Sea, the Children of Israel were able to walk into their new homeland on dry ground because of a miracle.
To have a way to remember the miracle God told the Israelites to select a man from each of the twelve tribes to go back into the dry riverbed and pick up a stone where the priests had stood holding the Ark of the Covenant. They were then to take those stones and set them up as a monument to what God had done for his people. When future generations asked about the pile of stones down by the Jordan they were to be told about God’s power and grace. He had shown his power to his people in a dramatic way. They crossed a flooded river without being swept away by the current or even soaking their sandals. For many generations the stones stood as a monument to God’s power and God’s grace. God had kept his promises.
I.
When those twelve men went back into the Jordan River to pick up a stone for the monument recalling God’s power, they could still see the evidence of God’s power in action. Right? Imagine for a moment what they saw! To their left was an awesome sight—there was a wall of water held in place by the LORD. It defied any natural explanation. Clearly it was a miracle. I have wondered when reading this text if anyone walked up and poked their finger into the water? No, they were probably focused on getting their stone out of the riverbed and getting back to the riverbank.
On the surface someone might say that nothing this dramatic has occurred in the history of this congregation. But have any of us seen a miraculous demonstration of God’s power in the 50 or so years leading up to this milestone? I suppose it depends on which tribe we represent today. Were you a member here back in the day? Perhaps you were here when Pastor Schmidt or Pastor O served. Each of us could describe some of the miracles to God’s power that we witnessed. (John Christ story.) No matter what connection you have to Mt. Olive, or Christ the King, you could describe demonstrations of God’s power that were a part of our history.
But let’s focus for a few minutes on the greatest way that God has shown his power among us. Year after year God has shown his power to work miracles. There have been annual challenges in the area of finances, membership, staffing, and some related to buildings. And those things will continue. But I hope that at least part of the answer to the question, “What does the milestone marker of 50 years mean to you and to this place?” We can say again, “It stands as a monument to God’s power.”
For a moment, let’s go back to the Jordan River and the Israelites. Remember the purpose behind the monument of stones that God had them set up. Those stones were meant to tell each generation of God’s power. Joshua said, “In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” Over the years people would see the pile of rocks on the bank of the Jordan River, and they would ask what they meant. God’s people were to declare their meaning. They were a monument to God’s power!
Today anyone could rightly ask, “What does this milestone mean?” They could say, “What’s the big deal. So what, a congregation has been around for 50 years. That’s really not that amazing.” What would you say to them about God’s power in your life as you have experienced it through this congregation? How has he walked with you each and every day? I know that life has not been easy and without challenges for many of us. But each year, in each of our lives of faith, stands as a monument to God’s power.
But beyond the physical blessings and demonstrations of God’s power in our lives he has shown his power most fully in the life of this congregation through his Word and Sacraments. In his letter to the Romans the Apostle Paul called the Gospel “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16) Through the Prophet Jeremiah the LORD asked, “Is not my word like fire, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29) Through Isaiah God said, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11) As we stop at this milestone in the history of this congregation let’s recall the greatest evidence of God’s power in our lives. Through his Word God has poured his strength into our hearts and his power into our lives of service to him.
And I would say to you that one of the greatest monuments to God’s power has been the central focus of this congregation since it first opened. You can see it behind me in the window. It is the cross of Christ. The cross is the ultimate symbol of God’s power. Where is the power in this picture of Christ’s death? God tells us in his Word that all have sinned and fall short of his holiness. We could try to work our way into God’s good graces by being good people, but the canyon between Him and us can’t be bridged in that way. A wall of separation stands between our Creator and us. But the cross causes that wall to crumble. It knocks down all the things that keep us away from God. On the cross Jesus died as the substitute for sinners like you and me. The wages of our sins were paid in full. Through the cross we find the power to conquer our sinful nature and live lives that shine. And through the power of Christ’s cross we too will conquer death.
Yes, friends in Christ, we can say with certainty that this milestone of 50 years is a monument to God’s power. His power to impact our lives and preserve us. But specifically, his power to save sinners and to transform lives through the Means of Grace. That’s what this milestone of 50 years means for us today!
II.
Of course, it’s important to remember that the Israelites who crossed the Jordan the day the LORD made the water stop flowing had experienced forty years of mercy and forgiveness. They didn’t deserve the Promised Land. Frequently they had acted like spoiled brats—whining and complaining about everything and rebelling against God would have had every right to let them die in the wilderness. But in mercy he brought them home. The stones they set up next to the Jordan would always stand as a monument to God’s grace—his undeserved love.
When God performed his mighty miracle at the Jordan River he focused the attention of the Israelites on a symbol of his grace. Joshua 3:14-16 tells us, “So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.” The Ark of the Covenant was a symbol of God’s presence but also the place where his forgiveness was dispensed. The top of the Ark of the Covenant between the cherubim the place on the “atonement cover” was called the “mercy seat.” There God made himself “at one” with his people through the blood of sacrifices. He showed undeserved mercy to his people to forgive their sins and to forget their rebellious thoughts, words, and actions.
We also see God’s grace in the name by which God identified himself to his people. In the New International Version of the Bible the name LORD appears in all capital letters. That was the name God chose to give himself. It means, “I AM.” Through that name God was telling his people, “I have always existed, I will always be, I do not change.” When you connect that name to God’s love you have something special. Just as he does not change his love does not change. During their 40 years of wondering the “I AM” God had been with them. He kept his promises to them.
And so it is for each of us. For each year that we count, really each day that God gives us, we have to reflect on God’s grace to us. Have we been content with our lot in life? Have we served God faithfully in all that we have said in done each year of our lives? We have not had the Ark of the Covenant going ahead of us, but we have had something more complete. The precious Means of Grace have been with us every step of the way. The LORD has lived among us forgiving our sins and always calling us back to a new life in Christ.
Since we are talking about milestones and their beginnings in the Roman Empire with their “miliarium,” I want to tell you about the “Golden Milestone” that was once located in the center of the City of Rome. It was to be the stone from which all distances on all the roads in the empire were calculated. This would remind everyone of the importance of the capital city. As they say, “all roads lead to Rome.” That “Golden Milestone” would also serve as a reminder of the most important destination to which anyone could go. If we take a little historical detour, I could point out that the “Golden Milestone” of Rome inspired a “Zero Milestone” in Washington, D.C. It was erected in 1923 and was intended as the point from which all road distances in the United States should be reckoned. I guess that whole idea kind of fell away.
Anyway, as we mark the milestone of 50 years in the life of this congregation it is worth pointing out the “Golden Milestone” of eternal life with God. All our days and years will come to nothing, unless we are on the road to the heavenly Jerusalem, and it’s streets of gold as The Book of Revelation says. Some of our members and friends have already gone on to the glory of heaven. As we gather to celebrate the milestone with 50 years etched on it look again at your journey toward the last milestone of eternity. Each day and year that God gives you stands as a monument to his grace as well as his power.
As we think about the stones that the Israelites set up at the Jordan River, we might ask what happened to those stones. Archaeologists have not found them. They have been lost to history. The monument has succumbed to time—destroyed or carried off. Or just plain 3000 years of erosion from water and wind may have done them in. And, do you know what? Perhaps it’s tough to hear. But the building we built on 31st Street and this beautiful facility will not last either. And, it may be even more upsetting to y’all but we really don’t know how long this congregation will continue. Although that is the sad truth, that’s okay too. Because what we celebrate today—God’s power to save and God’s grace to save sinners like us—those things will last forever.
“Miliarium.” That’s what the Romans called them. Milestones. We know what that word means in our time. There are “milestones” in every person’s life. Confirmations, graduations, wedding anniversaries, and birthdays regularly serve as milestones in our lives. There are certain ones we mark with a special observance. (Some of you may remember my father, Bob Otterstatter, who used to say that if it ended in a 5 or 0 you had to do something special.) This weekend you have gathered to mark the milestone of 50 years. And today through our time in God’s Word we are ready to answer anyone who asks us, “What does this milestone mean?” Today we celebrate a mile marker of 50 on the journey of this congregation. It stands as a monument to God’s power and as a monument to God’s grace. Amen.
