(The following is a submission to The Recorder’s column, “Faith Matters.” Each Saturday, a faith leader in Franklin County offers a personal perspective in this space. To become part of this series, email religion@recorder.com or call 413-772-0261, ext. 265.)
The Berlin Wall was the symbol of the Cold War. The Communists built the wall in August 1961. It kept Germans from escaping Communist-ruled East Berlin into Democratic West Berlin. The 12-foot concrete wall extended almost 90 miles along the border. Bunkers and electrified fences protected the border crossings. Soldiers and guard dogs chased people away who tried to cross the wall. The Berlin Wall embodied the invisible Iron Curtain that divided post-war Europe into two worlds. Many people hated and despised the wall. Hardly anyone expected it to ever disappear.
On the threshold of unprecedented political changes in Eastern Europe, on June 12, 1987, President Reagan delivered his now famous speech. At the Brandenburg Gate in West-Berlin he challenged Soviet leader Gorbachev to break with Cold War policy. He said: “If you seek peace, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate and tear down this wall.”
Months of unrest followed. At the end of 1989, the East German government allowed their citizens to visit West-Berlin. Thousands climbed over the wall. Shortly afterwards, the wall came down and West and East Germany reunified.
Just as the Berlin Wall separated those in the East from the West, a wall separates us from God. Our imperfections, shortcomings, and bad choices estrange us from God. He is holy and can have no part with it. The prophet Isaiah said to the people living in his days: “It is your iniquities that have separated you from your God.” Nothing has changed. It has been this way since the Garden of Eden.
This wasn’t God’s original plan. His intention was for humans to dwell together with Him in perfect fellowship and in harmony. God didn’t build the wall, we did. Most of us don’t consider ourselves bad people, but we do know we are not perfect. When we compare ourselves to God, all of us come up short (Romans 3:23).
History tells stories of those who succeeded in crossing the Berlin Wall. Their attempts were both creative and brave, like riding a zip line, using fake Soviet planes or by way of a tunnel. But the wall between us and God is impossible to conquer. That is why God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into this world. Unlike us, He was perfect. He did what no human could do. He demolished the wall.
Jesus lived the life that we could never live and died the death we could never die. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). We don’t drift to God haphazardly. We don’t work our way up to God like someone frantically peddling upstream. Jesus brings us to God. All who place their faith in Him will receive guaranteed entrance into God’s presence.
I lived in Europe when the Berlin Wall fell. It was a unique experience. The celebration reverberated across the continent and across the world. But as impressive as this was, it pales in comparison with the decimation of the dividing wall between a sinful man and a holy God. That is why even the angels celebrate when one sinner repents (Luke 15:10). And that is why Christians believe Jesus was more than an exemplary human being. He was nothing less than the Son of God.
North Leverett Baptist Church can be found at 70 Leverett Road in Leverett. We’re an independent church that believes that God exists, that Jesus Christ is real and that God’s Word, the Bible is true. You are most welcome to come and visit! Our Sunday morning service is from 10 to 11:15 a.m., children’s church is available. From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., we have Sunday school for all ages. Our church also offers a Wednesday evening program, Food pantry, Youth group and Health Clinic. For more information please visit our website: www.nlbcma.org.