Checkpoint Charlie

Hi, this is Pastor Lutzer. Many of us are touring the city of Berlin, and I’m standing beside my wife, Rebecca. We are here because we remember a special moment that took place back in 1970. We’re actually here at Checkpoint Charlie — it’s the place where you entered either the American zone or the Soviet zone, depending on the direction you were going.

I’ll never forget the guards in this area, and of course, we clearly remember the sign that said, “You are now leaving the American sector.” That meant we were entering Soviet territory. After we crossed the border, because most of the Luther sites are in Eastern Germany and we were visiting those sites, we immediately noticed the difference: the quietness of the people, the buildings that were so run-down. You couldn’t help but notice the stark contrast between West Berlin, which was free, and East Berlin, which was under Communist rule.

When we came back, the director who was leading our group had a situation. His wife had forgotten the special piece of paper given to all of us — it was like a visa that we had to show when we returned. She had lost hers. I was taken into a room with her because I understand a little bit of German. I’ll never forget the guards taking her suitcase, turning it upside down. The floor was covered with everything from her suitcase because they thought perhaps she was trying to smuggle something illegal. Of course, that wasn’t true, and we were eventually allowed to continue.

It’s impossible for us to reproduce in our own minds the tremendous impact that this experience had on us when we were in East Germany. If you don’t believe there’s a difference between the East and the West, between freedom and the bondage of Communism, well, you’ve forgotten a lesson that took place right here.

Pastor Lutzer, reporting from Berlin, Germany. God bless you. Have a good day — all day. Thank you.