Brandenburg Gate

Hi, I’m Pastor Lutzer, and we’re here in Berlin, Germany. You probably recognize that I’m standing very close to the Brandenburg Gate, one of the most famous sites here in this great city. You also might remember that it was on the other side of this wall that President Reagan gave his speech in which he said, “Mr. Gorbachev, take down this wall!”

Now I have to emphasize that I still remember the 200th anniversary of this particular gate. It’s a very important symbol here in Berlin, because, as I’ve already implied, it actually was the boundary line between the East and the West. Presently, we are in East Germany, and of course, across the other side of the gate is West Germany. Also, whenever I think of the Brandenburg Gate, I think of Napoleon. In 1806, he came into the city of Berlin, victorious over the Prussians. As a reult, we have the transition from what we call the First Reich. That word “Reich” can be defined as an empire. Suddenly Europe became French for a while, that is to say, under French leadership. So when Napoleon came through this gate with his army, it was a great march of triumph.

But later on, Germany provoked a war with France and won the victory. If behind me you see bicycles, it’s because here in Berlin, bicycles are so important. People are constantly using them instead of cars. So we’re not distracted by them, but we’re reminded that there are different ways of transportation.

Now, the Quadriga here that you see was taken by Napoleon’s soldiers and taken to the Louvrein in Paris in 1806, when Napoleon won the victory. But of course, later on, it was brought back when Germany won a war over France. Fascinating history.

But even as you think of the Brandenburg Gate, I’m reminded of the fact that Jesus talked about gates too. You remember He said that there is such a thing as the broad gate that leads to destruction, but also there is the narrow gate that leads to life, and we have to find the right gate. The Brandenburg Gate was really a welcoming gate. It was saying to the people, “Welcome to Berlin.”

You and I, even as we think about the Gospel, we should be thinking of the Gospel as a welcoming gate, welcoming people into eternal life. Thanks so much for joining us today, directly from Berlin, Germany, and the Brandenburg Gate.