KJV Genesis 22:7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
KJV John 1:36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
Second Sunday in Advent
KJV Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: 9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. 10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. 11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. 12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. 13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
KJV Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. 29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Second Sunday in Advent
The Hymn #61
The Invocation p. 15
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual Romans 15:4-13
The Gospel Luke 21:25-36
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #109
The Sermon
Through Patience and Comfort
The Offertory p. 22
The Hymn #304
The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #657
KJV Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I have been teaching a class in Old Testament the last few weeks. One issue faced is the historical accuracy of the Old Testament. Many believers know the basics of the Gospel but not the range of ancient history. After all, most college bound students used to study Latin for two years and necessarily studied the history of Rome during that time. That gave us insights into the ancient world, although the main events of the Roman Empire took place ten centuries after King David lived.
In short, the Old Testament is the best-preserved ancient book we have, matched only by the New Testament. We might say the purity of the New Testament is a greater miracle because the Christians were actively persecuted for centuries while the Jews were considered a bit more respectable and left alone (until they revolted from Rome).
The Old Testament is not only preserved with amazing precision, it also includes historical facts supported again and again by physical evidence. Recently the Second Temple area was found in a parking lot! As we always find, scholars were skeptical about it until the foundations were unearthed by accident.
Every time I read a passage from the Old Testament I think of the centuries of God’s work revealed in its pages. For the New Testament writers, the Scriptures were the Old Testament. The Old Testament was carefully copied and used in all new congregations. The cost of preparing one was very high, but essential in all mission work.
How could one talk about the prophecies about Christ apart from the Old Testament? Those books were very important to the many converts from Judaism and to the Gentiles as well. The Gospel of the New Testament is a continuation of the Old Testament Gospel.
In religion classes I often repeat that there is more Gospel content in the Old Testament than in the New Testament. From the promise of the Savior in Genesis 3:15 on, God speaks of His plans for His people, forgiveness rather than condemnation.
In that context, we read:
KJV Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
There is nothing worse than being hopeless. Today I read about many different submarine accidents in the Soviet navy. Burton wrote: “A ship is like a jail, only you can drown.” The smallest accident on a sub can be fatal for the crew. Many have gone down, trapped in darkness, smothered in smoke, waiting for a rescue. A few pioneers in sub technology developed ways to rescue trapped mariners. Capsules and breathing devices gave them hope. That hope kept many alive.
The weight of the Law makes people feel hopeless. Worst of all, there is a confusion of voices about right and wrong. Rather than being guided by a basic, theistic, Creation-based sense of right and wrong, people hear about their rights and the lack of any sense of ethics (apart from what the individual decides). Confusion makes hopelessness worse.
Everything written in the past (in the Old Testament) was written for our learning. God gave us the Old Testament in Hebrew so that those distant events and prophecies would guide us and comfort us.
Although our tendency is to talk and behave as if we are without sin, most people realize this cannot be true. Someone with no remorse, no conscience, is really a danger to everyone. That seems to be more true today, but it remains a minority view.
There is only one Gospel – that Christ died for the sins of the world, that this message might bring redemption, release from our sins. We remain sinners until the Holy Spirit calls us to faith through the Gospel Promises. While our sinful nature remains, God continually justifies us through faith in Christ.
"Christ did indeed suffer for the whole world; but how many are there who believe and cherish this fact? Therefore, although the work of redemption itself has been accomplished, it still cannot help and benefit a man unless he believes it and experiences its saving power in his heart."
What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, II, p. 705f. Smalcald, 1537.
"Scripture thus uses the term faith, as the following sentence of Paul testifies, Romans 5:1: Being justified by faith, we have peace with God. Moreover, in this passage, to justify signifies, according to forensic usage, to acquit a guilty one and declare him righteous, but on account of the righteousness of another, namely, of Christ, which righteousness of another is communicated to us by faith...1 Corinthians 1:30. Of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. And 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. But because the righteousness of Christ is given us by faith, faith is for this reason righteousness in us imputatively, i. e., it is that by which we are made acceptable to God on account of the imputation and ordinance of God, as Paul says, Romans 4:3, 5: Faith is reckoned for righteousness."
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, III. #184. Of Love and the Fulfilling of the Law. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 205f. Romans 5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:21. Tappert, p. 154. Heiser, p. 60.
“Likewise: All have sinned and are justified without merit [freely, and without their own works or merits] by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, in His blood, Romans 3:23f. Now, since it is necessary to believe this, and it cannot be otherwise acquired or apprehended by any work, law, or merit, it is clear and certain that this faith alone justifies us, as St. Paul says, Romans 3:28: For we conclude that a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the Law. Likewise, v. 26: That He might be just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Christ.”
Smalcald Articles, The Second Part, Article I. #4. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 461. Tappert, p. 292. Heiser, p. 137.
Here is material from Thy Strong Word about redemption and the many New Testament passages where redemption is described as a purchase and as a release or ransom.
Redemption as Purchase – agorazo.
From the curse of the law
KJV Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
The Greek verb for redeem is based upon the word for marketplace, the agora. The verb expresses the universal nature of the atoning death and its close relationship to reconciliation. Instead of saying that He exchanged His righteousness for our sin, Galatians reveals that Christ became a curse for us, to redeem us. When the Word of God teaches a doctrine, we find it expressed in many different ways, using different vocabulary. Therefore, the Bible not only states that Christ died for all but also that His death accomplished a reconciliation, that He redeemed us from the Law. This freedom from the Law is the universal nature of the atoning death.
J-598
“But this must be noted: Christ died 1900 years ago, on a certain day, at a certain hour in time. But this counts for all time: for the entire future time, for all the prior time. For by Christ’s death ‘all died,’ Adam and all his descendants. The effect covered all. It is literally true: ‘the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.’ His death availed for Adam. All in the Old Testament who believed were saved by that death just as all are in the New Testament who believe.”
R. C. H. Lenski, Corinthians, Columbus: Wartburg Press, 1957, p. 1033. 2 Corinthians 5:15.
Redeem them under the law
KJV Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
The verb for redemption was also used in Galatians 3:13. In both cases the apostle is establishing that the objective act of God has already taken place. The Judaizers were set free from the Law at the time of the crucifixion. This release has already taken place. It is a universal reality, and yet the circumcision party continues to destroy the Gospel by making the Law a requirement for salvation. Although the instrument has changed, the circumcizers are still with us, especially among the Lutherans, making their hideous Law demands a requirement for salvation. In their preaching of salvation according to the Law, whether through legalism or Church Growth scientific methods, they reject the redemption of the world in Christ.
False Prophets
KJV 2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
The universal sense of the expression bought can be no clearer than when applied to false teachers who deny the atoning death of Christ. The false teachers of the future, who seem to multiply, will bring the worst heresies, even denying the Lord and His atonement. The term bought is especially appropriate and vivid, since it is used so many times in the New Testament to describe the purchase of various goods. No one has any question that an item purchased belongs to the new owner. Therefore, we belong to Christ because He has purchased us with His innocent blood.
Redeemed us by blood
KJV Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Redemption as Release – lutron
Redemption – apolutrosis, apoluo (release, dismiss; used for divorce, release of a prisoner). Christ paid for the sins of the world. The term is used in Romans 3:24, 8:23; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 1:17, 14, 4:30; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:12, 15. Lutron – ransom, Matthew 20:28 (Mark 10:45). 1 Timothy 2:6.
Ransom for many
KJV Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Ransom for all
KJV 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Justified through the redemption
KJV Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Redemption of our body
KJV Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
KJV 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
KJV Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
KJV Ephesians 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
KJV Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
KJV Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
KJV Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
KJV Hebrews 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Redeemed with blood of Christ
1 Peter 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
J-599
”I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won [delivered] me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, in order that I may be [wholly] His own, and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.”
Martin Luther, The Small Catechism, Explanation of the Second Article of the Creed, II. 4. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis; Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 545. Tappert, p. 345. Heiser, p. 161.
Old Testament Precedents for the Atonement
The most gripping precedent for the Atonement of Christ is the Binding of Isaac, where Abraham took his beloved son and prepared to sacrifice him on Mt. Moriah. No one can fail to identify with agony of a father sacrificing his own son. This passage remained a troubling mystery to Jews until the crucifixion of Christ, when the episode in Genesis, centuries before, became a divine reality.
KJV Genesis 22:2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. 3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. 9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.
Lutherans believe and teach that the Angel of the Lord was Christ before the Incarnation. It is significant to Christians that a ram became the substitute, just as Christ the Lamb of God became our substitute, paying the price for our sins.
Exodus is filled with references to Christ.
The entire Old Testament points us to Christ, many passages remaining as complete puzzles until New Testament times. The Suffering Servant made no sense to Jews, who read the passages from Isaiah without comprehension.
So each passage from the Old Testament aids in our learning, comfort, and patience. Nothing we experience is alien to those pages. Our problem is not knowing, not realizing, not trusting enough in God’s Word.
The sacramental nature of Old Testament worship prepared the way for our Holy Communion service:
The Lamb of God – the blood sacrifice of the spotless lamb.
The rainbow as a symbol of God’s Promises.
The manna mysterious coming down from heaven – the Bread of Life.
The streams of water in the desert – Holy Baptism.
The wealth of spiritual comfort in the Old Testament is impossible to describe. We can only continue to study, worship, learn, and share in the comfort offered through the complete and free forgiveness of sin offered to us in the Gospel message of Christ crucified for us.
