The reference to
Abraham as the father is found in Matthew 3, so we can see how this concept was
elaborated in John 8
Matthew
3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for
I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto
Abraham. 10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore
every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the
fire.
This is another
expression of John 8 – God’s Word can raise up children of Abraham from stones,
and we can rejoice that the Gospel created children of God from the tattooed
and naked pagans of Europe, the Picts and Celtics, the ancestors of many of us.
Already during Jesus’ ministry, the Word converted pagans into believers,
children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but many blood descendants would be cast
into outer darkness, Mathew 8:10-12.
Luke
Zacharias – “His name is John.”
Luke
reveals many truths in a few verses. The holy prophets have existed since the
world began. These prophets taught the ancient Gospel Promises of protection
for those who trust in the covenant of Abraham. God swore He would deliver us
from our enemies so we could serve Him without fear – in holiness and the
righteousness of faith – all our days.
Luke
1: 70
As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world
began: 71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all
that hate us; 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember
his holy covenant; 73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 74 That he
would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies
might serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all
the days of our life.
The central figure is
not Adam or Moses but the patriarch Abraham, who believed God’s Promise of an
everlasting and ever-growing Kingdom, and that was counted as righteousness.
This happened before Abraham was circumcised, forgiveness without any form of
Law, civic or religious.
Children from Stones
As Luther wrote, the Holy Spirit is very stingy with
words, so when we see them repeated in the Gospels, those words and verses are
especially important. John the Baptist taught this, as quoted above in Matthew.
The concept of children from stones is repeated in Luke’s Gospel. The last of
all the prophets, more than a prophet – John the Baptist thundered -
Luke
3: 8
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within
yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able
of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
Nothing is more
lifeless and inert than a stone, so this metaphor is a clear reminder of the
efficacy of God’s Word, since we are no more tuned to God’s Promises than
stones are – until the Gospel is preached to us, as babies at baptism and later
in life when the Promises come to us and give us a new life. The reference of
John the Baptist to Abraham is related to the patriarch’s faith, not his blood.
Daughter of Abraham - Luke 13:16
The woman healed in Luke 13 is a “daughter of Abraham,”
so the synagogue ruler raged that she was healed on the Sabbath, when everyone
must rest and not work. Jesus shamed the ruler, and the people rejoiced. The
distinction is made again, about faith in Him versus the works of the Law.
Luke
13: 28
There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and
Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you
yourselves thrust out.
On Judgment Day, the
patriarchs of faith and all prophets will be in the Kingdom of God, but the
works saints (Luther’s term) will be tossed out.[1]
Luke 16 – Jesus Parable of Lazarus, the Rich Man, and Father Abraham
Two great contrasts teach us the Gospel in Luke 16:19-31.
The rich man is clothed in rich fabrics and eats a banquet of delicacies daily.
Poor Lazarus is a dying cripple laid at the rich man’s gate, so he might beg
some food from the rich man. But all Lazarus got, day after day, was the
attention of scavenger dogs licking his open sores. The poor beggar died and
was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. But the rich man was carried into
Hell, and he saw Lazarus far away, in the bosom of Abraham. His debate with Father
Abraham, a noble title, is especially noteworthy because this is the Son of God
teaching clearly about forgiveness and eternal salvation.
The
rich man, who had everything in life and banquets daily, pleaded “Father
Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his
finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.”
Father
Abraham said, “Son, you had everything in life, he only had evil; now he is
comforted and you are tormented.”
The
rich man tried another approach, sending Lazarus to his five brothers, who were
in need of this warning and his advice. The dying beggar is now a professor or
preacher who might command the attention of the brothers who were so much like
the rich man. Abraham countered, “They have Moses and the prophets. Let your
brothers hear them.” This is a thunderbolt from heaven, meant to shake up
everyone neutral or against the faith of Jesus. Moses and the prophets are
sufficient for teaching people about the Savior, forgiveness of sin, and
eternal life. The Old Testament alone is enough Gospel and is in fact an
abundance of Gospel Promises and Blessings.
The
rich man had a flawless final counter offer – “But if someone would rise from
the dead, everyone would listen.”
The
final response, spoken by the Savior, is weighted down with meaning – “If they
do not pay attention to Moses and the prophets, neither will they listen to One
if He rose from the dead.” Two doctoral students in theology at Notre Dame were
furious with me for saying, “Of course I believe Jesus actually rose from the
dead.” They said, “There is no talking with you about anything.” Rejection of
the Old Testament Gospel blinds people to the simple, obvious truths of the New
Testament.
Abraham’s
name appears six times in this parable, because Father Abraham is the Father of
Faith in the Savior.
Luke 19 – Little Zacchaeus
Zacchaeus was short, but he was rich from extorting taxes
from his countrymen to support the Roman occupation. He received a percentage,
so he was motivated to harvest tax money in abundance. His rush to see Jesus
suggests that he had heard much, felt deeply troubled by his greed, and raced
to get a view from a sycamore tree. The Word of Jesus was certainly effective,
so he slid down the tree, bark flying, to host Jesus.
Luke
19:5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto
him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.
The people, who were
sinners, murmured against Jesus going to the house of Zacchaeus, an open
sinner. As a sign of his contrition, he offered to give money to the poor and
pay back his overcharges.
Jesus
said, “9 And Jesus
said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also
is a son of Abraham.10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that
which was lost.”
Zacchaeus is a son of Abraham by
faith in Jesus Christ.
[1]
Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress is full of examples of faith versus the
false notions of works. He obtained a copy of Luther’s Galatians Lectures
and read the book more than any other book except the Bible. Those two books
are found in the Lutheran Library, as printed books and PDFs, and as Understanding
The Pilgrim’s Progress and Understanding Luther’s Galatians as my
contributions.
