The grace of God: Jesus

Joshua. 24:15. The Gospel: "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people" (Tit. 2:11 ESV)

"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” = Jesus (Acts 4:12 ESV)

Gnesio (Obliged to keep the whole Law) "He (Jesus) fulfilled for us the entire Law in the most perfect obedience of love."

"What does Christ do when He, though Lord of the Law, freely subjects Himself to circumcision? Paul says in galatians 5:3: “I testify to you that every one who allows himself to be circumcised is obliged to keep the whole law” [Luther Bibel]. Accordingly, the circumcision of Christ has the important significance for us that He thereby subjected Himself to the judgment of the Law. That means He took the curse of the Law upon Himself. He fulfilled for us the entire Law in the most perfect obedience of love. For us He received the wages of sin. He received our death and curse along with all distress and misery, which the Law casts upon the sinner and transgressor for time and eternity.

These drops of blood that the dear child Jesus sheds here at His circumcision are, as it were, the earnest money, the down payment, which our guarantor lays down against the judgment of god. Through it He pledges to pay the entire debt. As a real guarantor, He pledges to accomplish all this for us so that a thorough peace between us and god and His Law be established.

This was completed on the cross by His death. His life was a sin offering given for the sins of the lost children of Adam. His precious blood paid the full ransom and purchased us back from the curse of the Law. The Law can now no longer threaten you [with the phrase]: “Perfect obedience or death!” So you are redeemed from sin, death, and devil. The righteousness of god is absolutely fulfilled. He is now a reconciled Father, who, for the sake of Christ, forgives us our sins, receives us again as His children, and will give to us life and salvation. to this end, through the Holy Spirit, He grants repentance in faith that we become righteous and holy before God.

Do you see what Christ’s circumcision means! You have to admit it is of the highest importance and blessing for a lost sinner. Here the fearful yoke and the unbearable weight of the Law, with its unfulfillable demands and awful curses, was taken from your shoulders and laid upon this beloved little child. With great pains, the down payment for you was made with His drops of blood. He pledged Himself to pay your entire, great, horrible guilt. He freely relieved you of this burden. Moreover, through this guarantor and this deed, He obtained forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

Now what is the significance of the name Jesus for us? The angel who appeared to her already proclaimed to Mary that she should call the newborn child “Jesus.” Later an angel also appeared to Joseph in a dream. He commanded him to take Mary as his wife and to call the little child to be born, conceived of the Holy Spirit, “Jesus,” for He would save His people from their sins. At the circumcision, Christ began the work of redemption and salvation. Here this name was publicly given Him."


from Friedrich Wyneken, “A Sermon of Consolation on New Year’s Eve,” At Home in the House of My Fathers, CPH 2011


http://gnesiolutheran.com/


Photo: Kerstin L. (easter flowers in our garden)

"As for me and my house we will only serve the LORD" (song: John Waller)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjRiNL1HKns
"And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)