It didn't cancel the Divine Service but it did convince sensible people to stay home in the warmth of their central heat and off the maybe icy streets. (They weren't icy but it was pretty white this morning.) Believing that Christ still reigns/rains I ventured out earlier with family to shovel walks and conduct Bible Class and lead LSB setting three (the old TLH page 15). 21 of the visible Church were in attendance. I couldn't count the others. Not just because I can't make out all the company of heaven with these weak eyes, but because if I could see and hear them it would take longer than we have during the reception of the offerings to get a head count that large so I just don't bother.)
Now YHWH said through Isaiah the prophet recorded in today's OT lesson that he was doing something new and "do you not perceive it?" Too often I don't. More often the Lord repeats himself for my benefit and the benefit of others, both believers and the rest. A road through the desert I can understand with my 21st century technology and engineering, but what would be the point in going through nothingness. On the other hand, wild beasts (dragons too?) that sit up and pant waiting for a scratch behind the ears, springs and rivers in a desert. These things would be new and near to unbelievable. But these are but illustrations that God uses to get his point across. Water to drink for his people reminds me of Jesus talking about the coming and giving of the Holy Spirit that will become in us a spring welling up to everlasting life.
For His own purpose YHWH takes care of his people. The result is praise, but that's the consequence not the immediate point. We have a god that is bound and determined to take care of us. And not just take care of us. He is bound and determined to save us from ourselves, from sin, death and the devil.
This salvation is not due to some effort on our part. There is no earning favor. Sure there are lots of wonderful, selfless deeds done by honorable men and women across the world. There are even some done that look good but are done by less honorable or dishonorable because they see a temporal reward attached. And they actually accomplish much. But like the pharisees who disfigure their faces when fasting or pray flashy prayers in public they have received their reward.
The real motivation for helping others is in knowing that no reward is needed because we belong to The Reward. And then it is Christ doing his work in and through us as if we were just some old tool or note pad and pencil.
But I move to past the end of the story again. So tempting to do even in Lent.
The new thing is that God incarnate is at work. Jesus was there in the beginning without whom nothing was made that was made. Man in his desire to be more than perfect tried to add the knowledge of evil with the good that he was and corrupted everything including himself in the process. If the Father wasn't working 24/7 to preserve the world (even on the Sabbath Jesus adds) we would have self destructed and rotted a long time ago. The inevitable is just postponed. But then there's this new thing....
Jesus is the Son of God incarnate. Jesus has come to more than set things right but to be the instigator of a new creation. He may be the second Adam, but he's the first one to get life right. He is not starting over with humanity, he is redeeming us.
Redemption is more complicated than buying back. It isn't a cash, check or charge thing. Not even true hard currency like gold or silver will suffice. His life blood is the price. His life is the price. Look more extensively than just the narrow view of Good Friday and Easter Sunday to get the full view Christ's saving Work. The Son of God has been at work here doing his stuff since before the foundation of the world. All that overtime and not one accident or mistake. It is enough to satisfy Wrath when he cashes it in on the cross. Enough to pay for every single human life and their wicked deeds. More than enough to pay for mine even when I humbly think that I've over done my sinning past the limit and safety factor. The dividends go back to the beginning of time and forward past the present through faith apprehended sacrifices, Word and Sacrament ministry. And if you sincerely think you are a bigger sinner than I am, I've got good news for you. You aren't near as big a sinner as Jesus is a Savior.
The new thing is God in Christ is doing everything to declare you as a pure and holy child of the heavenly Father. All we do is live forever in his gracious, glorious presence; grave not withstanding. It didn't hold Jesus in, it won't hold his brothers and sisters either.
There I go skipping to the end of the story again. Or should I say, the eternity of the story.
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