Lesson: The Passion History of our Lord, drawn from the four Gospels
Hymns: LSB 451, 435, 887
Tonight, we heard the fifth and final reading from the Passion History of our Lord. We heard Jesus doing what He was sent on Earth to do. We heard Jesus fulfilling the promise of God. We heard Jesus taking away the sin of the world.
That is why Jesus was promised. That is why it important to meditate on our Lord’s Passion. God is fulfilling His promise to defeat Satan and save sinners by redeeming them through the Blood of the Lamb. God fulfilled them in the crucifixion of Christ. God fulfilled them in our Lord’s resurrection.
Many Scripture passages are fulfilled in these events of Jesus, demonstrating that Jesus is truly the Coming One. This shows that God keeps His promises and does what He says. He does not lie, deceive, or err. God desires to sanctify us by the truth.
Tonight, we heard Jesus fulfill many passages of Scripture concerning His Passion. Isaiah 53:12 declared, “He was numbered with the transgressors.” Jesus fulfilled Psalm 69:12, when He called out, “I thirst.” Jesus prays Psalm 22, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” Also in Psalm 22, Jesus prays, “They divided My garments among them and cast lots for My clothing.” Jesus also prays Psalm 31, “Father, into Your hands I commend My Spirit.”
When Jesus declares, “It is finished,” God’s promise in Scripture to save sinners by the Blood of the Lamb is fulfilled. When the soldiers do not break His legs and when one slashes open our Lord’s side, prophecies from Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12, Psalm 34:20, and Zechariah 12:10 are all accomplished.
In His crucifixion Jesus accomplishes and fulfills the Word of God. He speaks the Word of God.
But there are other words which were being spoken while Jesus continued to speak from the cross—words of derision and disdain—words of mockery and scorn.
All sorts of people joined in the ridicule. Some in the crowds said, “You who said You would destroy the Temple and build it in three days, save Yourself!” “If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!”
The chief priests, scribes, and elders said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.” “Let the Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe.” “He trusts in God, let God save Him, for He said, ‘I AM the Son of God.’”
The soldiers mocked Him, saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”
Even one of the criminals said, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!”
Did you notice the repetitive theme of these very clever, devious words? “Hey, Son of God! Hey King of the Jews! Hey, the Christ! Look at all those miracles You performed! If You’re so great, then save Yourself! Be a real Messiah and don’t let this stuff happen to You! Take care of Yourself for a change! Aren’t you, after all the Savior?”
These self-appointed preaches with their self-appointed sermons are the voices and tools of Satan. They are the Devil’s mouth speaking devilish words.
They not only mock our Lord but tell Him to separate Himself from the Word of God. They encourage Him to NOT be “numbered with the transgressors.” They tell Him NOT to be the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” They tell Him NOT to fulfill the Scriptures.
Such preaching is the preaching of the Devil.
And the Lamb of God will have none of it. He will not save Himself. He has come to save sinners. He does the will of His Father. He fulfills all that is written of Him. He sheds His blood as the ransom payment for our sin.
So Jesus stays put! He remains on the tree. He remains the curse for bearing the sins of the world. He is numbered among the transgressors. He takes the blame for the world’s sin and suffers for it.
Your salvation depends on it. There are many today who mock us for believing in these events of Jesus. There are many today who tell us there are other ways to get to Heaven.
There are many self-appointed preachers who tell lies. They pull you away from Your Savior and teach you to trust in themselves or in yourselves.
Do not listen to them. Instead, listen to the Lamb of God. He declared, “Whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved.” He declared, “This is My Body” and “This is My Blood given and shed for you for the remission of sins.”
He established His testament—one that is binding forever. This testament is sealed in our Lord’s death, never to be changed. The Word of the Lord endures forever. The way of salvation in Christ will never change. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are sacraments which do not change. Jesus now sends preachers who are raised up the by the Church and trained by the Holy Spirit through the Church. Called and ordained ministers of Christ are not self-appointed preachers. They deliver to you God’s Word—the whole counsel of God and they keep your eyes fixed on the Lamb of God—Jesus—your Savior.
In Him you have life, and He is your light (John 1:4). Amen.
The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus to life everlasting. Amen