Second Letter to the Corinthians -- Chapter 3

Having fully explained his failure to visit the Corinthians Paul continues on to make sure that they are not getting the wrong idea about what he is saying: “Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?” (2 Corinthians 3:1). Paul begins by asking a couple of rhetorical questions to the Corinthians. Do they think he is commending himself to them on his own merits? Do they think that he needs some special letter of validation stating that he is an adequate preacher of the Gospel? Basically he is saying to them: What do you want from me? Is not what I have done for you already enough? “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts” (2 Corinthians 3:2-3). Frustrated that the Corinthians continue to look for worldly and earthly validation Paul tells them very plainly that the Spirit of the living God that is working in their hearts and minds is the letter of recommendation for his ministry. Paul wants the Corinthians to stop looking at the outside externals and look at the ministry itself, to look at the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their hearts. This confidence of Paul’s is rooted solely in the work that Christ has done for us all: “Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:4-6). Paul as a human being is not competent to carry out the work that he has been doing, but because of God’s call in Jesus Christ he has been made a competent minister for the new covenant Gospel of Jesus Christ. What he preaches is not the letter of the Law but the living Spirit of Christ Jesus our Lord in the Gospel Message.

Paul continues on to explain this new covenant and ministry, giving us a clear breakdown of Law and Gospel: “Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!” (2 Corinthians 3:7-9). The Law that came thru Moses brought with it death for it brought to light the sin that corrupts the depths of the heart of every single one of us. This ministry was not without glory though, for this Law was indeed God’s Law (not man’s!) and His immutable and perfect will. When Moses received the Law from God it caused his face to shine with its divine glory and power. But why does Paul call the Law the “letter” in a seemingly derogatory manner? He calls it the “letter” because the Law is simply written down (engraved on stone); it is an empty, unmoving, action-less directive and demand which brings death, condemnation, and curse because it gives no heart, power, or ability to fulfill itself. What good are the words of the Law to us if there is no action or strength to carry them out? To sinful man the Law is nothing but dead letters that condemn. On the other hand the new covenant is not devoid of action and obedience; it takes upon itself the letter of the Law and fulfills it thru the perfect obedience and action of Jesus Christ. The Law makes demands and puts the burden of obedience upon our shoulders; the Gospel fulfills everything itself and removes the burden from our shoulders. Therefore Paul urges us to see that the new ministry and new covenant that he proclaims will be even more glorious than the ministry of the Law which only brought death. The Gospel brings righteousness to all men thru the unconditional act of grace done thru Jesus Christ crucified where He fulfilled the Law perfectly for all men. Instead of showing us our disobedience and lack of action like the old covenant, the new covenant actually steps out and completes what we couldn’t do ourselves. This is far more glorious than the old covenant for it glorifies God’s name, His justice, His mercy, His goodness, and His faithfulness all while bringing new life to us sinners who were once dead and helpless. “For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!” (2 Corinthians 3:10-11). The glory of the Law shone in order that it would bring to light our sin and thereby light the way to the new covenant in Jesus Christ. Now that the new glory of the Cross has arrived the old covenant has faded into the background so that we might focus on Christ alone. The old covenant is merely a messenger and guide that points us to the end, to the goal, to Jesus Christ crucified: “The law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24).

“Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away” (2 Corinthians 3:12-13). Because of the immeasurable glory, grace, and hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ we are very bold. We have the promises of God and the covering of Christ which make us willing to live without the fear that once enveloped us in our sin. Because the Law brought death to sinful man Moses was forced to veil his face hiding it from the Israelites and their veiled hearts of sin which could not face such glory. The glory of the old covenant however quickly faded from Moses’ face illustrating the Law as a transitory ministry. The Law cannot be an end in and of itself for sinful man; it is a fading ministry whose end and completion must be found in the Cross. If the Law is the end then we are hopelessly lost, but if the Gospel and grace of the Cross is the end then we are redeemed and rescued. “But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away” (2 Corinthians 3:14-16). The Law by itself only brings death and despair; there is no true hope or life in the Law, it cannot unveil the heart, it can only show us the depths of our depravity. It is powerless to remove the veil and the dullness of our darkened hearts. Thru the Law we can only become aware of the veil that blinds us as we are torn down to contrition and brokenness. If the Gospel is not applied to those who have been given the Law then their sinful flesh will strive for self-righteousness, blindly thinking they can achieve the Law on their own. However when Christ is applied to those who have been broken by the Law the veil is removed and the righteousness of God in the Cross is revealed; when the Gospel is applied and men turn to Christ thru it then the veil is removed and our eyes are opened to the true God whose reality remained completely hidden apart from Christ. Only thru Christ the Mediator can the veil be removed, allowing us to stand boldly before God the Father. “Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant” (Hebrews 9:15).

In conclusion Paul glories in the freedom and grace of the ministry of the Spirit, that is the Gospel: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). The Lord Jesus Christ is not found in the ministry of the letter but He is only found in the ministry of the Spirit. Thru Him we find freedom: freedom from sin, from ourselves, from death, from the devil, from the oppression of the Law, and from the veil that once covered our faces. In Christ Jesus we who were once deaf can now hear and we who were once blind can now see. “In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see” (Isaiah 29:18). Therefore let us pray that we see the distinction and interaction between the two ministries of the letter and the Spirit, the Law and the Gospel: the Law that brought us death and condemnation was given to show us our sin, break us down, and point us to Christ so that thru His work of the Gospel we might share in His righteousness of the fulfillment of the Law. “The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:20-21).

Second Letter to the Corinthians -- Chapter 2

Having defended the sincerity and consistency of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his proclamation thereof Paul continues on to explain further why he did not visit the Corinthians: “So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved?” (2 Corinthians 2:1-2). Paul saw that if he visited the Corinthians he might cause far more pain and trouble than if he stayed away. Because of the harsh admonishment he had to give them he felt that his presence would only cause awkward pain, grieving, and animosity. In person he would certainly not be able to relent his rebuking and correcting and he knew that they would not take that well, and perhaps turn against him in their anger. “I wrote as I did so that when I came I should not be distressed by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you” (2 Corinthians 2:3-4). Paul’s anguish and depth of concern for the Corinthians was very real. He did not admonish them because he enjoyed it (in fact it broke his heart), but he did it because he knew it is what they needed, it was for their own good, and he loved them very deeply.

Continuing on Paul addresses how the Corinthians are to now deal with the situation he rebuked them for so harshly in his first letter: “If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent—not to put it too severely” (2 Corinthians 2:5). There is little doubt that the “he” that is referred to in this section is the same man who committed the depraved incestuous act Paul reprimands so harshly in the fifth chapter of his first letter to Corinth. “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife” (1 Corinthians 5:1). Paul was very firm in his discipline and admonition of the man who had committed this act and of the Corinthians in regard to their rejoicing and boasting in the sin. The grievance he committed was not against Paul but against the congregation at Corinth and therefore a grievance against God Himself. Therefore Paul had called for the church to throw him out of their midst in order that by God’s grace he would see the wretchedness of his sin and by God’s grace come to repent, clinging for mercy in the cross. “The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him” (2 Corinthians 2:6). There is no need for excessive torture or hatred now, the punishment from the church is sufficient for disciplining this shameful act. The point of church discipline is always to bring men to repentance; the church never disciplines to judge, to be self-righteous, or to hurt, the church always disciplines in order to save, in order to fight for a person’s soul. Therefore Paul tells them what to do next: “Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him” (2 Corinthians 2:7-8). After disciplining in order to bring about repentance the church is not to abandon or desert that person. The church must realize that its discipline is only the beginning of its ministry to a person and that it must follow its discipline up with forgiveness, love, and the gospel. Once a person has been brought to brokenness and repentance before the Law we are to uphold them with the message of Christ crucified for their sins.

Paul tells the Corinthians why he was so harsh with these admonitions in his first letter: “The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything” (2 Corinthians 2:9). Because of the depraved situation that arose among them Paul needed to test the Corinthians. He needed to see if their faith was real and if they were willing to follow the will of God by undertaking church discipline. Paul had feared that the entire congregation had been led astray thru these debaucheries so he felt it very necessary for the church to exercise harsh discipline in order to get itself back on the right path. It is never an easy thing for a church to call a brother to repentance but because we love them we must do this, as God has done for us in Christ Jesus. “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you” (Isaiah 54:7-8). In Christ Jesus who carries our sins we share in the punishment and discipline of God. We stand under the compassion of God because the rift between ourselves and God has been healed in Jesus Christ’s work on the cross. Therefore having received this forgiveness we in turn forgive those around us in Christ’s name. “If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:10-11). So that we do not fall into the trap of hating and despising our fellow man we are called to always be forgiving, even in the midst of our discipline. Satan wants to drive hatred, animosity, and unforgiveness between us and he does this by either keeping us from disciplining ourselves and our fellow man (by allowing sin to fester in our midst) or by causing rifts between us because of our discipline (by making us unloving and self-righteous in our discipline). However in Christ we will remain steadfast, being given the grace to persevere in our application of the law as we continually follow this with the soothing salve of the forgiveness of the cross.

As he continues Paul relays to the Corinthians the details of how he got to Macedonia: “Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said good-by to them and went on to Macedonia” (2 Corinthians 2:12-13). In these words Paul wants the Corinthians to see that plans are constantly changing in the Lord as we follow the doors that He opens in our life each and every day. We must not make attachments to people and things in this life so that we are hindered from moving on at the call of Christ. We need to be willing to pack up and leave anytime the Lord calls us to a new ministry or door in life: “He said to another man, ‘Follow me.’ But the man replied, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ Still another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good bye to my family.’ Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God’” (Luke 9:59-62). Jesus Christ isn’t looking for excuses why we can’t follow the doors He opens in our life, He is simply looking for faithful obedience. As we faithfully follow the call of Christ wherever it leads we will find that even despite any unease in God will always work thru us to His glory: “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him” (2 Corinthians 2:14). Despite our feelings, emotions, doubts, and sinful flesh God is constantly leading us forward in the triumph of Jesus Christ. We have the guarantee of victory in Him because of His incarnation, suffering, death, and resurrection for our sake. Even though we may not see it tangibly God is always using us to spread about the knowledge of Christ crucified to the world. “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2:15). We are the witness of Christ to the world even when men reject Christ and His Word. Our job is simply to faithfully proclaim His Word and follow the path He walks before us, letting Him “sort out the details.” Our prayer is that all those to whom we proclaim God’s Word will hear and be converted, “Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24), but oftentimes we will find that men will obstinately despise the Word of Christ which we bring to them, “There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day” (John 12:48). The divine mystery of why some men hear and others reject the Word of Christ is a difficult aspect of the task we have been given. We however are not called to ask “why” but to simply and prayerfully carry out the commission we have been given. “To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?” (2 Corinthians 2:16). God has never said that all men will listen to whom we witness and therefore we must remain joyful not in the results we see but in the promise of God to work for the sake of Jesus Christ. Those who by God’s grace hear the Word of Christ and believe it will rejoice with us and find us the pleasant aroma of life. However those who reject the Word of Christ will treat us as the smell of death for they we will despise the condemnation the Word brings upon them. To proclaim the truth of God’s Word faithfully is a task without compare and equal in this life; it is a task that will polarize men and bring out both their best and their worst. In recognizing these truths Paul proclaims that he does not preach God’s Word for selfish reasons (for who would willingly bring upon themselves the scorn and ridicule that comes with the unaltered Word of God?) but solely because he has been called by God: “Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God” (2 Corinthians 2:17). Let us pray that we too remain faithful and steadfast in the sincere Word of Jesus Christ crucified, not falling into the temptation to alter His Word to make it “easier” and “more desirable” to our sinful flesh. “Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:15-18).

Second Letter to the Corinthians -- Chapter 1

The second letter of Paul to the church at Corinth begins with his greeting: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:1-2). Paul commences by reaffirming his call to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ, not by his choice, but by God’s will and call. This affirmation is very important for it immediately establishes the authority of this letter and Paul’s call to speak on behalf of God Himself. It is also important to note that this letter from Paul and Timothy is written not exclusively for Corinth but also with the intention that it would be circulated throughout the region. This means that even though Paul addresses initially the Corinthians, his words are truly meant for all the saints who will ever come across this letter.

Continuing on Paul praises and thanks God for all the comfort He provides thru Jesus Christ in the face of all the troubles we see in this life: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). God Almighty is a God of comfort, one who uplifts those who are troubled, mourning, hurting, and suffering. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). Therefore as followers of Christ we are called to spread the comfort we receive from God to all those around us; the comfort and blessings of God are to flow thru us to our fellow man. It is because we ourselves are comforted that we are now able to give the true comfort and consolation to our fellow man; the comfort of the cross. The “comfort” of the cross? Isn’t that like saying “the comfort of pain, misery, and torture”? Yes, the cross is indeed the point of God’s condemnation, wrath, and destruction of sin, but the cross is also the point of God’s unfathomable mercy, grace, joy, reconciliation, propitiation, and comfort. Thru being united in Christ crucified we share in not only the suffering but also in the comfort: “For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows” (2 Corinthians 1:5). It is important for us to realize that we are blessed to partake in the sufferings of Jesus Christ crucified, for in that sharing we are assured of having died with Him to sin and of being raised with Him in the comfort of God’s mercy. “We share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8:17). “It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him” (Philippians 1:29). “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10-11). The Christian life is never “easy” and it is always full of troubles, trials, tribulations, and sufferings for the sake of the cross, but we also receive the comfort and peace of God that passes all understanding so that we may be firm and strong in Christ within these difficulties.

Paul continues on to address how the Body of Christ shares in this suffering and comfort together: “If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer” (2 Corinthians 1:6). As Christians it is our duty to bear with one another. What we undergo in this life is for the good of the whole, for the good of the entire Church and Body of Christ. “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). At some points certain members of the Body will suffer so that other members may find comfort and relief, and those that are relieved and comforted are done so that those who are suffering will see that in Christ there is sweet relief from the pain of this life. “And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:7). Our hope remains firm because we know that thru it all God is working for our ultimate good in Jesus Christ. Those who suffer today will be comforted tomorrow, and those that receive comfort today will suffer tomorrow so that another may receive comfort. The entire Body shares the burden of carrying one another as Christ continues to carry us all.

As he continues Paul illustrates the great purpose of suffering in this life. “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death” (2 Corinthians 1:8-9). Thru the real life example of his own sufferings Paul looks to teach us many important things. The pressures, anxieties, and sufferings that Paul underwent in Asia were “far beyond our ability to endure.” But what does that mean? Paul is telling us that what he underwent was far more than the human Paul could ever endure. The troubles and sufferings were so great that they despaired of life itself, feeling the sentence and burden of death on their hearts. The trials were so great that death itself would have been a welcome end. But if these pressures were beyond the ability of man to endure then how did they survive? Because as followers of Christ Paul and Timothy do not walk alone, they have One who bears their burdens for them: “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9). In these powerful words Paul tells us the very purpose of suffering in this life: we suffer so that we will stop relying on “me” and “my” abilities, and start relying on the only One who can truly bear our troubles, burdens, and sins: Jesus Christ. “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens” (Psalm 68:19). Our sufferings are great gifts from God that help keep us humble and clinging to Christ crucified. Thru His law God breaks us of our idols and our reliance on self so that we might be driven to the gospel of Jesus Christ. When our pride and self-assurance need to be knocked down God will graciously send us His discipline of the Law so that thru our troubles we might run back to Christ, fully trusting the promises of God to preserve us thru all things. “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life…May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant” (Psalm 119:50, 76). Therefore it is only thru our suffering that we find comfort in this life, without the suffering and the discipline of the law we would never be led to quiet and restoring waters of the gospel promises.

Paul tells us of the assurance we have in God’s promises: “He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us” (2 Corinthians 1:10). God not only has delivered us in the past (look at all we have come thru in this life!) but He has promised to continue to deliver us forevermore. This eternal promise is where our hope is set, but we also have the aide of the Church, of our fellow believers: “On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers” (2 Corinthians 1:10-11). The prayers of the Church have been given the promise of God for the sake of Jesus Christ. By going to God our Father thru our Mediator Jesus Christ we have the promise that God will hear and answer our prayers and petitions. Therefore like Paul we have the assurance of God thru the promise that the prayers of our fellow man will be answered, delivering us from the troubles and tribulations of this life for the sake of Jesus Christ crucified. Even these prayers however serve the purpose of witnessing to God’s glory and promise in Jesus Christ: “Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many” (2 Corinthians 1:11). As our prayers for deliverance for our fellow man are answered we are reassured ever more firmly in the grace of the cross. Therefore let us pray that thru the sufferings of this life we see how God is graciously working in our lives thru the Law, pushing us away from “me” and towards the only One that matters: Jesus Christ. Even though we deserve eternal damnation, in our sufferings God graciously only shows His anger to the point that we will wake up to the depths of our helplessness and depravity in sin, so that we might run to the comforting arms of the gospel of Jesus Christ. “I was enraged by his sinful greed; I punished him, and hid my face in anger, yet he kept on in his willful ways. I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him” (Isaiah 57:17-18). “I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow” (Jeremiah 31:13). “Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me” (Isaiah 12:1).

Having taught us the duality of suffering and comfort in the Christian life Paul continues on to address an important matter that had arisen amongst the Corinthians. Paul’s reputation as a man of his word (and therefore his Apostleship) was being put into question: “Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God” (2 Corinthians 1:12). Paul begins by defending the fact that in his ministry he had always been completely sincere and without ulterior motive or inconsistency. However this boast of Paul is not in the strength of himself but in the grace of God who made him what he is: “We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God’s grace” (2 Corinthians 1:12). It is God’s grace alone that is responsible for Paul’s sincerity and consistency; he does nothing on his own strength but does all things on the grace of God who called and appointed him. “For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand” (2 Corinthians 1:13). Paul proclaims that all he has written has been clear and succinct, with single-minded focus on Jesus Christ and His message. His words have not been double-minded or contradictory, sure they may have been difficult to accept for our sinful flesh but they certainly have not been unclear. It is thru this appeal to clarity that Paul hopes that the Corinthians will see that he has faithfully been carrying out his ministry and commission in their church. “And I hope that, as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus” (2 Corinthians 1:14). As Christians we go thru daily growth and maturity in our understanding of the Message of the Cross. The depth of our understanding is not what saves us, for that is only done thru the promise and grace of God in Jesus Christ, but we are still called to be diligent in our study and understanding of the Scriptures and our faith. When we are mature and knowledgeable in our faith and the teaching of the Scriptures “then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14).

In his hope that the Corinthians were growing in maturity of faith Paul planned to visit them: “Because I was confident of this, I planned to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. I planned to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea” (2 Corinthians 1:15-16). Paul made plans to visit the Corinthians but these plans (as so many do) fell thru because it was not God’s will at the time. God saw that the Corinthians were not prepared for a visit from Paul so He changed the plans. So why is Paul making such a big defense of his sincerity in making these plans? What is going on here that concerns Paul? The issue is that some of the Corinthians had started spreading lies about Paul claiming that he was unreliable, inconsistent, fickle, and half-hearted because of his failure to follow thru with his plan to visit them. These lies were undermining Paul’s authority amongst the Corinthians and they were possibly starting to doubt the legitimacy of his claim to Apostleship because of these lies. It is for this reason that Paul continues on to ask these questions which were surely on the minds of the doubting Corinthians: “When I planned this, did I do it lightly? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say, ‘Yes, yes’ and ‘No, no’?” (2 Corinthians 1:17). If the Corinthians were truly beginning to think that Paul was inconsistent then this was a true danger to His proclamation of the Gospel to them. Paul could not afford to lose the confidence of the Corinthians for he realized that their weak faiths could be torn asunder if they saw him as a double-minded or hypocritical man. So now we must ask: Did Paul say “yes” to visit the Corinthians just to make them feel better and in reality mean “no” in his heart? Absolutely not. Paul seriously intended to visit the Corinthians it is just that his human plans changed because God determined otherwise. “Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Yahweh's purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21). At the time Paul thought a visit to the Corinthians was necessary but God knew what really needed to take place.

“But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not ‘Yes’ and ‘No’” (2 Corinthians 1:18). Paul is adamant here that the Message he brought was not one of fickleness and inconsistency. He has not been saying “yes” out of one side of his mouth while saying “no” out the other, and his actions and life have always lined up with these bold words; what Paul had taught the Corinthians is in accord with the life he was living to God’s glory. As surely as God Himself is faithful and never changed, so too the proclamation of Paul had been consistent: “The plans of the Yahweh stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations” (Psalm 33:11). Paul does not appeal to himself (for surely the sinful human being of Paul was inconsistent from time to time) but to the message of the cross and to Jesus Christ. “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not ‘Yes’ and ‘No,’ but in him it has always been ‘Yes’” (2 Corinthians 1:19). This message of Jesus Christ as the Son of the Living God is not inconsistent, and that is what truly matters when all else falls to the wayside. God has spoken in Jesus Christ once and for all: “He spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm” (Psalm 33:9). This world and everything it holds will pass away, change, be fickle and inconsistent, “this world in its present form is passing away” (1 Corinthians 7:31), however despite the fleeting ways of this world we have the eternal and unchanging assurance of God’s Word: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Therefore Paul firmly proclaims and assures us: “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 1:20). In these authoritative words we have one of the great proclamations of the gospel: all the promises of God are ours because of what Jesus Christ has done on our behalf. From the very beginning of the Scriptures to the very end, every single promise that God has made to protect us, forgive us, and love us are fulfilled and ensured thru Jesus Christ. Where we could never put ourselves in the good graces of God, Jesus Christ came along and perfectly fulfilled God’s will in our stead. “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17).

In conclusion Paul once again points us away from ourselves and towards the cross of Jesus Christ: “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). It is never because of “me” that we stand firm in Christ, it is always because of God. God is the one who came down to earth as a Man, it is God who shows us our utter sinfulness and inability to measure up, it is God who died for our sins, it is God who melts our hearts with the gospel of the cross, it is God who gives us the faith to cling to Christ crucified, it is God who brought us into the Church thru our Baptism, it is God who sustains in the fellowship of the Body of Christ thru the Lord’s Supper, it is God who works in our hearts to love Him and be obedient, it is God who creates fruit of good works in our life, it is God who compels us to do His will in this life. It is not “me” who does or can do anything; it is always God’s gracious work thru Jesus Christ our Lord. Since God’s will is the only course in life that matters Paul calls God as His witness, stating that he broke his plans to visit them for the sake of their faith and good, because it was God’s will. “I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm” (2 Corinthians 1:23-24). If it had been in the best interest of the Corinthians for Paul to return he would have done so, but because it was God’s will for him to stay away he had no choice. Paul was willing to do whatever was needed for the good of the congregation; just like Jesus Christ he knew that God’s will was the only will worth living for. Let us pray that we never let our will matter, but that we only live for God’s will as revealed in Jesus Christ: “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:38-40).

Confessing Jesus Christ

“But what about you? Who do you say I am?” (Luke 9:20). This question of Jesus rings out, not only to His disciples, but to the entire world. It is the question; the question which brings us face-to-face with Jesus and leaves no place to flee. It is no longer the trouble-free question Jesus previously asked, “Who do the crowds say I am?” (Luke 9:18), but it is now an inescapable confrontation that brings even the strongest to their knees. Not what do you say about yourself, but who do you say Jesus is. Not what do others say, not what do the scholars say, not what does your church say, not what does your reason say, not what do you think are the possibilities; but clearly and unavoidably, who do you say Jesus is?

The mind of the natural man races: Who is this Jesus? What does He have to do with me? Of what relevance is He? How is He possibly confronting me today, wasn’t He just some man who grew into a mythological figure? Wasn’t He crucified, shouldn’t He be long dead? Can’t I just leave Him confined at church on Sunday mornings or up in heaven far away? The questions are endless, but we have been put on the spot. There is no escape. An answer must be given.

This question of Jesus – “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” – is the question which is posed to the world by Jesus again and again. Repeatedly He stands before men with this question, and continually His followers must answer and confess for all to hear. Their responses are varied and range from the bold proclamation of Peter to the betraying kiss of Judas. Therefore it is the duty of the followers of Jesus to continually answer this question before the world: Who is this living Jesus Christ for us today?

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). The historical person of Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ of the living God, the anointed one of the line of David, Immanuel - ‘God with us.’ Where we were helplessly separated from God and unable to find Him, Jesus came down to us and met us in our place. He is the promised seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15), the promised seed of Abraham (Genesis 22:18), the promised seed of David (2 Samuel 7:12-13), and the promised suffering servant of God (Isaiah 52:13-53:12).

“My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Jesus Christ is the revelation of God and therefore the person by whom we come to know the one God, the entire Trinity. We do not start by thinking we know God the Father, but Jesus Himself tells us that we know the Father only through His person. When we see Jesus, we see God the Father (John 14:7, 9). Additionally, we only know the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ because the Spirit is sent by Jesus in order to testify concerning Him (John 15:26). The Spirit is given to convict the world according to sin, righteousness, and judgment found in Jesus Christ, revealing the truth of the Son of God and glorifying Him through this (John 16:8-11, 13-14).

“This man really is the Savior of the world” (John 4:42). We only know God in the incognito of this Jesus Christ, the full historical man who has taken on the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3) and stands in our place, revealing His divinity fully hidden beneath His humanity, crucifixion, and resurrection. Jesus Christ is here as a servant (Luke 22:27) who has emptied Himself in order to take the fullness of humanity onto His back (Philippians 2:7), to become sin on the behalf of mankind (2 Corinthians 5:21), and therefore the life of all mankind (John 11:25). Born as a helpless child in a stable, bloodied and dying on the cross, and raised to new life, Jesus Christ is indeed the heart and core of all our knowledge of the true God. Here and only here, in the most unlikely mask of the man Jesus Christ, do we find our Creator, Judge, and Redeemer.

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). All true study of God is not about systems, programs, ideas, theories, abstractions, or speculations; all true study of God is about the crucified and resurrected man Jesus Christ who boldly proclaims today: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). We must notice that Jesus firmly attaches the way, the truth, and the life to His very person. It is Jesus Christ Himself who is the truth, the way, and the life, not some abstract teachings or ideas. Salvation, forgiveness of sins, life itself (1 John 5:20, Philippians 1:21), are completely and totally rooted in the person of Jesus Christ. In Him exists the entire message of law and gospel, judgment and redemption, relationships to both God and our fellow man, and the only true righteousness, the restored identity to God and man mediated by Himself. As a result, we discover that Jesus Christ is truly the center: all creation is by Him, through Him, and for Him, and in Him all things hold together (Colossians 1:16-17). It is through Him alone that we live (1 Corinthians 8:6). Stick to Him at all costs, for in Him alone is life (Acts 4:12).

“Jesus is Lord” (1 Corinthians 12:3). One day a rich ruler approached Jesus and asked, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18). This inquiry is a question that haunts all introspective men and is ultimately our own question to God. There is also an ignorance that is displayed immediately in its phrasing. The man falsely asks what he must “do” to “inherit” eternal life, when inheriting is always about relationship and identity and not about deeds. Without delaying Jesus fires back a pointed question to the man: “Why do you call me good? No one is good—except God alone” (Luke 18:19). This man has a false sense of the concept of “good” and Jesus looks to destroy that immediately. The ruler thinks that goodness is a quality of man and his ethics, choices, teachings, etc. Jesus, however, knows that “good” is something that flows and exists in God alone. Jesus then tells the man what he already knows: “You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother’” (Luke 18:20). Upon hearing this, the ruler boldly tells Jesus that he has satisfied these commandments: “All these I have kept since I was a boy” (Luke 18:21). Therefore, the ruler wants to know what else there is for him to do. He assumes that the commandments of God are incomplete for inheriting eternal life; he is not satisfied with what God has given him. Instead of trusting that he is the creature of His Creator, a child of God’s chosen people, this man searches and looks for a way to justify himself.

Jesus continues on to tell him what he lacks: “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Luke 18:22). What is this that Jesus is telling him he lacks? Is it more commandments and deeds? Is it simply a spirit of giving? No, it is a lack of devotion and adherence to God. Jesus tells him that the final thing he must do is forsake all the idols of this life and come cling to His person, following Him wherever He leads. Here in these words of Jesus, “follow me,” we have the whole counsel and call of Jesus Christ in its most simplistic form. Here law and gospel meet. The call of Jesus is simultaneously a condemnation of everything in our life and what we have held onto in the past, but at the same time it is also a gracious redeeming promise that life exists and is given in His person. He bids us to attach ourselves to Him, for if we are with Him then we are in the way, the truth, and the life.

After the ruler heard this very call of Jesus to leave his previous life behind and come after Him, he was disturbed and deeply saddened. He had great wealth and it was weighing him down in idolatry. Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said: “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:24-25). Here Jesus states the impossibility of doing what he has called this man to do. The sheer magnitude of this call is expressed elsewhere in Luke: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple…any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26-27, 33). This call of Jesus is irrevocable, must be followed immediately and without hindrance, and it requires a clean break with everything.

After this astonishing proclamation of Jesus, all those who heard responded in the only way possible: “Who then can be saved?” (Luke 18:26). Those present understood clearly that it wasn’t just the ruler that Jesus was confronting, but that He was in fact confronting each of them also. Jesus, however, responds with a word of grace: “What is impossible with men is possible with God” (Luke 18:27). Where men will never be able to heed the call and demand of Jesus, God bridges the infinite gap.

Peter then replied: “We have left all we had to follow you!” (Luke 18:28). Peter understood that they (the disciples) had left everything to follow Christ. They didn’t do it as a way of self-justification or because they thought it would make them “good” before God, but simply because they knew there was no hope apart from the person of Christ. Jesus then reassures them that with Him there is hope and life, even though they had to lose everything for His sake: “I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life” (Luke 18:29-30). The love found in Jesus Christ is truly better than life (Psalm 63:3).

“Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39). The cross is the height and culmination of Jesus’ life and through its mystery and foolishness we see the truth of the person of Jesus Christ. Let us set the stage: Jesus’ disciples have fled (Matthew 26:56); Peter, who had claimed he would follow Jesus to prison and death (Luke 22:33), was nowhere to be found and had disowned Him (Luke 22:54-62); the people had chosen Barabbas to be released (Luke 23:18) instead of Jesus. Jesus is completely alone and rejected by all, even by those who had confessed Him most faithfully.

Finally, Jesus is led up to Golgotha, outside the city walls, and there He is nailed to a tree and crucified in the midst of two criminals (Luke 23:33). He is counted among the transgressors and yet meekly He prays for those who are putting Him to death: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). The rulers, the soldiers, and one of the criminals crucified with him, all hurl insults at him and mock him, saying: “He saved others; let him save himself if this is the Christ of God, his Chosen One… If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!...Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:35-37). Jesus however knows the will of His Father, the way of the cross, and knows His own words to His disciples, “Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it” (Luke 9:24), and cannot violate them. He knows that the way of victory is not the way of this world that the people of Israel envision.

Amidst all the rejection, however, there is one who miraculously sees through the foolishness of what is going on. It is the least likely prospect, not a disciple, not Jesus’ family, not the learned scholars, but the other criminal who hangs next to Him. This criminal rebukes his fellow prisoner who had mocked Jesus: “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:40-41). Here in these short words we see the most profound confession of the true fear of God. This criminal sees Jesus on the cross and through this sees the judgment of God that stands against humanity. The sentence of condemnation that stands over Jesus, this innocent man who has been numbered with the wicked criminals of the world (Luke 22:37), is a proclamation of God’s sovereignty and His judgment against all of mankind. This criminal clearly sees that he personally deserves to die the sinner’s death and if not even Jesus (God’s own Son!) can be spared, then who can be?

The criminal then turns to Jesus: “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom!” (Luke 23:42). Here the criminal acknowledges that before the judgment of God he has no recourse but to cling to this mysterious person of Jesus Christ. He most likely does not understand exactly who Jesus is but He clings to Him as the King and Messiah sent by God, his only hope for deliverance! Jesus replies to him: “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). This language alludes to the paradise of the Garden of Eden when the right relationship between God and man, and man and man once existed. Jesus therefore tells the criminal that in His person He has come to restore the peace, order, and harmony of Eden. In the person of Jesus Christ, through this bloody crucifixion and subsequent resurrection, the relationship to God and man is restored and made whole once again.

But what about today, what about us in this present age? How are we confronted with Jesus Christ today? How do we hear His call to discipleship today? How do we follow Him today? How do we cling to Him like the criminal on the cross? We are not Peter, Paul, or even Zacchaeus; we live in largely different circumstances, cultures, and contexts. Therefore, how does the person of Jesus of Nazareth meet us today when we no longer have Him walking among us as He did amongst His first disciples? The answer turns out to be simple and yet extremely radical: the Church.

The Church of Jesus Christ is the actual Body of Christ (Romans 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 12:27, Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 4:15-16, Colossians 1:17-18, 24), it is the presence of the living Christ in this world and it has been given the duty to proclaim His Word (Ephesians 3:10-11), bringing itself to people of all walks of life through preaching and sacrament, and thereby bringing the living Jesus Christ, the same Jesus Christ who walked and talked with the twelve disciples, into the world. What happens to the Church is what happens to this same living Jesus Christ (Luke 10:16, John 15:20, 1 Thessalonians 4:8). The Body of Christ is in fact the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Temple (Exodus 15:13, 17, 2 Samuel 7:5-14, John 2:20, 1 Corinthians 3:10, 6:19, Ephesians 2:21, 1 Peter 2:4-10, Hebrews 8:2, Revelation 21:22), and therefore it is the true presence of the living God amongst and in the midst of His people and children. God goes forth into the world by means of the Church, through the Body of Christ. Subsequently, as the Body of Christ we are called to be Christ to the world, bearing our fellow man and his sin just as Christ bore us, becoming the servant of all (Matthew 8:17, Mark 9:35, Romans 12:14-16, 15:1, 1 Corinthians 9:19, Ephesians 4:2, Colossians 3:13, Hebrews 13:13).

The Word, the person of Jesus Christ, creates the Church. In addition, however, the Word only exists in the Church and flows out of the Church (1 Timothy 3:15). Neither Word nor Church may exist apart from each other; one cannot be found without the other. Where Jesus Christ is (the personal Word), there is His Body, the Church; where the Church is, the Body of Christ, there is Jesus Christ, the Word (Ephesians 5:29-33). To tear the work of Jesus Christ apart from His Church is to destroy Jesus Christ and tear Him from His Body. In the same way that our heads cannot be separated from our bodies without destroying both, so too we cannot tear Christ, the Head, apart from His Body, the Church, without destroying both. It is therefore through the Church, His disciples and followers, that Jesus Christ works in the world today and personally confronts men with His life-transforming call.

To further understand this it is important to look at an essential analogy that the Apostle Paul employs: “in Adam” vs. “in Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:22). This analogy is a good summary of the full counsel of God (Acts 20:27), and a critical framework for understanding the place, role, work, and importance of the Church. In this analogy we see the whole message and polarity of judgment and redemption, sin and grace, God against us and God for us.

“In Adam” the entirety of mankind fell into sin and death (Romans 5:12-19). Adam was both an individual man and the representative of the entire human race. To be “in Adam” is to be in sin and a member born into this fallen world, standing in rebellion and rejection towards God the Creator. “In Adam” we set ourselves up in the place of God, placing ourselves as creator and judge over what is good and evil in the world. “In Adam” we seek to justify ourselves in regards to our morality, living, choices, and self. Instead of living from God and His judgment and will, “in Adam” we live from our own selfish judgment and will.

As Adam each of us stands alone, frighteningly alone and detached from all, God and man alike. Each of us “in Adam” is not just some victim but we are also Adam himself. With everything we do apart from faith in God the entirety of mankind falls and is torn away from God. No man is excused from the sin of Adam; we all bear the full responsibility of plunging humanity into the depths of sin and death (Hosea 6:7). Adam is therefore not an excuse that removes the responsibility from the shoulders of the sinner, but is the reality of our own rebellion against our Creator. Any true recognition of sin must lead to the conclusion that we ourselves are Adam and the worst sinner in all of creation (1 Timothy 1:15). We fail the rest of humanity around us with every thought, word, and deed of our wicked hearts.

Jesus Christ is the historical son of Adam, a son of all humanity (Luke 3:38). Like Adam, Jesus stands not only as an individual man, but as the representative of mankind (1 Corinthians 15:45); like Adam before Him, He is mankind. “In Christ” we all undergo the judgment, wrath, and death of the cross, but instead of suffering alone we are united with Jesus Christ. The old Adam is judged and condemned to death “in Christ”, but in Him we are subsequently restored to the fullness of our humanity in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the same way that “in Adam” we stand in the work of Adam, so too, “in Christ” we stand in the work of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:15-19).

“In Christ” we are no longer consumed with our own judgments of what is good and evil but we live completely and totally from the will of God. “In Christ” we no longer stand alone, but we stand as individuals who are united into the fellowship, community, and unity of the Body of Christ. Because “in Christ” we are in perfect communion and fellowship with God Almighty there is no need to stand as judge any longer, we can now live with single minded focus and action upon the desires of God in Christ Jesus. We are no longer our own, but are now completely God’s, offering our entire life into His hands (Romans 12:1-2). Our entire life is our act of worship (1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3:17) as we live boldly, stepping out in confident action and response to God’s will. Through Jesus Christ everything in life has become good and sanctified (1 Timothy 4:4-5), we are restored to be the creature of our Creator and the servant of our fellow man. “In Christ” we are both a completely passive recipient of God’s work and an active member of the Body of Christ who brings God’s work into the lives of others. To stand “in Christ” is to ultimately stand in grace and in the Church.

But how do we come to stand “in Christ,” in the Church? Through the declarative Word of baptism into the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we are united into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-13), and therefore into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-5). We are clothed “in Christ” (Galatians 3:27), put to death on the cross and raised to new life in Him. Through the Lord’s Supper we are continually united in the Body and fellowship of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16-17), receiving all the benefits of that intimate relationship. The forgiveness of sins is certainly an important part of this grace (Matthew 26:28), but the true gift is so much more than simply that, it is the full person of Jesus Christ; it is fellowship, union, and peace with God our Father. Through the prophetic and apostolic proclamation of the Scriptures (Ephesians 2:20) we are built together into a holy temple in Jesus Christ. The proclaimed Scriptures are God’s very Word spoken to us today and through the Body of Christ and the Spirit’s work they confront us as such.

“But what about you? Who do you say I am?” Jesus Christ Himself is confronting us today in the story of the rich ruler. Who of us is not rich in the values, sins, and idols of this world? The question of who can be saved haunts all who take the call of Jesus Christ seriously. If we do not water down the call we will see the depth of what it demands. It requires us to completely deny our self, to leave everything behind, pick up our tool of execution, and to stake our entire life on the person of Jesus Christ (Luke 9:23). We are simply called to attach ourselves to Jesus completely and leave everything else in God’s hands. We are helpless and therefore have no recourse but to trust in the mercy of God. We are called to step out of the boat, not on the strength of any choice of our own, but solely on the strength of the call and promise of Jesus Christ. His promise stands that even though we will give up all to follow Him, we will never lack anything along our journey (Luke 22:35).

“But what about you? Who do you say I am?” We ourselves stand at the scene of the cross. We, Barabbas, have been released and Jesus has taken our place. We truly belong with the criminals who hang alongside Jesus; we deserve to be nailed to the cross for we have not feared and loved God and served our neighbor in place of our self. We are the person who has sinned against both God and man, even as we eagerly condemn those around us (2 Samuel 12:5-7). The condemnation of God’s wrath against our sin stands against us and yet we look and see that we are not alone. There, Jesus, the Christ of God, hangs in our place on the cross. He stands in our place, where we should stand but cannot. We have forsaken God, and yet Jesus is the one who becomes forsaken in our place so that we might have life in His person. The person of Jesus Christ stands in our place under the judgment of being a son of Adam, and graciously bears with us in death so that we might also be raised with Him to new life (1 Peter 2:24-25). In the person of Jesus Christ, God is transformed from God who is against us (Deuteronomy 6:15, 29:20, Job 19:11-12, Isaiah 1:25), to God who is for us and gave Himself up for us (Romans 5:8, 8:32, Galatians 1:3-4, 2:20, Titus 2:13-14)!

We, the Church, the Body of Christ, exist on the brink of the valley of death, and suffering, trials, and tribulations follow us always (Matthew 24:9, Philippians 1:29, 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Peter 5:10, Revelation 2:10). God deems this necessary for us so that we will always be forced to rely on Him, His mercy, and His grace and never on our own devices. With the entire Church we call out in need: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). “We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty” (Luke 17:10). “God, have mercy on me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13). “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Luke 18:38). Even when God humbles us daily and we face death all day long for His sake, we never despair, for He is with us and His unfailing love and eternal promises comfort us. As the Body of Christ we know that it is the person of the living Jesus Christ who is with us and for us at all times and through all things. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Our duty is simply to confess Jesus Christ and to proclaim His righteousness to the world, serving all men for His sake. We never point to ourselves, but always point outward to our Lord (2 Corinthians 4:5), to the one who gave Himself up for us all. Regardless of the outward state of the band of believers we hold fast to this our singular mission. Whether we are like sheep to the slaughter or are sharing in a time of peace, we fear not for we hold to the promises of God and know that He is our deliverer in Christ Jesus our Lord. So into battle we go with Jesus Christ’s name on our lips, always ready to confess, proclaim, preach, and bear witness to Him to a world that is ready to devour us (1 Peter 3:15). We believe and therefore we speak (2 Corinthians 4:13), for we know the one in whom we have believed (2 Timothy 1:12). Jesus Christ stands before us and with us today, calls and confronts us with His Word, looks us straight in the eye and asks: “But what about you? Who do you say I am?”