Holy Saturday - Easter Vigil - Died and Buried for you

This years Lenten Sermons are adapted from a series prepared by Pastor Brent Kuhlman, Murdock, NE.

Matthew 27:57-66 - Dead & Buried: For You!

The eternal Son of God is dead. The Good Friday hymn “O Darkest Woe” puts it very starkly and appropriately: O grosse Not! Gott selbst ist tot! God Himself is dead! And buried. In the body of the God-Man Jesus. It’s all according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15). Joseph spent three years as good as dead in jail. Samson was locked up in Gaza. Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den. Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days and nights. And now the Lord Jesus rests in the belly of the earth – three days and three nights.

For your sake He died on the Cross. For your benefit the Lord uses a secret disciple to audaciously ask Pilate for permission to bury Christ’s corpse. Yes, all this is for your good. Even Christ’s burial counts for you!

All your sins are buried and sealed in Christ’s grave. Jesus has buried them all in the black hole of His tomb. They cannot accuse you or condemn you any longer in God’s presence.

In addition, Christ’s burial in a borrowed grave hallows or holies or adorns your grave! In His burial Jesus comes and touches your grave with His Holy Body which even in the midst of His death remains the Temple of the living God!

This means that your grave is no longer just a box for your body but a sleeping room for the living! After all, Christ’s body that lies in the grave turns your grave into a resting place. You, who believe in Jesus, will not remain in the cemetery. You, just like the risen Jesus, will be given new life on the Day of Resurrection. For Jesus is the Firstfruits of them that sleep.

Until then you are given to live in your Baptism every day. God’s way of rehearsing you for your rest in the grave and you’re your resurrection on the Last Day. Every day your old Adam must die and be interred with Christ. Every day the new man of faith emerges and arises to live before God in the righteousness and purity of Christ Himself. Death to sin. New life through faith in Christ. Death – Resurrection. Daily. That’s the life of the Christian described by the apostle Paul in Romans 6: “All of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death. We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death.” And: “We know that our old man was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be done away with.” In order for the new man to arise with Christ and live by faith in Him, the old Adam must die daily with all sin and evil desires through contrition and repentance.

Now, when the day of your death and burial comes, your grave and the cemetery are just resting places. For Jesus, in His burial, has sanctified your grave with the touch of His Holy Body. And in Holy Baptism Jesus has wrapped you in His burial clothes and His grave so that by the power of His death, burial and resurrection you will be raised bodily and given eternal life.

Christ’s enemies wanted to keep Him in the grave forever. Sealed it and secured it with guards. But all their cunning and strength were no match for Him. Your enemies of sin, death, and Satan would keep you in the grave forever. But because of Jesus who was buried for you they cannot hold you there. Your grave is just a place of rest after all your work on this earth until the Day of Resurrection.

So, on the day we bury your graveyard dead body six feet under it will be like we’re putting one of our children to bed at night. Tucking them in until morning. For we know that in the morning it will be time to get up. So we’ll tuck you in your bed with a little dirt and wait for the resurrection morn to come. At the grave we will pray: “O Lord Jesus Christ, by Your three-day rest in the tomb You hallowed the graves of all who believe in You, promising resurrection to our mortal bodies. Bless this grave that the body of our brother may sleep here in peace until You awaken him to glory …” And then we will commit your body to the ground in the sure and certain confidence of the hope of the resurrection to eternal life through Jesus who will change your lowly body to be like Christ’s glorious body.

All this for you because Jesus died, WAS BURIED, and rose according to the Scriptures. He is your life even in death. Even in His burial.

In the Name of Jesus.

The Tomb of Jesus

Tenebrae Good Friday - Water, Blood and Spirit

This years Lenten Sermons are adapted from a series prepared by Pastor Brent Kuhlman, Murdock, NE. 

John 19:17-37; 1 John 5:5-7 Apostles’ Creed / Third Article: Water, Blood & Spirit

“It is finished.” Many tried to keep Him from saying that. Bystanders, soldiers, the religious authoritarian thugs, and one of the criminals hanging next to Him. All instruments of and temptations from Satan himself! “Come down!” they shrieked. “Save yourself! If you’re truly the King of the Jews – the promised Messiah, God’s own Son -- hop right off that cross! After all, we all know that God’s Son can’t die! So get down! And then start this salvation business from scratch! Get a kingdom of God cranked up like it’s supposed to be: without all this weak, ineffective, brutal suffering nonsense! Keep this up and we know that you’re just a fraud!”

He says it nonetheless! “It is finished!” And what He says He does!

And that’s salvation! The redemption job: done. The history of the world and the universe comes to its ultimate climax here. He who suffers under Pontius Pilate is the hinge, the linchpin, upon which the world’s rescue hangs – the fulcrum upon which it turns.

“It is finished.” He speaks. Just like in the beginning. “Let there be light.” And it was so. So now here: “Let there be salvation.” And it is so. And it is very good! Perfectly done! The Father is well pleased with this sacrifice that ends in His Son’s bloody death. Always has been. Always will be. And so all your sin is answered for in this Passover Lamb’s body hanging graveyard dead on the Tree. He is the atoning sacrifice for all your sin.

Yes, that’s right, all! All the sin you know. All that you don’t know. All the sin you love to do. All you hate to do. All sin! He didn’t leave any of your sin or any of its punishment out of His Good Friday suffering. Total Savior. He does what He says: “It is finished.” Your salvation has been won! Jesus died for you!

What a treasure! What a gift! He would now bestow and give to you the benefits of His “It Is Finished” death on the Tree.

So look what He does – even in death! For you His side, His life giving flesh is sliced wide open. The solder takes a spear. Pierces the second and last Adam’s side in the deep sleep of death. And miraculously, from this second and last Adam’s rib (if you will) flows a stream of water and blood! Water and blood!

What does this mean? Listen to 1 John 5: “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. This is the one who came by WATER and BLOOD – Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by WATER and BLOOD.” And then John expands who’s at work for you in Christ’s WATER and BLOOD that flowed from His Body on the Cross. “And it is the SPIRIT who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the SPIRIT, the WATER, and the BLOOD and the three are in agreement.”

Do you get John’s point? John is telling you why WATER and BLOOD flowed from the Savior’s Body. WATER, BLOOD, and HOLY SPIRIT testify – they give witness that Jesus is indeed God’s Son. Just like the sky going black, the earthquakes, the rocks splitting wide open, the temple curtain torn in two from top to bottom and the tombs of many holy ones breaking open -- so too the WATER, BLOOD AND HOLY SPIRIT cry out that Jesus truly is the Savior of the world!

And more. Even today the WATER, BLOOD, AND SPIRIT testify to Jesus. The Spirit, at work in the church, through the proclamation of the Word proclaims the good news that Jesus got the salvation job done for you! Do you remember Jesus’ promise: “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who goes out from the Father, HE WILL TESTIFY ABOUT ME,” (John 15:26) “The Spirit will bring glory to me. He will take what belongs to me [salvation] and make it known to you,” (John 16:14). The holy office of preaching is the very office of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3) by which He calls you by the Gospel and enlightens you with Christ’s gifts -- the benefits of Calvary!

WATER, BLOOD, AND SPIRIT. The water of Holy Baptism and the Blood of the Sacrament of the Altar hooked with Christ’s Word are the Spirit-filled -- Lord and Giver of Life witness to the Savior who died for you on this day we call “Good.” Yes, these two sacraments are the Spirit’s own witness that you are forgiven, redeemed, and saved only for Christ’s sake! In fact, they are the very means / instruments by which He grants you the benefits Jesus won for you.

From the first Adam’s side God fashioned a wife. “Bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh,” Adam said of Eve. Now from the deep sleep of death God fashions a bride for the second and last Adam, Jesus. And she is the church. Created and sustained from the WATER and BLOOD that flow from Christ’s side. The church, Christ’s holy bride, is bone of His bones and flesh of His flesh (Ephesians 5)!

WATER AND BLOOD -- from the side of Jesus. The Holy Spirit uses the two sacraments in the church to wash and cleanse you from all sin. To quench the thirst of God’s wrath against you. You are saved through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit in the baptismal flood (Titus 3). Born from above by water and the Spirit (John 3). Kept with Jesus in the true faith through the cup of the new testament in His blood shed for you for the forgiveness of all your sins.

After all, the WATER and the BLOOD that flow from His side are the WATER and BLOOD of God’s very own Son in which all the fullness of the deity dwells. Life-giving WATER. Life bestowing BLOOD!

“It is finished!” (Salvation, that is!) And that very good salvation is delivered for you. Jesus says so. “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved,” (Mark 16). “Given and shed for you. And I promise that you’re forgiven,” (Matthew 26). His words are Spirit and they are life: FOR YOU!

In the Name of Jesus.

Lent Midweek 4 - 2011 - 2nd Article of the Creed - Not with Gold or Silver

This year's Lenten midweek sermons are from a series prepared by Pastor Brent Kuhlman, of Murdock, NE.

High treason! Charged with perverting the nation, forbidding people from paying their taxes, and claiming to be a king! Paint the preacher as a radical! An agitator! A menace! Against all law and order! He’s a threat to society!


False charges of course. Jesus was innocent. Completely. But the hatred against Him was so heated. So immense. Let’s see if the governor will fall for it. Especially the charge that the preacher claims to be a king. Make the preacher out to be a danger to the Roman government. The governor will have no choice. And then we’ll eliminate that Jesus fellow once and for all!

But Jesus is innocent! And Pilate knows it. Five times the governor says it. “I find no fault in this man. You don’t have a case against this man.” “I have examined him … and have found nothing in this man guilty of any of your charges against and neither did Herod.” The splendid white robe, although done in jest by Herod, was what Romans put on a man elected to the office of mayor. Even the governor’s wife knew the truth. “Don’t have anything to do with this preacher! I’ve had a horrible dream about shedding innocent blood!”

Governor Pilate knows that Jesus is innocent. And he knows that there are absolutely no legal grounds to sentence the preacher to death! So he plays another card. All right then, bring out Barabbas. You know, the Benedict Arnold. Yes, criminal Barabbas notorious for his treason and murder in the rebellion. The governor will play the odds. Surely the chances are in Jesus’ favor. These Jews, given the choice, will certainly pick the

preacher and send the real Benedict Arnold Barabbas packing to his solitary cell on death row. After all, the real criminal is Barabbas, not the preacher! So, “which of the two do you want me to release for you?”

The governor’s gamble doesn’t pay off. He played the wrong card. Outrageously the chief priests and elders shout: “Put the preacher to death! Let Barabbas off the hook! We’re willing to let Barabbas walk our streets! But not this Jesus! He’s an absolute peril to our children and society!”

Shocked, the governor tries to reason with them. “Look folks. Calm down for a second! Take a deep breath. The preacher may be a little weird. I’ll grant you that. But legally He’s done nothing wrong. He doesn’t deserve the death penalty at all. How many times do I have to tell you?” But the shouts grow louder and louder: “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

The governor tries another approach. Maybe a flogging will satisfy the crowds. Surely when they see such a brutal and bloody beating, the intense humiliation and mockery at the hands of the soldiers, they will have had enough, drop all the false charges, and go home. Not hardly! They’re at the point of rioting. “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!

And then Jesus’ enemies pull out the biggest trump card of all – the religious one! “We have a law. And that law is from the Bible. Moses, the greatest prophet of God says this Jesus must die because He claims to be God’s Son!” If you can’t get rid of Jesus through the civil statutes, then pull off a clincher: divine law! It certainly gives Pilate pause. Even frightens him. “Where are you from Jesus? Why won’t you speak to me? Don’t you know who I am? I have the power of life and death over you!” Jesus finally speaks up: “The power that you have over me comes from above. And he who has trumped up all these charges against me and handed me over to you has the greater sin.” And Pilate keeps on trying to have Jesus released. But to no avail.

“If you let this preacher go, you’ll be asking for trouble with a capital T. Caesar won’t like it one bit that you allow a pretender king to walk freely on the streets! So get rid of Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him! We have no king but Caesar!”

And then the unthinkable! The governor shirks his duty to set the completely innocent Jesus free. He washes his hands of the whole affair. He sets Barabbas free and orders Jesus to be crucified! In order to satisfy the riotous crowd the governor buckles. The innocent of everything Jesus is sentenced to death by crucifixion!

“Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” You said it too! You too desperately wanted the preacher dead. You didn’t want Him. He was a threat to your sovereignty. Just like our first parents Adam and Eve that wanted to kill God and make themselves into little deities! “His blood be on us and our children! We’ll take full responsibility! Hand me those nails! Give me that hammer!” Our last-ditch attempt to dethrone God and install and crown ourselves as His replacement! What evil! What treachery! What villainy! What monstrous sin!

And Jesus suffers all of it innocently! Takes it all! Completely! Totally! For you! For your salvation! Scripture puts it this way in Psalm 118: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. The Lord made this happen and it is a miracle before our eyes.”

Yes, this is God’s plan. His magnificent, miraculous way of saving the lost -- those offended by Stone Jesus – those that put Him to death so calculatingly, cunningly, and coolly! That’s you. That’s me.

The Small Catechism puts is this way: Lord Jesus, true God and true man, has redeemed me a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, death, and the power of the devil, not with gold or silver BUT WITH HIS HOLY PRECIOUS BLOOD AND HIS INNOCENT SUFFERING AND DEATH!

Innocent Jesus suffers. Not because He has sinned. He suffers on account of all our sins. Yes, our sins. All of them. Every last one of them. He leaves none out. And He bears them in His body all the way to the cross. “The Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all,” (Isaiah 53:6). “He was crushed for our iniquities,” (Isaiah 53:5). “Numbered [counted] with sinners,” (Isaiah 53:12). He who knew no sin became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21)!

Jesus was flogged to set you free from the whipping of God’s eternal wrath and damnation. Jesus endured the crushing fists and stinging reed to His face so that you will never have to experience the forevermore beatings of Satan’s angels in hell. Jesus was crowned with thorns for you in order to crown you in heaven. Jesus was wounded for you in order to heal you. Jesus died for you so that death is now changed to the doorway to heaven. Your sins are His. They don’t belong to you. All your sin was counted against Jesus. God doesn’t count them against you anymore. All is forgiven! Because of Jesus’ innocent suffering and death on your behalf!

“Behold the man!” He has redeemed you. Purchased and won you from all sins, from death, from the power of the devil. How? Not with gold or silver but with His holy precious blood and His innocent suffering and death. His innocent blood is on you and on your children. In this way: to purify and cleanse you from all sin. You are no longer guilty. There is therefore no condemnation for those who are covered with the Good Friday blood of Jesus. That is the absolute truth!

In the Name of Jesus.

Lent Midweek - 2011 - 2nd Article of the Creed - Jesus the God/Man

This years Lenten Midweek Sermons are from a series prepared by Pastor Brent Kuhlman of Murdock, NE. 

Passion Reading: The Lord’s Supper
Apostles’ Creed / Second Article: Jesus Christ – True God & True Man!

Who is this Jesus? The Small Catechism answers the question this way: Jesus is true God. And He is true man. Begotten of the Father from eternity. Born of the Virgin Mary.

Strange God – this man Jesus. Inconceivable to speak of God this way, isn’t it? After all, shouldn’t a God be a God only when He stays put way up in heaven. When He doesn’t concern Himself with all the messy stuff down here in the rough and tumble of this broken world. God is God when He stays in eternity – speaks to Himself – gazes at Himself – thinks only about Himself – THAT’S A GOD! He wouldn’t be God if He gets involved in the rot, filth, and gunk of our lives and planet.

And yet the Small Catechism confesses that this man Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary is God - begotten of the Father from eternity! Yes, this man Jesus –flesh and bones – arms and legs –eyes and ears Jesus IS GOD. God in the flesh. Who came down from heaven. Who was incarnate – enfleshed by the Holy Spirit-filled Word spoken into Mary’s ears by the angel Gabriel.

Dr. Luther in one of his Christmas sermons hammers home this point: Jesus, Immanuel, God with us, is “with us in the muck and work of our lives so much that his skin smokes” (WA 4:608,32-609,1). In other words, the body of Jesus is just chuck full of God! So much so that His skin smokes with divinity!

And yet look how it goes with the God-man Jesus whose skin smokes with divinity! During the meal the Twelve have a scrum. Peter says he’s the greatest among them. After all, didn’t Jesus give him the keys of the kingdom? Matthew objects. He’s able to keep all the kingdom’s finances in order. James and John lose their tempers with all kinds of talk of calling down fire from heaven. And then Simon the Zealot ready to throw a few punches. And if that isn’t enough, Satan has taken advantage of all this chaos. Devilishly, he infiltrates one of their hearts. Judas Iscariot who held the moneybag.

Imagine that! An apostle’s heart possessed by Satan! In order to be the red dragon’s instrument! To betray God-man Jesus into death!

Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you that one of you will betray me.” And even though the prospect of this betrayal pains Him immensely, He doesn’t seem too concerned to put a stop to it! He will let himself be handed over and killed. Is that how God should act?

Can you really have a God like that? What God would allow such fighting among His followers? What God would suffer like this? To die? What God speaks of such deceit and demise in this strange way: “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and in Him God is glorified”?

Not a God we would picture! It doesn’t makes sense. Such a God repulses many in this world. People are disgusted by the picture of a crucifix, and the understanding that our God came specifically to die for you and for your sins. The world hates that Jesus could be found in a wretched, sweaty human body that is susceptible to sores and colic, has to stuff itself with porridge and go to the bathroom like we do. It is blasphemy.”

Would you have a God like that? A God that is born of a woman? Who coughs, hungers, and defecates? A God who is betrayed? You don’t have a choice. He is who He is -- this man – this God-man Jesus. He makes the choice. He interrupts our lives. The time and space in which we live in order to redeem it. To recreate it.

And look at how all-the-fullness-of-the-Godhead-dwelling-bodily-in-Jesus does it! He takes off his clothes. Wraps Himself in a towel. And then does the unthinkable! He washes and dries each one of the apostles’ grimy, filthy, feet! He hosts the Passover like a Servant. God Jesus – the Servant! Not for Himself. But for sinners!

God Jesus lives not for Himself – but for you! He’s all about your wellbeing – not His! His concern is for you! He sees you. His heart goes out to you. To save you. From sin’s pollution, from death’s icy grip, from hell’s forevermore damnation!

And so He goes deep into our world, taking on our flesh. True God begotten of the Father from eternity is also true man born of the Virgin Mary. In Jesus, God is a man and that man Jesus is God! For you!

Friends, that’s Calvary. There, God-man Jesus does the unthinkable! He dies. He dies because He carries all your sin and all its condemnation. Yes, that right, God-man Jesus endures the damnation that all sinners deserve. And by doing so He rescues you from God’s eternal wrath. In short, you are saved, in the Good Friday dying of that God who is a man and that man who is God!

And even today, he is among us as one who serves. Servant God-man Jesus! He put His name on you at the font. He cleansed you with the water and Word of Holy Baptism. In that washing Jesus purified the whole lot of you: body and soul. In baptism, you’re now part of Him. One with Him. Behold how far He comes to save you! Calvary.

So that as Jesus lived for others, you too do the same. Wrapping yourself in a towel, if you will, and washing the feet of others as a servant. The fruit of the Lord’s Supper’s forgiveness is that you live as little, servant “christs.” Having hearts that love the neighbor in need. Not shying away from those that are hurt, unloved, or despised. But going deep -- deep down in service for such people.

That is His good use for you now as you trust His promise that He died for you.

What a God! What a Savior! That’s Jesus!

In the Name of Jesus.

Ash Wednesday 2011

This years Lenten Midweek sermons are prepared by Pastor Brent Kuhlman from Murdock NE. They are examining the 2nd Article of the Creed. This is the sermon for Ash Wednesday.


Joel 2:12-19

The Lord has created you. Given you your body and soul. Eyes and ears and all your members. Your reason and all your senses. And He still takes care of them. He’s the Creator. You’re His creation. Everything that you have comes from God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. He defends you against all danger. Guards and protects you from all evil. Why? Because of His fatherly mercy and goodness. That’s right! ONLY because of His fatherly divine mercy and goodness! Incredible!

And what do you do? You’re not satisfied being the human being He’s created. You insist on being in control. Self-made men/women! In control of your own destiny! You fear, love, and trust in yourself above all things. Curved in on yourself! A god unto yourself! Yes, that’s right I said it: A GOD UNTO YOURSELF! And so like Adam and Eve we wannabe deities end up running away and hiding! Don’t want to the Lord to find us. Because if He does … well … it all might end sulfurically and hellaciously!

So the Lord sends a pastor. Joel. Pastor Joel comes to you with the Lord’s words. So when you hear Joel – you’re hearing the Lord Himself through His words. You’re squared up to the Lord as Joel speaks the Lord’s words to you.

Joel doesn’t mess around. No chit chat. No talk about the weather today. He goes right to the heart of the matter. And what’s that? Your relationship with the Lord. Or – the Lord’s relationship with you! And that just might surprise you. Shock you!

“Return to me,” says the Lord. In other words, “repent!” Turn from your sin. From your idolatries. From your wicked ways. From your self-centeredness. That’s the way you were going: the road to damnation. Now it’s time to go a different direction. A new course -- the path of salvation. And that’s the turn back to the Lord. “Return to me with all your heart.” That’s a new heart. A heart that confesses: “I’m a filthy rancid sinner. Rotten to the core. I have sinned against you Lord. I have done what is evil in your sight. I have lived only for myself. I have not loved you Lord, or my neighbor. I only love myself. I’m so, so self-absorbed. I deserve nothing but your temporal and eternal punishment.”

That’s so true. Finally, the truth comes out. It’s about time. The Lord has shined the lamp of His Word into the light of our darkness. We are sinners. And what we deserve from the Lord frightens the your know what out of us. We’re scared …

But now we come to the biggest question, the biggest issue in your life, both now and forever. It’s the eternal life or death question. What will God do with you? His creature that has rebelled? His creature that runs away and hides? Will He damn you as you deserve?

Only if YOU insist on it.

But the Lord’s cup of tea is “mercy.” He is very bullish on NOT giving you what you deserve. Pastor Propet Joel categorically proclaims to you this day: “Return to the LORD your God.” God the Father Almighty the maker of heaven and earth! God the Father Almighty who created you! “Return! Repent!” Why? Because … (newsflash everyone!) … the Lord, “is gracious and compassionate. Slow to anger. Abounding in steadfast love.”

WHAT A SHOCKER! A MAGNIFICENT SURPRISE! The Lord isn’t who you thought He was! All along you believe falsely about Him. You feared that He was only out to get you. That He couldn’t wait to get in your face and give you a piece of His mind. And then give you precisely what you deserve. But none of that with the Lord! He’s overflowing with love for you! The very person He created.

He sticks with you – His creature -- through thick and thin. He’s in this relationship with you for the long haul. He remains faithful. Ever faithful. Forever faithful. Just as He’s promised. Genesis 3:15. The covenant He made with Abraham. And with Israel at Mount Sinai.

But what about God’s anger? What about God’s judgment? Where did all that go? If you’re not on the receiving end of damnation for your sin, who got stuck with it?

The answer is: JESUS. Who took on our human flesh. Conceived and born without sin, of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary. Jesus: Your suffering Servant. Who willingly endured all of God’s damning wrath. Where? As he hung suspended between heaven and earth! Stapled to the Tree of Calvary!

What? Jesus damned? Jesus condemned? Yes. Absolutely. Because He who knew no sin was made to be sin as He was numbered with the transgressors. There at Calvary -- He carried all your sin. The world’s sin. In His body. He made satisfaction and answered for all of it. He left none out. Laid on Him was the entire load of your filthy, rotten iniquities! And when all your sin was heaped on Him the Law came and said: “You must die! You are cursed – damned!”

What joy! The Father damns Jesus as the “greatest thief, murderer, adulterer, robber, desecrator, blasphemer, ect. there has ever been anywhere in the world.” Jesus clothed and wrapped Himself in your sin on the Cross. It all belongs to Him. Your sin is His. He took it away from you so that the Law attacks and kills Him.

And since all your sin is laid on Him -- it is no longer on you! Jesus dies – He is damned -- as the guilty one – with all your sin! And so, for Jesus’ sake, you are forgiven. Absolved from all your sin and set free from all its damnation.

Jesus has done the salvation job! All for you.

So, “return to the LORD your God.” Why? “Because He is gracious and compassionate. He is slow to anger. And He abounds (overflows) with love.” That’s Jesus. The Good Friday Jesus who dies for you. The Good Friday Jesus who sheds His sacrificial Blood on the Cross in order to answer for all your sin and its damnation. The Good Friday Jesus who says tonight: “Eat and drink. Do you see that bread? It’s my Body. Do you see that cup? It’s my Blood. The Good Friday Body and Blood that answered for all your sin.”

What a God! The complete opposite of what you would expect. Mercy! Forgiveness! Life! Salvation! For sinners! For you! Given in and through His Son Jesus!

“Return to the LORD your God for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding is in love.”

In the Name of Jesus.