March 7: The Third Sunday in Lent
And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies.” Genesis 22:15-17
Abraham did the right thing immediately before this passage. His faith manifested itself in obedience. More than that, it showed that he believed God’s promises in the worst situation imaginable. For three days journey he awaited the resurrection from the dead of his only beloved son on the hill of Calvary that would stem from the obedient sacrifice of his firstborn.
Wait, what was that? It’s shocking, I know, but think about it again: Abraham traveled/waited for 3 days to the place where Christ would be crucified. All along the way Hebrews 11:19 tells us Abraham trusted that God would raise the son from the dead. Not only that, but the son was silent at the time of the sacrifice. Remember Isaiah 53:7, “Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”
It’s a staggering narrative pointing us to the one true son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
But even in the passage to follow God renews the covenant, swearing by himself that Abraham would be blessed, his offspring multiplied as the stars of heaven the sands of the beach, and that his offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies. It’s poetic, beautiful, true, and inspiring. But most of all it continues to point us to Jesus!
Note the last line: “And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies.” Doesn’t it seem like it should say, “And your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies”? And the NIV translators actually translated it that way. But, hold the phone, the Hebrew word is not plural! Your offspring shall possess the gate, the Hebrew says, of his [singular!] enemies. Just in case we’re tempted to think his refers to Isaac alone, Galatians 3:16 takes care of that for you.
So just enjoy this without comment: For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. –1 Corinthians 15:22-26
And that’s the gospel! Come hear it preached and enacted in the supper with Jesus this Sunday.
The related hymns we’ll sing are:
Rejoice, the Lord is King
O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus
Take My Life, and Let it Be
MEN, don’t forget that our first Men’s Prayer Breakfast is coming this Saturday Morning, March 6 at 8:30! It will be at First Pres with our guys cooking and praying. Click here if you would like more information.
Sunday school for children (in Genesis) and adults (in Galatians) is up and running! Coffee and other treats are served at 9:15, teaching begins at 9:30, and we break to get ready for worship at 10:15.
Visitors are always welcome!