Friday, December 7, 2018
Jeremiah 33:15-16 "In those days and at that time I will cause to grow up to David a Branch of righteousness . . . And this is the name by which she will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS."
THE PROMISED BRANCH OF DAVID (4)
This is one of the most wonderful prophecies of the Messiah in Jeremiah (an echo of what he had written in 23:5-6). Jesus the Messiah would make it possible for His subjects to be accounted righteous in God's sight, and thus be saved for time and eternity.
"And this is the name by which she [that is, the holy city of believers] will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS."
THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS sums up the whole message of Scripture. The Lord Himself is our righteousness. For that to be true, He had to become flesh and dwell among us, to live a perfect life, innocently suffering, dying, and rising again, thus winning for us poor sinners justification and reconciliation with God the Father, full forgiveness of all sins.
What a beautiful Advent text for those waiting anxiously in this world of sin and sorrow, trial and tribulation -- waiting both for another celebration of Christ's birth, but even more for His Second Coming in glory to take all His believers from this vale of tears to Himself in heaven.
As the People's Bible Commentary sums it up: "Here is the door that opens heaven and keeps it open: The Lord is our righteousness; yes, the Lord is MY righteousness. What He did, He did for ME. He has made ME His own. This is MY certainty, MY hope, MY confidence: The Son of God . . . loved ME and gave Himself for ME."
Fellow believers: Behold your King, a Branch of David, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS!
Hail, the heav'nly Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings, Ris'n with healing in His wings.
Mild He leaves His throne on high, Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth; Born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King!"
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 94:3)
