Thursday, December 11, 2014
2 Timothy 4:17-18 (NKJV) But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
HE COMES IN THE WORD
ADVENT means COMING. Thus during the season of Advent we prepare for the celebration of Christ's first coming in humility while also preparing for His Second Coming in glory. Today we are reminded that He comes in the Word to strengthen and build us up in faith.
CHRIST came humbly to redeem sinners. Christ still comes in baptism to cleanse and in the Lord's Supper to comfort poor sinners. The Spirit of God works faith through Word and Sacrament and strengthens that faith through the Word and the Sacrament of the Altar.
CHRIST still isn't done with us. The Lord Jesus is still actively involved in our lives as He was in the life of the apostle Paul. The Book of Acts shows how the Lord Jesus strengthened and built up Paul's faith through the message he proclaimed. The Spirit wanted Timothy and wants us to be assured of the same and thus these words are recorded for us in Holy Scripture. The same Christ who stood by Paul and strengthened him also delivered him from every evil work and preserved him for His Heavenly Kingdom. He is doing the same for you and for me. To Him be the glory forever and ever!
CHRIST who came in humility to save still comes to strengthen and build up sinners through His Word of Promise, and that's why we gather to hear His Word.
Jesus comes in joy and sorrow, shares alike our hopes and fears;
Jesus comes, whate'er befalls us, glads our hearts, and dries our tears;
Alleluia! Alleluia! Cheering e'en our failing years.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 56:4)
