Day 32

3/9/2015

Hebrews 9:27-28 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Meditative thoughts: How does God’s daily invitation to repent and receive forgiveness change my view of Judgment Day? Why can I eagerly look for Jesus and Judgment Day to come?

Judy Grulke

3/8/2015 11:37:14 pm

http://steadfastlutherans.org/2015/03/08-sermon-henrickson/

“The Cross of Christ, the Tree of Life” (1 Corinthians 1:18-31)

… You know, we have a section of the liturgy that captures this very irony, about the tree in the garden that brought death, and the tree of the cross that overcame death. It’s the Proper Preface for Holy Week, and it goes like this: “It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who accomplished the salvation of mankind by the tree of the cross that, where death arose, there life also might rise again and that the serpent who overcame by the tree of the garden might likewise by the tree of the cross be overcome.”

What a wonderful reality this is! Christ’s cross is for us, then, the tree of life! Jesus was lifted up on that tree for you! He bore your sins! He took the curse of death there for you, in your place! His blood cleanses you from all your sins. His righteousness covers your guilt. And with the forgiveness of sins, death has no more power over you. You have an eternal future to look forward to. The grave will not hold you. You will rise to live forever in a perfectly restored creation. Christ’s resurrection guarantees it. Christ’s return will manifest it. Faith in Christ clings to this promise. Hope springs forward, not merely one hour, but hope springs forward to that time when everything will change.

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Day 32

Walking in the Word