Christ Insight

Based On: Acts 4:8-12

Out of a burning bush God commissioned Moses and said, “I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” Moses was concerned. What if the Israelites ask who this God is who is sending him, “What is his name?” The Lord responded, “I AM WHO I AM.” Tell them “I AM” has sent you.

Based On: Isaiah 53:5

This is the day Christ died. As we hear the Scripture lessons being read we can almost see the body of Christ – his back torn by the scourge, blood dripping from his thorn pierced head. The nails in his hands and feet may be too gory to visualize, but there he hung on the cross to die. Not simply the death you and I will go through, but a separation from God – he suffered hell itself.

Why did Christ die? Why did he suffer hell? He didn’t break any laws. He never sinned against any human being, but loved each and every one of us. He never even sinned against God, but obeyed him perfectly. Why did God punish him?

Based On: Mark 15:37

Tonight let us look at Mark chapter 15, verse 37. “With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.” It was finally over. After hours of pain, torture and the shedding of much blood it finally ended. Christ was dead and our sins were paid for. It was Christ’s suffering and his last breath that won forgiveness for our sins.

The Bible mentions Jesus’ breath one other time. That was on the third day after his death on the cross. In the evening of that first Easter Jesus came to the disciples while they were in that locked room and the Bible says, “he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’”

The two events are intimately connected. On Good Friday Jesus died on the cross and paid the price for every sin that anyone has ever or will ever commit. On Easter Sunday Jesus tells his disciples, and therefore he tells the church, that they have the power to forgive or withhold forgiveness for sins.

Martin Luther said there are three things every Christian should know: the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer. These are the starting points for a study of the Christian faith and Luther made them the first three parts of his Small Catechism.

Tonight we continue our Lenten series on Luther’s Small Catechism as we look at the second chief part of the Catechism – the Apostle’s Creed.

Based on: Deuteronomy 18:15-20

“Do not be afraid.” That is one of the first things the angel said to the prophet Daniel when the angel appeared to him. And when an angel appeared to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and to the shepherds to announce the Savior’s birth, what were the first words those angels spoke? “Do not be afraid.” Why do the angels need to tell people not to be afraid? If the angels were the cute and sometimes baby like little creatures as often depicted, would they really need to say, “Do not be afraid”? No, probably not. Those visited by angels knew these creatures were powerful and holy. Daniel describes the angel that visited him as having a face like lightning, eyes like flaming torches, and a voice like the sound of a multitude. It is no wonder the angel had to tell Daniel, “Do not be afraid.” A visit from an angel would certainly cause us to be afraid, but to stand in the presence of the almighty God would be even more terrifying. God knows this and therefore instead of coming to us in his glory or sending an angel, the Lord raised up a Prophet from among us to speak his words to us.

Based on: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

“Listen to me!” Have you ever said those words? Or heard them? I imagine that most parents have said similar words and most children have heard them. Usually parents say this because they have something to say for the child’s own benefit – telling them how to behave in a God pleasing way or telling them something that will keep them safe. It isn’t only parents who say, “Listen to me!” While they might not use these words exactly, there are many who want us to listen to what they say for our own good. The doctor tells us to eat healthy and exercise, the dentist tells us to brush our teeth, and the government tells us to obey certain rules. Most important of all is what God tells us for our own good. He tells us about our Salvation. God is speaking. Listen to him and listen to those through whom he speaks.

Based on: Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength. What does this mean? God is a place to be safe from the attack of our enemies. He is a wall around us, and not only that, but he is our strength – he uses his power for our good – to crush anything that would cause us harm.

God is our refuge and strength. Was this true of her as well? Yes. God was her refuge and strength. Even though to look at her you might wonder, “Where was her refuge? Where was her strength?” She was bound to her wheelchair or to her bed – dependent on many others. She seemed vulnerable to the sickness or loneliness that attacked her. Yet, God was her refuge and strength.

Based On: Luke 10:17-20

Do you remember the great victory Elijah had over the prophets of Baal? The false god, Baal, couldn’t even produce a spark to ignite the offering that was set up in his name, but when Elijah called on the Lord, fire rained down on the offering Elijah had prepared – even the stones were consumed. It was a tremendous victory, but soon after this Elijah was running to hide – afraid and depressed. Did he see the real victory? The victory God had won in the hearts of 7000 people in Israel who did not worship Baal? What about the disciples? They saw Jesus heal the sick, cast out demons, and even raise the dead. They saw the power Jesus had, and yet when Jesus was crucified, they hid behind locked doors. Did they see the victory Jesus had won for them? What about you? Do you see the victory Christ won for you? He destroyed Satan’s power over you and even gives you authority over Satan. This victory is yours both now and forever.