Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Jacob


Genesis 25-37, 42, 45-49










Jacob who had already received the birthright from his brother Esau deceived his father in receiving the blessing. Although Esau thought nothing of his birthright, Jacob received it from the deception of his mother.  At Bethel the Lord reminds Jacob not only that the blessing was his but that through him and his descendant a bridge between earth and heaven would be established. Jesus affirms that He is that ladder. (see John 1:51)

Jesus is the mediator between God and man. For our salvation, to win our peace He broke into time and space to be our only Savior. Sin, which caused a deep wedge of separation between God and man, has now been removed through the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. We now have peace with God through His Son Jesus. Jacob’s dream revealed this reality. You now know it by faith.  Christ makes all the difference in the world. He is the stairway to heaven, the gate that leads to eternal life. Through Him, we now have peace with God.

Merciful Father, through Holy Baptism You called us to be Your own possession. Grant that our lives may evidence the working of Your Holy Spirit in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, according to the image of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Schnorr von Carolsfeld Woodcut used with permission © WELS 
Halley’s Bible Handbook An Abbreviated Bible Commentary Twenty-Third Edition, © 1962 Zondervan Grand Rapids
Collect for Life as a baptized child of God, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

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