Wednesday of Lent 4

Wednesday of Lent 4, March 14, 2018        Isaiah 49:8-15

The Lord’s Servant, the Savior, will administer not only the sword of Gods Law but also the salvation delivered to you through the Gospel. In the Year of Jubilee (See Leviticus 25) land was returned to its original owners and prisoners were set free. (See Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:16-21) 

From the eternal heights, God sees deadly struggles as a thing of the past. God’s eternal vies shows that the time of humiliation has become “a time of favor” the day of agony has turned into “ a day of salvation.” The Servant’s suffering was an atoning sacrifice and so by His victory God extends favor and salvation to the people of Israel and to all prisoners held by Satin the dungeon of sin and death.1   

We live in an imperfect world. Outside of Eden. Yet there will come a day. When all will be forgotten, or if it is remembered, it will be as one remembers a dream. When Christ returns on the last great and final day all will be made right. We look forward to that transformation. Already we are being changed. That ultimate renewal will comes when Jesus breaks again into time and space and time will be no more. 

Hymn: Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good (Lutheran Service Book 819:4)
He never shall forsake His flock,
His chosen generation,
He is their refuge and their rock, 
Their peace and their salvation.
As with a mother’s tender hand,
He leads His own, His chosen band:
To God all praise and glory!

O Lord our God, You sustained Your people in the wilderness with bread from heaven: Feed now Your pilgrim flock with the food that endures to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen 2

1. Lutheran Study Bible, © 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

2. Collect for Wednesday of Lent 4, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm