Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 1:14

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From the Word: And the Word became flesh, and settled among us, and we have regarded his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

From the Confessions: The Small Catechism 

The Second Article

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

What does this mean?

I believe that Jesus Christ — true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary — is my Lord. He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, and has freed me from sin, death, and the power of the devil, not with silver and gold, but with his holy and precious blood and his innocent suffering and death. He has done all this in order that I might be his own, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as he is risen from the dead and lives and reigns for all eternity. This is most certainly true!

Pulling It Together: Just as God settled among his people in the Old Testament, God now “tabernacles” among those who believe. He does so through his Son, Christ Jesus, who is the exact image of God (Col 1:15). It is not enough for God to be far off and heavenly; he is God among us. He is God who dwells among us so fully that he has experienced the human condition, suffering in every way (Heb 4:15) so that he is able to redeem us in all ways. Christ Jesus is “God made flesh,” though still glorious God, one person with two natures: divine and human. Because he is both, and full of grace and truth, he is inclined to be merciful toward our single nature: human, flawed, in need of forgiveness. He is faithful to be so; this is entirely true.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being faithful to God and mankind. Amen.

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