Grace Notes 2022-03-08

What are the most salient points in telling the story of Jesus? That is what the meditations for our Lenten Midweek Service is all about, for they are appropriately meditations on the Second Article of the Apostle’s Creed. These meditations will be broken down into four parts. They are first, “The Mystery Person: The God/Man.” Second, “Our Lost and Condemned Status.” Third, “Redeemed by His Blood.” And fourth, “That I May Be His Own.”

It is important to see Jesus’ story as the culmination of the grand narrative of the whole of Scripture. You might think of the grand scheme of things described with three words: Creation, Fall, and Redemption. The Bible speaks of how a good creation became corrupted by sin and then how God went about the work to redeem and restore His creation, especially that part of His creation created in His image and likeness, but who had rebelled and sinned and brought corruption to the rest of creation.

The key elements of Jesus’ story are His unusual birth, His remarkable public ministry, His innocent and sacrificial death, His surprising third-day bodily resurrection, His subsequent ascension along with His promise to return and close out this present age.

Concerning Jesus’ birth it was not by agency of a human father, but by the Holy Spirit as His human mother, Mary, conceived in her womb and carried her son to birth and then nurtured Him to adulthood.

Concerning His public ministry Jesus performed many signs and wonders, including casting out demons and raising the dead. His teaching was audaciously direct and with authority, it was also memorable as He taught of the Kingdom often in parables.

Concerning His execution by death on the Cross, there were no legitimate charges. He did not resist the miscarriage of justice but acted and behaved as if that was what He came for. And Hissubsequent resurrection and ascension is proof positive that He could deliver what He promised: salvation from sin, death, and the devil.

Since You Asked…

Does the receiving of money offerings play a significant role in the worship service? Yes, more than you might think! Cash is one of the strongest symbols in modern culture. When we offer our money on the altar it should represent our time and effort – our very selves. In early Christian worship gifts-in-kind were handled during the weekly assemblage. In our post-industrial societies, we now exchange in paper or metal symbols. The offering of our selves upon the altar is in response to God’s love proclaimed in the Good News and in anticipation of how God offers back that which is entrusted to him. During the moment of offering we also offer bread and wine upon the altar, and in return these gifts are offered back to us as the very body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.