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Q. 40. Why was it requisite that the mediator should be God and man in one person?
A. It was requisite that the mediator, who was to reconcile God and man, should himself be both God and man, and this in one person, that the proper works of each nature might be accepted of God for us, and relied on by us, as the works of the whole person.

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. (Hebrews 9:15)

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

Thoughts: On the one hand Christ holds the hand of the Father.  He is His beloved Son- the Father even said so at Christ’s baptism and transfiguration.  On the other hand, Christ holds our hand.  He reconciles us to God- bringing the Father to us and us to the Father.  The cross's arms reach from heaven to the earth.

Prayer: Thank you, God-man, for coming and reconciling us to God.  May we be ambassadors of your reconciliation too.

19- 3/11- 3^rd Sunday in Lent- (WLC- 39)

Q. 39. Why was it requisite that the mediator should be man?
A. It was requisite that the mediator should be man, that he might advance our nature, perform obedience to the law, suffer and make intercession for us in our nature, have a fellow-feeling of our infirmities; that we might receive the adoption of sons, and have comfort and access with boldness unto the throne of grace.

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:5)

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. (Hebrews 4:14-15)

Thoughts: Lest we think God is uncaring, He came.  He was tired, He was thirsty, He suffered on the cross, He felt our mocking and persecution and the nails.  So we do not have a great high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but He was tempted in every way.   Christ came to show us it is possible and better to resist temptation.  One of the favorite titles Jesus used of Himself was "Son of Man."  Christ was indeed divine, but He is not so far above us that He is not "God with us"- Immanuel. 

Prayer: Thank you for showing me Jesus, that it is possible and wonderful to resist sin.  Keep me from despair, but show mercy to me.  

(Christ before Pilate- Jan Van Almsted 1542)

3/10/12- Why A Mediator who is God and Man?

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Q. 38. Why was it requisite that the mediator should be God?
A. It was requisite that the mediator should be God, that he might sustain and keep the human nature from sinking under the infinite wrath of God, and the power of death; give worth and efficacy to his sufferings, obedience, and intercession; and to satisfy God's justice, procure his favor, purchase a peculiar people, give his Spirit to them, conquer all their enemies, and bring them to everlasting salvation.

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8)

The Word became flesh and lived among us.  We have seen His glory , the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father full of grace and truth.  (John 1:14)

Thoughts: Christ the God-man mediates between God and us.  He tells us- and embodies to us- the love and care of God.  If God cares enough to become human in order to save us, does He not care about what we do, how we speak, and what we think?  God is not so distant that He is not love.  Christ is Immanuel- God with us.  That Christ, the infinite God, embodied  flesh means His sufferings and prayers have infinite value.  Once an emissary from the Archbishop of Canterbury in Britain went to Lebannon and released four captives substituting himself for them.  He was in captivity from 1987 to 1991, and most considered him dead for several years until he was suddenly released.  Christ’s value is not worth four- but because He is God- He is worth all of humanity forever.  He is the Creator of all- and without Him none of us would ever be here.  The Son of God mediates to the Father-God asking for our release paid for by His ransom on the cross. 

Prayer: May I remember your humility in becoming human, and imitate your love by giving myself to others, Lord. 

(Terry Waite, Mediator between the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Terrorists in Lebannon who held  several captive: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Waite) 

(Terry Waite commenting on John Bunyan postcard and prayers of those while he was in captivity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5buBeSIPXmc).

(Interview with Terry Waite 2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlukFxqcYeo)

3/9/12 The God who Came Down

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Q. 22- How did Christ, the Son of God become a human being?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became a human being by assuming a real body and a reasoning soul.  He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary, who gave birth to Him; but He was sinless.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:21)

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. (Heb. 4:15)

Thoughts: We tend to think more of ourselves and our righteousness (as if we deserve heaven) and think less of God’s sacrifice in coming and dying for us.  We tend to think we sin less and perhaps (even to the point of blasphemy) that God messes up.  Lent is a time to get things in the right perspective.  Christ, the innocent lamb, was sacrificed- bearing our sin- paying our penalty. 
    Two years ago Chilean miners were trapped thousands of feet below the surface and the world held its breath until they were found; until a drill hole was made to them; and until they got out.  But one act struck me when a Chilean miner on the surface volunteered to go down to his colleagues trapped below.  That is what Christ has done for us.  He came down- risking- even giving His own life that we might have life. 

Prayer: Thank you for becoming incarnate for us Lord.  Thank you for leaving the comforts of your home to come and die on our behalf.  

(Chilean miner rescued) 

1986 Q. 22. How did Christ, the Son of God, become man?

A. Christ, the Son of God, became man by assuming a real body and a reasoning soul. He was

conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, who gave birth to Him;

yet He was sinless.

1647 Q. 22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her  yet without sin.

3/8/12 There is a Redeemer

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Q21- Who is this Redeemer of God’s chosen ones?
A. The only Redeemer of God’s chosen ones is the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is the eternal Son of God.  He became a human being, and so He was and continues to be, God and human in two distinct natures and one person, forever.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk. 10:45)

Thoughts: Redemption and restoration to God are certainly Lenten themes.  We cannot go through certain steps to redeem ourselves.  We cannot bargain our goodness with God- saying we’ll be good if He’ll help or save us.  Christ came to ransom us, to bring us back to Himself.  To redeem something means a redemption price has to be paid.  Forgiveness always costs something to the one who forgives, and it is not different with God. 

Prayer: Thank you for paying the ransom, for redeeming me to yourself, O God.  

3/7/12 Old Testament Grace

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Q. 35. How is the covenant of grace administered under the New Testament?
A. Under the New Testament, when Christ the substance was exhibited, the same covenant of grace was and still is to be administered in the preaching of the word, and the administration of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's supper; in which grace and salvation are held forth in more fullness, evidence, and efficacy, to all nations.

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? ² If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. ³ What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:1-3)

You were circumcised by Christ, ¹² having been buried with him in baptism. (Col. 2:11,12)

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:28)

Thoughts:  Some have indicated that they believe that the Old Testament believers were saved by keeping the law, while the New Testament believers were saved by grace through faith.  But, all are saved by grace through faith.  Our first parents could have been saved by keeping the law (the Covenant of Works), but they did not.  Abraham was the father of faith, and Paul gives us an example of someone who is saved by faith  before circumcision or the law began.  

(Abram to Sarai; Jame J. Tissot 1902)

3/6/12- The Old Testament's Use Today

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Q. 34. How was the covenant of grace administered under the Old Testament?
A. The covenant of grace was administered under the Old Testament, by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the Passover, and other types and ordinances, which did all foresignify Christ then to come, and were for that time sufficient to build up the elect in faith in the promised messiah, by whom they then had full remission of sin, and eternal salvation.

How from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

⁶ Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. ⁷ Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” ⁸ We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. ⁹ We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. ¹⁰ And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. ¹¹ These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. (1 Corinthians 10:6-11)

Thoughts: The writer of 2 Timothy was speaking of the Old Testament’s usefulness to us today.  The catechism question points out that God had revealed enough of Himself for the salvation of those who would believe.  The image used is that of a foreshadowing what is to come.  When we are walking at night and a light is behind us, we may see the shadow of someone walking before we actually see the person walking.  The shadow reveals some things- but it is not a complete revelation.  So the old Jerusalem and Temple are symbols that we have a place of worship in heaven and a city of God there.  Calvin talked of circumcision being replaced with baptism and the Passover with the Lord’s Supper.  The ordinances are different, but signify similar things- cleansing or sacrificial death.  Too many skim over the Old Testament as if it were unimportant, but there are many nuggets of gold for us when we pan through sands of the Old Testament.  Where would we be without the words “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want… he leads me beside the still waters…through the valley of the shadow of death?”  So many Psalms and words of comfort are there for us.

Prayer: Teach me, O God, to appreciate your word.  Help me to learn from those who have gone before me.

  (Abraham- Rembrandt Van Rijn 1635)