EASTER – WEEK 4 – WEDNESDAY

LESSON: 1 CORINTHIANS 1:18-25

What no eyes have seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him, God has revealed to us through the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

Putting it in other words, Christ says, “If they had believed in me, everything would have been bestowed upon them as a free gift; for I know that there is no other alternative available to them by nature. But that they refuse to accept me or believe that I cannot help them will mean condemnation for them.”

On judgement day, God’s judgement upon them will run something like this: “You found yourselves in sins and were unable to rescue yourselves. But for all that, it was not my will that you should be condemned. I sent my only Son to you and wanted to give Him to you as a gift so that He might take away your sins. But you refused to accept Him. And so, you are now being condemned solely and only because you do not have Christ as your Savior.”

The words of the Gospel are spoken in honor and praise of the high grace that has been given to us in our Lord Jesus Christ. The conception of such a plan of salvation is absolutely above man’s reason.

Reason can only think as follows, “I sinned in works, and so, I must make restitution with works, blot out my sins, and pay for them with works, so that I may obtain the assurance of a gracious God.” This is the highest point that reason can reach. In actual fact, it is nothing but folly and blindness.

SL 11:868 (10-11)

PRAYER: Honor and praise be to You, Lord God, heavenly Father, for the wonderful grace and mercy bestowed on us in Christ. Your love for us is beyond all powers of reason and understanding. Thanks be to You for Your inexpressible love! Amen.

Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:110-124.