THE WEEK OF EASTER - WEDNESDAY

LESSON: ISAIAH 55:6-9

Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood. 1 Corinthians 13:12

We should always be very careful not only to hear the truth that we are Christ’s brethren with our bodily ears. We should feel and experience this truth in our very hearts. Then we shall never become over-weening and conceited, but this fact will fill our hearts with wonder.

True, pious, and godly Christians are always deeply conscious of their very serious limitations. In humility and modesty, they will begin to wonder how such miserable sinners as they are, drowned in sins, could ever become worthy enough to have God’s Son as their brother. How does it come to pass that such a wretched creature as I am enjoys such a privilege?

At the same time, such a Christian is amazed at this fact and meditates upon it. It certainly requires great effort to believe it. Indeed, if one actually experienced this fact for what it really is and involves, one would perforce have to die in that very instant. For man who is flesh and blood cannot comprehend this fact.

As long as we live in this life, our heart is far too restricted to be able to grasp such a fact. After death, when our heart is enlarged, we shall be able to comprehend fully what we have heard through the Word.

SL 11:606 (8)

PRAYER: Your ways are not our ways, and Your thoughts are not our thoughts, heavenly Father. Enlighten us by Your Holy Spirit in such a way that we believe Your Word, even where we may not fully understand it, for Christ our Savior’s sake. 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, 2:215-221.