April 20, 2011 - Wednesday of Holy Week
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 10:21-11:10; Hebrews 4:1-16
Our Father who art in heaven. What does this mean? With these words God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear father. (The Lord's Prayer, Introduction)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. What happens during Holy Week makes it possible for us to utter the words, “Our Father.” Without the death of Jesus, God is not our Father but our Judge and Executioner. Apart from Christ, God is our enemy and a terror.
But the Son goes the way of death according to the Father's will. Because He has done that, gone to the cross and suffered and died and risen, now you may be certain that God the Father is YOUR Father, too. He is the Father who invites you to pray with boldness and confidence and to trust in Him for everything that you need.
While our earthly fathers always fall short, our heavenly Father never does. He always knows what we need and always provides for us according to His good and gracious will.
Our being God's children isn't because of us! Just like with our earthly parents, we despise our heavenly Father, don't listen to Him, and go against His will. But who takes the blame? Our older brother! When Jesus came, the Son of God in the flesh, He came to do the Father's will. And the Father's will was that Jesus take our place and take away our sins and make us God's children once again. He does that by His suffering and death on the cross and by His glorious resurrection.
On the day you were baptized, the Lord adopted you as His son, His dear and precious child. His Absolution is the hug that tells you everything is all right and He's not going to punish you. The Son's Body and Blood are the food given just as a father feeds and cares for his children, but in this case, food for eternal life.
It is hard to pray. But Jesus has taught us the words. And those words begin with the promise and good news that God is our Father, ready to hear us, ready to answer us, ready to provide for us, and always doing so. Our Father! Because of His Son Jesus. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
“Yes, Father, yes, most willingly I'll bear what You command Me. My will conforms to Your decree, I'll do what You have asked Me.” O wondrous Love, what have You done! The Father offers up His Son, Desiring our salvation. O Love, how strong You are to save! You lay the One into the grave Who built the earth's foundation. (LSB 438:3)
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