Left Curl Lesson 23 Right Curl

Question

Why must the Redeemer be truly God?

Answer

That because of his divine nature his obedience and suffering would be perfect and effective; and also that he would be able to bear the righteous anger of God against sin and yet overcome death.

Scripture

God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

—Acts 2:24 (ESV)
Divider

Commentary

“Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon hath shone forth from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Saviour’s death hath set us free. In as much as he was held captive of it, he hath annihilated it…. He made Hell captive. He angered it when it tasted of his flesh. And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry: Hell, said he, was angered, when it encountered thee…. It was angered, for it was abolished. It was angered, for it was mocked. It was angered, for it was slain. It was angered, for it was fettered in chains. It took a body, and met God face to face. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took that which was visible, and fell upon the invisible. O Death, where is thy sting? O Hell, where is thy victory? Christ is risen, and thou art overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the Angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigneth.”

Footnote

John Chrysostom (347–407). Archbishop of Constantinople, John was born in Antioch. He was given the title Chrysostom which means “golden mouth” because of his eloquent preaching. He is recognized by the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church as a saint and Doctor of the Church. Chrysostom is known for his Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and his vast homiletical works including 67 homilies on Genesis, 90 on the Gospel of Matthew, and 88 on the Gospel of John.

Attribution

From “Easter Sermon by John Chrysostom” in Service Book of the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Apostolic (Greco-Russian) Church translated by Isabel Florence Hapgood (New York: Riverside Press, 1906), 235–236.

Further Reading

“Incarnation” and “Two Natures” in Concise Theology, by J. I. Packer.

Song

Video

Prayer

Adult

“I can do no more than pray for you…. I pray God to pity you, and take care of you, and provide for you the best means for the good of your souls; and that God himself would undertake for you, to be your heavenly Father, and the mighty Redeemer of your immortal souls. Do not neglect to pray for yourselves…. Constantly pray to God in secret; and often remember that great day when you must appear before the judgment-seat of Christ.”

Footnote

Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758). A colonial American preacher, theologian, and philosopher, Edwards became pastor of his church in Northampton, Massachusetts in 1726. He is widely known for his famous sermon “A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections”. Edwards died from a smallpox inoculation shortly after beginning the presidency at the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University).

Attribution

From “Farewell Sermon: Memoirs of Jonathan Edwards” in The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Volume 1 (London: William Ball, 1839), ccxlviii.

Child

Dear God, we pray that you would have mercy on us and take care of us. Remembering that one day we will appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, we thank you that his obedience and suffering on our behalf was perfect and effective. We thank you that you are our heavenly Father and that Christ is our mighty Redeemer. Amen.

Attribution

Derived and adapted from Jonathan Edwards in “Farewell Sermon: Memoirs of Jonathan Edwards” in The Works of ronathan Edwards, Volume 1 (London: William Ball, 1839), ccxlviii.

“I can do no more than pray for you…. I pray God to pity you, and take care of you, and provide for you the best means for the good of your souls; and that God himself would undertake for you, to be your heavenly Father, and the mighty Redeemer of your immortal souls. Do not neglect to pray for yourselves…. Constantly pray to God in secret; and often remember that great day when you must appear before the judgment-seat of Christ.”

Footnote

Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758). A colonial American preacher, theologian, and philosopher, Edwards became pastor of his church in Northampton, Massachusetts in 1726. He is widely known for his famous sermon “A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections”. Edwards died from a smallpox inoculation shortly after beginning the presidency at the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University).

Attribution

From “Farewell Sermon: Memoirs of Jonathan Edwards” in The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Volume 1 (London: William Ball, 1839), ccxlviii.

Dear God, we pray that you would have mercy on us and take care of us. Remembering that one day we will appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, we thank you that his obedience and suffering on our behalf was perfect and effective. We thank you that you are our heavenly Father and that Christ is our mighty Redeemer. Amen.

Attribution

Derived and adapted from Jonathan Edwards in “Farewell Sermon: Memoirs of Jonathan Edwards” in The Works of ronathan Edwards, Volume 1 (London: William Ball, 1839), ccxlviii.