The Gospel

The Gospel

The 3rd Wednesday of Lent – 3/19/2025

2 Timothy 1:6-14

Rev. Christopher W. Brademeyer

That portion from God’s holy Word for consideration this evening is 2 Timothy 1:6-14 with special emphasis on verses eight through ten which read as follows:

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,”[1]

Thus far the Scriptures.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Introduction

While all of the church year is designed for us to meditate on and receive the wisdom and benefits of the life and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, Lent is a particularly appropriate time to think about these things since it is a season that is meant to ready us for Holy Week and the great Pascal feast. And more to the point for tonight, these central truths are confessed in the Apostles’ Creed. In the Second Article of the Creed, we confess the central truth of our salvation—who Christ is and what He has done for us. This is not just doctrine to be memorized; it is the very foundation of our hope, our comfort, and our life. As Luther explains in the Large Catechism, this article teaches us about our Redeemer, who has delivered us from sin, death, and the devil’s power. Namely, the Catechism reflects three key aspects of this glorious truth: Christ’s identity, Christ’s work, and Christ’s victory.

Christ’s Identity: True God and True Man               

The Second Article begins by confessing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, our Lord. This means He is not just a great teacher or moral example; He is fully God, begotten from eternity, equal with the Father according to Him being God. Yet, He is also fully human, born of the Virgin Mary, taking on a human body, soul, and mind so that He could stand in our place in order to redeem us. The Creed  emphasizes that this union of divinity and humanity in the very person of our Lord Jesus was necessary—only God could bear the full weight of our sin, and only a man could serve as our substitute.

Why does this matter? Because our salvation depends on who Christ is. If He were merely a man, His suffering would not be enough to redeem the world. If He were only divine, He could not die in our place. Thankfully, He is both! In Christ, God Himself stepped into our broken, sinful world to bring us life and salvation.

Christ’s Work: Our Redemption                What did Christ come to do? The Creed tells us: He suffered, was crucified, died, and was buried. Scripture reminds us that Christ did not suffer for His own sins—He had none[2]. Instead, He bore our sin, shame, and punishment. On the cross, He endured the wrath of God that we deserved. His suffering was not just physical but spiritual and total; He took upon Himself the curse of sin so that we might be free.

This redemption was not purchased with silver or gold, as Peter says, but with the holy, precious blood and innocent suffering and death of Christ.[3] This is the great exchange—He takes our sin, and we receive His righteousness. We do not contribute anything to this work. It is purely by grace, a gift of God’s boundless love.

Christ’s Victory: The Risen and Reigning Lord               

But our confession does not end with Christ’s death. If He had remained in the grave, our faith would be in vain.[4] But on the third day, He rose again! The resurrection is the ultimate proof that Christ’s sacrifice was accepted by the Father. Death could not hold Him, and because He lives, we too shall live.

He then ascended into heaven, where He reigns at the right hand of the Father. From there, He governs all things for the good of His Church. But His work is not finished—He will come again to judge the living and the dead. For those who believe, this will be a day of joy, for our redemption will be fully realized. For those who reject Him, it will be a day of reckoning. Thus, we are called to repentance and faith, trusting in Christ alone for salvation.

Conclusion: Our Response to Christ’s Work               

What, then, does this mean for us? It means everything! We belong to Christ. We are no longer slaves to sin, death, and the devil. We have been bought with a price, and now we live not for ourselves, but for Him who died and rose for us.[5]

Luther exhorts us to cling to Christ in faith, trusting in His work alone for our salvation. We do not need to fear death, for Christ has overcome it. We do not need to despair in our sins, for Christ has paid the price. We do not need to wonder if God loves us, for He has shown His love in the cross of Christ.

       This confession of who Christ is and His work is the very foundation of our faith and, indeed, is the ground of all truth. That is to say, everything in life depends on it. Without our Lord Jesus, His atonement, His sacrifice, and His work, we are lost and condemned, toiling for futile and useless things that pass away far too quickly. But through Christ, we have something much greater still: the very life of God, given to us with forgiveness. And this great gift does not only go on for a time, it` lasts forever, indeed, through this world and into the everlasting reality of the world to come.

    Christ is the very bridge between heaven and earth, between God and man, and between sin and forgiveness. He has ensured that we would have all these great treasures at no cost to us because He has given Himself as payment and security for our everlasting salvation.

In the holy Name of + Jesus. Amen.

 The peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

[1] 2 Timothy 1:8-10 English Standard Version

[2] 2 Corinthians 5:21

[3] 1 Peter 1:18-19

[4] 1 Corinthians 15:14

[5] 2 Corinthians 5:15