What does the Bible teach? Sad to say, most people have not read the Bible in its entirety, and many have no idea what it really teaches. Though much more detail could be provided, what follows is a brief summary of the Bible’s teaching.

1) That the Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — created all things good, including man, as described in Genesis 1-2, and that He still preserves all things. It is as the Bible says in Nehemiah 9:6: “Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.”

2) Though God created man to honor and respect God as his Maker, to love Him and to trust Him, the first man and woman fell into sin as described in Genesis 3 and, as a result, all of mankind is fallen and no longer loves, trusts and honors God above all things. Instead, people are born into this world turned in upon themselves and seeking their own will and ways, which are selfish and sinful. People do not and cannot keep all of God’s commandments as God requires.

It is as the Bible says in Genesis 8:21 and Jeremiah 17:9: “The imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth,” and “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Ecclesiastes 7:20 says: “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.”

3) In order to redeem and save mankind from the just and eternal punishment we all deserve on account of our sinfulness and disobedience to God and to restore us to fellowship with Him, God sent His only-begotten Son into the world as a true man that He might fulfill all that God’s holy law requires of us and bear our sin and suffer our punishment by dying on the cross to atone for the sins of the world. This God did through the incarnation, birth, life, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, true God and true man. The animal sacrifices of the Old Testament pointed ahead to the promised Seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15), who would make atonement for the sins of all and undo the work of the devil when he tempted Adam and Eve and brought sin and God’s curse upon God’s creation.

John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 says: “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures … he was buried … he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

Hebrews 2:14-17 says: “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”

4) The forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God that Christ Jesus won for all when he suffered and died on the cross and then rose again on the third day becomes ours through faith in Jesus Christ and not by our own works or merits.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Romans 3:21-26 says: “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”

And, Romans 5:1-2 says: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

5) God desires all people to repent of their sinful and rebellious ways and trust in Christ Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins and life everlasting. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). For that reason, He commands that His Word be preached to all people (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47), and His Holy Spirit works through the Word and Baptism to create saving faith in the hearts of hearers and to regenerate them, giving them new life in fellowship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter told the people (Acts 2:38-39): “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

Titus 3:3-7 says: “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

6) As Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, we are saved by God’s grace alone and through faith alone in Jesus Christ, and even that faith is of the gracious working of God the Holy Spirit in us; but God also desires that we amend our ways and live for Him: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

2 Corinthians 5:15 says: “He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”

And, since the fruit of true faith in Christ is the desire to live for God and be pleasing to Him, those who refuse to amend their lives and willfully continue on in their sinful ways demonstrate their unbelief and lack of saving faith in Christ.

7) Christ Jesus will return to this world on the Last Day and carry out God’s just judgment upon all. Those who believe in Christ and are baptized into His name will be saved and those who do not believe will be damned (Mark 16:16). John 3:36 says: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

Yes, much more can be said. And, indeed, it is said in the Bible. The Bible reveals the sad results of man’s sinfulness and how God judges sin even now, in this world. It tells how God carried out His plan to send His Son to be our Savior, and it reveals how God continually calls us to repent of our sinful and erring ways and look to Christ Jesus in faith. It points out the terrible judgment of God that will come upon all who remain impenitent, and it offers a glimpse of the glories of heaven which await all who believe. The Bible warns the impenitent and unbelieving and gives comfort to those who acknowledge their sins and look in faith to Christ and His cross for pardon and forgiveness.

Some parts are difficult for our sin-darkened minds to understand, but other parts are so simple the smallest child can, by God’s grace, grasp its message. So, don’t be discouraged. Pick it up and read it.

The Bible is a book of books (66 books and letters) and doesn’t have to be read in chronological order from Genesis to Revelation. I usually recommend reading the first chapters of Genesis and reading from the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) before studying the detailed sections on Old Testament worship. It’s a book to study for a lifetime, and there is always more to learn and understand, so keep reading.

Writing to Timothy, a young minister, the apostle Paul said (2 Timothy 3:14-17): “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

The Bible was given us to teach us the way of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and to guide us in living for Him. As such, reading and studying its message is the most important reading a person can ever do — indeed, your eternal destiny depends upon heeding the Bible’s message! I hope and pray you’ll read it.

“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” John 1:18

Do you want to know God? Do you want to see the Father’s face? But how can sinful human beings like you and me know or see the almighty and holy God?

Moses saw the form of God and beheld His glory after the LORD passed by Him (Ex. 33:17-23; 34:5-8). God also spoke with Moses face to face (Num. 12:6-8). Yet, no man has ever seen God’s face (Ex. 33:20).

But Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, who is in the bosom of the Father — being God Himself, one with the Father and the intimate companion of the Father — He has declared and revealed God the Father to us.

And so, do you want to know God the Father? Do you want to see Him as He really is? Look to Jesus, for He is God the Son in human flesh. He is in the bosom of the Father. To see and know Jesus is to see and know God the Father (cf. John 14:8ff.).

In Jesus, we see and know God’s great love for us sinners. God’s Word says to us: “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10); and, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).

Through the Word of God, we learn of Jesus. He died for our sins and rose again, removing the enmity between God and man caused by our disobedience to God’s holy commandments (cf. Col. 1:19-23; 2:9-15). Jesus took our punishment so that we might have forgiveness for all our sins and life eternal instead of condemnation and the eternal torments of hell.

When we look at Jesus as He is revealed to us in God’s Word, we see the great love of God the Father toward us sinners. Jesus said, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). When the paralyzed man was let down before Jesus, He said, “Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee” (Matt. 9:2). When the woman caught in the very act of adultery stood before Jesus, He told her, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:11).

Through the teaching of the Scriptures, we see God the Father sending His Son to die in our stead, bearing the just punishment for our sins. We see Him reaching out to us sinners through His Son, offering to us forgiveness and life in His name. We see Him desiring nothing more than that we would repent of our sinful ways and turn to Jesus for forgiveness and life! Cf. 2 Peter 3:9; Ezekiel 33:11; Matthew 23:37, Acts 3:19-21.

Do you want to know God? Do you want to see the Father’s face? Look to Jesus, for in Him the Father reaches down to us in love, provides atonement for our sins, and offers to us forgiveness and everlasting life through faith in Jesus’ name.

It is as Jesus said to His disciples in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

O God the Father, grant that we may see and know You through the Son, Jesus Christ, and place our trust in Him. In His name, we pray. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” Luke 2:8-20

When Jesus the Messiah was born and laid in a manger, an angel announced His birth to shepherds staying in a field nearby and keeping watch over their flock by night. The heavenly messenger brought them good tidings of great joy not just for themselves but for all people; for that very day in Bethlehem, the city of David, a Savior was born, the Messiah, the LORD (Jehovah) Himself in human flesh.

And, as the angel choir said in its hymn of praise, this child brought peace between God and men and God’s goodwill toward sinful mankind.

How could this be? Jesus Christ satisfied the righteous demands of God’s holy law for us, keeping all God’s commandments perfectly and without sin in His thoughts, desires, words and deeds. And He suffered and died on the cross in our stead and paid in full the just punishment for the sins of all that God might have mercy upon us and graciously forgive our sins when we look to His Son in faith for pardon and peace!

Having heard this joyful news, the shepherds were not content to go back to their work of guarding the flock; they went to see the things of which the angel had told them. And they found it just as the angel had said. They found Mary and Joseph and, with them, the Christ Child lying in a manger.

Nor did the shepherds keep the good news to themselves; they told everyone — they made known abroad — what the angel had told them concerning this Child born in Bethlehem.

Mary herself treasured the words of the shepherds concerning her Son and pondered them in her heart.

And, when the shepherds returned to their flock, they were glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, which was just as the angel had told them. They were rejoicing in God’s gift of a Savior who would redeem them and give them a place in God’s eternal kingdom.

Of course, these events in history have great significance for each and every one of us today. God’s own dear Son was born in Bethlehem on that historic day. His birth is good tidings of great joy to us as well, for He is the long-promised Messiah, the LORD God Himself, and He went to the cross for the sins of the world — for the sins of each of us — and He rose again in victory, that each and every one of us might have forgiveness for all our sins and life eternal through faith in Him!

God would have us heed the message of the Christmas Gospel and turn from our sinful ways to Christ Jesus in faith that we might receive the pardon and forgiveness He won for us by coming into this world as a babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger at Bethlehem, and then fulfilling all the demands of God’s commandments for us and making full atonement on the cross for our sins!

Dearest Jesus, we thank you for coming into this world a true man — that babe born in Bethlehem — and going to the cross to redeem us and make us Your own. Move us to take the time to see, to believe, to worship, and to spread abroad the good news of salvation through faith in Your name. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7

Our epistle lesson today comes from the close of St. Paul’s letter to the believers at Philippi, in the province of Macedonia (northern Greece today).

After urging the believers to “stand fast in the Lord” (4:1) and asking Euodias and Syntyche “that they be of the same mind in the Lord” (4:2-3), the apostle calls upon all the believers to “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (4:4). The Greek word behind “rejoice” indicates that believers are to rejoice in the grace of God shown them in Christ Jesus — to rejoice in His grace. And, if any people have reason to be happy and joyful all the time, it is believers, for God has graciously pardoned their sins and granted them the everlasting joys of heaven through faith in Jesus!

And, since the coming of the Lord Jesus is drawing ever closer, the Philippian believers were to let their kind and loving spirit be known to all people — an exhortation for us to consider, as well.

As those who trust in Christ and His cross for pardon and forgiveness, they were not to be weighed down with the cares and concerns of this life. Rather, they were to take all their needs and concerns to God in prayer, trusting in Him to provide according to His perfect will and also giving thanks to Him in all things.

Have you ever noticed in the Bible how often being thankful is urged upon us as believers? Thankfulness flows from faith in God to meet our every need. In many ways, it is the opposite of covetousness, which is a lack of faith and idolatry. If we trust in God to provide us with all that we need, we will also be satisfied and content in all that God provides and not desire what He has not given us because we trust in Him to know best what is good and needful for us.

And, when we trust in the Lord God for our salvation and also to meet all our needs — when we take our cares and concerns to Him in prayer and trust Him and give thanks to Him for His answer to our requests — then the truth of verse 7 is appropriated by us: “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Through faith in Christ, we have peace with God — the peace of sins forgiven and God’s acceptance of us as His own dear children. Romans 5:1-2 tells us: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

In Ephesians 2:13-18, St. Paul writes: “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”

And, in Colossians 1:19-23, the apostle writes: “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven …”

Christ, by His atoning sacrifice for our sins, satisfied God’s wrath against us and won for us pardon and peace. And, when we trust in Christ and His cross, that peace with God becomes ours and we live and rest in the assurance that God indeed forgives and accepts us as His own dear children for Jesus’ sake.

But, when we trust in God’s mercy, His acceptance of us, and His many promises to be with us and care for us, we have another kind of peace. Though certainly connected, it’s not only the peace with God established by Christ’s atoning sacrifice and appropriated by faith in Christ and His cross; it’s peace in God when we trust in Him to watch over us and care for our every need. It’s the confidence that our God indeed loves us, cares for us, hears our prayers and petitions for Jesus’ sake, and is a loving heavenly Father who knows and does what is good and best for us. This peace is a peace of mind that our God will never fail us or let us down. It is a confidence that, no matter what happens, God is working for our good, as St. Paul says in Romans 8:28: “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Think of Jesus’ words to His disciples, spoken to them on the evening of His betrayal and arrest, just hours before He would be nailed to the cross and forsaken of God the Father that He might atone for our sins and the sins of the world: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

The peace which Jesus gave to His disciples and which He gives to you and to me is not a peace like the world gives. It’s not a temporary and fleeting peace from wars or troubles or even death. It’s not a lie, a promise of peace and blessing and happiness when there is no peace and lasting happiness, and the judgment of God is about to fall. It’s not a false promise of the joys of heaven when one is on the precipice of the eternal fires of hell. Rather, it is a peace in the midst of troubles and heartaches because we have a God who is working all for our good and answering our prayers according to His good and gracious will.

Jesus had peace when He was about to be crucified and condemned for the sins of the world. Why? because He trusted His heavenly Father with the outcome.

In Hebrews 12:2, we read of Jesus that He, “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” What joy was set before Him? The joy of knowing that God would accomplish your salvation and my salvation and win us for His eternal kingdom by Christ’s death for us on the cross. In the midst of what He would endure, Jesus had peace, and He gives us that peace.

A long time ago, I read a devotion that has stuck with me for years and years. It said that two artists were asked to take a canvas and paint their own rendition of peace. One painted a beautiful scene in which everything was calm and peaceful, but the second painted a thundering waterfall and a sapling growing out of the rock and over the fall, with the mist rising and the air currents making it sway back and forth. And in the forked branch of that tree was a bird’s nest with a bird resting calmly on her eggs inside it. The first, the devotion said, is stagnation and only a temporary calm. The second is true peace, a calmness even though the world around it is violent and boisterous.

In Isaiah 26:3, God gives us these inspired words: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” These words teach us about peace in God — the kind of peace Jesus gives to us in addition to peace with God. God gives us this peace when our minds are stayed upon Him — when we come to know Him and His love for us and to trust in Him not only to forgive and accept us for Jesus’ sake but also to care for us, provide us with all our needs, watch over us and preserve us from harm and danger and to keep us in the true and saving faith unto life everlasting.

It doesn’t matter if the world is coming apart around us. It doesn’t matter if we are facing pandemics or wars or political upheavals. God is in control! He has redeemed us and made us His own dear children through faith in Christ Jesus. He will never leave us or forsake us; He’s with us always, “even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20). Jesus is preparing a place for us in the mansions of His Father’s house, and He’s coming again to take us to be with Him there (cf. John 14:1-6). Even in death, we need not be afraid because to die is gain for us — we go to be with the Lord (Phil. 1:21,23). And, even if our bodies and laid in the grave and decay, our Redeemer lives and will raise us up on the last day (cf. Job 19:25-27). We face God’s judgment at peace with God because our sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake. We face the troubles of this life with the peace of knowing that our God has us in His hand and will bring us safely through this life to Himself in heaven (cf. 2 Tim. 4:18; John 10:27-30).

Think about it: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isa. 26:3).

“The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7).

When we know God and trust in Him, we have peace beyond all human understanding. We have peace and confidence in the midst of the chaos of this world.

When we make use of the privilege won for us by Christ Jesus and His death on the cross (cf. 1 John 5:14-15) and take our troubles and concerns to our God in prayer and give Him thanks for His answer no matter how He answers our requests, we have peace no matter what the outcome for we know and trust the one who is in control and is working for our good.

And, it is fitting that we use the words of Philippians 4:7 after the sermon each Sunday, for the sermons should give to us such peace and confidence in our God that our hearts and minds are kept in the true and saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and all He has done for us, for “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17).

Through the reading and hearing of God’s Word, we come to know “the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [He] hast sent” (John 17:3). And when, through the Holy Spirit’s teaching in the Word, we come to truly know Him and the salvation He has provided for us in Christ Jesus, we will be moved to love Him and trust in Him for all things and so have peace in Him no matter what is going on around us in the world!

And now, “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:7).

God give you peace with Him and peace in Him! Shalom! Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]

“What A Friend We Have in Jesus” music used with permission from GospelRiver.com. The music performer(s) may not agree with the theological positions of this site.

“Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” Matthew 11:2-3

Are you ever troubled by doubts concerning your faith? Have you ever doubted that Jesus really is God the Son in human flesh who has come into this world to save us from sin and everlasting punishment? Or, are you ever troubled by doubts about God’s mercy and forgiveness upon you in Jesus Christ? Do you ask, “Are my sins really forgiven? Will Christ come and receive me into the eternal joys of heaven?”

John the Baptist boldly prepared the way for the coming of the Messiah and Savior by calling upon all to repent of their sinful and self-centered ways and pointing them to Jesus, God’s Son and the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Luke 3:1ff.; John 1:29,34).

He was even so bold as to call upon King Herod to repent of his sinful ways, pointing out that he was sinning by having his brother Philip’s wife (Luke 3:19-20; Lev. 18:6,16).

But now, he was watching and hearing of Jesus from a dark prison cell. Jesus had not yet fulfilled those ancient prophecies which spoke of the Messiah judging the wicked and unbelieving world and establishing an everlasting kingdom in which righteousness dwells (cf. Ps. 96:13; 145:13; Dan. 2:44). Though he had been faithful, now he was awaiting his execution and Jesus seemingly was doing nothing about it.

Perhaps this is why John sent two of his disciples to Jesus. Or, perhaps, he was directing his disciples to Jesus for their own sakes. But coming to Jesus with our doubts and fears is a good place to bring them.

“Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” they asked.
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me” (Matt. 11:4-6; cf. Isa. 29:18; 35:3ff.; 61:1ff.; 28:16; 8:14f.).

Is Jesus the promised Messiah? Yes, He is the one promised — the Seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14), the Son of David (Luke 1:30-35; Isa. 9:6-7), the Redeemer of mankind (Gal. 4:4-5).

Why do we go on suffering in this world? Why has He not come to judge the living and the dead and to establish His everlasting kingdom?

He “is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).

And so we see, through the preaching of the Gospel, the spiritually blind seeing their sin and seeing in Christ Jesus their Savior, the spiritually lame walking and living for their God, those with incurable sins cleansed in the blood of Jesus, those who could not hear and understand the Word of God hearing and believing, those dead in their trespasses and sins raised to new life through faith in Christ Jesus (cf. Eph. 2:1ff.).

It is as Luther says in his Small Catechism: “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He forgives daily and richly all sins to me and all believers, and at the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and will give to me and to all believers in Christ everlasting life” (SC, Creed, Art. III).

And, when Jesus comes back on the Last Day, we and all believers will “be His own, and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity“ (SC, Creed, Art. II).

O gracious and merciful Savior, grant that we not doubt but take comfort in Your gracious working to establish Your kingdom and make us Your own. Amen.

[Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.]