Work of Christ
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom. Matthew 4:23
On Sunday morning, you’re sitting in the pew, listening to the pastor preach his sermon. Everything he has said so far has been faithful to the Bible. After a while, you begin to doze off, not paying full attention anymore. After a few minutes in your trance, you tune back in to hear a striking statement. The pastor begins to pat his own chest and say, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Your heart sinks. Did the pastor really just commit blasphemy in such a gross way? Did he really just call himself the Savior? After the service, you speak to the pastor to ask him, and he comfortingly assures you that the statement was a quote of the Savior Himself saying these words.
In the history of this world, there has only been one preacher who, while speaking with authority, can claim that very authority as His own. This one and only preacher, who proclaims the path to Heaven by saying, “trust in Me,” is Jesus Christ, who still lives today, unlike the deceased frauds who claimed to be the great proclaimer of truth (Mohammed, Buddha, etc.).
As Jesus walked in Galilee and Judea, He preached this Good News: He came to offer His life for the forgiveness of your sins. He garnished His preaching by also showing His gracious power over disease and natural disaster (sin’s effect on the world), over demons and their leader (the tempters), over death (sin’s wage). And now, though ascended into Heaven, He sends forth preachers of His holy Gospel so that you too may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the one sent to take away your sin. Jesus, as your Prophet, still makes sure the Gospel is preached for your blessing and strengthening of faith.
Dear Lord, to Thy true servants give The grace to Thee alone to live.
Once bound by sin, but saved by Thee, They go to set the pris’ners free,
The Gospel message to proclaim that men may call upon Thy name
The Lutheran Hymnal 482:1