Calvin Synod Herald, 2011 (112. évfolyam, 3-12. szám)

2011-05-01 / 5-6. szám

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

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Resurrection: God’s Eternal Plan

Weep not; lo, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals. - Rev. 5:5

In Eastertide we meditate on Jesus resurrection, and ours too. But to understand what really brought us to this point we must turn back the pages to the Old Testament. Long before Jesus’ birth and life, crucifixion and raising from the dead, God’s plan had laid the groundwork for it all to happen, something we must reflect upon.

As we drive to our churches on a Sunday morning, we take the car for granted. But our autos are the product of centuries old development. Long ages ago someone invented the wheel and another the two wheeled cart. It was able to carry a heavier load when two more wheels were added, and did the job still better when someone made it steerable. A donkey or a horse made it powerful, and later inventers of the steam engines gave it speed. A gas engine was lighter still, and the long process of new improvements brought us beyond the tin lizzies to the comfortable coaches we rode in today, on our synthetic balloon tires.

God Adds A New Twist

Similarly we see God’s hand in the development of the gospel of salvation, introducing new elements as the years passed by. In genetics we learned that inbreeding results in weakness, and a new stream adds strength. The scriptures often warn the Jews about intermarriage as a danger, because the strangers may introduce their pagan gods and morality, alien to God’s worship and laws.

In the book of Ruth, we are introduced to a Moabite woman living with her mother-in-law, a Hebrew. The two tribes had been at odds for ages, but intermarriages occurred. Apparently Ruth was attractive and a Hebrew married her. But he died, and his father also, so the two women were left to struggle in a man’s world.

A Hebrew relative of Naomi’s husband married Ruth and they had a son Obed, who fathered Jesse, and he fathered David. It is no accident that a millennium later Jesus was bom in Bethlehem, the city of David. The Lord had planned it that way, including a Gentile woman grafted onto Israel’s root. Her posterity, Jesus, would in his redemption of the world bring about the adoption of the Gentiles onto Israel, creating a Church for all peoples, as prophesied by the prophet: There shall come forth a shoot from the stamp of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. ” (Is. 11:1)

King of kings! Lord of lords!

Jesus the holy Messiah surpassed Israel’s great King David., who had built his kingdom on a hill and mied the land of the

Jews. By his resurrection, Jesus ushered in the greater still Kingdom of God for people of all nations, one which would have no end. It is he to whom the Father has given judgment. Into his Kingdom he gathers the faithful who call upon his name, and by whom the wicked and unrepentant are driven to Sheol. At the last day it is he who is the Lamb of God with whom the redeemed rejoice in glory.

Again, ancient prophesy finds fulfillment, “In that day the root of Jesse shall stand as an ensign to the peoples; him shall the nations seek, and his dwellings shall be glorious. ” (Is. 11:10) Jesus Christ has opened the gates of heaven to all believers, just as the Lord God planned it before earth had seen the light of day, the mountains were brought forth, the dinosaurs had lived, or the car was invented for your ride to church on the Sundays after Easter.

And God also planned that we should sing the songs of Eastertide, every week and every year and forever, joining eternally with the saints in Paradise:

To him who sits upon the throne be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever! Amen!

Rev. Albert W. Kovács

ANCIENT HYMN OF ADÓRA TI ON

Of the Father 's love begotten Ere the worlds began to be,

He is Alpha and Omega,

He the Source, the Ending He.

Of the things that are, that have been, And that future years shall see,

Evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven adore Him,

Angel hosts, His praises sing;

Powers, dominions, bow before Him,

And extol our God and King;

Let no longue on earth be silent,

Every> voice in concert ring,

Evermore and evermore!

Christ, to Thee with God the Father,

And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,

Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving And unwearied praises be;

Honor, glory, and dominion,

And eternal victory,

Evermore and evermore!

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