Reading: Luke 22, Philippians 2:1-11

It sounds strange to celebrate a death, but today we do, the death of our Messiah, the death that ended the war and gave us victory over sin and Death. Equally important because of this death, because we are now covered in blood the wrath of God is satisfied and the veil that kept us from Him is torn and we have access to the Father through the Son. All those who believe now have the Spirit of God dwelling within them who testifies to our redeemed reality of righteous standing before God. The same spirit promised by the Son who was sent by the Father to die on the cross for our sons, he was crucified, dead and buried and on the third day he rose again from the dead and now he sits at the right hand of God the Father. Praise the Lord that he, being by his very nature God, considered equality with God something to be grasped, but instead humbled Himself to death so that we might have life.

If there was ever a greater reason for the believer to celebrate then know not what it is. This life we have been given so freely, how can it not so stir up in us such love and affection for God. That our debt would be satisfied by a most perfect lamb without blemish, the perfect son of God. Such a great thing it is that it should move us to praise when we think on such, as Luther put it: “A Happy Exchange.” Christ has received our the punishment of death our rebellion has earned for, we have the glory that Christ deserved by his Obedience. Oh what amazing grace, oh what a great joy and comfort to the believers.

Let us lift our voices in praise, all Heaven and Earth rejoice, in the midst of sorrow comes Joy, in the midst of death comes Christ. The Salvation of all who believe is assured by the indwelling Spirit

We are free, sins bond is broken, we have a new name, let us praise Him for it.