Episode Transcript
The ministry of the Word of God, perhaps in its most pointed form, is done right now. But the ministry of the Word of God continues in the life of this congregation as we even depart this place, and as we speak these words to each other. We speak words of life and truth, and- here's the thing- redemption. We speak words of Christ and His work for us to each other on the regular to consider your brothers and sisters as you think about what Christ has done for us.
And may our collective sense of our need of Christ and our collective sense of gratitude for Christ affect how we live together. Bringing this to a close, if we were to summarize what Jesus communicates in these two parables of the tenants and the wedding feast, we could sum it up this way:
God is building his kingdom. He is building his kingdom through and for his Son. The people to whom God's prophets were sent, on the whole, rejected their word. Just historically, that's true. The people to whom God's son was sent, on the whole, rejected him. Historically, that's true. They killed him. Historically, that's true.
One's entrance into the kingdom hinges upon whether one receives God's son. And one's admittance into the wedding feast at the end of history hinges on whether one receives God's son and thereby receives his righteousness to wear. We should not be surprised by that summary. That those things in particular, those last couple of pieces about admittance into the wedding in particular, we shouldn't be surprised that that is Jesus' point that he makes. Because at the heart of that point is the heart of the faith once for all delivered to the saints.
This is why the point that Christ makes, particularly in the parable of the wedding feast, is why we confess these words. The principle acts of saving faith focus directly on Christ: accepting, receiving, and resting upon him alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life by virtue of the covenant of grace.
Close quote. It's why we confess, quote: God Imputs Christ's active obedience to the whole law and passive obedience in his death as their whole and only righteousness by faith, close quote. These truths that Christ communicates in these parables is why we sing: my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. And when he shall come with trumpet, sound, O, may I then in him be found dressed in- what? His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.
Everyday Grace 047
