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“ Summary, Part 4 (final) ” But the focus of our attention today is our Savior’s thankfulness to God: not simply for the elements that picture His sacrifice, but for the privilege of being that sacrifice. What was the joy set before Him—the salvation of God’s elect—evoked heartfelt thankfulness in our Lord. Imagine the scene: His arrest, His trial, His being mocked, His scourging, and God’s wrath being poured upon Him. He foresaw all things as He distributed the bread and passed the cup—the very emblems of His suffering and shame. Yet they are also the foretokens of His once-for-all sacrifice for sinners, accepted by His Father, to expunge their record and to render them righteous. Jesus saw all these things in the bread and the cup. Each time we approach the table, let us grow in gratitude for all of this.
Ian Migala (11/24/2014)
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
“ Summary, Part 3 ” THIRD, we should be especially thankful that Jesus prevails in His prayers for us—and that God answered Him—when the accomplishment of our salvation was at stake. Despite all the forces gathering against Christ at His Passion, He still prayed for us, and the Father answered. We remain Christians because He continues to pray for us. III. JESUS WAS THANKFUL TO GOD FOR APPOINTING HIM THE SACRIFICE FOR OUR SINS, AND WE SHOULD BE, TOO [38:04]. At the Last Supper, let’s underscore here that Jesus did not transubstantiate the bread and the wine, nor does it ever happen at the Lord’s Table. The bread and wine remain what they are: a sacred meal that commemorates the New Covenant and His welcoming of the New Covenant family, and reminders of the price He paid to win our ransom and the forgiveness of our sins.
Ian Migala (11/24/2014)
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
“ Summary, Part 2 ” 3) We especially have no room to complain that certain sinners are not saved if we are not actively praying for them and faithfully witnessing to them. “How shall they hear without a preacher?” THIRD, we should also thank God for His sovereign saving grace toward our brothers and sisters in Christ, not just privately, but also publicly. The disciples heard and saw Christ thank the Father for their saving grace. He taught by word and by example. Paul did the same for the churches. Are you thankful for God’s sovereign grace toward you and your brethren? Our Lord is thankful for us. Imagine that! II. JESUS WAS THANKFUL FOR GOD’S HEARING AND ANSWERING OF HIS PRAYERS, AND WE SHOULD BE, TOO [29:08]. In Jn 11:37-41, we see Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. Note His gratitude to the Father for answering His prayers. What lessons can we take from this? FIRST, we should be thankful that Jesus continues to pray for His people. He still does it in Heaven. SECOND, we should be thankful that God always hears and answers Jesus’ prayers. We prevail because Jesus prays.
Ian Migala (11/24/2014)
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
“ Summary, Part 1 ” Ingratitude is a characteristic of unbelievers, and will even characterize professing Christians in the latter days. Gratitude to God is both a grace and a duty. I. JESUS WAS THANKFUL FOR GOD’S SOVEREIGN, DISTINGUISHING GRACE IN SALVATION, AND WE SHOULD BE, TOO [starting at 3:55 of the audio]. In Mt 11:25-27, we see that the Gospel was hidden from some and revealed to others, but that Jesus was not shy in expressing publicly His thankfulness to God for His sovereign saving grace. We cannot come to Christ but by grace from on high. Implied in Jesus’ thanksgiving is His unity with the Father in the matter of sovereign grace in salvation. Christ did not note this with passive resignation, but proclaimed it proudly as pleasing to His Father. What lessons can we take from this? FIRST, we should be thankful to God for His sovereign saving grace; none would otherwise come to be saved. He had to will to reveal Christ to us. SECOND, we should not quarrel with God as to why He saves some and doesn’t save others: 1) Salvation is God’s business. We are saved by His will, not ours. 2) No one deserves to be saved, least of all us. Grace and mercy are emptied of meaning otherwise.
