Fifth Sunday after Trinity – Wednesday

This is the true God. – I John 5:20.

Who is this Jesus Christ of whom we speak? Scripture says: “This is the true God.” It says that He is “over all, God blessed forever. Amen” (Romans 9:5). It says that He is “The Lord [Jehovah], our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6). Therefore Thomas said to the Risen One: “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28).

Scripture says that He is the only-begotten Son of the Father, the second person of the Holy Trinity. The Father says to Him: “Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee” (Psalm 2:7). He Himself testifieth and says: “God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son” (John 3:16). The Holy Ghost says: “[God] spared not His own Son” (Romans 8:32). Jesus Christ is the “Word,” which was in the beginning and was with God and was God, and through whom all things were made (John 1:1-3). He is the Omnipotent, the Omniscient, the Omnipresent (Matthew 28:18; John 21:17; Matthew 28:20). “[He upholds] all things by the Word of His power” (Hebrews 1:3). He forgives sins, and He will execute judgment (Matthew 9:6; John 5:27). “Let all the angels of God worship Him” (Hebrews 1:6). “All men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father” (John 5:23).

Whosoever does not believe the clear doctrine of Scripture that Jesus Christ is the true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, cannot have saving faith in Him. It is most wonderful and miraculous beyond everything, that God has become Man in the Person of Jesus Christ. Flesh and blood will not accept this. How do we get such faith? How may we retain such faith? We must see the glory of Jesus Christ, see it ever again, the glory of the only-begotten Son of the Father, full of grace and truth – in Holy Scripture. It is through the Gospel of Jesus Christ that the Holy Ghost works saving faith and preserves saving faith.

PRAYER – Lord Jesus, true God and Man, Son of the Father and Mary’s Son, continue to give me a rich measure of Thy Holy Spirit, working through Thy Word, to the end that I may behold Thy glory in Thy Word, even as Thy disciples beheld it with enlightened eyes, and that I may continue to believe and trust in Thee alone for my forgiveness and salvation. I thank Thee for making me a part of the blessed company of those who obtain eternal life through faith in Thee. Amen.

To us a Child of hope is born, to us a Son is given;

and on His shoulder ever rests, all power in earth and heaven.

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His name shall be the Prince of Peace, the everlasting Lord;

the Wonderful, the Counsellor, the God by all adored.

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His righteous government and power, shall over all extend;

on judgment and on justice based, His reign shall have no end.

(Hymn 106, st. 4-6; TLH)