The message: God’s Anointed One, the Messiah, was sent by the Father to bring redemption to sinful men, who cannot deliver themselves (Rom 7:24). What is called « redemption » is the fact that God raises man from the fall and corruption because of his sin, according to God’s initial plan thus stipulated: « Let us
make humans in our image, according to our likeness » Gen 1:26a. The purpose of this is that men are clothed again with the glory of God, according to Rom 8:30. The work of redemption is carried out according to five complementary planes of ideas: (1) The blotting out by God of all the faults that make man condemnable in His eyes, what is written in His book of records being taken as a reference (Deut.32:34), according to what is formulated in the following way:
« Erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross » Col 2:14. (2) The reconciliation that God makes with men and the renewal of the latter, so that they can enter the kingdom of God, and their adoption as children heirs of Him and co-heirs of Christ his Son (Rom 8:17), in accordance with the words of Jesus to Nicodemus saying: « Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above » Jn 3:3. (3) The covenant that God makes with men according to His words: « I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord
Almighty » 2 Cor 6:18. (4) The establishment of the kingdom of the priesthood, according to what is written: « To him who loves us and freed[a] us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests serving[b] his God and Father, to him be glory […] » Rev 1:5-6. (5) God makes men inherit His eternal kingdom and a common life with Him. Jesus says: « Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world » Mt 25:34, and also: « So that where I am, there you may be also » Jn 14:3. All this is the work of God in order to carry out our redemption; for « it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure » Phil 2:13. For the glory of His Holy Name !
Monday, 09th: The Lord’s Anointed brings redemption.
« The Lord has anointed me […] to proclaim liberty to the captives » Isa 61:1b-c.
Reading 1: Rom 3:21-26. Reading 2: Isa 61:1-3. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Isa 61:1-2.
Introduction: The main idea that is emphasized here is the reason why the Father sent Jesus Christ his Son, namely, to bring redemption to men, delivering them from their captivity due to sin and from this world. This is to release them from the law of sin and death (Rom.8:2) by means of the blood of Jesus, as it is written: « He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name » Ps 111:9.
Tuesday, 10th: The Lord’s Anointed does the will of His Father.
« My teaching is not mine but his who sent me » Jn 7:16.
Reading 1: Ps 40:4-10. Reading 2: Jn 7:14-18. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Jn 7:15-16.
Introduction: Jesus’ teaching is the words of the Father, nothing more and nothing less. For he says: « For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished » Mt 5:18. For « The Son can do nothing on his own but only what he sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise » Jn 5:19. This is the fulfilment of His plan of salvation.
Wednesday, 11th: The Lord’s Anointed proclaims the « Year of Grace ».
« The Lord has anointed me. He has sent me […] to proclaim a year of the Lord’s favor » Isa 61:1b,2a.
Reading 1: Lk 2:25-32. Reading 2: Isa 61:1-2. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Isa 61:1-2a.
Introduction: The Lord’s Year of Grace, namely the year of redemption, is the forgiveness of the sins of sinners so that they can renew their relationship with God. It is truly a New Year, for it is written: « For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind » Isa 65:17. It is also called a « Year of Jubilee », a Year of liberation which fulfils the following words of
Jesus: « The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them » Mt 11:5.
Thursday, 12th: The Lord’s Anointed makes common cause with His people in order to redeem them.
« Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things » Heb 2:14a.
Reading 1: Isa 53:4-7. Reading 2: Heb 2:11-16. Preaching 1 (free choice). Lecture 2: Heb 2:14.
Introduction: « To make common cause » here means that Jesus is in solidarity with the history and the burdens of men in order to free them from the bonds of sin and condemnation (Rom 8:1). For « [He] emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, assuming human likeness. […] he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross » Phil 2:7-8. John the Baptist said of Him: « Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! » Jn 1:29.
Friday, 13th: The Lord’s Anointed makes intercession for his people.
« Christ […] who is also at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us! » Rom 8:34.
Reading 1: Heb 2:10-18. Reading 2: Rom 8:31-34. Preaching 1 (free choice). Lecture 2: Rom 8:34.
Introduction: God would so much like sinners to return to Him in order to receive His kingdom, and to obtain eternal life. Thus, He sent Jesus who expresses himself thus: « For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost » Lk 19:10. And He wants them to dwell in His kingdom. For this, He does not cease to pray for His people so that He can say to them: « Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world ! » Mt 25:34. Jesus says: « Abide in my love » Jn 15:9b. Paul also says: « Be steadfast, immovable » 1 Cor 15:58a.
Saturday, 14th: The LORD’s office sanctifies his people.
« And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth » Jn 17:19.
Reading 1: Ex 19:1-6. Reading 2: Jn 17:13-19. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Jn 17:19.
Introduction: It is written: « The holiness without which no one will see the Lord » Heb 12:14b. Holiness is the nature of God; thus, He purifies us and shapes us to have a state of mind conformed to God. He says: « Be holy, for I am holy » Lev 11:44. For that, Jesus prayed for His disciples by saying: « Sanctify them by your truth! Your word is truth » Jn 17:17. The holiness of God for us is the guarantee of the victory over sin.