The Curse is Rolled Back

The Resurrection of our Lord – March 31, 2013

Isaiah 65:17-25

“Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth…” Vs. 17

     The Lord will not let Isaiah stay silent when it comes to the ultimate future he has in store for his people:  plans to give them a future and a hope (cf. Jer. 29:11).  Isaiah breaks forth with the Lord’s promise of creating a new heavens and a new earth:  (Isa. 42:9) and (Isa. 48:6).  Such is the future Isaiah promises… such is the future of which Peter speaks (2 Peter 3:13)… and such is the future which John sees in his apocalyptic vision. (Rev. 21:1)

     The new heavens and the new earth are promised by Isaiah, testified to throughout Scripture, and delivered in Jesus Christ.  He is the Messiah, first promised by God when he declared to the serpent in the Garden:  “…her [Eve’s] offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (Ge. 3:15)  From the very moment in which the curse was imposed upon Adam and Eve, they, and all subsequent generations, have lived—not only under the curse—but under this promise as well:  One born of woman will come and bear the curse, bring the curse to an end, and reign eternally in a new heaven and a new earth.  “The former things shall not be remembered or come into mind…” (Isa. 65:17)  In that new creation which is yours now in Christ Jesus, all that the curse imposed is rolled back.  Your tears and suffering come to an end.   The curse on man’s labor is lifted.  The enemies—sin and death—conquered in the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ, finally come to their end.

     All these things are yours already though you do not see them.  Luther calls your attention to 1 Peter 1: 6-12 where Peter not only declares these things immediately certain but also that they await their revelation.  Luther counseled:  “Therefore whoever is tormented in his feeling by sin and death, let him rise again in the Word and kingdom of Christ and say, ‘My Christ lives’ ” (AE 17:388)

Table Talk:  Discuss your living Lord’s victory over sin and death

Pray:  Father, give me certainty of baptism’s promise: death to the old & new life in Jesus Christ, even though I’m still a sinner; amen.

Timothy J. Swenson

Institute of Lutheran Theology

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