Drew’s Blog - Drew Boswell

“What Does The Empty Tomb Mean?” Luke 24:1-31

“What Does The Empty Tomb Mean?”

Luke 24:1-31

Introduction

Years ago we bought a couple of movies for a road trip that the Boswell family was going to take. One the movies was “Meet the Robinsons.” I had read the reviews of an it was a Disney movie so I put it in the dvd player and we got on the road. There was a part that I could not see that both of the boys (Joshua and Caleb) really did not like – even border line scaring them. It is where the boy is desiring to be adopted so he is trying to impress the potential parents by showing them his invention of a peanut butter and jelly gun. There is a malfunction and the peanut butter gun explodes sending it all over the man who has a bad reaction. The woman grabs an epi pen and injects her husband just in time before he was going to pass out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVZ-BFZmDTQ (play behind with no sound)

Joshua and Caleb are very allergic to peanut butter. It causes them to swell up and we have to stay on top of things constantly. At one stage Joshua tested 4 out of 5 for reaction to peanuts – with 5 being shock and death. So, the boys have had a fear of peanuts their whole life. There have been a few occasions over the years when they have gotten too close, and the effects were very scary.

As their father I am helpless to change this about them. The best that I can do is to try and protect them from the potential dangers. So, from now on the boys will have to live with this severe allergy. But what if I could somehow take this fear away, to make it to where the boys could sit down and eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? To even know what peanut butter tastes like!

But this to me is what Easter is all about – we all have a condition that we cannot change, we were born with it, and it is leading us to an eternal death. But God as the all-powerful Father has made a way to be rid of sin and death forever. We no longer have to live in fear of death. This Easter I would like to invite you to journey with me as we discover what the empty tomb means for your life. Let’s go look into the empty tomb.

Prayer – Lord, show us this morning what you would have us to know about you and the power of your resurrection. Show us areas in our lives where we need to change and become more like, and show us where we need to trust you more. You alone are good and gracious, and you alone have the power over sin and death. Thank you for enduring the cross for us, and giving us eternal life. To you belongs all the praise, and all the glory, forever and ever, Amen.

For the Women the Empty Tomb Meant Hope (vv. 1-12)

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Luke 23:48-49 “And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle [Christ’s crucifixion], when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.” The woman had followed Jesus through his ministry, watched as he was crucified.

Luke 23:55-56 “The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.”

Old Testament law required that they rest on the Sabbath [Saturday], so they sat smelling the spices and the perfumes they had purchased and prepared. Thinking of their teacher laying in the tomb bloody, his body broken, and they would have had an urgency to prepare Christ’s body before the stink of decomposition.

Two of those women who would have been among their number was Mary and Martha, as they smelled the pungent spices and sat and rested their minds would have rushed back to their own brother’s death. Martha would have remembered running up to Jesus.

John 11:21-26 “ Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11:40-44 “Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

Then on Sunday morning, literally Sunday at “deep dawn” the women set out to carry the 80 plus pounds of spices and perfumes to cover the smell of decay. But when they get there the only thing left in the tomb are the grave clothes, the sheet that Jesus’ body had been wrapped in. There was no smell of death, there was no body, there was only an empty tomb.

Matthew 28:4 “And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.” In order for the women to look into the tomb, they had to step over the soldiers as they lay scattered on the ground.

Where were the 11 disciples? The disciples do not seem to be focused on getting Christ’s body from Pilate, preparing his body for burial, finding a place to even bury him, or performing some kind of a ceremony – the disciples are focused on how their plans were not working out.

Jesus had clearly told them what was going to happen. Matthew 20:17-22 “And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

But the disciples had their own plan – “20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.”

“4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words,”

The women were coming to cover the smell of death with perfumes and spices, then they remembered his words, not only that “on the third day be raised again,” but what about his other words, “I am the resurrection and the life,

John 6:35 “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 10:9 “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”

“Then they remembered his words” – what does God have to do for us to get it? Jesus himself told them on several occasions, so the angel says, “Remember how he told you”, the earth shook at his death, the Temple curtain was torn in two, the dead were raised and walked among the people, Jesus’ body was not in the tomb, and finally angels themselves say, “He is not here, he has risen!”

9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

In all the gospel accounts of the resurrection, once the women saw the angels, had seen that the tomb was empty, they quickly went back to tell the disciples. The spices and perfumes that they were going to be used to cover Christ’s body were never mentioned again.

1 Corinthians 15:54-57 “When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Because of Christ’s resurrection, we have victory over sin, the power that raised Christ from the dead now lives within the believer. We have victory over death, Jesus said in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

The sting that comes with death can be swallowed up in victory because we know that we have eternal life through Christ. We can leave the concerns and the weight of death behind us in order to run forward and announce to others Jesus is risen! We don’t have to pretend that we are ok, we don’t have to cover up the filth with pungent excuses – we can be changed, we can have real life, a new life.

When the women go back and tell the disciples – the disciples have two responses. One is disbelief because it seemed like nonsense. They had seen Jesus calm the storm, heal the sick, cast out demons, they heard him teach unlike anyone they had ever heard before, they even saw Jesus raise the dead – but they still didn’t get it.

If you just don’t get it, that’s ok, the men who spent three years face to face with Christ didn’t get at first either. But let me encourage you do what Peter does. He responds by running to the tomb. Peter wanted to see for himself. “he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.” He observed the evidence.

This morning if you are wondering about Jesus’ death and this whole idea of Jesus actually being raised from the dead – don’t dismiss it as non-sense. Instead, go and challenge the evidence. It has held up to two thousand years of skeptics, it can hold up to any questions you may bring against it.

Because what if it’s true? 1 Corinthians 15:17-19 “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

For the Disciples the Empty Tomb Meant Purpose (vv. 13-32)

They had a purpose in life (vv. 13-20)

13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.

The disciples did not understand that one day they would be separated from Jesus and that He would go to be with His Father in heaven. But even more astounding than this is that the disciples had a mission that they were to accomplish.

John 14:12-14 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” As believers pray, Jesus in heaven intercedes for us before the Father. As we seek to follow God’s will he will give us the desires of our heart.

Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This purpose required a substitution of their wants and plans (v. 21-24)

21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”

For these disciples the redemption of Israel was in terms of political freedom from the Romans. Jesus had told them several times[1] what would happen they put it all in terms of how they would benefit.

Their concept of redemption was freedom from Rome, not freedom from sin – They were all looking for “the one” and since they had given three years of their lives – who knows what they were expecting “to get from Jesus” when he became a king. But now his death had changed all that.

The resurrection teaches us that if we are to be true disciples of Christ we have to put away our plans and our wants and ask God “what’s your plan for my life.” The disciples were in essence saying “we had hoped he would do this for us, and this for us,” they never stopped to think that Jesus’ plan for them was beyond anything they could ever even imagine.

For Jesus the Empty Tomb Meant Redemption (vv. 25-27, 30-31)

25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. . . 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.

Even bigger than the question of was Jesus raised from the dead? Is the question “Why was Jesus raised from the dead?” All of the Old Testament pointed to a promised messiah who would redeem mankind from the bondage of sin.

The Old Testament also explains that this Messiah that was to come had to suffer these things in order to make a way for mankind to have a relationship with God.

Jesus did not come to simply amaze people with miracles for no reason, he told the disciples time after time why he would suffer the cross. The resurrection means that the power that raised Jesus from the dead can take away all the wrongs that you have ever done, it can give you power to live a new life, it can give your life purpose and meaning.

The real question this morning is “what does the resurrection mean to you?

“Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins, I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior.” In Jesus’ Name

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[1] Luke 9:22; 13:32; 18:33

“Where Is The Lamb?” Genesis 22:9-24

Father Abraham

A Sermon Series

“Where Is The Lamb?”

Genesis 22:9-24

John 1:29 “The next day he (John the Baptist) saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

A Father Who Holds Nothing Back (vv. 9-10)

9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.

(v. 2) “go to the land of Moriah,” – Abraham and Isaac have traveled to a very specific place for what is about to transpire. Moriah is mentioned in 2 Chronicles 3:1 – this would be the place where the temple would be built, and where Jesus would die on the cross. God told them, I want you to go to a very specific place (the eventual place of the cross), to do a very specific act of worship (lay down your son as a way of forgiveness of sin), in a very specific way (laying down his life). All of this points to Jesus.

This foundational act of worship (Abraham offering his one and only son as commanded by God) would take place in the land of Moriah. Then the Temple worship would come to be where animals would be slaughtered in accordance to the law. Then in the fullness of time, the cross would be lifted up where the Son of God would lay down his life, and be slaughtered for the sin of humanity).

Isaac was likely a young man, not a small child. Estimates generally range from his late teens to 37 years old. Common scholarly and traditional views suggest he was roughly 25 to 37 years old, as he was strong enough to carry the wood for the sacrifice up Mount Moriah[1] – more than strong enough to wrestle away from a 100-year-old man. He was not taken by force, Isaac willingly laid down on the alter because his father told him to.

Isaac carried the wood where he would be the sacrifice, the Father carried the knife and the fire and would be the one who kills his own son.[2]

God is not cruel or seeking to strip something away from Abraham,[3]

He is foreshadowing a Savior that is coming,

God is showing how a father will sacrifice his son for the covering of sin.

(v. 1) tells us that this was a test, “God tested Abraham,” – So what is the test? The test is “Can I trust God?” To have faith is to accept certain things about God (truth, love, just, etc.) that is why we have the Bible, so we can get a true picture of who He is, and then to act on His Word. All of the salvation story revolves on how we respond to God’s Word – we are saved by faith.

A Father Whose Heart Is Broken (vv. 11- 14)

11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

Why did God put Abraham through this “test?” Because he has to feel and understand what a substitute means. If there is no understanding of loss, there is no rejoicing in the substitute. Ultimately this is a foreshadowing of how God laid His own Son down, and offered him as a sacrifice for the salvation of the world. He would not stop mid-blow, but instead bring down His full wrath upon his one and only son, the son who he loved.

Salvation means nothing until a person truly understands where they stand before God apart from Christ. What is the value of a substitute if you have never felt the pain of loss. Why turn from sin if you have never understood what that sin cost our heavenly father? God has to get Abraham to the point of realizing his complete loss (of Isaac), and then in that mourning and fear of loss God provides the substitute. Jehovah Jireh, “the Lord will provide.”

Jonathan Edwards in his famous sermon Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God, once said, “The use of this dreadful subject, may be for awakening unconverted people in this congregation. What you have heard is the case of every one of you who are out of Christ. That world of misery, that lake of burning brimstone, is extended abroad under you! There is the dreadful pit of the glowing flames of the wrath of God! There is Hell’s wide gaping mouth open, and you have nothing to stand upon, nor anything to take hold of! There is nothing between you and Hell but the thin air! It is only the power and mere pleasure of God, which holds you up!”

When we realize that because of our sin, we have lost everything of any value in this world or in the next, we cry out for Jesus. Then, God withholds nothing for those who place their faith in His Son. He lavishes them with forgiveness of sin, spiritual gifts, eternal life, adoption as His children, placing on them a robe, and ring, and sandals on their feet – their poverty of sin is turned to heavenly riches of grace and mercy.

But you cannot understand the power of the father running to us as the prodigal, unless you realize that you have lost everything and your stomach aches to eat what the pigs are eating. Otherwise, the father’s running to you in love, the ring, the coat, and sandals are easily discarded for Satanic substitutes.

(v.14) “So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”” – Jehovah Jireh or “The Lord will see to it.” This description and name is given in the future tense, meaning God will see to and provide in the future a substitute for man’s sin – The Father will see our sinful condition, and provide a substitute so that we may live – so that we will not have to pay the penalty for the sin we have committed. When Isaac asked, “where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, . . .”

“Where is the lamb?”

“How can I be free from my sin?”

“What must I do to be saved?”

Acts 16:25-31 “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Our Father has seen our need (sin) and has provided a way for you to be saved from your sin. He gave His One and Only Son as a substitute for you.

Isaiah 53:5-6 “. . . he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

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In this account Abraham received a picture of what the Messiah would be like, John 8:56 Jesus is discussing who He is with the religious leaders, “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” But what did Abraham see about Jesus that made him glad?

“When he takes the knife, and stretches forth his hand to slay his son, he is made to realize the intensity of the love of him who spared not his own Son, but gave him up even to death.” Ultimately, Abraham would not have to give his son, but he would understand the love given to him and all other sinners because of the true sacrifice.

“The lamb provided for Isaac’s release, there is a vivid representation of the great principle of the sacrifice of Christ – the principle of substitution (substitutionary atonement). A ransom is found for the doomed and condemned – an acceptable victim in their place.” Abraham would know the feeling of joy and release in that he doesn’t have to give his own son as a sin offering.

“In the reception of Isaac again by Abraham virtually from the dead, and his welcome restoration to his father’s embrace – not, however, without a sacrifice, not without blood – the resurrection of the Son of God, and his return to the bosom of the Father – after undergoing that death which Isaac underwent only in figure – might clearly and strikingly discerned.”[4] What Abraham experienced showed him all that his faith longed to see. Jesus would return to and be embraced by the Father – Abraham understood what that reception would be like.

There is joy in a day of resurrection; Hebrews 11:19 “He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.” With Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, sin and death has been defeated. Death causes us to weep and mourn. Jesus thinking about his friend Lazarus’ tomb and wept. But Abraham through this experience was able to see a day when Jesus would come, and defeat death and there will be a day of resurrection when all things will be made right once more. Joy will come in the morning.

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A Father Who Is Blessed By God (vv. 15-19)

15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore.[5] And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.

(v. 18) This is the first time we have the word “obey” in the Bible – because Abraham obeyed God’s command, etc… Abraham’s obedience was immediate. When he was told to circumcise the males in his camp, “on that very day,” (Gen. 17) he carried out the command. When told to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering, “he arose early the next morning,” (Gen. 22). He was obedient in that he obeyed quickly. Abraham was going to Mt. Moriah to worship God; Worship is rooted in obedience – you cannot worship God while willfully being disobedient.

(v. 16) We are told why Abraham is being blessed, “because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you . . .” Hebrews again speaks to this passage, Hebrews 6:13-15 “For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.”

Abraham’s descendants, have already been described as “a great nation,” “as the dust of the earth,” “the stars of the sky” and here God adds, “as the sand that is on the seashore,” Abraham’s faith is rewarded in that many others will also place their faith in Christ – His faith will direct countless others to put their faith in the one true God, and the substitute He provides (His own Son).

(v. 17) “And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies” – Those who put their faith in Jesus don’t have to win the battle over sin; victory over sin and death has already been completed – they simply possess it. The enemy and his city have been defeated. The children of God simply occupy/possess the land already conquered.

James 2:21-24 “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”

Salvation is received (we obtain salvation) by faith alone (not works) – but that faith in God should drive us to obedient actions. Abraham’s faith demanded that he sacrifice Isaac – which his heart was willing to do.[6] There are countless opportunities to express your faith in Christ in your church (we are starting Good News Clubs, young adult ministries, there is group that gathers to pray every Wednesday morning, children’s ministry, student ministry, you can invite people to church or your Sunday School class, Easter is a few weeks away, on and on are opportunities).

If you think of faith the inward, and works as the outward – both have to exist. Faith without works is dead (it’s not real, its pretend, your just religious). Works without faith is exhausting self-righteousness, trying to accomplish the impossible. You don’t even know why you are doing what you are doing – there is no foundation underneath your efforts.

Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. When he received the command to offer his son as a burnt offering he left early the next day, saddled his donkey, cut wood, and went to Mt. Moriah. Faith and Works. Inward and Outward.

James tells us that Abraham “was called a friend of God.” – How does one become a friend of God? 1) They are called by God 2) They repent when they sin and seek to worship God as He has instructed 3) They have faith in His Word 4) They are obedient to His Word 5) Their blessing is the salvation of others – what is important to God is important to them. John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

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[1] John 19:17 “So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.” Isaac is carrying the wood where he will be the burnt offering.

[2] Derek Kidner, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Genesis (Downers Grove, Illinois; Inter-Varsity Press, 1967) 143.

[3] If this were an idolatrous stripping away for Abraham’s sake, then “Abraham without Isaac is greatly troubling, but Abraham without God is unbearable.”

[4] James Montgomery Boice, An Expositional Commentary, Genesis (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Baker Books, 2002) 698.

[5] Hebrews 11:12 “Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”

[6] C. H. Mackintosh, Notes on the Pentateuch, Genesis to Deuteronomy (Neptune, New Jersey; Loizeaux Brothers, 1972) 98.

“Where Is The Lamb?” Genesis 22:9-24

Drew Boswell Ministries

“Where Is The Lamb?” Genesis 22:9-24

00:00 / 00:39:21

“Moving With God When The Way Seems Twisted” Genesis 21:1-7; 22:1-8

Drew Boswell Ministries

“Moving With God When The Way Seems Twisted” Genesis 21:1-7; 22:1-8

00:00 / 00:44:11

“Moving With God When The Way Seems Twisted” Genesis 21:1-7; 22:1-8

Father Abraham

A Sermon Series

“Moving With God When The Way Seems Twisted”

Genesis 21:1-7; 22:1-8

Introduction

We Can Be Joyful Because God Keeps His Promises (Genesis 21:1-7)

“The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. 2 And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. 3 Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. 4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” 7 And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

God has made multiple promises to Abraham and Sarah, going back over a decade— established a covenant centered on three core pillars: numerous descendants (a “great nation”), the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession, and divine blessing for him and all nations through his offspring. But of all promises, Abraham and Sarah would have held the most dear, was the promise of a son (born from their own bodies).

The word laughter is repeated again and again – it is a scene of a family rejoicing in the birth of a child. It is also the joy that comes from believing that God will keep His promise, and then rejoicing in how He is faithful. This older couple has learned many things about God in their 100 year journey: 1) what is means to pursue a calling of God together, 2) to take spiritual shortcuts and sin against others (having a child with Hagar, and lying to the Pharoah),

3) what it means to wait upon the Lord, patience, 4) to have members of their family go away from God and pursue the world – they tried to rescue Lot multiple times, 4) and now to experience God keeping His promises – promises fulfilled. Laughter fills their homes and lives. God took the incident of Sarah laughing at God (“that’s silly, me have a child now that I am old?”), and turned it into a characteristic of their lives, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” When people see this old woman holding this new born child they will laugh (with joy with them) at how God has done this.

This is also a picture of God’s people waiting for the Messiah[2] to arrive, Gen. 12:2 God has promised Abraham, “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” : When we hear the story of Abraham and Sarah finally give birth the promised child our hearts fill with joy because we know that through this lineage will come the Savior of the world – and God has the power to keep his promise (to do the miraculous) and because of His character (proven faithfulness) He will do it. In spite of the lying, the spiritual shortcuts, and all the lacking of faith by this couple – God stayed true to His promise to this couple.

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Isaac’s Birth Explained By Romans 4

Romans 4:18-25 “In hope he (Abraham) believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”

Isaac’s Birth Was Impossible

(v. 19) “when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead,”[3] – When Abraham considered his own body it was impossible for him to have a child – God would have to do a miracle. Ephesians 2:1 “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins” Spiritually, apart from Christ and his salvation, we are dead. Dead people cannot save themselves – they can do nothing. Jesus told Nicodemus, that he would never see the kingdom of God, unless he was born again – to be made alive again (John 3:7).

Abraham’s Faith Grew As He Gave God Glory

(v. 20) “he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God” – God will get the glory for the child’s birth, and whenever people would see this sight of this older couple and this new born child, the joy would be directed to God. Every time before the birth, when Abraham would think “how is this going to happen?” Romans tells us that he would give glory to God, and not look to himself to accomplish this.

When he did that, again, and again, his faith was strengthened. “So long as Abraham had possessed the physical ability to procure a child, the child would have been his child and the glory of engendering it would have been his as well.”[4] When we give God glory for our salvation, accepting that He gave us a spiritual new birth, that He did all that was required for our salvation, that we did nothing – our faith is also strengthened.

Abraham Believed God’s Promise

(v. 21) “fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” – Abraham believed God’s promise of a son because he was fully convinced that God would it. In John 3:7 in that conversation with Nicodemus Jesus says, “No one can enter into the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and Spirit” (John 3:5). The power of this birth has to come from above, from God. Abraham had no ability to bring this child into the world – God had to do it. Our salvation is from above, you can do nothing to save yourself (you are spiritually dead).

The Birth of Isaac Was Not Just For Abraham and Sarah’s Joy

(v. 23-24) “But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also.” This miracle was not just for the joy of Abraham and Sarah, it was written so that we may believe, so that we may have the righteousness of Christ credited to us because of our faith in Jesus. Isaac’s birth was written so that all who hear it, may place their faith in the God who does the miraculous for the wicked sinner.

We all need the miracle of a new birth. Your salvation is not just for you alone, Jesus commands those who have placed their faith in him to “go and make disciples of all nations.”

The promise given to Abraham to be a blessing to all nations,

is fulfilled in you as you share the gospel to those around you.

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We Can Be Joyful Because God Is Good (Genesis 22:1-10)

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

A burnt offering means, “that which goes up,” “is vaporized,” Its purpose is to be a pleasing odor before the Lord. Whatever animal or bird was used was entirely burned up, including it entrails and legs on the alter by the priest. The offeror first laid his hands upon the head of the animal (Lev. 1:14-17, 6:8-13) so that its acceptance in his place was symbolically assured. Later in the temple the blood of the animal would be thrown against the alter at the door of the tent of meeting. This act of worship makes the worshipper acceptable to God – his sin would be atoned for.[5]

God has appeared to Abraham nine times and God has promised him again and again that he would have a son, and this promised son would hold a critical role in the future. God has promised Abraham that through Isaac he would be blessed, that the whole world would be blessed, that the promised deliverer (of Gen.3) would come through his lineage.

Remember Abraham begged God to accept Ismael as a substitute for the promised son, and God said, “No.” The salvation of the world hinged on Isaac having a family, and then having kids – but how could all those promises come to be if he kills him? Isaac has to die, “offer him there as a burnt offering,” yet God’s promises must be fulfilled – how can these things happen at the same time?[6] Abraham “. . . believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” And again, in Romans 4:21-22 “. . . fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” Abraham did not know how God was going to do both, yet he believed that God would make a way.

3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.

Abraham has clear direction, but not clear understanding, “So Abraham rose early in the morning.” When you have clear direction from God, even though you may not understand why, or how – you still must move. Abraham had clear instructions (what he was supposed to do), and clear directions (where he was supposed to go) – therefore he has to move forward, even though he may not like the plan, or fully understand the why behind the plan. Delaying is not an option, if he was to remain faithful.

Notice that at the age of well over 100, Abraham saddled his own donkey, Abraham cut the wood needed for the sacrifice, even though he had three young men with him who could have done it – this task fell on his plate of responsibility. For three days Abraham was thinking about what he had to do. He knew it was his responsibility to offer his son as a sacrifice – so he personally took care of all the details.

He is trying to figure out how is this paradox going to be solved – and by the time he gets to the mountain – he has figured it out, “I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” What answer did he come up with? Hebrews 11:19 “He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, . . .” Abraham was expecting a resurrection. He would kill his son, and God would raise him back to life.[7]

Later during Jesus’ ministry, Matthew 16:21-22 “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord!5 This shall never happen to you.” How Can Jesus save the world from their sin, to fulfill the Scriptures of being the Messiah, if they kill him? Jesus tells the disciples, “on the third day I will be raised back to life.” They don’t seem to remember the account of Abraham and Isaac.

7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.

From the conversation between Abraham and his son, we see that worship would have been a regular event in their lives. Cutting wood, carrying wood, carrying fire and a knife to a location (even a three-day travel in this valley of shadow of death isn’t strange to Isaac), but this time (of all the previous times) something is missing. Isaac asks, “where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”

Abraham (whose name was changed by God to mean “the father of nations”) responds “God will provide for himself the lamb,” – Normally, you would select from your herd a lamb meeting the proper qualifications (healthy, no deformities, etc.) and slaughter it and lay it on the fire (as a burnt offering). But on this occasion, God would select the offering, he would provide the sacrifice.

Job 1:21 after he had lost his children, put it like this, “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head fand fell on the ground and worshiped. (Abraham is going to worship) 21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Abraham’s role in this life was to obey the word of the Lord, not to stand in judgement of it – trust that God is good, that He is our friend, that He is merciful, kind, and a good Father. He is the Good Shepherd, He is always faithful, — God had given him a son, and God has every right to take the only son that he loved. For this act of worship, God chose Isaac for the sacrifice.

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[2] Genesis 49:10: Predicts a ruler from the tribe of Judah (the scepter shall not depart from Judah). 2 Samuel 7:12-16: God promises David that his descendant will establish an everlasting kingdom. Psalm 2:1-12: Identifies the Messiah as the Son of God, ordained to rule. Psalm 22: Describes the suffering and crucifixion of the Messiah, including phrases like “they pierced my hands and my feet.” Isaiah 7:14: Foretells that the Messiah will be born of a virgin and named Immanuel. Isaiah 9:6-7: Prophesies a child will be born, called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”. Isaiah 11:1-5: Predicts a descendant of Jesse (David’s father) who will rule with the Spirit. Isaiah 53: The “Suffering Servant” passage, detailing the Messiah’s rejection, persecution, and vicarious suffering for sins. Daniel 9:24-27: Prophesies a specific timeline (“seventy sevens”) for the coming and rejection of the Messiah. Micah 5:2: Predicts the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem. Zechariah 9:9: Foretells the Messiah’s humble, public entry into Jerusalem on a donkey.

[3] See also Hebrews 11:12 “. . . him as good as dead,”

[4] James Montgomery Boice, An Expositional Commentary, Genesis, Volume 2 (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Baker Books, 1985) 660.

[5] Geoffrey W. Bromiley, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Volume Four (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988) 268.

[6] “Human reason would simply conclude that either the promise is false or that the command is not from God but from the devil; for it is a manifest contradiction. For if Isaac must be killed, the promise is void; if the promise is valid, it is impossible for this to be a command from God.” (Luther) C. F. Keil and F. Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament In Ten Volumes, Volume 1 (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdman Publishing Company, 1985) 248.

[7] The burnt offering would be completely consumed by the fire. Abraham believed Isaac would be brought back to life and fully restored from the fire. Jesus ultimately would be resurrected and given a new spiritual body.