THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST: FOR LIFE OR DEATH

"GOD HIMSELF WILL PROVIDE THE LAMB"

Genesis 22:1-19

Martin Luther said, "The only saving faith is that, which casts itself on God for life or death." Abraham’s faith, in this gut-wrenching story, is exhibit, "A" of that truth. It has puzzled and inspired both believers and nonbelievers alike for centuries. In his weakness and grief, Abraham’s faith was strong, even though it probably didn’t feel that way to him. But believing that God’s promise to bless, the world through his offspring was true, he "reasoned that God could raise the dead" (Hebrews 11:19) if necessary. So he cast himself on God for life or death.

Abraham’s faith has come a long way from the finagling and second guessing of the Hagar episode. It is different, though not necessarily better, from the faith that wrestled with God over Sodom and Gomorrah. This time he simply says "Yes," to God’s command and explains his actions to a confused son who wants to know where the lamb for the offering is: "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son" ((Genesis 22:8). Abraham had learned that the only way to keep his life was to completely trust in God.

How does one get to this kind of faith? By years of walking, and sometimes stumbling, in a faith relationship. The key to a growing faith is the cultivation of a close relationship with God over the long haul. Abraham had grown in intimacy with God by being forced sometimes to have to trust him in ways he didn’t understand. But mostly, it was the day-in-day-out choice to walk by faith in the little things that taught him to trust God in the big things. That is why the spiritual disciplines, particularly of prayer and Scripture reading, are so important. By showing us the face of God when we can see it, they help us to trust when we can’t see it.

In Christ,