The Promise Fulfilled
This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet . . .
MATTHEW 21:4
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The Promise Fulfilled
The evangelist cites [this prophecy] so that we may see how Christ has come not for the sake of our merit, but for the sake of divine truth. For He was promised long ago before we, to whom He comes, existed. Therefore, just as God promised the Gospel out of pure grace, so He has also fulfilled it to demonstrate His truth—that He keeps what He promises—in order to stir us to build confidently on His promise, for He will fulfill it. And this is one of the Scriptures in which the Gospel was promised, of which Paul says, "God promised the Gospel beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scripture, concerning His Son, Jesus Christ," etc. (Romans 1:2). We have now heard how, in this verse, the Gospel, Christ, and faith are pointed out with the utmost excellence and consolation.
From the Church Postil, sermon for Advent I on Matthew 21:1-9 (Luther's Works 75:57)
MATTHEW 21:4
+
The Promise Fulfilled
The evangelist cites [this prophecy] so that we may see how Christ has come not for the sake of our merit, but for the sake of divine truth. For He was promised long ago before we, to whom He comes, existed. Therefore, just as God promised the Gospel out of pure grace, so He has also fulfilled it to demonstrate His truth—that He keeps what He promises—in order to stir us to build confidently on His promise, for He will fulfill it. And this is one of the Scriptures in which the Gospel was promised, of which Paul says, "God promised the Gospel beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scripture, concerning His Son, Jesus Christ," etc. (Romans 1:2). We have now heard how, in this verse, the Gospel, Christ, and faith are pointed out with the utmost excellence and consolation.
From the Church Postil, sermon for Advent I on Matthew 21:1-9 (Luther's Works 75:57)
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