Sunday, January 25, 2004
(Tone Seven) The Sunday of Zacchaeos
Kellia: Proverbs 8:6-10 Epistle: 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 Gospel: St. John 10:9-16
Proverbs 8:6-10 LXX, especially vs. 6, "Hearken to me; for I will speak
solemn truths...." In the present passage, Wisdom speaks directly to us, exhorting and appealing
to our hearts. Having already learned that the Lord Jesus Christ is Divine Wisdom Incarnate, let
us to hear Him Whose words must be taken with utmost seriousness. He speaks in statements
which we should best take as promises. His solemn declarations are covenants He makes with
us: He is none other than God Himself telling us to hearken, for what He speaks will come down
upon us as rain from heaven which will not "return...thither but water the earth, making it bring
forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, but it shall accomplish that
which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it" (Is. 55:10, 11).
First, Our Savior, as Life-giving Wisdom, promises to speak "solemn truths" (Pr. 8:6 LXX), not
'sound bytes' nor the catch phrases of advertising which dull the hearing. This is the Bridegroom
speaking to His Bride, making vows of salvation and love to her. God addresses His Church:
"...as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you" (Is. 62:5). "The
nations shall see your vindication...you shall be called by a new name.... You shall be a crown of
beauty in the hand of the Lord.... You shall no more be termed Forsaken...but you shall be called
My delight is in her" (Is. 62:2-4). Notice that our good God does not ignore our sins against
Him, but instead, through Wisdom, He promises: "I will establish My covenant with you, and
you shall know that I Am the Lord, that you may remember and be confounded, and never open
your mouth again because of your shame, when I forgive you all that you have done, says the
Lord God" (Ezek. 16:62, 63).
Next, Wisdom declares: "I will...produce right sayings from My lips" (Pr. 8:6 LXX). God does
not confront us with inaccuracies nor lies. He is direct and honest. His prophecies are fulfilled.
His analyses penetrate the depths of issues. "For the word of God is living and powerful, and
sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints
and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb. 4:12).
The Lord Jesus said of Himself substantially what He utters here as the promise of Wisdom: "For
My throat shall meditate truth" (Pr. 8:7). In the flesh, at Supper with His disciples, He told the
Disciples, "I Am...the truth" (Jn. 14:6). Many times in the Gospel record, He leaves a record of
pronouncements which begin with a linguistic device unique to the Lord Jesus, a statement
preceded by "Amen" (cf. Jn. 1:51, 3:3, 5:19, 6:47; Mt. 6:2, 10:15; Lk. 13:35, et. al). These amens
often are translated as "Verily," "Truly" or "Most Assuredly." They represent a firm promise of
truth on the part of our Lord, a "So-it-will-be!"
Hear a fourth promise which our Incarnate Lord and Holy Wisdom makes in this passage: "All
the words of My mouth are in righteousness" (Pr. 8:8 LXX). Righteousness also is what He
urges for us: "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Mt. 6:33). After His
Resurrection, His Apostles recognized that He had introduced the possibility of true
righteousness: "as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 5:21).
Finally, Holy Wisdom promises that all His words "are all evident to those that understand" (Pr.
8:9 LXX). The Lord Jesus came not with words only, but also accompanied His pronouncements
with signs and wonders, which agreed with and affirmed His teaching.
O how sweet is Thy voice, O Christ; for Thou has verily made us a true promise to which we
believers hold, that Thou shalt be with us to the end of time, an Anchor for our hopes.