I’ve been reading some classic sermons as a part of my Advent devotions. This quote is from a sermon Martin Luther preached on the first chapters of John. In this sermon Luther comments on the significance of the Incarnation by pointing us to the way that Jesus’ coming "in the flesh" opens heaven for us and makes believers citizens of heaven.
Before Christ’s incarnation heaven was closed indeed. But now the Child Jesus was born, and the angels preached their nocturnal sermon about the Child to the shepherds before the town of Bethlehem: “Behold, we bring you good news of a great joy. To you is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!” (Luke 2:10 f.); and they sang: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased” (Luke 2:14). From that time on heaven is open; and now we, too, have citizenship among the angels, as St. Paul tells the Ephesians 2:19. And he tells the Philippians 3:20: “We are citizens and members of the household with the saints. Our commonwealth is not worldly and earthly, but is in heaven, from which we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” There we find the true city and the true Jerusalem, where we are citizens and members of the same household with the angels, fellow countrymen of those who live and have their being in heaven. The angels look down upon us, and we in turn gaze up at them.
Martin Luther, Luther’s Works, Vol. 22 : Sermons on the Gospel of St. John: Chapters 1-4, ed. Jaroslav Jan Pelikan, Hilton C. Oswald and Helmut T. Lehmann, Luther’s Works (Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1999, c 1957). 22:vii-203.
Reflect: Read John 1:1-17 and Philippians 2:5-11. How did Jesus "establish your residency" in his Kingdom? What do these texts say about the ultimate allegiance of Jesus Christ? Think about what it means to have Jesus Christ make you a citizen of heaven. How might this generous act of divine mercy prepare you to serve God and others more effectively in this life? How does it challenge you to reconsider your loyalties? Pray that God would frequently draw your attention to the fact that Jesus Christ has opened up new opportunities for you in this life..and in the life to come.
