“But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.”

Malachi 3:2-3

In Jesus’ first advent, He came as the Babe of Bethlehem to begin the journey to the cross, whereby He would purify us from all unrighteousness. In the waters of Holy Baptism, we were baptized into His death and resurrection so that we would be washed and made clean by His sacrifice on the cross. As we hear the Word of God and receive the Lord’s Supper and Holy Absolution, we, once again, receive the cleansing that was first given to us through the water and the word of our baptism into Christ.

Now we wait for our Lord’s second advent, the great “Day of the Lord,” when He will come again in glory. Until that day, we eagerly wait for when Christ’s purifying will be made complete, and all the effects of sin will be removed. On that day, we will be restored to the former glory of God’s creation and behold His perfection and glory with our own eyes, no longer clouded by sin. So, we wait for Him to come as the refiner and purifier that we may bring the righteous offerings of our praise and thanks eternally.

The words quoted below from Dr. Martin Luther, quoted by Brian T. German in “Haggai and Malachi,” are striking as we consider Christ’s saving work. He writes, “The kingdom of Christ is a mystical smelting furnace that purges out the impurity of the old Adam. Here the prophet seems to be speaking about the white linen cloaks which eastern people wore most commonly. These are washed with soap. Christ is not merely the Purifier but also the purifying Agent. He is not only the Blacksmith but also the Fire; not only the Cleaner but also the Soap. He does not sit indolently at the right hand of His father. Rather He is always working among us vitally, effectively and uninterruptedly as He is spread abroad over His mystical body, as fire is applied to metal. So He is elsewhere called Salvation, and not just Savior. That is, He is Salvation itself and the Laboratory of salvation.”

Prayer – Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Your only begotten Son, that by His coming we may be enabled to serve You with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Fraternally in Christ,

President Lee Hagan