“The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.”

Isaiah 52:10

In Psalm 98, the Psalmist draws extensively on the prophet Isaiah’s words about Yahweh’s deliverance of Israel’s captivity in Babylon. Throughout the Old Testament, Moses and the prophets figuratively describe the deliverance that the Lord has brought through his “mighty hand and an outstretched arm.” Isaiah’s words also prophetically speak of the holy arm of the promised Messiah being seen by the nations to the ends of the earth as the source of salvation. The nations of the earth are blessed by the One who came to save us with His nail-pierced hands as the sins of the world weighed down upon His outstretched arms that held Him to the cross. For it is when Jesus Christ was lifted on the cross, like the serpent in the wilderness, that He would draw all people to Himself.

The Epiphany season sees Jesus’ gaze cast farther and wider as He is revealed as the Savior of all the nations. He is the Light that scatters the darkness, and He is the One whose strong hand and outstretched arm has won salvation for the nations of the earth. This prophecy is fulfilled as the Savior is revealed to children from many lands and of many tongues in our Lutheran schools each day. This prophecy is fulfilled as missionaries are sent to far away places to proclaim the Gospel and as our partner churches carry out the Lord’s commission. Finally, this prophecy is accomplished as our congregations lift high the cross of Christ in everything that they do so that the nations see the salvation of our God.

May God use each congregation to boldly proclaim that salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone to all – no matter who they are or where they come from. Thanks be to God for the certain hope that we have in the promised Messiah, Jesus, that is revealed to all nations.

Prayer – Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities and stretch forth the hand of Your majesty to heal and defend us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Fraternally in Christ,

President Lee Hagan