Preparing for the Lord's Day
Kingdoms in Conflict
Hubert Zafke was 95 years old when he went on trial for a crime that he committed 72 years earlier. On the surface, it seems harsh to punish a 95-year-old for a crime he committed when he was 23 years old. Why not let this crime go? Why seek vengeance for a crime committed seven decades earlier? Yet the people of Germany, where Zafke’s crimes were committed, were not willing to overlook his crimes. Why? Because Zafke was being tried for accessory to murder for more than 3,000 people. Zafke had been a member of the S.S. during World War II. He served in the concentration camp of Auschwitz in 1944. He is alleged to have known and willingly participated in the death of thousands of innocent men women and children. The most notable victim was Anne Frank who died at Auschwitz while Zafke served there. His crimes required justice no matter how long ago they were committed.
To understand our passage for this Sunday we must understand that it is wrong to allow crimes to go unpunished. As the book of Proverbs explains,
He who justifies the wicked…is… an abomination to the LORD. (Proverbs 17:15 ESV)
As Christians we are called upon to forgive those who sin against us personally, however, our personal forgiveness does not preclude the need for justice against the wickedness of evil-doers.
In 2 Kings 9, we encounter much violence and vengeance against evil-doers. This vengeance might offend us at first. Nevertheless, what we will see is that we are called to love the vengeance of God against sin because God’s vengeance is the very ground of God’s justice, mercy, and forgiveness. To come prepared for the sermon take time this week to read and to meditate upon 2 Kings 9, Exodus 34:17, Deuteronomy 32:41, Psalm 94, Romans 12:19-20, Hebrews 9:22, and Revelation 6:9-10.
As we gather to worship our loving Father this Lord’s Day, we will join our hearts in song, singing the Hymn of Praise “Holy, Holy, Holy”, the Acclamation of Praise “In Christ Alone”, and the Hymn of Response “There is a Fountain Filled with Blood”. Let us come to worship this Sunday prepared to hear God’s Word, to receive it in faith, to love and treasure it in our hearts, and to practice it in our lives so that we may continue to glorify and enjoy Him!
Sermon Information
Text: 2 Kings 9
Title: Loving God’s Vengeance
- God’s Vengeance Means Justice
- God’s Vengeance Means Hope
- God’s Vengeance Means Forgiveness