Third Sunday in Lent (2025)

The Good News of a Savior Who Gives Himself in Our Place Genesis 22:1–18

GOAL: That the hearers realize that the Lord Saves by Providing a Sacrificial Substitute

Have you ever read a portion of scripture, then look at the heading at the beginning of the paragraph, scratching your head because what God’s Word says and the heading title don’t seem to match? If so, you’re not alone. You see, those section headings were not originally in the Bible but were inserted in modern times.

For example, the first words of the Bible itself are “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” But in many modern editions of the Bible, before those first words of Scripture, inserted a heading which might say something like “The Creation of the World” or “The Beginning.” When you’re reading the Bible, it can be a useful exercise to ask yourself what heading YOU would put over a section you’ve just read.

This morning, I’d like us to consider a suitable heading for our Old Testament Reading in Genesis 22, which delves into the profound story of Abraham and Isaac on Mt. Moriah. This is a significant passage for Lent because it prefigures the ultimate sacrifice made by Christ, as we have come to learn from that very familiar Gospel passage, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

So, just as section headings can guide our understanding of scripture, the story of Abraham and Isaac offers a profound insight into God’s provision.

I. The Lord Provides for Abraham

When you open your Bibles to Genesis 22, some of you will find the heading “Abraham Tested.” At first glance, that might seem like a natural heading. After all, this section begins with the words “After these things God tested Abraham” (Genesis 22:1).

Let's delve deeper into the story beyond the headings to discover its profound implications.

Abraham faith was indeed tested. When Abraham was seventy-five years old, the Lord had called him to leave his home and his people and go to a place the Lord would show him. The Lord had promised he would make of Abraham a great nation and that in him all the families of the earth would be blessed. Those promises had been especially remarkable because up to that time, Abraham and his wife, Sarah, had been without children. Where would the offspring come from through whom the nations would be blessed?

After those hard-to-believe promises came twenty-five years of waiting. Then, at last, God gave Abraham and Sarah a son. And the Lord assured Abraham that from the line of that son, Isaac, God’s promises would be kept—all those descendants as numerous as the stars and God’s blessings to all nations. At last, things seemed to be on track, affirming the trustworthiness of God’s promises.

But then in our reading comes a major obstacle in the road. Abraham was being told by the Lord to offer up as a sacrifice that very son who had himself been given as an answer to God’s promises—and through whose line God had said he would fulfill the rest of his promises. If Abraham were to do as the Lord said, how could the Lord then keep the great promises he had made? Could the Lord be trusted to come through for Abraham and for his son? It was indeed a test of faith.

But is the fact that Abraham’s faith was tested the main point of this reading? And is the testing of Abraham’s faith the main thing the Lord does in this reading?

Abraham himself did not seem to regard the testing as the main thing. As we heard, Abraham came away from Mount Moriah saying not, “The Lord has tested me,” but rather, “The Lord will provide” (Genesis 22:14b). And in our reading, Moses, the author of Genesis, does not comment, “It is said to this day, ‘The Lord tests,’ ” but rather, “It is said to this day, ‘On the mount of the Lord it will be provided’ ” (Genesis 22:14c). This shows the relief and confidence Abraham had in God’s provision, comforting us with the knowledge of our Lord’s care.

This reading does begin by saying that the Lord tested Abraham. But—taking our lead from Abraham—if you want to get the main point of the reading, we must dig deeper to uncover the full message of God's provision. Let's now consider the implications of God's provision—how it points to something far greater.

II. The Lord Provides for Isaac

This brings us to another heading seen in some Bibles. In some Bibles, you’ll find that these verses have the heading “The Sacrifice of Isaac.”

Now, I suppose we can understand how someone might come up with that heading. But we do have a problem here—because one of the important points in this reading is that, in fact, Isaac was not sacrificed.

And why wasn’t he sacrificed? Because the Lord provides. Although life belongs to the Lord and—if the Lord had required it—Abraham was willing to offer his son to the Lord who had first given him, the Lord would not require Isaac’s sacrifice. Instead, the Lord told Abraham not to lay a hand on the boy, and he provided a ram to be offered in Isaac’s place. The Lord showed his faithfulness to Abraham and saved Isaac by providing a substitute to be sacrificed in Isaac’s place. The Lord Will Provide.

So perhaps a heading for this section could build on the statement that the Lord provides by saying something about how he provided that day—that the Lord provided deliverance for Isaac by providing a sacrificial substitute to be given in his place.

We’re getting a bit closer now. But as we look again to our reading, we can see that we still haven’t yet captured the main point.

Turning again to Abraham’s words, notice that he didn’t say, “The Lord has provided,” but rather, “The Lord will provide.” In the events of that day, Abraham saw not only what the Lord had done—that he had provided. He also saw a preview and promise of what the Lord would do—that he would provide.

The Lord spoke of that future provision as he said to Abraham,

Genesis 22:16–18 EHV

“…Because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will bless you greatly, and I will multiply your descendants greatly, like the stars of the sky and like the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the city gates of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

There was God’s greatest promise to Abraham again. From the line of Abraham and Isaac, an Offspring would come through whom the Lord would provide blessing to all the nations of the earth. The Lord will provide.

And how will the Lord provide worldwide blessing through that promised Offspring? In much the same way that he had provided that day on Mt Moriah. As God provided for Isaac’s deliverance by providing a substitute who would be given in his place, so the Lord would provide blessings for people of all nations by providing a Substitute who would be given in our place. So, we see in Abraham’s day, God provided a ram instead of Isaac. But what about us? Who is our ultimate substitute? As God provided a ram for Isaac, so too does He provide a Lamb for us.

III. The Lord Provides for Us

Now, let us turn our eyes from the shadows in Genesis to the full revelation at Calvary.

If it wasn’t for the deliverance God provides, each of us would face death tied up in the cords of our own sins, and the just judgment for our sins would hang over us like a knife. But instead, the Lord provides a way out. He stops the knife, unlooses the cords of sin that entangle us, and sets us free—as the Lamb of God takes our place.

And in the most remarkable turn of events, that Lamb whom God provides to be our sacrificial substitute is his own beloved Son, Jesus Christ. The Father who would not require Abraham’s son does not withhold his own Son but gives him up for us all.

This section of Genesis is not about the sacrifice of Isaac—who, after all, was not sacrificed. And it’s about much more than the testing of Abraham. It is about God showing his faithfulness to Abraham and saving Isaac by providing a substitute to be sacrificed in his place. It also points beyond Mt Moriah to Mt Calvary—where on the mount of the Lord our salvation was provided. The connection between Mt Moriah and Mt Calvary is seen as a powerful symbol of God's love and sacrifice, with Jesus' sacrifice seen as a fulfillment of the near-sacrifice of Isaac. 

For there, on the cross,

Christ Has Saved Us by Giving Himself as Our Sacrificial Substitute.

Trying to capture what God did on both those mountains, perhaps we could suggest a heading for this section along the lines of “The Lord Saves by Providing a Sacrificial Substitute.”

Or—if, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words—maybe just placing a cross above this section would be the way to go. Whether in words or in a picture, the important thing is to see that these events took place and were recorded to point us to Christ and the salvation we have in him. The Lord will provide. Let’s consider what this means for our lives today.

We have in our worship space a visual reminder of what Christ accomplished for us.

We have provide small slips of paper and pens near the baptismal font. If you are struggling with a sin or something that seems to have you all bound up and you want to break free, I invite you to write it down then pin or tape onto the large cross at the font. This action physically demonstrate leaving our sins to Jesus. He died for all your sins, and has taken them to the cross with himself. Though God loves us and has saved us by faith in Christ, we continually sin and some sins are more challenging to break free of than others, causing guilt to hang over us like a knife. But know this, on the cross Jesus Christ, your sacrificial substitute has dealt with all our sins. Because as Abraham said, “the Lord will Provide.”

Therefore, I encourage each of you to bring your burdens to the cross, knowing you do not walk this path alone.

Colossians 2:13–14 NASB95

[He] having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

What John said in his Gospel is also true of this reading, the book of Genesis as a whole, and all Scripture: “These [things] are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (Jn 20:31).

God loves you more than words can describe, which is why I wear a crucifix instead of a plain cross, to visually remind me of what His love looks like. Know this dear brothers and sisters, you are not alone with the burdens you carry, for we all have them.

In the quiet moments of life, remember that Jesus’ sacrifice was for you—personally, deeply, eternally.

In the saving name of Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Amen.

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Prayer of the Church

Third Sunday in Lent

23 March 2025

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Almighty God, You are the God who provides everything we need for our lives and our souls. You order and number our days according to Your wisdom. We constantly fall short of your glorious standard for our lives, in our thought life, in our words, and by our actions. You tell us how you want us to live, yet we continually do what we want to do. Give us repentant hearts, lest we perish with this world of violence and suffering. Let us hold fast to Christ for life and salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Merciful Lord, You take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but desire that they turn from evil and live. Give pastors courage to warn of sin and death. Give all Christians strength to defend that message. Turn sinners to life by the proclamation of Christ, who delivers from all unrighteousness. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, guard Your people against sexual immorality, pronography, and lust. Grant that our homes would be havens of godly instruction and chastity, and fill marriages with fidelity and love. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of all, You establish justice not through the desires of sinners but by Your Law, which is for the good of all. Enlighten the authorities of this and every nation, that they might rule justly for true good. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Faithful God, protect us when we are tempted. Guard us especially from pride that justifies sin and from doubting that You provide the way of escape. Strengthen us with repentant hearts to endure until You deliver us. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy God, remember Your people who cry to You for mercy in a world where towers fall and sinners work evil. Deliver those in need of healing and comfort, especially Doug Nenow, Tom Weiss, James Phipps, those listed in our bulletin, and those whom you have placed upon our hearts…. Strengthen them to look to You for help in their time of affliction. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord of life, You have brought us into Your vineyard and appointed us to bear good fruit. Receive our thanks for Your patience, and grant that we would show Your love and grace in all that we say and do; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, who taught us to pray, Our Father…