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The Bible Study – Our texts for Wednesday, April 10 are Exodus 24:1-18 & Luke 5:1-16. God calls Moses up to Mt. Sinai to receive His Law. The people are to move toward the mountain and worship, but not touch or ascend it. The blood of the sacrifices Moses offers foreshadows the blood of our Saviour shed on the cross for us. The meal the leaders eat after seeing God’s presence points forward to the Lord’s Supper, the Holy meal in which we have our Saviour’s true body and blood in the bread and wine. At this time Moses will be the mediator between God and the people of Israel. Today the mediator between God and mankind is our Lord Jesus Christ. He alone fulfilled the Law perfectly in our place. In our Gospel text, Jesus has Simon take Him out on his boat a short distance from land while He teaches the people. Christ reveals His divine nature to Simon and his companions in a miraculous catch of fish. The future Apostle responds first by falling on his knees and asking the Lord to depart from him. Simon confesses his sinfulness. There are times when we may feel unworthy of our Redeemer’s love; that we’re beyond His forgiveness. We are mighty sinners, but Christ is a mightier Saviour. Through the blood of Jesus our sins have been forgiven. He calls us to faith today, and to spread His Good News. As the leper who believed our Lord was cleansed, we are spiritually healed – forgiven and saved – by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. Amen. Pastor Tom Steers Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto http://christlutherantoronto.org/sermons/bible-verses-showing-justification-by-faith-alone