ACC ~ Luke 1 v71 - 75

CHRIST IS MERCY AND JUSTICE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Christ is mercy and justice. We have obtained mercy through him and been justified, having washed away the stains of wickedness through faith that is in him. COMMENTARY ON LUKE. [1]

[1] CGSL 41*.

GOD’S OATH DEMONSTRATES CERTAINTY

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: No one should swear just because God swore to Abraham. For just as God’s anger is not anger, nor does anger imply passion but signifies power exercised in punishment or some similar motion. So neither is an oath an act of swearing. For God does not swear but indicates the certainty of the event—so that which he says will necessarily come to pass. For God’s oath is his own word, fully persuading those that hear and giving each one the conviction that what he has promised and said will certainly come to pass. COMMENTARY ON LUKE. [1]

[1] CGSL 41.

DELIVERANCE IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH

ORIGEN: “Deliverance from our enemies.” We should not think that this means corporeal enemies, but rather spiritual ones. For the Lord Jesus came, “mighty in battle,” [1] to destroy all our enemies and free us from their snares, namely, from the hand of all our enemies “and from the hand of all who hate us.” “To bring about mercy for our fathers.” I believe that, when our Lord came, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were blessed with God’s mercy. Previously they had seen his day and rejoiced. [2] It is not believable that they did not profit from the later, when he came and was born of a virgin. And why do I speak of the patriarchs? I will boldly follow the authority of the Scriptures to higher planes, for the presence of the Lord Jesus and his work benefited not only what is earthly but also what is heavenly. Therefore the apostle too says, “Making peace by the blood of his cross, whether on earth or in heaven.” [3] But if the Lord’s presence was beneficial in heaven and on earth, why do you hesitate to say that his coming also benefited our ancestors? What Scripture said is fulfilled, “To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, the oath which he swore to our father Abraham,” to grant us deliverance “without fear from the hand of our enemies.” HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 10.3. [4]

[1] Ps 24:8.

[2] See Jn 8:56.

[3] Col 1:20.

[4] FC 94:41*.