Irony – God’s Salvation • | A Sermon Series on Irony in the Bible | Messianic Teaching and Yeshua

The Ironic Nature of God’s Salvation

In a recent teaching at Founded in Truth Fellowship, Matthew Vander Els explored the profound concept of irony in God’s plan of salvation, contrasting it sharply with the expectations and values of the world. The central theme revolves around how God delivers and manifests His salvation in ways that are often the opposite of what humanity anticipates or deems logical. This series delves into various biblical narratives and the teachings of Yeshua (Jesus) to illustrate this pervasive irony.

The teaching began by highlighting the inherent contradiction between the world’s approach to life and conflict resolution, and the way of the cross as taught by Yeshua. The world often advocates for retaliation, self-preservation through force, and conditional forgiveness. However, Yeshua’s teachings, such as turning the other cheek and forgiving one another, present a seemingly paradoxical path to overcoming adversity. While the world may superficially acknowledge the value of these principles, it often deems them impractical or even detrimental in truly difficult situations.

Vander Els emphasized that the way of the cross is hard, radical, and world-changing, with the inherent power to topple empires – as it historically has done. This power, however, is not manifested through conventional might or violent conquest, but through meekness and humility, seemingly paradoxical traits in the face of evil and oppression. God’s ultimate salvation did not arrive with “machine guns” or “armies of angels” wielding fiery swords. Instead, it came through the apparent weakness of the cross, a method that appears to be the antithesis of victory.

Biblical Irony in Action

The teaching drew upon numerous biblical stories to illustrate this theme of irony. One prominent example was the contrast between the typical heroic narrative of seeking justice through force and the often-unintended consequences of such actions. Stories of protagonists who fight so hard against evil that they eventually become indistinguishable from their enemies demonstrate the irony of pursuing righteousness through worldly means. The example of the vigilante who starts as a victim and transforms into a greater villain by mimicking the injustice done to him underscores this point. This highlights a “twisted view of what justice looks like” when it mirrors the very wrong it seeks to correct.

The narrative then shifted to the foundational stories of Genesis, revealing layers of irony embedded from the beginning. In Genesis 1, mankind is created as the crowning piece of creation, meant to reign and rule in partnership with God over the natural world, but not over other people. This inherent equality and shared dominion is juxtaposed with the later development of hierarchical power structures and oppression. Genesis 2 offers a different perspective on creation, culminating in the creation of woman as the “crowning achievement,” completing mankind’s purpose.

The introduction of the serpent in Genesis 3 presents a significant instance of irony. The serpent, described as “arum” (crafty or shrewd), entices the woman with the promise of becoming like God, knowing good and evil. However, the consequence of partaking in the fruit is not enlightenment but the realization of their nakedness, also described as “arum” in Hebrew, creating a wordplay that highlights the ironic outcome of their pursuit of shrewdness. Instead of gaining godlike wisdom, they simply became exposed and vulnerable.

The Proto-Evangelium in Genesis 3:15 offers another layer of profound irony. God declares that the offspring of the woman will crush the serpent’s head, while the serpent will strike his heel. This prophecy foreshadows the coming Messiah who will ultimately defeat Satan, but not without suffering himself, a paradoxical victory through apparent defeat.

The Ultimate Irony: The Cross

The teaching culminates in the arrival of Yeshua in Judea, who identifies himself as the Son of Man from Daniel’s prophecy before the high priest and the Sanhedrin. He declares that they, the religious authorities, are the “beast” in Daniel’s vision, not distant empires. This accusation, the opposite of what they likely expected, highlights the irony of those who claim to represent God becoming the very force of oppression.

Yeshua’s subsequent crucifixion is presented as the ultimate manifestation of God’s ironic salvation. Stripped naked, beaten, and crucified at Golgotha (the place of the skull), he appeared to be defeated by the forces of evil. However, this very act of apparent weakness was, in fact, the crushing of the serpent’s head, fulfilling the prophecy of Genesis 3:15. The beast, in its attempt to assert its power through violence, unknowingly brought about its own demise. The meekness and humility displayed by Yeshua on the cross were the very instruments of victory over sin, death, and Satan.

Living Out Ironic Salvation

Matthew Vander Els concluded the teaching by emphasizing the practical implications of this ironic salvation for everyday life. Believers are called to live by a different set of rules, the rules of God’s kingdom, which often contradict the world’s standards. This means refusing to play “tit for tat,” to retaliate in kind, or to conform to the world’s definition of justice.

Applications for Everyday Life:

• Forgiveness: Choose to forgive those who have wronged you, even when the world says you are justified in holding onto resentment.
• Non-Retaliation: When someone offends or harms you, resist the urge to reciprocate in kind. As Yeshua taught, if someone slaps you, turn the other cheek; if someone sues you for your cloak, give them your tunic as well.
• Showing Mercy and Grace: Extend mercy and grace to others, recognizing their need for a Savior, even if they seem like your enemies.
• Breaking the Rules of Empire: Do not be bound by the oppressive or unjust rules of the world. Your allegiance is to a higher King and a different set of standards.
• Denying Yourself and Taking Up Your Cross: Follow Yeshua’s example of self-denial and sacrifice daily. This involves prioritizing the needs of others and God’s will over your own desires.
• Fighting Evil Without Becoming Evil: Resist the temptation to use evil means to fight evil. The way of God’s kingdom is different.
• Recognizing Shared Humanity: Avoid creating “us versus them” mentalities. See others through the lens of the cross, recognizing their need for salvation.

To find more Bible Teachings, click the link.

References

• Genesis 1
• Genesis 2
• Genesis 3
• Daniel 7
• Revelation 5

Books and Resources Mentioned

• The Bible by Various Authors