The theme that God seeks sinners is found in each of the three lessons for this coming week. In the Gospel Jesus calls a special sinner, a publican named Matthew, and goes out to dinner with sinners and tax collectors, the scum of society in Jesus day. Hosea in the Old Testament reading calls for us to return to God who desperately seeks us to return. In both these lessons the reason for God’s search for sinners is “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” The Epistle lesson explains how we can get right with God – through faith in Christ who made us acceptable to God. Next Sunday we deal with the truth that God longs for His people to be one with Him.
Collect for Proper 5 – Almighty and most merciful God, You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to seek and to save the lost. Graciously open our ears and our hearts to hear His call and to follow Him by faith that we may feast with Him forever in His kingdom, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Monday, June 2, 2008 – Psalm 50:7-10 - This is the Psalm portion from which the Introit for next Sunday is taken. The antiphon is taken from verse 1, “The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008 – Hosea 5:15-6:6 – God longs for His people to return to Him. He makes an appeal to return to and know God. Like a parent at the point of despair, twice God asks about his people, “What shall I do with you?” Here is another insight into the kind of God we have. He longs to have his people with him in covenantal love and loyalty. God has appealed to them through the prophets. He sent judgment to get them to repent. He wants from his people love and a relationship of peace, but they are content to render cheap sacrifices and burnt offerings. Here we find a wooing and pursuing God and a people whose love for God is fickle.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008– Romans 4:13-25 – Humanity is restored to God by faith. The promise to Abraham came by faith and not by the Law. In chapter 3 Paul stated the cardinal doctrine of justification by grace through faith. In chapter 4 he uses Abraham as an example of one who was righteous by faith and not by the law. If we can be righteous by keeping the law, faith is unnecessary. Since it is impossible to perfectly keep the law, - our salvation rests upon grace alone. The expression of grace is God’s promise; and faith believes in, and accepts, the promise. All, Jew and Gentile, with the faith of Abraham are made righteous.
Thursday, June 5, 2008 – Matthew 9:9-13 – Jesus came to call sinners back to God. Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to be a disciple and eat with “sinners.” The calling of a despised outcast, a tax collector by the name of Matthew, provides the setting for Jesus’ response to the Pharisees who criticize him for his fellowship with publicans and sinners. His answer indicates that God wants mercy to be shown rather than the keeping of ceremonial observances. As God’s Son, accordingly he felt his mission was to call sinners to repentance. Jesus did not condemn the morally sick but came to them as a physician to heal them.
Friday, June 6, 2008 – Psalm 119:65-72– This Psalm is suggested for next Sunday. This section from the longest Psalm in Psalter. Using the Hebrew alphabet this section falls under the Hebrew letter “Teth.” The Psalmist encourages the reader to do good as the Lord Himself has been good to him regardless of circumstances. Be good to me in accordance with Your goodness, even if that means affliction, because Your affliction is good for me; it teaches me knowledge and good judgment from Your law.
Saturday, June 7, 2008 –Psalm 119:10 – This passage is the inspiration for the hymn “Let Me be Thine Forever” {LSB 689} The Psalmist’s devotion is first of all to the God of the law and the promises. They have meaning for him only because they are God’s word of liA Prayer for spiritual renewal – Almighty God, You gave Your only begotten Son to take our nature upon Himself. Grant that we, Your adopted children by grace, may daily be renewed by Your Holy Spirit.
A Prayer for purity– Almighty God unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, from whom no secrets are hidden, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit that we may perfectly love You and worthily magnify Your holy name.
For humility -Heavenly Father, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true humility after the likeness of Your only Son that we may never be arrogant and prideful and thus provoke Your wrath but in all lowliness be made partakers of the gifts of Your grace.
A look ahead at Sunday’s sermon based on the Gospel…
Matthew 9:10-13
‘Jesus- the man for sinners’
Jesus’ association with sinners says something about —
1. Man the sinner — v. 12.
A. The sinner is sick and needs a divine physician to heal him.
B. To save is to heal, to be made whole.
2. Christ the Savior — v. 13.
A. God in Christ shows mercy to sinners.
B. The self-righteous feel no need of Christ because they have no sense of sin.
C. The self-righteous are content with their religious observances and overlook their responsibility to be like Christ — merciful.
Sources:
LUTHERAN SEVICE BOOK LECTIONARY © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LECTIONALRY PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES A © 1980 John Brokhoff CSS Publishing Lima, OH
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