Time in the Word
The Price
of Being a Christian
Proper 8
June 23-28, 2014
Today’s lessons are uncomfortable. They give a side to the
Gospel we often neglect. In the Gospel lesson, Jesus says He came to bring a
sword and not peace, because a conflict naturally results when one makes Christ
his first love. This produces a conflict with competing loves. The way of
Christ is not easy; it is the way of the cross, a way of self-sacrifice and
hardship. The Old Testament points out that the truth is not always peace but
war. The truth hurts because it is often negative and judgmental. Christians are called to be salt and light in
this world. The role of a Christian in this world is that of a true prophet: “O thou troubler of Israel” and “Host thou fond me, O my enemy?”
Collect for Proper 8 – O Almighty
God, by the working of Your Holy Spirit grant that we may gladly hear Your Word
proclaimed among us and follow it’s directing; through Jesus Christ Your Son,
our Lord who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and
forever.
Monday, June 23, 2014 – Psalm
89:15-18 - This is the Psalm portion from which the Introit for
next Sunday is taken. The antiphon is taken from verse 1, “I will sing of the steadfast love of the
Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known You faithfulness to all
generations.” The love and faithfulness
that appear here will be repeated fourteen times throughout the course of this
Psalm. We trust in the mercies of our Lord because of His love and
faithfulness.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014 – Jeremiah 28:5-9
– A true prophet is one whose message is fulfilled. One day two preachers were
speaking in the temple. They contradicted each other and yet both claimed to be
prophets. Whom were the people to believe? One says God will send peace; the
other promises the way. Jeremiah gives the acid test: the true prophet is one
whose preaching comes true. So, we have to wait and see who is right.
Here we find God’s bad news (verses
5-8). Most think God has only good news
for us. According to this lesson, God has both good and bad news. For the
rebellious and disobedient there is bad news – judgment, war, famine, and
death. King Ahab referred to Elijah as “you
troubler of Israel,” and “my enemy.” Micah had bad news of defeat for the kings
about to go to war. To say peace because people want to hear it is to be
faithless to God who brings judgment upon a sinful people.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014– Romans 7:1-13 –
Paul warns Christians not to back into our former way of living. As far as
Christians are concerned, a life “controlled by the sinful nature” belongs to
our past. The law not only reveals sin, it also stimulates it. The natural
tendency in man is to desire the forbidden thing – death. Physical death and
beyond that, eternal death - final separation from God – are the fruit of our
“union” with the law.
Thursday, June 26, 2014 – Matthew 10:34-42
– Jesus calls upon his disciples to love him above all others.
Matthew continues in this lesson with the price of discipleship. In verses
34-36, Jesus declares that His coming will cause dissension in families because
disciples will love Him more than any member of the family. In verses 37-39,
Jesus calls upon His disciples to take up the cross and to lose themselves in
His cause. To those who do this, Jesus promises rewards (verses 40-42). In this
passage, we have the cost and reward of discipleship.
There are many rewards — reward of a
prophet, or a righteous man, of a spokesperson and ambassador of Christ. “He
who receives you receives me.” To accept a follower of Christ is to accept
Jesus; to help a disciple is to help Christ. To reject a disciple is to reject
Christ. What a high honor to be a surrogate of Christ!
Friday, June 27, 2014 – Psalm
119:153-160 – This Psalm is suggested for next Sunday. It falls
under the Hebrew letter “Resh” It is a psalm and prayer of deliverance. “See how I love your precepts; preserve my
life…”
Saturday, June 28, 2014 –John 11:16
– This passage is the inspiration for the hymn “Let
us ever walk with Jesus” {LSB 685}. Thomas is ready to suffer all, even
death, for the sake of Christ. Such commitment is necessary yet impossible
without faith in Christ. Our prayer: Lord
increase my faith!
Sources:
LUTHERAN SERVICE BOOK LECTIONARY © 2006 Concordia Publishing
House, St. Louis, MO
LECTIONALRY
PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES A © 1980 John Brokhoff CSS Publishing Lima, OH
Schnorr von Carolsfeld,
woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to
personal and congregational use.
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