There is a tension between the faithful and the
unfaithful. The unfaithful are the weeds of the parable in the Gospel, while
the wheat is God’s faithful people. In
the final judgment, the unfaithful are excluded while the faithful are accepted
by God. In the Old Testament lesson the faithful acknowledge God to be the one
and only God. For the faithful who are weak, the Spirit intercedes for them.
The prayers of the faithful are echoed in the great hymn of the church, “Lord
keep us steadfast in Thy Word.”
For the work of the congregation – Almighty God and Lord, as You have called us
to labor in Your vineyard, so grant us now Your presence. Enlighten and guide
us by Your Word that in all matters of deliberation we may always consider the
best interests of Your church and this congregation. Let Your Holy Spirit rule
and direct our hearts that, in the spirit of Christian love, we may present and
discuss matters and be kindly disposed toward one another, to the end that all
we say and do may please You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
A
prayer before we study the Word – Almighty
God, our heavenly Father, without Your help our labor is useless, and without
Your light our search is in vain. Invigorate the study of Your holy Word that,
by due diligence and right discernment, we may establish ourselves and others
in Your holy faith.
Collect
for Proper 11 – O God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by Your
Holy Spirit that, ever mindful of Your final judgment, we may be stirred up to
holiness of living here and dwell with You in perfect joy hereafter; through
Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Monday,
July 14, 2014 – Psalm 86:1-15 – This is the Psalm portion from which the
Introit for next Sunday is taken. The antiphon is taken from verse 6, “Give
ear, O lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.” In our need we
pray to the Lord because out of His kindness and love our Lord answers each
prayer.
Tuesday,
July 15, 2014 – Isaiah 44:6-8 – The faithful believe in the one true
God. There is no god but God. It could be that Isaiah in these words is
recalling a song of Moses, which describes God as “the Rock” (see Deuteronomy
32:4, 15, 30-31). This metaphor of the Lord is also common in the book of
Psalms (see Psalm 18:2).
Wednesday,
July 16, 2014– Romans 8:18-27 – The faithful have the Spirit
intercede for them. The Spirit intercedes for those who do not know how to
pray. Both creation and creatures groan for redemption. Paul sees redemption in
its cosmic perspective. With Adam the whole creation fell and the ground was
cursed. It is in a state of decay and the whole creation groans for redemption
from its bondage of decay and death. Nature is tooth and fang and it exists on
the principle of “dog eat dog.” Paul sees the release of nature’s bondage when
there will be a new heaven and a new earth at the time of the Savior’s return.
Humanity’s sin pollutes nature, ravishes the good earth, and threatens
creatures with extinction. Human beings share in this longing for redemption
which by faith in Christ we now experience in part. With creation we long for
the full redemption of our bodies when Christ returns.
Thursday,
July 17, 2014 –Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43 – The faithful enter heaven
in the parable of the wheat and the weeds. The parable of the wheat and weeds
and Jesus’ explanation of its meaning is given here. Jesus gives this parable
because he is criticized for associating with sinners and outcasts (verses
24-30). The allegorical explanation of the parable is the product of the early
church as the parable applied to it in its day (verses 36-40).
The
parable teaches that we are not to judge who is a true or false Christian. We
are not to weed out the weeds because in doing so, we would destroy the wheat.
On the Day of Judgment, God will judge and separate the weeds and the wheat.
Until that time comes the church needs to have patience and forbearance of the
weeds among the wheat.
The
wheat (good) and the weeds (bad) are in the kingdom, not in the world. We could
understand it if the parable applied to the world where there are all kinds of
people. The kingdom of heaven is the kingdom of God, and the kingdom of God is
God’s realm, God’s people, the church. The church of God consists of good and
evil, wheat and weeds.
Friday,
July 18, 2014 – Psalm 119:57-64
– This Psalm is suggested for next Sunday. This section falls under
the Hebrew letter “Heth.” The Lord is the psalmist’s true homestead
because it is God’s law that fills the earth with all that makes life secure
and joyous. So God’s promises are his hope and God’s righteous laws his
delight.
Saturday,
July 19, 2014 – This passage is the inspiration for the hymn “In holy
conversation” {LSB 772}. The eternal consequences of sin are more serious
than any physical ailment. Thus we look to Christ who has borne our diseases
and carried our sorrows.
Sources:
LUTHERAN
SEVICE BOOK © 2006 Concordia
Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL © 1942 Concordia Publishing House,
St. Louis, MO
LECTIONALRY PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES A © 1980 John
Brokhoff CSS Publishing Lima, OH
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