Proper 9 - Series C

Proper 9 - Series C

Isaiah 66:10–14

Galatians 6:1–10, 14–18

Luke 10:1–20

The Lord Grants Peace and Life to His Church

The Lord restores Jerusalem, His Church, because she is the mother of His children, whom He comforts “as one whom his mother comforts” (Is. 66:13). We are “satisfied from her consoling breast” with the pure milk of the Word, and we “drink deeply with delight from her glorious abundance” (Isaiah 66:11). The messengers of Christ bestow such gifts upon His Church. For He sends them out “as lambs in the midst of wolves” (Luke 10:3), bearing in their bodies the sacrifice of His cross, by which “the kingdom of God has come near” (Luke 10:9, 11). Wherever He enters in with this Gospel, Satan is cast out and falls “like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18). Thus, we do not “boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14). Rejoicing in this Gospel, we “bear one another’s burdens” in love, according to “the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

Almighty God, You have built Your church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. Continue to send Your messengers to preserve Your people in true peace that, by the preaching of Your Word, Your Church may be kept free from harm and danger; through Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

How is Jesus trying to get us to see the world as He does?

How is His view different from other  viewpoints that hold our attention?

How might this text influence the way we live our lives and live out our faith?

Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two
Luke 10:1-20

Luke 10:1
Μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα ἀνέδειξεν ὁ κύριος ]καὶ ἑτέρους ἑβδομήκοντα δύο καὶ ἀπέστειλεν αὐτοὺς ἀνὰ δύο δύο πρὸ προσώπου αὐτοῦ εἰς πᾶσαν πόλιν καὶ τόπον οὗ ἤμελλεν αὐτὸς ἔρχεσθαι.
 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go

 :1 - the 72 "others" links to the LXX text of Genesis 10 (nations descended from Noah) and the number of nations in Jewish thought. Christ's kingdom goes beyond the narrow boundaries of the Jewish nation extending to all the nations of the world. This mission has eschatological implications - the last days of OT prophecy have broken into the present evil age.

Luke 10:2 
ἔλεγεν δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς• Ὁ μὲν θερισμὸς πολύς, οἱ δὲ ἐργάται ὀλίγοι• δεήθητε οὖν τοῦ κυρίου τοῦ θερισμοῦ ὅπως ἐργάτας ἐκβάλῃ εἰς τὸν θερισμὸν αὐτοῦ.
And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

:2 - a metaphor - of the harvest is usually used in Scripture for judgment - Jer. 51:33; Hos. 6:11; JL. 3:13; Rev.14:15  - here it is positive see Isa. 9:3, Ps.  126:5-6. The metaphor "mission is a harvest" still guides the church's thinking about missions today. See the petition, "Thy kingdom come." 

Luke 10:3 
ὑπάγετε• ἰδοὺ ἀποστέλλω ὑμᾶς ὡς ἄρνας ἐν μέσῳ λύκων.
Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.

:3 - a comparison - The metaphor of GOD's people as lambs and YHWH as shepherd is common in the OT - Isa. 40:11; Ez34:11-31; Ps. 23:1; 79:13; 95:7 -  Isa.53:7 the servant of YHWH is "like a lamb led to slaughter."  This guides the church's thinking about our identity, what we are to expect from the world, what our relationship  to Jesus means.

Luke 10:4
 μὴ βαστάζετε βαλλάντιον, μὴ πήραν, μὴ ὑποδήματα, καὶ μηδένα κατὰ τὴν ὁδὸν ἀσπάσησθε.
Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.

:4 - instructions - do not always...in Africa the greeting lasts a long time...literally "how is your day?"  They are not to be begging on the street.

:5-13 - regulations and brief developments of themes -

Luke 10:5
εἰς ἣν δ’ ἂν εἰσέλθητε οἰκίαν πρῶτον λέγετε• Εἰρήνη τῷ οἴκῳ τούτῳ.
Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’

:5 - Whichever house you enter say, "Friedheim"

Luke 10:6 
 καὶ ἐὰν ᾖ ἐκεῖ υἱὸς εἰρήνης, ἐπαναπαήσεται ἐπ’ αὐτὸν ἡ εἰρήνη ὑμῶν• εἰ δὲ μήγε, ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς ἀνακάμψει.
And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you.

:6 - the son of peace will not be destroyed in the face of rejection. You will not loose the peace which is yours.

Luke 10:7    
 ἐν αὐτῇ δὲ τῇ οἰκίᾳ μένετε, ἐσθίοντες καὶ πίνοντες τὰ παρ’ αὐτῶν, ἄξιος γὰρ ὁ ἐργάτης τοῦ μισθοῦ αὐτοῦ. μὴ μεταβαίνετε ἐξ οἰκίας εἰς οἰκίαν.
And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.

:7 -  in that house remain, eating and drinking what they provide. The worker is worthy. Do not move from house to house.

Luke 10:8
 καὶ εἰς ἣν ἂν πόλιν εἰσέρχησθε καὶ δέχωνται ὑμᾶς, ἐσθίετε τὰ παρατιθέμενα ὑμῖν,   
Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you.

:8 - and any city you enter eat what is set before you.  The rewards do come.

Luke 10:9 
 καὶ θεραπεύετε τοὺς ἐν αὐτῇ ἀσθενεῖς, καὶ λέγετε αὐτοῖς• Ἤγγικεν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ.
Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

:9 - 72 heal the sick and proclaim the kingdom near - a foretaste of the salvation God Has promised. The kingdom is still near, but seems invisible now. We are still waiting for Jesus to appear again and tie up what appears to be a loose end. 

Luke 10:10 
εἰς ἣν δ’ ἂν πόλιν εἰσέλθητε καὶ μὴ δέχωνται ὑμᾶς, ἐξελθόντες εἰς τὰς πλατείας αὐτῆς εἴπατε•
But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say,

Luke 10:11 
Καὶ τὸν κονιορτὸν τὸν κολληθέντα ἡμῖν ἐκ τῆς πόλεως ὑμῶν εἰς τοὺς πόδας ἀπομασσόμεθα ὑμῖν• πλὴν τοῦτο γινώσκετε ὅτιἤγγικεν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ.
‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’

:10-11 -  whatever city you enter and they do not welcome you go into the streets and say, "even the dust that's clinger to our feet we wipe off, except know this the kingdom of God has come here."

Luke 10:12
λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι Σοδόμοις ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἀνεκτότερον ἔσται ἢ τῇ πόλει ἐκείνῃ.
I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
- Sodom, see judgment (Gen.19)

Woe to Unrepentant Cities

Luke 10:13 
Οὐαί σοι, Χοραζίν• οὐαί σοι, Βηθσαϊδά• ὅτι εἰ ἐν Τύρῳ καὶ Σιδῶνι ἐγενήθησαν αἱ δυνάμεις αἱ γενόμεναι ἐν ὑμῖν, πάλαι ἂν ἐν σάκκῳ καὶ σποδῷ καθήμενοι μετενόησαν.
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

:14-15 - lamentation -

Luke 10:14
πλὴν Τύρῳ καὶ Σιδῶνι ἀνεκτότερον ἔσται ἐν τῇ κρίσει ἢ ὑμῖν.
But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.
- Tyre/Sidon known for idolatry and resistance to YHWH .

Luke 10:15 
καὶ σύ, Καφαρναούμ,  μὴ ἕως οὐρανοῦ ὑψωθήσῃ; ἕως τοῦ ᾅδου καταβιβασθήσῃ.
And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades.

:15 Capernaum see language uttered against Babylon in Isa.14:12-15. Yet the judgment spoken by Jesus is a future yet to come. Jesus uses eschatological language of judgment that waits fulfillment.

Luke 10:16 
Ὁ ἀκούων ὑμῶν ἐμοῦ ἀκούει, καὶ ὁ ἀθετῶν ὑμᾶς ἐμὲ ἀθετεῖ• ὁ δὲ ἐμὲ ἀθετῶν ἀθετεῖ τὸν ἀποστείλαντά με.
“The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

:16 - a wisdom saying -

The Return of the Seventy-Two
Luke 10:17 
Ὑπέστρεψαν δὲ οἱ ἑβδομήκοντα δύο μετὰ χαρᾶς λέγοντες• Κύριε, καὶ τὰ δαιμόνια ὑποτάσσεται ἡμῖν ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί σου.
The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”   
:17 - an apocalyptic tone - the 72 rejoice in their success expressed in terms of healing and exorcism not conversion . Satan still exerts his power in this age. Satan has fallen, yet he prowls like a lion. Both are true, a tension that awaits resolution.

Luke 10:18 
εἶπεν δὲ αὐτοῖς• Ἐθεώρουν τὸν Σατανᾶν ὡς ἀστραπὴν ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ πεσόντα.
And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

Luke 10:19 
ἰδοὺ δέδωκα ὑμῖν τὴν ἐξουσίαν τοῦ πατεῖν ἐπάνω ὄφεων καὶ σκορπίων, καὶ ἐπὶ πᾶσαν τὴν δύναμιν τοῦ ἐχθροῦ, καὶ οὐδὲν ὑμᾶς οὐ μὴ ἀδικήσῃ.
Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.

:19 - a juridical tone -

Luke 10:20 
πλὴν ἐν τούτῳ μὴ χαίρετε ὅτι τὰ πνεύματα ὑμῖν ὑποτάσσεται, χαίρετε δὲ ὅτι τὰ ὀνόματα ὑμῶν ἐγγέγραπται ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

:20 - an opportunity to talk about the significance of baptism for the certainty of salvation. Our names are written gives assurance that God will not forget about us. The words we hear in absolution and communion God Is speaking to each of us "Your name is written in heaven. Rejoice!

ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

Time in the Word - Proper 9

Time in the Word

Proper 9

The Lord Grants Peace and Life to His Church
July 1-6, 2019

The Lord restores Jerusalem, His Church, because she is the mother of His children, whom He comforts “as one whom his mother comforts” (Is. 66:13). We are “satisfied from her consoling breast” with the pure milk of the Word, and we “drink deeply with delight from her glorious abundance” (Is. 66:11). The messengers of Christ bestow such gifts upon His Church. For He sends them out “as lambs in the midst of wolves” (Luke 10:3), bearing in their bodies the sacrifice of His cross, by which “the kingdom of God has come near” (Luke 10:9, 11). Wherever He enters in with this Gospel, Satan is cast out and falls “like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18). Thus, we do not “boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal. 6:14). Rejoicing in this Gospel, we “bear one another’s burdens” in love, according to “the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).

Collect for the Pentecost Season: Almighty God, You have built Your Church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. Continue to send Your messengers to preserve Your people in true peace that, by the preaching of Your Word, Your Church may be kept free from all harm and danger; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer for pastors and their people: Almighty God, by Your Son, our Savior, You have always given to Your Church on earth faithful shepherds to guide and feed Your flock. Therefore we pray, make all pastors diligent to preach Your holy Word and to administer Your means of grace, and grant Your people wisdom to follow in the way that leads to life eternal; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer for increase of the holy ministry: Almighty and gracious God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, You have commanded us to pray that You would send forth laborers into Your harvest. Of Your infinite mercy give us true teachers and ministers of Your Word who truly fulfill Your command and preach nothing contrary to Your holy Word. Grant that we, being warned, instructed, nurtured, comforted, and strengthened by Your holy Word, may do those things which are well pleasing to You and profitable for our salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Monday, 01 July 2019— Psalm 19:2, 4–6; antiphon, Psalm 19:1—Many of the psalms praise the Lord for His deliverance from enemies, both mortal and spiritual. Psalm 19 is a hymn of praise to God because of the majesty and glory that are His by His very nature. The glory of God is revealed by the entire creation. Those who attribute the earth and the cosmos to mere happenstance are only deceiving themselves.

Tuesday, 02 July 2019— Psalm 66:1–7—Psalm 66 calls upon all peoples of the earth to join in with God’s chosen people, Israel, in praising Him. His deliverance of His people from bondage in Egypt and the threat of Pharaoh and his army at the Red Sea is specifically recounted, but all of God’s deliverance of all His people are to be included, especially the deliverance of mankind from the bondage of sin, and the threat of death.

Wednesday, 03 July 2019— Isaiah 66:10–14—Those who remained faithful to the Lord during the days when Isaiah prophesied in Judah had reason to mourn over Jerusalem: hypocrisy, unbelief, and idolatry were common among the people. Likewise, through the ages, including our own, God’s faithful people have reason to mourn when they see the condition of the visible Church: rejection of the authority of the Word of God, acceptance of sins, rather than forgiveness of sins, being preached, and so on. Yet, we know that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Lord’s Church (Matthew 16:18), so we can rejoice. We can rejoice, for the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ provides nourishment, comfort, and abundance for our souls. As a mother nurses her child, so we are nursed by the Holy Word of God.

Thursday, 04 July 2019— Galatians 6:1–10, 14–18—This Sunday, we shall celebrate our nation’s independence. Our political liberty and freedom is a gift from God. Yet, in the Church, we are not independent. We are member of one body, the mystical body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). As such, we are not to live our lives for ourselves independent of others, but are to bear one another’s burdens. The strong Christians are to help the weak.

St Paul urges us, let us not grow weary of doing good, for we are a new creation in Christ, and, as such, our wills are conformed to God’s will, which desires what is best for all people.

Prayer for the nation: Almighty God, You have given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember Your generosity and constantly do Your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action. Grant that we, who came from many nations with many different languages, may become a united people. Support us in defending our liberties, and give those to whom we have entrusted the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, may our hearts be thankful, and in troubled times do not let our trust in You fail; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Friday, 05 July 2019— Luke 10:1–20—Our Lord desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). But how are people to believe in Jesus Christ, if they have not hear of Him, if they have not had the Gospel proclaimed to them? (Romans 10:14) In our Gospel reading for Sunday, we hear how Jesus sent out 72 men to proclaim the Good News of salvation in Christ Jesus. Likewise, He still call pastors to labor in His harvest fields. As in the days of Christ, their labor is met by different responses: some people are eager to hear of the forgiveness of sins wrought by Christ’s death on the cross, whilst others reject it. The Day of Judgment will be a horrifying one for those who have refused the forgiveness Christ offers, but a glorious one for us who are in Christ, who gratefully receive His gift of salvation.

Saturday, 06 July 2019— Sunday’s Hymn of the Day, Jesus Has Come and Brings Pleasure Eternal( LSB #533), is a majestic hymn of praise to Jesus. It proclaims Jesus as God in the flesh, as our great Deliverer, Redeemer, and the King of all glory.

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House

Luther’s Seals © Higher Things

Proper 8

Proper 8 - Series C

June 30, 2019

Luke 9:51-63 

Commitment to Christ Requires total Surrender

Lord of all power and might, author and giver of all good things, graft into our hearts the love of Your name and nourish us with all goodness that we might love and serve our neighbor.

When the prophet Elijah became discouraged and despaired of his life, “the word of the LORD came to him and stood him on the mount before the LORD.” (1 Kings 19:9b, 11) The Lord made Himself known to the prophet Elijah — not in the impressive power of gale force winds, nor in an earthquake, and not in the fire, but in “the sound of a low whisper.” (1 Kings 19:12). 

Today, God reveals Himself to us through the frail preaching of the Gospel. The Son of Man sends “messengers ahead of Him -to make preparations for Him.” (Luke 9:52).

Putting their hand to that plow of preaching, they “go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” And they do not look back. (Luke 9:60, 62) 

What they preach. Is not the power of the Law with its “yoke of slavery,” but the power of God unto salvation through the Gospel of forgiveness, by which “Christ has set us free.” (Galatians 5:1)

We are now at a turning point in Luke's gospel. Now, Jesus knows the end is near. He sets His sights resolutely toward Jerusalem. The cross is now His focus. It’s happened - The time has come for Him to be taken up to heaven. But first, the cross.

Jesus said, "Anyone who does not follow in this way Εὔθετός [1]  is not appropriate or fit or properly suited for the reign of God.”  Yes! To be sure. These are strong words.

Commitment to Christ Requires total Surrender

Today we meet three would-be disciples. Each encounters Jesus.  

1. The first volunteered, says, “I will follow you wherever you go.”  He sounds like the ideal candidate.  But Jesus seems to be aware that he doesn’t fully know what “I will follow you wherever you go” means.  It means, “Not having a place to lay your head,” like Jesus.  

It would appear that he had some kind of expectation of a payoff for following Jesus, and Jesus rather bluntly confronts him with the truth that his expectation is unrealistic at best. “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

2. The second would-be disciple is one whom Jesus invited to follow Him. But he asked Jesus to first be allowed to bury his father.  It would seem to be a reasonable request.  The obligation to see to the proper burial of parents is part of fulfilling the commandment to “honor your father and mother.”  

Yet Jesus responded in a way that seems quite harsh.  He said, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Jesus said, “Seek first God’s Kingdom.” The resolve to follow Jesus outweighs all other priorities.  “I will follow you…” the man said. “So long as I am not inconvenienced.”

3. The third would-be disciple also volunteered to follow Jesus. But asked permission to first go and say farewell to his family.  This seems to be a reasonable request.  Even Elijah allowed Elisha to say good-bye to his parents when he chose him to be his disciple while he was plowing his field. (1 Kings 19:19-21)  But Jesus will have nothing of the sort. Echoing the incident with Elisha, he says, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Plowing for the kingdom means sacrifice. It can tolerate no distractions.”  

It is clear that this man, too, does not really know what he thinks he has chosen. It is certainly not the following of Jesus. This is commanded unconditionally, and therefore it cannot be entered upon except unconditionally. The man was quick to put limitations on his commitment. I will follow. So long as my creature comforts are not compromised. I will follow. But don’t make this discipleship too difficult!   

Transition: What seems clear is that all three would-be disciples decided not to follow Jesus. 

4. The message of this unusual story is that following Jesus means the Kingdom of God takes priority over everything else in your life. Following Jesus means giving yourself away without thought of reward or recognition.  

It means serving the purposes of compassion, justice, peace, and freedom simply because it’s the right thing to do, not for any payoff. 

The imitation of Christ in His life of service and suffering is not an optional version of the Christian identity.  It is the very essence of Christian identity.  And to all who approach the task looking for a reward, or a payoff, or recognition, Jesus warns them to do themselves a favor and not start something that is going to result in the kind of disillusionment and even bitterness. 

Christ never asks for admirers, worshippers, or adherents.  No, He calls disciples.  It is not adherents of a teaching but followers of a life Christ is looking for.

We need a total focus. Jesus will take second seat to no one. The radical demands of discipleship require that every potential disciple consider the cost, give Jesus the highest priority in one’s life, and, having committed oneself to discipleship, move ahead without looking back.

Where are your priorities when it comes to being a disciple of Christ? John the Baptist’ words still ring true, “I must decrease, He must increase.”

[1] This is the only occurrence for this word, “well-placed, ready for use.” Usage: suitable, fit, useful

Image: Luther's Seal ©  Higher Things

Words –965

Passive Sentences –7% 

Readability – 71.5%

Reading Level – 6.4

Proper 8 - Series C

Proper 8 Series C

(June 26-July 2)

Lord of all power and might, author and giver of all good things, graft into our hearts the love of your name and nourish us with all goodness that we might love and serve our neighbor;

1 Kings 19: 9b–21

Galatians 5:1, 13–25

Luke 9:51–62

Christ’s Messengers Proclaim His Kingdom

When the prophet Elijah became discouraged and despaired of his life, “the word of the LORD came to him” (1 Kings 19:9b) and stood him “on the mount before the LORD” (1 Kings 19:11). The Lord made Himself known to the prophet — not in the impressive power of gale force winds, nor in an earthquake, and nor in the fire, but in “the sound of a low whisper” (1 Kings 19:12).

Today God reveals Himself to us through the frail preaching of the Gospel. The Son of Man sends “messengers ahead of Him ... to make preparations for Him” (Luke 9:52).

Putting their hand to that plow of preaching, they “go and proclaim the kingdom of God,” and they do not look back (Luke 9:60, 62).

What they preach is not the power of the Law with its “yoke of slavery,” but the power of God unto salvation through the Gospel of forgiveness, by which “Christ has set us free” (Gal. 5:1).

9:51 - a turning point in Luke's gospel. Now Jesus knows the end is near. He sets out resolutely toward Jerusalem. The cross is now His focus. It happened - as the time for him to be taken up to heaven.

Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ συμπληροῦσθαι τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς ἀναλήμψεως αὐτοῦ καὶ αὐτὸς τὸ πρόσωπον ἐστήρισεν τοῦ πορεύεσθαι εἰς Ἰερουσαλήμ,
When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.

9:52 - Jesus sends messengers ahead. See 10:1 Jesus sent messengers to all places He would visit. These are official ambassadors, messengers,  (pastors). See Matthew 25, "visited a stranger."

καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ἀγγέλους πρὸ προσώπου αὐτοῦ. καὶ πορευθέντες εἰσῆλθον εἰς κώμην Σαμαριτῶν,  ὡς ἑτοιμάσαι αὐτῷ•
And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him.

9:53 - A Samaritan village will not welcome/ receive Jesus because He Is traveling on His way to Jerusalem. As they reject Him they reject the cross and the message of the cross.

καὶ οὐκ ἐδέξαντο αὐτόν, ὅτι τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἦν πορευόμενον εἰς Ἰερουσαλήμ. 
But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem.

9:54 - James and John want to know whether they should call down fire from heaven.  Why?  They had just witnessed the Transfiguration. Are they being presumptive?

This echoes John's preaching about the wrath to come - See Lk.3:7-9  See also Elijah calling down fire  from heaven on the captains and their men - 2 Kings 1:10-14.

ἰδόντες δὲ οἱμαθηταὶ Ἰάκωβος καὶ Ἰωάννης εἶπαν• Κύριε, θέλεις εἴπωμεν πῦρ καταβῆναι ἀπὸ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ ἀναλῶσαι αὐτούς;
 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?

9:55 - 56 - Jesus rebukes them and they move on.  He gives no explanation. He must be rejected to save them. This echoes the repute of Peter. (The variant echoes Matt.20:28 and John 3:17 "For the Son of Man did not come to destroy the lives of men,vault to save."

9:55 has several variants - see the Good Samaritan 10:30-37,  and the Samaritan leper 17:11-19.

:55 Some manuscripts add And he said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of

στραφεὶς δὲ ἐπετίμησεν αὐτοῖς.
But he turned and rebuked them

:56 Some manuscripts add or the Son of Man came not to destroy people's lives but to save them”

καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν εἰς ἑτέραν κώμην.

And they went on to another village.

The cost of following Jesus -

9:57-62 - A summary of Jesus' exchanges on his journey - compare this with Matthew 8:19-22 - Note, these exchanges take place around the Sea of Galilee.  Together they reflect an unsentimental and realistic view of discipleship.  This might mean alienation if not persecution (see 9:23-25) it requires single-minded, unflinching devotion to Christ and His mission. See Hebrews 11:35ff  - This overrides social convention and family obligation (see 14:25-33).

9:57 - is this a fellow from the crowd of followers or one whom they encountered?

Καὶ πορευομένων αὐτῶν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ εἶπέν τις πρὸς αὐτόν• Ἀκολουθήσω σοι ὅπου ἐὰν ἀπέρχῃ.
 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

9:58 - Foxes have holes, birds of heaven have places to dwell but the son of man has nowhere to recline his head. 

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς• Αἱ ἀλώπεκες φωλεοὺς ἔχουσιν καὶ τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατασκηνώσεις, ὁ δὲ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου οὐκ ἔχει ποῦ τὴν κεφαλὴν κλίνῃ.
And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

9:59 - 60 he turns and said to another, "follow me",  the man replied ',et me first bury my father.' Jesus said to him, "let the dead bury the dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."  1 Kings 19  Elijah allowed Elisha to say good-by to his family. - One greater than Elijah is here.

:59 εἶπεν δὲ πρὸς ἕτερον• Ἀκολούθει μοι. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν• Κύριε, ἐπίτρεψόν μοι ἀπελθόντι πρῶτον θάψαι τὸν πατέρα μου.
To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

:60 εἶπεν δὲ αὐτῷ• Ἄφες τοὺς νεκροὺς θάψαι τοὺς ἑαυτῶν νεκρούς, σὺ δὲ ἀπελθὼν διάγγελλε τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ.
 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

:61 εἶπεν δὲ καὶ ἕτερος• Ἀκολουθήσω σοι, κύριε• πρῶτον δὲ ἐπίτρεψόν μοι ἀποτάξασθαι τοῖς εἰς τὸν οἶκόν μου.
Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”

:62 εἶπεν δὲ [n]ὁ Ἰησοῦς• Οὐδεὶς ἐπιβαλὼν τὴν χεῖρα ἐπ’ ἄροτρον καὶ βλέπων εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω εὔθετός ἐστιν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τοῦ θεοῦ.
Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

"Anyone who does not follow in this way is not appropriate or fit or properly suited for the reign of God."  εὔθετός

Commitment to Christ Requires total Surrender

We encounter numerous excuses not to follow Christ,. Have things changed over the years?

1. “I will follow you wherever you go.”  - “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

     A.  I will follow so long as I am not inconvenienced.

     B. I will follow so long as my creature comforts are not compromised.

     C. I will follow but don’t make this discipleship too difficult!

2. "I will follow you, Lord; but first, let me go back and say good-by o my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

     A. We need a total focus.

     B. Jesus will take second seat to no one

Where are your priorities? John the Baptist, “I must decrease, He must increase.”

ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

Time in the Word - Proper 8

Time in the Word

Proper 8

Christ’s Messengers Proclaim His Kingdom
June 24-29, 2019

When the prophet Elijah became discouraged and despaired of his life, “the Word of the Lord came to him” (1 Kings 19:9b) and stood him “on the mount before the Lord” (1 Kings 19:11). The Lord made Himself known to the prophet—not in the impressive power of gale force winds, nor in an earthquake, and nor in the fire, but in “the sound of a low whisper” (1 Kings 19:12). Today God reveals Himself among us through the frail preaching of the Gospel. The Son of Man sends “messengers ahead of Him…to make preparations for Him” (Luke 9:51–52). Putting their hand to that plow of preaching, they “go and proclaim the kingdom of God,” and they do not look back (Luke 9:60, 62). What they preach is not the power of the Law with its “yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1), but the power of God unto salvation through the Gospel of forgiveness, by which “Christ has set us free” (Gal. 5:1).

Collect for the  Pentecost Season:  Lord of all power and might, Author and Giver of all good things, graft into our hearts the love of Your name and nourish us with all goodness that we may love and serve our neighbor; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Collect for Psalm 16: Lord God our Father, keep safe Your servant on the path of eternal life, for You alone are my refuge. When my last hour comes, may my body rest secure in the promise of the Lord's resurrection; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer for likeness to Christ: O God, by the patient suffering of Your only-begotten Son You have beaten down the pride of the old enemy. Now help us, we humbly pray, rightly to treasure in our hearts all that our Lord has of His goodness borne for our sake that following His blessed example we may bear with all patience all that is adverse to us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for spiritual renewal: Almighty God, grant that we, who have been redeemed from the old life of sin by our Baptism into the death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, may be renewed by Your Holy Spirit to live in righteousness and true holiness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for grace to love and serve God: O God, through the grace of Your Holy Spirit You pour the gifts of love into the hearts of Your faithful people. Grant Your servants health both of mind and body that they may love You with their whole heart and with their whole strength perform those things that are pleasing to You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Monday, 24 June 2019— Psalm 85:8–10, 13; antiphon, Psalm 85:7—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray, Show us Your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us Your salvation. God has shown His steadfast love and salvation to us by sending His Son into the world to save us. Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people. God speaks His peace to us through His holy Word, especially in the Gospels, where we have a record of the words and the deeds of Jesus, who accomplished our salvation for us. Truly, His salvation is near to us who fear Him!

Tuesday, 25 June 2019— Psalm 16 - In the psalm for the day, David takes delight in an unwavering commitment to the Lord in both life and death. This ought also to be our attitude and joy, for He has made known to us the path of life. We have a beautiful inheritance: life with God forever in the kingdom of heaven.

Wednesday, 26 June 2019—1 Kings 19:9 b–21—On the lam to escape wicked Queen Jezebel, Elijah fell into despair: few people in Israel wanted to have anything to do with the Lord or His prophets, and the queen had sworn to kill him (1 Kgs 19:2). In the midst of his despondency, the Lord strengthened Elijah both physical (1 Kgs 19:4–9) and, in the reading for Sunday, spiritual. The Lord instructed Elijah to step out of his cave while the He showed him three tremendous displays of natural forces—a great and strong wind, an earthquake, and a fire. Then He came in patience and love, with gentleness and mercy—in a low whisper. He told Elijah that he had not been a failure; there were still seven thousand faithful in Israel. To encourage Elijah, God also gave him a threefold assignment. He was to head north and anoint the next king of Aram, who would be God’s scourge on Israel. He was also to anoint a new king over Israel, who would wipe out the dynasty of Ahab and destroy Baal worship in Israel. Finally, Elijah was to anoint the man who would succeed him as prophet. The mission of Elijah was to be continued in Elisha.

Thursday, 27 June 2019— Galatians 5:1, 13–25—We Americans are justly jealous of our freedoms; they were won and preserved at great cost. But, with freedom comes responsibility. As Christians, we have received an even greater freedom—freedom from the curse of the Law. With this freedom also comes great responsibility—the responsibility to use our freedom in service to God and neighbor. The only way we are able to do this is to be led by the Spirit, whose fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Friday, 28 June 2019— Luke 9:51–62—In Luke 9:51, the whole tenor of the Gospel according to St Luke changes, when Jesus sets His face to go to Jerusalem. Now the focus is on the cross, where He will redeem mankind from the clutches of Satan, from bondage to the Law, and from everlasting death. Our eyes, too, must ever be focused on the cross of Christ. It is there alone that we are able to find true freedom, as proclaimed in the epistle from Galatians. Likewise, if pastors are going to faithful to the Lord, as was Elijah, they must always preach Christ crucified as a sacrifice on our behalf.

Saturday, 29 June 2019— Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is Come, Follow Me, the Savior Spake (LSB #688), is an exhortation to live our lives under the cross. We, who have been set free from sin, death, and everlasting condemnation, must now live our lives in service to Him by walking in His way. How can we ever hope to accomplish such a thing? By firmly clinging to His Word (stanza 5).

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House

Luther’s Seals © Higher Things

Proper 7 - Pentecost 2

Proper 7

23 June 2019

Luke 8:26–39—

Jesus heals a demoniac 

A sick and suffering slave. Next, a dead man. Followed by a prostitute.  Now, today, a lunatic. Controlled by demon possession. Luke piles one story on top of another showing how Jesus is willing to include those who are seen as contaminated and corrupted. They are the unclean.

A Defeated man

A nameless man has been exiled to the margins of human existence. He's filthy. Naked in public. He can't control his speech. He's so violent that people can't come near him. All attempts to restrain him have failed. He exhibits the most common form of self-harm even today — self-mutilation. He suffers from demon possession.

This mad young man, in an unclean town, a town on the far side of the Sea of Galilee, in which Jewish people made their living by herding swine.   Now Jewish law tells us the pig is an unclean animal.  But the town has found it profitable. To raise them and then sell them to their pagan neighbors who were pork eaters. 

The maniac is untouchable.  The people of the town had decided that he was good for nothing.  His uncontrollable rages have brought them to drastic measures.  They have put him in chains and chained him among the dead. In the town cemetery. Where his roaring would bother the living less.  Even so, he manages to escape now and then and takes off into the woods.  Why does he return? Because they go after him.  Because there is nowhere else to go.  Because hunger brings him back to the food, they will supply him. 

"My name is Legion!" this homeless man screamed. "For we are many." Tortured in body, mind, and spirit, he embodied the scope of human suffering. For a Roman "legion" consisted of 5,000 soldiers.

And so, his community did what we still do today. They banished the man. To the safe and solitary margins of society.

A delivered man

When Jesus arrives by boat from across the Sea, there is no crowd waiting to greet Him.   But Jesus and the disciples can hear the fellow in the cemetery.  They go to him.  By the end of Jesus’ time with him, the young man has been restored to sanity. He is calm. And he rejoices in his acceptance by the Savior.

But something else has happened.  The demons and the madness have gone out of the young man. And, at Jesus’ direction, they enter into a large herd of swine.  The swine, in horror at their own corruption by unclean spirits, run to the edge of the cliff.

They jump into the Sea and are drowned.  Now the people come running. They crowd around. Horrified at the loss of their valuable swine.  And they are terrified of Jesus – so terrified they ask Him to leave.

A directed man

They ask Jesus to leave. He abides by their request. But the man who was freed from his long and lonely days of isolation and terror went about telling anyone who would listen how much God had done for him. And we need to be clear on this. It is, “How much God has done…” not what you have accomplished. This is not an extended version of show and tell. We bear the message of freedom from evil, dark powers. But it is Christ who secures this freedom.

Jesus seeks not only to cure the "disease" -- the demon-possession; but also to heal the illness -- to restore this man to the community from which he has been estranged. He is to go home.

The man who sat at Jesus' feet and who learned from Him wants to go with them. And what are his options? He is standing on the beach with Jesus. The disciples in the boat are in front of him. The townsfolk who banished him to the graveyard are at his back.

He wants to go with the One who healed him. He wants to be with Jesus.  The One who wasn't afraid to come near him. The One who didn't walk on the other side of the street. He wants to go with his new teacher and Lord. He wants to learn more about the kingdom of God. He's ready to follow Jesus. There's room in the boat.  And he'll leave without looking back!  There's really no one to say good-bye to. But Jesus says, “No!”

To others along the way, Jesus had issued the invitation, "Come, and follow Me." But to this one He says, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you."

This isn't simply a story of one man's healing.  It’s a story of one man's calling. Jesus does bid the man to follow; but in this case, the following involves staying rather than leaving. Jesus does not reject the man's application to be a disciple. He accepts it fully. “I even have a first appointment all lined up for you,” Jesus says from the boat. “Your congregation…is standing right behind you. Now, go and tell....”

Words – 855

Passive Sentences –6%

Readability –83.2

Reading Level – 3.9

-Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘Jesus Drives out Demons © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Proper 7 - Series C

Proper 7 C
(June 19-25)

Isaiah 65:1–9
Galatians 3:23–4:7
Luke 8:26–39

Prayer for those involved in occult practices or afflicted by demons: O God, almighty Father, You told us through Your Son, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever You ask of the Father in My name, He will give it to you." He has commanded and encouraged us to pray in His name, "Ask, and you will receive," and has also said, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver You, and you shall glorify Me." We unworthy sinners, relying on these Your words and command, pray for Your mercy with such faith as we can muster. Graciously free [name] from all evil, and undo the work that Satan has done in [him/her], to the honor of Your name and the strengthening of the faith of believers; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Collect for Proper 7 O God, You have prepared for those who love You such good things as surpass our understanding. Cast out all sin and evil desires from us and pour into our hearts Your Holy Spirit to guide us into all blessedness; through Jesus Christ our Lord…

Jesus Brings Release from the Bonds of Sin, Death and the Devil

The Lord finds those who did not seek Him or ask for Him. He spreads out His hands “to a rebellious people” (Is. 65:2) and calls them to be His people and to dwell in peace upon His holy mountain (Is. 65:9). For wherever Jesus Christ enters in, Satan is cast out. Those who were enslaved and driven mad by the assaults and accusations of the devil, are set free by the Word of Christ. He drowns and destroys the old Adam in us with the waters of Holy Baptism and thereby brings us out of death into life. No longer naked in our shame, living “among the tombs” (Luke 8:27), we are brought into the Lord’s house, fully clothed by Christ; for He has come, in “the fullness of time” (Gal. 4:4) to fulfill the Law on our behalf and to redeem us from its every accusation. Therefore, having been justified by His grace through faith in His Gospel, “you are no longer a slave, but a son” (Gal. 4:7).

A sick and suffering slave. Next, a dead man. Followed by a prostitute.  Now, today, a lunatic. Controlled by demon possession. Luke piles one story on top of another showing how Jesus is willing to include those who are seen as contaminated and corrupted. They are the unclean.

26 Καὶ κατέπλευσαν εἰς τὴν χώραν τῶν Γερασηνῶν, ἥτις ἐστὶν ἀντιπέρα τῆς Γαλιλαίας.
Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.

27 ἐξελθόντι δὲ αὐτῷ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ὑπήντησεν ἀνήρ τις ἐκ τῆς πόλεως ἔχων δαιμόνια• καὶ χρόνῳ ἱκανῷ οὐκ ἐνεδύσατο ἱμάτιον, καὶ ἐν οἰκίᾳ οὐκ ἔμενεν ἀλλ’ ἐν τοῖς μνήμασιν.
When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs.

A nameless man has been exiled to the margins of human existence. He's filthy. Naked in public. He can't control his speech. He's so violent that people can't come near him. All attempts to restrain him have failed. He exhibits the most common form of self-harm even today — self-mutilation. He suffers from demon possession.

The maniac is untouchable.  The people of the town had decided that he was good for nothing.  His uncontrollable rages have brought them to drastic measures.  They have put him in chains and chained him among the dead. In the town cemetery. Where his roaring would bother the living less. And so, his community did what we still do today. They banished the man. To the safe and solitary margins of society.


28 ἰδὼν δὲ τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἀνακράξας προσέπεσεν αὐτῷ καὶ φωνῇ μεγάλῃ εἶπεν• Τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί, Ἰησοῦ υἱὲ τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ὑψίστου; δέομαί σου, μή με βασανίσῃς• 
When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.”

“You believe that God is One, you do well, even the demons believe and shutter.” - James 2:19

29 παρήγγελλεν γὰρ τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἀκαθάρτῳ ἐξελθεῖν ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου. πολλοῖς γὰρ χρόνοις συνηρπάκει αὐτόν, καὶ ἐδεσμεύετο ἁλύσεσιν καὶ πέδαις φυλασσόμενος, καὶ διαρρήσσων τὰ δεσμὰ ἠλαύνετο ὑπὸ τοῦ δαιμονίου εἰς τὰς ἐρήμους.
For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.)

Even so, he manages to escape now and then and takes off into the woods.  Why does he return? Because they go after him.  Because there is nowhere else to go.  Because hunger brings him back to the food, they will supply him.

30 ἐπηρώτησεν δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ Ἰησοῦς• Τί σοι ὄνομά ἐστιν; ὁ δὲ εἶπεν• Λεγιών, ὅτι εἰσῆλθεν δαιμόνια πολλὰ εἰς αὐτόν.
Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him.

"My name is Legion!" this homeless man screamed. "For we are many." Tortured in body, mind, and spirit, he embodied the scope of human suffering. For a Roman "legion" consisted of 5,000 soldiers.

31 καὶ παρεκάλουν αὐτὸν ἵνα μὴ ἐπιτάξῃ αὐτοῖς εἰς τὴν ἄβυσσον ἀπελθεῖν.
And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss.

32 Ἦν δὲ ἐκεῖ ἀγέλη χοίρων ἱκανῶν βοσκομένη ἐν τῷ ὄρει• καὶ παρεκάλεσαν αὐτὸν ἵνα ἐπιτρέψῃ αὐτοῖς εἰς ἐκείνους εἰσελθεῖν• καὶ ἐπέτρεψεν αὐτοῖς.
Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission.

In an unclean town, a town on the far side of the Sea of Galilee, a community in which Jewish people made their living by herding pigs. Jewish law tells us the pig is an unclean animal.  But the town-folk has found it profitable. To raise them and sell them to their pagan neighbors who were pork eaters.

33 ἐξελθόντα δὲ τὰ δαιμόνια ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου εἰσῆλθον εἰς τοὺς χοίρους, καὶ ὥρμησεν ἡ ἀγέλη κατὰ τοῦ κρημνοῦ εἰς τὴν λίμνην καὶ ἀπεπνίγη.
Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.

The swine, in horror at their own corruption by unclean spirits, run to the edge of the cliff.

34 Ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ βόσκοντες τὸ γεγονὸς ἔφυγον καὶ ἀπήγγειλαν εἰς τὴν πόλιν καὶ εἰς τοὺς ἀγρούς.
When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country.

35 ἐξῆλθον δὲ ἰδεῖν τὸ γεγονὸς καὶ ἦλθον πρὸς τὸν Ἰησοῦν, καὶ εὗρον καθήμενον τὸν ἄνθρωπον ἀφ’ οὗ τὰ δαιμόνια ἐξῆλθεν ἱματισμένον καὶ σωφρονοῦντα παρὰ τοὺς πόδας τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν.
Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.

Now the people come running. They crowd around. Horrified at the loss of their valuable swine.

36 ἀπήγγειλαν δὲ αὐτοῖς οἱ ἰδόντες πῶς ἐσώθη ὁ δαιμονισθείς. 
And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed.

The man who was freed from his long and lonely days of isolation and terror went about telling anyone who would listen how much God had done for him. And we need to be clear on this. It is, “How much God has done…” not how much you have done. We bear the message of freedom from evil dark powers. But it is Christ who secures this freedom.

37 καὶ ἠρώτησεν αὐτὸν ἅπαν τὸ πλῆθος τῆς περιχώρου τῶν Γερασηνῶν ἀπελθεῖν ἀπ’ αὐτῶν, ὅτι φόβῳ μεγάλῳ συνείχοντο• αὐτὸς δὲ ἐμβὰς εἰς πλοῖον ὑπέστρεψεν.
Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned.

And they are terrified of Jesus – so terrified they ask Him to leave.

38 ἐδεῖτο δὲ αὐτοῦ ὁ ἀνὴρ ἀφ’ οὗ ἐξεληλύθει τὰ δαιμόνια εἶναι σὺν αὐτῷ• ἀπέλυσεν δὲ αὐτὸν λέγων•
The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying,

The man who sat at Jesus' feet and who learned from Him wants to go with them. And what are his options? He is standing on the beach with Jesus. The disciples in the boat are in front of him. The townsfolk who banished him to the graveyard are at his back.

He wants to go with the One who healed him. He wants to be with Jesus.  The One who wasn't afraid to come near him. The One who didn't walk on the other side of the street. He wants to go with his new teacher and Lord. He wants to learn more about the kingdom of God. He's ready to follow Jesus. There's room in the boat.  And he'll leave without looking back!  There's really no one to say good-bye to. But Jesus says no.

39 Ὑπόστρεφε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου, καὶ διηγοῦ ὅσα σοι ἐποίησεν ὁ θεός. καὶ ἀπῆλθεν καθ’ ὅλην τὴν πόλιν κηρύσσων ὅσα ἐποίησεν αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς.
“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

To others along the way, Jesus had issued the invitation, "Come, and follow Me." But to this one He says, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you."

This isn't simply a story of one man's healing.  It’s a story of one man's calling. Jesus does bid the man to follow; but in this case, the following involves staying rather than leaving. Jesus does not reject the man's application to be a disciple. He accepts it fully. “I even have a first appointment all lined up for you,” Jesus says from the boat. “Your congregation…is standing right behind you. Now, go and tell....”

The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software
ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Image: Jesus drives out demons Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS for personal and congregational use

Time in the Word - Proper 7

Time in the Word

Proper 7

Jesus Brings Release from the Bonds of Sin, Death, and the Devil

June 17 -22, 2019

The Lord finds those who did not seek Him or ask for Him. He spreads out His hands “to a rebellious people” (Is. 65:2) and calls them to be His people and to dwell in peace upon His holy mountain (Is. 65:9). For wherever Jesus Christ enters in, Satan is cast out. Those who were enslaved and driven mad by the assaults and accusations of the devil, are set free by the Word of Christ. He drowns and destroys the old Adam in us with the waters of Holy Baptism and thereby brings us out of death into life. No longer naked in our shame, living “among the tombs” (Luke 8:27), we are brought into the Lord’s house, fully clothed by Christ. For He has come, in “the fullness of time” (Gal. 4:4) to fulfill the Law on our behalf and to redeem us from its every accusation. Therefore, having been justified by His grace through faith in His Gospel, “you are no longer a slave, but a son” (Gal. 4:7).

Prayers for deliverance from sin: We implore You, O Lord, in Your kindness to show us Your great mercy that we may be set free from our sins and rescued from the punishments that we rightfully deserve; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, You desire not the death of a sinner, but rather that we turn from our evil ways and live. Graciously spare us those punishments which we by our sins have deserved, and grant us always to serve You in holiness and pureness of living; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer for grace and forgiveness: Spare us, O Lord, and mercifully forgive us our sins. Though by our continual transgressions we have merited Your chastisements, be gracious to us. Grant that all these punishments which we have deserved may not come upon us, but that all things may work to our everlasting good; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer for steadfast faith: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, because of Your tender love toward us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in Him, we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may remain steadfast in this faith to the end and finally come to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for those involved in occult practices or afflicted by demons: O God, almighty Father, You told us through Your Son, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever You ask of the Father in My name, He will give it to you." He has commanded and encouraged us to pray in His name, "Ask, and you will receive," and has also said, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver You, and you shall glorify Me." We unworthy sinners, relying on these Your words and command, pray for Your mercy with such faith as we can muster. Graciously free [name] from all evil, and undo the work that Satan has done in [him/her], to the honor of Your name and the strengthening of the faith of believers; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Monday, 17 June 2019—Psalm 71:20–24; antiphon, Psalm 71:3—Psalm 71 was likely written by King David toward the end of his life. Looking back over the events of a long life, he could see that, though he had experienced many troubles and calamities, the Lord would always deliver him, would revive him again.

David trusted in the Lord as a rock and a fortress, who cannot be moved or shaken, but provides refuge for His people. In response, the people of God shout for joy and sing praises to Him, and speak of His righteous help all the daylong.

Tuesday, 18 June 2019—Psalm 3—This psalm of David has as its background his flight from his rebellious son, Absalom, as recorded in 2 Samuel 15—18, but it is applicable in our day and age and situation, too. The psalm was written to sustain the faith of anyone who faces a hostile conspiracy of foes, whether those foes be physical or spiritual. David counsels us to cry to the Lord when we are beset by trouble (vv. 1–2), then be calm, knowing that the Lord will sustain us (vv. 3–6). We can boldly exhort God to intervene on our behalf (v. 7) and then be certain that His blessing is upon us, and He will bring salvation (v. 8).

Wednesday, 19 June 2019—Isaiah 65:1–9—Chapters 63 and 64 record pleas from Isaiah on behalf of the faithful that God would be merciful to them. The last two chapters of Isaiah, 65 and 66, are the Lord’s reply. First, He repeats the treats of judgment on those who do not seek Him (vv. 1–7). However, there are also those who have not forsaken Him. To these, He promises that He will not destroy them, but will give them the inheritance, which He had promised to His people. They who are faithful are His chosen ones, and shall reap the benefits of His mercy.

Thursday, 20 June 2019—Galatians 3:23—4:7—St Paul here contrasts the position of a slave and that of an heir. Because of our sin, the Law kept us as slaves.

We are slaves to our sinful nature, and cannot share in the inheritance from God. Nevertheless, God sent forth His Son to redeem us. He did what we are unable to do: He fulfilled the Law for us. Having been set free from bondage to sin and to the Law, we have been made sons of God, heirs of all His blessings. Eternal life with God is the inheritance in all who are sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Friday, 21 June 2019—Luke 8:26–39—Jesus travels across the Sea of Galilee, to the east side, where a number of Gentiles lived. There he met a man who was tormented by demons, who did terrible things to him. The demons who possessed this man knew who Jesus is: the Son of the Most High God, and the one who would send them to eternal torture in the abyss of hell. Jesus casts them into a herd of pigs, and they destroy the pigs. We see in the demon-possessed man a picture of total helplessness in the face of an ungodly spiritual foe. Jesus, the Son of the Most High God, could only rescue him. We, too, are helpless in the face of adversity from the devil and his demons, for our fallen nature is unwilling and unable to fight against him. Like the demoniac, we need recuing by Jesus. He has accomplished our rescue by His death on the cross, where He defeated Satan and the powers of darkness.

Saturday, 22 June 2019—Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is Rise, Shine, You People (LSB #825). It tells how the Son of the Most High God has entered into human history and defeated the powers of evil. He brings us freedom, light, and life and healing. In response, we are to tell how the Father sent His son to save us and tell of the Son, who life and freedom gave us.

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House

Luther’s Seals © Higher Things

Trinity

Trinity Sunday  

16 June 2019

John 8:48–59

"Can you believe what this Jesus had to say?"

Almighty and everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true faith and to worship the unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for you, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reigns one God, now and forever. 

Can you believe what Jesus had to say? Wherever Jesus goes. There is trouble. His words. His message. His witness. Always create a conflict.

The discussion takes place in Court of the Women within the temple complex. There, the Pharisees confront Jesus head-on. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst.  They said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” (Vv.3-5) 

Will Jesus condemn and convict? Or, will He dismiss her? He does neither. He simply states. “Whoever is not guilty of (this) sin may cast the first stone.”(v.7) Jesus pointed out their hypocrisy, causing them to walk away. “But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.” (v.8)

Jesus proclaims that He is the light of the world. His statement to them that He is not of this world, His telling them they do not understand His words, that they are not sons of God but sons of the Devil. Not all this sits well.

The Pharisees deliver a double insult.  Now angry, they retaliate.  Not only is Jesus their enemy. He is also possessed.  

This is the classic conflict scenario. Of those who are in the wrong. They ramp up their false accusations against the innocent.  

We all know how heated exchanges escalate and end in physical violence.  This situation is no different.

Jesus had attacked their pride. Now they wanted revenge. “What mad talk! Now we’re convinced you’re a man possessed.” “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” (v.48)

“Who do you think you are?” The critics ask.  Consider the confrontation Jesus presents to the authorities of His day.  

They argue. “You certainly are not greater than Abraham! He died, as did the prophets. Who do you make yourself out to be?” (v.52) “You are not yet fifty years old! And yet, you have seen Abraham?” (v.57) 

They did not understand that Abraham was already with God.  Abraham, throughout all of his challenges, obeyed God. “And it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3) God made a covenant with Abraham. Jesus says that Abraham —— was able to foresee the advent of a Savior.

Abraham saw in Melchizedek - one made like unto the Son of God, and a priest forever. 

He saw an appearance of Jehovah, attended with two angels, in the plains of Mamre. 

When he pleaded for the city of Sodom, he saw an example of Christ’s intercession. In offering up Isaac, and then a ram instead of his son, he saw the great sacrifice of Christ. And his calling that place “Jehovah-jireh” – “The Lord will provide.”

All these were predictions of the coming of Christ. And Abraham, by faith, saw it all and believed.  

Jesus responds, “Before Abraham was born I am!” (v.58) Before Abraham - Jesus was. 

First, Jesus existed As God. “I am”, is the name of God. God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” (Exodus 3:14); His name denotes his self-existence; Jesus does not say, “I was,” but “I am,” for He is the first and the last, He will not change, He’s the same. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)  

Jesus was not only before Abraham, but also before all worlds, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) 

Secondly, As Mediator Jesus was the appointed as the Messiah, long before Abraham. 

He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. “And all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.” (Revelation 13:8) 

This supposes His divine nature. He is the same in Himself from eternity. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) 

He is the same to man ever since the fall. He was made of God wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. 

To Adam, and Abel, and Enoch, and Noah, and Shem, and all the patriarchs that lived and died by faith in Him before Abraham was born. He is the eternal God who entered time and space for your rescue from sin, misery and death.

Jesus’ words are the assurance you need this day. “Whoever keeps my word will not taste death into the age to come. Whoever believes in Me will never die." (v.51) Into the age they will NOT, no, not ever, behold death. They have escape condemnation and share everlasting life with Him.

How is it that Jesus can say, “You will not be dead forever”?  It is given to you as a gift through faith. It is faith, which acknowledges Jesus as Savior. It is faith, which causes you to repent of your sins. And it’s faith, which trusts Christ’s sure and certain promises.

  

Because of this faith, you have no reason to fear death. Instead, you have every reason to be welcomed into Christ’s eternal heavenly home. What Abraham beheld, you see as your reality by faith. The troubles and challenges you experience in this life are only a vapor, a mist. They will all fade away.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18) 

Sufferings hurt us. Do not make light of them. Or diminish the terrible physical and emotional pain that suffering can bring. It can be awful. Its intensity can increase to such a degree that we scream with terror and pain. We think we can no longer endure. But the intensity of the suffering we experience is not even a drop compared with the intensity of glory that is coming. The revelation of the glory that is coming - Abraham saw all this by faith – you see it too.

On this Trinity Sunday, take to heart the encouraging words you confessed today in that ancient yet relevant statement of faith we all confessed in the words of the Athanasian Creed:

“For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and man is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead; He ascended into heaven, He sits on the right hand of the Father, God, Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies; and shall give account of their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting and they that have done evil into everlasting fire.” 

This is the faith confessed, which except a man believe faithfully he cannot be saved.
Words –1,285
Passive Sentences –2% 
Readability –76.5% 
Reading Level –5.1

Sources: https://churchmousec.wordpress.com/2011/10/22/forbidden-bible-verses-john-848-59/
Collect for Trinity, Lutheran Service Book © 2006  Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
Image of the Trinity © Higher Things