Mark 1:29-39 reflection

 

Jesus Heals
Mark 1:29-39
Epiphany 5 

Jesus has already taken care of what ails us most. He has died to remove our sin. 

We still fall physically ill. And we might not receive immediate healing as we would wish. 

But this does not mean that we have done something wrong. But is simply a reflection of the continued presence of sin in this world. We’re living in a broken world outside of Eden. But Jesus is in the business of restoring this world. That’s why He came here in the first place. 

 Fortunately, we know that Christ has overcome the world. He makes us new. And if not in this life. Then at the resurrection. We can hope in His presence and His care and cure!

 Have you ever gotten hurt, or sick? 

What kinds of things help when you are feeling bad or physically hurt? 

You might get a band-aid to put over a small cut or a scrape. Or perhaps. You have an itch. Or sore muscles. You put ointment on it. 

Maybe you even get a big cast if you break a bone. And if you have the flu or an infection. You might have to take medicine. To feel better and get rid of the germs inside your body.

All these things help our bodies to heal and to feel different. 

But you know. Ultimately. It’s not the band-aid that fixes your skin. Or the medicine that heals your headache. Those things are side helpers. But it’s really God who is working in us to make us new and heal our bodies.

What about the inside? Not just our tummies or lungs. But what about our feelings? And our actions? What can help those? Well, God takes care of that, too! 

You know, in the Bible, we see Jesus heal people. He took care of many who were sick. Just like the story in our Gospel today. 

He also helped people who couldn’t walk. Or couldn’t see. He even brought people back to life. Jesus did amazing miracles during His time on Earth. And He helped people who needed Him. 

He also showed that He loved people. And He took care of them on the inside. 

But do you know the greatest thing He did? This powerful healer let Himself be beaten, stripped, and nailed to a cross. 

While He was dying. People made fun of Him. For not being able to help Himself. Like He helped others. 

But Jesus knew He had to go through that awful pain. He paid the price for our sin. So that “by His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5). 

And then He came back to life. And promised to be with us always! One day He will return.

Because of this. We have hope. Even when things are painful or hard.

These days, there’s a lot of talk about sickness. People everywhere are worried about viruses. And how we can keep people safe. And wondering what the best way will be to keep us healthy and strong. 

We don’t know all the answers to health challenges people face. Jesus still heals people today. Using doctors, nurses, healthcare works and such to keep us well. 

Jesus warns us that there will be trouble in this world. But He also promises that He has overcome the world. 

We might not always get the physical healing we always want. But we know He has already healed our hearts. 

Jesus took our sin sickness away when He died on the cross. He will comfort and love us no matter what else is happening. Jesus is the final hope and final answer. 

There are many things we don’t always know or understand. But we have hope in Christ. He has already taken care of the most important thing, and because of that, we know we are God’s children. 

We can always pray for what we need, of course, but we can thank God for giving us what we need most. 

LORD You are the true healer. Thank you for healing our hearts. For taking care of our sin sickness. Saving us from the inside out. We love you, LORD. Thank you for Jesus. In His name, Amen! 

Words-710

Passive Sentences-1.1%
Readability –90% 
Reading Level –2.5 

https://ministry-to-children.com/jesus-heals-childrens sermon/#:~:text=He%20even%20brought%20people%20back,and%20Jesus%20healed%20those%2C%20too.

Thursday prior to Epiphany 5

 

1 Corinthians 9:16–27—St Paul boasts, not of himself, but of the Gospel. What a privilege it is for him, and all of us, to proclaim the Good News of salvation in Christ Jesus! He cannot but go out to all—Jew, Gentile, weak, strong—and proclaim the forgiveness that belongs to all men through the merits of Christ.

Out of divine necessity Paul preaches, and to win people to Christ he identifies with them.  In this chapter Paul defends his ministry against those who condemn him for not taking pay from his churches, for”the laborer is worthy of his hire.” 

Paul was economically independent by working as a tent-maker. Paul explains that he preaches out of necessity, for he was called to preach. He performs out of this commission and not for monetary remuneration.  This had made him free from being obligated to men and made him free to be all things to all men in the hope of winning them to Christ.

Today we pray for the church and her pastors; for teachers, deaconesses, and other church workers; for missionaries and for all who serve the Church; for fruitful and salutary use of the blessed Sacrament of Christ’ body and blood.

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. For the faithful proclamation of Christ, our King, and for the strengthening of God’s people in this true faith and their baptismal life in Christ. 

Gracious Lord, enrich Your saints in every way. Encourage the preachers of Your Word and all who hear, that the testimony about Christ may be confirmed again among us. Give boldness and faithfulness to our Synod president;\; our district president, our circuit visitor, and all pastors in Christ. 

As You have called us into the fellowship of Your Son, so sustain us as we wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. We pray for a right reception of the true body and blood of Christ, for grace to use well what we receive here in Christ’s name, and for the day when no division of doctrine and faith will hinder our communion together at the Lord’s altar, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. 1

 Prayers for the Church, Commission on Worship © The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod

Wednesday prior to Epiphany 5

Isaiah 40:21–31—This is part of a larger section in which the Lord directs Isaiah to Comfort, comfort My people (Isa 40:1) with the good news of forgiveness of sins. This portion tells us that nothing can stand in the way of the Lord and His plan of salvation. He brings those who would oppose Him to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. There can be no doubt that He will accomplish that which He promises, for the LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary. When our human frailness would cause us to despair, we take comfort that He gives power to the faint and that they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength.

The prophet calls us to “wait” for God in the midst of this world where we can feel so lost. But that doesn’t mean what we normally think of “waiting.” This is a kind of waiting that is defined by the confidence that God is with us, constantly surrounding us with God’s life and love. It is a kind of waiting that is supported by the confidence that God is powerful enough to make things right—if not now, then ultimately. It is a kind of waiting that is shaped by the faith that this incredibly powerful God who holds the vastness of the cosmos in the palm of his hand is also the one who individually carries each of the lambs in his arms.  1

We pray – For marriage and family, that husbands and wives, parents and children lives in ordered harmony according to the Word of God; for parents who must raise children alone; for our communities and neighborhoods.

O Lord our God, creator of all that exists, we thank You for the joy of new life and for the privilege bestowed upon us of being participants with You in the ongoing stream of life. Grant that these blessings may be continued to our children and our children’s children, that all generations may praise Your holy name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  2

Sources:

1. http://thewakingdreamer.blogspot.com/2012/02/never-lost-isa.html

2..  Prayers for marriage and family, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis 

Tuesday prior to Epiphany 5

 

Psalm 147:1–11—Psalm 147 is the second of five “Alleluia” hymns that close the Psalter. Each of the last five psalms starts and ends with the imperative, “Praise the Lord!” (Hebrew, ‘halelu’; Greek, ‘alleluia’). 

Together, these psalms put a final exclamation point on the book that the Jewish community calls, “Praises.” In other words, the Psalter closes with an extended call to praise that is directed at the Psalter’s audience. More on this call to praise below.

The psalm itself conforms to the standard pattern of the hymn of praise. The psalm has three stanzas (verses 1-6, 7-11, 12-20), each of which opens with a “call to praise” and then continues by recounting “reasons for praise.”

What should be noted about the call to praise is that it, quite literally, calls for a response. The audience is called to open our mouths, lift up our voices, and join in the psalmist’s joyous song. The fact that the book of Psalms ends with five psalms that include calls to praise, and with a final psalm (150) that is nothing but an extended call to praise, means that the audience enjoined to take up the songs that we have learned from the Psalter, and to sing those songs out in the world. 1 

This is a song of praise to the greatness of the Lord, who manifests His greatness not just in mighty works, such as determining the number of stars, and giving them all their names, but especially because of His steadfast love which causes Him to heal the brokenhearted and lift up the humble. For this reason, it is no chore to sing praises to Him, but it is good to sing praises to our God, for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.

Collect for Psalm 147: God our Father, great builder of the heavenly Jerusalem, you know the number of the stars and call each of them by name. Heal hearts that are broken, gather those who have been scattered, and enrich us all from the plenitude of your eternal wisdom, Jesus Christ our Lord. 2  

Sources:

1. https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/fifth-sunday-after-epiphany-2/commentary-on-psalm-1471-11-20

2. Collect for Psalm 147, For All the Saints, A Pray book for and by the Church © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Monday prior to Epiphany 5

 

Psalm 13:3–5; antiphon, Psalm 13:6—This psalm of David reflects the believer’s trust in the Lord to deliver him from the tribulations of this world. When we are in misery, the psalm encourages us with the good news that the Lord has accomplished the salvation of those who trust in Him; “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.”- V 5. Our response, then, is reflected in the words of the antiphon: I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Sunday’s readings reflect on the seamy side of life. They coincide with the overall theme for this coming week; “healing for a suffering humanity.” Life can be rough and tough. Suffering, hardship, and adversity are facts of life. This is illustrated in the prayer offered in the Introit for the week.

In the midst of our suffering we reach out to the one who can empathize with us and understand our sorrows namely Jesus the wounded healer to took our sin and suffering to Himself. The Prophet Isaiah predicted this when he wrote “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” –Isaiah 53:3-5 

The writer to the Hebrews teaches, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  -Hebrews 4:14-16 

In the midst of your anguish and distress turn to Jesus for consolation, forgiveness and life. 

Collect for Psalm 13: Lord our God, by the light of the resurrection of your Son you have helped us see that we shall not sleep in death forever. Look upon the sufferings of your church, so that our hearts may rejoice in your saving help and sing you songs of praise; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Collect for Psalm 13, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book for and by the Church, © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Epiphany 5 Series B notes

Isaiah 40:21–31
1 Corinthians 9:16–27
Mark 1:29–39

 

The Son of God, Christ Jesus, Makes Us a New Creation

Collect for Epiphany 5—O Lord, keep Your family the Church continually in the true faith that, relying on the hope of Your heavenly grace, we may ever be defended by Your mighty power; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Lord alone “is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 40:28). He “sits above the circle of the earth” and “stretches out the heavens like a curtain” (Isaiah 40:22). Yet His almighty power is demonstrated chiefly by His mercy and compassion. “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29). The only begotten Son of the Father, the very Word by whom all things were made, becomes flesh and takes all the poverty and weakness of our sin and death upon Himself, bearing it in His body to the cross. As He dies for us there, He also raises us up, a new creation, in His resurrection from the dead. Thus, by the preaching of this Word, He heals “many who were sick with various diseases,” and He casts out “many demons” (Mark 1:34, 39). And His preaching continues through those whom He has sent, who are “entrusted with a stewardship” to “preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16–17). Thus, we are set free by the Word of Christ, and we exercise our freedom in loving service to others.

“Let us go on to the next towns that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” (Mark 1:38) 

Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege                                                                      

Mark the evangelist was inspired to magnify the fact that Jesus came to preach.  In Sunday’s Gospel Jesus explains that He and the first Apostles had to go to the other towns so that, as Jesus explains, I may preach there also, for that is why I came out [1:38].  

Saint Mark’s first recorded words of Jesus indicated that Jesus was… proclaiming (literally “preaching”) the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” [1:14,15].  This preaching involved teaching, and it often included the exorcising of demons and the healing of the sick and maimed. Thus when He preached in Capernaum, the people were astonished at His teaching [v 22], which included healing folks and casting out demons.      

This preaching of Jesus can be traced throughout the Gospel of Mark, especially in the initial chapters.  In Mark 1:38 Jesus again explains to His new Apostles that preaching was His purpose:  Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.  He came out to preach!  In Mark 2:2 Christ’s preaching is recorded this way:  And He was preaching the word to them.  Again in 2:13:  …and He was teaching them.  Other descriptions: Again he began to teach beside the sea…And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them… [4:1,2].  A final example of Jesus’ emphasis on preaching:  And He went about among the villages teaching[6:6].  

As Jesus preached, the gospel of the kingdom was unfolding.  By His preaching (which included teaching, exorcisms and other loving miracles), Jesus was unfolding His identity, for He is the great King and His Kingdom has come. He also preached, as did every prophet, the centrality of repentance. These are foundational to the gospel: Jesus is truly the King who came to create and distribute forgiveness. 

Uniquely, as He spoke to His Apostles, Christ shifted gears with His preaching/teaching. After Peter’s great confession of faith Mark records: And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again [8:31].  As recorded by all four Gospel accounts, Jesus’ goal was to head to the cross, and of this goal He emphatically preached to His Apostles.  After unfolding His Kingly identity through the manifold aspects of His preaching Jesus now begins to teach about His climactic kingdom work—His death and resurrection.  In His death and resurrection He would create the source of forgiveness and eternal life, foundational elements of His Kingdom.

After His death and resurrection the Lord Jesus Christ was ready to turn over the preaching to His appointed men.  These men, like Jesus, would enter communities to preach.  They had to preach, for Jesus commissioned them, Go into all the world and proclaim [preach] the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned [16:15,16].  Preach and baptize, and thus distribute salvation by pointing to and connecting people with Christ’s cross and the empty tomb.  

Baptism and preaching (teaching) summarize the work of Christ’s pastors, as also emphasized in Matthew’s description of the Great Commission [Mt 28:19,20].  Of preaching it is not surprising that Saint Paul would primarily exhort Pastor Timothy (and all pastors), Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season [2 Ti 4:2]. The Apostles (and pastors after them) are uniquely called upon to preach the gospel of the Kingdom, a gospel and teaching centered in Christ’s death and resurrection.

Jesus Heals Many

Mark 1:29 

Καὶ εὐθὺς ἐκ τῆς συναγωγῆς ἐξελθόντες ἦλθον εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν Σίμωνος καὶ Ἀνδρέου μετὰ Ἰακώβου καὶ Ἰωάννου. 

And immediately he[a] left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

Mark 1:30 

ἡ δὲ πενθερὰ Σίμωνος κατέκειτο πυρέσσουσα, καὶ εὐθὺς λέγουσιν αὐτῷ περὶ αὐτῆς. 

Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.

Mark 1:31 

καὶ προσελθὼν ἤγειρεν αὐτὴν κρατήσας τῆς [d]χειρός· καὶ ἀφῆκεν αὐτὴν ὁ πυρετός, καὶ διηκόνει αὐτοῖς.

And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

Mark 1:32 

Ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης, ὅτε ἔδυ ὁ ἥλιος, ἔφερον πρὸς αὐτὸν πάντας τοὺς κακῶς ἔχοντας καὶ τοὺς δαιμονιζομένους· 

That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons.

Mark 1:33 

καὶ ἦν ὅλη ἡ πόλις ἐπισυνηγμένη πρὸς τὴν θύραν. 

 And the whole city was gathered together at the door.

Mark 1:34 

καὶ ἐθεράπευσεν πολλοὺς κακῶς ἔχοντας ποικίλαις νόσοις, καὶ δαιμόνια πολλὰ ἐξέβαλεν, καὶ οὐκ ἤφιεν λαλεῖν τὰ δαιμόνια, ὅτι ᾔδεισαν αὐτόν.

 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Jesus Preaches in Galilee

Mark 1:35 

Καὶ πρωῒ ἔννυχα λίαν ἀναστὰς ἐξῆλθεν καὶ ἀπῆλθεν εἰς ἔρημον τόπον κἀκεῖ προσηύχετο.

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 

Mark 1:36 

καὶ κατεδίωξεν αὐτὸν Σίμων καὶ οἱ μετ’ αὐτοῦ, 

And Simon and those who were with him searched for him,

Mark 1:37 

καὶ εὗρον αὐτὸν καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ ὅτι Πάντες ζητοῦσίν σε. 

 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.”

Mark 1:38 

καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ἄγωμεν ἀλλαχοῦ εἰς τὰς ἐχομένας κωμοπόλεις, ἵνα καὶ ἐκεῖ κηρύξω, εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ ἐξῆλθον. 

And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 

Mark 1:39 

καὶ ἦλθεν κηρύσσων εἰς τὰς συναγωγὰς αὐτῶν εἰς ὅλην τὴν Γαλιλαίαν καὶ τὰ δαιμόνια ἐκβάλλων.

And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Footnotes:

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

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
Luther’s Seal © Higher Things
LCMS Lectionary Summary © 2016
Lutheran Service Book © 2008 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

John of Chrysostom, pastor

 

Today on the church calendar we remember John of Chyrostom

O God, You gave to your servant John Chrysostom grace to proclaim the Gospel with eloquence and power. As bishop of the great congregations of Antioch and Constantinople, John fearlessly borne reproach for the honor of Your name. Mercifully grant to your church bishops and pastors who are like John in preaching and fidelity in their ministry of the Word to your people, and grant that we all be partakers of the divine nature through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Treasury of Daily Prayer copyright 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Saturday prior to Epiphany 4

 

—John 6:37—The hymn of the day is, “Just as I Am, Without One Plea,” (LSB #570). God’s action, not man’s, is primary in salvation and Christ’s mercy is unfailing. See John 6:44, 10:29, 17:6, 18:9. This hymn has become a treasured hymn of many people. 

Charlotte Elliott learned an important lesson about Jesus one sleepless night in 1834. She was an invalid, so when her family held a bazaar in Brighton, England, to raise money to build a school, she could only watch from afar.

That night she was overwhelmed by her helplessness and could not sleep. But her sadness turned to joy when she realized that God accepted her just as she was.

Her experience inspired these well-loved words: “Just as I am, without one plea but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!” When she published the poem in The Invalid’s Hymn Book, she included with it John 6:37. 1

Jesus always accepts people as they are. In John 6, the people had come from miles around to hear Jesus. When the crowd became hungry, He miraculously fed them with a boy’s unselfish gift of five loaves and two fish. Then the Lord offered Himself as “the bread of life,” promising that He would not turn away anyone who came to Him.

It’s still true today. No one who comes to Jesus will be turned away. Come to Him with all your sin and watch that great exchange; your misery for His perfection.  

There is no one in the whole world who can withstand death. All men flee from it and quake in terror before it. Nevertheless, they are overtaken by death. But faith remains firm and stands up against death. Faith conquers death and devours this ravenous glutton. Likewise, the whole world cannot constrain or suppress the flesh. But faith takes hold of the flesh and subdues it. Faith bridles the flesh into obedience. Similarly, no man can endure the raging, persecution, blasphemy, reproach, hatred and jealousy of the world. It makes a mockery of faith and treads it under foot, and even finds joy and pleasure in all this. Yet faith alone is the victory that overcomes the world.  (Martin Luther) 2

Sources:

1. https://odb.org/2004/11/23/just-as-i-am/

2. Luther’s Works: American Edit Edition.55 volumes. (Volumes 1-30, Concordia Publishing House; volumes 31 31-55, Fortress Press)

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts copyright © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use. 

 

Titus, Pastor and Confessor

 

Today on the church calendar we remember Titus

Almighty God, You called Titus to the world of pastor and teacher. Make all shepherds of Your flock diligent in preaching You holy Word so that the whole world may know the immeasurable riches of your Savior Jesus Christ.  

Treasury of Daily Prayer copyright 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

St. Titus, Pastor and Confessor (January 26)

 
Acts 20:28–35
Titus 1:1–9
Luke 10:1–9

St. Titus, Pastor and Confessor

“Faith,” “the knowledge of the truth,” and “the hope of eternal life” are manifested daily among us in His Word through the preaching of the Gospel of Christ Jesus (Titus 1:1–3). The times seem desperate: “fierce wolves” are among us, “not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29) and “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Luke 10:2).The Lord, however, is diligent to build and care for the Church “which he obtained with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). We are not to fear, but rather to “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest” (Luke 10:2). Send us faithful laborers! Preserve all pastors and teachers, that they “hold firm to the trustworthy Word as taught” so that they, like St. Titus, “may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9)! Give us ears to hear their preaching in repentance and faith. Preserve them from falsehood, greed, and unholy living. We commend them to You and the Word of Your grace (Acts 20:32), that “when the chief Shepherd appears,” (1 Peter 5:4) He may declare, “Well done, good and faithful servant...Enter into the joy of your master” (Matt. 25:21).

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Lectionary Summary copyright LCMS commission on worship

Friday prior to Epiphany 4

 

Mark 1:21-28—The authority of identity – who you are. With authority Jesus teaches and drives out an unclean spirit. After calling four disciples, Jesus begins his ministry by teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. The people are impressed by His authoritative teaching compared with the teaching of the scribes. A man in the congregation has an evil spirit, which addresses Jesus and knows Him to be the Messiah. With authority, Jesus commands the demon to leave the man. At the very beginning of His ministry, Jesus comes into contact with evil powers. As God’s Son, He conquers the evil spirit. He does it by exercising His authority as God’s Son. 

The word “immediately” (vv.21, 23) is a word Mark will often use. It has theological significance. It denotes a sense of urgency and importance. The Kingdom cannot wait. There is no place for laxity or procrastination. One must work while it is day before the night comes. The fields are white unto harvest. Jesus has a world to save in three years! He has the whole truth of God to reveal. He needs to set up a movement to carry on His work when He leaves. The church today needs to imitate Christ in this matter to overcome lethargy.  

This man was worshiping and listening to a sermon by the best preacher ever to come on earth. An “unclean” person is one possessed by an evil spirit. Is it strange he would be in worship? This reminds us that evil is present in people who are faithful, religious persons. The devil can exist even in the church. Christians are not perfect people. The church is not a museum of saints but a hospital of diseased people in need of a cure. Here Jesus, the great physician comes with a cure for both the body as well as the soul.

Almighty God, You know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 

 Collect for Epiphany 4, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Illustration from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, The Book of Books in Pictures. © WELS used by permission for personal and congregational use.

Mark 1:21-28 reflection

 Jesus Has Authority

Jesus has authority over all things. While on Earth. Jesus demonstrated the power to cast out demons. He healed the sick and injured. He controlled the weather. And even raise people from the dead!

He was and is stronger than anything else.

We can listen to Him and trust Him because we recognize His authority. Jesus has power and authority in our lives. 

Law/Gospel Theme 

Jesus did more than just preach a good message. When He taught. He did so with authority.

His messages carried meaning. Because He was who He said He was.

In the Bible, Jesus proved His authority and strength. We can still rely on that today. Trusting that He takes care of us and provides for us. Jesus is stronger and more dependable than anything we can imagine. In that we can take hope and comfort.

Who has power over you? Who gives you instructions or information? (Allow for responses.)

Now, I look to a lot of various sources to get instruction.

I might read about current events in a newspaper. To find out what’s going on around me.

Or if I want to know about something that happened a long time ago, I could look in a history book or an encyclopedia. These were big thick books that gave people information before the internet came along. Now you can find that information on your phone as you did last week when you had trivia  time. 

If I want to know how to do something, I could look in an instruction manual or a cookbook.

I know that I can rely on sources like these because the people who wrote them have been given that ability.

They might have degrees from school. Or be experts on topics. Or maybe they’ve been recommended by someone else.

Now, I also might have to take directions from other people in my life. My parents, my teachers, my doctor might all have rules and instructions that they ask me to follow.

I know that they have the power to ask or tell me things to do.  Because of their authority. Thy know things!

Do you know what it means to have authority? Authority means someone or something is in charge. It means that for some reason, they have the ability to tell you what to do.

For instance, the police have authority to make sure we obey the laws. A teacher has authority to give students a grade. And to communicate the information they need to know in school.

Someone who writes an important book or article might have authority to tell you information because they’ve studied and know a lot about a topic.

Well, what about Jesus? How can we know that He has authority?  And where does His authority come from?

In our Gospel lesson today, people noticed the power of Christ. And how He taught with authority. He wasn’t just saying fancy words.  He really knew what He was talking about.  And the people were impressed.

But they became even more impressed when Jesus put action behind His words.

There was a man that had an unclean spirit inside him.  Even that evil demon recognized Jesus. Because it cried out. Asking what Jesus was going to do. Jesus told the spirit to be quiet. And made it come right out of the man. Restoring him to health and healing.

The people who saw the event take place were amazed. They realized that Jesus did have true authority.

He taught like He knew what He was saying. Because He really did know what He was saying.

He had control even over the powers of evil and darkness. He had the strength to control and teach anyone and anything.

And those who recognized His authority also recognized His love.  And saw that He had authority from God.

And what do we take from this? Well, we know that Jesus still does have strength and authority. His words are true and reliable. More so than anything else we could read or hear or imagine.

His authority comes from the Lord. And where do we get His words? From the Bible, of course! This is your source of information. And we know it is the true word of God.

We know that Jesus has power. And that we can trust what He says.

We can pray to Him. Knowing He cares for us. And loves us. And hears us. When we rely upon Him. We can have confidence He will provide.

We can listen to Him. And know that He’s in control.

Prayer

LORD, we know that You have all power and authority. You are stronger than anything we can imagine. Help us to trust in You in our lives. Thank you for your love and care.[1]

Words-810
Passive Sentences-2.1%
Readability –80.2%
Reading Level -4.1

[1] https://ministry-to-children.com/jesus-has-authority-sermon/

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

The Conversion of St. Paul

 

Today on the church calendar we remember the conversion of the apostle Paul 

Almighty God, You turned the heart of him who persecuted the church and by his preaching caused the light of the Gospel to shin throughout the world. Grant us ever to rejoice in the saving light of Your Gospel and following the example of the apostle Paul, to spread it to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Treasury of Daily Prayer copyright 2009 Concordia Publishing House

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts Saul's conversion copyright WELS Permission tu use these copyrighted items is limited to persnoal and congregational use.

The Conversion of St. Paul (January 25)

 

Acts 9:1–22
Galatians 1:11–24
Matthew 19:27–30

God’s Enemies are Conquered by the Revelation of Grace in Christ

Christ brings about a great reversal in St. Paul. “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy” (Gal. 1:23). The enemy of the Gospel becomes its foremost preacher, and the last of the Apostles becomes the first (Matt. 19:30). Paul is God’s “chosen instrument...to carry [His] name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). The conversion of Paul is only a more dramatic example of what God does in revealing Christ to us. The bondage of our sin makes saving faith impossible. “I believe that I cannot...believe” (SC III,3). But even this is no obstacle for our Lord’s grace in Christ and the Holy Spirit’s power through the Gospel. Baptized, filled with the Holy Spirit, and hearing the Word of Christ, our ears are opened and our spiritual blindness is lifted (Acts 9:17–19). It is dangerous to be a traitor to Christ’s enemies—“I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My name” (Acts 9:16)—but everything that is left behind is “rubbish” compared to “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:8) and the eternal life that we, with St. Paul, will at last inherit (Matt. 19:29).

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Lectionary Summery copyright LCMS commission on worship

Thursday prior to Epiphany 4

 

1 Corinthians 8:1-13—The Epistle for this coming Sunday speaks concerning the authority of revelation – what you know. Knowledge of God gives freedom to eat meat offered to idols. 

Paul discusses a specific situation in Corinth, which caused a problem for Christians. Pagans participated in offering animal sacrifices to their gods. Part of the meat was burned on an altar and the rest was sold for food at the markets. Some Christians had no qualms of buying such meat for home consumption while others were conscience-stricken at the idea, for it seemed to them that they were participating in a pagan practice. Paul says no one should object to meats offered to idols because idols have no existence. God is the one and only true God. However, if some weaker brothers still feel it is wrong, those who have the knowledge that God alone is God should not eat such meat to prevent offense and the destruction of their faith.

There is a difference between knowledge and truth. Not all knowledge deals with truth. There is a knowledge that just puffs up the pride of man. The truth of God is authoritative and liberating. Truth is self-authenticating. It needs no defense nor apology. A knowledge of the truth brings the authority and liberation to the one who knows. Thus, we constantly emphasize the need for more and more education. 

Luther speaking of “Christian liberty” once said the Christian is the freest of all men but the servant of all. Our knowledge of God frees us from superstition, legalism, and a bad conscience, but love enslaves us for the welfare of our brother who might not yet have such knowledge. How many Christians today are willing to sacrifice their freedom of life-style to prevent offending a narrow Christian?

O God, you know that we cannot withstand the dangers, which surround us. Strengthen us in body and spirit so that with your help, we may be able to overcome the weakness that our sins has brought upon us. 

A Collect for the Epiphany Season, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Timothy - Pastor and Confessor

Today on the church calendar we remember Timothy 

Lord Jesus Christ, You have always given Your church on earth faithful shepherds such as Timothy to guide and lead Your flock. Make all pastors diligent to preach Your holy Word and administer Your means of grace, and grant Your people wisdom to follow in the way that elds to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

-Treasury of Daily Prayer copyright 2009 Concordia Publishing House

St. Timothy, Pastor and Confessor (January 24)

 
Acts 16:1–5
1 Timothy 6:11–16
Matthew 24:42–47

St. Timothy, Pastor and Confessor

Our Master, Jesus Christ, “is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matt. 24:44). He sets the servants of His Word as the watchmen and overseers of His household (Matt. 24:45). He commands them to keep, guard, and “fight the good fight of the faith” entrusted to them (1 Tim. 6:12), “each according to his ability” (Matt. 25:15). Just as Christ “made the good confession” before Pilate (1 Tim. 6:13), so His servants stand before the Church and the world, and by their preaching the Lord strengthens faith and grants increase to His Church (Acts 16:5), the “pillar and buttress of the truth”(1 Tim. 3:15). St. Timothy, Paul’s friend and son in the faith, is an example of such a faithful and wise servant, set over the household of God in Ephesus to nourish in “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” (1 Tim. 6:11). The Lord still appoints men like Timothy to bear fruit that will abide (John 15:16), so that the whole household may confess and bear witness to the One “who gives life to all things” (1 Tim. 6:13).

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Lectionary Summary copyright LCMS commission on worship

Wednesday prior to Epiphany 4

 

Deuteronomy 18:15-20— Authority is the primary theme for this Sunday. Jesus teaches and heals with authority.  In the New Testament Epistle authority is implied, knowledge of God gives authority to be free from idols. The Old Testament lesson for this coming week speaks concerning the authority of reception – who gave it to you. A prophet like Moses is to be obeyed because he speaks the words of God. 

God promises to raise up a prophet like Moses. The book of Deuteronomy is Moses’ last address to the people before entering the Promised Land. Sunday’s Old Testament lesson is a part of a section dealing with prophecy. A prophet like Moses is promised to replace the false prophets. This true Moses will mediate between the Lord and the people. The passage explains how through Moses God provided for the institution of prophecy. True prophecy demands obedience on the part of the people and loyalty by the prophets.

A prophet is one who speaks for God. God tells him what to say. He puts his words into the prophet’s mouth, and thus he becomes the mouthpiece or the loudspeaker of God. The prophet can take no credit for what he says. The truth is not his. Because he is not responsible for the content of his message, he can speak boldly. Herein is the source of the authority and power of preaching. God’s Word, not the prophet’s, has the authority and power. This calls for biblical preaching, for preaching the Word. 

The people are called to heed this word. (v. 19) The prophet has the responsibility to proclaim faithfully God’s Word while the people have the responsibility to heed the Word by obeying. The authority of the Word proclaimed must be recognized, accepted, and obeyed. The Word that is to be obeyed comes through the words of the preacher-prophet. He is the voice of God. He is the mediator between God and the people. God does not speak directly to people. He chooses to speak through the preacher as he declares the Word. If the sermon is true to God’s Word, it is to be more than enjoyed or discusses; it is to be obeyed.

Blessed Lord, You have caused all Holy Scripture to be written for our learning. Grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that, by patience and comfort of Your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  1

Lord Jesus Christ, giver and pefecter of our faith, we thank and praise You for continuing among us the preaching of Your Gospel for our instruction and edification. Send Your blessing upon the Word, which has been spoken to us, and by Your Holy Spirit increase our saving knowledge of You, that day by day we may be strengthened in the divine truth and remain steadfast in Your grace. Give us strength to fight the good fight and by faith to overcome all the temptations of Satan, the flesh, and the world so that we may finally receive the salvation of our souls; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.   2

Sources:

1. Collect for Grace to receive the Word, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

2. Collect for blessing on the Word ibid

The term ‘logos’ is the Greek word for “Word” a reference especially for Christ, the Word made flesh throughout the Old and New Testament  image copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

 

Tuesday prior to Epiphany 4

 

Psalm 111—The key verse of this psalm is verse 3,”Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.” The Psalmist praises the Lord for His unfailing righteousness. The psalm combines hymns of praise with instruction in wisdom.

Psalm 111 along with Psalm 112 is an ‘acrostic’ poem, that is, each line of the psalm starts with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. After the initial “Praise the LORD” (Hallelujah!), there are twenty-two lines following the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This stylistic device is somewhat limiting to the author (after all, only so many words begin with the letter ‘Q’), but tends to aid the memorization of the psalm. Other acrostic psalms are 9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, and 145. Not all of them are ‘perfect’—some of them skip or transpose the order of letters. Psalms 111 and 112, however, are ‘perfect’ in sequence.

The psalm stresses the works of the LORD, using words that mean ‘work’ or ‘works’ five times in the ten verses of the psalm. 1

One of the greatest responsibilities of the Church that is you and me, the people of God is to proclaim, praise and acknowledge the works of the LORD.

The Church needs to proclaim with heavy doses of humility, compassion and love how the LORD has worked in the past, how it sees Him working now and prophetically speak of Hiss work in the future. The psalmist writes, “Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.” These works are his righteous acts or providential works by which he maintains his creation with justice.

The LORD performs his ‘works’ on behalf of his people—by providing a place for us in his creation, by sustaining the creation, by making us his people through the work of redemption, and by giving us his word to guide us and sustain our lives. 

As you pray this psalm, are ask the LORD to make us the people who fear him to experience his wisdom to guide us in life in his world.

Collect for Psalm 111: Merciful and gentle Lord, the crowning glory of all the saints, give us, your children, the gift of obedience, which is the beginning of wisdom, so that we may be filled with your mercy and that what you command we may do by the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. 2

Sources:

1. http://psalmreflections.blogspot.com/

2. Collect for Psalm 111, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book for and By the Church, Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY 

Monday prior to Epiphany 4

Psalm32:1-2, 5-7 –- The Antiphon is taken from Psalm 32:10, “Many are the woes of the wicked but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him.” Appealing to God’s unfailing love, kindness, and mercy is frequent in the Old Testament since it summarizes all that the Lord covenanted to show to His people. This is an excellent Psalm which gives testimony to the joy the sinner has having experienced the Father’s forgiveness in Christ.

Not guilty! A flood of relief sweeps over you and tears of joy well up in your eyes. Not guilty! It’s as if a heavy weight has dropped from your shoulders! The bailiff unlocks your handcuffs and you hear the judge declare, “You are free to go.” Freedom from condemnation! Life suddenly takes on new meaning. You are free from confinement, free from the constant pressure of the charges against you, free to begin a new life, because you have been released from those charges. Can you imagine how that would feel?

I hope so! David knew how it felt! Whether Psalm 32 stemmed from David’s sin with Bathsheba or from some other incident, it shows that he knew how it felt to have God as his condemning judge. But he also knew the joy and relief of experiencing God’s forgiveness. He instructs us (title, “maskil,” a psalm of instruction) so that we can know the blessings of God’s forgiveness.

What would David teach us according to this Psalm?

1. To know the blessings of forgiveness, we need to feel the burden of guilt.

2. The blessings of God’s forgiveness are great.

Collect for Psalm 32: Lord God, you desired to keep from us your wrath and so did not spare your holy servant Jesus Christ, who was wounded for our sins. We are your prodigal children, but we come back to you confessing our sins. Embrace us, that we may rejoice in your mercy together with your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Collect for Psalm 32, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book for and By the Church © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY 

Epiphany 4 Series B notes

 

Deuteronomy 18:15–20
1 Corinthians 8:1–13

Mark 1:21–28

Almighty God, You know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord

Our Lord Jesus Christ, True God in the Flesh, Cleanses Our Consciences from Sin

As He promised, the Lord our God has raised up “a prophet” like Moses, namely Jesus, our brother in the flesh. “To him you shall listen,” because the Word of the Lord is “in his mouth” (Deuteronomy 18:15–18). Indeed, He is more than a prophet and more than a scribe of the Scriptures; He is the incarnate Word, and He speaks “a new teaching with authority” (Mark 1:22, 27). He enters “the synagogue” of His Church and provides true Sabbath rest, using His authority to silence and cast out “even the unclean spirits” (Mark 1:21–27). By His Word of the cross, He removes the accusations of the Law and of the devil, and He cleanses our consciences before God the Father, “from whom are all things and for whom we exist.” Hence, we are now set free from bondage and commended to God by the one Lord, Jesus Christ, “through whom are all things and through whom we exist” (1 Corinthians 8:6). Therefore, use your freedom to care for your brothers and sisters, neither causing them to stumble nor wounding their consciences (1 Corinthians 8:9–12), but cleansing and strengthening them with the Gospel.

One Who Had Authority
Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege

“… he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.” (Mark 1:22)                                                                        

Twice in Sunday’s Gospel the people expressed amazement at Jesus’ authority.  First their amazement was uniquely about Jesus’ teaching.  He taught with never-before seen authority, an authority that was clearly beyond that of the scribes. Second they were amazed that His “teaching” possessed authority even to command demons.

The Greek word translated “authority” can indicate power, license, ability and the like.  The word can describe the authorization to do or perform something (“have license”).  When the people noted Jesus’ authority, they were certainly wondering who authorized him or gave him such power to do and speak what He did.  They knew of the authority given to the scribes for they had license to interpret Scripture, but whence did Jesus have such license—even greater than the scribes? 

The “authority” of Jesus is a theme that runs through the Gospels.  In Matthew 9:6 when the Jewish leaders questioned Jesus’ authority to forgive sins, He responded: “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”  In Luke’s Gospel our Lord’s authority to teach and preach is questioned by the Jewish leaders as they wondered out loud, Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority [20:2].  In John 5:25f Jesus explains how He has the power/authority to raise the dead, and upon raising the dead on the Last Day, He possesses authority/license to judge mankind: And he [the Father] has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man [5:27]. 

Though Jesus was truly given authority to teach, preach, exorcise demons, forgive sins, judge mankind and more, yet His greatest authorization was to die and rise from the dead.  Thus when Jesus predicted how He as the good shepherd would lay down His life for the sheep, He explains: I lay it [my life] down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father [Jn 10:18].  The Good Shepherd was authorized to die and rise again. Jesus would repeatedly explain that going to Jerusalem, dying and rising from the dead was His ultimate work as the humbled Son of God. His Father authorized Him to do this, so that through these powerful works fallen mankind would have the gift of eternal salvation.

How then can people receive this wondrous gift of eternal salvation?  As Jesus prepared to ascend He declared His “omni-authority”:  All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth [Mt 28:19].  With all authority—all power and license to do anything—what does the Son of God command? Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you [vv 19-20].  With all authority He commands His apostles (and by extension His church) to baptize and to teach, and thus to make disciples by connecting people to His saving death and resurrection. 

Jesus indeed is the One who has authority—authorized by His Father to perform certain loving, powerful tasks—and always this authority was and is used for the sake of mankind, ultimately for our eternal salvation.

Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Spirit

Mark 1:21 
Καὶ εἰσπορεύονται εἰς Καφαρναούμ. καὶ [a]εὐθὺς τοῖς σάββασιν ἐδίδασκεν εἰς τὴν συναγωγήν. 
And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching.

Mark 1:22 
καὶ ἐξεπλήσσοντο ἐπὶ τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ, ἦν γὰρ διδάσκων αὐτοὺς ὡς ἐξουσίαν ἔχων καὶ οὐχ ὡς οἱ γραμματεῖς. 
And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

Mark 1:23 
καὶ εὐθὺς ἦν ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ αὐτῶν ἄνθρωπος ἐν πνεύματι ἀκαθάρτῳ καὶ ἀνέκραξεν 
And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,

Mark 1:24 
λέγων· Τί ἡμῖν καὶ σοί, Ἰησοῦ Ναζαρηνέ; ἦλθες ἀπολέσαι ἡμᾶς; οἶδά σε τίς εἶ, ὁ ἅγιος τοῦ θεοῦ. 
“What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 

MARK 1:25 
καὶ ἐπετίμησεν αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς λέγων· Φιμώθητι καὶ ἔξελθε ἐξ αὐτοῦ. 
But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”

Mark 1:26 
καὶ σπαράξαν αὐτὸν τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἀκάθαρτον καὶ φωνῆσαν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ ἐξῆλθεν ἐξ αὐτοῦ. 
 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 

Mark 1:27 
καὶ ἐθαμβήθησαν ἅπαντες, ὥστε συζητεῖν πρὸς ἑαυτοὺς λέγοντας· Τί ἐστιν τοῦτο; διδαχὴ καινή· κατ’ ἐξουσίαν καὶ τοῖς πνεύμασι τοῖς ἀκαθάρτοις ἐπιτάσσει, καὶ ὑπακούουσιν αὐτῷ. 
And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”

Mark 1:28 
καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἡ ἀκοὴ αὐτοῦ εὐθὺς πανταχοῦ εἰς ὅλην τὴν περίχωρον τῆς Γαλιλαίας.
And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

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
LCMS Lectionary Summary © 2016
Luther’s Seal © Higher Things
Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Saturday prior to Epiphany 3

 

Luke 1:79—The hymn of the day is “O Christ, Our True and Only Light” (LSB 839).Those who are lost, separated from God are found only in Jesus Christ. In the season of Epiphany, we see more clearly who Jesus really is. By His words and actions, we come to the conclusion that He can only be God made flesh. See also Isaiah 9:1-2 and Malachi 4:2.

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

This prayer echoes a line from a famous hymn that is found in our hymnal. You may well know it: “O Christ, Our True and Only Light” (LSB #314). The hymn was written by Johann Heermann, a prolific German Lutheran hymn writer of the century following Martin Luther. The hymn calls upon that true Light to shine on those estranged from God, who are lost in error’s maze and who sit in darkness. What is not so well known is that Heermann did not come up with the central idea of the hymn. He read it in a poem written by someone else. He did not know the author of the poem. It was an Austrian Jesuit named Peter Brillmacher who had lived decades before Heermann and had been on the front line of the Roman Catholic response to the Lutheran movement in southern Germany.

When Brillmacher wrote those words, he thought the Lutherans were the folks who had been estranged from God and were lost in error’s maze! Heerman heard these words and thought of other people. We find this hymn in the “Missions” section of our hymnals. But this prayer, if it is to be prayed needs to start with us. We all have been enlightened by that true Light because we needed it. We have done our fair share of wandering in error’s maze and have sat destitute and helpless in utter darkness. This is a prayer about us before it can ever be a prayer about someone else. Pray this prayer for yourself and then pray it for someone else too.  

Lenten Devotions from Living Savior Lutheran Church Tualatin, OR 97062   https://living-savior.org/daily-devotionals/

Friday prior to Epiphany 3

 

Mark 1:14-20—Jesus begins His ministry and calls four disciples. Jesus has been ordained in His ministry at His baptism. He struggles with Satan in deciding upon the method of His ministry. With John the Baptist arrested, He feels the urge to begin His public ministry. He begins to preach in Galilee. 

The content of His preaching is the gospel of God, the good news that the King is here. In the light of this, people are believing and repenting. Faith and repentance are not necessarily conditions of bringing or entering the Kingdom, but the response to the fact that the Kingdom is here in Jesus. Then, Jesus begins to choose His leaders by calling four men whose future will be catching men. 

Jesus immediately called certain ones to be disciples. He knew whom he wanted and needed. He did not have to weigh the matter. There was no problem of making up His mind. In like manner, the Disciples accepted the call. To be a Christian one does not need neither to weight doctrinal matters nor to consider theological alternatives. There is the certainty of responding to the challenge of the call to follow the Master. There is no hesitation, no need to think it over. In an instant one knows it is the right thing to do.  

The Gospel is a good report, discourse and proclamation of Christ, announcing that He is nothing else but pure goodness, love and grace. Such a report could not possibly be made concerning any other human being, or any of the saints. For, although the other saints were men of quite good repute, a report on them does not constitute the Gospel as such. It is Gospel only when the goodness and grace of Christ are proclaimed. Even though mention is made of famous saints and their doings, this does not make the report the Gospel. The Gospel bases Christian faith and confidence solely on the rock, Jesus Christ.  (Martin Luther)  1

Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities and stretch forth the hand of Your majesty to heal and defend us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen 2

Sources:

1. Luther’s Works: American Edit Edition. 55 volumes.(Volumes 1-30, Concordia Publishing House; volumes 31 31-55, Fortress Press)

2. Collect for Epiphany 3, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts  © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.