Wednesday prior to Lent 5

Isaiah 43:16-21– “Forecast for the Future” – The LORD will do a new good thing for his people

In this passage God asks us to stop thinking and talking about all the good things God did for us in the past such as the Exodus from Egypt. Something better is going to happen to us – a new and better Exodus from the slavery of sin. God promises to do a new thing (verse 19).  God will make a way out of bondage (verse 19).  God will provide provisions on the way (verse 20).   God will give you reason to praise Him (verse 21).

The LORD promises to do a new thing and recommends that His people forget the past. In terminology that would have been meaningful to the people who lived in the barren desert, the prophet proclaims that the LORD will bring water to the desert so that His chosen people might drink and praise Him. All this He will do so that His people will offer Him prayer and praise.

Collect for Lent 5 – Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look upon Your people that we may be governed and preserved evermore in body and soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen –[1]

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[1] Collect for Lent 5, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Tuesday prior to Lent 5

Psalm 126; key verse, verse 3:  The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126 is a song of joy for restoration to Zion. If not composed for those who returned from Babylonian exile, the place of exiles is not named; it surely served to voice the joy of the restored community. The psalm divides into two stanzas of four Hebrew lines each with their initial lines sharing a common theme. Thematic unity is further served by repetition and other key words.

Psalm 126 – Amazed at God’s Work

This psalm is titled A Song of Ascents. It is the seventh in the series of 15 songs for pilgrims coming to Jerusalem. This song likely was composed after the exile, in wondrous gratitude for God’s restoration, and in prayer for a furtherance of that work.

The LORD has done great things for them: The sense of joyful amazement was not confined to the people of God. On looking nations had to proclaim that the work belonged to Yahweh, and that the work was truly great.

“The liberty now granted was brought about in such an extraordinary way, that the very heathens saw that the hand of the great Jehovah must have been in it.”

“These foreigners were no dreamers; though they were only lookers-on, and not partakers in the surprising mercy, they plainly saw what had been done, and rightly ascribed it to the great Giver of all good.”

The LORD has done great things for us: The singer heard what the nations said, agreed with it, emphasized it with repetition, and personalized it. It became the declaration of what God had done for us.

“Their [reluctant] acknowledgment is caught up triumphantly by the singer. He, as it were, thanks the Gentiles for teaching him that word.”

One commentator suggested four occasions where many experience great joy and the sense that God has done great things in their Christian life:

· The joy of salvation.

· The joy of spiritual victory.

· The joy of Christian fellowship.

· The joy of a new work for God.

And we are glad: There is a joyful peace in the declaration. This is not a worked-up, hyped-up enthusiasm. This was the confident joy in what God had done, simply to declare we are glad.[1]

Collect for Psalm 126: Lord Jesus, our life and our resurrection, the ears you sowed in the sorrow of your Passion brought the earth to flower on Easter morning. Renew the wonders of your power in the Church, so that, after the sorrows of our exile, we may come home to you in gladness and praise you now and forever. [2]

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[1] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-126/

[2] Collect for Psalm 126, For All the Saints, a Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. I © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Monday prior to Lent 5

 

Psalm 3:3-6, Antiphon, Psalm 3:8, Salvation belongs to the Lord; Your blessings be on Your people! Though threatened by many foes, the psalmist prays confidently to the Lord. A common feature in the prayers of the Psalter is a concluding expression of confidence that the prayer will be heard. David’s confidence becomes a testimony to God’s people. As he stands before God, the psalmist, King David, prays on behalf of the nation.

Psalm 3 – Peace in the midst of a storm

This is the first psalm with a title: A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son. James Montgomery Boice points out that since these titles are in the canonical text of the Hebrew Bible, “They are to be taken with absolute seriousness throughout.” The events are recorded in 2 Samuel 15-18, but the heart of David at that difficult time is recorded in this psalm.

Salvation belongs to the LORD: David understood that salvation – both in the ultimate and immediate sense – was God’s property. It isn’t the property of any one nation or sect, but of the LORD God. To be saved, one must deal with the LORD Himself.

Your blessing is upon Your people: This showed David’s heart in a time of personal calamity. He wasn’t only concerned for God’s hand upon himself, but upon all God’s people. He didn’t pray for preservation and victory in the trial with Absalom just for his own sake, but because it was best for the nation.[1]

The Theme for Lent 5, “Forecast of the Future,” helps us see the purpose and the necessity of the cross. It is a one-time act but has eternal consequences. In the Old Testament lesson (Isaiah 43:16-21), God will do a new thing for His people.  He promises to do a new thing for His people, something good. In the Epistle lesson (Philippians 3:8-14), Christians strain forward to the future goal of Christ. Paul says that he forgets the past and looks forward to the future. In the Gospel lesson (Luke 20:9-19), judgment will come to those who reject God’s Son. This is brought out in the parable of the wicked tenants. The Hymn of the Day Stricken Smitten, and Afflicted is a contemplative hymn, which focuses on Christ’s crucifixion. It is one of the most powerful hymns in our hymnal.

Collect for Psalm 3: Lord God, king of the universe, you deliver your people from adversity even as you delivered your own Son from the grasp of death. Shield us from danger and raise us up on the last day with all your saints to dwell with you in your eternal kingdom; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [2]

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[1] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-3/

[2] Collect for Psalm 3; For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. I © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Lent 5 Series C study notes

07 April 2019
03 April 2022
06 April 2025

Isaiah 43:16–21
Philippians 3:(4b–7) 8–14
Luke 20:9–20 

Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look upon Your People that that we may be governed and preserved evermore in body and soul; through Jesus Christ...

God’s Beloved Son Has Redeemed Us

Our life and works apart from Christ, no matter how they may glitter to the eyes of the world, are ultimately rubbish and have no righteousness. Rather, in the scandalous cross of Jesus we find our righteousness alone “through faith in Christ” (Philippians 3:9). By such faith, we “know him and the power of his resurrection” (Philippians 3:10). For the same God who brought Israel out of Egypt, has done a “new thing” for us in Christ Jesus. He has sent his beloved Son into his vineyard – to be killed by sinful men and to become “the stone the builders rejected.” Yet, the One rejected by men “has become the “cornerstone” of His Church (Luke 20:17). Through the waters of Holy Baptism, he provides us daily refreshment in our earthly pilgrimage, “a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19).

Luke 20:9-20

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

Luke 20:9

Ἤρξατο δὲ πρὸς τὸν λαὸν λέγειν τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἄνθρωπος ἐφύτευσεν ἀμπελῶνα, καὶ ἐξέδετο αὐτὸν γεωργοῖς, καὶ ἀπεδήμησεν χρόνους ἱκανούς. 

And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while.

Luke 20:10

καὶ καιρῷ ἀπέστειλεν πρὸς τοὺς γεωργοὺς δοῦλον, ἵνα ἀπὸ τοῦ καρποῦ τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος δώσουσιν αὐτῷ· οἱ δὲ γεωργοὶ ἐξαπέστειλαν αὐτὸν δείραντες κενόν.

When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed.

Luke 20:11

καὶ προσέθετο ἕτερον πέμψαι δοῦλον· οἱ δὲ κἀκεῖνον δείραντες καὶ ἀτιμάσαντες ἐξαπέστειλαν κενόν.

And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed.

Luke 20:12

καὶ προσέθετο τρίτον πέμψαι· οἱ δὲ καὶ τοῦτον τραυματίσαντες ἐξέβαλον. 

And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out.

Luke 20:13

εἶπεν δὲ ὁ κύριος τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος· Τί ποιήσω; πέμψω τὸν υἱόν μου τὸν ἀγαπητόν· ἴσως τοῦτον ἐντραπήσονται. 

Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 

Luke 20:14

ἰδόντες δὲ αὐτὸν οἱ γεωργοὶ διελογίζοντο πρὸς ἀλλήλους λέγοντες· Οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ κληρονόμος· ἀποκτείνωμεν αὐτόν, ἵνα ἡμῶν γένηται ἡ κληρονομία·

But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’

Luke 20:15

καὶ ἐκβαλόντες αὐτὸν ἔξω τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος ἀπέκτειναν. τί οὖν ποιήσει αὐτοῖς ὁ κύριος τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος; 

And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 

Luke 20:16

ἐλεύσεται καὶ ἀπολέσει τοὺς γεωργοὺς τούτους, καὶ δώσει τὸν ἀμπελῶνα ἄλλοις. ἀκούσαντες δὲ εἶπαν· Μὴ γένοιτο. 

He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” 

Luke 20:17

ὁ δὲ ἐμβλέψας αὐτοῖς εἶπεν· Τί οὖν ἐστιν τὸ γεγραμμένον τοῦτο· Λίθον ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας; 

But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone [the head of the corner’]?

Luke 20:18

πᾶς ὁ πεσὼν ἐπ’ ἐκεῖνον τὸν λίθον συνθλασθήσεται· ἐφ’ ὃν δ’ ἂν πέσῃ, λικμήσει αὐτόν. 

Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

Paying Taxes to Caesar

Luke 20:19

καὶ ἐζήτησαν οἱ γραμματεῖς καὶ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς ἐπιβαλεῖν ἐπ’ αὐτὸν τὰς χεῖρας ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ, καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν τὸν λαόν, ἔγνωσαν γὰρ ὅτι πρὸς αὐτοὺς εἶπεν τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην.

The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 

Luke 20:20 

Καὶ παρατηρήσαντες ἀπέστειλαν ἐγκαθέτους ὑποκρινομένους ἑαυτοὺς δικαίους εἶναι, ἵνα ἐπιλάβωνται αὐτοῦ λόγου,  ὥστε παραδοῦναι αὐτὸν τῇ ἀρχῇ καὶ τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ τοῦ ἡγεμόνος.

So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.

Sources:
-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.
-Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘The Crucifixion’© WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
-LCMS Lectionary notes © 2016
-Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing

Saturday prior to Lent 4

John 3:1-18; Ephesians 2:1-10-Sunday’s suggested hymn of the day is LSB 571 God loved the world so that He gave. The hymn tells the story of salvation from beginning to end. It teaches the faith and is a hymn that can easily be put to memory. We are now in the middle of our journey through Lent. The cross becomes ever clearer. As you meditate on this hymn, rejoice in your salvation.

In the New Testament, Jesus’ life is unfolded and was revealed to all who listened. The promise of love and salvation came to fulfillment in Jesus who was sent by the God so we may not perish and in order that we may live in God’s presence.

It was because of love, the love of the Father to us that he gave his only Son for our ransom, so we may live, so we may be restored to life.

How are we in our following of Jesus? Are we enjoying life and salvation in Him? Have we changed our old ways to the ways of God? Do we follow His will heartily just like Jesus who obeyed his Father until his last moment here on earth? Do we bring love and salvation in our families, in our circle of friends, and in our communities?

The Lord has not condemned the world even if people have disobeyed and displeased Him very much. He has come to save us and do we believe in this? During the time of Jesus, a few good men and women believed in him and followed him. Though not always faithful and obedient, God’s mercy is enough. It is not of human standards but of God’s. Jesus is God’s best gesture of his love for us for only thru Jesus that we are reconnected to God every time we falter and fail. Do we really believe the great love of God to us? Faith is a gift for those who receive it.

When a person has love, one has salvation. When a person has love, one experiences God. When a person has love, one is not condemned but saved. When a person has love, one grows in grace and lives in peace. The fact is, God the Father sent his Son, and the Son obeyed so must we obey to God. When we are sent to love, do we love without conditions and boundaries? When we are sent to share love, do we share it willingly and joyfully with others?[1]

 

Collects for Lent 4: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children, and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and  reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[2]

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[1] https://interaksyon.philstar.com/lifestyle/2017/06/11/78256/reflection-god-so-loved-the-world-that-he-sent-his-only-son/

[2] Collect for Lent 4, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

Friday prior to Lent 4

[1]

Luke 15:1-3; 11-32–The Father welcomes the penitent (the response to salvation)

The Gospel lesson for this week assures us of God’s joyous reception for the repentant sinner. Jesus was criticized for associating with sinners. In His defense, Jesus tells the parables recorded in Luke 15 of God’s acceptance of a repentant sinner.

Vv. 1-3 provides the setting. Tax collectors and sinners were the sort who did not have ears to listen to Jesus and yet He welcomes them. At issue is Jesus’ welcome and acceptance of sinners. The parables which follow are a defense and vindication of the Gospel. In particular, Vv. 11-32 has something to say both to “tax collectors and sinners” and to “Pharisees and scribes.”

Jesus associated with sinners not because He approved of their way of life. He knew they needed Him. They needed friendship and understanding. He went to them for a purpose, to lead them to repentance. He did not, nor should we; go to them to become one of them but to get them to become one with Him. This is the reason for today’s church to go to the worst – to win them back to God.

Do you honestly feel about sinners as God does? Are you glad when a sinner sees his error and comes back? Do you love the sinner, and accept him as though nothing happened? Like God will you forgive from the heart without passing judgment or asking questions? Would you take an ex-murderess into your home to care for your youngest child? Really?  Then you identify with the Father.

Notice the Father has compassion. Literally he was “moved in the gut,” or “his stomach ached for him.” Significantly, in the New Testament it refers to the Savior, the forgiving King (Matthew 18:27) and the Father in this particular passage.  There is a tenderness here in the Father. His heart melts for us.

A prayer for help in times of temptation – Almighty and everlasting God, through Your Son You have promised us forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. Govern our hearts by Your Holy Spirit that in our daily need and especially in all time of temptation, we may seek Your help and, by a true and lively faith in Your Word, obtain all that You have promised; through Jesus Christ our Lord. [2]

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[1] The Prodigal Son, Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

Lent 4 reflection

 

 Lost and Found; getting what we don’t deserve.

Law/Gospel Theme: We all make mistakes. And because of that we should deserve consequences. When Jesus took our bad things on Himself, it allowed God to take the punishment away from us and let us have Heaven instead. We should give thanks for that and live to God’s glory because of the great things Jesus has done.

The message from Jesus today will speak of the Father’s amazing grace. We often “lose” when we sin. Yet God loves us enough to seek us out and let us “win”!

Today we will see that God gives us great things even though we have fallen short. That is what the good news of the Gospel is all about! Jesus reminds us that there is a dance party in heaven every time someone repents.

Prayer: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and although we deserve only punishment You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we heartily acknowledge your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience through Jesus Christ our Lord. - Collect for Lent 4 Lutheran Service Book 

Hymn: Pg. 55 “Jesus Loves Me”

Confession/Absolution:

LORD - we pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father.

In Your compassion forgive us our sins. Known and unknown. Things done. And left undone.

And so uphold us by Your Spirit. That we may live and serve you in newness of life. To the honor and glory of Your Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God have mercy on you. Forgive you all your sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. And may He strengthen you in all goodness. And by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

Luke 15:1-3 11-32

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: ….

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 

¹² The younger one said to his father, Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. 

²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

²⁵ “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷ ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

²⁸ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 

³⁰ But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

³¹ “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Hymn: # 57 “Just As I Am”

In the gospel reading today. Jesus tells a story about two sons. He told this story because some people were quite upset with Jesus and his compassion for sinners.

And in this story both boys got what they did not deserve!

You see, the younger son in the story asked his Father for all his money. But then he ran away and wasted it. 

Well, this one did much worse things. He abandoned his family. But eventually, the money and fun times ran out.

And he realized he’d made some big mistakes. He thought he could make it and ignore his dad.

 

But finally he decided he needed to apologize and hope that he could accept punishment and just live like a servant. He didn’t think his dad would even let him back home as a son.

But did you hear what happened? Not only did his Father rejoice when he saw his wandering son. He even threw him a party and gave him special presents!

The Father was so happy to see His Son. It was like he hadn’t done anything wrong.

Now the older son. He’s still angry that the Fahe is always moved with compassion. He would not consider that his Father is merciful.

This may seem strange. Shouldn’t we be disciplined? Shouldn’t the guilty pay? Well, in a lot of ways they should… But the good news of the Bible is that even though we sin, God still lets us be part of His family.

This is what is called “grace.” We deserve the punishment that our sins have earned. But grace gives us positive rewards instead.

God loves us so much that He wants to find us no matter where we are or how far we stray.

Nothing can get us so far away from God that He won’t let us back in His arms. He let the death of Jesus cover over the things we do.

Jesus didn’t do anything wrong. So He didn’t deserve to die. But He took on the punishment for our sin. So that we could get the reward of His goodness. [1]

That hardly seems fair! But we can thank God that life is not always fair. Just like the Father in the story, God celebrates over us when we come to Him. Grace. - God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense - is all a part of the Father’s plan to bring us home with Him.

The gospel story of the waiting father reminds you that have a heavenly Father. Who yearns. Longs. And waits for the sinner to come home. There will always be a warm welcome waiting. When one returns. There will be no questions asked. There will be no scolding. – Only the joy of reconciliation. Still, the Father continues to show mercy.

In the open yet nail scared hands of the wounded Savior. You will find forgiveness and life. No matter what the past.

 

 

It shall be forgiven. And forgotten. That is mercy. Compassion. And pardon. Which the Savior has always promised.

Prayer: Thank you, LORD for your love and care. Thank you for sending Jesus. Thank you for Jesus’ love and concern for us all and for His promise that He will never turn His back on us but will always be ready with His mercy and love.  

As the Lord has given us one another and we give thanks for God’s grace and mercy as we offer prayers on this day.

As the Lord has given us the beauty of worship and the gift of fellowship with one another. We thank you Lord for gathering us on this day.

As the Lord has given us neighbors, friends, families, and coworkers to share the joys and burdens of this life. We thank you Lord, for the privilege of loving others.

As the Lord has given us a promise that where He goes, He will prepare a place for us.

We thank you Lord for the gift of life and for giving us to one another for safekeeping. Bring us home when it is time. Lord in your grace, hear our prayer.

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[1] Prodigal Son (Luke 15:1-3; 11-32) Children’s Sermon - Ministry To Children

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things