Friday prior to Lent 3

 

Luke 13:1-9–Repent before it is too late. Judgment is delayed to allow time for repentance.  The parable of the fig tree emphasizes God’s forbearance and patience in waiting for repentance. The emphasis is on the plea of the vinedresser to give the tree more time to produce before its destruction.

Suffering and tragedy do not necessarily follow sin. A natural catastrophe like the tower of Siloam and man’s violence like Pilate’s massacre of those in the acts of worship do not imply that the victims were special sinners deserving this fate. All need to repent. Whether or not they are victims of disaster, all are guilty of sin. Thus, unless all repent, they will perish like the victims of the tower and the massacre.

Jesus warns both the Galileans and the Judeans that the only way they can avoid judgment is to repent. He tells the parable of the fig tree which strengthens Jesus’ statement about the imminent coming of the judgment.

Repentance is definitely the theme of the lesson. This theme is supported by two important points.

V.1 “At that very time” refers to the preceding passage in Luke 12 where Jesus urges the multitude to repent by reading right the signs of the times and by making things right before appearing before the judge.

By the parable in Vv. 6-9 The parable of the fig tree emphasizes God’s forbearance and patience in waiting for repentance. The emphasis is on the plea of the vine dressed to give the tree more time to produce before its destruction.

Repentance is the way of escape from perishing. This implies that there is forgiveness from a loving Father for those who repent.

The urgency of repentance is brought out by the parable. The fig tree was given one more year to produce and then the end if it did not produce the fruit of repentance.

The patience of God in giving sinners one more chance. A little more time to repent. Behind this patience is a God of love who does not desire the death of any one person. “God so love the world…that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

A prayer for Home and Family – Visit, we implore You, O Lord, the homes in which Your people dwell, and keep far from them all harm and danger. Grant us to dwell together in peace under the protection of Your holy angels and may Your blessing be with us forever; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

A morning prayer – Faithful God, whose mercies are new to us every morning, we humbly pray that You would look upon us in mercy and renew us by Your Holy Spirit. Keep safe our going out and our coming in, and let Your blessings remain with us throughout this day. Preserve us in Your righteousness and grant us a portion in that eternal life which is in Christ Jesus our Lord[1]. -

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[1] Collect for Home and Family; A Morning Prayer; Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Lent 3 reflection

 

Law/Gospel Theme: Because God loves us and sent Jesus to us, we do not have to suffer. As a result, we should stay rooted in God. When we do, our lives will reflect Christ’s love and positive things will come out of them.

In today’s lesson we will see that God’s love allows us to receive the opposite of what we deserve for the things we’ve done. When we abide in God’s presence and live through Christ, our lives will be fruitful, meaning good things will come from them.

Prayer: O Lord, graciously hear the prayers of Your people. That we who suffer the consequences of this broken world may be mercifully delivered by Your goodness to the glory of Your name.

Hymn: Pg. 40 “How Firm a Foundation”

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.

John 13: 1-9

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” 6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

Galatians 5:22-24

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. -

Hymn: #39” Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty”

What is the opposite of young? (old)

How about hot? (cold!)

What’s the opposite of short? (tall)

What’s the opposite of big? (small!)

What is the opposite of happy? (sad)

What’s the opposite of good? (bad)

What’s the opposite of a reward? (A punishment)

What is the opposite of dead? (Alive)

Today our Gospel lesson talks about some things that are opposites. And it has to do with how our lives are made different with Jesus and His love for us.

Do you like fruit? I love fruit. When fruit trees are planted in good soil and have water and sunshine, they give us tasty things to eat and enjoy. We’re still a few months away but already I’m thinking of what kinds of vegetables to grow in my tiny garden. Tomatoes, peppers, onions, and herbs.

Well, the Bible tells us that when we are rooted in God’s love, when we pray and read our Bibles and trust the Lord, our lives will have good things come out of them.

In our lesson for today Jesus teaches that we have received grace which is undeserved.

When the owner wanted to cut down the unfruitful tree, the vine dresser said, “Leave it alone for now.” And from the cross Jesus prayed “Father, forgive them.” This word – “Father, forgive them,” is the same word, the same mercy, the same patient, gracious love of God for all of us!

The great news is that because Jesus suffered, died, and rose again we get the opposite of what we deserve. Because of Jesus we get grace, mercy, peace, and life!

God promises that when we receive His love and grace, He will give us His new life. And that includes producing fruit! What kind of fruit do our lives produce?

Our fruit - your fruit - looks like the very things that Jesus would demonstrate love, kindness, patience, joy, gentleness, self-control…which means we care about other people, and we want good things for their lives too.

Sometimes that might be the opposite of what we want to do. But as we are truly connected to Christ, these fruits grow naturally, and they help others.

Just as there are people here showing the love of Jesus as the love and serve you. As John would explain in his letter, “We love because He first loved us.” That is truly great news!”

Prayer: Thank you, LORD for sending Jesus to save us. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for forgiving our sins. Help us grow in you. So that we can bear fruit. Thank you for your love and care. [1] 

 

 

Collects for Lent 3: O God, whose glory is always to have mercy. Be gracious to all who are lost but now found. Bring us again with steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word through Jesus Christi our Lord. Amen

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

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.

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.

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.

Hymn: 37 “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.”

Image Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

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[1] Fruitful Living (Luke 13:1-9) Children’s Sermon - Ministry To Children

Thursday prior to Lent 3

 

1 Corinthians10:1-13–St. Paul pleads with his hearers to turn from their sin (repent) to avoid destruction. He uses lessons to be learned from the Israelites’ experiences in the wilderness. The gist of Paul’s pleading: don’t think that just because you were baptized and receive Holy Communion, you are safe from sinning. Look at the Israelites who were baptized into Moses and ate supernatural food. They perished for their sins. Christians can sin, too. Pride goes before a fall. Do not be smug and think you have it made, that nothing can happen to you, and that you are safe from God’s judgment. Yet God will provide an escape from temptation to sin that you need not perish. As Christians, you need to live a life of daily repentance.

Paul encourages his readers to turn from sin, to repent to avoid destruction. He cites lessons to be learned from Israel’s experience in the wilderness.

Paul writes a warning to Christians to beware of indulging in immorality. He cites the example of the Hebrews in the wilderness who had the supernatural food of Christ; according to Paul, and still failed morally to the point that God was not pleased with them and overthrew them. Paul warns that the Israelites were confident of themselves, but they fell away, and goes on to warn Christians to take care lest they, too, fall.

Fifty million freshmen can be wrong! Truth and the issues of life are not determined by majority vote. Lent is a reminder of this very fact, as we can see in our text that God was not pleased by the attitudes and actions of most Israelites who had been set free from Egyptian bondage. The greater part of this special people was wrong and so perished. The apostle introduces these “fathers” as examples and warns us v.6 of the false security and even indifference that have their source in the failure to realize that the majority can be wrong.

A prayer for newness of life in Christ – Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness and put upon ourselves the armor of life, now in the time of this mortal life, in which Your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility, that in the last day, when He shall come again in glory to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal  .[1]

T

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[1] Collect for newness of life in Christ, Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

[1]

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[1] Collect for newness of life in Christ, Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

St. Joseph, Guardian of Jesus (March 19)

 

2 Samuel 7:4–16

Romans 4:13–18

Matthew 2:13–15; 19–23

St. Joseph, Guardian of Jesus

It was King David’s idea to build a permanent house for the ark of the covenant and the Lord’s name (2 Sam. 7:5–7). The temple he planned was built by King Solomon, but it was never really David or Solomon who housed and protected God. “The LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house” (2 Sam. 7:11). St. Joseph was not Jesus’ true father, since the child “conceived in [Mary] is from the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 1:20). The Church commemorates him instead as the “guardian of Jesus.” Heeding the word of God’s angels, protecting the unborn Christ, sparing the infant Jesus from Herod’s wrath, seeing Him “out of Egypt” again (Matt. 2:13–23) and bringing Him up “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4), Joseph is an example for all Christian fathers and guardians. But as with David “housing” the Lord who made a house for him, Joseph was never really the guardian. Christ was. His Name is “Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). The “offspring” promised to Abraham and renewed in the promises to David is the One “who gives life to the dead” (Rom. 4:16–18). He is David’s King, Abraham’s Lord, Joseph’s Guardian and our Savior.

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Lectionary Summary copyright LCMS commission on worship

Wednesday prior to Lent 3

 

Ezekiel 33:7-20–When confronted by the Lord, Cain asked, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” [Genesis 4:9] Ezekiel is called to be a watchman. He is to warn his fellow citizens of the sure destruction, which is to come. If they repent, they are spared. If they refuse to repent, they will be punished, but Ezekiel will not be held liable. However, if he chooses not to warn his brothers, they will surely be punished yet he will be held responsible for his brother because he failed to warn them. We have a responsibility to preach both Law and Gospel. God will judge each individual whether righteous or wicked. God takes no pleasure in punishing. This is his alien work. (This will hurt me as much as it hurts you) But it is a part of God’s nature. We are our brother’s keeper. Each will be judged individually yet there is a moral obligation toward our neighbor to sound the alarm of the coming judgment. 

Collect for Lent 3 – 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.[1]

 Lord, during this Lenten season nourish us with your word of life and make us one in love and prayer. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[2]. –

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[1] Collect for Lent 3, Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

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

Tuesday prior to Lent 3

 

Psalm 85; key verse, verse 8:  I will listen to what God the Lord will say; He promises peace to His people His saints – but let them not return to folly. When we repent, we take responsibility, we show remorse, we repair what we can, and we repeat not! This is what the psalmist is driving at when he says, “but let them not return to folly.” When we repeat, when we return to visit from whence we came, we provoke God’s displeasure again. Thus, we need to ask the Lord to send us His Holy Spirit to lead us into right living. And when we fall or fail, we need to confess our sin, repent, and rely on His grace to save us. This is the pattern of a life of repentance.

Psalm 85: Praying for Revival and Restoration

This psalm is titled To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. These sons of Korah were Levites, from the family of Kohath. By David’s time it seems they served in the musical aspect of the temple worship (2 Chronicles 20:19).

Like several psalms, Psalm 85 (in some ways) seems to fit the period of Israel’s return from exile; in other ways it does not. Alexander Maclaren noted, “The book of Nehemiah supplies precisely such a background as fits the psalm. A part of the nation had returned indeed, but to a ruined city, a fallen Temple, and a mourning land, where they were surrounded by jealous and powerful enemies.” Even if this psalm belongs to an earlier period (such as the end of Saul’s reign), God’s people find themselves in this place from time to time, and this beautiful psalm is appropriate.[1]

The Theme for Lent 3 is “A Life of Repentance.” In the Old Testament lesson (Ezekiel 33:7-20) the prophet is told that he has been called to be a watchman, to speak of warning. If he fails to call men to repentance, he is responsible for his brother’s fall. In the Epistle (1 Corinthians 10:1-13), Paul calls his hearers to repent to avoid destruction. In the Gospel (Luke 13:1-9), Jesus warns us to repent before it is too late or perish.

Collect for Psalm 85: God of love and faithfulness, you so loved the world that you gave your only Son to be our Savior, Help us to receive him as both Lord and brother and freely celebrate him as our gracious Redeemer now and forever. [2]-

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[1] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-85/

[2] Collect for Psalm 85; 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 3

 

Psalm 5:4-8, Antiphon, Psalm 1:6: For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. In keeping with our theme – a life of repentance – the antiphon reminds us that the righteous will be saved but the wicked will perish. They will perish for they do not repent. Implicit in the destinies of the two lifestyles are the destinies of those who choose them. This will be further explained in the Old Testament lesson for the week.

Psalm 5 – A Morning Prayer

This psalm is titled To the Chief Musician. With flutes. A Psalm of David. The title of the psalm indicates that it was directed toward the Chief Musician, whom some suppose to be the Lord GOD Himself, and others suppose to be a leader of choirs or musicians in David’s time, such as Heman the singer or Asaph (1 Chronicles 6:33, 16:5-7, and 25:6). The title also tells us that the song was deliberately written to be accompanied with flutes. It shows David coming to the LORD in the morning and receiving the strength and joy he needs to make it through the day against many adversaries.[1]

The Antiphon, Psalm 1:6; For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Summary: The way of the righteous and the way of the ungodly.

The LORD knows the way of the righteous: The righteous can have peace because a loving God in heaven knows their way, and will protect and preserve them.

“Or, as the Hebrew has it yet more fully, ‘The Lord is knowing the way of the righteous.’ He is constantly looking on their way, and though it may be often in mist and darkness, yet the Lord knoweth it.”

The way of the ungodly shall perish: The way of the ungodly leads to destruction. They are on a broad path that may seem comfortable now and the path gives them lots of company, but in the end they shall perish.

At least four times in the Book of Acts, Christianity is called the Way. Certainly, it is the way of the righteous, not the way of the ungodly.[2]

Collect for Psalm 5: Holy Lord, all justice and all goodness come from you. You hate evil and abhor lies. Lead us in the path of justice, so that all who hope in you may with the Church rejoice in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [3]-

Today is St. Patrick’s Day a man used by God to spread the Gospel to the people of Ireland. On this day we pray for the same missionary zeal in our own day.

[5]

Almighty and ever-living God as you used Patrick to teach the people of Ireland the truth of the eternal Trinity so make us faithful in all matters of teaching and godly living to the praise and honor of Your most holy name.[6] -

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[1] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-5/

[2] ibid

[3] Collect for Psalm 5, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. I © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

[4] Collect for newness of life in Christ, Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

5] Icon of St. Patrick copyright © Google images

[6] ibid