Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Thursday prior to Easter 3

1 John 3:1-7 – John does not speak of sinless perfection in the life of the believer but of the new perspective given to the believer. Our focus is upon Christ and His work in the redeemed child of God.

We know we are God’s children now and in the future we shall be like him. The context indicates that Christians are in danger of being led astray. The Devil has children known by their hatred of the brethren. Over against this, Christians know they are the children of God because they love the brethren. Christians can guard against the Devil by the knowledge that they are the children of God now and in the future they shall be like God. [1]

John says in v. 1 “See what love” It is a common cliché, ‘God loves you.’ How do you know for sure? What proof do you have? John says we see the love of God in the fact that God calls us his children. Behind God’s considering us his children is the price paid on the cross to make us his children. In Christ God paid for our sins and thus we are acceptable to him. On the basis of the cross God has adopted us as his children. Why would God do this? Are we worthy of his sacrifice? It was a matter of pure, undeserved grace.

An Evening Prayer: Merciful Father, whose guiding hand has brought us to the completion of this day, we humbly pray You to stay with us and shelter us in quiet hours of the night that we who are wearied by the changes and changes of this passing world may rest in Your changeless peace.[2] -15 April 2021

The 1877 painting “The road to Emmaus,” Robert Zünd 1826-1909 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Wednesday prior to Easter 3

– Acts 3:11-21 – Peter warns his hears to repent of the sin of crucifying Christ done in ignorance. The Christ who the prophets foretold and whom God raised for the people’s blessing comes with healing and blessing.

The people were astounded at Peters’ healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. Peter explained what and how it happened. He tells the people that the Jesus they killed was raise by God. This was no accident, for it was foretold by the prophets. What can they do about their crime of crucifixion? They are to repent, have their sins forgiven, and receive refreshment from God.

Once again Peter speaks to onlookers concerning the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. The miracle is not found in the healing of man but it the fact that the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus.

In v. 19 there is a wonderful word concerning the fate of your sin. For Jesus’ sake, God ‘blots’ out your sin when you return in repentance and faith. It is as though Jesus were a cosmic blotter which God the Father lets down from heaven to soak up the ink of our sin. When these sins are absorbed, ther e is no trace of sin. You are spotless![1]

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 blessing remains with us throughout this day; preserve us in You righteousness and grant us a portion in that eternal life which is in Christ Jesus; through whom b e glory and praise to You and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.[2] -14 April 2021

The 1877 painting “The road to Emmaus,” Robert Zünd 1826-1909 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

Morning Prayer Reading 120: The Passion of our Lord

Matthew 26-27

(Selective Readings)

Jesus said to his disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him.

Judas to Betray Jesus

14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Jesus Delivered to Pilate

27 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 2 And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor.

22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

English Standard Version (ESV)

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Monday, April 12, 2021

Tuesday prior to Easter 3

– Psalm 4 – antiphon v. 7, “You have filled my heart with greater joy than when the grain and new wine abound.” The hard work put into spring planning and summer growth pays off in the fall at harvest. Who isn’t overjoyed at a bumper crop? Yet the Psalmist reminds us greater joy is found is in knowing the Lord who has filled the heart. In Biblical language the heart is the center of the human spirit, from which spring emotions, thought, motivations, courage and action, -“the wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

Psalm 4 is an excellent prayer when facing conflict. The psalmist calls on God to hear his prayer. He affirms that God has helped him before, and humbly asks him to extend him the grace to hear him again. Having asked God to attend his prayer, the psalmist has turned, so to speak, to voice his accusation with God standing by him, attending and acting as a witness to his complaint.

The message in psalm 4 is that the victories of sinners are only temporary and meaningless. Only repentance can bring true happiness. It is a request to God for deliverance from past distresses and sufferings. In every circumstance we take our needs, burdens, joys and sorrows to the throne room of grace; being thankful as the Savior answers each petition.[1]

Collect for Psalm 4: LORD, you consoled your Son in his anguish and released him from the darkness of the grave. Turn your face toward us, that we may sleep in your peace and rise in your light; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.[2] - 13 April 2021

[1] From the Vision Statement of Zion Friedheim Lutheran Church

The 1877 painting “The road to Emmaus,” Robert Zünd 1826-1909 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Sunday, April 11, 2021

Monday prior to Easter 3

On the road to Emmaus Jesus revealed Himself to two disciples in the breaking of bread. They returned to Jerusalem to report to the disciples that they had an experience with the risen Lord. While they are making their report, they risen Christ enters the room. When He appeared, they thought they saw a ghost, but Jesus demonstrates that He is flesh and blood to the point they could touch Him and see Him eat fish. After this report, Jesus explains His death and resurrection in terms of the Scriptures: the law, the prophets, and the Psalms.

The written words Word indicates that Jesus was to suffer and rise again; and repentance and forgiveness were to be preached to all people. Before they could do this, they needed to wait in Jerusalem for the power of the Holy Spirit.

– Psalm 30:1-5; Antiphon, Psalm 16:11b – In Psalm 30, David exuberantly worships the Lord, who lifted him out of the depths, healed him, and brought him up from the grave. He calls upon all saints – including us – to sing to the Lord and praise His holy Name, for we too have been delivered from sin, death, and the power of the devil by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus.

This portion of Scripture was used during the Vespers service in Lent as the Canticle hymn when we utilized The Lutheran Hymnal as our worship resource. This is a profound, intense, thoughtful prayer.

David begins his prayer with a profound cry, “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! Often we are brought to cry from the depths of our soul. With longing we cry out to the LORD. In mercy he hears us. With compassion he answers our prayers.

Collect for Psalm 30: God our Father, glorious in giving life and even more glorious in restoring it. In his last night on earth your Son knew anguish and deep sorrow. Do not turn away from us, or we shall fall back into dust; but rather turn our mourning into joy by raising us up with your Son, Christ Jesus.[1] - 12 April 2021

[1] Collect for Psalm 30, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book written for and by the Church, © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
This 1877 painting “The road to Emmaus,” Robert Zünd 1826-1909 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

Easter 3 Series B

Easter 3 Series B

18 April 2021

Acts 3:11–21

1 John 3:1–7

Luke 24:36–49

The Preaching of Repentance and Forgiveness of Sins Makes Us Pure

The risen Lord Jesus taught His disciples “that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead” and “that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations” (Luke 24:46–47). Therefore, St. Peter preaches repentance and forgiveness to the people of Jerusalem. As he proclaims that Jesus fulfilled all that “God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets” (Acts 3:18), he also convicts the people of their sin, because they “delivered over and denied” this Lord Jesus and “killed the Author of life.” Yet God “glorified his servant Jesus” and raised Him from the dead (Acts 3:13–15). St. Peter calls the people to repent, so that their “sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19–20). Through this forgiveness of sins and by faith in this forgiveness, the Father shows His love for us in order that “we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1). Thus, we hope in Him and are made pure even “as he is pure,” because “he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin” (1 John 3:3, 5).

Luke 24:36–49

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

:36 - Ταῦτα δὲ αὐτῶν λαλούντων αὐτὸς ἔστη ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῶν.

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”

:37 - πτοηθέντες δὲ καὶ ἔμφοβοι γενόμενοι ἐδόκουν πνεῦμα θεωρεῖν.

But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.

38 καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς• Τί τεταραγμένοι ἐστέ, καὶ διὰ τί διαλογισμοὶ ἀναβαίνουσιν ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ ὑμῶν;

And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?

39 ἴδετε τὰς χεῖράς μου καὶ τοὺς πόδας μου ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι αὐτός• ψηλαφήσατέ με καὶ ἴδετε, ὅτι πνεῦμα σάρκα καὶ ὀστέα οὐκ ἔχει καθὼς ἐμὲ θεωρεῖτε ἔχοντα.

See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”

40 [καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἔδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τοὺς πόδας.]

And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.

41 ἔτι δὲ ἀπιστούντων αὐτῶν ἀπὸ τῆς χαρᾶς καὶ θαυμαζόντων εἶπεν αὐτοῖς• Ἔχετέ τι βρώσιμον ἐνθάδε;

And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”

42 οἱ δὲ ἐπέδωκαν αὐτῷ ἰχθύος ὀπτοῦ μέρος•

They gave him a piece of broiled fish

43 καὶ λαβὼν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν ἔφαγεν.

and he took it and ate before them.

44 Εἶπεν δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς• Οὗτοι οἱ λόγοι μου οὓς ἐλάλησα πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔτι ὢν σὺν ὑμῖν, ὅτι δεῖ πληρωθῆναι πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ νόμῳ Μωϋσέως καὶ προφήταις καὶ ψαλμοῖς περὶ ἐμοῦ.

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

45 τότε διήνοιξεν αὐτῶν τὸν νοῦν τοῦ συνιέναι τὰς γραφάς,

then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,

46 καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι οὕτως γέγραπται παθεῖν τὸν χριστὸν καὶ ἀναστῆναι ἐκ νεκρῶν τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ,

and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,

47 καὶ κηρυχθῆναι ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ μετάνοιαν καὶ ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν εἰς πάντα τὰ ἔθνη— ἀρξάμενοι ἀπὸ Ἰερουσαλήμ•

and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

48 ὑμεῖς ἐστε μάρτυρες τούτων.

You are witnesses of these things.

49 καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐξαποστέλλω τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ πατρός μου ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς• ὑμεῖς δὲ καθίσατε ἐν τῇ πόλει ἕως οὗ ἐνδύσησθε ἐξ ὕψους δύναμιν.

And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

-Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘The Resurrection of our Lord’© WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Time in the Word - Easter 3

Time in the Word

12–17 April 2021

Preparation for next week, Easter 3

On the road to Emmaus Jesus revealed Himself to two disciples in the breaking of bread. They returned to Jerusalem to report to the disciples that they had an experience with the risen Lord. While they are making their report,, they risen Christ enters the room. When He appeared, they thought they saw a ghost, but Jesus demonstrates that He is flesh and blood to the point they could touch Him and see Him eat fish. After this report, Jesus explains His death and resurrection in terms of the Scriptures: the law, the prophets, and the Psalms. The written words Word indicates that Jesus was to suffer, rise again; and repentance and forgiveness were to be preached to all people. Before they could do this, they needed to wait in Jerusalem for the power of the Holy Spirit.

Collect for Easter 3 – O almighty and eternal God, who hast bestowed on us the paschal mysteries in the token of the covenant of man’s redemption, give us the will to show forth in our lives that which we profess with our lips; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Monday, 12 April 2021 – Psalm 30:1-5; Antiphon, Psalm 16:11b – In Psalm 30, David exuberantly worships the LORD, who lifted him out of the depths, healed him, and brought him up from the grave. He calls upon all saints – including us – to sing to the Lord and praise His holy Name, for we, too have been delivered from sin death, and the power of the devil by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus.

Tuesday, 13 April 2021 – Psalm 4 – antiphon v. 7, “You have filled my heart with greater joy than when the grain and new wine abound.” The hard work put into spring planning and summer growth pays off in the fall at harvest. Who isn’t overjoyed at a bumper crop? Yet the Psalmist reminds us greater joy is found is in knowing the Lord who has filled the heart. In Biblical language the heart is the center of the human spirit, from which spring emotions, thought, motivations, courage and action, -“the wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

Wednesday, 14 April 2021 – Acts 3:11-21 – Once again Peter speaks to onlookers concerning the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. The miracle is not found in the healing of man but it the fact that the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus.

Thursday, 15 April 2021 – 1 John 3:1-7 – John does not speak of sinless perfection in the life of the believer but of the new perspective given to the believer. Our focus is upon Christ and His work in the redeemed child of God.

Friday, 16 April 2021 – Luke 24:36-49 – The early Church Fathers had to deal with heretics called Docetists who denied the physical resurrection of Jesus, saying it was only a spiritual resurrection, and that His appearances were that of a phantasm, or else hallucinations by His followers. This heresy persists to this day: the Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the bodily resurrection of Christ. But Jesus dispels any sort of nonsensical ideas in Sunday’s Gospel. He appears in the flesh – Why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have – and eats food. This eyewitness account also gives us the assurance of the physical resurrection of Jesus, and of all believers, as we confess in the Creed.

The disciples could not believe that the risen Christ was real because of joy., They were so glad to see Him that they could not believe it was true. Usually joy follows believing, or there is the joy of believing. In this case the presence of the living crucified one was so overwhelming that they had joy even before they believed. Their joy attests to their love and appreciation for Him. Their joy is a witness to the reality of the Resurrection, for it was a response to His presence. The joy of Easter, then, is not in flowers, eggs, clothing, or candy. It is in the presence of the risen Lord.

Saturday, 17 April 2021 – The Strife Is O'er, the Battle Done (LSB 464) – The battle hymn of the Reformation, A Mighty Fortress, proclaims, “One little word can fell him” (the devil). That word is tetelestai – the Greek word for “It is finished.” Jesus’ victory over sin, death, and the devil is complete. Sunday’s hymn proclaims this loud and clear: "The strife is o’er, the battle done; Now is the Victor’s triumph won.” Christ has set us free from our mortal enemies, to which we respond over and over, “Alleluia! Christ is Risen!” – “Praise the Lord”!

Morning Prayer Reading Schedule:

April 12 Monday 119 Jesus cleanses the Temple
April 13 Tuesday 120 The Passion of our Lord
April 14 Wednesday Chapel
April 15 Thursday 121 The Death of Jesus
April 16 Friday 122 The Resurrection

Catechism Review: Baptism 4 - "Which sins are they?"

Source:
Concordia Self-Study Commentary, © 1971, 1979, Concordia Publishing House.
Lutheran Service Book, © 2006, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts 'The road to Emmaus" copyright © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use