November 09 – Monday prior to Pentecost 25 (Proper 28)

 

Psalm 143:5-6, 10-11 - The Antiphon for this coming Sunday is from Psalm143:1: “Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my pleas for mercy! In Your faithfulness answer me, in Your righteousness!” David calls for deliverance from his enemies and for divine leading. As Luther directs us to pray in the morning and evening “…into Thy hands I commend myself…”

The hymn writer reminds us, “I need Thy presence every passing hour, what but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?” Without the grace and presence of Christ we stand powerless. Of ourselves we cannot stand alone when battling temptation of any kind.

This runs contrary to our American culture which prides itself in rugged individualism. We treasure success stories of those who pulled themselves up by the bootstraps and made a name for themselves by shear grit and determination. Not so when it comes to our salvation. Here we trust in the merits of Christ and Christ alone. The Psalmist drives home the point that we are powerless against sin and its cunning.

With the psalmist we plead for mercy. We trust in Christ’s righteousness, and in His name, not our own.   

O Lord, I confess that I am sinful and unclean. By Your Steadfast love take away from me every shred of pride and self-righteousness. Trusting in Your grace, I come before You not in my own righteousness but clothed in Jesus’ righteousness. Amen [1]

Collect for Psalm 143: Lord Jesus, you bring the first light of dawn to those who dwell in darkness and make your love known to them. Enter not into judgment against your servants but let your Spirit guide us into the land of justice, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and forever. Amen [2]

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[1] Lutheran Study Bible © 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

[2] Collect for Psalm 143, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book for and By the Church, © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau Delhi, NY

The Crucifixion, Woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, Das Buch der Bücher in Bilden (The Book of Books in Pictures). copyright © WLS for personal and congregational use

Proper 28 (Pentecost 25) notes

Proper 28 Series A
(15 November 2020) 

Series A 
 
Zephaniah 1:7–16
1 Thessalonians 5:1–11
Matthew 25:14–30

 God’s Gift of Forgiveness Engenders Our Forgiveness of Others

 The Day of the Lord is “near and hastening fast,” and it will be “a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation” (Zephaniah 1:14, 15). The Lord will search out and punish “the men who are complacent” concerning His Word, “who fill their master’s house with violence and fraud” (Zephaniah 1:9, 12). Then all their works and efforts will be for nothing: “Though they build houses, they shall not inhabit them; though they plant vineyards, they shall not drink wine from them” (Zephaniah 1:13). 

But those who fear, love and trust in the Lord are “good and faithful” stewards of His property (Matthew 25:21). They live by faith in His free gift of forgiveness, and they multiply His goods in the loving forgiveness of their neighbor, and “the master of those servants” settles His accounts with them by the gracious reckoning of His Gospel (Matthew 25:19). Likewise, “God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Therefore, let us also “put on the breastplate of faith and love” in our dealings with one another (1 Thessalonians 5:8).

Matthew 25:14 

Ὥσπερ γὰρ ἄνθρωπος ἀποδημῶν ἐκάλεσεν τοὺς ἰδίους δούλους καὶ παρέδωκεν αὐτοῖς τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτοῦ,

it will be as a man who went on a journey. Calling his own slaves he distributed his property.   

The apostles are listening privately. We're listening in. We can extrapolate who these servants are by doing...he hands over his goods.

Matthew 25:15 

καὶ ᾧ μὲν ἔδωκεν πέντε τάλαντα ᾧ δὲ δύο ᾧ δὲ ἕν, ἑκάστῳ κατὰ τὴν ἰδίαν δύναμιν, καὶ ἀπεδήμησεν. εὐθέως  

to one he gave five talents to another two to another one each according to his own power/might/ability...then he went away.  

This is not equal. He gives them what they can handle. No little no less. Equality is predicated on difference not sameness. Thus, the thrust of the parable.

A talent = the tribute one nation owes another.  Think $Trillions here...

Matthew 25:16-18

Matthew 25:16 

[a]πορευθεὶς ὁ τὰ πέντε τάλαντα λαβὼν ἠργάσατο ἐν αὐτοῖς καὶ [b]ἐκέρδησεν ἄλλα [c]πέντε· 

the man who had the five, worked them and gained another five. 

Matthew 25:17

[d]ὡσαύτως ὁ τὰ δύο [e]ἐκέρδησεν ἄλλα δύο·

So also, the one given two traded two more. 

Matthew 25:18

ὁ δὲ τὸ ἓν λαβὼν ἀπελθὼν ὤρυξεν [f]γῆν καὶ [g]ἔκρυψεν τὸ ἀργύριον τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ.

But to the one he dug and hid the silver of his Lord.  

He did not want the responsibility he did not trust the Lord. Genesis 3 again. 

Matthew 25:19

μετὰ δὲ [h]πολὺν χρόνον ἔρχεται ὁ κύριος τῶν δούλων ἐκείνων καὶ συναίρει [i]λόγον μετ’ αὐτῶν

After much time the Lord of those slaves came and took up works with them...day of reckoning. 

Matthew 25:20

καὶ προσελθὼν ὁ τὰ πέντε τάλαντα λαβὼν προσήνεγκεν ἄλλα πέντε τάλαντα λέγων· Κύριε, πέντε τάλαντά μοι παρέδωκας· ἴδε ἄλλα πέντε τάλαντα [j]ἐκέρδησα. 

Coming to him the one with five said "Lord you handed over to me five talents (a confession of grace w/o any instruction and recklessly invested it) gaining five more. 

No instruction on what to do with it but they do with it as they believe their Lord to be.

All can be addressed by God

Matthew 25:21

[k]ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ· Εὖ, δοῦλε ἀγαθὲ καὶ πιστέ, ἐπὶ ὀλίγα ἦς πιστός, ἐπὶ πολλῶν σε καταστήσω· εἴσελθε εἰς τὴν χαρὰν τοῦ κυρίου σου.  

said to him his Lord well done slave good and faithful. You have been faithful with "a little" ($5 trillion is small!) enter into the joy of the lord. 

See Revelation 7 

We know very little apart from our infants. 

Matthew 25:22

προσελθὼν [l]δὲ καὶ ὁ τὰ δύο [m]τάλαντα εἶπεν· Κύριε, δύο τάλαντά μοι παρέδωκας· ἴδε ἄλλα δύο τάλαντα [n]ἐκέρδησα.  

the one with two also came. "Master!  You entrusted me with two ...see I Have gained two more!" 

Notice a confession of the Lord's grace and mercy. "As you gave freely, I returned. See how awesome this is!" 

These were slaves. And we too have been purchased. Not with gold or silver...

Matthew 25:23 

ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ· Εὖ, δοῦλε ἀγαθὲ καὶ πιστέ, ἐπὶ ὀλίγα ἦς πιστός, ἐπὶ πολλῶν σε καταστήσω· εἴσελθε εἰς τὴν χαρὰν τοῦ κυρίου σου. 

his master answered well done good and faithful slave. Over little you were faithful over much you shall stand. Welcome into your lord's happiness. 

The response to the two is verbatim.  Continued generosity of the Lord...the joy is the saints encircling the throne. 

Matthew 25:24

προσελθὼν δὲ καὶ ὁ τὸ ἓν τάλαντον εἰληφὼς εἶπεν· Κύριε, ἔγνων σε ὅτι σκληρὸς εἶ ἄνθρωπος, θερίζων ὅπου οὐκ ἔσπειρας καὶ συνάγων ὅθεν οὐ διεσκόρπισας·  

knowing you are a harsh man harvesting where you have not sown 

Luther "you get the God you believe..." He hated the Lord's generosity so he hid the talent digging a hole for fear of what the Master would do. Didn't want to lose it.

Matthew 25:25

καὶ φοβηθεὶς ἀπελθὼν ἔκρυψα τὸ τάλαντόν σου ἐν τῇ γῇ· ἴδε ἔχεις τὸ σόν.  

Here it what belongs to you. 

He didn't want the gifts, so he gave it back because he hated the Master.

Matthew 25:26

ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Πονηρὲ δοῦλε καὶ ὀκνηρέ, ᾔδεις ὅτι θερίζω ὅπου οὐκ ἔσπειρα καὶ συνάγω ὅθεν οὐ διεσκόρπισα;  

"you evil, lazy servant. Did you really know I harvested where I did not sow...? 

Matthew 25:27

ἔδει [o]σε οὖν βαλεῖν [p]τὰ ἀργύριά μου τοῖς τραπεζίταις, καὶ ἐλθὼν ἐγὼ ἐκομισάμην ἂν τὸ ἐμὸν σὺν τόκῳ.   

you should have put my money on deposit so when I returned, I should have received what is mine with interest."

Matthew 25:28 

ἄρατε οὖν ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ τὸ τάλαντον καὶ δότε τῷ ἔχοντι τὰ δέκα τάλαντα· 

therefore, snatch the silver from him and give it to the one who had ten.

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

November 07 – Saturday prior to Pentecost 24 (proper 27)

[1]

 

 

Matthew 25:1-13 –- Our reading is the inspiration for the hymn, “Wake Awake, for Night is flying.” The bridegroom comes at midnight. Surprise! Who would imagine a bridegroom coming for his bride at the ungodly hour when the world is asleep? It is the least expected time. Those who stay up late are surely in bed by midnight, and even the early risers would not get up at midnight.

Jesus said His return would be like this. No one would know the day and hour — so be ready! Moreover, the signs of His coming are associated with the midnight of day, which becomes the noonday of hell: wars, earthquakes, catastrophes, fear, and so on. When times are at their worst and when people are at their lowest and darkest moments, Christ will come.

Collect for Pentecost 23: Almighty God, we pray, show Your humble servants your mercy that we, who put no trust in our own merits, may be dealt with not according to the severity of your judgment but according to your mercy; 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] The Ten Virgins copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] Collect for Pentecost 23, Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

November 06 – Friday prior to Pentecost 24 (Proper 27)

[1]

 

Psalm 50 - This Psalm is the appointed one for this Sunday.  Verse 1 is the key verse, “O Lord, make haste to help me.” This is the prayer of faith. When we reach out to the Savior with our burdens, joys, sorrows, and cares, He answers every petition. Our only request, “Thy will be done Lord, Thy will be done.”

Asaph was one of King David’s music leaders. Either Asaph wrote this psalm, or someone wrote it for him. Or perhaps someone wrote it long after his death, for singers that lived after him. The psalm is very much like Isaiah 1:11-20, and Micah 6:6-9. Isaiah and Micah wrote their books about 250 years after David and Asaph died. Psalms 73-83 are also psalms of Asaph.

The psalm is a picture of a Court of Law. This is a place where people decide whether someone has done right or wrong. If they have done wrong, the Court can send them to prison, or worse. In the psalm, Israel is in Court. God is telling them what they have done wrong. Everything in the sky and on earth must decide whether Israel has done right or wrong. God says that they have done wrong and that he will punish them if they do not obey him.

Now, read Exodus 20:2-17 and contemplate the difference between:

a)  Being safe at the Last Judgment because you have obeyed every rule. If so, good for you! You have reached perfection!

b) Being safe at the Last Judgment because you trust in the merits and work of Jesus Christ. If so, even better! You are safe in the loving and comforting arms of your Savior! 

Collect for Psalm 50: Heavenly Father, because Jesus your servant became obedient to death, his sacrifice was greater than all the holocausts of old. Accept the sacrifice of praise we offer you through him and help us show the effects of it in our lives by striving to do your will. [2]

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[1] The Ten Virgins copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] Collect for Psalm 50, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book for and By the Church Vol. II © 1995  The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

November 05 – Thursday prior to Pentecost 24 (proper 27)

[1]

 

Thursday, November 05, 2020– Matthew 25:1-13 – Five girls are wise and five are foolish. Could there be that many foolish people? According to this, five go into the feast; while five into outer darkness. Five have life and five have death. Give have joy and five are miserable. 

We each fall into one of these two categories. There is no in-between state. When it comes to being prepared for Christ’s return, we are either wise in being prepared or foolish in not being ready to receive Him.

Christ’s return is delayed, because the first Christians expected his return in their lifetimes. Since this time, there were Christians in each century who expected the last great day to happen within a short time. Here it is now twenty years into the twenty-first century, and He still has not come. We humans tend to get weary in waiting to the point that we conclude He is not coming in our time. This results in carelessness expressed in “sleep” (v. 5) and not having an adequate supply of “oil” (v. 3). The delay is fraught with danger for us.

The Day of the Lord is “darkness, and not light” (Amos 5:18, 20) for all who trust in their own righteousness and piety. The Lord will not accept their “burnt offerings and grain offerings,” nor will He look upon their “peace offerings” (Amos 5:22). Instead, He desires a heart of faith that trusts in Him, which lets “justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24) in love for the neighbor.

In order for the “lamps” of our lives to burn brightly with such love, we must be filled with the “oil” of forgiveness through faith in our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:1–4). Therefore, as we await His coming, wisdom directs us “to the dealers” (Matthew 25:9), that is, to the ministers of His Gospel. Thus, we wait upon the Lord, and we “encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18). Waking or sleeping, we are prepared to meet Him when He comes “with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God,” and “we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17).[2]

Collect for Proper 27 –Lord God, heavenly Father, send forth Your Son to lead home His bride, the Church, that with all the company of the redeemed we may finally enter into His eternal wedding feast; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.[3]

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[1] The Ten Virgins copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] Lectionary Summary © Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

[3] Collect for Proper 27, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

November 4 – Wednesday prior to Pentecost 24 (proper 27)

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1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 –Paul uses “sleep” to describe the dead in Christ. They are asleep in Jesus. “Sleep” is a comforting concept of the Christian dead. When we sleep, we are at rest. Our labors are over and we rest at peace. When we sleep, we are not dead but alive. We shall awaken out of sleep. We fall asleep on earth to awaken in heaven for a fuller, better life with Christ.

We grieve over the loss of loved ones, but not as those who have no hope of heaven. In Paul’s day, people were grieving because they were worried lest the departed miss out on the return of Christ. They wanted the dead to share in His victory, to see the destruction of Satanic powers, and to rejoice in the spectacular glory of Christ. For Christians, the end time will be a glorious time and we want our loved ones to share it.

When Christ returns at the end of time, the living and the dead in Christ will be together. When Christ leaves heaven for earth, He will bring with Him those who died in faith. There is going to be one great, colossal reunion of heaven and earth! Since this is the case according to Paul, we know where our departed loved ones are now. They are with Christ in heaven. To be with Christ is to have life, love, joy, and peace. What more could we want for ourselves or our dearest?

For blessing on the Word – Lord God, bless Your Word wherever it is proclaimed. Make it a word of power and peace to convert those not yet Your own and to confirm those who have come to saving faith. May Your Word pass from the ear to the heart, from the heart to the lip, and from the lip to the life that, as You have promised, Your Word may achieve the purpose for which You send it; through Jesus Christ, my Lord.[2]

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[1] The Ten Virgins copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] Collect for blessing on the Word, Lutheran Service Book © Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

November 03 – Tuesday prior to Pentecost 24 (proper 27)

[1]

Amos 5:18-24 - Through Amos God is speaking, “I hate, I despise....” Can God hate? Is He not loved? Since God is a personality, He has, like us, the capacity to hate as well as to love. In fact, if one cannot hate, one cannot love.

But what or whom does God hate? It is not “whom” but “what.” Always He loves the sinner but not the sin. God hates our wickedness, our insincere worship, and our religiosity, “feasts,” “solemn assemblies,” “noises of your songs.” God hates your hypocrisy. If God hates sin, should Christians not also do the same? 

One caveat and a word of warning. Do you find God hating all the things you only hate? These words of Amos give us pause to examine our own hearts and motives. We need to pray with the Psalmist, “Create in me a clean heart o God.”-Psalm 51:10-19 We ought to be images of the Lord’s justice and mercy. If God only behaves and acts more like you – you might have a problem.

Collect for Sunday O Lord, we pray that the visitation of Your grace may so cleanse our thoughts and minds that Your Son Jesus, when He shall come, may find in us a fit dwelling place; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Today is Election Day. In our prayers we pray for our country and us as citizens who have been granted the privilege to vote. As you exercise this right guaranteed in our constitution to citizens ponder the duty, honor and opportunities these rights give you.

[2]

A prayer for our nation: Almighty God, You have given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember Your generosity and constantly do Your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action.

Grant that we, who came from many nations with many different languages, may become a united people. Support us in defending our liberties and give those to whom we have entrusted the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, may our hearts be thankful, and in troubled times do not let our trust in you fail. 

For Good Government: Eternal Lord, Ruler of all, graciously regard those who have been set in positions of authority among us that they may be guided by your Spirit, be high in purpose, wise in counsel, firm in good resolution, and unwavering in duty, that under them we may be governed quietly and peaceably; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

For Responsible Citizenship: Lord, keep this nation under your care. Bless the leaders of our land that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to the other nations of the earth. Help us provide trustworthy leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare, and thus serve you faithfully in our generation to the honor of your holy name;; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. [3]

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[1] The Ten Virgins copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] The United States Flag copyright © Google images

[3] All Prayers from Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis