Easter 4 Series A study notes

 

Acts 2:42–47
1 Peter 2:19–25
John 10:1–10

 

The Crucified and Risen Lord Jesus Christ Is Our Good Shepherd

 

Although we “were straying like sheep,” the Lord Jesus Christ has willingly suffered and died for us, bearing our sins “in his body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24–25). We are healed by His wounds (1 Peter 2:24), and in His resurrection He gathers us to Himself as our Good Shepherd, by whose righteousness we “have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Now through other shepherds whom He calls and sends in His name, He guards and keeps us in the green pastures of His Church, leading us beside the quiet waters of our Baptism and spreading the feast of His Table before us. Since He has called us by the Gospel to be His own dear sheep, we also “hear his voice” and “know his voice” (John 10:3–4) in the faithful preaching of His Gospel, and we follow Him by faith. When we receive His Gospel, we have the abundant life and common unity of the entire flock under one Good Shepherd, in “the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship” and in “the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42).

John 10:1

Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ὁ μὴ εἰσερχόμενος διὰ τῆς θύρας εἰς τὴν αὐλὴν τῶν προβάτων ἀλλὰ ἀναβαίνων ἀλλαχόθεν ἐκεῖνος κλέπτης ἐστὶν καὶ λῃστής·

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. - The only relationship we have with people is through Christ.

Thief's and robbers know not the sheep

John 10:2

ὁ δὲ εἰσερχόμενος διὰ τῆς θύρας ποιμήν ἐστιν τῶν προβάτων.

But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. What every pastor should be...no def. article..."a" shepherd...

See Acts 20:28ff

John 10:3

τούτῳ ὁ θυρωρὸς ἀνοίγει, καὶ τὰ πρόβατα τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ ἀκούει καὶ τὰ ἴδια πρόβατα φωνεῖ κατ’ ὄνομα καὶ ἐξάγει αὐτά.

To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

To this one...the pastor... We are shepherds He is the chief shepherd do not add adjectives to pastors...

John 10:4

ὅταν τὰ ἴδια [c]πάντα ἐκβάλῃ, ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν πορεύεται, καὶ τὰ πρόβατα αὐτῷ ἀκολουθεῖ, ὅτι οἴδασιν τὴν φωνὴν αὐτοῦ·

When he has brought out all his own, he journeys goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

We follow Jesus through suffering through donkey tracks and skid marks. We walk by faith and not through sight

John 10:5

ἀλλοτρίῳ δὲ οὐ μὴ [d]ἀκολουθήσουσιν ἀλλὰ φεύξονται ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι οὐκ οἴδασι τῶν ἀλλοτρίων τὴν φωνήν.

A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."

Know. By the word spoken...

John 10:6

ταύτην τὴν παροιμίαν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· ἐκεῖνοι δὲ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν τίνα [e]ἦν ἃ ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς.

This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Not a parable but a figure of speech, spoken to the Pharisees who don't get it because they don't want to be dependent.

John 10:7

Εἶπεν οὖν πάλιν [f]αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν [g]ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι ἡ θύρα τῶν προβάτων.

So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

Spoken to the Pharisees who hate him.

John 10:8

πάντες ὅσοι ἦλθον [h]πρὸ ἐμοῦ κλέπται εἰσὶν καὶ λῃσταί· ἀλλ’ οὐκ ἤκουσαν αὐτῶν τὰ πρόβατα.

All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

All who came before me...under priests, and false prophets - who were taking advantage of the people through theft - (see Malachi) - they were imposters -

John 10:9

ἐγώ εἰμι ἡ θύρα· δι’ ἐμοῦ ἐάν τις εἰσέλθῃ σωθήσεται καὶ εἰσελεύσεται καὶ ἐξελεύσεται καὶ νομὴν εὑρήσει.

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

John 10:10

ὁ κλέπτης οὐκ ἔρχεται εἰ μὴ ἵνα κλέψῃ καὶ θύσῃ καὶ ἀπολέσῃ· ἐγὼ ἦλθον ἵνα ζωὴν ἔχωσιν καὶ περισσὸν ἔχωσιν.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

-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 Resurrection of our Lord’© WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

-LCMS Lectionary notes © 2018

-Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing

Saturday prior to Easter 3

[1]

Mark 16:15 – This verse is the inspiration for the hymn “With High Delight let us Unite“{LSB #483}.Having experienced the Lord Jesus risen from the dead, we as the people of God reach out into the world proclaiming the good news. This is the response of Easter. The early Christians simply told others, “We are witnesses of these things.” Likewise, we share with others the good things the Savior has done for us.

“With High Delight Let Us Unite” (Lutheran Service Book #483)

The delight we experience as Christians comes from the faith given to us by the Holy Spirit. After His resurrection Jesus meets two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus where he opens the Scriptures to them. Here we see the work of the Holy Spirit working through the Word of God and the Gospel story. The disciples’ response to this work: “Did not our hearts burn within us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

 The work of the Gospel penetrated their hearts, minds, and souls. Today our experience is just as profound as we gather in church to hear the Gospel proclaimed and partake in the sacred meal. In this context Christians sincerely sing with high delight let us unite in songs of great jubilation. Our worship is a response to the faith that God has first given us. It is a response full of sincere delight in the realities of Easter Day. As the hymn puts it, we sing Jesus Christ, our salvation to set us free forever.

The entire Easter drama, from Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, to his celebrating the first Eucharist with his disciples, to his sacrifice on the cross, his descent into hell to proclaim His victory, to His glorious resurrection, this is what we live to tell. Jesus, because he is God, cannot but be raised from the dead. Jesus is ris’n and sends to all earth’s ends good news to save ev’ry nation. This is what the delighted, faith-filled disciples do when Jesus vanishes from their sight. They immediately go back to Jerusalem, find the eleven disciples and say the Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon! Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of bread.

The story that we sing is quite the story. The second stanza captures this beautifully, True God, He first from death has burst forth into life, all subduing. His enemy doth vanquished lie; His death has been death’s undoing. This story is like no other story. God, out of His great love becomes man so He can die to save His creation and in doing so crushes Satan. Satan no longer has dominion over death! “And yours shall be like victory o’er death and grave,” Saith He, who gave His life for us, life renewing. When we hear this astounding story of love and sacrifice we cannot help but let praises ring!

This is the wonderful thing about being a baptized Christian, we are redeemed. No matter where we find ourselves in life we are the Lords and he will sustain us day by day. The hymn says so shall His love give us above, from misery and death set free, all joy and full consolation. The Lord has made us his in our Baptism, he has done it. This is the surest foundation a person can stand on. Not only are we redeemed, but we are loved too. This is the consolation for every Christian, we are: redeemed, loved, comforted, and sustained; because we are the Lord’s.[2]

Collect for Easter 3 - O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joys; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[3]

Collect for Saturday of the week of Easter 2: God our Father, look upon us with love. You redeem us and make us your children in Christ. Give us true freedom and bring us to the inheritance yur promised. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [4]

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[1] The Risen Christ, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2]https://www.cuchicago.edu/globalassets/www-digital-team-media-files/documents-and-images/academics/centers-of-excellence/center-for-church-music/devotions/hymn-of-the-day-devotion-easter-3-may-4-2014.pdf

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

[4] Collect for Saturday of the week of Easter 2, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Friday prior to Easter 3

[1]

Psalm 116:1-14– The Psalm portion for this coming week is centered on a question, “What shall I render to the Lord for all his bounty to me?” (verse12) How can we repay the Lord when we consider all of the goodness He has showered down upon us? By offering to the Lord those expressions of devotion, which He desires. The Hebrew word for “goodness” occurs only here in the Old Testament but represents the same basic root as “has been good” in verse 7.

Psalm 116 –Paying the Vow of Gratitude

As another one of the Egyptian Hallel Psalms (Psalms 113-118), sung by Jesus with His disciples on the night of His betrayal and arrest (Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26), we can say with G. Campbell Morgan: “Whatever the local circumstances which gave rise to this song, it is evident that all its rich meaning was fulfilled, when in the midst of that little company of perplexed souls, the shadows of the One Death already on Him, Jesus sang this song of prophetic triumph over the sharpness of the hour of passion to which He was passing. He has made it over to all His own as their triumph song over death.”[2]

Collect for Psalm 116: God of power and mercy, through the Passion and resurrection of your Son you have freed us from the bonds of death and the anguish of separation from you. Be with us on our pilgrimage, and help us offer you a sacrifice of praise, fulfill our vows and glorify you in the presence of all your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord.[3]

Collect for Friday of the week of Easter2: Father, in your plan of salvation your Son Jesus Christ accepted the cross and freed us from the power of the enemy. May we come to share the glory of his resurrection for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [4]

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[1] The Risen Christ, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2]https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-116

[3]Collect for Psalm 116, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau Delhi, NY

[4]Ibid, Collect for Friday of the week of Easter 2

 

Thursday prior to Easter 3

[1]

Luke 24:13-35 – The resurrection according to God’s plan – The resurrection fulfilled in Scripture

Jesus was driven to the cross. He asked, “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (verse26). If Jesus is the Messiah, a satisfaction of God’s wrath against sin, the sacrifice on the cross was necessary.

This indicates that the cross was a divine project; also, it means that only God could remove the offense of sin. God in Christ satisfies his own justice resulting in God’s acceptance of us as forgiven children.

On the road to Emmaus two men walk and talk with the risen Jesus and do not recognize Him. They see Him only as a visitor; another man (v.18) Was the resurrected Christ so different in body that they did not recognize Him? This could not be the case because the risen Lord showed the disciple the wound prints from the cross. Probably they did not recognize Jesu because they were not looking for Him as a living person and were not expecting to see Him. Their sight was limited by their sadness and unbelief. In the darkness of doubt, Jesus cannot be seen. Later recognition of Jesus came in the breaking and the blessing of bread. Was it Jesus’ tone of voice or what He said that opened their eyes? Even today, Christ is not risen to those who doubt and seek Him not.

Collect for Thursday of the week of Easter 2: God of mercy, may the Easter mystery we celebrate be effective 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] The Risen Christ, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] Collect for Thursday of the week of Easter 2, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church. Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Wednesday prior to Easter 3

[1]

1Peter 1:17-25 –The resurrection according to God’s plan – The resurrection was destined by God for eternity

God raised Jesus in conformity with eternal destiny.

God has a destiny for every person, even for Jesus. God had the cross in mind even before the creation of humanity. He knew of humanity’s upcoming fall. He knew of the disobedience and rebellion before humanity’s creation. God had a plan to restore us to fellowship before the sacrifice of Christ. It was the eternal destiny of Jesus to be the Messiah, to die, and rise again (verse 20). The question arises: If God knew in advance of humanity’s sin and the horrible death necessary on the cross, why did God bother to make us? Only God can answer that.

Life on earth is a time of exile. (v.17) Christians are in the world but not of the world. Life is a pilgrimage on a one-way street with no turning back to live again. We are only foreigners, from our home is in heaven. Christians are in a passing parade on the way to heaven. We are aliens and exiles. The earth is not ours but the Lord’s Life, then, does not consist of the abundance of worldly possessions. We are as grass, here today and burned tomorrow.

Collect for Wednesday of the week of Easter 2: God of mercy, you have filled us with the hope of resurrection by restoring man to his original dignity. May we who relive this mystery each year come to share it in perpetual love. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who live and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [2]

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[1] The Risen Christ, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] Collect for Wednesday of the week of Easter 2, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau Delhi, NY

 

Tuesday prior to Easter 3

[1]

Acts 2:14a, 26-41 – The Resurrection according to God’s Plan – preaching of the resurrection results in converts

The apostolic church described in this lesson serves as a model of the true church. It is a community of faith in Christ. The church is characterized by the Word (teaching) and sacraments (breaking bread and “added to their number”). Worship was a regular activity — daily attendance at temple services and “prayers.” Fellowship was a part of their church — a fellowship in Christ, a fellowship of caring.

Three thousand souls are added to the church and they daily worshiped and had all things in common. The apostolic church described in this lesson serves as a model of the true church. It is a community of faith in Christ. The church is characterized by the Word (teaching) and sacraments. Worship was a regular activity – daily attendance at the temple serves and prayer. Fellowship was a part of their church fellowship in Christ; a fellowship of sharing.

Without seeing the risen Lord, the members of the apostolic church believed in Him. We see the community of faith in action. Faith is expressed in worship, education, fellowship and service. If Thomas were in this church, would he not be convinced by the evidence that Christ had risen?

Collect for Tuesday of the week of Easter 2: All-powerful God, help us to proclaim the power of the Lord’s resurrection. May we who accept this sign of love of Christ come to share the eternal life he reveals, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [2]

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[1] The Risen Christ, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] Collect for Tuesday of the week of Easter 2, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Col. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Monday prior to Easter 3

[1]

Psalm 133– The Antiphon for next Sunday’s Introit is taken from Psalm 133:1, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.”  After much conflict, the people of God came together. In the world today there appears to be much conflict. How do we achieve unity? Some claim that unity comes through diversity. We find unity when we are at one especially when there is agreement, especially when we consider the person of Christ. 

Psalm 133 – The Blessed Unity of God’s People

Of the fifteen psalms in the series, Psalm 133 is the last of the four attributed to King David in the title: A Song of Ascents. Of David. We don’t know exactly when David composed this song, but one likely occasion was when David was finally received as king over all the tribes of Israel, ending a terrible season of national division and discord.

It could date from the crowning of David at Hebron when the leaders of the nation were, for a time at least, of one heart and mind (see 2 Samuel 5:1; 1 Chronicles 12:38-40).[2]

Collect for Psalm 133: Lord God, you have poured into our hearts the precious oil of your Spirit of love. Make us of one heart and of one will, so that we may be true members of the body of Jesus Christ, united as he has commanded us; and to you be the glory now and forever. Amen

On the Third Sunday of Easter, we consider the response to the resurrection. In the Gospel, the two followers of Jesus did not recognize the risen Christ until the breaking of bread. Three thousand people responded to Peter’s sermon dealing with the cross and resurrection with repentance and baptism. In the Epistle, we are told that because of the resurrection, the living Word, we are born anew in love and faith. Psalm 116 harmonizes with the theme of response: “What shall I render...?” The prayer and hymn continue with the resurrection theme.

Collect for Monday of the week of Easter 2: Almighty and ever-living God, your Spirit made us your children, confident to call you Father. Increase your Spirit of love within us and being as to our promised inheritance. 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 [3]

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[1] The Risen Christ, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2]https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-133

[3]Ibid, Collect for Monday of the week of Easter 2