Monday prior to Palm Sunday

[1]

Psalm 31 The Antiphon for this coming week’s Introit is taken from verse 31, Into Your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O lord, the God of truth. This Psalm is a prayer of deliverance when confronted by conspiracy so powerful and open that all David’s friends abandoned him. Where do we go when we feel as if we haven’t a friend? We go to Jesus, our friend and confidante our Savior and our Redeemer.

Psalm 31 – Shelter from Trouble in the secret places of God’s presence

This psalm is simply titled,To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The dedication to the chief musician proves that this song of mingled measures and alternate strains of grief and woe was intended for public singing, and thus a deathblow is given to the notion that nothing but praise should be sung. We have no definite marking place in David’s life for this psalm because he was so often in trouble. It resonates with deep and personal trust in God in the depths of difficulty.

An interesting feature of this psalm is that it is often quoted in other passages of Scripture.

The author of Psalm 71 (possibly David himself) quotes the first three verses of Psalm 31 to start Psalm 71.

Jonah seems to quote Psalm 31:6 in Jonah 2:8, his prayer from the belly of the great fish.

Jeremiah quoted Psalm 31:13 six times, in Jeremiah 6:25; 20:3; 20:10; 46:5; 49:29, and Lamentations 2:22.

Paul quoted Psalm 31:24 in 1 Corinthians 16:13 (according to Adam Clarke, this is more clear in the Septuagint – the early Greek translation of the Old Testament).

Most significantly, Psalm 31:5 was quoted by Jesus Christ on the cross as His final words before yielding His life (Luke 23:46). Stephen, the first martyr of the church, also alluded to Psalm 31:5 (Acts 7:59).[2]

Collect for Psalm 31: God of kindness and truth, you saved your chosen one Jesus Christ and you give your martyrs strength. Watch over your people who come to you now, and strengthen the hearts of those who hope in you, that they may proclaim your saving acts of kindness in the eternal city; though your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [3]

Collect for Monday of the week of Lent 5: Father of lover, source of all blessings, help us to pass from our old life of sin to the new life of grace. Prepare us for the glory of your kingdom. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. [4]

---

[1] Palm Sunday Images, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2]https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-31

[3] Collect for Psalm 31, 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 Monday of the week of Lent 5

 

Palm Sunday study notes

 

Collect for Palm Sunday—Almighty and everlasting God the Father, who sent Your Son to take our nature upon Him and to suffer death on the cross that all mankind should follow the example of His great humility, mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of our Savior Jesus Christ in His patience and also have our portion in His resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

PALM SUNDAY / SUNDAY OF THE PASSION

Series A 
Isaiah 50:4–9a
Philippians 2:5–11
Matthew 26:1—27:66 or Matthew 27:11–66 or John 12:20–43 

Now Is the Hour When the Son of Man Is Glorified

“Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming.” He comes in gentle humility, “sitting on a donkey’s colt,” yet also as the King of Israel “in the name of the Lord” (John 12:13, 15). His royal glory is faithful obedience and self-sacrificing service “to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). The love of God is manifested in the cross and Passion of His Son for the salvation of sinners. Since He has borne our sins and suffered our death, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9), and He exalts us in His resurrection. Our Lord did not hide His face “from disgrace and spitting” (Isaiah 50:6), but He trusted His God and Father, who raised Him from death and the grave and exalted Him to His right hand. This same King Jesus now comes to us in gentle humility in His Supper, where He feeds us with His body and cleanses and covers us with His blood, so that “after his resurrection” we also shall rise and enter the holy city (Matthew 27:52–53).

Series B
Zechariah 9:9–12
Philippians 2:5–11
Mark 14:1—15:47 or Mark 15:1–47 or John 12:20–43

The Son of David Ascends His Throne and Reigns in Love from His Cross

The Son of David comes in gentle humility, “sitting on a donkey’s colt,” yet as the King of Israel “in the name of the Lord” (John 12:13–15). He comes to be lifted up in glory on the cross in order to cast out “the ruler of this world” and draw all people to Himself (John 12:23–32). The Church is thus called to “rejoice greatly,” because her King comes with salvation, and “he shall speak peace to the nations” (Zechariah 9:9–10). As He is anointed “beforehand for burial” (Mark 14:8), He also ascends His royal throne as “the King of the Jews” by way of His Passion (Mark 15:2, 17–19, 26). He goes “as it is written of him,” wherefore “you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power” (Mark 14:21, 62). For the glory of God is love, which crescendos in the humble obedience and voluntary self-sacrifice of the Son of God for the salvation of sinners. So, God the Father has “highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9), that He might reign over us in love with the forgiveness of His cross.   

Series C
Deuteronomy 32:36–39
Philippians 2:5–11
Luke 22:1–23:56 (or Luke 23:1–56 or John 12:20–43). Or John 12:12-19 

The Cross and Passion of Our Lord Are the Hour of His Glory

The King of Israel comes into His royal glory by the path of humble obedience “to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). He “goes as it has been determined” (Luke 22:22), according to the Scriptures, willingly submitting to His Father’s plan for the salvation of sinners. “Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). His suffering and death open the way of repentance for the forgiveness of sins because He goes to the cross bearing the sins of the world. In His resurrection, God the Father vindicates His people and has compassion on His servants (Deuteronomy 32:36). He kills to make alive; He wounds in order to heal. In remembrance of Him, we praise God, confessing “that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11).

John 12.12-19

John 12:12 – 

Τῇ ἐπαύριον ὁ ὄχλος πολὺς ὁ ἐλθὼν εἰς τὴν ἑορτήν, ἀκούσαντες ὅτι ἔρχεται [b]ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα,

The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.

dative of time the crowd who was already there had heard...

John 12:13 –

ἔλαβον τὰ βαΐα τῶν φοινίκων καὶ ἐξῆλθον εἰς ὑπάντησιν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἐκραύγαζον· Ὡσαννά, εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι κυρίου, [d]καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ Ἰσραήλ. 

So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”

> they took branches of the palm trees, they came out and began to cry out "hosanna blessed is the coming one..." 

> This is what they would do to a returning King...and we shall greet Him when He comes and we shall meet Him...quoting Psalm 118:25-27   John the Baptist's question, "are you the Coming One..." 

> How do they misunderstand this? What kind of Jews are these? Galileans, Zealots, a common crowd, did they understand who He was?  The gospel He accomplishes all things in spite of people's understanding/expectations. See "what tramp of feet"   See Lev. 23.40; 2 Maccabees 10; 1 Maccabees 13; - the feast of booths....did they get the holiday mixed up or was this merely a celebration...was this the day they selected the lamb...Selection Sunday...

John 12:14-15 –  

εὑρὼν δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὀνάριον ἐκάθισεν ἐπ’ αὐτό, καθώς ἐστιν γεγραμμένον· 15 Μὴ φοβοῦ, θυγάτηρ Σιών· ἰδοὺ ὁ βασιλεύς σου ἔρχεται, καθήμενος ἐπὶ πῶλον ὄνου.

 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!”

illustration Christ comes in on a young colt the new covenant now replaces the old. This is victory, but it doesn't fit people's expectations - He is a crazy, irresponsible,  reckless King illustrated by his parables. See Matthew's quote Zachariah 9, Isaiah 40:9,  see Luther's sermon on Advent 1 - the God Who comes to us. See also "Luther on the Psalms," see Ps. 113 

John 12:16 –

ταῦτα οὐκ ἔγνωσαν αὐτοῦ οἱ μαθηταὶ τὸ πρῶτον, ἀλλ’ ὅτε ἐδοξάσθη Ἰησοῦς τότε ἐμνήσθησαν ὅτι ταῦτα ἦν ἐπ’ αὐτῷ γεγραμμένα καὶ ταῦτα ἐποίησαν αὐτῷ.  

His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 

> at first his disciples didn't understand these things only after He had been glorified...in John's gospel "being glorified" always refers to good Friday.  cf. the Emmaus disciples event. John writes these event so we get it...see LSB setting #4 - John is admitting confusion here...we did not understand. 

John 12:17 – 

ἐμαρτύρει οὖν ὁ ὄχλος ὁ ὢν μετ’ αὐτοῦ ὅτε τὸν Λάζαρον ἐφώνησεν ἐκ τοῦ μνημείου καὶ ἤγειρεν αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν. 

The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 

> therefore the crowd who was with him from the time of Lazarus.  

> Are there two crowds, one telling/confessing, the other seeking/coming?  

John 12:18 – 

διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ὑπήντησεν αὐτῷ ὁ ὄχλος ὅτι [h]ἤκουσαν τοῦτο αὐτὸν πεποιηκέναι τὸ σημεῖον.

 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

> many came out to greet him because of the miracle, see Vv. 9-11

John 12:19 –

οἱ οὖν Φαρισαῖοι εἶπαν πρὸς ἑαυτούς· Θεωρεῖτε ὅτι οὐκ ὠφελεῖτε οὐδέν· ἴδε ὁ [i]κόσμος ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ ἀπῆλθεν.

So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”

> this is getting us nowhere...see how the whole world is going after him.

-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 Triumphal Entry’© WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

-LCMS Lectionary notes © 2018

-Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing

Saturday prior to Lent 5

 

[1]

John 11:16 – This verse is the inspiration for the hymn, “Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus” {LSB #685} The Hebrew word from which we get “Thomas” and the Greek word Didymus both mean ‘twin.”  We usually remember Thomas for his doubting, but he was also capable to devotion and courage. Our sermon hymn for tomorrow speaks of both aspects.

According to our hymn, we live in a world "that would deceive us." We may not regard the world as deceptive. After all, it is God's creation; He loves the world and the people He made in His image. He made us His stewards, or caretakers, of this earth. But this fallen world, with its many temptations, can be very deceitful and, because of our sinful frailty, very often the world's tempting voices "to sin our spirits lure." A consumer-driven culture lures us to be dissatisfied and to place our faith in earthly possessions. Yet the world is not entirely at fault; we share the blame. As the apostle James writes, "Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire" (James 1:14).

Our path through life is not an easy journey, but our hymn has the answer: "Let us ever walk with Jesus." In our walk of faith, we plant our steps in the footsteps of Jesus, following His path as it is revealed in Holy Scripture. We know that Jesus' steps led Him to the cross. There He suffered the penalty of death that we deserved for our sins, for our every failure to resist the world's deceitful temptations, for every failure to walk according to the Word and will of God. Jesus died and was buried and, on the first Easter morning, the Savior's path led out of the empty tomb. By God's grace, our steps follow the risen Lord. Because in Baptism we are united with Jesus, buried with Him and raised "to walk in newness of life" (see Romans 6:3-4).

Even as we walk in newness of life, we will endure suffering. Like the Savior in whose footsteps we follow, we must "with patience bear our cross." As the hymn points out, our earthly walk is sometimes no laughing matter. Yet we walk on and look ahead to the joy yet to come. We are on the road, "pilgrims here, our home above." We are exiles on earth, but we know that joy will follow. We "desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one" (Hebrews 11:16b), the place where we will reap "celestial joy." Bearing the cross, we walk with Jesus, "full of faith and hope and love." Where our Lord leads, we will follow.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me bear the cross as I follow in Your footsteps. I look forward to the celestial joy that will be mine when I live in Your presence forever. Amen.[2]

---

[1] The Crucifixion, Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use

[2]https://www.lhm.org/dailydevotions/default.asp?date=20210124

Friday prior to Lent 5

 

[1]

Psalm 130 The Psalm appointed for this coming Sunday is a testimony of trust in the Lord by one who knows that even though he is a sinner the Lord hears his cry out of the depths. 

Psalm 130 – Out of the Depths

This psalm is another in the series titled A Song of Ascents. Psalm 130 begins with a personal testimony of God’s rescue from the depths of guilt. From there, the author ascends systematically to a place where he can give confidence to others in their trust in God.

Because Psalm 130 is marked by an awareness of sin and a powerful assurance of forgiveness, tradition numbers it among the seven penitential psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143).

Luther, when he was buffeted by the devil at Coburg, and in great affliction, said to those about him, Come, let us sing that psalm, ‘Out of the depths,’ etc., in derision of the devil…. Surely, this psalm is a treasury of great comfort to all in distress.[2]

Prayer 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.

Almighty and eternal God, because it was Your will that your Son should bear the pains of the cross for us and thus remove from us the power of the adversary, help us so to remember and give thanks for our Lord’s Passion that we may receive remission of sins and redemption from everlasting death; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen [3]

Collect for Friday of the week of Lent 4: Father, our source of life, you know our weakness. May we reach out with joy to grasp your hand and walk more readily in your ways. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and thee Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen [4]

---

[1] The Crucifixion, Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use

[2]https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-130

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

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

Thursday prior to Lent 5

 

[1]

John 11:7-27, 38-53 – In the Gospel lesson Christ raises Lazarus from death – Physical death. Christ raises Lazarus from the dead.    In this passage, illness and death are considered means by which God is glorified. When we are ill, God’s healing reveals His glory. When we are dead, God’s raising us, like Lazarus is for the glory of God. In the Resurrection, the glory of God’s power is manifest. This offers hope to the afflicted, for they are assured of God’s help.

Eternal life is a present possession. It is not life after death, not life after life, but life during life. Jesus emphasized the present life – “I am the resurrection and the life.”  The quality of life begins at the moment of faith in Christ. It is not a natural endowment but a gift to those in Christ.

We do not wait until death to go to heaven for life. We are given eternal life before death. If we do not have it before death, we will not have it after death.

“How ironic!” we often say in response to an unexpected turn of events to a statement unwittingly uttered that has a deeper meaning. The Gospel for this coming Sunday is full of such irony and comes from a book that is full of such irony. The form fits the message because, after all, the Gospel itself is quite “ironic.”

The most startling irony comes with Caiaphas’ unintentional prophecy in Verses 49-50. He begins by saying, “You don’t know nothing,” The double negative is appropriate. Look who’s talking. Caiaphas is the one who knows nothing. “It is to your advantage that one man die in the place of the people and that the whole nation should not perish.” V.50 how right he is. Caiaphas of course, thought that killing this popular troublemaker would eliminate the Roman threat. But John indicates that the high priest Caiaphas unwittingly prophesied about the true High Priest, the One who offered the perfect sacrifice – Himself in the place of and for not only Israel but the entire world. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

Collect for Thursday of the week of Lent 5:Merciful Father, may the penance of our Lenten observance make us your obedient people. May the love within us be seen in what we do and lead us to the joy of Easter. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [2]

---

[1] The Crucifixion, Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use

[2] Collect for Thursday of the week of Lent 4, 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 Lent 5

 

[1]

Romans 8:1-11–Life out of Death – The Spirit makes us children of God. The Spirit raises us from the death of the flesh to life as sons of God. Spiritual death.

In our Epistle lesson, the Spirit raises us from death of the flesh to life as sons of God – Spiritual death. The Spirit makes us children of God. We can have both death and life in us. Though dead, we can live,and though living we can be dead. There is one type of life – existence, the physical, natural, earthly life. It is the life of the flesh lived in faith. This life is a product of the Spirit received at Baptism. Through Baptism, a person is born again in the Spirit, adopted as a child of god, and now lives in the Spirit of righteousness. The new person knows he is related to God, because the Spirit witnesses to our spirits that we are God’s offspring.

We have both death and resurrection in us. Though dead, we can life and though living we can be dead. There is one type of life- existence; the physical, natural, earthly life. It is the life of the flesh, which results in sin and death.

There is possibly another life; one with God lived in faith. This life is a product of here Spirit received at Baptism. Through Baptism, a person is born again in the Spirit; adopted as a child of God and now lives in the Spirit of righteousness. The new person knows he is related to God because the Spirit witnesses to our spirit that we are now God’s offspring.

Paul describes the fulfillment of certain expectations with four terms; revelation, resurrection, adoption and glorification. The Greek word he uses for these expectations literally means to watch with one’s head stretched out, to keep an eager lookout.

Collect for Wednesday of the week of Lent 4:  Lord, you reward virtue and forgive the repentant sinner. Grant us for forgiveness as we come before you confessing our guilt. 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.[2]

---

[1] The Crucifixion, Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use

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

St. Patrick's Day Devotional

St Patrick Devotion
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Ft. Wayne, IN
17 March, 2026

Many people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by wearing green, eating corned beef and cabbage, or visiting an Irish pub. Others think about lucky four-leaf clovers. But how many think of Christ with St. Patrick’s reverence and devotion?

Today on the church calendar we remember Patrick missionary of Ireland.

St. Patrick’s Story

Patrick was born in 385 to Roman parents in Scotland. At the tender age of 14 he was captured by pagan Druids from Ireland who took him across the ocean to Ireland and made him their slave. They forced him to shepherd sheep in remote mountains where he was often exposed to freezing rain and snow. But even though he was just a teenager he learned to sustain himself by praying continually.

When he turned 20, he had a dream that God would help him escape and so he got away from the Druids and snuck onto a ship to return home to his family in Scotland. 

When he eventually escaped from slavery, he was a changed man, now a Christian from the heart. He studied for the ministry and led a parish in Britain for nearly 20years.

Then, at age 48, already well past a man’s life expectancy in the fifth century - Patrick had another dream, in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him to come back to help them. So he returned to share the gospel of Christ in the country where he’d been enslaved and abused! — Patrick returned back to Ireland where he thrived in retirement. 

Having known the language and the customs from his captivity and having thought about how the gospel might come to the Irish, he now answered the call to return to the place of his pain with the message of reconciliation. The slave returned to his captors with good news of true freedom.

For 40 years Patrick lived a simple life, traveling throughout Ireland for close to a quarter century he would share the love of Christ with people. He used the object of the three-leaf clover to teach the doctrine of the Trinity to the Irish people. He established churches all over the country and taught thousands of people to become disciples of the Lord Jesus.

St. Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer

Patrick is famous for his prayers, especially the “Breastplate Prayer,” which says in part: “Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left…”

According to tradition, Patrick died March 17 — many think the year was 461, but we don’t know for certain. While today’s celebrations will leave much to be forgotten, for those who love and serve the Lord Jesus and the advance of his gospel, there are some good things to remember about Patrick.

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. 

Image of St. Patrick © google images