November 12– Thursday prior to Pentecost 25 (Proper 28)

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Matthew 25:14-30 – In the parable concerning the Master, the servants and the talents Jesus teaches, “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 parity or even fairness. The Master gives the servants what they can each handle. No little no less. Equality is predicated on difference not sameness.

A talent is the equivalent to the tribute one nation owes another. Jesus is speaking of trillions of dollars here. Remember there’s always a “wow factor” when Jesus teaches in the form of a parable.

No instruction is give on what to do with the talent but they do with it as they believe their Lord to be. This parable teaches that you get the God you believe. The worthless servant hated the Lord's generosity so he hid the talent digging a hole for fear of what the Master would do. It’s not so much that he didn't want to lose it as that he despised the Master’s liberality and kindness.  

What the servants have is not their own. The rich man of the parable gave his property to his servants as a trust until he returned. As servants of God, all we have has been given to us: our world, gifts, and our very own lives. Thus, we are stewards of God’s wealth. We are not free to do with his possessions as we wish. God holds us accountable for what we did or did not do with His property.

The Bible teaches us to fear God, but not to be afraid of Him as was the case with the wicked servant. The servant who did nothing with his talent was afraid of God. Though God is a just God who demands justice, holiness, and righteousness, we need not be afraid of Him, for He loves us. Fear Him? Yes! Fear Him in terms of reverence and awe! When we are afraid, we freeze, hold back, fear to venture. The servant was afraid he would lose his one talent and he knew the master would demand a return of his money.

In all things, fear in terms of being afraid, makes us inhibited, cautious, and withholding. In the Lord’s economy He is always reckless with His gifts – because He loves you! Love dares to venture and invest.

Two simple yet heart-felt Prayers–

Lord God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit that, always keeping in mind the end of all things and the day of judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of life here and may live with you forever in the world to come.

Lord, when the day of wrath comes, we have no hope except in your grace. Make us so to watch for the last days that the consummation of our hope may be the joy of marriage feast of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.[2]

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[1] The Crucifixion, Woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, The Book of Books in Pictures. copyright © WLS for personal and congregational use

[2] Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

Gone!

 Welcome Fall/Winter. We hope they return early next year! 

November 11– Wednesday prior to Pentecost 25 (Proper 28)

 

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -Since Christians are children of the day (righteousness) and not of the night (wickedness), they are to remain sober and awake. To be ready and to be equipped to do battle against evil, they are to be equipped with faith, hope, and love. Paul comforts and assures them that God has not destined them to wrath, but to salvation so that whether they live or die, they might be with the Lord.

Paul assures his readers the children of light will not be surprised when the day of the Lord suddenly comes. The Christians of the first century were concerned about the exact date of Jesus’ return. Does this not sound familiar? There are many who spend an inordinate amount of time speculating when the Lord will return. Paul reminded them that no exact day could be determined, for Jesus will come suddenly and unexpectedly as a thief comes in the night. But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.- Matthew 24:36 Thus the Christian should pray, “Even so quickly come, Lord Jesus, quickly come.”

Today is Veterans Day, a day dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I. In 1918 on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month the war officially came to a close. On this day we honor all those who have served our nation’s armed forces but we also pray that solutions to conflict may flourish; that peace in this world may come. Of course, there will be conflict as we are living in a broken world outside of Eden. Still we ask that peace may reign. Thus we look to that day when Christ will come bringing peace to the earth as even He is the prince of peace.

A prayer for Peace: Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord. [1]  

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[1] Collect for the Second Sunday after Epiphany, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

November 10– Tuesday prior to Pentecost 25 (Proper 28)

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Zephaniah 1:7-16 - The prophet Zephaniah reminds us of the reason the Lord must return. Sin will cause death and destruction. The prophet reminds his hearers’ sin will cause destruction and death. Zephaniah calls upon the nation to be “silent” before God.

Similarly, the psalmist David wrote, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46) If one is to hear what God has to say, there must be silence. Because of this, silence is requested in a library or concert hall. But, there is greater reason for silence. In the face of something catastrophic or terrible, our only reaction is silence. When the seal is broken in heaven, there is a half hour of silence. Zephaniah has a dreadful word from God: The day of the Lord is coming as a day of doom, gloom, destruction, and death for all people. That is enough to shake us into silence.

The “end” is final. There is nothing beyond or it would not be the end. The wrath of God will not be spent until the end of everything. It reminds us of the result of nuclear warfare and the end of the earth. This passage gives us no hope, no solution. The end is promised, and it will come, unless.... Or is it too late?

It’s never too late when it comes to the Lord’s timing. Now is the day of salvation. Now is the time for change. Now is the time for the Church to be bold in witness. As mentioned earlier, the readings, as we near the end of the church year, take on a somber tone. They remind us of the sure and certain return of the Lord Jesus, which ought to give us pause to be vigilant, to be prepared to meet the Lord when He returns.

Lord God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit that, always keeping in mind the end of all things and the day of judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of life here and may live with you forever in the world to come.[2]

 

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[1] The Crucifixion, Woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, The Book of Books in Pictures. copyright © WLS for personal and congregational use

[2] Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

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)

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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