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

 

Easter 3 Series A study notes

Acts 2:14a, 36–41

1 Peter 1:17–25

Luke 24:13–35

The Risen Lord Jesus Is with Us in Holy Baptism and in “the Breaking of the Bread” 

From “before the foundation of the world” until heaven and earth pass away, “the word of the Lord remains forever” (1 Peter 1:20, 25). This “living and abiding word of God” is the preaching of Christ Jesus, namely that God “raised him from the dead and gave him glory” (1 Peter 1:21, 23). By this living word, we “have been born again” to eternal life (1 Peter 1:23) and ransomed from our sinful and mortal life “with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18–19). 

This living word also calls us to repentance, to dying and rising in Holy Baptism “in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38). In this, we receive the Holy Spirit “for you and for your children and for all who are far off” (Acts 2:39). Through the preaching of His cross and resurrection, Jesus draws near to bring us “into his glory” (Luke 24:26). As He opens the Scriptures, He opens our minds to comprehend “the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27), and He brings us to know Him “in the breaking of the bread” (Luke 24:35).

- Luke 24:14-35

13 Καὶ ἰδοὺ δύο ἐξ αὐτῶν [a]ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἦσαν πορευόμενοι εἰς κώμην ἀπέχουσαν σταδίους ἑξήκοντα ἀπὸ Ἰερουσαλήμ, ᾗ ὄνομα Ἐμμαοῦς,

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 

14 καὶ αὐτοὶ ὡμίλουν πρὸς ἀλλήλους περὶ πάντων τῶν συμβεβηκότων τούτων.

and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.

15 καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ὁμιλεῖν αὐτοὺς καὶ συζητεῖν καὶ [b]αὐτὸς Ἰησοῦς ἐγγίσας συνεπορεύετο αὐτοῖς,

While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.

16 οἱ δὲ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν ἐκρατοῦντο τοῦ μὴ ἐπιγνῶναι αὐτόν.

But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.

17 εἶπεν δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς· Τίνες οἱ λόγοι οὗτοι οὓς ἀντιβάλλετε πρὸς ἀλλήλους περιπατοῦντες; καὶ [c]ἐστάθησαν σκυθρωποί.

And he said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad.

18 ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ [d]εἷς ὀνόματι Κλεοπᾶς εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν· Σὺ μόνος παροικεῖς Ἰερουσαλὴμ καὶ οὐκ ἔγνως τὰ γενόμενα ἐν αὐτῇ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις;

Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"

19 καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ποῖα; οἱ δὲ εἶπαν αὐτῷ· Τὰ περὶ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ [e]Ναζαρηνοῦ, ὃς ἐγένετο ἀνὴρ προφήτης δυνατὸς ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ ἐναντίον τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ,

And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,

20  ὅπως τε παρέδωκαν αὐτὸν οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες ἡμῶν εἰς κρίμα θανάτου καὶ ἐσταύρωσαν αὐτόν.

and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.

21  ἡμεῖς δὲ ἠλπίζομεν ὅτι αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ μέλλων λυτροῦσθαι τὸν Ἰσραήλ· ἀλλά γε καὶ σὺν πᾶσιν τούτοις τρίτην ταύτην ἡμέραν ἄγει ἀφ’ οὗ ταῦτα ἐγένετο.

But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.

22 ἀλλὰ καὶ γυναῖκές τινες ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐξέστησαν ἡμᾶς, γενόμεναι ὀρθριναὶ ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον 

Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,

23  καὶ μὴ εὑροῦσαι τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ ἦλθον λέγουσαι καὶ ὀπτασίαν ἀγγέλων ἑωρακέναι, οἳ λέγουσιν αὐτὸν ζῆν.

and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.

24 καὶ ἀπῆλθόν τινες τῶν σὺν ἡμῖν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ εὗρον οὕτως καθὼς καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες εἶπον, αὐτὸν δὲ οὐκ εἶδον.

Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." -

25 καὶ αὐτὸς εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτούς· Ὦ ἀνόητοι καὶ βραδεῖς τῇ καρδίᾳ τοῦ πιστεύειν ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἷς ἐλάλησαν οἱ προφῆται·

And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

26 οὐχὶ ταῦτα ἔδει παθεῖν τὸν χριστὸν καὶ εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ; 

Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"

27 καὶ ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ Μωϋσέως καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν προφητῶν διερμήνευσεν αὐτοῖς ἐν πάσαις ταῖς γραφαῖς τὰ περὶ [k]ἑαυτοῦ.

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 αὶ ἤγγισαν εἰς τὴν κώμην οὗ ἐπορεύοντο, καὶ αὐτὸς προσεποιήσατο πορρώτερον πορεύεσθαι. 

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther,

29  καὶ παρεβιάσαντο αὐτὸν λέγοντες· Μεῖνον μεθ’ ἡμῶν, ὅτι πρὸς ἑσπέραν ἐστὶν καὶ κέκλικεν ἤδη ἡ ἡμέρα. καὶ εἰσῆλθεν τοῦ μεῖναι σὺν αὐτοῖς.

but they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them.

30 καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ κατακλιθῆναι αὐτὸν μετ’ αὐτῶν λαβὼν τὸν ἄρτον εὐλόγησεν καὶ κλάσας ἐπεδίδου αὐτοῖς·

When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.

31 αὐτῶν δὲ διηνοίχθησαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ καὶ ἐπέγνωσαν αὐτόν· καὶ αὐτὸς ἄφαντος ἐγένετο ἀπ’ αὐτῶν.

And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.

32 καὶ εἶπαν πρὸς ἀλλήλους· Οὐχὶ ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν καιομένη ἦν [o]ἐν ἡμῖν ὡς ἐλάλει ἡμῖν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ,  ὡς διήνοιγεν ἡμῖν τὰς γραφάς;

They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?"

33 καὶ ἀναστάντες αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς Ἰερουσαλήμ, καὶ εὗρον ἠθροισμένους τοὺς ἕνδεκα καὶ τοὺς σὺν αὐτοῖς,

And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,

34 λέγοντας ὅτι ὄντως ἠγέρθη ὁ κύριος καὶ ὤφθη Σίμωνι.

saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"

35 καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐξηγοῦντο τὰ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ ὡς ἐγνώσθη αὐτοῖς ἐν τῇ κλάσει τοῦ ἄρτου.

Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

-The road to Emmaus copyright Google images 

-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.

-LCMS Lectionary notes © 2018

-Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing