Monday prior to Lent 4

 

[1]

Psalm 84:1-4; antiphon, Psalm 84:5—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray, My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He will pluck my feet out of the net. Those who have come to know the Lord as their deliverer and the sustainer of their lives place their confidence in Him. This is the definition of faith. In this Lenten season, the cross looms closer. Place your confidence in Christ alone.

Psalm 84 – The Pilgrim’s love and longing for the LORD’s House

The title of this psalm is To the Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. These sons of Korah were Levites, from the family of Kohath. By David’s time it seems they served in the musical aspect of the temple worship (2 Chronicles 20:19).

Korah led a rebellion of 250 community leaders against Moses during the wilderness days of the Exodus (Numbers 16). God judged Korah and his leaders and they all died, but the sons of Korah remained (Numbers 26:9-11). Perhaps they were so grateful for this mercy that they became notable in Israel for praising God.

Psalm 84 was entitled “to be called The Pearl of Psalms.” If the twenty-third be the most popular, the one-hundred-and-third the most joyful, the one-hundred-and-nineteenth the most deeply experiential, the fifty-first the most plaintive, this is one of the most sweet of the Psalms of Peace.[2]

Light to See

The Fourth Sunday In Lent was formerly known as Laetare Sunday, taken from the first Latin word of the Introit, Laetare, meaning to “rejoice.” It was also known as “Refreshment Sunday” because of the Gospel lesson of the feeding of the 5,000. The second half of Lent begins in a lighter mood in preparation for the depth of sorrow coming in the Passion. Today’s three Lessons harmonize on the theme of light, vision, and insight. Samuel is given the insight to see that of all the sons of Jesse, David was the one to be king. Jesus brought spiritual vision to the man healed by blindness. Paul exhorts Christians as children of light to walk in the light of goodness. Since David was called to be the shepherd of Israel, Psalm 23 is appropriate. We pray in the Prayer that we may be cleansed from the darkness of sin that we may be children of the light, which is Christ. From the light of spiritual vision, for the cure of our spiritual blindness, we can rejoice — Laetare!

Collect for Psalm 84: Almighty God, you heard the prayer of Christ, your chosen one, and raised him to the lasting joy of your presence. Help us in our pilgrimage toward you to love your Church and to offer the sacrifice of praise at your altar, that we may hasten to your home and joyfully look upon your glorious splendor, which we have seen in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.[3]

Collect for Monday of the week of Lent3: God of mercy, free your church from in and protect it from evil. Guide us, for we cannot be saved without you. 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 Trinity © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-84

[3] Collect for Psalm 84, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. I © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

[4] Ibid, Collect for Monday of the week of Lent 3 

Lent 4 Series A study notes

 Isaiah 42:14–21

Ephesians 5:8–14

John 9:1–7, 13–17, 34–39

Collects for Lent 4: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

By His Word of the Gospel, Jesus Calls Us Out of the Darkness into His Marvelous Light.

 Today’s three Lessons harmonize on the theme of light, vision, and insight. Samuel is given the insight to see that of all the sons of Jesse, David was the one to be king. Jesus brought spiritual vision to the man healed by blindness. Paul exhorts Christians as children of light to walk in the light of goodness. Since David was called to be the shepherd of Israel, Psalm 23 is appropriate. We pray in the Prayer that we may be cleansed from the darkness of sin that we may be children of the light, which is Christ. From the light of spiritual vision, for the cure of our spiritual blindness, we can rejoice — Laetare!

The Lord is grieved by the spiritual blindness of His people, yet in mercy He does not forsake them. He restrains His anger and keeps His peace, until He opens their ears and eyes to hear and see Him. “For His righteousness’ sake” He magnifies His Word and makes it glorious in the coming of Christ Jesus (Isaiah 42:21). Jesus turns “the darkness before them into light” (Isaiah 42:16), because He is “the Light of the world” (John 9:5). 

The incarnate Son of God works the works of His Father and displays the divine glory in His own flesh “while it is day” until that night “when no one can work” (John 9:4). 

By the washing of water with His Word He opens the eyes of the blind and grants rest to the weary. Therefore, though “at one time you were darkness,” now “you are light in the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8). 

By our Baptism into Christ we live in the eternal day of His Resurrection, wherein He shines upon us. As often as we fall back into the darkness of sin, He calls us by the Gospel to “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead” (Ephesians 5:14).

John 9:1-41—In the Gospel lesson Jesus, the Light, gives spiritual vision.  A man born blind receives physical and spiritual sight. It takes a whole chapter to tell the story of how Jesus brings spiritual light to a man born blind. The actual miracle is told in a few verses, but the healing gives an occasion for Jesus to bring a man from agnosticism to faith. We see the formation of faith: from “the man called Jesus,” to “prophet,” to “a man from God” to “Son of Man.” In contrast to the light of the healed man, the Pharisees are in the darkness of sin and unbelief.

Jesus’ day the popular view was that sin caused suffering. In the case of the man born blind, the disciples asked whose sin caused the handicap. Jesus answered that no one sinned in this case. Some suffering is caused by sin, but we should see suffering as an opportunity for God’s healing.

People need to know how Jesus Christ can give them perfect vision that they do not stumble nor fall in life’s journey. This is the message the Savior has given to you – not to get people to behave, not to get people to live purpose driven or successful lives, but for them to meet Jesus – the light of the world.  

John 9:1-7 -

:1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.

:2 And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

Still asked today...we don't deserve bad...

:3 Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

Jesus does answer as it is asked in faith. Faith hears a promise... not an explanation. NOT that this man sinned BUT that the Father's work might be revealed...not that he receives his sight but the faith given...either way would deny original sin...because God Willed him to be born blind...that he might receive faith...that the works of God might be revealed...show me Jesus...the God Who goes to die...the real miracle is seeing Jesus...

:4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.

Not the first time John uses night and light...yet a significant theme...the end...the darkness will come on Good Friday...

:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."  Need Vs. 5 to explain 4...

:6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud. - See Genesis 1 & 2, John 1 creation happening again...

:7 and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.

No need of the pool according to OT Rabbis... 

John 9:13-17

:13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind.

:14 Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes.

:15 So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, "He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see."

:16 Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" And there was a division among them.

:17 So they said again to the blind man, "What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet."

John 9:34-39

:34 They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out.

:35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"

:36 He answered, "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?"

:37 Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you."

:38 He said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.

:39 Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind."

-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 Crucifixion’© WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

-LCMS Lectionary notes © 2018

-Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Saturday prior to Lent 3

 

[1]

Psalm 67:1-2; Psalm 96:10-13; Isaiah 55:10-11; Isaiah 62:1-2—Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is May God Bestow on Us His Grace (LSB #824).  The inspiration for this Luther hymn is a prayer of David echoing the priestly benediction recorded in Number 6:24-26.

May God Bestow on Us His Grace

        1. May God bestow on us His grace,

        With blessings rich provide us,

        And may the brightness of His face

        To life eternal guide us

That we His saving health may know,

        His gracious will and pleasure,

        And also to the heathen show

        Christ's riches without measure

And unto God convert them.

 

        2. Thine over all shall be the praise

        And thanks of every nation,

And all the world with joy shall raise

        The voice of exultation;

        For Thou shalt judge the earth, O Lord,

        Nor suffer sin to flourish;

        Thy people's pasture is Thy Word

        Their souls to feed and nourish,

        In righteous paths to keep them.

 

        3. Oh, let the people praise Thy worth,

        In all good works increasing;

        The land shall plenteous fruit bring forth,

        Thy Word is rich in blessing.

        May God the Father, God the Son,

And God the Spirit bless us!

        Let all theworld praise Him alone,

        Let solemn awe possess us.

        Now let our hearts say, Amen.

 

Collect for Saturday of the week of Lent 2: God our Father, by your gifts to us on earth, we already share in your life. In all we do, guide us to the light of your kingdom. 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 [2]

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

[2] Collect for Friday of the week of Lent  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 Lent 3

 

[1]

John 4:5-26—In the Gospel lesson Jesus is the water of eternal life.  Jesus offers living water to a Samaritan woman to whom He reveals himself as the Messiah. In this Gospel lesson, we are given several important subjects: the attitude of Jesus toward a Samaritan woman, Jesus’ humanity in wanting a drink and offering living water, the moral condition of the woman, the proper place and nature of worship, Jesus’ declaration that He is the Messiah, and the woman’s response of witnessing. In relation to the other lessons, the main theme of the Gospel is that Jesus is the water of life giving eternal life. He can give this living water because He is the Messiah.

Jesus says, “Salvation is from the Jews.” Our salvation has its roots in the history of the Hebrews. It began with Abraham. Through the centuries, God has been writing a salvation history through words and events culminating in Jesus the Jew. The New Testament cannot be fully understood apart from the Old.

Who is this man going to the cross? Jesus is known as the friend of sinners. He associated with them because He knew they needed Him for a fuller life. We find Him talking with a woman of a despised race.

As the Messiah Jesus’ desire is to change her life, the power of life-giving water is given to a Samaritan woman who meets Jesus at a well. As Jesus has an encounter with this woman, He offers to her a changed life as she exchanges her life for His. This is your experience as well; experiencing that great exchange – God’s mercy and forgiveness purchased at the cost of His own Son.

Eternal Lord, your kingdom has broken into our troubled world through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son. Help us to hear your word and obey it, so that we become instruments of your redeeming love.[2]

Collect for Friday of the week of Lent 2: Merciful Father may our acts of penance bring us your forgiveness, open our hearts to your love, and prepare us for the coming feast of the resurrection. 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. [3]

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

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

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

Thursday prior to Lent 3

 

[1]

Romans 5:1-8—Life flows from Justification. Christians have peace with God through the reconciliation made possible by the cross. This lesson is a part of a transition from justification by faith to a life of faith beginning with chapter 6. Hence, we have Paul’s “therefore.”

By grace through faith, we are one with God in peace and harmony. Out of this relationship comes reasons to rejoice: we share in the glory of God (verse 2); we experience suffering that eventuates in hope (verses 3, 4); and we are reconciled to God through Christ (verse 11).  In our suffering, sin, and weakness, God comes to us in love expressed in the death of Christ.

Father, You have taught us to overcome our sins by prayer, fasting and works of mercy. When we are discouraged by our weakness, give us confidence in Your love. We ask 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.[2]

Collect for Thursday of the week of Lent 2: God of love bring us back to you, Send your Spirit to make us strong in faith and active in good works. 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 Crucifixion, Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

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

[3] Collect for Thursday of the week of Lent 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 Lent 2

 

[1]

Genesis 12:1-9—Faith in God’s promises – Faith obeys God’s command and accepts His promises

Faith accepts God’s promise of blessing. By faith, Abraham accepts the Lord’s promise and obeys his command. Around 2000 B.C. a man named Abraham lived in Haran. The Lord came to him and called him to leave his home and family to go to a strange, unknown land where he would become the father of a great nation. Abraham proved his faith in the Lord by trusting His Word of promises and obeying. He left all for a great adventure in faith. The Lord promised to bless him and to make him a blessing to all nations. Abraham maintained his faith by building an altar to worship wherever he went.

Abraham is the father of the faithful because of his faith. In Abraham, we see one who found adventure in faith. I was faith in the promise of God. This resulted in a daring, risky, venture into an unknown future, in an unknown land. His faith was expressed in his obedience to the Lord’s command to leave for a far country and depend on God completely to provide for and protect him.

The LORD promised to bless Abraham. The blessing is not for Abraham’s benefit or his well-being alone. It is not a selfish blessing. God does not bless that the blessed one will be better off than another will. With the blessing comes a responsibility to share the blessing. God blesses Abraham that all people will be blessed through him.

Collect for Lent 2: O God, You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power, defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[2]

Collect for Wednesday of the week of Lent 1: Lord, look upon us and hear our prayer. By the good works you inspire, help us to discipline our bodies and to be renewed in Spirit. 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 Crucifixion,Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

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

[3] Collect for Wednesday of the week of Lent 1, 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 Lent 3

 

[1]

Psalm 95:1-9—key verse, verse 6—Come, let us bow down in worship let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. These words we pray in the liturgy when we sing the Venite in the order of Matins. This we do when Paul encourages us to worship the Lord with Psalm songs, and spiritual songs. The exhortation to submit to the Lord with obedient hearts and bent knee is not enough. For a New Testament reflection on these verses in light of the coming of Christ, see Hebrews 3:7-4:13.

Psalm 95 – Our humble and obedient worship

This wonderful psalm is quoted and analyzed in Hebrews 3:7-4:13. There (Hebrews 4:7) it is said to be “in David.” This may indicate that David the Son of Jesse was the unattributed author, but it is also possible that the author of Hebrews simply referred to the Book of Psalms as “David’s Book.”

James Montgomery Boice observed regarding the commentary on Psalm 95 in Hebrews 3:7-4:13: “This is probably the most thorough citing of an Old Testament passage in the New Testament.”

Collect for Psalm 95:Almighty God, neither let us go astray, as did those who murmured in the desert, nor let us be torn apart by discord. With Jesus as our shepherd, bring us to enjoy the unity for which he prays; and to you be the glory and the praise now and forever. [2]

 

Collect for Tuesday of the week of Lent 2: Lord, watch over your Church, and guide it with your unfailing love. Protect us from what could harm us and lead us to what will save us. Help us always, for without you we are bound to fail. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.[3]

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

[2] Collect for Psalm 95, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

[3] Ibid, Collect for Tuesday of the week of Lent 2