The Son
of God Has Set Us Free from Sin and Death by His Grace
“Wisdom is justified by her deeds”
(Matt. 11:19 ), and
the true Wisdom of God, Christ Jesus the incarnate Son, justifies us by His
deeds. He prepares His way by the preaching of repentance, but He has suffered
the violence of the Law and voluntarily handed Himself over to violent men,
that we might eat and drink with Him in His Kingdom and “remain in the house
forever” (John 8:35 ).
For He is “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matt. 11:19 ), and He has
rescued us by His grace from the slavery of sin and death. By the proclamation
of His eternal Gospel “to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and
tribe and language and people” (Rev.
14:6 ), “the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from
the law” (Rom. 3:21 ),
“that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus”
(Rom. 3:26 ). And by
hearing the Gospel of Christ Jesus, “whom God put forward as a propitiation
by His blood, to be received by faith” (Rom. 3:25 ), “you will know the truth, and the truth
will set you free” (John
8:31–32 ).
Collect for the Festival of the Reformation: Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful
people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in
times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church
Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and
reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Collect for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost: Merciful and gracious Lord, You cause Your Word to be proclaimed in every
generation. Stir up our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may
receive this proclamation with humility and finally be exalted at the coming of
Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ,
Collect for the Feast of St Simon and St Jude (28 October): Almighty God, You chose Your servants Simon and Jude to be numbered among
the glorious company of the apostles. As they were faithful and zealous in
their mission, so may we with ardent devotion make known the love and mercy of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Prayers for defending the Church from error: O Christ, our defender, protect us from all those whose plans would
subvert Your truth through heresy and schism that, as You are acknowledged in
heaven and on earth as one and the same Lord, so Your people, gathered from all
nations, may serve You in unity of faith;
Almighty and everlasting God, You would have all to be saved and to come
to the knowledge of the truth. By Your almighty power and unsearchable wisdom
break and hinder all the counsels of those who hate Your Word and who, by
corrupt teaching, would destroy it. Enlighten them with the knowledge of Your
glory that they may know the riches of Your heavenly grace and, in peace and
righteousness, serve You, the only true God; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our
Lord,
Prayer for unity of faith: O God, Your infinite
love restores to the right way those who err, seeks the scattered, and
preserves those whom You have gathered. Of Your tender mercy pour out on Your
faithful people the grace of unity that, all schisms being ended, Your flock
may be gathered to the true Shepherd of Your Church and may serve You in all
faithfulness; through
Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord,
Monday, 24 October 2011—Psalm 34:1–2 , 11 22 Psalm 119:46
Tuesday, 25 October 2011—Psalm 46 —This psalm of David expresses complete confidence in God, no
matter the circumstance. It depicts scenes of turmoil: natural disasters (vv. 2 , 3 ), political
persecution (v. 6a ),
and even the end of days (v. 6b ). The one who trusts in God can withstand such
troubles, and be still and quiet, for God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Wednesday, 26 October
2011—Revelation 14:6–7 —This
first angel of John’s vision has often been interpreted by Lutheran
commentators as Martin Luther, because of his clear proclamation of the
eternal gospel to . . . those who dwell on earth. Certainly
God worked through this man, as He works through others, to bring His message
of freedom in Christ to every nation and tribe and language and people.
Thursday, 27 October
2011—Romans 3:19–28 —Theologians
use a Latin phrase that describes our relationship with God’s Holy Law: Lex
semper accusat, that is, ‘the Law always accuses’. This is because none of us sinful
humans can obey God’s Law perfectly. Both our original sin and our actual sin
condemn us. But there is a righteousness before God apart from the Law
and apart from ourselves and anything we do. This righteousness is the
righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to us through faith in the
propitiating death of Christ on our behalf. Because of Christ’s fulfillment of
the Law, and His blood which He shed for us, God declares us ‘not guilty’.
Friday, 28 October 2011—John 8:31–36 —Sunday’s Gospel speaks of the freedom
we find in the Truth of Jesus Christ. All of us were born into slavery—the
slavery of sin. But Christ has set us free from our bondage by His atoning
sacrifice. The One who declares, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life
tells us here that the Truth shall set us free. The Truth has set
us free: the Truth which embodied in Christ Jesus and the Truth which He
declares to us in His Word. We are free, indeed!
Saturday, 29 October 2011—Sunday’s hymn of the day, A
Mighty Fortress Is Our God (LSB #656) is Luther’s great battle hymn
of the Reformation. Based on the Psalm of the day, Psalm 46
Lectionary summary on front page from LCMS Commission on
Worship
Artwork by Ed Riojas, ©Higher Things
Prayers
from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House
This week's Time in the Word written by Pr. Jeff Keuning
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