Time in the Word - Easter 7

This coming week will be the last Sunday in Easter. Easter 7 serves as a bridge between Ascension and Pentecost. We look back to the Ascension or forward to Pentecost.

A Daytime Collect for Eastertide Almighty God the Father, through Your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of our Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit.

Monday, May 2, 2016 – Psalm 61:3, 5-8; antiphon, Psalm 61:1— In next Sunday’s introit the psalmist makes his plea for the Lord to answer his prayer. The reason he appeals to God – the Lord has never failed him as a refuge. No matter what the issue the Lord has been a source of hope and strength amidst many great and present dangers.

The petition for the king’s long life has been interpreted by many Jewish scholars as referring to the coming Messiah. If this interpretation is so they are fulfilled in Jesus Christ, David’s great Son.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016 –Psalm 133—Sunday’s psalm is a Psalm of brother love, and life forevermore. In verse2: At the high point in his consecration ceremony the high priest was anointed with oil (see Exodus 29:7) In verse3 - The dew is seen as a symbol of blessing. Mt. Hermon has an exceptionally heavy dew fall, which meant greater fertility there than elsewhere in the days before piped water and mechanical sprinklers. This should move us to pray, 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

Wednesday, May 4, 2016 – Acts 1:12-26 – In the first lesson we have the account of Matthias chosen to replace Judas. There were certain qualifications for this office. Apparently several met the requirements but the believers were selecting someone who had ministered publicly and was an eye-witness of Jesus’ resurrection. By casting lots they were able to all God the right of choice. The use of rocks or sticks to designate the choice was common see 1 Chronicles 26:13-16

Thursday, May 5, 2016 – Revelation22:1-6, 12-20— Today is Ascension Day. As a church we need to celebrate this important feast day. Jesus is now in glory with the Father. So what? What does the Ascension mean for daily life here and now? Like the disciples, we are content to gaze into heaven? As the two men brought the disciples back to reality, we need to get to the business of life. According to this coming week’s epistle we have hope for Christ’s’ return to earth. The church prays for His coming soon that through His coming there may be a new heaven and a new earth. Our ascended Lord has promised to return on the last great day. When will that happen? When the last pagan is converted. Thus we are always mission minded. May the Lord continue to send us men like FCD Wyneken who championed the gospel of Christ.

A Prayer for Ascension – Almighty God, as Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, ascended into the heavens, so may we also ascend in heart and mind and continually dwell there with Him, who lives, and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Friday, May 6, 2013 –  John 17:20-26— In the gospel Jesus prays for those He will leave on earth to further His work. Consider the situation: the church is deserted by her leader; the disciples are on their own in a hostile world with an impossible task to win the world. Jesus apparently realizes the disciples’ need for help. What Jesus prays for indicates what Christians today need. It is important to not that in vs. 20; Jesus says He prays for the Christians of the future, for you today. What do we Christians need: better church programs? More money to finance church programs? More wisdom? More members? Jesus prays for us to be one in God, for us to be one with each other and for us to be one with the Savior in heaven.

Saturday, May 7, 2016 – 1 John 2: 15-17 The Hymn of the Day, What is the world to Me (LSB #730). When John refers to the world he does not mean the world of people (see John 3:16) or the created world (see John 17:24) but the world, or realm of sin which is controlled by Satan and organized against God and righteousness. It is this world which we leave. It is Christ which faith clings to.

Sources:

THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL © 1940 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

LUTHERAN WORSHIP © 1982 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

LUTHERAN SEVICE BOOK LECTIONARY © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

LECTIONARY PREACHING WORKBOOK © 1989 John Brokhoff CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.