Pr. DFD : March 2019

Sunday, March 31, 2019

Lent 5 Series C

Lent 5 Series B

7 April 2019

Isaiah 43:16–21

Philippians 3:(4b–7) 8–14

Luke 20:9–20

Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look upon Your People that that we may be governed and preserved evermore in body and soul; through Jesus Christ...

God’s Beloved Son Has Redeemed Us

Our life and works apart from Christ, no matter how they may glitter to the eyes of the world, are ultimately rubbish and have no righteousness. Rather, in the scandalous cross of Jesus we find our righteousness alone “through faith in Christ” (Philippians 3:9). By such faith, we “know him and the power of his resurrection” (Philippians 3:10). For the same God who brought Israel out of Egypt, has done a “new thing” for us in Christ Jesus. He has sent his beloved Son into his vineyard – to be killed by sinful men and to become “the stone the builders rejected.” Yet, the One rejected by men “has become the “cornerstone” of His Church (Luke 20:17). Through the waters of Holy Baptism, he provides us daily refreshment in our earthly pilgrimage, “a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19).

Luke 20:9-20

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

Luke 20:9

Ἤρξατο δὲ πρὸς τὸν λαὸν λέγειν τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην• Ἄνθρωπος ἐφύτευσεν ἀμπελῶνα, καὶ ἐξέδετο αὐτὸν γεωργοῖς, καὶ ἀπεδήμησεν χρόνους ἱκανούς.

And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while.

Luke 20:10

καὶ καιρῷ ἀπέστειλεν πρὸς τοὺς γεωργοὺς δοῦλον, ἵνα ἀπὸ τοῦ καρποῦ τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος δώσουσιν αὐτῷ• οἱ δὲ γεωργοὶ ἐξαπέστειλαν αὐτὸν δείραντες κενόν.

When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed.

Luke 20:11

καὶ προσέθετο ἕτερον πέμψαι δοῦλον• οἱ δὲ κἀκεῖνον δείραντες καὶ ἀτιμάσαντες ἐξαπέστειλαν κενόν.

And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed.

Luke 20:12

καὶ προσέθετο τρίτον πέμψαι• οἱ δὲ καὶ τοῦτον τραυματίσαντες ἐξέβαλον.

And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out.

Luke 20:13

εἶπεν δὲ ὁ κύριος τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος• Τί ποιήσω; πέμψω τὸν υἱόν μου τὸν ἀγαπητόν• ἴσως τοῦτον ἐντραπήσονται.

Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’

Luke 20:14

ἰδόντες δὲ αὐτὸν οἱ γεωργοὶ διελογίζοντο πρὸς ἀλλήλους λέγοντες• Οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ κληρονόμος• ἀποκτείνωμεν αὐτόν, ἵνα ἡμῶν γένηται ἡ κληρονομία•

But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’

Luke 20:15

καὶ ἐκβαλόντες αὐτὸν ἔξω τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος ἀπέκτειναν. τί οὖν ποιήσει αὐτοῖς ὁ κύριος τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος;

And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?

Luke 20:16

ἐλεύσεται καὶ ἀπολέσει τοὺς γεωργοὺς τούτους, καὶ δώσει τὸν ἀμπελῶνα ἄλλοις. ἀκούσαντες δὲ εἶπαν• Μὴ γένοιτο.

He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!”

Luke 20:17

ὁ δὲ ἐμβλέψας αὐτοῖς εἶπεν• Τί οὖν ἐστιν τὸ γεγραμμένον τοῦτο• Λίθον ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας;

But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone [the head of the corner’]?

Luke 20:18

πᾶς ὁ πεσὼν ἐπ’ ἐκεῖνον τὸν λίθον συνθλασθήσεται• ἐφ’ ὃν δ’ ἂν πέσῃ, λικμήσει αὐτόν.

Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

Paying Taxes to Caesar

Luke 20:19

καὶ ἐζήτησαν οἱ γραμματεῖς καὶ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς ἐπιβαλεῖν ἐπ’ αὐτὸν τὰς χεῖρας ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ, καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν τὸν λαόν, ἔγνωσαν γὰρ ὅτι πρὸς αὐτοὺς εἶπεν τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην.

The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people.

Luke 20:20

Καὶ παρατηρήσαντες ἀπέστειλαν ἐγκαθέτους ὑποκρινομένους ἑαυτοὺς δικαίους εἶναι, ἵνα ἐπιλάβωνται αὐτοῦ λόγου, ὥστε παραδοῦναι αὐτὸν τῇ ἀρχῇ καὶ τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ τοῦ ἡγεμόνος.

So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.

-Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘The Crucifixion’© WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Time in the Word - Lent 5

Time in the Word

1-6 April 2019

Preparation for Lent 5

Collect 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.

The Theme for Lent 5, “Forecast of the Future,” helps us see the purpose and the necessity of the cross. It is a one-time act but has eternal consequences. In the Old Testament lesson (Isaiah 43:16-21), God will do a new thing for His people. He promises to do a new thing for His people, something good. In the Epistle lesson (Philippians 3:8-14), Christians strain forward to the future goal of Christ. Paul says that he forgets the past and looks forward to the future. In the Gospel lesson (Luke 20:9-19), judgment will come to those who reject God’s Son. This is brought out in the parable of the wicked tenants. The Hymn of the Day is a contemplative hymn, which focuses on Christ’s crucifixion. It is one of the most powerful hymns in our hymnal.

Collect for Lent 5 – Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look upon Your people that we may be governed and preserved evermore in body and soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen

Monday, 01 April 2019—Psalm 3:3-6, Antiphon, Psalm 3:8, Salvation belongs to the Lord; Your blessings be on Your people! Though threatened by many foes, the psalmist prays confidently to the Lord. A common feature in the prayers of the Psalter is a concluding expression of confidence that the prayer will be heard. David’s confidence becomes a testimony to God’s people. As he stands before God, the psalmist, King David, prays on behalf of the nation.

Tuesday, 02 April 2019—Psalm 126; key verse, verse 3: The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126 is a song of joy for restoration to Zion. If not composed for those who returned from Babylonian exile, the place of exiles is not named; it surely served to voice the joy of the restored community. The psalm divides into two stanzas of four Hebrew lines each with their initial lines sharing a common theme. Thematic unity is further served by repetition and other key words

Wednesday, 03 April 2019— Isaiah 43:16-21–In this passage God asks us to stop thinking and talking about all the good things God did for us in the past such as the Exodus from Egypt. Something better is going to happen to us – a new and better Exodus from the slavery of sin. God promises to do a new thing (verse 19). God will make a way out of bondage (verse 19). God will provide provisions on the way (verse 20). God will give you reason to praise Him (verse 21).

Thursday, 04 April 2019—Philippians 3:8-14–In this reading, Paul shows us how the past, present, and future come together in a Christian’s life. We do not live in any one tense. All of time is involved in a Christian’s life. The past –we consider it refuse (verse 8). The present – we have Christ by faith (verse 9). The future – we look to the future goal of oneness in Christ (verses 12-14).

Friday, 05 April 2019 –Luke 20:9-20–In the parable packed with truths in allegorical form, the Savior teaches us.

He tells us about God – God is the owner of our world and is entitled to rent. God is patient with us.

Three times, He sent a servant, then a son. God’s patience has an end-judgment that will be enacted. God has no other plan to reconcile us – Christ was His only Son. He can do no more. If the world does not accept Christ, nothing but destruction lies ahead.

He tells us about Christ. He is God’s Son. Others before Him were only “servants.” He holds a unique position with God the Father, an intimacy and a oneness. He was sent by God – to receive us our obligation to God. Jesus has a mission. He was obedient to God’s will. He knew that His end was death at the hands of wicked men. His death was not an accident, not bad luck, not forced. In obedience to God, He faced the cross courageously and voluntarily. The parable announces His approaching end.

He tells us about mankind. Man is only a steward, not the owner. As such, he owes God a return. Man is a rebel – in constant rebellion against God. He refuses to render to God what is God’s. He rejects servants and son. Man wants to be the owner-God. He refuses to give God his portion and hopes to take over the vineyard by killing the son. Man is prone to violence – beating and killing servants and son. Elijah was driven into the wilderness. Isaiah was sawn asunder. Zachariah was stoned to death before the altar. John the Baptizer was beheaded. Jesus was crucified.

Saturday, 06 April 2019—-Isaiah 53:3-6, Acts 4:11-12, Romans 4:23- The hymn of the day is Stricken Smitten, and Afflicted (451 LSB). We move deeper into Lent and the cross now becomes the focal point of our Lenten journey. The cross cannot be denied the Savior. This week’s hymn is one of the most profound hymns written in the Lent and Holy Week section of the hymnal. It speaks for itself. Take some time as you prepare for worship tomorrow to contemplate all the Savior has done for you.

A morning prayer – Faithful God, whose mercies are new to us every morning, we humbly pray that You would look upon us in mercy and renew us by Your Holy Spirit. Keep safe our going out and our coming in, and let Your blessings remain with us throughout this day. Preserve us in Your righteousness and grant us a portion in that eternal life which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

A prayer before worship – O Lord, our Creator, Redeemer, and Comforter, as we come to worship You in spirit and in truth, we humbly pray that You may open our hearts to the preaching of Your Word, so that we may repent of our sins, believe in Jesus Christ as our only Savior, and grow in grace and holiness. Hear us for His same.

A prayer for help in times of temptation – Almighty and everlasting God, through Your Son You have promised us forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. Govern our hearts by Your Holy Spirit that in our daily need and especially in all time of temptation, we may seek Your help and, by a true and lively faith in Your Word, obtain all that You have promised; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

A prayer for reconciliation - God of love, through Your Son You have commanded us to love one another. By the guidance of Your Word and Spirit, deliver us from impenitence and teach us the truth that we might conf3ess our sins, receive Your forgiveness and be reconciled to one another; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts "The Crucifixion" © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Fourth Sunday in Lent

Fourth Sunday in Lent –March 31, 2019 –Psalm 32:11

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Psalm 32:1-7—key verse 7a—The Psalm appointed for this coming Sunday is an exuberant proclamation of the happy and blessed state of those who experience God’s forgiveness. Blessed…Blessed. Repetition is underscored—you are forgiven…are covered…the Lord does not count your sin against you. Paul will pick up on this theme in Romans 4:6-8 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

“Blessed are you," Jesus said, "when they insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven" (Matthew 5:11-12). "Blessed are you" does not mean "untroubled are you" or "healthy are you" or "admired are you" or "prosperous are you." It means "between you and God all is well." You are deeply secure, profoundly content in God – even if you are weeping over the pain of a struck body, a perplexed mind, or a heartbreaking relationship. Circumstances do not dictate the Lord’s attitude toward you. Because of Christ – you are blessed.

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread, which gives life to the world: Evermore give me this bread, that he may live in me, and I in him; who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen[1]

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.[2]

On the church calendar today - Joseph Patriarch –

Lord Jesus, scepter that rises out of Jacob, Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, rule our hearts through Your suffering cross and forgive us our sins, that we may become partakers of Your divine life; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[3]

[1]Collect for the Fourth Sunday in Lent, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Saturday of Lent 3

Saturday of Lent 3 – March 30, 2019 – Psalm 1:6

For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 1 key verse v.6 —“For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” This psalm verse gives us both Law and Gospel. The ways of the wicked will be met with the full brunt of Law – the ultimate judgment for unbelief and sin. The righteous, on the other hand, not by any merit on their behalf but completely by grace, will be delivered on the last day. This of course is Gospel. The destinies of two lifestyles are the destinies of those who have chosen them.

St. Paul would remind us, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28) You can trust the Lord’s goodness, His power, and His will to work out all things for your good as you journey together with Him. This promise, that God works all things together for good does not mean that all things, taken by themselves, are good. Some things and events are particularly bad. Yet God is able to work them together for good. He sees all. He knows your present and your past. He designs your future. Your life is not dictated by circumstances. The one who owns your future directs your path.

O God, You know us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: Grant us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.[1]

God of our salvation, Your beloved Son entered the Holy City to shouts of "Hosanna!" for truly He came in the name of the Lord. Give us faith to grasp the mystery of His suffering, death, and resurrection on our behalf as we journey with Him this Lenten season to the cross and, beyond that, to the empty tomb; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[2]

[1]Collect for Saturday of Lent 3, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Friday, March 29, 2019

Friday of Lent 3

Friday of Lent 3 – March 29, 2019 – Psalm 83:1

O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!

Have there been times in your life when it appeared that God were silent? Sometimes it can appear as if it seems God has completely disappeared from our lives. Of course, He has given us His word and promise, “I am with you always!” Matthew 28:20

Our task is not to decipher exactly how all of life’s pieces fit together, or to determine what they all mean. You have been called to faithfulness and to trust Him who knows all mysteries. This is the kind of faith that’s pleasing to God—a faith that’s determined to trust when he hasn’t answered all the questions, when we haven’t heard any voice from the whirlwind. Our task is to be still and listen for the voice of God speaking to you directly through his Word. Remember the Lord has determined to speak to you directly through His means of Grace. Whenever His word is present; when that word is proclaimed, shared, read, and meditated upon - there He has promise to will speak to You.

An excellent source of discovering God in the midst of silence is through the Psalms. Not only are they prayers, they are the very answers to our prayers as the Lord speaks directly to us through His Word. Even more, as the Word is the voice of God they contain and reveal the answers to our prayers.

Often we ask the question "why?" when we sense that God is silent. Good question. Better yet, dig deeper, ask "whom?" And the Lord will reply, “be still, and know that I am God.” –Psalm 46:10 Even in the stillness God is present. Even in silence God is able to speak. For in that silence, He prepares us, to listen to His still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-13)

Grant us, O Lord our Strength, to have a True Love of Your Holy Name; so that, trusting in Your grace, we may fear no earthly evil, nor fix our hearts on earthly goods, but may rejoice in Your full salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.[1]

[1]Collect for Friday of Lent 3, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Morning Prayer Reading 118

Jesus Enters Jerusalem
Matthew 21:1-11

The Triumphal Entry

21 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

5 “Say to the daughter of Zion,

‘Behold, your king is coming to you,

humble, and mounted on a donkey,

on a colt,[a] the foal of a beast of burden.’”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Footnotes:

Matthew 21:5 Or donkey, and on a colt

Matthew 21:12 Some manuscripts add of God

English Standard Version (ESV)

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Thursday of Lent 3

Thursday of Lent 3 – March 28, 2019 – Psalm 84:5

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.

The story is told in our parish which happened many years ago. A man was near death. In the middle of the night the family asks, “Should we summon the pastor?” “No need,” said the man, “I know the road; I’ve read the signs.”Whether this story is true, or not, I do not know. Yet it conveys a profound truth. We walk by faith and not by sight. We travel through life by faith trusting in and guided by Christ.

God's Word is the evidence for our faith. We know God cannot lie. Whatever God says -- if it is not already evident to our physical senses -- will eventually come to pass. For whatever God says comes to pass. God only had to speak and the universe was created.

By faith we learn to put what God says in His Word ahead of what circumstances and physical senses might tell us. God does not ask you to deny what your physical senses tell you, but to believe His Word above all other evidence. God simply wants you to believe that He tells the truth.

When we trust what God has said, impossible things become possible. As we keep our focus on God and His Word, we can be fully convinced, like Abraham, that God is able to do all He has said. For faith comes by hearing the Word (Romans 10:17).

Lord, Thee I love with all my heart; I pray Thee, ne’re from me depart,

With tender mercy cheer me.

Earth has no pleasure I would share, Yea, hav’n itself were void and bear

If Thou, Lord, were not near me.

And should my heart for sorrow break, My trust in Thee can nothing shake.

Thou art the portion I have sought; Thy precious blood my soul has bought.

Lord, Jesus Christ, my God and Lord, my God and Lord, Forsake me not! I trust Thy Word.[1]

Keep watch over Your church, O Lord, with Your unfailing love; and, since it is grounded in human weakness and cannot maintain itself without Your aid, protect it from all danger, and keep it in the way of salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[2]

[2]Collect for Thursday of Lent 3, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Morning Prayer Reading 117

Jesus and Zacchaeus
Luke 19:1-10

19 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

English Standard Version (ESV)

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Lent mid-week 4

Lent mid-week 4

27 March 2019

A compassionate word – John 19:26-27 “Behold your son/mother”

3rd word - "The Word of dying concern"

“Woman behold you son…son, your mother”

In the midst of His suffering Jesus reaches out to two of His closest associates a dear friend and His own mother. Jesus says: "Woman behold your son…son, your mother"

1. Mary is suffering as she watches from a distance.

A. Simeon of old had predicted that a sword would pierce her own heart when Jesus was but eight-days-old. I have been privileged to share in some tremendous joys among the families of Friedheim. Some of the most painful are the hurts of parents and children. It is painful to be a parent at hospital when the surgeon gives the news that the procedure did not go well. To coax and prod and encourage a child who finds school a challenge is often so painful for the parent. Consider your own experiences of being a child - of being a parent.

B. There is a special bond between mother and son; here at the cross Simeon's prophecy is being fulfilled. Now she is sharing in Jesus' suffering. On strictly human terms Mary is losing her beloved son and there is nothing she can do to stop it! She must watch from a distance, as her own son is tortured!

2. In calling His mother Jesus singles Mary out for attention.

A. Notice that Jesus calls His mother "woman". Why the term? Why not "mother" or "Mom"?

1. Jesus shows a desire to spare her the hurt of hearing from His dying lips "mother". Jesus realizes that His fate is in the Father's hands - There is nothing that Mary can do not.

2. Jesus also imparts for us a proper perspective - She is as any other woman. True, she bore Jesus in her womb but she would have to be saved like anyone else.

B. In singling Mary out Jesus turns her over to John. John has received a stepmother. Mary a stepson. John will now have the responsibility to care for Mary as his own mother. This is the 4th commandment - the honor and care of parents. Jesus would not be able to physically care for His mother so He chooses John. Whom do we choose when parents' can’t care for themselves?

3. By these words Jesus demonstrates:

A. Proper families regard.

1. Parents own children spiritual and physical care, love and support.

2. Children owe parents love, honor, service, obedience. When they are older physical care and support.

B. Jesus by these words demonstrated deep concern for others. Half of Jesus' last words on the cross are concerned with the needs of others.

We are connected to each other by blood and by faith. May we show proper human regard especially with those from our own family.

Words-505

Passive Sentences-11%

Readability-72.8%

Reading Level-6.1

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

Wednesday of Lent 3

Wednesday of Lent 3 – March 27, 2019 – Psalm 4:8

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety

Psalm 4 – antiphon v. 7, “You have filled my heart with greater joy than when the grain and new wine abound.” The hard work put into spring planning and summer growth pays off in the fall at harvest. Who isn’t overjoyed at a bumper crop? Yet the Psalmist reminds us greater joy is found is in knowing the Lord who has filled the heart. In Biblical language the heart is the center of the human spirit, from which spring emotions, thought, motivations, courage and action, -“the wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

Many nights there are countless people who’ve lost sleep to fear anxiety and worry. On the edge of wakefulness when a new scenario pops into the mind. And it would take all your energy not to think of a way around it. Many of you can relate. Your head hits the pillow; you take one look at the ceiling and the thoughts flood in – What if? How come? Why is that? How can I? How could he? What if she? The stillness of the night only gives these thoughts more room to grow.

The Psalmist reminds us “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Your need may be great. – Your circumstances might possibly be overwhelming. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Regardless of the situation His watchful eye is upon you.

When in the night I sleepless lie,

My soul with heav’ly thoughts supply;

Let no ill dreams disturb my rest,

No pow’rs of darkness me molest.[1]

Give ear to our prayers, O Lord, and direct the way of Your servants in safety under your protection, that, amid all the changes of our earthly pilgrimage, we may be guarded by Your mighty aid; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.[2]

[2]Collect for Wednesday of Lent 3, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Tuesday of Lent 3

Tuesday of Lent 3 – March 26, 2019 –Psalm 19:8

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;

Psalm 19 key verse v.8 and John 6:68 —Here you have the words of eternal life. In this psalm, David reminds us once again and emphasizes the excellence of God’s Law. The Theme of the Day reminds us that eternal life is in the words of Christ and not in the words of mere men.

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” – John 6:68 These words are read and sung just prior to reading the Gospel on Sunday morning in the Divine Service Setting # 1.

To whom shall we go? There is none other than Jesus. Especially during the season of Lent we come to realize our own failures and weaknesses. We know that despite the many times we do not always understand what is happening to us there is one who completely knows and understands. To whom shall we go? There is none other. His name is Jesus.

Other refuge have I none; Hangs my helpless soul on Thee.

Leave, ah, leave me not alone, Still support and comfort me!

All my trust on Thee is stayed, All my help from Thee I bring;

Cover my defenseless head With the shadow of Thy wing.[1]

Heavenly Father, I entrust my life into Your loving hands knowing that You care for me always.

O Lord, we beseech You mercifully to hear us; and grant that we, to whom You have given a fervent desire to pray, may, by Your mighty aid, be defended and comforted in all dangers and adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.[2]

[2] Collect for Tuesday of Lent 3, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Morning Prayer Reading 116

Jesus Raises Lazarus
John 11 (Selective Verses)

11 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.6 So, when he heard that Lazarus[a] was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died,"

17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.[d] Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved[e] in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept.

38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

Footnotes:
John 11:18 Greek fifteen stadia; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters
John 11:25 Some manuscripts omit and the life
John 11:33 Or was indignant; also verse 38

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Monday, March 25, 2019

Monday of Lent 3

Monday of Lent 3 – March 25, 2019 – Psalm 95:6

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

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 Psalms, 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.

Collect for Psalm 95: Almighty God, neither let us go astray as did those who murmured in the desert, not 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.[1]

Look upon the heart-felt desires of Your humble servants, Almighty God, and stretch forth the right hand of Your majesty to be our defense against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[2]

On the church calendar today - The Annunciation of our Lord – 9 months until Christmas

Today we remember that Christ entered time and space to be our Savior as each of us, come from one cell. We confess this truth in the words of the Creed with the simple words, “I believe…He was conceived by the Holy Spirit.” For us, and our salvation, Jesus came down from heaven. He was Incarnate (made flesh) to do His Father’s will.

O Lord, as we have known the incarnation of Your Son Jesus Christ, by the message of the angel to the Virgin Mary, so by the message of His cross and passion bring us to the glory of His resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord.[3]

[2]Collect for Monday of Lent 3, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm