In the lessons for this coming Sunday several themes
can be seen: that nature of a good shepherd, the functions of a good shepherd,
and the togetherness of God’s people through a Davidic king, Christ, and the
church. The last is suggested as the theme –
togetherness.
Jesus in the Gospel (Mark 6:30-44) takes His disciples, who just returned from their
preaching-healing mission, on a retreat. Jeremiah in the Old Testament lesson (Jeremiah
23:1-6) explains that the exile was due to
false shepherds and the scattered sheep will be brought back to Israel under a
Davidic king. Jew and Gentile in the Epistle lesson (Ephesians
2:11-22) are made one through the blood of
Christ and their oneness in the church. The Psalm’s refrain, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me…”
(Psalm 23:6) reminds us of the Gospel – “He
had compassion on them.” The Hymn of the Day (The Church’s One Foundation; LSB 644)
sings of Jesus who is the center of the church’s life and the foundation on
which we build.
Psalm
147:7-11, Antiphon, Psalm 145:16— You
open Your hand; You satisfy the desire of every living thing. Jesus sets
the table. Jesus supplies all that we may ever need. The Lord is faithful. We
will never be in need. He has promised to supply our daily wants and desires.
Daily tells how much God should give us, enough for the day. We do not ask God
that He give us now what we need in years to come, but it is sufficient if we
get what we need each day. Note also that the psalm begins and concludes with a
Hallelujah! In every circumstance we are
given to praise the name of the LORD.
[1] The Crucifixion Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcut copyright ©WELS used with permission
[2] Collect for Psalm 147, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. IV The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau © 1996 Delhi, NY
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