Time in the Word
March 21-26, 2022
Preparation for Lent 4
The Theme for Lent 4, “God Receives Sinners” is seen in all
three lessons. In the Old Testament lesson - Isaiah 12:1-6 – Salvation is of God.
In the Epistle - 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 – Paul speaks of the renewing quality of
our salvation in Christ. We are new people.
In the Gospel lesson -Luke 15:1-3; 11-32 – We see the response to
salvation. The Hymn for the Day, “Salvation
unto us has come,” sings the story of salvation.
Collect for Lent – 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.
A prayer for
Home and Family – Visit, we implore You, O Lord, the homes in which Your
people dwell, and keep far from them all harm and danger. Grant us to dwell
together in peace under the protection of Your holy angels and may Your
blessing be with us forever; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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 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.
Monday, 21
March 2022—Psalm 51:2-6, Antiphon,
Psalm51:1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according
to Your abundance mercy blot out my transgressions. The psalmist asks that
God in His mercy would grant pardon. Throughout this psalm look at the words
the psalmist will use: mercy, unfailing
love, great compassion, blot out, was, cleanse, transgressions, iniquity, sin.
This psalm sings the story of salvation. As we are in the midst of Lent, our
focus is now on the cross and of Him who suffered and died for us.
Tuesday, 22
March 2022—Psalm 32; key verse, verse 11- Rejoice in the
Lord and be glad you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart. This psalm is a
grateful testimony of joy from God’s gift of forgiveness toward those who with
integrity confess their sins and are receptive to God’s rule in their lives. It
is a fitting psalm to be used in this Lenten season. As you pray this psalm,
reflect on all Christ has done to win for you salvation and life.
Wednesday, 23 March 2022—Isaiah 12:1-6–The Old Testament lesson deals with the basic element
of the Christian faith: God’s grace in the cross for man’s reconciliation.
Isaiah reminds us that salvation is from God and that salvation is all by
grace. This causes us to be thankful as we receive this gift of salvation
freely by grace through faith.
Thursday, 24 March 2022—2
Corinthians 5:16-21–Paul will admit that before coming to faith in Christ
he had a secular understanding of Jesus based purely on human considerations.
But now having been united with Christ through faith in Him and committed to
Him, now he is a new creation. Everything in his life now centers in Christ.
God takes the initiative in redemption. He sustains it and brings it to
completion. When the Savior died, God’s justice was satisfied, His anger was
appeased. At the cross, God was reconciled to the world.
Friday, 25 March 2022–Luke 15:1-3; 11-32–The Gospel lesson for this week assures us of
God’s joyous reception for the repentant sinner. Jesus was criticized for
associating with sinners. In His defense, Jesus tells the parables recorded in
Luke 15 of God’s acceptance of a repentant sinner.
Jesus associated with sinners not because He approved of
their way of life. He knew they needed Him. They needed friendship and
understanding. He went to them for a purpose, to lead them to repentance. He
did not, nor should we, go to them to become one of them but to get them to
become one with Him. This is the reason for today’s church to go to the worst –
to win them back to God.
Do you honestly feel about sinners as God does? Are you glad
when a sinner sees his error and comes back? Do you love the sinner, and accept
him as though nothing happened? Like God will you forgive from the heart
without passing judgment or asking questions? Would you take an ex-murderess
into your home to care for your youngest child? Really? Then you identify with the Father.
Saturday, 26 March 2022—-John
3:1-18; Ephesians 2:1-10-Sunday’s suggested hymn of the day is LSB
571 God loved the world so that He
gave. The hymn tells the story of
salvation from beginning to end. It teaches the faith and is a hymn that can
easily be put to memory. We are now in the middle of our journey through Lent.
The cross becomes ever clearer. As you meditate on this hymn, rejoice in your
salvation.
Sources:
Prayers
from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 and Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House
Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted
for personal and congregational use
Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C – John Brokhoff ©
1979 CSS Publishing, Lima , OH
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