Luke
12:49–53— Jesus speaks of
bringing fire and not peace on this earth.
In this world, we will always have trouble, for we are
not of the world (John 15:19). We can expect that those of the world will
persecute us, as it did the psalmist in the Psalm for the Day; the devil will
try to burden us with guilt, like the psalmist in the Introit; the world will
demand that the truth of God is suppressed, and that preachers preach what they
want to hear, as in the Old Testament reading, and that, even in our families,
there will be division because of the Gospel of Christ. This is because the
world is in bondage to sin and the devil, and these things are opposed to God
and His loving kindness, grace, and mercy. But, if we continue in faith, we
shall endure to the end, and shall receive the crown of everlasting
righteousness and eternal life with God in heaven.
A real help is the fact that even the sinless Christ
suffered at the hands of his own people, who finally brought Him to death. But
His death was not martyrdom. The baptism with which he would be baptized was
the suffering of hell for the salvation of all who believe in Him. This saving
Christ is concerned about divisions. He tells us that they will be suffered by
means of His children more often than not because they are His children. The
warning that we can give those who cause such suffering is that the day will
come when Christ will burn up the chaff and take His wheat into the garner. The
help we can offer to those who suffer is that God promise to help all who look
to Him in faith to be able to pray together and stay together.
Prayer for blessing on the Word: Lord Jesus Christ, giver and perfecter of our faith, we thank and praise You for continuing among us the preaching of Your Gospel for our instruction and edification. Send Your blessing upon the Word, which has been spoken to us, and by Your Holy Spirit increase our saving knowledge of You, that day by day we may be strengthened in the divine truth and remain steadfast in Your grace. Give us strength to fight the good fight and by faith to overcome all the temptations of Satan, the flesh, and the world so that we may finally receive the salvation of our souls; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. [2]
Collect for Friday of the Week of Pentecost 9: To whatever Thou has called us, O God, and at whatever cost, let it be. Only do Thou lead us, lest we stop anywhere when Thou art saying, “Come,” and by the gift of Thyself make us strong. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. [3] Amen -12 August, 2022[1] Lift High the Cross, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] Collect for the Blessing on the Word, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[3] Collect for Friday of the Week of Pentecost 9, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
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