Life out of death
The theme
“life out of death” appears in all three lessons. In the Gospel, Jesus raises
Lazarus and teaches that he is the Resurrection and the life. Paul in the
Epistle lesson teaches that the Spirit will raise our mortal bodies. It is the
Word, which carries the Spirit, that brings new life to the dead. Through
Ezekiel’s preaching of the Word, Israel
Monday, March 20, 2023 – Psalm 116 -The Antiphon for this coming week’s Introit is taken from
Psalm 43:1, Vindicate me, O God, and
plead my cause against an ungodly nation; rescue me from deceitful and wicked
men.
This is a prayer of an appeal for God to hear the petitions
of the soul in prayer and to vindicate him according to his grace. This is our
prayer when spoken in faith.
Tuesday, March 21, 2023 –Ezekiel 37:1-14-
In the Old Testament lesson God’s Spirit through the
Word raises a dead people – National death. The dry bones of Israel Israel Babylon
Wednesday, March 22, 2023 – Romans 8:1-11
- In our
Epistle lesson the Spirit raises us from death of the flesh to life as sons of
God – Spiritual death. The Spirit makes us children of God. We can have both
death and life in us. Though dead, we can live, and though living we can be
dead. There is one type of life – existence, the physical, natural, earthly life.
It is the life of the flesh lived in faith. This life is a product of the
Spirit received at Baptism. Through Baptism a person is born again in the
Spirit, adopted as a child of god, and now lives in the Spirit of
righteousness. The new person knows he is related to God, because the Spirit
witnesses to our spirits that we are God’s offspring.
Thursday, March 23, 2023 – John 11:7-27, 38-53 – In the Gospel lesson Christ
raises Lazarus from death – Physical death. Christ raises Lazarus from the
dead. In this passage, illness and
death are considered means by which God is glorified. When we are ill, God’s
healing reveals His glory. When we are dead, God’s raising us, like Lazarus is
for the glory of God. In the Resurrection, the glory of God’s power is
manifest. This offers hope to the afflicted, for they are assured of God’s
help.
Eternal
life is a present possession. It is not life after death, not life after life,
but life during life. Jesus emphasized the present life – “I am the
resurrection and the life.” The quality
of life begins at the moment of faith in Christ. It is not a natural endowment
but a gift to those in Christ.
We do not wait
until death to go to heaven for life. We are given eternal life before death.
If we do not have it before death, we will not have it after death.
Friday,
March 24, 2023 – Psalm 130 The Psalm
appointed for this coming Sunday is a testimony of trust in the Lord by one who
knows that even though he is a sinner the Lord hears his cry out of the
depths.
Saturday,
March 25, 2023 – John 11:16 – This verse is the inspiration for the hymn, “Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus” {LSB #685}
The Hebrew word from which we get “Thomas” and the Greek word Didymus both mean ‘twin.” We usually remember Thomas for his doubting,
but he was also capable to devotion and courage. Our sermon hymn for tomorrow
speaks of both aspects.
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
LECTIONARY PREACHING WORKBOOK
A – John Brokhoff © 1980 CSS Publishing, Lima ,
OH
Schnorr von Carolsfeld
woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to
personal and congregational use
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