Luke 3:22-23- The theme for the Second Sunday in Lent is The Cross – The Way of Life. The Gospel of Lent 1 was related to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Today the public ministry draws to a close. Today’s Gospel follows the experience at Caesarea Philippi where Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ. If He is the Messiah, he must go to Jerusalem to suffer and die. Likewise, His followers must adopt this same style of life: denial, suffering, and the cross. The way of the cross leads home to God. In the Old Testament lesson, the Lord calls Abraham to walk before Him and be blameless. We do this through our adoption into the family of God. Out of suffering, Paul says, in the Epistle lesson, ultimately comes hope and out of Jesus’ passion comes reconciliation with God. The Psalm urges us to trust this God of mercy. The suggested Hymn of the Day is related to the Gospel lesson which calls upon the Christian to take up the cross and follow after Jesus.
Today we focus on the hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness {LSB 809}. The suggested reference reminds us that God was faithful to His promise in sending the Holy Spirit upon His only Son as He began His ministry. God is faithful to all of His promises. As He promised to send His Son, to anoint Him with the Holy Spirit, this same Son will work our salvation. The promises of God are fulfilled in the work of His Son our Savior Jesus Christ.
The Story Behind Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Thomas O. Chisholm wrote the lyrics of this hymn in 1923 about God's faithfulness over his lifetime. Chisholm sent the song to William Runyan in Kansas, who was affiliated with both the Moody Bible Institute and Hope Publishing Company. Runyan set the poem to music, and it was published that same year by Hope Publishing Company and became popular among church congregations. Chisholm's lyrics reference the Bible verses of Lamentations 3:22-23. The hymn gained a wide audience after becoming successful with Dr. William Henry Houghton of the Moody Bible Institute and Billy Graham, who used the song frequently on his international crusades. Since the mid-20th century, this song has been the university hymn of Cairn University which was previously Philadelphia Biblical University after being Philadelphia College of Bible, established in 1913. 1
O God, You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul through Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen 2
Sources:
Illustration The Crucifixion from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, The Book of Books in Pictures.
1. https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/great-is-thy-faithfulness/
2. Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis,
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