.JPG)
St. Philip and St. James, Apostles
“Lord, show us the Father.” Philip did not yet recognize that the Father is glorified in the Son. In His Name we have access to the Father, for they are one. Jesus is the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Him. And whoever believes in Him will do the works He does and greater (v. 6–13). And so Philip and James did, apostles on whose foundation the household of God is built—with Christ as her chief cornerstone (Eph. 2:19–22). The beloved Words of Jesus from today’s Gospel were the Words of their Teacher, echoing in their ears as they walked in His way (Isa. 30:20–21). And sotheir hearts were not troubled (John 14:1) as they ate the bread of adversity and the water of affliction (Isa. 30:19). Philip, who in John’s Gospel brings Jews and Greeks to Jesus, is said to have journeyed to Phrygia where he was martyred. James “the Younger” (son of Alphaeus, whose mother Mary was at the crucifixion) is said to have died by being sawn in half. Where Christ is, they also are, and so shall we be (John 14:3).
Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things
Liturgical Summery copyright LCMS commission on worship
—Acts 10:34-48—Peter’s Vision in which all kinds of food which would include both clean and unclean animals (according to Leviticus 11) is depicted in the woodcut above.
The Word of the Lord has now come to both Jewish and Gentile believers. Gentiles had received the same gift as the Jewish believers. This was unavoidable evidence that the invitation to the kingdom was open to Gentiles as well as to Jews. The early Jewish Christians failed to understand that the Gospel was for Gentiles as well as for the Jews, and that they would share alike in the benefits of redemption.
The mention of Gentiles “speaking in tongues” is a fulfillment of Acts 1:8. The prophecy was given that the Holy Spirit would come and the disciples would be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and into the Gentile world. When the Holy Spirit was poured out on Pentecost, the disciples spoke in other languages (Acts 2:5-12).
Acts 8:14-18 reports of an incident occurring in Samaria. The Holy Spirit had come upon people in some noticeable way. There is no mention of tongues but Peter and John are summoned. What had happened in Samaria was to be verified by those who had given testimony in Jerusalem. Christianity continued to expand to new geographic regions and include more people.
The third and final time tongues is mentioned in the book of Acts occurred in the city of Ephesus. Paul found some disciples who followed the teachings of John the Baptist. They didn't know about the Holy Spirit, so Paul informed them more fully, and taught them that John told people to believe in Jesus (Acts 19:1-4). "On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied" (verses 5-6).
Now that the Spirit was poured out in a remote place like Ephesus there is no further mention of believers who would speak in tongues in the book of Acts. The prophecy of Acts 1 has been fulfilled.
Collect for the Mission of the Church: Almighty God, You have called Your Church to witness that in Christ You have reconciled us to Yourself. Grant that by Your Holy Spirit we may proclaim the good news of Your salvation so that all who hear it may receive the gift of salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord
Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘Peter’s Vision’ copyright © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
Collect for the mission of the Church, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
—Psalm 98 key verse, verse 1—“Sing to the Lord a new song.” This psalm is a call to celebrate with joy the righteous reign of the Lord.
Bible scholars have referred to this particular psalm as one which sings the praises of the Savior. ‘There are striking parallels between the first part of Psalm 98 and Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), which may mean that the mother of Jesus had the psalm in mind as she composed her hymn and that she rightly saw that the promises of the psalm were to be fulfilled in the spiritual victories to be achieved by Jesus Christ.”
All songs were at one time new. Many have stood the test of time. The idea of a new song is found in many places in Scripture (Psalms 33:3, 40:3, 96:1, 144:9 and 149:1; Isaiah 42:10; and Revelation 5:9 and 14:3). The concept of the new song means there should be something fresh and dynamic about worship and the songs we sing to the LORD.
The new song has a reason – to extol the great works of God, His marvelous things. It isn’t empty praise or singing for the sake of singing. The worship is connected to life experience of His marvelous things. “Marvelous things,” may be translated “miracles” the same word as in Psalm 96:3, where we translate it as “wonders.” 1
Collect for Psalm 98 Lord, we sing to you a new song, for your victory is ever new. In the empty tomb you have given us a glimpse of your future, and in your victory over death you have shown us how we shall overcome the last enemy. As the seas roar and the hills sing together, we too will praise you for your great triumph, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever. 2
Collect for the Mission of the Church: Almighty God, in Your kindness You cause the light of the Gospel to shine among us. By the working of Your Holy Spirit, help us to share the good news of Your salvation that all who hear it may rejoice in the gif tof Your unending love; 3
Sources:
1. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-98/
2. Collect for Psalm 98, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book written for and by the Church, Vol.II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
3. Collect for Missions, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
The theme for the Sixth Sunday of Easter is found in the Gospel (John 15:9-17). Jesus commands us to love one another. As usual the Gospel lesson gives the key to the theme of the week. Jesus commands us to love each other. Peter in the first lesson (Acts 10:34-48) thanks God for His love for all men, both Jews and Gentiles. John in the Epistle (1 John 5:1-8) reminds us that everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. The Psalm of the Day (Psalm 98) calls for a new song to the Lord because of His steadfast love to His people. The Hymn of the Day (“Alleluia! Let Praises Ring” LSB 822) asks that we might be filled with Jesus’ love and pity.
—Psalm 66:1-,8-9, 20; antiphon, Psalm 66:16—The antiphon calls for us to listen to the voice of Him who has saved us, “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what He has done for my soul.” Worship here defined is the proclamation of what God has done in praise of God within the context of the worshiping congregation. As we prepare for next Sunday, this is our central purpose in gathering together.
Collect for Psalm 66: Almighty Father, you brought us through the waters of baptism to the shores of new life. Accept the sacrifice o our lives and let us enter your house, there to praise your unfailing power and love; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Collect for Psalm 66, For All the Saints, a Prayer book for and by the church, The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, © 1995 Delhi, NY
 |
Risen Lord – Bless Thy Word. That we
might trust in Thee!
The thief from the cross offered a simple prayer: “Jesus remember me.”[2]
Today. Remember Jesus. When you are under emotional and mental anguish. Remember Jesus. When the weight of the entire world is pressing down on you. Remember Jesus.
When there seems to be no way of escape. Remember Jesus.
Remember Jesus. He did not run or flee the harsh realities of the cross. Remember Jesus. Who had his friends desert Him.
Remember Jesus. Who had a friend stab him in the back. With a smile and a kiss. Remember Jesus.
When others might deceive or betray you. Or use you. - For their own ends. When they bring you to tears. Remember Jesus. [3]
Remember Jesus. Who has been there for you. Who is always with you.
He will never forsake you.
He is with you. Even in your hurt. To vindicate all - who take their refuge in Him.
Today. Remember Jesus. Because He - remembers you.
But how does Jesus remember you? He remembers by abiding. In fact, this word, “abide,” is spoken eight times by our risen Savior this day.
Abiding doesn’t mean taking it easy. It’s
more than resting in Jesus. Only to have your best life now. When the Savior
says, “Abide in Me,” He’s saying, “Remain in Me.” “Continue in
Me.” “Live in Me.”
Jesus explains quite clearly. The Father
is the Vinedresser. Jesus is the Vine. And you? You are the
branches. And branches will always produce fruit.
Bearing fruit always flows from abiding. The Vine
provides for the branches. And the branches produce the fruit. Jesus reminds us,
“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good.” (Matthew 12:33) A good tree
makes good fruit.
Bearing fruit always flows from abiding.
The branch receives from the Vine. As it abides in the Vine. And
from that abiding. From that receiving. The fruit naturally follows. That is
not a command. It is simply how it works. Bearing fruit always flows from
abiding.
This is not an indictment. Or a “to-do”
list. Or a production quota. Which needs to be met. It is a picture of life. A
receptive life. A fruitful life. A God-pleasing life. It is life in Jesus.
Bearing fruit is what branches do.
Bearing fruit is not optional. Branches abide in the Vine. And bearing
fruit always flows from abiding.
Bearing fruit is what branches do.
Branches bear fruit. Jesus says, “Every branch of Mine that does not bear
fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it
may bear more fruit.” (V.2) Bearing fruit is
what branches do. They do not bear fruit by themselves.
But they do bear fruit. In fact. They
bear much fruit. Bearing fruit is what branches do.
It is the fruit of the Spirit. Love. Joy.
Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-control.
Branches bear fruit. And when branches
bear fruit. The Father is glorified. And you prove to be Jesus’ disciple. This
is who you are. This is what you do. Bearing fruit is what branches do.
Bearing fruit is not optional. When a branch
does not bear fruit. The Vinedresser takes it away. It is thrown away. It
withers. It is gathered. Thrown into the fire. And burned. Bearing fruit is not
optional.
Bearing fruit is what branches do.
Bearing fruit is not optional. Even when a branch does bear fruit. The
Vinedresser prunes it. He tends to it. He gives it His careful attention. So it
will bear even more fruit.
That does not mean the fruit is always
perfect. It also does not mean producing new fruit every single day. Season
after season. Like factories. That run in three shifts. 24/7. Jesus does not
require a quota. And He is not comparing the fruit of one branch to the fruit
of another.
But bearing fruit is not optional. A
branch bears fruit as it is pruned. Or it does not. And it is burned.
Bearing fruit is what branches do.
Bearing fruit is not optional. Branches abide in the Vine. Jesus is the Vine.
The true Vine. And you are the branches. Branches abide in the Vine.
To abide is to stay connected. To abide is to be nurtured. To abide is to receive. Moment by moment. To receive everything. To receive life itself. Branches abide in the Vine.
Jesus says, “Abide in Me, and I in
you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the Vine,
neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine; you are the
branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.”
Branches abide in the Vine. You
are connected. Nurtured. And receive life itself from Jesus. The true Vine.
He is with you. He nurtures you. He gives you all you need. Moment by moment.
He gives you everything. He gives you life itself!
He gives His own life! Branches abide in
the Vine. You abide in Jesus.[4]
Words- 900
Passive Sentences –5.5%
Readability – 85%
Reading Level –2.7
[1] Luther’s
Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] Luke
23:42
[3] Under
Pressure 3.16.2024 Aaron Koch, Greenfield, WI Portals of Prayer, © 2024
Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
The Lord Jesus Is with His Church in the Apostolic Ministry of the Gospel
The crucified and risen Lord Jesus is with His Church through the word of His apostles, who “are witnesses of all that he did.” He was anointed by God “with the Holy Spirit and with power,” and “he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil,” and so He was with those whom He sent “to preach to the people” (Acts 10:38–42). The Holy Spirit is bestowed on those who hear that apostolic preaching, who are “baptized in the name of Jesus Christ,” so that “everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10:43–44, 48). For as He came by the water of His Baptism, even to the blood of His Passion, so the Spirit testifies to the truth with “the water and the blood” in the apostolic ministry of the Gospel (1 John 5:6–7). By these means, Christ Jesus speaks to us, that His joy may be in us and that our “joy may be full.” For this purpose, He appointed the apostles to “go and bear fruit” in order to make known His divine friendship to us (John 15:11, 15–16). - Lectionary notes from the LCMS commission on worship.
Easter 6 - John 15:9-17
O God, the giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. John 15:13-14
To the Apostles Jesus makes the strange conditional remark, You are my friends if you do what I command you. We usually don’t identify our friends based on their obedience to what we command them. It also doesn’t seem right that friendship is conditional. So we must come to realize what it means that Christ’s condition for friendship with Him is doing what He commands.
Christ was commanding His Apostles (and ultimately us) to love. He was not commanding a love brought forth from a spiritually dead person—that is impossible— but He was commanding a love made alive and empowered by His love. Christ had just explained how He empowers and inspires His command to love others: This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you [v 12]. Jesus’ conditional statement of friendship—that if the Apostles would do what He commands, then they would be His friends—is actually founded upon their realization of His love. Thus the Apostle John would be inspired to succinctly summarize: We love because he first loved us [1 Jn 4:19]. Here we observe a domino effect: First He loves us, then we realize and believe in His love for us, we then love others, and finally we are labelled as Christ’s friends. All four of these are realized in a Christian’s life, but the first domino is His love for us; this gigantic domino initiates the movement of the other dominos.
Two Old Testament believers were, like the Apostles, called friends of God: Abraham (2 Chron 20:7) and Moses (Ex 33:11). They, like the Apostles, knew God’s love and were then empowered and inspired to love God and their neighbor. These two Old Testament friends of God, along with the Apostles as recorded in John 15, did not yet know the extent of God’s love. In our text Jesus indicates where His love will find its climax: Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. The love of Jesus will find its climax in His substitutionary death. That very evening when Jesus spoke these words, was the eve of His death. Jesus is on the verge of laying down His life for His friends; He will soon die for His Old Testament friends—including His Apostles—who trusted in Him and His love.
However, the love of Jesus is even greater than laying down His life for His friends. In his first epistle the Apostle John explains the universal purchase made by Christ’s sacrifice: He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world [2:2]. Indeed, Christ’s atoning sacrifice (propitiation) is for more than His friends, it is for the entire world. Yes, Jesus would lay down His life even for those who were unloving, for those who were not His friends! The Apostle Paul explained it to the Romans this way: Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us…For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life [5:6-8,10]. Did you perceive the love of Christ as set forth in these verses? Paul explains that among sinful humans one might dare to die for a good person, but Christ Jesus died for the ungodly, He died for us while we were still sinners, yes, while we were enemies (the opposite of friends) we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son. Not just God’s friends, but the ungodly, sinners, and enemies of God are those for whom Christ died. This then is the heart of the Gospel to be proclaimed to the world: Flowing from a love heretofore unimagined, Christ died for you!
Now, trusting in the Lover of our souls, let us love one another—even our enemies—as He also loved us. So we shall be called friends of God.
-Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege
:9 καθὼς ἠγάπησέν με ὁ πατήρ, κἀγὼ [a]ὑμᾶς ἠγάπησα, μείνατε ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ τῇ ἐμῇ.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
Abide -
Love - agape - how the Father loves is how Christ loves, by laying down his life.
:10 ἐὰν τὰς ἐντολάς μου τηρήσητε, μενεῖτε ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ μου, καθὼς ἐγὼ [b]τὰς ἐντολὰς τοῦ πατρός μου τετήρηκα καὶ μένω αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain / abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain / abide in his love.
"Keep the commandment" is keeping the Supper...this was spoken on the night he was betrayed. Now we see the love of the Father. See Matthew 28, "I am with you..." He IS with us in the Supper. This is where we are equipped.
See confessional address for M Thursday.
See Psalm 80:8-17
:11 ταῦτα λελάληκα ὑμῖν ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡ ἐμὴ ἐν ὑμῖν [c]ᾖ καὶ ἡ χαρὰ ὑμῶν πληρωθῇ.
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full (filled).
The things he had just spoken we're keep the commandment, the mandate, love.
12 Αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ ἐντολὴ ἡ ἐμὴ ἵνα ἀγαπᾶτε ἀλλήλους καθὼς ἠγάπησα ὑμᾶς·
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
My commandment - love - Ephesians 5,
13 μείζονα ταύτης ἀγάπην οὐδεὶς ἔχει, ἵνα τις τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ θῇ ὑπὲρ τῶν φίλων αὐτοῦ.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay / place down his life for his friends.
Jesus' obedience to His Father, a central theme of John. Friend lover. Jesus lays down his love for enemies. Romans 5
:13 "lay down his life" highest expression of love, "for his friends" Gk Hyper, "on behalf of"; giving one's life as a sacrifice for a friend.
14 ὑμεῖς φίλοι μού ἐστε ἐὰν ποιῆτε [d]ἃ ἐγὼ ἐντέλλομαι ὑμῖν.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
:14 We do not become Christ's friends through our obedience, but we obey Him because we cherish Him. See vs 16
15 οὐκέτι [e]λέγω ὑμᾶς δούλους, ὅτι ὁ δοῦλος οὐκ οἶδεν τί ποιεῖ αὐτοῦ ὁ κύριος· ὑμᾶς δὲ εἴρηκα φίλους, ὅτι πάντα ἃ ἤκουσα παρὰ τοῦ πατρός μου ἐγνώρισα ὑμῖν.
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
Friend = beloved,
16 οὐχ ὑμεῖς με ἐξελέξασθε, ἀλλ’ ἐγὼ ἐξελεξάμην ὑμᾶς, καὶ ἔθηκα ὑμᾶς ἵνα ὑμεῖς ὑπάγητε καὶ καρπὸν φέρητε καὶ ὁ καρπὸς ὑμῶν μένῃ, ἵνα ὅ τι ἂν αἰτήσητε τὸν πατέρα ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου δῷ ὑμῖν.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
You did not select me I have chosen you that your fruit might remain...see post communion prayer..."in fervent love toward one another." His love shapes our prayers. He hears us according to his name/will.
17 ταῦτα ἐντέλλομαι ὑμῖν ἵνα ἀγαπᾶτε ἀλλήλους.
These things I command you, so that you will love one another. -
—Psalm 98:1-3; 2 Timothy 1:9-10; Romans 3:28 -The hymn of the Day, Dear Christians One and All, Rejoice – {LSB 556} When Luther translated the phrase “by faith” in Romans 3:28 he added the word “alone” which though not in the Greek, accurately reflect the meaning of the passage. The Hymn is one of Luther’s classic hymns which explain to us the heart of the gospel found in Jesus Christ.
Luther wrote this hymn in 1523, and it was the first hymn he ever wrote for congregational singing. While “A Mighty Fortress” might be the most popular of Luther’s hymns in our day, “Dear Christians One and All Rejoice” might be Luther’s most important hymn in addition to being his first. It tells the powerful story of man’s wretched state, the Father’s plan to send his Son to die for the sins of the world, and Jesus’ faithful execution of his Father’s will. Salvation was not easy. Indeed, it was the most bitter of all struggles, but because of our Lord Jesus’ work, we are blest forever. The hymn concludes with Jesus promise to send the Holy Spirit and the blessed encouragement that we follow in our Lord’s teaching. 1
For blessing on the Word: Lord God, bless Your Word wherever it is proclaimed. Make it a word of power and peace to convert those not yet Your own and to confirm those who have come to saving faith. May Your Word pass from the ear to the heart, from the heart to the lip, and from the lip to the life that, as You have promised, Your Word may achieve the purpose for which You send it; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen 2
Sources:
The Risen Christ, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
1. https://www.redeemerwv.org/blog/2019/5/28/dear-christians-one-and-all-rejoice
2. Collect for the blessing on the Word, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis
—John 15:1-8—Jesus is the vine and we are the branches who are expected to bear fruit. Sunday’s Gospel lesson is a part of Jesus’ final discourse (chapters 13-17) with His disciples in the Upper Room on Maundy Thursday.
Jesus uses allegory: He is the vine; God is the vinedresser; the branches are the believers; the fruit constitutes good works. The vine is the source of life. To be connected with the Source is to have life and produce fruit. To be separated from the Vine is to die and be destroyed. People in the Vine have their prayers answered. Bearing fruit glorifies God and proves discipleship.
John referred to adult Christians as “little children.” Is this talking down to adults? Is it an insult to even add “little” to children? Jesus referred to His disciples as “these little ones.” It is no insult because if God is our Father, we are His true children. Since when? We were adopted as His children at Baptism, and we live in Christ as branches in the vine. And we are “little” too. We are often little in faith, in love and in our words. How little we are when compared with the fullness of the stature of Jesus Christ.
In these lessons we hear repeatedly the word “abide.” A fruitful Christian is one who produces good works because that person abides in Christ. How do we know we abide in Christ? One answer may be that our fruits prove it. This verse gives another answer. We are in Christ when we have the Spirit. If we have the Holy Spirit, it is the same as being in Christ. The Holy Spirit is at the same time the spirit of Christ.
Collect for Easter 5: O God, you make the minds of your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what you have commanded and desire what you promise that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 1
—1 John 4:1-11—The word “Love” in its various forms is used 43 times in John’s letter. The word is used 32 times from 4:7-5:3 In His essential nature and in all His actions, God is loving. John similarly affirms that God is spirit (John 4:24) and light (John 1:5), as well as holy, powerful, faithful, true, and just. If we love in deed, we know we have the truth.
To know God is to love and God and each other. This reading has two sections; discerning spirits (Vv. 1-6) and the love of the brothers and sisters. Apparently John is dealing with some that deny the humanity of Christ and who are lacking in love for the people. Not every spirit in a person is of God. The true spirit is the spirit of love for God and others. God first loves us and the proof of that love is the death of Christ on the cross. Our love for each other is based on God’s love of us.
It’s more than God loves. God is love. If God is love, is love also God? In today’s world love is adored and prized as a god. Love aw god is idolatry. We are not to worship love. God is love. But he is also more than love. God is also justice, holiness, and truth. 1
Prayer for the 4th Sunday of Easter – Almighty God, merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit that when we hear the voice of our Shepherd we may know Him who calls us each by name and follow where He leads; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who loves and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 2
2 Timothy 4:5–18
Mark 16:14–20
St. Mark, Evangelist
—Acts 8:26-40—Philip is sent to bring an Ethiopian eunuch to faith in Christ. The treasures of an Ethiopian queen were on their way home after worshiping in Jerusalem. His chariot was on a main road from Jerusalem to Egypt. The Spirit directed Philip, one of the seven deacons (See Acts 6:1-5), to meet the chariot at Gaza. The eunuch was probably a proselyte or God-fearer of Judaism. Philip found him reading Isaiah 53 but not understanding it. After Philip’s explanation, the Ethiopian asked to be baptized. He accepted Christ and according to tradition he introduced Christianity into Ethiopia.
It should be noted that verse 37 (“If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”)is omitted in the older manuscripts and some modern versions will place the verse only in the margin. 1
When the eunuch learned about Christ as the suffering servant of Isaiah 53, he requested baptism. Why was his request so important? Why wasn’t knowing about Jesus, the washing away of sin, and the understanding that he was the Messiah enough? The eunuch wanted to be baptized because baptism is the means of being born again of the Spirit means of being incorporated into the body of Christ, the church. Baptism connects us to Christ and to His body the church.
A Prayer for humility: O God, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true humility after the likeness of Your only Son that we may never be arrogant and prideful and thus provoke Your wrath but in all lowliness be made partakers of the gifts of Your grace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 2
Today on the church calendar we remember Johnann Walter, Kantor
.JPG)
God of majesty, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven, we gibe you thanks that You provided music for Your Church through Johann Walter, Kantor in the Church of the Reformation. Through music You give us joy on earth as we participate in the song of heaven. Bring us to the fulfillment of that song that will be ours when we stand with all Your saints before You unveiled glory; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. amen
Treasury of Daily Prayer copyright 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis.
—Psalm 150; key verse v.6 —Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Who should praise the Lord? All who come to Him in faith. We celebrate the Savior’s great and mighty acts.
This final Hymn of Praise closes out the Psalter. The book ends with a final call to all of creation to give exuberant, ceaseless, loud, and submissive praise to the living God. Here, not only God’s people but “everything that has breath” (v 6) is called to praise God with every means imaginable.
As the Psalter closes, we are called to praise the LORD in a way that has not yet happened in its fullness. The call is still appropriate (we could sing this every day!) but it looks forward to a reality that will only occur when the final chapter of God’s story has been fulfilled. That will be when what God predicted through the prophet Isaiah has finally come to pass: “By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance’” (Isaiah 45.23).
And the apostle Paul, we of the New Testament church, confess today that we, too, look forward to that day when, “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2.10–11).
Even so, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22.20).
Collect for Psalm 150: Lord God, unite our voices with the praise of all creation, that we may worthily magnify your excellent greatness; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever
As Christians Earth Day
should reminds us that the LORD has created this vast universe for us to thrive
and enjoy as the first article of the Apostles' Creed teaches. I believe
in God the Father Almighty, maker of heave and and earth.
What does this mean? I
believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body
and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and
still takes care of them. He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink,
house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and
daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life. He
defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil. All
this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit
or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and
obey Him
The first article of the
Apostles' Creed declares that Christians believe, teach and confess that the
one, true God is none other than the One who has made the heavens and the
earth, and everything in them. But more than that, He is our Father who provides
and cares for us as a father cares for his beloved children.
We believe that He has
made us and has given us all the good things we have in this life. This He has
done purely out of the love He has for us as our Father. He not only gives us
life, He also defends us, guards us, and protects us during this life, so that
we will join Him in heaven for all eternity. There is nothing in us that makes
us worthy of the good things God gives us. It is all from His love as a father.
How glorious it is to know that the same God who created heaven and earth also
created each one us and cares for us personally.
A prayer for agriculture: Almighty
God, You bless the earth to make it fruitful, bringing forth in abundance
whatever is needed for the support of our lives. Prosper, we implore you, the
work of farmers, and grant us seasonable weather that we may gather the fruits
of the earth and proclaim your goodness with thanksgiving; through Jesus Christ
our LORD.
The theme for the Fifth Sunday of Easter is Life in Christ. In the Gospel, Jesus described Himself as the Vine and the believers as the branches which bring forth fruit. How one becomes a person in Christ is demonstrated by the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch in the first lesson. To be in Christ means to obey the commandments of God, to love not only in word but in deed.
“God is love,” and He has manifested Himself to us by sending “his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9, 16). By the ministry of the Gospel, “he has given us of his Spirit,” so that we also believe and confess “that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.” In this way, we “abide in him and he in us,” and we “love one another” (1 John 4:2, 7, 13). Such divine love is exemplified in Philip’s preaching of “the good news about Jesus” to the Ethiopian eunuch. And when “they came to some water,” the eunuch was baptized into the very Gospel that Philip had preached (Acts 8:35–38). That Ethiopian was thereby grafted into “the true vine,” Jesus Christ (John 15:1), just as we are. Already we are clean because of the Word that Christ has spoken to us and by the washing of water with His Word. We now abide in Him by faith in His forgiveness. As He abides in us, both body and soul, with His own body and His blood, He “bears much fruit” in us (John 15:3–5). 1
—Psalm 145:1-2, 8, 10, 21; antiphon, John 16:16—The antiphon is taken from the Lord’s promise to His followers, “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” Few doubt that the first phrase refers to the interval before the crucifixion. But interpretations differ as to whether the second refers to the interval preceding the resurrection or the coming of the Spirit, or the return of Christ on the Last Great Day. It seems that the language here best fits the resurrection.
Collect for Psalm 145: Loving Father, you are faithful in your promises and tender in your compassion. Listen to our hymn of joy, and continue to satisfy the needs of all your creatures, that all flesh may bless your name in your everlasting kingdom, where with your Son and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and forever. 2
Sources:
The Risen Christ, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
1. Lectionary summary Eater 5 Series B © LCMS commission on worship
2. Collect for Collect 145, For all the Saints, A Prayer book for any by the church © 1980 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
Jesus Christ Is the True Vine Who Bears Much Fruit in Us
“God is love,” and He has manifested Himself to us by sending “his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9, 16). By the ministry of the Gospel, “he has given us of his Spirit,” so that we also believe and confess “that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.” In this way, we “abide in him and he in us,” and we “love one another” (1 John 4:2, 7, 13). Such divine love is exemplified in Philip’s preaching of “the good news about Jesus” to the Ethiopian eunuch. And when “they came to some water,” the eunuch was baptized into the very Gospel that Philip had preached (Acts 8:35–38). That Ethiopian was thereby grafted into “the true vine,” Jesus Christ (John 15:1), just as we are. Already we are clean because of the Word that Christ has spoken to us and by the washing of water with His Word. We now abide in Him by faith in His forgiveness. As He abides in us, both body and soul, with His own body and His blood, He “bears much fruit” in us (John 15:3–5).
O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world, our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found;
Summary: This passage has some great beauty, but presents a great preaching challenge. First, we have some nastiness to the image: branches plucked and pruned. The Greek can soften the blow here: the words for pluck and prune also mean "lift up" and "clean." Yet, I think a real law and Gospel challenge remains: You can find all sorts of traditional discipleship tasks that connect us to God: prayer, the Word, even the community. Yet we can no more force ourselves upon Jesus than a branch can for themselves on the vine. To say to people, "You cannot abide in Jesus, so don't even try" makes a liar out of Jesus. To tell people "You just need to pray and read your Bibles" isn't totally faithful to the image here! Somehow we must invite people into abiding in Jesus while retaining the force of the image: Jesus is the root of connection, not us.
See Luther's sermon on this text. Vol. 24 On suffering of the Chridtian.
Your suffering is refining. You can only grow when it is difficult and taken away from you. The things you fear love and trust in He removes.
John 15:1
Ἐγώ εἰμι ἡ ἄμπελος ἡ ἀληθινή, καὶ ὁ Πατήρ μου ὁ γεωργός ἐστιν.
I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
:1 "true vine" as opposed to unbelieving Israel, the false vine
Key words:
αμπελος ("vine"; 15.1) Like many metaphors in John's Gospel, a person new to the Bible can grasp its meaning, but a knowledge of the OT amplifies its significance.
The OT (Hosea 14; Jeremiah 2; perhaps also Ezekiel 19, but who understands Ezekiel...) makes the claim that Israel is the vine of the Lord. Jesus here is saying "I am Israel." All the promises, all the hopes (if not the judgment) of Israel in the Bible have been transferred to Jesus.
John 15:2
:2 πᾶν κλῆμα ἐν ἐμοὶ μὴ φέρον καρπὸν, αἴρει αὐτό, καὶ πᾶν τὸ καρπὸν φέρον, καθαίρει αὐτὸ ἵνα καρπὸν πλείονα φέρῃ.
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.
αιρεω ("take away" or "take up"; 15:2). I thought I had a unique insight here and then I realized the NET Bible already explained in a footnote. In their words:
The Greek verb ai;rw (airoÒ) can mean "lift up" as well as "take away," and it is sometimes argued that here it is a reference to the gardener "lifting up" (i.e., propping up) a weak branch so that it bears fruit again. In Johannine usage the word occurs in the sense of "lift up" in 8:59 and 5:8-12, but in the sense of "remove" it is found in 11:39, 11:48, 16:22, and 17:15. In context (theological presuppositions aside for the moment) the meaning "remove" does seem more natural and less forced.
John 15:3
:3 ἤδη ὑμεῖς καθαροί ἐστε διὰ τὸν λόγον ὃν λελάληκα ὑμῖν·
You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
:2-3 "fruit" Not just holy deeds, but love and witness leading to new disciples. "prunes" lit "cleanses" Christians have already been cleansed by God's forgiveness, they are daily in need of repentance and daily spiritual growth "clean because of the word" The means through which the cleansing takes place since the Word's content is Christ.
When reading these verses in English, there seems to be a break at verse 3 in the flow of thought: Jesus is talking about trees and fruit, when suddenly he digresses for a moment to point out to his disciples that they are “clean” before continuing with his gardening metaphor.
John 15:4
:4 μείνατε ἐν ἐμοί, κἀγὼ ἐν ὑμῖν. καθὼς τὸ κλῆμα οὐ δύναται καρπὸν φέρειν ἀφ’ ἑαυτοῦ ἐὰν μὴ μένῃ ἐν τῇ ἀμπέλῳ, οὕτως οὐδὲ ὑμεῖς ἐὰν μὴ ἐν ἐμοὶ μένητε.
Abide continue remain in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides/remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide/remain in Me.
You do not possess God you receive Him in faith. He is the medicine of eternal life. There is no benefit without the reception.
John 15:5
:5 γώ εἰμι ἡ ἄμπελος, ὑμεῖς τὰ κλήματα. ὁ μένων ἐν ἐμοὶ κἀγὼ ἐν αὐτῷ, οὗτος φέρει καρπὸν πολύν, ὅτι χωρὶς ἐμοῦ οὐ δύνασθε ποιεῖν οὐδέ
I am the vine, you are the branches; he who remains/abides in Me and I in him, this one bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
:5 "We cannot keep the Law without Christ's aid...So before we keep the Law, our hearts must be born again through faith." [Ap V 194]
"Without faith human nature does not call upon God, nor expect anything from Him, nor bear the cross (Matthew 16:24) Instead, human nature seeks and trusts in human help. So when there is no faith and trust in God. all kinds of lusts and human intentions rule in the heart." (Genesis 6:5) [AC XX 37-38]
John 15:6
:6 ἐὰν μή τις μένῃ ἐν ἐμοί, ἐβλήθη ἔξω ὡς τὸ κλῆμα καὶ ἐξηράνθη, καὶ συνάγουσιν αὐτὰ καὶ εἰς τὸ πῦρ βάλλουσιν, καὶ καίεται.
If anyone does not remain/abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.
:6 fire Symbol of judgment and destruction see Ezk. 15:1-8
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw- each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. - 1 Corinthians 3:11-15
John 15:7
:7 ἐὰν μείνητε ἐν ἐμοὶ καὶ τὰ ῥήματά μου ἐν ὑμῖν μείνῃ, ὃ ἐὰν θέλητε αἰτήσασθε καὶ γενήσεται ὑμῖν.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
John 15:8
:8 ἐν τούτῳ ἐδοξάσθη ὁ Πατήρ μου, ἵνα καρπὸν πολὺν φέρητε καὶ γενήσεσθε ἐμοὶ μαθηταί.
My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
:8 As Christ glorified the Father through His obedience, believers glorify God through their lives - and show that they are real disciples, attached to the vine.
Sources:
-The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software
-ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
-Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘The Resurrection of our Lord’© WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
-LCMS Lectionary notes © 2018
-Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing
The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want (LSB710 436) – Sunday’s hymn is simply – and appropriately – the twenty-third psalm in metrical form, set to a pretty tune. Note that The Lutheran Hymnal also has the same psalm used as a canticle, set to a beautiful chant tone (probably Anglican), Hymn 662.
Of all metrical versions of the psalms, this versification of Psalm 23 from the 1650 Scottish Psalter is probably the best known. Though one of the best examples of a Scottish psalm in meter, the grammatical structure of the text is twisted for the sake of rhyme – the mismatch of textual and musical phrases is especially problematic in stanza 1. But the rugged strength of the verse and the powerful imagery of this psalm have endeared this Scottish versification to many believers through the centuries.
Francis Rous was born at Halton, Cornwall, England in 1579, and educated at Oxford. He adopted the legal profession, and way M.P. for Truro during the reigns of James and of Charles I. He also represented Truro in the Long Parliament, and took part against the King and the Bishops. He was appointed a member of the Westminster Assembly; of the High Commission; and of the Triers for examining and licensing candidates for the ministry. He also held other appointments under Cromwell, including that of Provost of Eton College. He died at Acton, January 7, 1659, and was buried in the Chapel of Eton College. Wood, in his Athenae Oxmienses, gives a list of his numerous works. --Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary 1.
Collect for Easter 4 – Almighty God, merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit, that we may know the voice of our Shepherd and follow Him, that sin and death may never pluck us out of Your hand; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. 2
Sources:
Icon of the Good Shepherd copyright © Google images
1. https://hymnary.org/text/the_lords_my_shepherd_ill_not_want_rous
2. Collect for Easter, Lutheran Service Book 4© 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
– John 10:11-18 – Sunday’s Gospel is the “Good Shepherd” passage from St John’s Gospel. Jesus calls Himself the “good,” or “noble,” Shepherd. He has made us the sheep of His flock by giving His life for us, and He continues to protect us from all who would do us evil or harm. So long as we remain in His fold, nothing, not even the devil, can harm us.
Recall the words of A Mighty Fortress: “And take they our life / Goods, fame, child, and wife / Let these all be gone / They yet have nothing won / The Kingdom ours remaineth.”
Jesus will refer to himself as the good shepherd. Who then are we who believe in him? Are we sheep or shepherds? If we are shepherds, where are the sheep to be led, fed, and protected? Some congregations indicate on their Sunday bulletins that all members of the church are “ministers.” Who then are the clergy? It seems we may have too many chiefs and not enough braves in the church. A shepherd is one who leads; the sheep follow. Jesus is the chief shepherd (pastor) and his leaders are ordained to be under-shepherds. The rest of us are sheep.
Jesus’ death and resurrection are not the work of humans. He is no victim of injustice. He is not a martyr to a good cause. He is in control of his destiny. In this passage of Scripture we are reminded that he has the power to die and to return to life. This is God’s work. A work of salvation. The cross is a victory over sin and the resurrection confirms the victory.
Jesus has other sheep. There is nothing sectarian about Jesus. He does not intend to be limited to Israel. He is for the whole world. He died for all humankind. He commissions His disciples to preach the gospel to all nations. He is a universal Savior. He envisions the whole world to be one flock under one shepherd. Because Jesus has “other sheep” the church needs its program of evangelism and missions to gather the other sheep into His fold, the church.
Lord God, our shepherd, You gather the lambs of Your flock into the arms of Your mercy and bring them home. Comfort us with the certain hope of the resurrection to everlasting life and a joyful reunion with those we love who have died in the faith; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
A collect for Easter 4, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
Icon of the Good Shepherd copyright Google images
