Thursday Prior to Proper 13

 

Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16 — Bread makes for bodily growth. Christians are to live lives worthy of their calling in love, unity, and growth to maturity in Christ. The church is urged to become what they are by the grace of Christ. Paul appeals for unity on the basis of the unity of Spirit and body. Various functions are gifts of Christ to equip the members and to build up the church in love. The goal of the growth is the matching of the stature of Jesus so that we are not children but mature in faith and love.

Paul identifies himself here as a prisoner of Christ. At other times he refers to himself as a servant, apostle, ambassador and spokesman. To be a prisoner of Christ is to suffer for him. When we are zealous Christians, we will be subject to the opposition and persecution of the enemy, Satan. The test of the true Christian is the suffering he/she experiences in living out the Christian faith.

Seven times the word “one” is used. Repetition indicates the importance of the word in the thinking of Paul. On one side is the word “all”, and on the other side is “one.” All are to be one in Christ, in hope, faith, and love. This unity is demanded because we have one God, one faith, one Spirit. 

The word “unity” gives us the insight into the Christian religion as a process of becoming what we are by the grace of God. We are not what we have been and what we will be. We are a growing people of God. We are in the process of attaining unity, of building up the church, of matching the full stature of Jesus. This “unity” continues to the end of our existence on earth and is only completed in the heavenly world to come.   1

Collect for Proper 13 –Merciful Father, You gave Your Son Jesus as the heavenly bread of life. Grant us faith to feast on Him in Your Word and Sacraments that we may be nourished unto life everlasting;; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen   2

Sources:

Loaves and Fish, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

1. Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

2. Collect for Proper 13, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Wednesday Prior to Proper 13

Exodus 16:2-15— In response to the people’s complaint that they had no food, the Lord sends food from heaven. Only a few weeks after deliverance from Egypt the people complain about the lack of food. They murmur against Moses and Aaron, but God knows that they complain about Him. They doubt whether the Lord cares about them and His ability to provide for them. In response to their complaints the Lord sends quail in the evening and bread, “manna,” in the morning. To this day the Manna is a mystery – “What is it?”  Moses answered, “it is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.” By this the people are to know that He is their God.

Didn’t the Israelites in the wilderness have a right to murmur against Moses and the LORD? They followed His leader out of Egypt where at least, they had food, but now they were starving. They had reason to complain, but they went about getting food in the wrong way. Instead of complaining, why did they not discuss their needs with Moses and take it to God in prayer? Their complaining reveals a lack of faith in the LORD’s hearing and answering prayer.

The LORD’s glory appeared in a cloud. Like a cloud, the LORD is mysterious and hidden – one can’t see much when fly in a cloud or driving in a fog. The LORD is the unknowable an hidden God. Yet, as the cloud indicated, God is ever present. His glory appears when he comes to the rescue of his people, who are in need. His glory is seen best in the cross where the LORD in his Son saves the world.  1 

Collect for Proper 13 –Merciful Father, You gave Your Son Jesus as the heavenly bread of life. Grant us faith to feast on Him in Your Word and Sacraments that we may be nourished unto life everlasting;; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen 2

Sources:

Loaves and Fish, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

1. Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C, John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

2. Collect for Proper 13, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St Louis

Tuesday Prior to Proper 13

 

Psalm145:10-21; key verse v15—The eyes of all look to You and You give them their food at the proper time. This is a psalm of praise and fitting for our theme for this week. The Lord is the provider of all both physical and spiritual blessings. He supplies physical food for us daily as we acknowledge in the Lord’s Prayer. He also supplies us spiritually as He comes to us through the means of grace.  

PRAISING GOD FOR WHO HE IS AND WHAT HE DOES

This psalm is titled A Praise of David. Though Psalms 17 and 86 were also called A Prayer of David, this is the only one titled A Praise of David, and it is a high point of praise. “Psalm 145 is indeed a monumental praise psalm, a fit summary of all David had learned about God during a long lifetime of following hard after the Almighty.” (James Montgomery Boice)

Psalm 145 is the last psalm attributed to David in the collection of psalms, and it is the last of the nine psalms using some kind of acrostic pattern (9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, and 145). Five of these acrostic psalms are attributed to David.

“In Jewish practice this psalm was recited twice in the morning and once in the evening service. The Talmud commends all who repeat it three times a day as having a share in the world to come.” (Willem VanGemeren)  1

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 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:

Loaves and Fish, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

1. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-145/ 

2. Collect for Psalm 145, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church Vol. IV © 1996The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Monday Prior to Proper 13

 

Psalm 78:23-25, Antiphon, Psalm 78:72 – With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with His skillful hand. Israel under the care of the Lord’s royal shepherd from the house of David was for the prophets the hope of God’s people (see Ezekiel 34:23; 37:23 Micah 5:4) fulfilled in Jesus Christ. (See Matthew 2:6; John 10:11; Revelation 7:17)

This coming Sunday marks an interlude in the long series of passages from Mark during the Pentecost season. The Gospels for three Sundays are taken in course from John 6 - The Bread of Life chapter. Jesus explains that the people have come for more physical bread, but He would rather they had spiritual food which comes from heaven, food for the soul. He then identifies Himself as the bread from heaven similar to the manna God sent to His people in the wilderness Exodus 16:2-15. 

Paul in our Epistle lesson Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16 speaks repeatedly of growth into the fullness of Christ’s stature and growth as “bodily growth”.  As everyone knows, physical growth is not possible without adequate food. The Psalm of the Day Psalm145:10-21; key verse v15—The eyes of all look to You and You give them their food at the proper time sings of God’s goodness and greatness in satisfying the physical needs of every person. Jesus our Savior fills our deepest needs.

In the center of Pentecost we will be reading the Bread of Life chapter of John 6. Following are the Gospel readings for the next three Sundays.

–Proper 13 John 6:22-35

Eat More Than Bread - The Necessity of spiritual bread for life.

–Proper 14 John 6:35-51

Eat and Live – Spiritual food gives eternal life

– Proper 15 John 6:51-69

To Eat or Not to Eat – The decision whether or not to follow Christ  

Collect for Psalm 78: Lord Jesus Christ, shepherd of your Church, to strengthen our faith and to lead us to the Kingdom, you renewed and surpassed the marvels of the old covenant. Through the uncertainties of this earthly journey, lead us home to the everlasting pastures, where we may praise you now and forever. 

Sources:

Loaves and Fish, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Collect for Psalm 78, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church. Vol. IV The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, © 1996 Delhi, NY  

Proper 13 Series B study notes

 

Proper 13
Exodus 16:2–15
Ephesians 4:1–16
John 6:22–35

Jesus Is the True and Living Bread from Heaven 

Having rescued Israel “out of the land of Egypt” (Ex. 16:6), the Lord manifested His glory and made Himself known to His people. He fed them with “meat to eat” in the evening and with “bread from heaven” in the morning (Ex. 16:4, 8, 12). But now, the “true bread from heaven,” which the Father gives to you, is the Son, “who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (John 6:32–33). Whoever comes to Him “shall not hunger,” and whoever believes in Him “shall never thirst.” He is “the bread of life,” who gives Himself to you as “the food that endures to eternal life” (John 6:27, 35). By the gracious working of God, you believe in Him by the calling of one Spirit through the Gospel, so that you also have “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all” (Eph. 4:4–6). As you eat His one body in the Holy Supper, so you belong to the one body of His Church, in which you “are to grow up in every way into him who is the head” (Eph. 4:15). 

John 6:22-35

Merciful Father, You gave Your Son Jesus as the heavenly bread of life. Grant us faith to feast on Him in Your Word and Sacrament, that we may be nourished unto life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 

According to the concessions manager the following items were sold at the Indiana v Wisconsin game, on Saturday, March 12, 1994...

 400 1bs of hot dogs,

3,000 popcorn boxes,

8,200 cokes (about 1,000 gallons)

 684 candy bars,

436 nachos,

284 boxes of caramel corn,

917 soft pretzels,

247 polish sausages,

100 sandwiches,

179 bags of peanuts,

50 muffins,

160 cups of coffee.

This was for a 2 pm tip where the crowd had already had breakfast and possibly lunch!  And they had to pay for their food!

Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege

“Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life.” John 6:27

Jesus declared that one must work…for the food that endures to eternal life.  This maxim of Jesus—like most of His teachings—generated questions in the hearts and minds of the hearers. The first question they asked Jesus dealt with this “work” described by Jesus: What must we do, to be doing the works of God [v 28]?  What works are you talking about, Jesus?

Jesus responded, This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent [v 29]. Jesus now generates more questions, one of them being, “Who is this one whom God has sent?”  Jesus has already answered this question, and He will repeatedly answer it by explaining that He is the one God has sent:  For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me [v 38].  So the work of God is that people believe in Jesus, the Sent One.

When Jesus speaks of the work of God, especially from an Old Testament perspective He is NOT speaking about a work that God requires us to do, but He is speaking about the work that God does!  This is God’s work—in other words this is the work that He performs—that you believe in the one whom He has sent.  God enables people to believe in Jesus, and Jesus frequently presents this miracle.  For instance in verse 44 Jesus explains, No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.  And again in verse 65 Jesus reiterates, I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.  It is truly God’s work… that we are enabled to come to Jesus, that is, believe in Him.  Many today consider their faith to be their own work, but it is God’s work.

Nonetheless, to believe in Jesus is—empowered by God—something we truly “do”, for we are not mere objects like puppets.  We each can rightly maintain that believing in Jesus is indeed “my” faith, “my” trust in Him.  Thanks be to God that He takes spiritually dead people (Eph 2:1ff) and gives them new birth, so that such newborn people can and do believe in Jesus!  Through His Word, God sends forth the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, and by the Spirit’s power people are connected to and believe in the One whom God the Father has sent.

What then is the food that endures to eternal life [v 27]?  Such food is not the mere bread that Jesus miraculously provided in the feeding of the 5,000, nor is it the manna that God provided through Moses.  Both of these miracle-breads were merely for the body, and such bread will rot and perish.  The food that endures to eternal life is Jesus Himself!  Jesus thus avows, I am the bread of life…This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.  I am the living bread that came down from heaven.  If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever [vv 46, 48-51a].

Jesus then immediately connects this bread to His crucifixion: And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh [v 51b]. By identifying himself in this way—speaking of giving His “flesh”—Jesus is directing His followers to see Him as a sacrifice. An example of an Old Testament connection is found in Leviticus 7:15 where we read about the flesh of a peace offering:  And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten on the day of his offering. For Jesus to give His flesh, meant that He would offer Himself as sacrifice.  In this way Jesus is directing us to realize that our faith in Him is directly linked to His crucifixion (and resurrection).  To believe in Jesus is to believe that He came purposefully to be sacrificed for mankind’s salvation.  This faith is indeed “eating” the food that endures to eternal life; it is the food flowing from Christ’s cross.

How then do we work…for the food that endures to eternal life?  A Christian, having been given spiritual life, thus “works” to continually receive the food (God’s Word and Sacrament), eating the Bread of Life (Jesus) to eternal life.  A wondrous continuity flowing from the Old Testament is that spiritual nourishment involves the actual bodily eating of a sacrifice.  Recall from the Leviticus quote above, that the people were directed to eat the flesh of the thanksgiving peace offering.  So now—but in a far superior way—we not only feast upon Jesus as we hear his word, but we feast upon Him as we eat of THE sacrifice.  Christians must thus be continually encouraged to “work” for the eternal-life food, to be lifelong partakers of Jesus (the Bread of Life) through His Word and Sacrament.

John 6:22 

Τῇ  ἐπαύριον  ὁ  ὄχλος  ὁ  ἑστηκὼς  πέραν  τῆς  θαλάσσης  εἶδον  ὅτι  πλοιάριον  ἄλλο  οὐκ  ἦν  ἐκεῖ  εἰ  μὴ  ἕν,  καὶ  ὅτι  οὐ  συνεισῆλθεν  τοῖς  μαθηταῖς  αὐτοῦ  ὁ  Ἰησοῦς  εἰς  τὸ  πλοῖον  ἀλλὰ  μόνοι  οἱ  μαθηταὶ  αὐτοῦ  ἀπῆλθον·

On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone.

John 6:6:22 

narrated from Jesus' disciples - assessing the situation, the crowd could not figure out how Jesus could have crossed the sea. 

John 6:23 

ἀλλὰ  ἦλθεν  πλοιάρια  ἐκ  Τιβεριάδος  ἐγγὺς  τοῦ  τόπου  ὅπου  ἔφαγον  τὸν  ἄρτον  εὐχαριστήσαντος  τοῦ  Κυρίου.

Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks

John 6:23 

Tiberius GK city on the Sea of Galilee, mentioned only in John 6:1; 21:1) Herod Antipas built it in AD 16-22 and named it in honor of the reigning Romans emperor. 

"Having given thanks..." does this make the text Eucharistic?  It's bread but more than bread...he comes to us, then when He came and now as He has compassion and teaches.

John 6:24 

ὅτε  οὖν  εἶδεν  ὁ  ὄχλος  ὅτι  Ἰησοῦς  οὐκ  ἔστιν  ἐκεῖ  οὐδὲ  οἱ  μαθηταὶ  αὐτοῦ,  ἐνέβησαν  αὐτοὶ  εἰς  τὰ  πλοιάρια  καὶ  ἦλθον  εἰς  Καφαρναοὺμ  ζητοῦντες  τὸν  Ἰησοῦν.

So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus

 John 6:25 

καὶ  εὑρόντες  αὐτὸν  πέραν  τῆς  θαλάσσης  εἶπον  αὐτῷ  Ῥαββί*,  πότε  ὧδε  γέγονας;

When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”

John 6:26 

ἀπεκρίθη  αὐτοῖς  ὁ  Ἰησοῦς  καὶ  εἶπεν  Ἀμὴν  ἀμὴν  λέγω  ὑμῖν,  ζητεῖτέ  με  οὐχ  ὅτι  εἴδετε  σημεῖα,  ἀλλ’  ὅτι  ἐφάγετε  ἐκ  τῶν  ἄρτων  καὶ  ἐχορτάσθητε.

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves

:26  faith in Jesus was the purpose of all the signs. At the miraculous feeding, the crowds saw only the gifts, not the Giver.   You saw and had your bellies filled...they saw but did not understand. 

Look at the change of verbs...

John 6:27 

ἐργάζεσθε  μὴ  τὴν  βρῶσιν  τὴν  ἀπολλυμένην,  ἀλλὰ  τὴν  βρῶσιν  τὴν  μένουσαν  εἰς  ζωὴν  αἰώνιον,  ἣν  ὁ  Υἱὸς  τοῦ  ἀνθρώπου  ὑμῖν  δώσει·  τοῦτον  γὰρ  ὁ  Πατὴρ  ἐσφράγισεν  ὁ  Θεός.

Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”

:27 labor - food. Jesus posed an absolute contrast between physical and spiritual "food" without denying the importance of the physical. Set His seal...see Jeremiah 32:10

"Stop working for the perishable food" bread that we eat will not keep you alive forever...it's the bread you work for after the fall which comes from the cursed earth and your sweaty brow...you still die.

The Orthodox use this terminology of "seal" for baptism.

John 6:28 

εἶπον  οὖν  πρὸς  αὐτόν  Τί  ποιῶμεν  ἵνα  ἐργαζώμεθα  τὰ  ἔργα  τοῦ  Θεοῦ;  

Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”

:28 don't trust in your daily labor 

John 6:29 

ἀπεκρίθη  ‹ὁ›  Ἰησοῦς  καὶ  εἶπεν  αὐτοῖς  Τοῦτό  ἐστιν  τὸ  ἔργον  τοῦ  Θεοῦ,  ἵνα  πιστεύητε  εἰς  ὃν  ἀπέστειλεν  ἐκεῖνος.

Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.

6:29 "work of God, that you believe" The crowd asked about righteous "works" but Jesus singled out one necessary work; faith in Him, which is God's gift.

John 6:30 

εἶπον  οὖν  αὐτῷ  Τί  οὖν  ποιεῖς  σὺ  σημεῖον,  ἵνα  ἴδωμεν  καὶ  πιστεύσωμέν  σοι;  τί  ἐργάζῃ;  

So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform?

:30 what sign do you do that we might understand? Who are in the crowd?  The Pharisees?  Mocking...they use the same verb for work. See Matthew 12 show us a sign...

John 6:31 

οἱ  πατέρες  ἡμῶν  τὸ  μάννα  ἔφαγον  ἐν  τῇ  ἐρήμῳ,  καθώς  ἐστιν  γεγραμμένον  Ἄρτον  ἐκ  τοῦ  οὐρανοῦ  ἔδωκεν  αὐτοῖς  φαγεῖν.

Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

:31 the crowd quotes the OT to support their demand that Jesus perform a miracle like Moses had done, which they assumed was greater than Jesus' signs. Like Mary and Martha only one thing is needful...

John 6:32 

εἶπεν  οὖν  αὐτοῖς  ὁ  Ἰησοῦς  Ἀμὴν  ἀμὴν  λέγω  ὑμῖν,  οὐ  Μωϋσῆς  δέδωκεν  ὑμῖν  τὸν  ἄρτον  ἐκ  τοῦ  οὐρανοῦ,  ἀλλ’  ὁ  Πατήρ  μου  δίδωσιν  ὑμῖν  τὸν  ἄρτον  ἐκ  τοῦ  οὐρανοῦ  τὸν  ἀληθινόν·  

Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.

32   Jesus corrected the crowd on two points - manna came from God not Moses and Moses' bread was not the "true bread from heaven"  Only the Father gives that bread. 

John 6:33 

ὁ  γὰρ  ἄρτος  τοῦ  Θεοῦ  ἐστιν  ὁ  καταβαίνων  ἐκ  τοῦ  οὐρανοῦ  καὶ  ζωὴν  διδοὺς  τῷ  κόσμῳ.

For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.

33 the one who gives life for the world is a person, the one Whom the father sends

John 6:34 

εἶπον  οὖν  πρὸς  αὐτόν  Κύριε,  πάντοτε  δὸς  ἡμῖν  τὸν  ἄρτον  τοῦτον.

They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.

John 6:35 

εἶπεν  αὐτοῖς  ὁ  Ἰησοῦς  Ἐγώ  εἰμι  ὁ  ἄρτος  τῆς  ζωῆς·  ὁ  ἐρχόμενος  πρὸς  ἐμὲ  οὐ  μὴ  πεινάσῃ,  καὶ  ὁ  πιστεύων  εἰς  ἐμὲ  οὐ  μὴ  διψήσει  πώποτε.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

:35 "I am" Jesus clearly identified Himself as the sources of real life, which lasts forever.

Saturday Prior to Proper 12

 

Psalm 37:5 - Sunday’s hymn of the day Entrust Your Days and Burdens, (LSB 754).  In the midst of our busy and hurried lives it is easy to lose sight that it is the Lord who orders our days and directs our path. Thus the hymn writer will remind us, “For He who guides the tempests along their thunderous ways will find for you a pathway and guide you all your days.” Place you confidence in Him. He can be trusted at His word. We can rely on Him as we recall what He has done. 

This hymn, by the great Lutheran pastor and hymn-writer Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676), speaks of the absolute trust and confidence we have in God because of all He has done for us. The tune (SUFFICIENTIA) is by Stephen R. Johnson, a Lutheran church musician living in Mahopac, NY.

Stanza One:

Entrust your days and burdens To God’s most loving hand; He cares for you while ruling The sky, the sea, the land. For He who guides the tempests Along their thunderous ways Will find for you a pathway And guide you all your days.

God is the Creator of all, from the tiniest atom to the largest galaxy and beyond. That same God cares for you, so what is there to fear? As the Psalmist says, “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.” (Psalm 125:1-2). God will guide us through the storms of this life unto our eternal home with Him.

Stanza Two:

Rely on God your Savior And find your life secure. Make His work your foundation That your work may endure. No anxious thought, no worry, No self-tormenting care Can win your Father’s favor; His heart is moved by prayer.

Christ is your Redeemer, so with Paul you can “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:4-7). Christ is the one mediator with the Father, interceding on our behalf and for our benefit. Christ is our brother and God is our Father, so we can ask Him with all boldness and confidence as dear children ask their dear father.

Stanza Three:

Take heart, have hope, my spirit, And do not be dismayed; God helps in every trial And makes you unafraid. Await His time with patience Through darkest hours of night Until the sun you hoped for Delights your eager sight.

Christians live as people of hope, knowing that the sure and certain promises of Christ are true. Though we endure the troubles of this world, we know that Christ has defeated the darkness and the Light of the World is coming soon. Confident in this, we wait with patience for Christ’s return on the Last Day.

Stanza Four:

Leave all to His direction; His wisdom rules for you In ways to rouse your wonder At all His love can do. Soon He, His promise keeping, With wonderworking powers Will banish from your spirit What gave you troubled hours.

St. Peter writes, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7). We need not worry, for Christ fights for us, keeping at bay the powers of evil, no matter how bleak things look. He invites us to give Him our burdens and take His yoke upon us, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Stanza Five:

O blessed heir of heaven You’ll hear the song resound Of endless jubilation When you with life are crowned. In your right hand your maker Will place the victor’s palm, And you will thank Him gladly With heaven’s joyful psalm.

Oh, the wonder and glories of heaven! This is what we long for: to be with the Lord in that place where there will be no sorrow or tears and where Christ will be our light forevermore.

Stanza Six:

Our hands and feet, Lord, strengthen; With joy our spirits bless Until we see the ending Of all our life’s distress. And so throughout our lifetime Keep us within Your care And at our end then bring us To heaven to praise You there.

Confident of the joys of the life to come, we pray that God would strengthen us while we sojourn here on Earth. He will keep us in His care throughout our lives and take us to be with Him. What wonderful promises we have, promises that are sure and certain because of Christ’s death and resurrection for us and for all people. 1

Collect for this Sunday Proper 12 –Almighty and most merciful God, the protector of all who trust in You, strengthen our faith and give us courage to believe that in Your love You will rescue us from all adversities; 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:

Luther’s Seal copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

1. https://www.graceauburn.org/kantors-hymn-studies/2020/7/31/entrust-your-days-and-burdens-lsb-754 

2. Collect for Proper 12, Lutheran  Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Friday Prior to Proper 12

 

Mark 6:45-56 — Recognizing Jesus

In verse 53, Mark states that Jesus and the disciples landed at Gennesaret on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee (also known as the Lake of Gennesaret). It could well be that Jesus had previously passed through this area while travelling between Nazareth (twenty miles or so to the southwest) and Capernaum (a few miles further along the shoreline to the north). Still, this is the first mention of Gennesaret in Mark.

What happens after they step ashore? “People immediately recognized [Jesus]” (Mark 6:54).

How did they recognize him? Had he walked a few yards on the water while getting to shore? Had they seen pictures of him posted in the marketplace? Or is the scene more like that in Mark 1:16-20 when Jesus called Simon, Andrew, James, and John? Without any apparent previous knowledge of Jesus, they left everything immediately and followed him. What had they recognized in Jesus?

It is remarkable that none of the gospels provide a physical description of Jesus. We will never be able to pin him down by virtue of his appearance. Rather, we will always have to recognize Jesus for who he is and what he does.

It is more than the miracles and healings Jesus performed or the things he taught. It may actually take the gift of faith to recognize the one who died on the cross as the Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world. 1

In Mark 1:16-20 when Jesus called Simon, Andrew, James, and John without any apparent previous knowledge of Jesus, they left everything immediately and followed him. What had they recognized in Jesus? It is remarkable that none of the gospels provide a physical description of Jesus. We will never be able to pin him down by virtue of his appearance. 

Rather, we will always have to recognize Jesus for who He is and what He does. It is more than the miracles and healings Jesus performed or the things he taught. It may actually take the gift of faith to recognize the one who died on the cross as the Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

Pray for Peace: O God, whom come all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works, give to us, Your servants, that peace which the world simply cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey Your commandments and also that we, being def3ended from the fear of our enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever  2

Sources:

Luther’s Seal copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

1. https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-16-2/commentary-on-mark-630-34-53-56-2 

2. Collect for Peace, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

St. James the Elder, Apostle (July 25)

 

Acts 11:27–12:5
Romans 8:28–39
Mark 10:35–45

St. James the Elder, Apostle 

The sons of Zebedee ask for seats at Jesus’ right and left in glory (Mark 10:37). But they do not know what they are asking (Matt. 20:22), for God’s kingdom is not of glory and power but the cross. We will bear ours after Him. For His sake we are killed and regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. But in all this we are more than conquerors through Him (Rom. 8:36–37), for Jesus’ death is unique. He alone is baptized with our sin and drinks the cup of God’s wrath against it (Mark 10:38). We live in service to our neighbors after His example; but He alone is the Son of Man, come to give His life as a ransom for many (v. 45). Today the Church commemorates the fulfillment of Christ’s prophecy about James, killed with Herod’s sword (Acts 12:2). He is honored as the first apostle to be conformed to the image of God’s Son (Rom. 8:29). But what is that when Christ Jesus has died—more than that, is raised—and is at the right hand of God, interceding for us? Nothing (not even a sword)can separate James and us from the love of Christ (v. 34–35).

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Lectionary Summary copyright LCMS commission on worship

Thursday Prior to Proper 12

 

Ephesians 3:14-21 — This section of the letter offers a bit of relief from the heavy theological portions that have been read up to this point.

It presents a moment of tenderness, in which the author speaks directly to his readers about his care for them. He speaks of his prayer for his readers, which he does on bended knee.

The paragraph begins abruptly with the phrase: “for this reason.” But for what reason? It refers to what has been said in the previous paragraphs about Paul’s ministry.

Paul, like other apostles, had been entrusted with revelation by the Spirit. Specifically, it had been revealed to him that Gentiles, who receive the gospel in faith, are fellow heirs of the promises of God. They too are members of the body of Christ, and therefore they have access to God. “For this reason,” the author prays that his readers may be strengthened in spiritual power, love, and knowledge.

The content of the prayer being offered is conveyed in Ephesians 3:16-19. Essentially there are four matters for which the author prays for the sake of his readers that they may have:

Inner spiritual strength

The indwelling of Christ in their hearts

The ability to comprehend all the dimensions of spiritual realities

Knowledge of the love of Christ 1

This section of the letter offers a bit of relief from the heavy theological portions that have been read up to this point. It presents a moment of tenderness, in which the author speaks directly to his readers about his care for them. He speaks of his prayer for his readers, which he does on bended knee. 

 

Paul, like other apostles, had been entrusted with revelation by the Spirit. Specifically, it had been revealed to him that Gentiles, who receive the gospel in faith, are fellow heirs of the promises of God. 

They too are members of the body of Christ, and therefore they have access to God. "For this reason," the author prays that his readers may be strengthened in spiritual power, love, and knowledge.

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. Amen 2

Sources:

Luther’s Seal copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

1. https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-17-2/commentary-on-ephesians-314-21-2 

2. A Prayer for Home and Family Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. St. Louis

Wednesday Prior to Proper 12

 

Genesis 9:8-17— God calls Adam to account for his sin. Here we see the consequences of the fall into sin. When God confronts Adam, he flees and hides because of his fear of God. He realizes he is naked, which is considered and abomination. This results in his sense of shame. When God asks for an explanation of his sin, both Adam and Eve blame others. Punishment is the cursing of the serpent. 

God asks Adam where he is. Of course God knows all but he asks that he might bring Adam to an awareness of his sin. Where is Adam? He is not where he should be. Because of his sin, he has run away to hide. Sin always separates us from God. We hide because sin breeds fear of God. Note that God comes to Adam after he sinned. God is concerned about the quality of our lives. Sin disturbs and grieves God. Always God asks for an accounting. Each faces Judgment. 

Sin may be forgiven but punishment goes with sin. “The wages of sin is death. “ No one escapes the penalty of doing wrong. God’s justice demands satisfaction.   1

We need to recognize the reality and depth of human resistance to God.  That is seen in killing Jesus.  What we call “sin” is not just the naughty things we do that make the tabloid headlines.  Sin can be deadly and destructive.  It has consequences.  And it offends. There is a deep seriousness to human wrong-doing – sin – that means that consequences cannot simply be bypassed. 

We can either turn away from them, or we can wrestle with them. Here we see God’s refusal to be marginalized. The next time instead of destroying the world through a flood He will turn His wrath on His own Son.

Prayer in time of affliction and distress: Almighty and most merciful God, in this earthly life we endure sufferings and death before we enter into eternal glory. Grant us grace at all times to subject ourselves to Your holy will and to continue steadfast in the true faith to the end of our lives that we may know the peace and joy of the blessed hope of the resurrection of the dead and of the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 2

Sources:

Luther’s Seal copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

1. Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

2. Collect in times of affliction and distress, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Tuesday Prior to Proper 12

 

Psalm136:1-9; key verse v26—Psalm 136 is a special psalm, with each one of its 26 verses repeating the sentence, His mercy endures forever. Psalm 118 repeated that affirmation five times. Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, the phrase has somewhat of a liturgical sense to it, as if the assembled people of Israel said or sung this in response to the direction of the Levites leading singing and worship. Ezra 3:11 indicates that this encouragement was part of a responsive singing among God’s people: And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever toward Israel.”

The sentence is used several other times in the Old Testament, each time in the context of some kind of public praise or declaration. His mercy endures forever is found:

In David’s psalm of praise recorded in 1 Chronicles 16:7 (16:34).

In the assignments of the priests in David’s day (1 Chronicles 16:41).

In Israel’s praise at the dedication of Solomon’s temple (2 Chronicles 5:13, 7:3, 7:6).

In the record of the LORD’s victory over the Ammonites as they praised (2 Chronicles 20:21).

In the future praise by Israel after the destruction suffered in the Babylonian conquest (Jeremiah 33:10-11).

In the dedication of Ezra’s temple (Ezra 3:11). 

We picture a great multitude of the people of God gathered in the temple courts. A priest or Levite would call out a reason to give God thanks, and His people would respond with, “For His mercy endures forever.” 1

The phrase “the God of heaven” (v.26) is a Persian title for God found frequently in Ezra, Nehemiah and Daniel. The Psalm is a liturgy of praise to the Lord as Creator and as Israel’s Redeemer. Its theme and many of its verses parallel much of Psalm 135. Most likely a Levitical song the leader led the recital which the choir or worshipers responded with the refrain. The Psalm recounts God’s mighty acts as the psalmist devotes six verse to God’s creation acts (Vv.1-3) six to His deliverance of Israel out of Egypt (Vv.10-15) one to the desert journey (v. 16) and six to the conquest (Vv.17-22) The four concluding verses return to the same basic themes in reverse order; God’s action in history on behalf of His people (Vv.23-24), God’s action in the creation order (v.25) and a closing call to praise (v.26).

Collect for Psalm 136; God of everlasting love, through your Word you made all things in heaven and on earth; you have open to us the path from death o life. Listen to the song of the universe, the hymn of resurrection, sung by your Church, and give us your blessing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 2

Sources:

Luther’s Seal copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

1. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-136/ 

2. Collect for Psalm 136, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. IV, The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, © 1996 Delhi, NY 

Proper 12 Series B reflection

In our Gospel lesson for today we will see that Jesus provides, preserves, and protects. We might try to control our lives. And do things within our personal power. But we are nothing without Christ. When we recognize His strength. We know He will rescue us from the “waves” of life!

Almighty God, the protector of all who trust In You, strengthen our faith, and give us courage to believe that in Your love You will rescue us from all adversity through Jesus Christ our LORD.

Hymn: #39 - “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty” Vv.1-2

Confession/Absolution:

LORD - we pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father.

In Your compassion forgive us our sins. Known and unknown. Things done. And left undone. And so uphold us by Your Spirit.

That we may live and serve you in newness of life. To the honor and glory of Your Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God have mercy on you. Forgive you all your sins.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ. And may He strengthen you in all goodness.

And by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;

2     Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears be attentive

    to my cry for mercy.

3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,

    Lord, who could stand?

4 But with you there is forgiveness,

    so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,

    and in his word I put my hope.

6 I wait for the Lord

    more than watchmen wait for the morning,

    more than watchmen wait for the morning.

7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,

    for with the Lord is unfailing love

    and with him is full redemption.

8 He himself will redeem Israel

    from all their sins.

 Matthew 14:22-23 Jesus Walks on the Water

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.

 Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”   “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Hymn #39 - “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty” Vv. 3-4

In today’s story, there were people who did walk on water. The disciples were out on a boat on a lake. And there were some big winds and waves coming up.

Suddenly. In the middle of the night. They saw someone walking over the water to them. They were scared at first. But then the person called out. And it was Jesus!

He told them not to worry. Then Peter. Who sometimes acts without thinking. Asked Jesus if he could come join Him on the water. Jesus invited Peter out. So he stepped out of the boat and began to walk over the waves.

It must have suddenly occurred to Peter that this should not be happening. Because he suddenly looked down and started to panic. He began to sink. And called out to Jesus “save me!”

Jesus took Peter’s hand. And led him back to the boat. And as soon as they climbed in. The wind died down.

This might seem like a strange story. Who walks on water, after all? Can we believe enough to do that?

No…we can’t believe enough to do anything, on our own. Peter started to sink when he took His eyes off Jesus. In our lives. We start to “sink” spiritually if we put our trust in ourselves. If we think we can do things on our own. We will fail. But when we fix our eyes on Jesus. We can know that we will be safe.

Here comes Jesus. His feet are flattening out the sea like it’s a wet sidewalk. He doesn’t stand on the shore and shout instructions to us, “Row a little harder! Put some muscle into it! Get your act together! Think positive! You can do it!”

Jesus is not a life coach, a personal trainer, or a cheerleader on the sidelines of life. He is the Lord of the storms of life. He rules the winds and the waves. He comes to us in the midst of our fear and hopelessness to say, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

“Take courage, it is I who rescued the frightened Israelites when they were trapped between the chariots of Egypt and the Red Sea.”

“Take courage, it is I who calmed the sea for the sailors when they cast Jonah into the waves.”

The one who walks on water to save us, to be with us in the storms of life, is not a ghost. He is the flesh-and-blood God of our salvation.

He doesn’t tread upon the waves to wow us but to rescue us, to forgive us, to be our light when all about is darkness."[1]

He has promised to protect and provide for us. When we pray. And read our Bibles. And remember that God is nearby. We can take hope in His presence and power. We can live much easier with Jesus to guide us… Jesus will keep us afloat!

Lord thank you for your love and care. Thank you for rescuing us from the stormy seas of life. Help us to remember to trust in you for strength and power. Help us to keep our eyes and hearts fixed on you. We can do nothing without you. Thank you for giving us strength.[2]

Hymn # - 37/38 “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”

 

Words –975
Passive Sentences –0%
Readability –85.6%
Reading Level -3.3

[1] Chad Bird

[2] https://ministry-to-children.com/jesus-walks-on-water-sermon/

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Image Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things 

 

 

St. Mary Magdalene (July 22)

 
Proverbs 31:10–31
Acts 13:26–31
John 20:1–2, 10–18

St. Mary Magdalene

“An excellent wife who can find?” (Prov. 31:10). The Lord’s love does not search out what is lovely. Instead, His love seeks out sinners and dies for them, washes them clean, and presents them to Himself as a spotless bride (Eph. 5). Christ had no wife on earth; His bride is the Church—the assembly of forgiven sinners rescued by His death and resurrection. Among them is St. Mary Magdalene, one who had come up with Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem (Acts 13:31). The Lord rescued her from the power of seven demons and she provided for Him out of her means (Luke 8:2–3). Christians have traditionally connected her with the unnamed penitent woman who was forgiven much by faith and thus loved much by anointing Jesus’ feet (Luke 7:36–50). 

She was there at Christ’s death, present at His burial, and honored as the first witness of His resurrection. She would have clung to Him there in the garden, but the Lord had not yet ascended to His Father and our Father (John 20:16–18) to fill all things (Eph. 4:10). For now He is heard in the Word of His witnesses and is here bodily in His Supper, not just for Mary, but for all penitents who fear the Lord (Prov. 31:30), so that grace may abound all the more (Rom. 5:20).

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Lectionary Summary copyright LCMS commission on worship

Monday Prior to Proper 12

 

Psalm 145:1-3, 6-7, Antiphon, Psalm 145:5 On the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.  This is a hymn summarizing the characteristics of God. It is in acrostic form, making it easy to memorize: each verse in Hebrew begins with a successive letter of the alphabet. Vv. 1-3 are the psalmist’s personal expression of praise. 

In v. 4, he expands to speaking of descendants, of passing on knowledge and experience of God. God is known for his “wondrous works” (v. 5). In vv. 8-20, he expands still further, to “all people” (v. 12). Vv. 8-9 mention his love, vv. 10-13a his kingship over all, vv. 14-20 of his care of all in need. 

Responsiveness to his call brings protection (v. 20a) but those who oppose his ways will be destroyed. Finally, v. 21 combines the personal commitment to God with that of “all flesh.”

In the lessons for this coming Sunday, God’s promises are given and the Lord remembers those promises while man might not. In the Old Testament lesson the Lord promises Noah and his family that He will never again destroy the earth by a flood. (Genesis 9:8-17) In the Epistle lesson (Ephesians 3:14-21) Paul thanks the Lord for the richness of grace which the Lord has established in Christ. In the Gospel (Mark 6:45-56) Christ comes walking to His frightened disciples on the sea. They do not recognize Him because of fear and hardness of heart. The sermon hymn Entrust Your Days and Burdens, LSB #754 based on Psalm 37:5 reminds us that it is the Lord Himself that orders our days. 

Faith calls for us to recognize the Lord working in our life especially when we cannot see His hand at work. God will not abandon us to the world we create for ourselves.  God does not withdraw to a contamination-free zone and leave us to get on with it, but enters into the darkness, seriousness and consequences of human wrong-doing in order to save us.

 Collect for Psalm 145: Loving Father, you are faithful in you 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.

Sources:

Luther’s Seal copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Collect for Psalm 145, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. IV The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau,© 1996 Delhi, NY

Pentecost 9 - Proper 11

Mark 6:30-34

Immanuel Lutheran Church

Decatur, IN

It's more than enough

[1]

One of life’s major mistakes is being the last member of the family to get the flu – After all the compassion has run out.

It is often true. That most of our compassion is wasted on ourselves.

 Or, that we are compassionate. If it costs us nothing. In our Gospel lesson, we learn of someone who is not like us. We see Christ who has a passion for compassion.

Jesus - His heart goes out to you. He is compassionate. Because He knows all your needs.

Your Lord knows His sheep. You are His. You are a sheep of His fold. A lamb of His flock. A sinner of His own redeeming. He knows your needs. He knows what you want. And how you demand it.

Jesus said, “Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you, by being anxious, can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” – [2]

He knows you personally. David prays, “Search my O God, You know my heart.”

            O LORD, you have searched me and known me!

            You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

                        You discern my thoughts from afar.

            You search out my path and my lying down.

                        And are acquainted with all my ways.

            Even before a word is on my tongue,

                        Behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.[3]

 

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

In your book were written, every one of them,

The days that were formed for me,

When as yet there was none of them.[4]

Jesus knew His disciples were tired. He directed them to go to a desolate place. Where they could be alone and rest. He was looking out for them. Giving them rest. So they could continue to minister to the world.

While wandering in the desert. The Father provided manna. He gave them water that flowed from the rocks to His chosen people, the Israelites, so they would not perish in the desert.

In the Garden of Eden. He provided Adam and Eve. With a garden full of food.

These blessings do not stop. We live in this modern world. True. We no longer have bread falling from the sky. The LORD our Creator has given us the ability to harvest the very earth to produce food that will nourish and sustain us.

Many of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen by trade. They lived off what the sea provides them. We have been endowed with the ability to manipulate our surrounding environment to best suit our needs. A packet of seeds sown in May. Has now produced - 50 marigold plants in our flowerbeds! One kernel of corn planted in the spring.  Produces bushels come harvest!

This is the world of our Great Creator. Jesus had such compassion that he feed them all. 5,000 men. Plus women and children. With leftovers to spare.  It was more than enough. He fills their stomachs. He nourished their souls. (vv.31, 35-44)

He has come with divine compassion to save us from sin and death and to feed us with Himself. As our Lord Jesus once took bread. Said a blessing. Broke the loaves. And gave them to the disciples. And the disciples gave them to the crowds.

He also now takes bread. Blesses it by His Word. Declares it to be His very body. And distributes it to His Church by the hand of His called and ordained servants.

Just as “they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces,” there is more than enough for His whole Church to eat and to be satisfied.

When He saw the crowd, He felt compassion.

In settling His accounts. Our LORD acts not with anger. But with compassion. He does not imprison us as we deserve. But He forgives all our debts. And releases us.

Therefore. Our Lord bids each of us to have “mercy on your fellow servant.” And “forgive your brother from your heart.”[5]

He saw them as lost sheep. In need of a Shepherd. His heart went out to them. This compassion moves Him to action.

He shepherds His flock. Then, He saw the crowds who were seeking him. He taught them. They needed Him and His teaching. He revealed Himself as their true Shepherd by proclaiming Good News. By leading with His Word, “He began to teach them many things.” (v. 34)

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” — [6]

The Lord suffers in all the afflictions of His people. Because of His love He feels what you feel. He hurts when you hurt. He suffered when you too suffer.

When the Lord called Moses. He said that He heard the cries of His enslaved people in Egypt. No one ever suffers alone.

No one ever walks alone. Remember and recall the very last words the Savior spoke while standing on this earth.

On the day of His glorious Ascension. He reminds you of such a wonderful promise when He said, “I am with you always!’ That is not an idle wish. It’s a reality you have come to know by faith.

It’s more than enough. He saves you. By going to that glorious and blessed cross. Bearing your sin. Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Redemption by crucifixion is the Savior’s supreme act of compassion – for you.

Christ’s forgiveness – Purchased and won for you at the cross – This is Christ’s compassion for you. The forgiving king cancelled the liability of his debt. And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.[7]  

The waiting father. Had compassion for his son. – But while he was still a long way off. His father saw him. And felt compassion. And ran. And embraced him. And kissed him.  [8] And who would do such a compassionate thing as this? Your LORD! That’s who.

Compassion. What a beautiful description of Christ’s attitude toward you. To sheep who are prone to wander. And often find themselves lost and hurt. It is good news. That you have a Shepherd who pours out His heart to you. And who poured out His blood for you.[9]

---

[1] Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] Matthew 6:24-34

[3] Psalm 139:1-4

[4] Psalm 139:16

[5] Matthew 18:33,35

[6] John 10:11-14

[7] Matthew 18:27

[8] Luke 15:20

[9]  Words – 1,355

   Passive Sentences –3.2%

   Readability –87.4

   Reading Level – 3.1