Tuesday prior to Lent 5

Psalm 126; key verse, verse 3:  The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126 is a song of joy for restoration to Zion. If not composed for those who returned from Babylonian exile, the place of exiles is not named; it surely served to voice the joy of the restored community. The psalm divides into two stanzas of four Hebrew lines each with their initial lines sharing a common theme. Thematic unity is further served by repetition and other key words.

Psalm 126 – Amazed at God’s Work

This psalm is titled A Song of Ascents. It is the seventh in the series of 15 songs for pilgrims coming to Jerusalem. This song likely was composed after the exile, in wondrous gratitude for God’s restoration, and in prayer for a furtherance of that work.

The LORD has done great things for them: The sense of joyful amazement was not confined to the people of God. On looking nations had to proclaim that the work belonged to Yahweh, and that the work was truly great.

“The liberty now granted was brought about in such an extraordinary way, that the very heathens saw that the hand of the great Jehovah must have been in it.”

“These foreigners were no dreamers; though they were only lookers-on, and not partakers in the surprising mercy, they plainly saw what had been done, and rightly ascribed it to the great Giver of all good.”

The LORD has done great things for us: The singer heard what the nations said, agreed with it, emphasized it with repetition, and personalized it. It became the declaration of what God had done for us.

“Their [reluctant] acknowledgment is caught up triumphantly by the singer. He, as it were, thanks the Gentiles for teaching him that word.”

One commentator suggested four occasions where many experience great joy and the sense that God has done great things in their Christian life:

· The joy of salvation.

· The joy of spiritual victory.

· The joy of Christian fellowship.

· The joy of a new work for God.

And we are glad: There is a joyful peace in the declaration. This is not a worked-up, hyped-up enthusiasm. This was the confident joy in what God had done, simply to declare we are glad.[1]

Collect for Psalm 126: Lord Jesus, our life and our resurrection, the ears you sowed in the sorrow of your Passion brought the earth to flower on Easter morning. Renew the wonders of your power in the Church, so that, after the sorrows of our exile, we may come home to you in gladness and praise you now and forever. [2]

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[1] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-126/

[2] Collect for Psalm 126, For All the Saints, a Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. I © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Monday prior to Lent 5

 

Psalm 3:3-6, Antiphon, Psalm 3:8, Salvation belongs to the Lord; Your blessings be on Your people! Though threatened by many foes, the psalmist prays confidently to the Lord. A common feature in the prayers of the Psalter is a concluding expression of confidence that the prayer will be heard. David’s confidence becomes a testimony to God’s people. As he stands before God, the psalmist, King David, prays on behalf of the nation.

Psalm 3 – Peace in the midst of a storm

This is the first psalm with a title: A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son. James Montgomery Boice points out that since these titles are in the canonical text of the Hebrew Bible, “They are to be taken with absolute seriousness throughout.” The events are recorded in 2 Samuel 15-18, but the heart of David at that difficult time is recorded in this psalm.

Salvation belongs to the LORD: David understood that salvation – both in the ultimate and immediate sense – was God’s property. It isn’t the property of any one nation or sect, but of the LORD God. To be saved, one must deal with the LORD Himself.

Your blessing is upon Your people: This showed David’s heart in a time of personal calamity. He wasn’t only concerned for God’s hand upon himself, but upon all God’s people. He didn’t pray for preservation and victory in the trial with Absalom just for his own sake, but because it was best for the nation.[1]

The Theme for Lent 5, “Forecast of the Future,” helps us see the purpose and the necessity of the cross. It is a one-time act but has eternal consequences. In the Old Testament lesson (Isaiah 43:16-21), God will do a new thing for His people.  He promises to do a new thing for His people, something good. In the Epistle lesson (Philippians 3:8-14), Christians strain forward to the future goal of Christ. Paul says that he forgets the past and looks forward to the future. In the Gospel lesson (Luke 20:9-19), judgment will come to those who reject God’s Son. This is brought out in the parable of the wicked tenants. The Hymn of the Day Stricken Smitten, and Afflicted is a contemplative hymn, which focuses on Christ’s crucifixion. It is one of the most powerful hymns in our hymnal.

Collect for Psalm 3: Lord God, king of the universe, you deliver your people from adversity even as you delivered your own Son from the grasp of death. Shield us from danger and raise us up on the last day with all your saints to dwell with you in your eternal kingdom; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [2]

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[1] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-3/

[2] Collect for Psalm 3; For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. I © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Lent 5 Series C study notes

07 April 2019
03 April 2022
06 April 2025

Isaiah 43:16–21
Philippians 3:(4b–7) 8–14
Luke 20:9–20 

Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look upon Your People that that we may be governed and preserved evermore in body and soul; through Jesus Christ...

God’s Beloved Son Has Redeemed Us

Our life and works apart from Christ, no matter how they may glitter to the eyes of the world, are ultimately rubbish and have no righteousness. Rather, in the scandalous cross of Jesus we find our righteousness alone “through faith in Christ” (Philippians 3:9). By such faith, we “know him and the power of his resurrection” (Philippians 3:10). For the same God who brought Israel out of Egypt, has done a “new thing” for us in Christ Jesus. He has sent his beloved Son into his vineyard – to be killed by sinful men and to become “the stone the builders rejected.” Yet, the One rejected by men “has become the “cornerstone” of His Church (Luke 20:17). Through the waters of Holy Baptism, he provides us daily refreshment in our earthly pilgrimage, “a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19).

Luke 20:9-20

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

Luke 20:9

Ἤρξατο δὲ πρὸς τὸν λαὸν λέγειν τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἄνθρωπος ἐφύτευσεν ἀμπελῶνα, καὶ ἐξέδετο αὐτὸν γεωργοῖς, καὶ ἀπεδήμησεν χρόνους ἱκανούς. 

And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while.

Luke 20:10

καὶ καιρῷ ἀπέστειλεν πρὸς τοὺς γεωργοὺς δοῦλον, ἵνα ἀπὸ τοῦ καρποῦ τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος δώσουσιν αὐτῷ· οἱ δὲ γεωργοὶ ἐξαπέστειλαν αὐτὸν δείραντες κενόν.

When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed.

Luke 20:11

καὶ προσέθετο ἕτερον πέμψαι δοῦλον· οἱ δὲ κἀκεῖνον δείραντες καὶ ἀτιμάσαντες ἐξαπέστειλαν κενόν.

And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed.

Luke 20:12

καὶ προσέθετο τρίτον πέμψαι· οἱ δὲ καὶ τοῦτον τραυματίσαντες ἐξέβαλον. 

And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out.

Luke 20:13

εἶπεν δὲ ὁ κύριος τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος· Τί ποιήσω; πέμψω τὸν υἱόν μου τὸν ἀγαπητόν· ἴσως τοῦτον ἐντραπήσονται. 

Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 

Luke 20:14

ἰδόντες δὲ αὐτὸν οἱ γεωργοὶ διελογίζοντο πρὸς ἀλλήλους λέγοντες· Οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ κληρονόμος· ἀποκτείνωμεν αὐτόν, ἵνα ἡμῶν γένηται ἡ κληρονομία·

But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’

Luke 20:15

καὶ ἐκβαλόντες αὐτὸν ἔξω τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος ἀπέκτειναν. τί οὖν ποιήσει αὐτοῖς ὁ κύριος τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος; 

And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 

Luke 20:16

ἐλεύσεται καὶ ἀπολέσει τοὺς γεωργοὺς τούτους, καὶ δώσει τὸν ἀμπελῶνα ἄλλοις. ἀκούσαντες δὲ εἶπαν· Μὴ γένοιτο. 

He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” 

Luke 20:17

ὁ δὲ ἐμβλέψας αὐτοῖς εἶπεν· Τί οὖν ἐστιν τὸ γεγραμμένον τοῦτο· Λίθον ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας; 

But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone [the head of the corner’]?

Luke 20:18

πᾶς ὁ πεσὼν ἐπ’ ἐκεῖνον τὸν λίθον συνθλασθήσεται· ἐφ’ ὃν δ’ ἂν πέσῃ, λικμήσει αὐτόν. 

Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

Paying Taxes to Caesar

Luke 20:19

καὶ ἐζήτησαν οἱ γραμματεῖς καὶ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς ἐπιβαλεῖν ἐπ’ αὐτὸν τὰς χεῖρας ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ, καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν τὸν λαόν, ἔγνωσαν γὰρ ὅτι πρὸς αὐτοὺς εἶπεν τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην.

The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 

Luke 20:20 

Καὶ παρατηρήσαντες ἀπέστειλαν ἐγκαθέτους ὑποκρινομένους ἑαυτοὺς δικαίους εἶναι, ἵνα ἐπιλάβωνται αὐτοῦ λόγου,  ὥστε παραδοῦναι αὐτὸν τῇ ἀρχῇ καὶ τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ τοῦ ἡγεμόνος.

So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.

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 Crucifixion’© WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
-LCMS Lectionary notes © 2016
-Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing

Saturday prior to Lent 4

John 3:1-18; Ephesians 2:1-10-Sunday’s suggested hymn of the day is LSB 571 God loved the world so that He gave. The hymn tells the story of salvation from beginning to end. It teaches the faith and is a hymn that can easily be put to memory. We are now in the middle of our journey through Lent. The cross becomes ever clearer. As you meditate on this hymn, rejoice in your salvation.

In the New Testament, Jesus’ life is unfolded and was revealed to all who listened. The promise of love and salvation came to fulfillment in Jesus who was sent by the God so we may not perish and in order that we may live in God’s presence.

It was because of love, the love of the Father to us that he gave his only Son for our ransom, so we may live, so we may be restored to life.

How are we in our following of Jesus? Are we enjoying life and salvation in Him? Have we changed our old ways to the ways of God? Do we follow His will heartily just like Jesus who obeyed his Father until his last moment here on earth? Do we bring love and salvation in our families, in our circle of friends, and in our communities?

The Lord has not condemned the world even if people have disobeyed and displeased Him very much. He has come to save us and do we believe in this? During the time of Jesus, a few good men and women believed in him and followed him. Though not always faithful and obedient, God’s mercy is enough. It is not of human standards but of God’s. Jesus is God’s best gesture of his love for us for only thru Jesus that we are reconnected to God every time we falter and fail. Do we really believe the great love of God to us? Faith is a gift for those who receive it.

When a person has love, one has salvation. When a person has love, one experiences God. When a person has love, one is not condemned but saved. When a person has love, one grows in grace and lives in peace. The fact is, God the Father sent his Son, and the Son obeyed so must we obey to God. When we are sent to love, do we love without conditions and boundaries? When we are sent to share love, do we share it willingly and joyfully with others?[1]

 

Collects for Lent 4: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children, and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and  reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[2]

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[1] https://interaksyon.philstar.com/lifestyle/2017/06/11/78256/reflection-god-so-loved-the-world-that-he-sent-his-only-son/

[2] Collect for Lent 4, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

Friday prior to Lent 4

[1]

Luke 15:1-3; 11-32–The Father welcomes the penitent (the response to salvation)

The Gospel lesson for this week assures us of God’s joyous reception for the repentant sinner. Jesus was criticized for associating with sinners. In His defense, Jesus tells the parables recorded in Luke 15 of God’s acceptance of a repentant sinner.

Vv. 1-3 provides the setting. Tax collectors and sinners were the sort who did not have ears to listen to Jesus and yet He welcomes them. At issue is Jesus’ welcome and acceptance of sinners. The parables which follow are a defense and vindication of the Gospel. In particular, Vv. 11-32 has something to say both to “tax collectors and sinners” and to “Pharisees and scribes.”

Jesus associated with sinners not because He approved of their way of life. He knew they needed Him. They needed friendship and understanding. He went to them for a purpose, to lead them to repentance. He did not, nor should we; go to them to become one of them but to get them to become one with Him. This is the reason for today’s church to go to the worst – to win them back to God.

Do you honestly feel about sinners as God does? Are you glad when a sinner sees his error and comes back? Do you love the sinner, and accept him as though nothing happened? Like God will you forgive from the heart without passing judgment or asking questions? Would you take an ex-murderess into your home to care for your youngest child? Really?  Then you identify with the Father.

Notice the Father has compassion. Literally he was “moved in the gut,” or “his stomach ached for him.” Significantly, in the New Testament it refers to the Savior, the forgiving King (Matthew 18:27) and the Father in this particular passage.  There is a tenderness here in the Father. His heart melts for us.

A prayer for help in times of temptation – Almighty and everlasting God, through Your Son You have promised us forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. Govern our hearts by Your Holy Spirit that in our daily need and especially in all time of temptation, we may seek Your help and, by a true and lively faith in Your Word, obtain all that You have promised; through Jesus Christ our Lord. [2]

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[1] The Prodigal Son, Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

Lent 4 reflection

 

 Lost and Found; getting what we don’t deserve.

Law/Gospel Theme: We all make mistakes. And because of that we should deserve consequences. When Jesus took our bad things on Himself, it allowed God to take the punishment away from us and let us have Heaven instead. We should give thanks for that and live to God’s glory because of the great things Jesus has done.

The message from Jesus today will speak of the Father’s amazing grace. We often “lose” when we sin. Yet God loves us enough to seek us out and let us “win”!

Today we will see that God gives us great things even though we have fallen short. That is what the good news of the Gospel is all about! Jesus reminds us that there is a dance party in heaven every time someone repents.

Prayer: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and although we deserve only punishment You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we heartily acknowledge your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience through Jesus Christ our Lord. - Collect for Lent 4 Lutheran Service Book 

Hymn: Pg. 55 “Jesus Loves Me”

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.

Luke 15:1-3 11-32

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: ….

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 

¹² The younger one said to his father, Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. 

²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

²⁵ “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷ ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

²⁸ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 

³⁰ But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

³¹ “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Hymn: # 57 “Just As I Am”

In the gospel reading today. Jesus tells a story about two sons. He told this story because some people were quite upset with Jesus and his compassion for sinners.

And in this story both boys got what they did not deserve!

You see, the younger son in the story asked his Father for all his money. But then he ran away and wasted it. 

Well, this one did much worse things. He abandoned his family. But eventually, the money and fun times ran out.

And he realized he’d made some big mistakes. He thought he could make it and ignore his dad.

 

But finally he decided he needed to apologize and hope that he could accept punishment and just live like a servant. He didn’t think his dad would even let him back home as a son.

But did you hear what happened? Not only did his Father rejoice when he saw his wandering son. He even threw him a party and gave him special presents!

The Father was so happy to see His Son. It was like he hadn’t done anything wrong.

Now the older son. He’s still angry that the Fahe is always moved with compassion. He would not consider that his Father is merciful.

This may seem strange. Shouldn’t we be disciplined? Shouldn’t the guilty pay? Well, in a lot of ways they should… But the good news of the Bible is that even though we sin, God still lets us be part of His family.

This is what is called “grace.” We deserve the punishment that our sins have earned. But grace gives us positive rewards instead.

God loves us so much that He wants to find us no matter where we are or how far we stray.

Nothing can get us so far away from God that He won’t let us back in His arms. He let the death of Jesus cover over the things we do.

Jesus didn’t do anything wrong. So He didn’t deserve to die. But He took on the punishment for our sin. So that we could get the reward of His goodness. [1]

That hardly seems fair! But we can thank God that life is not always fair. Just like the Father in the story, God celebrates over us when we come to Him. Grace. - God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense - is all a part of the Father’s plan to bring us home with Him.

The gospel story of the waiting father reminds you that have a heavenly Father. Who yearns. Longs. And waits for the sinner to come home. There will always be a warm welcome waiting. When one returns. There will be no questions asked. There will be no scolding. – Only the joy of reconciliation. Still, the Father continues to show mercy.

In the open yet nail scared hands of the wounded Savior. You will find forgiveness and life. No matter what the past.

 

 

It shall be forgiven. And forgotten. That is mercy. Compassion. And pardon. Which the Savior has always promised.

Prayer: Thank you, LORD for your love and care. Thank you for sending Jesus. Thank you for Jesus’ love and concern for us all and for His promise that He will never turn His back on us but will always be ready with His mercy and love.  

As the Lord has given us one another and we give thanks for God’s grace and mercy as we offer prayers on this day.

As the Lord has given us the beauty of worship and the gift of fellowship with one another. We thank you Lord for gathering us on this day.

As the Lord has given us neighbors, friends, families, and coworkers to share the joys and burdens of this life. We thank you Lord, for the privilege of loving others.

As the Lord has given us a promise that where He goes, He will prepare a place for us.

We thank you Lord for the gift of life and for giving us to one another for safekeeping. Bring us home when it is time. Lord in your grace, hear our prayer.

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[1] Prodigal Son (Luke 15:1-3; 11-32) Children’s Sermon - Ministry To Children

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Thursday prior to Lent 4

 

2 Corinthians 5:16-21– The cross is the wisdom and power of God.

Paul will admit that before coming to faith in Christ he had a secular understanding of Jesus based purely on human considerations. But now having been united with Christ through faith in Him and committed to Him, now he is a new creation. Everything in his life now centers in Christ. God takes the initiative in redemption. He sustains it and brings it to completion. When the Savior died, God’s justice was satisfied, His anger was appeased. At the cross, God was reconciled to the world.

The central message of Christianity – that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on a cross and in that dying offers us forgiveness and eternal life is a stumbling block; “folly,” Paul writes. He makes it clear that the world did not come to know God through wisdom, that is, through its intellect. Only through the preaching of the cross of Jesus Christ crucified has humanity come to know God. The whole idea of Christ, he says, is folly or foolishness –except to those who believe, for whom Christ is the power of God.

In a sense, our reading for today is the key to the other readings for this Sunday. The Old Testament lesson (Isaiah 12:1-6) tells us of God’s coming salvation. The Gospel (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32) describes God’s reception of sinners. But how is salvation, forgiveness, and acceptance made possible? The answer is in the cross where the world of salvation is completed. 

Because Christ and His atoning work the Father can receive with joy the one who once despised him and ran off. As we approach Holy Week it is good for us to think about the meaning of the cross in anticipation of Good Friday. 

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. [1]

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[1] Collect for Home and Family, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Lenten Mid-week homily

 

 THE COMPASSIONATE WORD (JOHN 19:26–27)

-From Bach’s St. John Passion we hear these words:

“He of everything took heed.

In his hour of dying 

Caring for His mother’s need,

On His friend relying.

O man, do all things aright

Love God and thy neighbor,

Die then without pain and fright.

Rest from care and labor.”

The Savior’s word from the cross is a word of compassion. “Woman, behold, your son! [Son] behold, your mother!” The disciples had fled in fear. Only the women remained, along with the disciple whom Jesus loved. Jesus’ mother, Mary, her sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene together with John. These remained near the cross, keeping vigil. 

Some of you have been there, keeping watch over a loved one as they take a walk, from one end of Christ’s kingdom to the other: from the kingdom of grace into the kingdom of glory. It’s a sacred time, painful though it is. Words need not be spoken in such a reverent space. Still, it’s painful.

1. This Word: The Compassionate Word

A. His Mother Watches

Yet this scene is haunting. No mother expects to see her child die. That is quite out of order. Children are supposed to bury their mothers, not mothers their children. Simeon had told Mary that a sword would pierce her own soul too. Did she realize at the time what those prophetic words meant? How it must have grieved the blessed mother of our Lord to see her Son dying on the cross! What mother could bear such a sight?

Could she have imagined such things that glorious night in Bethlehem when shepherds came to visit and told of angels and heavenly “Glorias” as she had pondered everything they said in her heart? Could she have known the destiny of her Son as He changed water into wine at the wedding at Cana? Could she have understood why this was necessary to save the world, to save her? 

B. His Best Friend Watches

John, His best friend, is there too. Who can bear to watch his best friend die such a horrible death? John, who had leaned on Jesus the night before at table, now stares up at the scene against the blackened sky. It was all so confusing. It was not the way it was supposed to go. They had ridden into Jerusalem to shouts of “Hosanna!” and the waving of palms. Jesus had entered the city like the King that He was. It was His moment; the crowds were with Him. And now it all comes down to this. Here Jesus is broken, beaten, bleeding, dying. John’s heart, too, must have been broken as this Son of Thunder stands there utterly helpless to help his best friend.

C. Jesus Has Compassion

From the cross, Jesus looks with compassion on His friend whom He loved and upon His mother, the gentle woman who had bore Him, nursed and nurtured Him, raised Him from boyhood in Nazareth. Some believe that Joseph had long since died. Jesus had cared for His mother as her firstborn son.

Now, in a singular intimate moment, He entrusts His beloved mother to His beloved disciple, to John. “Woman,” He says, addressing her with honor and respect, as He always did. He never calls her “Mother” in Scripture, though she was His mother. Instead, He calls her “Woman,” emphasizing that she has no special status as His mother, yet she is accorded full respect and honor. “Woman, behold, your son. Behold, your mother.” 

As Jesus is the surrogate Sinner, so now John is the surrogate son. Such compassion Jesus has that even in His dying breath, He cares for the needs of His mother. From that time on, John took her into his home.

II. Community in Christ

A. The Family of Christ

Behold, thy mother. He places us into family, into community. He gives us to one another that we may be sons and daughters, mothers, and fathers, for one another. 

One time, when Mary and Jesus’ family wanted to take Him into protective custody, fearing that He had lost His mind, His disciples told Him, “Your mother and brothers are here for you.” Jesus looked

at the people gathered in a circle around Him and said, “Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:50)

B. The Body of Christ

Death is a thief robbing us of the company of those we love, separating mothers from sons, fathers from daughters, and husbands from wives. This is the isolating result of our sin that we are separated from those we love by death. Sometimes sin has a wedging way, driving deep divisions into families, setting members against one another, estranging us from one another. Divorce is only the tip of the iceberg that cuts through the bonds of blood.

But Jesus calls us into community, into His family, the Church. We are children of God, born in Baptism, born of our holy virgin mother, the Church. Woman, behold, thy son, thy daughter. Child of God, behold, thy mother.

III. No Longer Separated

A. Unity in the Body of Christ

“The separation in His death is the death of our separation.” The barrier of sin is torn down; the judgment of the Law lifted; the gates of our solitary confinement opened wide. The death of Jesus brings us together into Holy Communion and a holy community. Emanuel - God who is with us. 

Gathered in His Name, around His Word, Baptism, body and blood, we are bound together in His death and life.

They say blood runs thicker than water. Family ties are strong. But baptismal water runs even thicker than blood, for it binds us together as one in the Body of Christ, a communion that goes on forever. The bonds of blood end with death. Husband and wife are united as “one flesh” until death parts them. But our unity in the body of Christ goes beyond death and the grave and on to resurrection and eternal life. Look around you and behold your brother, your sister, your family. He gives us to one another for safe keeping - until He brings us home.

B. The Love of God

Years later, John reflected on this in his First Epistle. He writes: Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us. (4:7–12)

Thus, we pray:

May we all Your loved ones be,

All one holy family,

Loving, since Your love we see:

Hear us, holy Jesus. Amen. 

(Lutheran Service Book 447:9)

Words –1,200

Passive Sentences –8.6%

Readability –78%

Reading Level -5.3

Wednesday prior to Lent 4

 

Isaiah 12:1-6– Thanks to God for His salvation. Salvation comes from God

 The Old Testament lesson from Isaiah 12 reminds us that salvation is from above; it deals with the basic element of the Christian faith: God’s grace in the cross for man’s reconciliation. Isaiah reminds us that salvation is from God and that salvation is all by grace. This causes us to be thankful as we receive this gift of salvation freely by grace through faith.

Six times the future tense is used: “will.” This passage looks forward to the coming salvation as we look to Good Friday’s cross. It deals with an anticipated joy of deliverance.

Just prior to where our lessons begins, Isaiah has been painting pictures of the coming of the Messiah and the messianic age. Now he writes two brief psalms of thanksgiving. In the opening section, individual thanksgiving is expressed for the salvation which the Messiah will bring. The second portion is a song to be sung when drawing “water from the wells” of salvation. 

A Collect for Lent – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment., You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[1]-

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[1] Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Reflection on the 8th Commandment

 

Words. Are powerful.  They can build up. They can heal. They can tear down. They can kill.

The 8^th Commandment teaches: “You shall not give false testimony.          

The LORD expects us to defend our neighbor. To shield him against false accusation. To speak well of him by truthfully praising his good qualities. And explain in his favor whatever can be explained.[1]

You might say that you’ve never taken a life. True. But you can kill and destroy your neighbor’s good name and damage his reputation by using false facts or by twisting truth.

Stolen property may be returned. But a good name may not always be given back. The most untamable thing in the world has its den just behind the back of the teeth.

There are sins of commission and sins of omission.

Sins of commission are sins we commit.

Sins of omission happen - because we failed to act.

Sins of commission is the gossip we tell.

Sins of omission - the gossip we hear. 

Sins of commission are the words we speak.

Sins of omission - the words we don’t.

Sticks and stones are hard on bones.

Aimed with angry art.

Words can sting like anything.

But silence breaks the heart. [2]

When we fail to defend our neighbor. When we trash his reputation. We define him and his standing in this world.

Dr. King had a dream. When his children would be defined by the content of their character. Your words. Do they help? Or do they hurt your neighbor’s character- in the court of public opinion?

We must confess and plead guilty before God of all sin. That we have lived as if God did not matter and as if we mattered most…that there are those whom we have hurt, and those whom we have failed to help. That our very thoughts and desires have been soiled with sin.[3]

And as we come in repentance and faith, we look to Jesus who suffered all.

St. Peter teaches, Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps: He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth. When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2: 21-24

By his wounds you have been healed. Of your thoughts. Your deeds. And even your words.

Speak. But speak wisely. Buildup. Do not tear down. Speak truthfully and honestly. Use only good words. Nasty words - Hurt God’s ears.

As Peter would remind us, “And above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers and multitude of sins. – 1 Peter 4:8

Words- 505

Passive Sentences –15% 

Readability – 87%

Reading Level – 3.2

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[1] Luther’s Small Catechism

[2] Phyllis McGinley

[3] Individual Confession, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things