September 22 – Tuesday prior to Pentecost 18 (Proper 21)

Psalm 25:1-10 – The Psalm appointed for next week has as the key verse, verse 6, “Be mindful of thy mercy, O Lord, and of thy steadfast love, for they have been from of old.”  The Psalmist asks the Lord to remember the Lord’s long-standing mercy and love but not to remember his long-standing sin.

“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul."

This Psalm is a plea from the depth of a suffering soul to the God in whom the speaker trusts for deliverance and mercy. Yet despite this trust, the text is a cry of desperation. It points to our longing for God not only to deliver us from our troubles, but also for God to see us fully. We wait for God to see us through the darkness, and to bestow the mercy that we trust God alone to give.

Woven together with this plea is a petition for instruction in following the right path (verses 4-5 and 8-10). While mercy is dependent on God and not on our own deserving, the Psalmist knows that such mercy is most often found by walking the way that God has provided within the covenant community (verses 10, 13-15).

With the Psalmist, as a community and as individuals, we pray, “See me, God, and show me that mercy and steadfast love for which I long, and which I can receive only from you.” Today, we cry the lament of Psalm 25 and wait for the salvation that we know is ours. 1

Collect for Psalm 25: Lord our God, you show us your ways of compassion and love, and you spare sinners. Remember not our sins; relive our misery; satisfy the longing of your people; and fulfill all our hopes for eternal peace through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 2

[1] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1513

[1] For All the Saints, A Prayer Book for and by the Church © 1995 American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

September 21 – Monday prior to Pentecost 18 (Proper 21)

 

Psalm 147:1-5, Antiphon, verse 6 – “The Lord lifts up the humble He casts the wicked to the ground.” Those who acknowledge that they are without resources in and of themselves, the Lord lifts up while others who trust in themselves will be cast down. This is the definition of faith.

Psalm 147 is the second of five "Alleluia" hymns that close the Psalter. Each of the last five psalms starts and ends with the imperative, "Praise the Lord!" ( translated from the Greek word, alleluia). Together, these psalms put a final exclamation point on the book that the Jewish community calls, "Praises". In other words, the Psalter closes with an extended call to praise that is directed at the Psalter's audience.[1]

We tend to think of the purpose of singing in worship as something we do as part of our relationship with God, as something we do for God. But the direction of the call to praise at the end of the Psalter is a little different. We are enjoined here to come to worship, to learn the praise of God, and to go out into the world and sing these songs (these psalms) out there. And the praise that this psalm calls for has a specific content: it is testimony about God.

Psalm 147 is exclusively praise that is sung about God. The purpose of this type of praise is testimony. As Patrick Miller has written, "the purpose of praise [is] . . . to bear witness to all who hear that God is God.[2]

As you begin another week be it at work, school or home reflect on the mighty acts of the Lord and then live your life as a testimony concerning all the Lord has done. [3]

Collect for Psalm 147 –God our Father, great builder of the heavenly Jerusalem, you know the number of the stars and call each of them by name. Heal hearts that are broken, gather those who have been scattered, and enrich us all from the plenitude of your eternal wisdom, Jesus Christ our Lord.[4]  

---

Photo Image credited by Lydia Cseh Dahling

[1] See Beth Tanner, "Rethinking the Enterprise: What Must be Considered in Formulating a Theology of the Psalms," in Rolf Jacobson, ed., Soundings in the Theology of the Psalms (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2011), 139-150.

[2] Interpreting the Psalms (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1986), 68.

[3] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1217

[4] For All the Saints, A Prayer Book for and by the Church, © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Proper 21 (Pentecost 18)

 Proper 21 "A"
 (25 Sept—1 Oct)
Ezekiel 18:1–4, 25–32
Philippians 2:1–4 (5–13) 14–18
Matthew 21:23–27 (28–32) 

The Cross of Christ Opens to Us the Way of Repentance to Life with God

 

The way of the Lord is righteous and just: “the soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4). However, because the Lord has “no pleasure in the death of anyone.” (Ezekiel 18:32), He calls sinners to repentance and faith in His gracious forgiveness of sins. The man who is thus turned away from his wickedness, who henceforth lives by the grace of God, “shall surely live; he shall not die” (Ezekiel 18:28). This way of repentance has been opened for us by the cross of Christ. In the righteousness of faith and love, “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death” (Philippians 2:8), and He was vindicated in His resurrection from the dead. Indeed, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). He has given us this name in our Baptism into Christ, in whom we now “shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). He uses the authority that He has received from His Father (Matthew 21:23–27) to preach a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, by which even “the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God” (Matthew 21:31–32).

The Cross of Christ Opens to Us the Way of Repentance to Life with God

Collect for Proper 21 - Almighty God, You exalted Your Son to the place of all honor and authority. Enlighten our minds by Your Holy Spirit that, confessing Jesus as Lord, we may be led into all truth; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

:23 Καὶ [a]ἐλθόντος αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν προσῆλθον αὐτῷ διδάσκοντι οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι τοῦ λαοῦ λέγοντες· Ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιεῖς; καὶ τίς σοι ἔδωκεν τὴν ἐξουσίαν ταύτην; 

And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 

-By what authority do you do "these things?" - Jesus had just entered Jerusalem and cleansed the Temple after Palm Sunday...This is Tuesday of Holy Week "Of what kind of authority?" they had previously accused him of demon possession...where does it come from and is it any good? 

:24 ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἐρωτήσω ὑμᾶς κἀγὼ λόγον ἕνα, ὃν ἐὰν εἴπητέ μοι κἀγὼ ὑμῖν ἐρῶ ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιῶ· 

Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 

-Which if you will tell me and also to you by what authority these things I do.  Remember, Jesus never answers a question in unbelief.

:25 τὸ βάπτισμα [b]τὸ Ἰωάννου πόθεν ἦν; ἐξ οὐρανοῦ ἢ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων; οἱ δὲ διελογίζοντο [c]ἐν ἑαυτοῖς λέγοντες· Ἐὰν εἴπωμεν· Ἐξ οὐρανοῦ, ἐρεῖ ἡμῖν· Διὰ τί οὖν οὐκ ἐπιστεύσατε αὐτῷ;

The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 

The baptism of John, from whence was it heaven or man?  Why you not follow? 

:26  ἐὰν δὲ εἴπωμεν· Ἐξ ἀνθρώπων, φοβούμεθα τὸν ὄχλον, πάντες γὰρ [d]ὡς προφήτην ἔχουσιν τὸν Ἰωάννην.

But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 

:27 καὶ ἀποκριθέντες τῷ Ἰησοῦ εἶπαν· Οὐκ οἴδαμεν. ἔφη αὐτοῖς καὶ αὐτός· Οὐδὲ ἐγὼ λέγω ὑμῖν ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιῶ.

So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. 

-“if we say from man we fear the crowd for they hold John as a prophet...neither will I say to you.” They have the authority yet fear the left hand kingdom. They fear the crowd. To agree with John is to agree with Jesus, which, answers their own question. 

The Parable of the Two Sons

:28 Τί δὲ ὑμῖν δοκεῖ; ἄνθρωπος εἶχεν τέκνα δύο. [e]προσελθὼν τῷ πρώτῳ εἶπεν· Τέκνον, ὕπαγε σήμερον ἐργάζου ἐν τῷ [f]ἀμπελῶνι. 

What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 

 - child today work in the vineyard but he replied I don't want to! But he repented, was sorry, changed his emotions, felt contrite. 

:29 ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· [g]Οὐ θέλω· ὕστερον δὲ μεταμεληθεὶς ἀπῆλθεν.

And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 

- coming to the other he said " I go" but did not...

:30 προσελθὼν δὲ τῷ [i]δευτέρῳ εἶπεν ὡσαύτως· ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· [j]Ἐγώ, κύριε· καὶ οὐκ ἀπῆλθεν. 

And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go.

- Which of the two did the will of the Father. Jesus said tax collectors and porn stars will enter before you. Turn and believe in Him.

:31   τίς ἐκ τῶν δύο ἐποίησεν τὸ θέλημα τοῦ πατρός; [k]λέγουσιν· Ὁ [l]πρῶτος. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι οἱ τελῶναι καὶ αἱ πόρναι προάγουσιν ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ.

Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 

:32 ἦλθεν γὰρ [m]Ἰωάννης πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐν ὁδῷ δικαιοσύνης, καὶ οὐκ ἐπιστεύσατε αὐτῷ· οἱ δὲ τελῶναι καὶ αἱ πόρναι ἐπίστευσαν αὐτῷ· ὑμεῖς δὲ ἰδόντες [n]οὐδὲ μετεμελήθητε ὕστερον τοῦ πιστεῦσαι αὐτῷ.

For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

_________

“God of love, You know our frailties and failings. Give us Your grace to overcome them; keep us from these things that harm us; and guide us in the way of salvation.”

The Bible testifies to the fact that all are sinners, whether in the church or in the world. In that event, why become a Christian? Why become committed to Jesus Christ? If all are sinners, even Christians, who can be saved? It is important for Christians to realize they are sinners lest they become holier-than-thou in their attitude toward non- Christians.

It is not a matter of being a sinner; it matters what kind of sinner you are. One type is missing and another is retrieved and reinstated. The two sons represent two kinds of sinners.

1. The lost sinner — the one who said, “I go, sir” — v. 30.

A. He had respect and piety — “Sir.” One of the sons was very polite and respectful of his father. He addressed him as “Sir.” This son said he would go to work as the father expected. He gave the right answer and showed the proper respect, but he was not as good as his word. This son represents “religious people” who know the right things to say in worship and prayer and in life.

They consent to God’s laws and make promises to obey but do nothing. They gave confession without execution. The have “rigor without submission Orthodoxy without obedience”.[1]

Jesus says these people do not get into the kingdom. They failed to repent. This does not mean that we are saved by acts of obedience, but it points out that a superficial and artificial relationship with God does not count. How so? They fail in two respects.

B. They give only lip service — He said emphatically: “I go.” There are the obedient ones who refuse to obey. They see no need for Christ.

C. They fail to act. He cannot do what he promised. He cannot produce — “but did not go.” Failed to do what he said – “but did not go” Lip service is inadequate, but how can we do the Father’s will and not simply say, “I will”?

Transition: The way of righteousness is that Jesus calls us sinful sons to enter the kingdom through repentance. This involves sorrow over our sins and faith that God has forgiven our sins and declared us righteous because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit He gives us a God given resolve to be righteous in our every day life.

2. The saved sinner — v. 29. He repented and He obeyed.

A. He repented —Here is a case of repentance in action. There was an “about face” in his life. One son refused to go to work in his father’s vineyard. Then he changed his mind and went to work. This about-face, this change of mind from disobedience, from no to yes, from going in the wrong direction to turning in the right direction is the meaning of repentance. When the religious leaders heard the Baptist’s call to repentance, they did not heed it, while the sinners of the day did. It was shocking to the professional religious leaders that Jesus claimed the sinners and not the religious ones were in the kingdom. He is a sinner –yet saved by grace.

B. He repented –He turned from his sinful ways. He came to the understanding that he was in need of a change in his life. He turned from his evil ways. The way of righteousness is that Jesus calls us sinful sons to enter the kingdom through repentance.

This involves sorrow over our sins; and faith that God has in fact forgiven our sins and declared us righteous. This has happened because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

C. He Obeyed — “He went.” He is the disobedient who now obeys.

1. They turn from evil to good

2. They respond to Christ.

Notice that there is action to the young man’s resolve. By the power of the Holy Spirit there is a God pleasing resolve to be righteous. It is Jesus Christ who has changed us. It is His Holy Spirit which works in us to will and to do the Father’s good and gracious will.

"Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The latter." Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you that the tax-gatherers and harlots will get into the kingdom of God before you.” -Matthew 21:31

He who has entered the kingdom through repentance loves not just in word but in deed and in truth; his faith is not dead, without works, but alive and bearing fruit.

See “BOBO’s in Paradise” by David Brooks

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Scripture quotations marked SBLGNT are from the The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

September 19– Saturday prior to Pentecost 17 (Proper 20)

 

1 John 3:17 - Our reading is the inspiration for the hymn, “We Give Thee But Thine Own.” How does this hymn harmonize with our theme for today? It emphasizes our stewardship of life and harmonizes with the Gospel with its emphasis on working in the Lord’s Kingdom. How has the Lord blessed your life? How will you return a portion to Him this coming week?

The many ways that God has provided for our needs are apparent to anyone with eyes to see.  God created the sun to give light by day and the moon and stars to give light by night.  The sun warms the earth, making it habitable.  Its warmth causes seeds to sprout in abundance, and plants respond to its light with a process called photosynthesis, which is essential to our food supply.  God gives us air to breathe and water to drink.

The author of “We give Thee but Thine Own” was William Walsham How (1823-1897), an Anglican bishop.  He was known as “the poor man’s bishop” because of his concern for the poor—and “the omnibus bishop” because he used public transportation rather than a private carriage for travels around town.

Bishop How wrote a number of hymns that reflect his concern for expressing the Gospel in terms that the average person could understand.  This hymn is a good example.  It speak of stewardship, not as a church budget concern, but as acknowledgement of the blessings that we have received from God.[1]

We give Thee but Thine own,

Whate’er the gift may be;

All that we have is Thine alone,

A trust, O Lord, from Thee.

---

[1] https://sermonwriter.com/hymn-stories/give-thee-thine/

 

September 18 – Friday prior to Pentecost 17 (Proper 20)

 

Matthew 20:1-16 - The parable of the laborers in the vineyard in the Gospel lesson for this coming week reminds us that God’s generosity is equal to all. When payment time came for the laborers in the vineyard, it was learned that each was to receive equal pay regardless of hours worked. The reward is the same in the kingdom whether we enter early or late. The thief on the cross receives the same reward as the faithful Christian who lives eighty plus years. Are we to spurn God’s generosity?

In the Lessons for this week the Gospel, as usual, gives the key to the theme of the day. When a payment time comes for the laborers in the vineyard, it was learned that each was to receive equal pay regardless of hours worked. The reward is the same in the Kingdom whether we enter early or late.

When Jesus repeats Himself pay attention.  He never wastes words. He’s not taking up dead air space. He’s speaking an intense and powerful truth. Never shallow. Always sincere.  Jesus tells us “Many who are first will be last and the last first.” He speaks these words with respect to Peter’s response.

Pious Peter. He speaks for Himself. He speaks for the twelve. He speaks for you. Peter reminds the Lord what he has done. He has sacrificed   He’s gone without. 

He’s given up, forgone and forfeited many things for Jesus’ sake. “See we have left everything and followed you Jesus. What then will we have?”

Jesus’ parable is a reaction to Peter's question. "We’ve given up everything." “What's in it for us?” he asks. Jesus tells this parable because mercy is being challenged. Who are you to spurn God’s mercy?

I mentioned this a week or so ago yet it bears repeating. Faith believes that God is not a Divine Accountant or Probation Officer. Rather, He’s an indulgent father. Who throws a party for his indigent son. He’s like an employer. Who pays employees a full day’s wage. Even though they only worked an hour. He’s like a lavish wedding host. Who provides copious amounts of only the best and finest wine. He’s your Good Shepherd. Content to leave behind ninety-nine of His herd in safety. Who will risk all. To save just one, that is lost.

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]

---

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

September 17 – Thursday prior to Pentecost 17 (Proper 20)

 

Philippians 1:1-5; 6-11; 19-27 - Our Epistle lesson for this week speaks of the generosity of Christ both in life and in death. Paul finds life on earth is Christ while the anticipation of death is gain. Paul says he does not know whether to live or die, because death would mean heaven and a closer relationship with Christ, his greatest reward. Thus our life here on earth is nothing but preparation for our life to be lived in glory.

During the summer months we went through a systematic and organized series of reading through Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. This coming week we will consider the opening lines of his letter to the Philippian congregation.  He begins by writing with a greeting, “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (1:1-2)

The course and flow of God’s good work in us is seen in Paul’s prayer (Philippians 1:9-11). God’s good work begins with love (verse 9). But, Paul’s hope is that this deep and passionate commitment to love might overflow with “knowledge and insight” (verse 9). This is an appeal that their love might be right-sighted; that they might be wise and judicious in their actions, so that when the day of Christ comes they might prove to be “pure and blameless” (verse 10). Perhaps the best way to understand this is to speak of an intense and blemish-free reflection of the life and love of Christ.

A final note here is that Paul anticipates that it is through their devotion to Jesus Christ and their life in Him, that the Philippians will have produced a harvest of righteousness (Philippians 1:11) -- that is, plainly understood, they will have embraced the challenge of living and establishing justice. [1]

 

Collect for Proper 20 – Lord God heavenly Father, since we cannot stand before You relying on anything we have done, help us trust in Your abiding grace and live according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[2]

---

[1] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2695

[2] Collect for Proper 20, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis

September 16 – Wednesday prior to Pentecost 17 (Proper 20)

 

Isaiah 55:6-9 - Generosity of mercy to all who return. In Sunday’s first reading, the prophet’s hearers are encouraged to seek God and return to Him for mercy and pardon. God’s thoughts and ways are totally different from ours. This truth is illustrated in today’s reading, the parable of laborers in the vineyard.

If God were like the world, he would not take back his enemies and freely pardon them. The world, rather, would seek revenge and treat enemies with hatred. We, by our nature, do not love or seek reconciliation. We hate and kill and never, never forgive. God is so different — thank God for that!  Those who return to the Lord in repentance will receive mercy and pardon. The same thought is echoed in the much-loved hymn, “Just as I Am” as the hymn writer reminds us that the Lord will welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve.

If you ask God for forgiveness, can you be sure that He grants it? What are the qualities to which God responds? With what urgency should you seek Him? This passage presents one of the great assurances in the Bible that God does hear and respond to sincere request for forgiveness.

Seek the Lord urgently. Our seeking must be "while he may be found . . . while He is near."  God would not be God if He were no more than a cosmic houseboy to be summoned at our whim.  There are moments of time and windows of opportunity when we must seek God. St. Paul insists, "now is the accepted time...now is the day of salvation." -2 Corinthians 6: 2

The assurance of our forgiveness rests in the character of God Himself. To be God, He must stand true to His promise.  We can be sure of seeking and finding forgiveness.

God’s pardon and forgiveness is:

Available to all

Abundant and free

Amazing and certain

Keep, we pray O Lord, Your church with Your perpetual mercy. Because without You we cannot but fall, keep us ever by Your help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable.[1]

---

[1] Collect for Proper 20, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis  Image Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcut "The Crucifixion" copyright © WELS used with permission for personal and congregational use

September 15, – Tuesday prior to Pentecost 17 (Proper 20)

 

Psalm 27:1-9 - This week’s Psalm is David’s triumphant prayer to God to deliver him from all those who conspire to bring him down. The prayer presupposes the Lord’s covenant with David. It is faith which publicly testifies to the Psalmist’s confident reliance on the Lord.

When it got dark in biblical times, they lit lamps -- not the brilliant LED lanterns you can purchase today, but simple pottery lamps, with a single wick and flame, casting just enough light to see a short ways ahead. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet, a light to my path.” If we follow God’s will, we do not know what the road will look like in a few miles or years. God gives us just a pottery lamp’s worth of light, just enough to take a few more steps. You have to trust God with that kind of light.

“The Lord is my light; whom shall I fear?” We fear the future -- but with God as our light, that small flicker banishes the darkness, and we are not alone.

“One thing I asked of the Lord; that will I seek after; to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple” (verse 4) is one of the Bible’s most eloquent, emotionally powerful, visionary verses, well worth memorizing, or installing as your life’s mission statement, etching it into the core of your soul.

So many pregnant phrases in Psalm 27 beg for reflection.

“Now my head is lifted up” (verse 6) -- that we do not hang our heads any longer, but look forward, with dignity, because of God's salvation.

“Your face, Lord, do I seek” (verse 8) -- for we do not seek some vague, ephemeral deity, but a God with a human face, the compassionate, strong face of Jesus, God become like us.

“I believe I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living,” (verse 13) -- that faith is not merely about the pledge of eternal life in another world, but it is in this world, not merely some spiritual realm, but the real, physical world, in my body, in my neighborhood, in politics, in economics, everywhere that is anywhere now.[1]

Prayer for Psalm 27 – Gracious Father, protector of those who hope in you, You heard the cry of your Son and kept him safe in your shelter in the day of evil. Grant that your servants who seek your face in times of trouble may see your goodness in the land of he living; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [2]

 

---

[1] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1872

 

[2] Collect for Psalm 27, For All the Saints A Prayer Book for and by the Church Vol.2 © 1995 American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

 

September 14 – Monday prior to Pentecost 17 (Proper 20)

 

Psalm 116:12-13, 15 - Antiphon, verse 17: “I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.” – This psalm is a song of deliverance from death. David or another king such as Hezekiah may have written it. (See Isaiah 38:10-20)

Isaiah sets the tone reminding us Hezekiah was sick and near death.  Isaiah the prophet went to him and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: 'Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.'"

The King responds, “In the prime of my life must I go through the gates of death and be robbed of the rest of my years?”   Death is no respecter of persons. It will strike at any time to persons young and old alike, even those in the prime of their life.

Hezekiah had looked forward to a long life, and to a prosperous and peaceful reign. Then he became ill and everything changed. Sickness often has this effect on the minds of people. It changes our focus.

Hezekiah did recover and went on to purify and repair the Temple, purged its idols, and reformed the priesthood. He is one of the kings mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. (Matthew 1:10)

Recovery from illness, from trauma and stress can have a profound effect on people. It brings back to our memory the times in which the Lord was with us as we recall His guiding hand.  

Today is Holy Cross Day. A day we remember our Savior; the wounded healer who carried our sin and sickness to the cross. Isaiah would later write, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” -Isaiah 53:4-6

As you recall the mercies of your Savior respond with words of praise and acts of mercy to your neighbor. For the Lord has had mercy upon us.

Prayer for Holy Cross (September 14) – Merciful God Your Son Jesus Christ was lifted high upon a cross that He might bear the sins of the world and draw all people to Himself. Grant that we who glory in His death for our redemption may faithfully heed His call to bear the cross and follow Him;[1]

Prayer for Psalm 116 – God of power and mercy, through the Passion and resurrection of your Son you have freed us from the bonds of death and the anguish of separation from you. Be with us on our pilgrimage, and help us offer you a sacrifice of praise, fulfill our vows, and glorify you in the presence of all your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. [2]

---

[1] Collect for Holy Cross, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

[2] Collect for Psalm 116, For All the Saints A Prayer Book for and by the Church Vol.2 © 1995 American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Proper 20 (Pentecost 17)

 

Proper 20

Series A 

Isaiah 55:6–9

Philippians 1:12–14, 19–30

Matthew 20:1–16

 

Disciples Live in Their Vocations by Grace through Faith in Christ

 

Those who are sent as “laborers for his vineyard” (Matthew 20:1) depict the wide diversity of vocations to which the disciples of Christ Jesus are called. Whatever our particular stations in life may be, we are called to live and serve by faith in His promises. Our labors do not merit anything before Him, for He is already generous to one and all without partiality. In mercy He has chosen to bear “the burden of the day and the scorching heat” on our behalf, to make us equal to Himself and to give us what belongs to Him, that is, the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 20:12–15). This way of the Lord is foolishness to the world and foreign to our thoughts, but He draws near, so that “he may be found” (Isaiah 55:6), “he may have compassion” and “abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7). So it is that we are found in Christ Jesus, and He is honored in our bodies, “whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20), by “fruitful labor” (Philippians 1:22) or by suffering. It is by faith in His forgiveness that our works are “worthy of the Gospel” (Philippians 1:27).

In the Lessons for this week the Gospel, as usual, gives the key to the theme of the day. When a payment time comes for the laborers in the vineyard, it was learned that each was to receive equal pay regardless of hours worked. The reward is the same in the Kingdom whether we enter early or late. They who return to the Lord (Old Testament reading) will receive mercy and pardon. In the Epistle lesson, Paul says he does not know whether to live or die, because death would mean a closer relationship with Christ, his greatest reward. The Lord is good to all. The suggested Psalm relates to the Old Testament lesson –“seek the Lord.”

Collect for Proper 20 “Lord God heavenly Father, since we cannot stand before You relying on anything we have done, help us trust in Your abiding grace and live according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who live4s and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” Amen

Matthew 20:1-16

The parable of the laborers in the vineyard in the Gospel lesson for this coming week reminds us that God’s generosity is equal to all. When payment time came for the laborers in the vineyard, it was learned that each was to receive equal pay regardless of hours worked. The reward is the same in the kingdom whether we enter early or late. The thief on the cross receives the same reward as the faithful Christian who lives eighty plus years. Are we to spurn God’s generosity? 

Laborers in the Vineyard

20:1

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 

Ὁμοία γάρ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν ἀνθρώπῳ οἰκοδεσπότῃ ὅστις ἐξῆλθεν ἅμα πρωῒ μισθώσασθαι ἐργάτας εἰς τὸν ἀμπελῶνα αὐτοῦ.

20:2 

After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius[a] a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 

συμφωνήσας δὲ μετὰ τῶν ἐργατῶν ἐκ δηναρίου τὴν ἡμέραν ἀπέστειλεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸν ἀμπελῶνα αὐτοῦ.

20:3 

And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 

καὶ ἐξελθὼν περὶ τρίτην ὥραν εἶδεν ἄλλους ἑστῶτας ἐν τῇ ἀγορᾷ ἀργούς·

20:4 

and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 

καὶ ἐκείνοις εἶπεν· Ὑπάγετε καὶ ὑμεῖς εἰς τὸν ἀμπελῶνα, καὶ ὃ ἐὰν ᾖ δίκαιον δώσω ὑμῖν·

20:5 

So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 

οἱ δὲ ἀπῆλθον. [b]πάλιν ἐξελθὼν περὶ ἕκτην καὶ ἐνάτην ὥραν ἐποίησεν ὡσαύτως.

20:6 

And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 

περὶ δὲ τὴν ἑνδεκάτην ἐξελθὼν εὗρεν ἄλλους ἑστῶτας, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Τί ὧδε ἑστήκατε ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν ἀργοί;

20:7 

They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 

λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Ὅτι οὐδεὶς ἡμᾶς ἐμισθώσατο. λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ὑπάγετε καὶ ὑμεῖς εἰς τὸν [e]ἀμπελῶνα.

20:8 

And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 

ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης λέγει ὁ κύριος τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος τῷ ἐπιτρόπῳ αὐτοῦ· Κάλεσον τοὺς ἐργάτας καὶ ἀπόδος [f]αὐτοῖς τὸν μισθὸν ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ τῶν ἐσχάτων ἕως τῶν πρώτων.

20:9 

And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 

καὶ ἐλθόντες οἱ περὶ τὴν ἑνδεκάτην ὥραν ἔλαβον ἀνὰ δηνάριον. 

20:10 

Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 

καὶ ἐλθόντες οἱ πρῶτοι ἐνόμισαν ὅτι [i]πλεῖον λήμψονται· καὶ ἔλαβον [j]τὸ ἀνὰ δηνάριον καὶ αὐτοί.

20:11 

And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 

λαβόντες δὲ ἐγόγγυζον κατὰ τοῦ οἰκοδεσπότου 

20:12 

saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’

λέγοντες· Οὗτοι οἱ ἔσχατοι μίαν ὥραν ἐποίησαν, καὶ ἴσους [l]αὐτοὺς ἡμῖν ἐποίησας τοῖς βαστάσασι τὸ βάρος τῆς ἡμέρας καὶ τὸν καύσωνα 

20:13 

But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?

ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς [m]ἑνὶ αὐτῶν εἶπεν· Ἑταῖρε, οὐκ ἀδικῶ σε· οὐχὶ δηναρίου συνεφώνησάς μοι;  

20:14 

Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 

ἆρον τὸ σὸν καὶ ὕπαγε· θέλω δὲ τούτῳ τῷ ἐσχάτῳ δοῦναι ὡς καὶ σοί·

20:15 

Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’[b] 

οὐκ ἔξεστίν μοι [o]ὃ θέλω ποιῆσαι ἐν τοῖς ἐμοῖς; [p]ἢ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου πονηρός ἐστιν ὅτι ἐγὼ ἀγαθός εἰμι;

20:16 

So the last will be first, and the first last.”

οὕτως ἔσονται οἱ ἔσχατοι πρῶτοι καὶ οἱ πρῶτοι [q]ἔσχατοι.

Footnotes:

Matthew 20:2 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer

Matthew 20:15 Or is your eye bad because I am good?

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Scripture quotations marked SBLGNT are from The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

– Romans 14:1-12 Forgiven for Jesus' sake, we are the Lord’s

Christian Forgive!  As the Lord Forgives You

In settling His accounts with us. Our Lord acts not with anger. But with compassion. He does not imprison you. As you deserve.  Rather He forgives.  All your debts.  And releases you.[1] Therefore, our Lord bids each of us to have “mercy on your fellow servant.”

As for you? "Forgive your brother from your heart.”[2] 

1.     By the Lord’s forgiveness of your sins. You are now free to forgive those who sin against you.

 

A.        Because Jesus has been handed over to the jailers in your stead. He has paid your entire debt.  With His life. And with His blood. Luther put it this way, “two little words, “grace” and “peace”, contain a summary of all of Christianity. Grace contains the forgiveness of sins, a joyful peace, and a quiet conscience.

 

But peace is impossible unless sin has first been forgiven, for the Law accuses and terrifies the conscience on account of sin. And the sin that the conscience feels cannot be removed by pilgrimages, vigils, labors, efforts, vows, or any other works; in fact, sin is increased by works. The more we work and sweat to extricate ourselves from sin, the worse off we are. For there is no way to remove sin except by grace… 

 

Because the world does not understand this, it neither can nor will tolerate it. It brags about free will, about our powers, about our works – all these as means by which to earn and attain grace and peace, that is, forgiveness of sins and a joyful conscience.

 

But conscience cannot be quiet and joyful unless it has peace though this grace, that is, through the forgiveness of sins promised in Christ.[3]

   

B.        Whether we live or die. We "are the Lord’s.” v.8 We live unto the Lord.  We live to do His will. And to promote His glory. This is the grand purpose of the life of the Christian. Other people live to gratify themselves. The Christian has a higher purpose. To do those things which the Lord requires. And what does the Lord require of us? He requires of us to simply forgive. As the Lord has forgiven you.

C.        Paul puts it simply. Since you all will “stand before the judgment seat of God.” You are not to despise your brother." v 10 But gladly forgive him.

Transition:  We pray in the Lord's Prayer, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." And what does this simply mean?  We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look at our sins, or deny our prayer because of them. We are neither worth of the things for which we pray, nor have we deserved them, but we ask that He would give them all to us by grace, for we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment. So we too will sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.

2. As you have been forgiven...forgive! 

A. By the grace of God.  You forgive your brother also. “For the Lord is able to make him stand.” V.4 You do not know your neighbor’s motives or intentions. It is not for you to condemn. Rather you forgive. As God in Christ has forgiven you. 

B. Though we daily sin against each other. And so often fail miserably on this account. To simply forgive. We ask God for the strength and the mercy to forgive.  

Notice how grace is played out. Even in a dysfunctional family as Joseph's. The Lord intends, “to bring it about that many people should be kept alive.”[4]

The Lord knew there would be a famine. He placed Joseph in the position to save not only his family but an entire nation. But consider all Joseph had to endure.

He dreamt that his brothers' sheaves were bowing down to his own sheaves as they rose. His brothers hated him even more for this.  So much that they could not even speak civilly to him.

One afternoon, Joseph's father sent him to check on his brothers who were tending their flocks. When his brothers saw him, they quickly planned to kill him. Reuben suggested that they should not harm him. But only throw him in the cistern. God worked through Reuben to save Joseph's life. Judah later formulated the plan to sell Joseph to the Midianite merchants, who later sold him to Egypt.

Joseph was sold into slavery at the age of seventeen. The brothers convinced Jacob that Joseph was eaten by some wild beast. Jacob mourned for days. Jacob thought his favorite son had met such a tragic end. And all his sons could do was watch him mourn in silence. What could they say? 

Joseph was made a slave to an Egyptian master. But the master saw that God was with Joseph. And make him his attendant. Then Potiphar’s wife, one of Pharaoh's officials begged Joseph to sleep with her. Repeatedly! But God gave Joseph the strength to resist. One day, the wife lied to the pharaoh. She said Joseph had begged her to sleep with him. So the pharaoh sent Joseph to prison. But the prison warden saw that God was with Joseph and put him in charge.

 

Pharaoh saw that God was with Joseph and allowed Joseph back into his palace. He then made Joseph the king of Egypt. Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh King of Egypt. For seven years, Joseph traveled all throughout Egypt and stored up large quantities of grain.

When the abundance was over, the famine began and lasted for seven years. The people of Egypt were well-fed because they lived off of the grain Joseph stored. Soon, people all throughout the world were coming to pay for Joseph's grain.

 

When God had sent the famine onto Joseph's brothers again, their father allowed them to take Benjamin back to Egypt. Once they arrived and Joseph saw that Benjamin was there, he invited them for dinner. At the sight of all of his brothers, Joseph became so emotional. He had to leave the room to weep.

 

When it got to a point where he could no longer take it. Joseph admitted to his brothers that he was, in fact, their brother. And how long had it been since he had last seen his brothers? Close to a quarter century. Close to twenty-two years!  

 

He then warned them that the famine God had sent will last for five more years and invited them to live with him in the best of Egypt. He also gave them new clothes (five times more for Benjamin) and donkeys, and sent them on their way. He also instructed them to bring back his father.   

 

C.       Jesus speaks kindly by His Gospel and promises: “I will provide for you and your little ones.”[5]  Only in hindsight could Joseph see God working through every circumstance of his life. He could finally say to his brothers, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.”

 

You might not always be able to see the big picture. Do you find forgiveness a hard thing to do? Consider Joseph. Yes God sees everything! He knows of the misery. The pain. The nasty words. Everything!  Never give up in forgiving others. If He could do it for Joseph. He can certainly do it for you!

 

Words – 1,325

Passive Sentences –6%

Readability – 82.7

Reading Level – 4.0

Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

---

[1] Matthew 18:23–27 from the Gospel lesson

[2] Matthew 18:33, 35 from the Gospel lesson

[3] From We Pray, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis,© 2008, 2010

[4] Genesis 50:20 from the Old Testament lesson

[5] Genesis 50:21 from the Old Testament lesson