Saturday prior to Easter 6

[1]

The most enduring symbol of the Lutheran Reformation is the seal that Luther himself designed to represent his theology. By the early 1520s, this seal begins to appear on the title page of Luther’s works.

 

Here is how Luther himself explained its meaning:

 

First, there is a black cross in a heart that remains its natural color. This is to remind me that it is faith in the Crucified One that saves us. Anyone who believes from the heart will be justified (Romans 10:10). It is a black cross, which mortifies and causes pain, but it leaves the heart its natural color. It doesn’t destroy nature, that is to say, it does not kill us but keeps us alive, for the just shall live by faith in the Crucified One (Romans 1:17). The heart should stand in the middle of a white rose. This is to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace—it puts the believer into a white, joyous rose. Faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). This is why the rose must be white, not red. White is the color of the spirits and angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12). This rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that a joyful spirit and faith is a beginning of heavenly, future joy, which begins now, but is grasped in hope, not yet fully revealed. Around the field of blue is a golden ring to symbolize that blessedness in heaven lasts forever and has no end. Heavenly blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and better than any possessions, just as gold is the most valuable and precious metal.

 

(From: Letter from Martin Luther to Lazarus Spengler, July 8, 1530 [WA Br 5:445]; tr. P. T. McCain)

---

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

Friday prior to Easter 6

[1]

Soli Deo Gloria – To God alone be the glory!

God’s glory alone – not your praise, your good intentions or your works.

At the center of this Christian faith is the understanding that a sinner is justified by grace alone (sola gratia) through faith alone (sola fide) for the sake of Christ alone (solus Christus), a truth revealed to us in Scripture alone (sola Scriptura).

Today we review a fifth and final key term – to the glory of God alone! Glory belongs to God. Alone! God’s glory is the central motivation for salvation, not improving the lives of people—though that is a wonderful by product. Jesus is not a means to an end—He is the means and our glorious end.

The goal of all of life is to give glory to God alone: “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).  God only knows what we will meet in the next day, week, month or the next 365 days. But of this we can be certain the God who created this earth will continue to sustain it. What the Father did not create He could not save. And save us He has done. He sent forth Jesus our dear redeemer to pay our random and set us free. This story, this message, this proclamation is what has changed us. With the Lord begin your task. And in all things – to God be the glory!

---

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

 

Thursday prior to Easter 6

[1]

Solus Christus - Through Christ alone

There is no other mediator – The latest spiritual craze will be yesterday’s news! Of course, not until after they endorse your check for all the stuff you bought at the last well hyped, over-rated event someone promoted.

Today we focus on the centrality of Christ. In other words, at the center of all that we do is Jesus! Our focus is on Christ and Christ alone.

God has given the ultimate revelation of himself to us by sending Jesus Christ. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Colossians 1:15. Only through God’s gracious self-revelation in Jesus do we come to a saving and transforming knowledge of God. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.-1 Timothy 1:5.

Because God is holy and all humans are sinful and sinners, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-- 1 John 1:1;

“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” -Hebrews 7:25; “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” - Romans 8:34.

Neither religious rituals nor good works mediate between God and us. ”And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." -Acts 4:12 by which a person can be saved other than the name of Jesus. “The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,” -Hebrews 7:23. Only Jesus’ sacrificial death alone can atone for sin. Christ is the center of our faith. - SOLUS CHRISTUS we are redeemed by Christ alone!

Amidst the brokenness of our lives. Amidst the power structures and manipulation. The violence. Racism. The hurt. Comes the Christ.  Who breaks in. Who shares our flesh. Who carries our burdens. Who bears our sins. Who will suffer the scars of evil. Who exchanges our shame for His glory.

And calls us to be the very light of the world.-A light that is not ours but His.  Gifted to us. For us to undermine the darkness. Which cannot stand against it.

St. Paul would remind us,” So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” –Galatians 6:10

________________

Did you know… that Time magazine once declared Henry Ford “the soybean’s best friend”? In the midst of the Great Depression when grain crops were failing, animal feeders discovered that livestock fed on an oil-rich soybean diet bulked up quickly. To Ford, it made perfect sense to subsidize research into the uses of farm products. Numerous auto parts were made from petroleum-based plastic, and of course, all of Ford’s engines ran on diesel and gasoline refined from petroleum crude. “If we want the farmer to be our customer,” he said, “we must find a way to be his customer.”

Ford authorized dramatically expanding the agricultural laboratory in Greenfield Village at Ford’s headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. To encourage production, he made 400 Fordson tractors available for free use to Michigan farmers and offered gas and diesel at a penny per gallon – less than a quarter of what it cost at the pump. He bragged, “There is a bushel of soya beans in every Ford car,” in Fortune magazine.  Farmers put more than 35,000 acres of land into growing soybeans, and Ford bought their entire output as promised.

Ford even switched the company commissary over to baked goods made with soy flour and ice cream made with soy milk. In the spring of 1935, farmers planted soybeans in record numbers. In preparation for the coming harvest, Ford spent $5 million to construct his own soybean mill with solvent extraction at the Flagship River Rouge plant in Dearborn – and boasted that he had jumpstarted demand for soybeans nationwide.

That year roughly 70 million bushels would be harvested. In the absolute depths of the Great Depression, soybeans were hailed as a godsend. Cargill, which specialized in milling grains as feed for livestock producers eagerly built new soybean-producing plants, along the rivers and the Great Lakes from Minneapolis to Chicago, where the great stockyards were buying unprecedented quantities of soybean meal as animal feed.

 –Read this fascinating book, “This Blessed Earth” by Ted Genoways

 “A universal story of family farmers and all they’re up against.” – Willie Nelson

 

---

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

 

Wednesday prior to Easter 6

[1]

Our watchword for today is Grace Alone (sola gratia)

Nothing you accomplish. Whose legacy are you trying to build?

We are saved by God’s grace alone and not by doing good works, believing the right things or behaving in a certain way. Indeed we are not even able to participate in our salvation, because humans are and will always be sinful. Sinfulness is part of the human condition we cannot escape. We completely rely on God in Christ to be graceful and save us even though we do not deserve it. Deserving has nothing to do with it.

God’s Grace Is a Free Gift

God’s unconditional love for us is the reason for God’s free gift of grace. Grace frees the Christian from all worries about salvation. It frees us up to do God’s work with our hands in this world. We are called to pour the love we receive from God back into the world again and to become Agents of God’s grace.

When we speak of grace we must first ask the question: What is grace? Grace is God’s undeserved favor (favor Dei) toward sinners. Grace is God’s unmerited good intention. Grace is His loving disposition toward those who have gone astray and are “dead” in sin and “by nature children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:1, 3). Grace, then, is something in God, not in man. So we hear that “Noah found favor [grace] in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8).

However, God does not declare us righteous and free from guilt in a vacuum, as if He just ignores our sin. We have a great debt we owe God due to our sin, a debt that must be paid. God’s justice demands it. Yet this is a debt none of us can pay.

So, God in His grace planned for our salvation. For God’s grace is more than a disposition in God. God’s grace is active—active in Christ. In His grace God sent forth His Son to become flesh and pay the debt we owe Him. God sent Christ Jesus to offer His righteous life in exchange for our sinful lives upon the cross and to take upon Himself the guilt of our sin, our debt.

Jesus Christ paid for the sin of the world “with His holy precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death.” Through God’s grace alone we sinners are forgiven and justified because of Christ.

This means that there is nothing in us and nothing we do that moves God to forgive us. God is gracious to us because of Jesus Christ and because of Him alone. St. Paul writes: “In [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7). This gives such comfort to sin-stricken consciences, for God’s grace is not earned by what you do but is given freely by a generous God. For this reason Scripture constantly speaks of God’s grace as the reason for our salvation in opposition to our works: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Again, St. Paul writes, “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace” (Romans 11:6). To be saved by grace alone means you do not save yourselves. Christ does. Christ has. It is finished! (John 19:30)

This grace of God extends to everyone. Grace is universal).  Scripture teaches that “in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19). And on Jordan’s banks John the Baptist cried of Jesus: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) Jesus Himself would simply say, “God so loved the world…” (John 3:16a) No one is excluded from God’s grace in Christ.

---

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

 

 

Monday prior to Easter 6 Easter 6

[1]

The five Lutheran “SOLAS” (sola, is Latin meaning “alone”) Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone; Sola Fide – Faith Alone; Sola Gratia – Grace Alone; Solus Christus - Through Christ alone; Soli Deo Gloria -  God’s glory alone"

These are core principles that guide us to this day.  We will review these guiding principles this week of Easter 6

At the center of this Christian faith is the understanding that a sinner is justified by grace alone (sola gratia) through faith alone (sola fide) for the sake of Christ alone (solus Christus), a truth revealed to us in Scripture alone (sola Scriptura).

Sola Scriptura - Scripture Alone

Not your wisdom – so how’s your plan working?

You follow a man; Jesus Christ, not a book. The Holy Scriptures testify to the Word of God becoming flesh in Jesus Christ. The authority of the Lutheran church is rooted in the testimony of scripture.  The Lutheran church reads that testimony through the eyes of the gospel, which is the good news of Jesus Christ who defeated death and bridged the gap between humans and God.

The greatest story ever told is the story of Christ. It is the message that God and sinners are reconciled. It is the good news as we remember that Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day.  “To save us all from Satan’s power lest we should go astray!” And where do we hear this message, this story, this wonderful good news? We discover it in the Scriptures.  

The Scriptures are our ultimate and trustworthy authority for faith and practice. This doesn’t mean that the Bible is the only place where truth is found, but it does mean that everything else we learn about God and his world, and all other authorities, should be interpreted in light of Scripture. The Bible gives us everything we need for our faith and life.

Every word of the 66 books of the Bible is inspired by God’s Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit also helps us to understand and obey Scripture.

The Bible is about Jesus Christ and his role as God and Savior. “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4  See additionally, 2 Timothy 2:16; “But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.”

All we need to know concerning the saving work of Jesus Christ, His life, His work, His love comes to us through the Scriptures. Plan to read them every day. They are for us the message of salvation and life.

Collect for the Word

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of Thy holy Word we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which Thou hast given us in our Savior Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Heavenly Father, as the Ethiopian said to Philip, “How can I understand what I read except someone should guide me?”, so I must confess that I cannot understand what I read of Your Word without the Holy Spirit’s help; open my mind and heart to the Holy Spirit Whom Your Son has promised will guide into all truth, that I might grow in faith and be better prepared to give an answer for the hope that is in me, through Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. [2]

---

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

[2] Collects for the Word, copyright © 2006 Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

Easter 6 Series A study notes

 Acts 17:16–31

1 Peter 3:13–22

John 14:15–21

The Lord Jesus Comforts Us with the Preaching of His Resurrection

“The God who … gives to all mankind life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:24–25) wants all people to seek Him that they might “feel their way toward him and find him” (Acts 17:27). But in our sinful ignorance, we humans turn instead to idols “formed by the art and imagination of man” (Acts 17:29). Therefore, God appointed the Man of Righteousness, Jesus Christ, and “has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:31). Because He lives, we also live (John 14:19) in His forgiveness, and thus we love Him and keep His commandments (John 14:15). While the risen Lord prepares us for His ascension, He will not leave us “as orphans” (John 14:18), but He gives “another Helper,” the Holy Spirit, to be with us forever (John 14:16) through the preaching of “Jesus and the resurrection” (Acts 17:18). Because He “suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous” (1 Peter 3:18), we “honor Christ the Lord as holy” and are always “prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks” for the reason for our hope (1 Peter 3:15). Our Baptism “now saves” us “as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21).

John 14:15–21

Jesus promises the Holy Spirit

15 Ἐὰν ἀγαπᾶτέ με, τὰς ἐντολὰς τὰς ἐμὰς τηρήσετε·

 If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 

16 κἀγὼ ἐρωτήσω τὸν πατέρα καὶ ἄλλον παράκλητον δώσει ὑμῖν ἵνα ᾖ μεθ’ ὑμῶν εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, 

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,[a] to be with you forever,

Παράκλητον- Advocate, or Counselor; see also 14:26; 15:26; 16:7 

17 τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς ἀληθείας, ὃ ὁ κόσμος οὐ δύναται λαβεῖν, ὅτι οὐ θεωρεῖ αὐτὸ οὐδὲ γινώσκει· ὑμεῖς γινώσκετε αὐτό, ὅτι παρ’ ὑμῖν μένει καὶ ἐν ὑμῖν ἔσται.

even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

18 Οὐκ ἀφήσω ὑμᾶς ὀρφανούς, ἔρχομαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς.

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 

19 ἔτι μικρὸν καὶ ὁ κόσμος με οὐκέτι θεωρεῖ, ὑμεῖς δὲ θεωρεῖτέ με, ὅτι ἐγὼ ζῶ καὶ ὑμεῖς ζήσετε.

Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 

20 ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ [h]γνώσεσθε ὑμεῖς ὅτι ἐγὼ ἐν τῷ πατρί μου καὶ ὑμεῖς ἐν ἐμοὶ κἀγὼ ἐν ὑμῖν.

In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 

21 ὁ ἔχων τὰς ἐντολάς μου καὶ τηρῶν αὐτὰς ἐκεῖνός ἐστιν ὁ ἀγαπῶν με· ὁ δὲ ἀγαπῶν με ἀγαπηθήσεται ὑπὸ τοῦ πατρός μου, κἀγὼ ἀγαπήσω αὐτὸν καὶ ἐμφανίσω αὐτῷ ἐμαυτόν.

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

-The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

-ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

-Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘The Resurrection of our Lord’© WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

-LCMS Lectionary notes © 2018

-Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing

Saturday prior to Easter 6

[1]

Romans 5:1-2 -The Hymn of the Day, Dear Christians, One and All Rejoice (LSB #556), was written by Martin Luther it tells the story of salvation from the believer’s perspective. It starts with man’s condition of sin, explains Christ’s glorious work and concludes with the believer’s new nature. Some may claim “I don’t know how to share my faith; I don’t know what I would say? This hymn explains all.

Luther wrote this hymn in 1523, and it was the first hymn he ever wrote for congregational singing. While “A Mighty Fortress” might be the most popular of Luther’s hymns in our day, “Dear Christians One and All Rejoice” might be Luther’s most important hymn in addition to being his first. It tells the powerful story of man’s wretched state, the Father’s plan to send his Son to die for the sins of the world, and Jesus’ faithful execution of his Father’s will. Salvation was not easy. Indeed, it was the most bitter of all struggles, but because of our Lord Jesus’ work, we are blest forever. The hymn concludes with Jesus promise to send the Holy Spirit and the blessed encouragement that we follow in our Lord’s teaching. [2]

Collect for Easter 6: Lord, because You have promised to give what we ask in the Name of Your only begotten Son, teach us the right way to pray. With all Your saints may we offer to You our adoration and praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [3] –

---

[1] The New Heaven and New Earth, Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS for personal and congregational use

[2] https://www.redeemerwv.org/blog/2019/5/28/dear-christians-one-and-all-rejoice

[3] Collect for Easter 6, Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

Friday prior to Easter 6

[1]

Psalm 67 - The promise of the Holy Spirit is a promise that all nations will be gathered into the church of the living God. David gives us a taste of what is to come as he pictures for us folk—from every tribe, kindred, and nation—coming to the holy hill of the Lord. The nations sing the praise of God; they see the good things done to His chosen ones.

Psalm 67 – A Missionary Hymn

The title tells us the audience of the psalm: To the Chief Musician. On Stringed Instruments. A Psalm. A Song. Some believe that the Chief Musician is the Lord GOD Himself, and others suppose him to be a leader of choirs or musicians in David’s time, such as Heman the singer or Asaph (1 Chronicles 6:33, 16:5-7, and 25:6).

This wonderful psalm is sometimes forgotten or neglected when God’s people think of their favorite psalms. Though Martin Luther wrote five large volumes of exposition on Psalms, he skipped Psalm 67 entirely. Nevertheless, this psalm has a heart to see God’s way, God’s salvation, and God’s praise extended through all the earth. [2]

Grant that we may with thankful hearts receive these great mercies and express our gratitude, not only with our lips but also in our lives as we give ourselves to Your service and walk before You in holiness and righteousness all our days. Deliver us from sin and error, from the frailties of the flesh, the allurements of this present age, and the temptations of the devil. Give us faith that works in love, hope that never disappoints, kindness that never fails, confidence in You that never wavers, patience that does not grow weary, and courage always to be ready to confess Christ, that we may live in Your mercy and die in Your peace; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. [3]

---

[1] The New Heaven and New Earth, Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS for personal and congregational use

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-67/

[3] Collect of Adoration and Praise, Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

Wednesday prior to Easter 6

[1]

Revelation 21:10-14; 22-23 - The hymn reminds us, “I’m but a stranger here, heaven is my home.” We are but strangers and pilgrims. Our ultimate home is in glory with Christ beyond this earth. In our Epistle lesson, John is given a vision of heaven. What will heaven look like?  Read the above passage as John describes it. These are words beyond no comparison.

This text has some things in common with last Sunday's text, but gives us more information.  In both texts Jerusalem is called the holy city which comes down out of heaven from God.  But here it is not called “new."  Perhaps that is because it is not compared with the first creation.  Verses 11-14 and 22-23 supplement what was said in verses 1-5,  from last Sunday's text.

So far as we know, St. Paul was the only mere human being who was granted a glimpse of Paradise.  He tells us about this in 2 Corinthians 12:1-4.  He saw this quite apart from a vision like that of John.  Paul says that on that occasion he heard inexpressible words which it is not lawful for a man to utter.  John was granted a look at heaven, Paradise, in a vision.  He was allowed to tell us about it in symbolical language.  But we puzzle over some of the descriptions.  We shall note them as we go along.

The Lutheran commentator Lenski says the following: How, then, shall we conceive the new earth and this city?  This is beyond mortal conception in reality; even the symbolism of the vision already transcends conception.  The symbolism only shadows forth what is far greater than itself.

We cannot comprehend the wonders and beauty of everlasting life.  But we are told enough to comfort ourselves midst our many afflictions and grief, especially our own sins and sinfulness.  Jesus went to prepare a place for us and when He returns He will take us to Himself. [2]

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. -Revelation 21:10

Prayer of praise and supplication: Lord God, creator of heaven and earth, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we praise You for the abundant mercy that You this day so richly have provided for us, blessing us not only with daily bread for our bodies but also with heavenly food for our souls. Grant that Your living and powerful Word may abide in our hearts, working mightily in us to Your glory and for our salvation. We commit ourselves to Your divine protection and fatherly care. Let Your holy angels be with us that the evil foe may have no power over us. Look in mercy on Your Church and deliver it from all danger and adversities. By Your Holy Spirit comfort and strengthen all who are in affliction or distress, and grant Your abiding peace to us all; through Jesus Christ, our Savior.  [3]

---

[1] The New Heaven and New Earth, Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS for personal and congregational use

[2] http://pericope.org/buls-notes/revelation/revelation_21_10_14_22_23.htm

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

 

Tuesday prior to Easter 6

[1]

Acts 14:8-18 - The miracles, which the disciples performed, were done for two reasons. First, they gave credence to their testimony. They were doing the very thing the Savior had done. It also drew attention to their message. Unfortunately, in this instance Paul and Barnabas are considered to be gods. They have to do some quick explaining that the power to heal comes from the Savior who is the author of all life.

Paul proclaims the gospel to the people living in Lystria

To the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them Paul called the Lystrian crowd to consider the real God, the One who stands behind all creation, not one of the lesser (and imaginary) Greek gods.

The things Paul mentions in Acts 14:17 (He did good… gave us rain from heaven… and fruitful seasons… filling our hearts with food and gladness) were just the kind of things these people would think that Zeus gave them. Paul told them these blessings come from the true God who lives in heaven, not from Zeus.

God’s kindness to all men (in giving rain and fruitful crops) should be seen as a witness of His love and power, something theologians sometimes call common grace.

Paul did not preach to these pagan worshippers the same way he preached to Jews or those acquainted with Judaism. He did not quote the Old Testament to them, but instead appealed to natural revelation, to the things that even a pagan could understand by looking at the world around them. [2]

Collect for Easter 6: Lord, because You have promised to give what we ask in the Name of Your only begotten Son, teach us the right way to pray. With all Your saints may we offer to You our adoration and praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [3]-

---

[1] Paul and Barnabas are idolized, Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS for personal and congregational use

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/acts-14/

[3] Collect for Easter 6, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St., Louis

 

Monday prior to Easter 6

[1]

Psalm 55:4, 16-18 (antiphon: Psalm 55:22)

Psalm 55 – Trusting God against a treacherous enemy

The title of this psalm is To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Contemplation of David. The psalm describes a time of some kind of rebellion or power struggle against David, and a key leader in the struggle was a trusted associate who betrayed David. The city is dangerous because of the rebellion, and David cries out to God. 

Most commentators fit this psalm to Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15-18) and the trusted associate as Ahithophel. Parts of this psalm seem to fit Absalom’s rebellion, but some parts don’t. It’s hard to imagine David wishing Absalom to hell (Psalm 55:15) when he didn’t even want him to die. It may be that the events connected with this psalm are unrecorded in the sacred history of the life of David.

The antiphon reads, “Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you;

Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you: There are few greater burdens to bear than a one-time friend who becomes a treacherous and dangerous enemy. David knew that even this was a burden that God could and should bear.

God imposes burdens, to see what we will do with them. We may carry them to our undoing, or we may cast them on Him for his blessed countenance.

The word burden is too restrictive: it means whatever is given you, your appointed lot (hence in New English Bible, ‘your fortunes’). And the promise is not that God will carry it, but that he will sustain you.

 He shall sustain: The experience of suffering was not taken away from the servant of God, but he was sustained, and so made strong enough to resist its pressure, and through it to make his service more perfect. This is how God ever sustains us in the bearing of burdens.

If I cast my burden upon the Lord, what business have I to carry it myself? How can I truthfully say that I have cast it upon him if still I am burdened with it?  [2]

The 40 days after the resurrection are drawing to a close. On Thursday we will observe Ascension where we remember that Christ returned to the Father bodily/physically and He will return again as judge and king. During these days, we look backward at the empty tomb and forward to the day of Pentecost, 50 days after the resurrection.

A vision into the future may very well be the theme for this coming week. In the first lesson Acts 16:9-15 we have Paul’s vision of a man from Macedonia begging Paul and his companions to come to him. 

In the epistle lesson Revelation 1:9-14, 21-27 John is given a vision of the perfect city our new home in heaven. 

In the Gospel lesson John 16:23-33 Jesus predicts the time in which He will be return back to the Father and the believers will be scattered. We need not fear however because the believer has a true and genuine faith. In this world there is never a lack of trouble, unhappiness, stress, sadness, marital strife, addictions, family complications, and even death itself. Yet we need not fear for Christ has overcome the world. The suggested hymn for the weeks tells us of the Father’s plan of salvation and its completion in the life death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The woodcut is a depiction of this coming week’s Epistle lesson.

Collect for Psalm 55: Lord Jesus, you were rejected by your people, betrayed by the kiss of a friend, and deserted by your disciples. In our trouble, give us the confidence that you had in the Father and the assurance of our salvation now and forever.  [3] 

---

[1] The New Heaven and New Earth, Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS for personal and congregational use

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-55/

[3] Collect for Psalm 55, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. I © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Easter 6 Series C study notes

 

Acts 16:9–15

Revelation 21:9–14, 21–27

John 16:23–33 or John 5:1–9 

Collect for the Sixth Sunday of Easter: O God, the giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

We Pray to the Father in Jesus’ Name

 “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Jesus has opened the way to the Father, so that “whatever you ask of the Father” in Jesus’ name, “he will give it to you” (John 16:23). 

We pray, therefore, in the confidence that we will be heard and answered, that our “joy may be full” (John 16:24). We pray because the Gospel has been preached to us, and the Lord has opened our hearts to believe the Gospel (Acts 16:10, 14). 

We pray in the name of Jesus because we have been baptized into Him, as Lydia and her household were baptized (Acts 16:15). We have been healed, and we live and walk and pray in newness of life (John 5:8–9). 

For we stand upon the firm foundation “of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (Revelation 21:14), and our temple is “the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb” (Revelation 21:22).

John 16:23 –

καὶ ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐμὲ οὐκ ἐρωτήσετε οὐδέν· ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἄν τι αἰτήσητε τὸν πατέρα δώσει ὑμῖν ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου. 

in that day you will not ask me anything. 

The name comes with all that He is.  (1 John 5: 14) 

Bonhoffer on the Psalms we pray for "daily" bread. In this world you will have trouble is the back drop for prayer.

John 16:24 –

ἕως ἄρτι οὐκ ᾐτήσατε οὐδὲν ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου· αἰτεῖτε καὶ λήμψεσθε, ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ὑμῶν ᾖ πεπληρωμένη.

until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete. 

Context is important here. This is M. Thursday before He went to the cross. Where/what is the joy? The cross, the resurrection, receiving what you want in Jesus' name. 

John 16:25 –

Ταῦτα ἐν παροιμίαις λελάληκα ὑμῖν· ἔρχεται ὥρα ὅτε οὐκέτι ἐν παροιμίαις λαλήσω ὑμῖν ἀλλὰ παρρησίᾳ περὶ τοῦ πατρὸς ἀπαγγελῶ ὑμῖν.

in proverbs I have spoken to you. But in boldness I will speak to you concerning the Father. 

See John 10:6 - Jesus had said you can not bear this. Nor did they understand the parables. 

In John the word "hour" refers to the cross and they do not get it. 

John 16:26 - 27 

ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου αἰτήσεσθε, καὶ οὐ λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐγὼ ἐρωτήσω τὸν πατέρα περὶ ὑμῶν· 27 αὐτὸς γὰρ ὁ πατὴρ φιλεῖ ὑμᾶς, ὅτι ὑμεῖς ἐμὲ πεφιλήκατε καὶ πεπιστεύκατε ὅτι ἐγὼ παρὰ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐξῆλθον.

in that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf but the Father loves you, because you have loved me and believed that I came from God. 

John 16:28 –

ἐξῆλθον ἐκ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ ἐλήλυθα εἰς τὸν κόσμον· πάλιν ἀφίημι τὸν κόσμον καὶ πορεύομαι πρὸς τὸν πατέρα.

I came from the Father and I am leaving the world returning to my Father.  This is the whole life of Christ from incarnation through ascension.  

John 16:29 –

Λέγουσιν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ· Ἴδε νῦν ἐν παρρησίᾳ λαλεῖς, καὶ παροιμίαν οὐδεμίαν λέγεις.

John 16:30 –

νῦν οἴδαμεν ὅτι οἶδας πάντα καὶ οὐ χρείαν ἔχεις ἵνα τίς σε ἐρωτᾷ· ἐν τούτῳ πιστεύομεν ὅτι ἀπὸ θεοῦ ἐξῆλθες.

now we know you know all things and you came from God. 

This is their creed. But still tripping over in a little while.

John 16:31 –

ἀπεκρίθη [i]αὐτοῖς Ἰησοῦς· Ἄρτι πιστεύετε;  

Jesus said, "now you believe?" From now on do you trust.

John 16:32 –

ἰδοὺ ἔρχεται ὥρα [j]καὶ ἐλήλυθεν ἵνα σκορπισθῆτε ἕκαστος εἰς τὰ ἴδια κἀμὲ μόνον ἀφῆτε· καὶ οὐκ εἰμὶ μόνος, ὅτι ὁ πατὴρ μετ’ ἐμοῦ ἐστιν.

look now comes the hour that you will be scattered leaving me alone but I am not alone because of the Father. 

"You know who I am but not what I'm about." 

John 16:33 –

ταῦτα λελάληκα ὑμῖν ἵνα ἐν ἐμοὶ εἰρήνην ἔχητε· ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ θλῖψιν ἔχετε, ἀλλὰ θαρσεῖτε, ἐγὼ νενίκηκα τὸν κόσμον.

I have told you these things so in me you may have peace. In this world trouble (Anfechtungen) you will have.  Take heart, I have Niked the world.

He leaves the external threats but we have internal peace.

John 5:1–9 

The Healing at the Pool on the Sabbath

John 5:1

Μετὰ ταῦτα ἦν ἑορτὴ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ ἀνέβη Ἰησοῦς εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα. 

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

John 5:2

ἔστιν δὲ ἐν τοῖς Ἱεροσολύμοις ἐπὶ τῇ προβατικῇ κολυμβήθρα ἡ ἐπιλεγομένη Ἑβραϊστὶ Βηθεσδά, πέντε στοὰς ἔχουσα·

Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic[a]called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades.

Some manuscripts read Bethsaida

John 5:3

ἐν ταύταις κατέκειτο [d]πλῆθος τῶν ἀσθενούντων, τυφλῶν, χωλῶν,  ξηρῶν.

In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed

Some manuscripts insert, wholly or in part, “waiting for the moving of the water;”

John 5:4

ἄγγελος γὰρ κατὰ καιρὸν κατέβαινεν ἐν τῇ κολυμβήθρᾳ, καὶ ἐτάρασσεν τὸ ὕδωρ· ὁ οὖν πρῶτος ἐμβὰς μετὰ τὴν ταραχὴν τοῦ ὕδατος, ὑγιὴς ἐγίνετο, ᾧ δήποτε κατείχετο νοσήματι. 

for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and stirred the water: whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was healed of whatever disease he had

John 5:5

ἦν δέ τις ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖ τριάκοντα ὀκτὼ ἔτη ἔχων ἐν τῇ ἀσθενείᾳ αὐτοῦ·

One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.

John 5:6

τοῦτον ἰδὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς κατακείμενον, καὶ γνοὺς ὅτι πολὺν ἤδη χρόνον ἔχει, λέγει αὐτῷ· Θέλεις ὑγιὴς γενέσθαι;

When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 

John 5:7

ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ ὁ ἀσθενῶν· Κύριε, ἄνθρωπον οὐκ ἔχω ἵνα ὅταν ταραχθῇ τὸ ὕδωρ βάλῃ με εἰς τὴν κολυμβήθραν· ἐν ᾧ δὲ ἔρχομαι ἐγὼ ἄλλος πρὸ ἐμοῦ καταβαίνει. 

he sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.”

John 5:8

λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Ἔγειρε ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει.

Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.”

John 5:9

καὶ εὐθέως ἐγένετο ὑγιὴς ὁ ἄνθρωπος καὶ ἦρε τὸν κράβαττον αὐτοῦ καὶ περιεπάτει.

And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.

Ἦν δὲ σάββατον ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ.

Now that day was the Sabbath.

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.
-LCMS Lectionary notes © 2018
-Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing