Pr. DFD : Lent Devotional

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Wednesday, April 8, 2015

A call to Persevere

4.8.2015 Easter Wednesday Hebrews 10:19-39 A call to Persevere

The proclamation if Christ’s cleansing sacrifice relieves and strengthens our conscience to we see ourselves and the certainty of God’s mercy clearly. “Where the heart is not in a right relationship with God, or cannot take such confidence, it will not dare to pray anymore. Such as confident and joyful heart can spring from nothing else than the certain knowledge of the forgiveness of sin.“ (Luther’s Large Catechism, III,92)

Luther comments, “This old man consists of error, concupiscence, wrath, fear, apprehension, despair, evil conscience, horror of death, etc. Those are characteristic of the old, carnal man. They diminish, however in the new man, but they are not extinguished until he himself is extinguished by death…Rather the process of removal has begun and as a person increases in spiritual health, these evils are removed. This spiritual health is nothing more than faith in or love in Christ.” (American Edition 31:124)[2]

The writer to the Hebrews writes boldly concerning the confidence we have as redeemed children of God. He reminds us, we must come to God with a true heart, and with the confidence our faith gives us. Our hearts have been sprinkled and made clean, so that we have no guilty conscience. Our bodies have been washed with pure water. We must hold on firmly to the hope we have in Christ. The one who gave us His promise can be trusted. Thus we move forward, thinking about how we can help each other to grow in love and faith. We must keep on encouraging one another. The day of our Lord’s coming is near. Thus, we continue to encourage each other.

Almighty God, by the glorious resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, You destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light. Grant that we who have been raised with Him may abide in His presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen[3]

[1] Image by Ed Rioja © Higher Things

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Christ’s Sacrifice once for all

4.7.2015 Easter Tuesday Hebrews 10:1-18 Christ’s Sacrifice once for all

[1]

The one supreme sacrifice of Christ removes the necessity of repeated sacrifices of animals. These repeated sacrifices cannot remove sin. Jesus’ one sacrifice perfected the faithful. After the perfect offering , Jesus is seated now at God’s right hand waiting for all evil forces to be subject to Him. This once-for-all-time offering initiated a new covenant which cancels all former covenants and their sacrifices. It is a new covenant of forgiveness. Since there is forgiveness in and through the new covenant, there is no need of other sacrifices for sin.[2]

After His perfect sacrifice, Jesus is seated at God’s right hand until all His enemies are defeated. We are now holy and clean because Jesus Christ did what God wanted by bringing his own body as the one Sacrifice for all sin. The sacrifices of the old system could never take away sin. Jesus brought one Sacrifice for sins that would last forever, and then, He sat down at God’s right hand. When a person’s sins have been taken away there’s no loner any need to bring an offering for sin.

Almighty God, through the resurrection of Your Son You have secured peace for our troubled consciences. Grant us this peace evermore that trusting in the merit of Your Son we may come at last to the perfect peace of heaven; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen[3]

[1] Image by Ed Rioja © Higher Things

[2] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff, pg.306 © CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

Monday, April 6, 2015

Worship in the Earthly Tabernacle

4.6.2015 Easter Monday Hebrews 9:1-28 Worship in the Earthly Tabernacle

[1]

The author of Hebrews uses the cult to explain the atonement and return of Jesus. As the Jewish high priest annually entered the holy of holies in the temple, Jesus, the high priest, entered the heavens, the temple of God. The high priest offered a sacrifice annually, but Christ as high priest offered His sacrifice but once. The high priest offered not his own blood, but Jesus did. His one-time sacrifice took away sin. As judgment comes after a person’s death, so Christ will return for the judgment of the world and to receive those who are waiting for Him.[2]

Christ offered Himself for once for the sins of the world and is coming again. The writer of the Hebrews reminds us Jesus went into the Most Holy Place. But He didn’t bring in the blood of goats and calves. He brought His own blood. And He went in there just once to make one sacrifice for all sin. Since He has found a way to set us all free of all sin for all eternity.

O God, in the paschal feat You restore all creation. Continue to send Your heavenly gifts upon Your people that they may walk in perfect freedom and receive eternal life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen [3]

[1] Image by Ed Rioja © Higher Things

[2] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff, pg.301, © CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

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

Sunday, April 5, 2015

The High Priest of a New Covenant

4.5.2015 Easter Sunday Hebrews 7:23-8:13 The High Priest of a New Covenant

[1]

The Resurrection of our Lord

Jesus is our eternal High Priest whose sacrifice was for all people for all time. This passage deals with the argument that Jesus is an eternal high priest after the order of Melchizedek. The Levitical priests of the past were compelled to give up their priesthood because of death, but Jesus lives forever! Therefore He can save all for all time because He is a living Christ who intercedes for all who call upon Him.

Not only is Christ the high priest eternal, but He is sinless as He is seated at the right hand of God in exaltation. His sacrifice was perfect and timeless. Therefore, other sacrifices are unnecessary.[2]

We need an intercessor who alone is Christ Jesus our Savior. His perfect sacrifice made it possible for the Father and disobedient people to be reconciled. This reality is made perfectly clear to us today. Because of what Jesus did on Good Friday we can be guaranteed a happy and blessed Easter.

Almighty God the Father, through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrated with joy the day of our Lord’s resurrection may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen[3]

[1] Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Melchizedek the Priest

4.4.2014 Holy Saturday Hebrews 7:1-22 Melchizedek the Priest

[1]

Melchizedek both priest and king, showed the true nature of his authority by receiving tithes from the patriarch Abraham and blessing him. As both king of righteousness and king of peace, Melchizedek foreshadowed Christ’s work of justification. As Abraham gave offering and respect to Melchizedek, greater respect is due to our High Priest, Christ. He serves without end to lead us into His kingdom.[2]

Today is Holy Saturday. The day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It’s a day when we remember that Jesus rested in the tomb before His gloriously rose from the day. In our reading through the book of Hebrews, the author compares Jesus to Melchizedek the King of Salem and a priest of the one true God. Melchizedek blessed Abraham. Nothing is said about his father or mother. There is no record of his earlier or later family members. Nothing is said about when he was born or when he died. Since he is like God’s Son, he remains a priest forever.

With the coming of Jesus, the priestly family has been changed. A different kind of priest has appeared. Jesus is like Melchizedek but so much better. Jesus didn’t become a priest because He met the physical requirements of some law. He became a priest because He is filled with the power which comes from a life which can’t be destroyed. What the devil tried to do on Friday blew up in his face. He thought that by eliminating Jesus he could destroy the human race. Yet Jesus has a life which can’t be destroyed. The Law has never made anything perfect. God has given us something better to hope for. When Jesus became a priest, it was done with an oath, spoken by the God of heaven.

O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[3]

[1] Image by Ed Rioja © Higher Things

[3] Collect for Holy Saturday, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Friday, April 3, 2015

The certainty of God’s Promise

4.3.2015 Good Friday Hebrews 6:1-20 The certainty of God’s Promise

[1]

The crucifixion

God’s promise and oath to Abraham is certain. As heirs of Abraham, those who trust in Christ Jesus share in the blessing of life promised to Abraham. They experience unending stability and security through the Son’s gracious access to the Father. If we doubt God’s Word, we act as if God is a liar and miss the blessings that flow from a trusting relationship with Him. As we trust God’s promises, we see that God tells the truth, and we share in the blessings of eternal life.[2]

Today is the most somber of all Christian days. It is Good Friday. How do we know that the suffering and death of Christ is sufficient to give us clemency? How do we know that Christ’s passion is enough? The writer to the Hebrews reminds us that God guarantees His promise with an oath. He does this to make it absolutely clear to His heirs, those who are to receive what He has promised, that He will never change His mind. This hope that we have in Christ acts like an anchor for our souls. It is strong and immovable. It reaches all the way into the Inner Room behind the curtain where Jesus, our forerunner has already gone to serve us.

Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[3]

[1] Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[3] Collect for Good Friday, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Jesus a Great High Priest

4.2.2015 Maundy Thursday Hebrews 5:1-14 Jesus a Great High Priest

[1]

The Last Supper

Hebrews claims that Christ is superior to the Jewish high priest. He is superior because of His origin (v.5) and His destiny as the heavenly priest in the heavenly sanctuary (v.6) Moreover, Christ was appointed high priest by God. He can act in behalf of sinners because he, too, was human (Vv. 2,3) Yet this high priest was vulnerable because He was human (Vv.7-10) Some scholars consider verse 7 to be Hebrews’ account of Gethsemane. He learned obedience through His suffering. As a result God appointed Him high priest of the order of Melchizedek. It is important to note that Christ’s work as high priest begins in heaven. His suffering and death were preparatory for it.[2]

God appointed Jesus as High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. Even though Jesus was God’s Son He learned to be obedient from the things He suffered. When He became the perfect Son He became the creator of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him. Today the focus of Holy Week becomes heightened with the remembrance of Christ’s institution of His Supper, the events surrounding Good Friday, followed by Jesus rest in the tomb and His glorious resurrection. The writer to the Hebrews reminds us that Jesus our Great High Priest suffered for your sins, and the sins of the entire world. He learned obedience through suffering. It is His suffering and death that not only brings you close to God. It is the proper payment, the sacrifice for your sin.

Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[3]

[1] Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[3] Collect for Maundy Thursday, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

A Sabbath-rest for the people of God

4.1.2015 Wednesday of Holy Week Hebrews 4:1-16 A Sabbath-rest for the people of God

[1]

The Word of God remains forever and always accomplishes the work that it is sent to do. The person striving will be helped by the Word. God’s Word gives life. It is sharper than any two-edged sword. Even the sharpest sword can cut only through flesh and bone; God’s Word cuts through any spiritual barriers, that stand between human beings and God. Division of soul and spirit. God’s Word cuts to the innermost part of a human being, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. God’s Word exposes the true state of a person’s heart before God. The comparison to a sword emphasizes God’s work in our lives through the Law, in keeping with the exhortation in 3:13

Martin Luther explains, “Christ’s Word breaks through and wounds. It takes away every ground of trust and ascribes redemption solely to the blood of Christ, it pricks and wounds the soul. This is a health-bestowing wound, for these weapons kill in order to make alive…It is, however, a fall that is happy and full co consolation, demonstrating the power and success of the Word.” (American Edition, 12:225)[2]

Be diligent to enter into that rest. The rest is there. But God doesn’t force it upon you. The rest is entered by faith. Faith is not passive, it takes diligence to trust, rely and cling to Jesus and His work for you.

Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[3]

[1] Image by Ed Rioja © Higher Things

[3] Collect for Wednesday of Holy Week, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Jesus greater than Moses

3.31.2015 Tuesday of Holy Week Hebrews 3:1-19 Jesus greater than Moses

[1]

In the first four chapters, the author of Hebrews is concerned with the superiority of Jesus over angels, Moses, and Joshua. Today’s reading deals with Jesus’ superiority over Moses. We are to consider Jesus as high priest who is greater than the Levitical priests set up by Moses. Christ has done away with the Levitical priesthood and thus is superior to Moses. Jesus is high priest of a new covenant and is thus superior to Moses who initiated the old covenant on Mt. Sinai. These passages develop the idea of Jesus’ superiority by comparing Jesus as the builder of the house rather than as Moses as one who lives in the house. Moses served faithfully as a servant in God’s house while Christ was over God’s house as a son.[2]

Moses was faithful as a servant in God’s house. Jesus was faithful as a Son, thus being superior to Moses. Whose house are you? Whose family are you? To whom do you belong? Do you belong to Moses or to Christ? You belong to the family over which Christ is in place. Why shouldn’t the hope of living with Christ fill you with joy? This is our bold, firm, confident hope. A hope that will not disappoint. Moses was a member of the household of God. Jesus is the creator of that house. He is worthy of a greater glory.

The ancient Rabbis considered Moses to be the greatest man ever. Greater than the angels. The writer of the Hebrews does nothing to criticize Moses. He only looks to properly exalt Jesus. Moses was faithful. In all His house as a servant. But Jesus, as a Son, is over His own house. Moses was a faithful servant. But he was never called a Son in the way Jesus is called as son.

O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[3]

[2] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff, pg.282, CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

[3] Collect for Tuesday of Holy Week, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Monday, March 30, 2015

Jesus made like His brothers

3.30.2015 Monday of Holy Week Hebrews 2:1-18 Jesus made like His brothers

[1]

The author of the Hebrews is facing the situation of the church’s waning faith, probably because of the delay of Christ’s return. To stimulate their faith, he writes the epistle of Hebrews. Today’s reading deals with the event of Christ’s incarnation leading to His suffering and death for the salvation of humanity. His incarnation, His breaking into time and space, gave Him a solidarity with humankind in order to save it. At present we do not see Christ’s lordship over everything, but we do see Him. (Vs.9) His atoning death created a oneness of Christ and His followers whom he calls, “brethren” (Vs. 11) As Christ’s followers, we are created and re-created by redemption.[2]

By the grace of God, Jesus became a man who became perfect through suffering and died for all. This is how He acts for you. He becomes your substitute. He takes to Himself your sin, you misery, your guilt. He suffers for you. He dies in your place. Thus, the forgiveness He offers is truly for you. He is the perfect substitute. He will stand in your place. Jesus He is your surrogate, your proxy, your replacement, your Savior and friend.

Almighty God, whose dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other that the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[3]

[2] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff, pg. 277, CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

[3] Collect for Monday of Holy Week, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Sunday, March 29, 2015

The Son Superior to angels

3.29.2015 Palm Sunday Hebrews 1:1-14 The Son Superior to angels

[1]

Jesus enters Jerusalem

Who is Jesus? He is God’s last final Word. In a variety of ways. God prepared the way for Jesus. The prophets of old gave glimpses of the age which was to come. God spoke often in years past to prepare the way for speaking once and for all by His Son. Jesus’ coming fulfills the promise of God. Jesus’ ministry completes the salvation plan God had for the world.

Jesus is God’s best Word. The Father identifies His Son as bearing “the very stamp of His nature.” Jesus is the heir of all things. Jesus is co-creator of the world. Jesus reflects the glory of God. Jesus upholds the universe. Jesus cleansed the world of sin and now sits at the right hand of majesty.

God also identifies His Son as “better” than angels. No angel is worshiped as Jesus is honored. No angel rules into eternity. Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. All the word and predictions of old are now fulfilled and completed in Jesus, who remains the father’s last and best Word.

Almighty and ever living God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[2]

[2] Collect for Palm Sunday, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Saturday, March 28, 2015

The women at the tomb

3.28.2015 Saturday of Lent 5 Mark 16:1-20 Women discover the empty tomb of Jesus

[1]

The women at the tomb

Three women undertake the job of properly preparing Jesus’ body for burial, which the press of time prevented earlier. When they arrive at the tomb, they find it empty and hear the wonderful (and temporarily paralyzing) message that Jesus has risen from the des and the tomb is empty. In spite of Jesus’ clear predictions on at least three occasions (Mark 8:31-32; Mark 9:31; Mark 10:33-34), His disciples do not believe. Jesus rises from the dead, proclaiming His victory to all creation and proclaiming for all believers a resurrection to eternal life on the Last Day.

Mary Magdalene sees the resurrected Jesus and tells the disciples about Him, but they do not believe it. Sinful human nature cannot believe. Doubt assails our hearts at every opportunity. Yet faith, like life, comes as a pure gift from God, He keeps us in the true faith unto life everlasting.

Jesus commissions His followers to proclaim the message of salvation throughout the world. Only through faith in Jesus Christ can anyone be saved. The Gospel invitation is open to all. God wants all people to be save. The Gospel invitation is open to all. God wants all people to be saved through Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:3-4)[2]

There is no such thing as a dead Christ. Why seek the living among the dead? He will not be found in the tombs of the dead. He is alive! Why seek Him there?

The grave could not hold Him in. He rose from the dead on the third day. The disciples’ testimony is true. “We are witnesses of these events; We have seen Him with our own eyes.” This Jesus who was crucified is now alive forevermore. The grave could not hold Him. See the place where they laid Him. He is not here. He is risen from the dead!

O Lord, in your goodness you bestow abundant graces on your elect: Look with favor, we entreat you, upon those who in these Lenten days are being prepared for you Holy Baptism, and grant them the help of your protection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[3]

[3] Collect for Saturday of Lent 5, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm