– Romans 11:1-2a, 13-15, 28-32 Haters be Hatin’ but not Jesus!

 

“Father welcomes all His children To His family through His Son. Father giving His salvation. Life forever has been won.” – Lutheran Service Book #605

Let Your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend Your Church; and because it cannot continue in safety without Your help, protect and govern it always by Your goodness; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. ~ Collect for Pentecost 11 

 

“Has God rejected His people?” The Lord has not totally cast off the people He chose long ago. Even if they are at times disobedient to His will. God will always preserve for Himself a faithful remnant. There will be for Him, a faithful remnant as in the days of Elijah.

What can we glean from today’s lesson is simply this. When God makes a promise He keeps it.  Not like out cheap imitations. Israel is still chosen. Even though many have cut themselves off. 

His promises are sure. For some, a promise is meant to be broken. But not with our Heavenly Father! For Him a promise is a promise.  He never breaks a promise, “For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.” This is reassuring to us. Who live in a world where so many times a person’s word has become largely unreliable.  He will not disappoint you.

Paul addresses two sets of ears. The first were Jews who became Christian converts. The other group, are Gentiles. Like their brothers. They were at one time pagan. But now they are a part of the family. Paul says to these Gentiles, “You too were once unfaithful, disobedient.” But because Israel was unfaithful, Gentiles have been brought to Christ.  

Many of you in this room might not have ever met a Jewish person, let alone a Jewish Christian. Tammy and I have a mutual friend who is both Jewish and a Christian. A few weeks ago, I reached out to Michelle and asked her for her input with respect to this portion of Scripture. Her response is as follows…

“This is one of my favorite kinds of questions. I would want them to know - God's promises to the Jews continue to this day. Irrevocable means irrevocable.

 

The church is grafted into the covenant promises God first made to Israel. There are more Messianic Jewish believers today than at any time since the first century.”

 

She concludes with these words, “Anti-Semitism is a toxic virus. Even if you personally don't know any Jewish people, maintaining anti-Jewish attitudes carries like a virus in our culture.”[1] 

Israel’s unfaithfulness had a purpose. That they might be brought back to God. The Lord called the Jews to be His people and Paul is positive God does not break His promises. Paul had this assurance that one day Jews and Gentiles will be in the church reconciled to God by faith in Christ. The disobedience of one provided the Lord with the opportunity. To give His mercy and love to all. Jews and Gentiles were of mutual benefit to each other. When one was shown mercy. The other shared in the blessing.

God kept His promises to the Patriarchs. To Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Maintaining His love throughout. God will never cease to be merciful. God has never rejected His own. Because God’s promises are irrevocable speaks of His relationship to the entire world and especially in the world in which you live.

In this morning’s Gospel Jesus heals a Canaanite woman’s daughter. In this regard faith embraces Christ – which is NOT about doing right things. Or being correct. Performing rituals to perfection. Or even eating certain foods. It is what is on the inside which is the most important.

We must not forget. Jesus was a Jew. As was the Apostle Paul. These words are Paul’s concerned, complex attempt to wrestle with the paradox that at least one Jew saw Jesus as Lord. While most of His people did not. This Canaanite woman is an unlikely candidate to be the ideal follower of Jesus. She’s Gentile. Yet she calls Jesus, “Lord” and “Son of David.”

Unlike Peter. Who fails to understand anything Jesus was doing. Along with Jesus’ other disciples. Who attempt to chase her away.

Discipleship is not automatic. Instead, a true believer is one who has absolute faith in Jesus. Paul is attempting to come to grips with the reality that his own people have not accepted Jesus as the Christ.  Yet all have been disobedient alike – both Jews and Gentiles together. In spite of everything, God is able to work through our disobedience to show us His mercy, love and care. 

In Jesus’ conversation with the Canaanite woman there is a wonderful exchange of words. Jesus responds to her by saying, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the family puppy.” She replies by saying, “Yes, Lord, yet even the mutts off the street eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.”

By her persistent prayer.  That Jesus would have mercy and help her. Even in the face of His initial silence. And apparent rejection. This Canaanite woman boldly confessed her faith in Christ.

Her beautiful example. Encourages us to cling to the words and promises of the Gospel.  Even in the face of the Law.  That accuses and condemns us. Do not think you can walk your way into the Kingdom of God by some grand achievement. Paul commands a life of faith. By faith we receive the Father’s gifts. By faith we get precisely what we don’t deserve. And even more! That is why grace will always be karma’s worst nightmare.

There is a purpose in all this. “That he may have mercy on all.” (Romans 11:32). Hence, the woman’s faith and hope were not disappointed. But her prayers were answered in the mercy of Christ. Not only does He grant us the crumbs from His Table. He also feeds us with “the children’s bread” in the house of His Father.  

Faith believes that God is not a Divine Accountant of 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.

This is the God who desires to bless all people I’m tempted to curse. He includes those whom I’d exclude. And embraces the very people I would shun. This good news, He says, is for all people. No one is to be excluded from the Father’s table.

Tomorrow. We will witness the great eclipse. May this be our prayer. Lord, through the power of the Gospel - eclipse fear and hatred. By the power of Your love - eclipse violence and injustice. By the mercies of Christ - eclipse racism and bigotry [2]

 

Words – 1,125

Passive Sentences – 6%

Readability – 76.8%

Reading Level – 4.7

Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas Higher Things

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[1] In light what has transpired in Charlottesville, VA these words are most appropriate: http://michellevanloon.com/2017/08/13/jews-will-not-replace-us-and-other-heartwarming-sentiments/

[2] https://www.facebook.com/tom.terrell.547

 

August 15— Saturday prior to Pentecost 12 – (Proper 15)

Galatians 3:28 - ‘There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ.’”

The hymn of the day for this week, In Christ There Is No East or West (LSB #653), reflects the theme of the readings: that, according to the order of salvation in Christ, there is no difference between any of the people of His Church. All man-made distinctions are gone as regards His forgiveness: Jew/Gentile, black/white, male/female, Anglo/Hispanic, etc. The Body of Christ, the Church, comes from all nations. Indeed, even our liturgy reflects this, as it is drawn from Jewish, African, and European sources. Likewise, our hymns come from many cultures across many ages.

William A. Dunkerley (1852-1941) wrote these words originally part of a libretto, for the Pageant of “Darkness and Light” at the London Missionary Society’s exhibition “The Orient in London,” which ran from 1908–1914. Many hymnals credit the words to John Oxenham, Dunkerley’s pseudonym.

Oxenham made his home in the U.S. for a time before returning to England, where he died at the age of 89. According to hymnologist Albert Bailey, Oxenham began writing “to relieve the tedium of long journeys . . . and soon discovered that he liked writing better than business.”

He then included this poem in his collection, “Bees in Amber” (1913). This popular volume was rejected by publishers; when Oxenham self-published it, the book sold 285,000 copies. From here the hymn found its way into many English-language hymnals, beginning with England’s Songs of Praise (1931).

English literary scholar and hymnologist J.R. Watson states that the hymn takes its opening idea from Rudyard Kipling’s famous lines, “Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet” from “The Ballad of East and West,” published in Barrach-Room Ballads, and Other Verses (1892). However, Oxenham’s hymn is the antithesis of Kipling’s verse. 

Perhaps the author’s extensive travel helped him develop a sense of Christian unity beyond the racial and cultural differences that he observed. [1]    

A prayer for unity of faith – O God your infinite love restores to the right way those who err, seeks the scattered and preserves those whom you have gathered. Of your tender mercy pour out on your faithful people the grace of unity that, all schisms being ended your flock may be gathered to the true Shepherd of your church and may serve you in faithfulness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. [2] 

Sources: 

[1] http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/i/c/n/icnoeast.htm

[2] Collect for unity of Faith, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Image: God So Loved the World, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Thing

August 14—Friday prior to Pentecost 12 – (Proper 15)

 Father welcomes all His children To His family through His Son. Father giving His salvation. Life forever has been won.” – Father Welcomes,” Lutheran Service Book #605

Matthew 15:21–28 Jesus heals a Canaanite woman’s daughter. In this regard faith embraces Christ – which is NOT about doing right things. Or being correct. Performing rituals to perfection. Or even eating certain foods. It is what is on the inside which is the most important.

This Canaanite woman is an unlikely candidate to be the ideal follower of Jesus. She’s Gentile. Yet she calls Jesus, “Lord” and “Son of David.” Unlike Peter who fails to understand anything Jesus was doing. Along with Jesus’ other disciples, who attempt to chase her away.

Discipleship is not automatic. Instead, a true believer is one who has absolute faith in Jesus. Paul in this week’s epistle (Romans 11:1–2a, 13–15, 28–32) is attempting to come to grips with the reality that his own people have not accepted Jesus as the Christ.  Yet all have been disobedient alike – both Jews and Gentiles together. In spite of everything, God is able to work through our disobedience to show us His mercy, love and care. 

In Jesus’ conversation with the Canaanite woman there is a wonderful exchange of words. Jesus responds to her by saying, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the family puppy.” She replies by saying, “Yes, Lord, yet even the mutts off the street eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.”

By her persistent prayer, that Jesus would have mercy and help her, even in the face of His initial silence and apparent rejection. This Canaanite woman boldly confessed her faith in Christ.

Her beautiful example encourages us to cling to the words and promises of the Gospel.  Even in the face of the Law.  That accuses and condemns us. Do not think you can walk your way into the Kingdom of God by some grand achievement. Paul commands a life of faith. By faith we receive the Father’s gifts. By faith we get precisely what we don’t deserve. And even more! That is why grace will always be karma’s worst nightmare.

Let Your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend Your Church; and because it cannot continue in safety without Your help, protect and govern it always by Your goodness; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. ~ Collect for Pentecost 11

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

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts “The Crucifixion” copyright © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.  

August 13— Thursday prior to Pentecost 12 – (Proper 15)

 

St. Paul concludes, “That he may have mercy on all.” (Romans 11:32). The Canaanite woman from this Sunday’s Gospel reading, (Matthew 15:21–28) boldly confessed her faith in Christ. This woman’s faith and hope were not disappointed.  Her prayers were answered in the mercy of Christ. Not only does He grant us the crumbs from His table. He also feeds us with “the children’s bread” in the house of His Father. 

Faith believes that God is not a Divine Accountant of 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.

This is the God who desires to bless all people I’m tempted to curse. He includes those whom I’d exclude. And embraces the very people I would shun. This good news, He says, is for all people. No one is to be excluded from the Father’s presence.

May this be our prayer, Lord, through the power of the Gospel - eclipse fear and hatred. By the power of Your love - eclipse violence and injustice. By the mercies of Christ - eclipse racism and bigotry.

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts “The Crucifixion” copyright © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

August 12— Wednesday prior to Pentecost 12 – (Proper 15)

 

Isaiah 56:1, 6–8—Writing about 700 years before Christ, Isaiah prophesies of the LORD: Soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance will be revealed. The LORD’s salvation and righteousness have been revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. Because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus for all, regardless of race, the LORD is pleased to gather to Himself people of all nations and races, and accepts their offerings and sacrifices: My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.

The Lord Jesus gave His command to reach out the entire world with the message of His salvation, “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)  

This prophecy was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost as Peter proclaimed, “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21) and further, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38) The end result was growth, “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41)

Jesus calls us to himself and to his cross. Now, the Lord hears our prayers and accepts our sacrifice of praise upon the altar of His cross. (Isaiah 56:7)

Prayer for the mission of the Church: Almighty God, You have called Your Church to witness that in Christ You have reconciled us to Yourself. Grant that by Your Holy Spirit we may proclaim the good news of Your salvation so that all who hear it may receive the gift of salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord,

Go into all the world, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Collect from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

August 11 — Tuesday prior to Pentecost 12 – (Proper 15)

 Psalm 67—All of the readings for this coming week express the fact that God’s salvation is for all people. The psalmist begins with the familiar Aaronic blessing. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24–26) For thousands of years God’s people have received this blessing. It is the benediction spoken to the people of God at the conclusion of the Divine Service.  It is a blessing God speaks to you individually and personally.

This blessing originally applied to the children of Israel, but then extends it to all people;” that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations.”

May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us,
that your way may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.

The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, has blessed us.
May God continue to bless us;
let all the ends of the earth revere him.

When we pray with Psalm 67 that "God continue to bless us" or when we end the end of the worship service with the promise that "the Lord's face shine upon you," we do so for the sake of God's mission. In order that through God's people, all of the world might experience God's saving help.

Prayer for Psalm 67 – Father through your power the earth has brought forth its noblest fruit, the tree of the cross. Unite all people in its embrace, and feed them with its fruit, everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Collect for Psalm 67, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, © 1995 American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

The Trinity copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

August 10 - Monday prior to Pentecost 12 (Proper 15)

 

The Introit for this coming Sunday is taken from Psalm 143:1–2; Antiphon, Psalm 143:9—

Psalm 143 is the last of the seven penitential psalms. It is, like many of David’s other psalms, a plea to the Lord to rescue him from his enemies.

David does not appeal to his own goodness or righteousness, however, but explicitly confesses that no one living is righteous before the Lord. Therefore, he must beg the mercy of the Lord: In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!

We get the sense that David is in desperate times. Without the Lord’s defense he has nothing. Thus he can say, “I flee unto thee to hide me.” David can literally declare, “I have hid my affairs, and troubles, my difficulties and all my necessities. I have revealed them unto You, who alone can save.”

This is how we, too, must approach the Lord when we ask Him to rescue us from earthly and spiritual enemies—acknowledging, as we do in the catechism, that we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment, and acknowledging that He delivers  us purely out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me.

The hymn writer reminds us

Other refuge have I none;

hangs my helpless soul on thee;

leave, ah! leave me not alone,

still support and comfort me.

All my trust on thee is stayed,

all my help from thee I bring;

cover my defenseless head

with the shadow of thy wing [1]

 

Prayer for Psalm 143 – Lord Jesus, you bring the first light of dawn to those who dwell in darkness and make your love known to them. Enter not into judgment against your servants, but let your Spirit guide us into the land of justice, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and forever. Amen [2]

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[1] Jesus Lover of my soul, The Lutheran Hymnal © 1942 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

[2] For all the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, © 1995 Delhi, NY

Proper 15 Series A (Pentecost 12)

Isaiah 56:1, 6–8

Romans 11:1–2a, 13–15, 28–32

Matthew 15:21–28

The Church Lives Under the Cross of Christ and Prays in the Hope of His Mercy

By her persistent prayer that Jesus would have mercy and help her (Matthew 15:22, 24), and even in the face of His initial silence and apparent rejection (Matthew 15:23–26), the Canaanite woman boldly confessed her faith in Him (Matthew 15:27–28). Her beautiful example encourages us to cling to the words and promises of the Gospel, even in the face of the Law that accuses and condemns us. 

“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29), and His Law “has consigned all to disobedience” for the very purpose “that he may have mercy on all” (Romans 11:32). Hence, the woman’s faith and hope were not disappointed, but her prayers were answered in the mercy of Christ. 

Not only does He grant us the crumbs from His Table, but He also feeds us with “the children’s bread” in the house of His Father (Matthew 15:26–27). He has brought us to His “holy mountain,” and He makes us joyful in His house, where He hears our prayers and accepts our sacrifice of praise upon the altar of His cross (Isaiah 56:7).

This woman. A nameless, faceless, person in the crowd. She has no credentials. No pedigree. Not a single recommendation from anyone. She stands alone. Yet, she is driven. To seek healing from the only one capable of helping her - Jesus. 

Notice her posture. Face down. Hands extended! "Help me!" she cries. It is the prayer of faith: "Kyrie Eleison!" Lord, have mercy!

She asks for crumbs and gets...Jesus! It's all about the bread which falls from the Master's table - it's about Jesus - the bread of life who enters our world, assumes our flesh, offering Himself for the life of this world.

A lesson learned from this miracle - when facing dire circumstances - continue to pray. Continue to seek the Savior's help and comfort. Never give up! Pray without ceasing. Embrace endurance. 

Almighty and everlasting Father, You give Your children many blessings even though we are undeserving. In every trial and temptation grant us steadfast confidence in Your loving-kindness and mercy through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Matthew 15:21–28

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

Matthew 15.21 

Καὶ ἐξελθὼν ἐκεῖθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὰ μέρη Τύρου καὶ Σιδῶνος. 

And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.

Matthew 15.22 

καὶ ἰδοὺ γυνὴ Χαναναία ἀπὸ τῶν ὁρίων ἐκείνων ἐξελθοῦσα ἔκραζεν λέγουσα· Ἐλέησόν με, κύριε υἱὸς Δαυίδ· ἡ θυγάτηρ μου κακῶς δαιμονίζεται. 

And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.”

Matthew 15.23 

ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῇ λόγον. καὶ προσελθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἠρώτουν αὐτὸν λέγοντες· Ἀπόλυσον αὐτήν, ὅτι κράζει ὄπισθεν ἡμῶν. 

But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 

Matthew 15.24 

ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· Οὐκ ἀπεστάλην εἰ μὴ εἰς τὰ πρόβατα τὰ ἀπολωλότα οἴκου Ἰσραήλ. 

He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Matthew 15.25 

ἡ δὲ ἐλθοῦσα προσεκύνει αὐτῷ λέγουσα· Κύριε, βοήθει μοι. 

But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.

 Κύριε, βοήθει μοι – the most powerful prayer in Scripture 

Matthew 15.26 

ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· Οὐκ ἔστιν καλὸν λαβεῖν τὸν ἄρτον τῶν τέκνων καὶ βαλεῖν τοῖς κυναρίοις. 

 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.”

Matthew 15.27 

ἡ δὲ εἶπεν· Ναί, κύριε, καὶ γὰρ τὰ κυνάρια ἐσθίει ἀπὸ τῶν ψιχίων τῶν πιπτόντων ἀπὸ τῆς τραπέζης τῶν κυρίων αὐτῶν. 

She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.”

Matthew 15.28 

τότε ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῇ· Ὦ γύναι, μεγάλη σου ἡ πίστις· γενηθήτω σοι ὡς θέλεις. καὶ ἰάθη ἡ θυγάτηρ αὐτῆς ἀπὸ τῆς ὥρας ἐκείνης.

Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.[ ‘from that hour’]

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.

 

Pentecost 12 - Proper 15

Proper 15

August 16, 2015

John 6:51-59

Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life. Grant us to know Your Son Jesus to be the way, the truth and the life, that trusting in Him we might receive forgiveness of our sins and the inheritance He has won for us.

Words mean something. Jesus uses the word “life” six times. He uses the word “eat” eight times. “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man you cannot have eternal life.”

Jesus says, “Believe in Me…come to Me.” The believer eats Christ to live spiritually just as one eats physical food to live. Either that or starve to death. Christ is your spiritual food, which is necessary to live. Can you have spiritual hunger pains? Can a person die spiritually from lack of food? It is eternal. Because Christ is eternal.

Christ is to be taken into one’s life, so that Christ permeates the whole of life. As food is taken into the body, and brings strength to the body so Christ is to be a part of you. It is a way of becoming one with Christ. 

But you can’t earn favor with God on your own terms. No one can do this. We have, for the last several weeks, been reading through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Paul leaves no room for doubt when he tells us, and all people, “you were dead in your trespasses and sins.” Dead men do not make decisions for Christ. Dead men do not co-operate with God in their own salvation. Nor contribute to it in any way. The Holy Spirit, working through Word and Sacrament, accomplishes this. Not through any of our own efforts.

Many today are searching for a deeper personal experience with Christ. If so, what does Christ desire of you?

1.            To be personalized. He desires a personal experience.  Christ gave His flesh and blood for the sins of the world. ".. And the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world” The gifts seem too simple - The people said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, "I have come down from heaven?" and then later on in our text the Jews argue among themselves saying, "How can this man give us His flesh (to eat)?" They simply could not believe that the gifts of God could come in the form of a man - in the form of this man Jesus Christ. (Vv. 42, 52)

2.            To be individualized. A one to one experience.  The gifts are thought to be worthless. The bread in the desert did not last forever. As Jesus explains, "your fathers ate manna in the wilderness and they are dead". (Vv. 49, 58)  That manna could not last. It wore out over time.

People today value too highly their own good works thinking that somehow God will reward them for their effort. For there is something, they will tells you that man has to do.

3.            To be internalized. Christ comes into a person’s life. God calls us by His Spirit. "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and will raise him up at the last day". (v.44) Believing seems too simple to have any value. And yet we recall with the words to the explanation to the third article "I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to Him. It is the Holy Spirit which has called me by the Gospel..."

4.            To be homogenized. Christ and the believer are fused into one. He sustains us through this life "I am the living bread from heaven.  If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world "(v.51) In these Words we have recorded the 10th time Christ reminds us that He has come down to us. We live in Christ who refused to be absent or indifferent. His intention is to remain with us.

Here is His promise – “The one who feeds on Me will live because of Me.” We find purpose and meaning by what we do.

As our students will soon be returning back to school a question that keeps being asked is “what shall I do?” It’s an important question to be sure. Yet we also remember today, not only who you are and what you shall be but always remember WHOSE you are.

You are a child of the lamb who was slain who now lives and reigns throughout all eternity. He has determined to come to you in this special way – in His Word and in His meal. His intention has always been to abide and dwell with you.

______________________

Words –825

Passive Sentences –9%

Readability – 81%

Reading Level -4.4 

Time in the Word - Pentecost 12 - Proper 15

Time in the Word

August 10-15 2015

Proper 15

Preparation for next week, Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

The subject of bread continues as we make our way through John 6. The theme for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost is Incarnating the Christ. Christ is the Living Bread who came down from Heaven, the Word made flesh (John 1:14), who gives His flesh for the life of the world.

We can find this Living Bread nowhere else but in Christ. As Peter answered, when asked by Jesus if he wanted to leave, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” After Jesus ascended into heaven, when called before the Jewish council, Peter would proclaim again, “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). Come, feast on the Living Bread. Gladly hear His Word, and eat His Body and Blood, given for you for the remission of all your sins.

Collect for Proper 14 –Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life; give us to know Your Son Jesus to be the way the truth and the life that we may steadfastly follow His steps in the way that leads to life eternal.

Prayer for Home and Family: Visit, we implore You, O Lord, the homes in which Your people dwell, and keep far from them all harm and danger. Grant us to dwell together in peace under the protection of Your holy angels, and may Your blessing be with us forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer the Unemployed: Heavenly Father, we remember before You, those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Lead us so to use the wealth and resources of this rich land that all persons may find suitable and fulfilling employment and receive just payment for their labor; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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

Monday, 10 August 2015—Psalm 111:1–5, 9; Antiphon, Psalm 111:10—Atheist groups are taking out ads on city buses in cities across the U.S., even in Indiana (South Bend and Bloomington, so far), that proclaim that there is no God (‘You Can Be Good Without God’; ‘In the Beginning, Man Created God’). What utter nonsense! What through-and-through foolishness! The psalmist tells us what it truly means to be wise: to fear the Lord, to recognize all that He has done for us. Those so-called ‘atheists,’ far from disbelieving in a god, have made themselves their own god, and a very poor one at that.

Tuesday, 11 August 2015—Psalm 34:12–22—This is a continuation of the psalm for last Sunday. In the antiphon for to-day (verse 11), David calls us to listen to him, that he may teach us the fear of the Lord: one who is not foolish, and acknowledges the Lord, will turn away from evil and do good; he will seek peace and pursue it. These righteous ones will the Lord deliver out of all their troubles.

Wednesday, 12 August 2015—Proverbs 9:1–10—In the Old Testament reading, we continue our education in the way of wisdom from the wisest man who has ever lived, Solomon. Here, he gives wisdom a personality, and we start to understand that the personification of wisdom is Christ our Lord, for it is Christ who invites us to eat of His bread and drink of His wine. These are His body and blood, which He gives for the life of the world.

Thursday, 13 August 2015—Ephesians 5:6–21—In this section of our reading from the book of Ephesians, St Paul continues his instruction of how we ought to live. Since Christ has made us His own, and, since, by Word and Sacrament, we have eaten the living Bread that comes down from heaven, we ought to walk, not as unwise, but as wise.

We ought not allow ourselves to be deceived by charlatans masquerading as men of God; we ought not take part in the sins that the world takes pleasure in; we ought, rather, make the best use of time, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Friday, 14 August 2015—John 6:51–69—Jesus declares that He is the Living Bread that came down from heaven. It is through Him alone that we can be forgiven, that our sins can be removed, that we can partake of eternal life. Through Word and sacrament, Christ feeds us, bestowing faith and nourishing it. The bread that He gives does not just satisfy for a short time, like earthly food; whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.

Saturday, 15 August 2015—This week, the final two stanzas of O Living Bread from Heaven (LSB 642) serve as the hymn of the day. Having received from the Lord Jesus Christ living bread, we seek to serve Him with holy fear, living as wise, not foolish ones, during our days on earth, and looking forward to the day when we leave this world below, and enter Heaven, where joys unmingled flow.

Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life, grant us to know Your Son, Jesus, to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow His steps in the way that leads to life eternal; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Collect for Pentecost 12—Almighty and everlasting God, always more ready to hear than we to pray and always ready to give more than we either desire or deserve, pour down on us the abundance of Your mercy, forgiving us the things of which our conscience is afraid and giving us the good things we are not worthy to ask but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 and Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House and from Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House.

Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcut used with permission from WELS

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

Pentecost 12 - Proper 15

Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life; grant us to know Your Son Jesus to be the way, the truth and the life that we may steadfastly follow His steps in the way that leads to life eternal;

Do you live to ear or eat to live? That all depends on your age, and your metabolism. While miss manners may offer advice of the proper answer, the unique spiritual answer to this question in light of today’s Gospel is that you need both. With eagerness, we receive all that God gives. Through His working in our life, we have real life in Christ.

1. People often undervalue God’s gifts.

A.      The gifts seem too simple (Vv.41- 42, 52) “They were therefore grumbling about Jesus because He had said, I am the bread that came down from heaven. And they were saying, is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does He say, “I am the bread of life?” And the leaders of the people continued to argue saying, how can this man give us His flesh to eat?”

1.       How could Jesus come from heaven? The crowd knew His family. They were familiar with His father and mother. He was no different from them. He most certainly   could not have come from heaven. They had no idea; standing before them was the Lord of life. [illustration spotting Yoko Ono in NYC]

  

2.       The world wants a Jesus they can claim to be their own. If they have control, over which Jesus they will trust in they can tell us everything of which He is about. Unfortunately, this Jesus is often the invention of their own sinful imagination and will.  And the Jesus the world falls in love with is by no means a man from God.

B.      The gifts are often thought to be worthless (V.58) “This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

1.       People value too highly their own works.

2.       Believing seems too simple to have any real value.

People living in ignorance and blindness have no clue whatsoever who Jesus is, where He has come from let alone His mission. Through the proclamation of the clear Word of the Lord people are brought into a right understanding of Jesus the Savior of the world

2.  Christ offers the life and death gifts to God’s people.

A.      God the Father calls us. (v.44) “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

1.       The Father is always pleading and calling us.

2.       He uses those means, which draws us as. This is what He has always done. This is what He will always do.

B.      He sustains us through this life (V. 51) “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh.”

1.       The Scriptures reveal the Gospel.

2.       The Sacraments bring the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation, as they are the means by which the Gospel flows from the Father’s hand into the believer’s heart.

C.      Christ gave His flesh and blood a payment of sin and for the life of the world.

1.       This is why the Son was sent to destroy the works of the Devil.

2.       As Jesus made His trip to the cross, we see those deliberate acts, which He performed to draw you to Himself.  His miracles, His sufferings, He trip to the cross were not random acts of Jesus kindness. They all a part of the Father’s plan to win for you salvation.

God’s mercy has provided a way that we will always know where the next meal is coming from. Believing, we trust and find contentment in His merciful sustain feeding hand.