September 25 – Friday prior to Pentecost 18 (Proper 21)

 

Matthew 21:23-27 – The sinner who repents enters the Kingdom of God.  The Gospel lesson tells of two sons, one of whom repented and entered the Kingdom even though at first he disobeyed the Father. In the Parable of the Two Sons we learn a valuable lesson concerning sin and an appeal to turn to God for mercy. With this parable, Jesus confronts the religious leaders of His time (priests, scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees) who condemn Jesus for His association with sinners (publicans, prostitutes, and so on). This one son who says, “I go” but does not, represents the religious leaders. The other son who says, “I will not go” but later changes his mind and obeys, represents the sinners. Moreover, Jesus points out that when the religious leaders saw sinners repenting upon hearing John the Baptist, they still did not repent. Consequently, the sinners will enter the kingdom before the leaders will.

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

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

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

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

“God of love. You know our frailties and failings. Give us Your grace to overcome them; keep us from these things that harm us; and guide us in the way of salvation.”[1]

---

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

Saturday prior to Proper 20

 

1

Exodus 20:1-17- The hymn, These Are the Holy Ten Commandments (LSB 581) Recall the Lord’s requirement of faithfulness to His Law. A good review of the Ten Commandments. Written by Luther the hymn was intended for instruction especially the youth.  It appears that Luther pioneered the concept of instruction set to music which five centuries later is still a successful technique in teaching the faith.  

The 10 Commandments for personal reflection

1 These are the holy Ten Commands. God gave to us by Moses' hands.

2 "I am alone your God, the Lord;" 

3 "Do not My holy name disgrace," 

4 "You shall observe the worship day." 

5 "You are to honor and obey." 

6 "You shall not murder, hurt, nor hate;" 

7 "Be faithful to your marriage vow;"

8 "You shall not steal or take away."

9. “Bear no false witness not defame." 

10. “You shall not crave your neighbor’s house"

In the final two stanzas Luther eloquently summarizes both the Law and Gospel in four short lines. 

“You have this Law to see therein “Our works cannot salvation gain

That you have not been free from sin They merit only endless pain

But also that you clearly see Forgive us, Lord! To Christ we flee

How put toward God life should be.” Who pleads for us endlessly.”

To which we pray “Have Mercy, LORD!

A prayer for God to guide us – Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with Your most gracious favor, and further us with Your continual help, that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in You we may glorify Your holy name and finally, by Your mercy, obtain eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

A prayer for steadfast faith – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, of Your tender love towards us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in Him we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may remain steadfast in this faith to the end and come to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 2

Sources:

1. “The Crucifixion” Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

2. Collects for the Lord’s Guidance and a steadfast faith, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Friday Prior to Proper 20

 

1

Mark 9:30-37—Jesus goes to Jerusalem to face his oppressors. Jesus again announces His approaching passion and teaches the disciples the meaning of greatness.  On His way to Jerusalem, Jesus announces a second time that He is going there to suffer, die, and rise on the third day. To avoid being detained, he travels incognito. Unlike the first announcement, the disciples do not understand it and are afraid to ask Him the meaning of it. When the group reaches Capernaum, Jesus asked them what they were discussing during the walk. They were too embarrassed to answer, for they had discussed who would be Number One in the coming Kingdom.  Jesus taught that the one to be first must be last as a servant. To illustrate He takes a child in His arms, for in that day women and children were considered second-class citizens. Jesus makes the point that the greatest will minister to one like a child in His name, and when He does, He serves both Christ and God. 

It is natural and human to want to get to the top, to the heard of the line. Who wants to be second or last? Jesus died not condemn them for wanting to be Number One. It was a matter of how to be first. He explained that in his kingdom the first would be last and servant of all. This is upside down according to the world’s standards. Jesus gave the example. He was going to suffer and die for men. He used a child to demonstrate the principle – give attention and care to one as unimportant and powerless as a child. 2 

Collect for Proper 20 –O God, whose strength is made perfect in weakness, grant us humility and childlike faith that we may please You in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen. 3

Sources:

1. “The Crucifixion” Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

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

3. Collect for Proper 20, Lutheran  Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Thursday Prior to Proper 20

1

James 3:13-4:10—Opposition has its source in worldly wisdom. James says the wars, quarrels, dissension, and strife have their source in earthly wisdom. It is a bad spirit that causes opposition. James will contrast earthly and heavenly wisdom.  In this lesson James distinguishes between the types of wisdom. Earthly wisdom is characterized by ambition, rivalry, and selfishness. This kind of wisdom provides disorder and confusion. Heavenly wisdom comes from God. This wisdom is “pure, peaceable, gentle,” etc. The heavenly side; do not boast of themselves, but promote peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. The source of fighting and killing each other is the heart which is full of selfish desire.

Why is there fighting among people? Why are there hatred and murders? What is the source of sin? James here traces sin to “desire,” “passion,” “covetousness.”  When there is evil desire, it is only a matter of time until the desire is put into action. We go after what we want, and some will pay any price or commit any crime to get it. Desire in itself is not bad, but evil desire, caused by an evil spirit, results in sin.

Peace on the other hand sows righteousness and out of righteousness comes peace. As long as people do not treat each other justly, there will never be peace. If there is economic injustice, there will never be peace between the “haves” and the “haves not.” Goodwill, honesty, and fairness are preconditions of peace. As long as people and nations are un-Christian in their human relations and interactions there can be no peace. 2

For those in distress - Almighty and everlasting God, the consolation of the sorrowful and the strength of the weak, may the prayers of those who in any tribulation or distress cry to You graciously come before You, so that in all their necessities they may mark and receive Your manifold help and comfort; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 3

Sources:

1. The Crucifixion, Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

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

3. A prayer for those in distress, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis

 

Tuesday Prior to Proper 20

1

Psalm 54; key verse, verse 4—It is the Lord who sustains my life. 

David asks for the Lord’s help when abandoned and betrayed. 

This psalm is titled To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Contemplation of David when the Ziphites went and said to Saul, “Is David not hiding with us?” 

There were actually two times when the Ziphites betrayed David unto King Saul, first in 1 Samuel 23 and the second in 1 Samuel 26. David escaped both times, but the circumstances of this psalm seem to best fit the circumstances of 1 Samuel 23, when David learned of the Ziphite betrayal but before the deliverance of God was displayed (1 Samuel 23:26-29).

This is one of the few psalms with a specific musical direction: With stringed instruments. It is also called A Contemplation. The Hebrew word for Contemplation (maskil) might be better understood as instruction.

Behold, God is my helper. Though a hunted man, David could confidently expect God’s help. His present adversity had not led him to question the goodness of God, but to appeal to it. It is the Lord who sustains my life. The sense of this remarkable statement is that the LORD is among those who help me by upholding my life.2 

The Psalmist finds his life is threatened, as were Jesus’ and Jeremiah’s, and he finds God as his helper who rescues him from death. In our opposition God does not forsake those who trust in Him. 

Collect for Psalm 54: Father, hear our prayer and come to the aid of your Church. Mercifully deliver us from evil, so that from the rising of the sun to its setting we may offer you a pure sacrifice of praise; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 3

Sources:

1. The Crucifixion, Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

2. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-54

3. Collect for Psalm 54, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. IV © 1996 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY 

 

Monday Prior to Proper 20

 

1

Psalm 37:5-7, Antiphon, Psalm 37:4 – Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. 

This psalm is simply titled A Psalm of David. Verse 25 tells us that it is David in his older years, giving wisdom in the pattern of a song. This psalm is roughly acrostic in arrangement, with the lines arranged with Hebrew sentences that begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In style this is a wisdom psalm, directed not to God but to man, teaching after the manner of the Book of Proverbs.

David instructs us that wisdom triumphs over worry. 

Delight yourself also in the LORD. David advised the man or woman of God to replace worry and envy with a conscious delight in the LORD. This means to cheer one’s heart and mind by considering and by faith receiving the multiple blessings of God.

And He shall give you the desires of your heart. This is a wonderful and even safe promise. The one who truly delights in the LORD will find his heart and desires changed, steadily aligning with God’s own good desires for his life. Thus we see that finding delight in God is a key to a happy, satisfied life. 2

No matter what you are up against, trust in the Lord and He will sustain you. He will prove Himself worthy as you read the rest of the appointed readings for the coming week. 

Collect for Psalm 37: Lord Jesus, you bless the poor with the kingdom of heaven. Teach us to put our trust in the Father and to seek his kingdom rather than to imitate the powerful or envy the rich so may we serve you now and forever. 3

Sources:

1  The Crucifixion, Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

2. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-37 

3. Collect for Psalm 37, For All the Saints A Prayer Book For and By the Church Vol. IV © 1996 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Proper 20 Series B study notes

 

Jeremiah 11:18–20 

James 3:13—4:10

Mark 9:30–37

 

Our Father Cares for His Children with the Gospel of His Son

The sinful heart is filled with “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition” (James 3:14), which causes hostility, quarrels and conflicts, even among those who are fellow members of the body of Christ. This should not be so! Rather, God “opposes the proud” with His Law, in order to humble them unto repentance; He “gives grace to the humble,” in order to exalt them by His Gospel of forgiveness (James 4:6–10). This true “wisdom from above” is found in the gentleness, mercy and peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself and sacrificed Himself for the salvation of sinners (James 3:17). He was “like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter,” committing Himself to God, His Father, “who judges righteously, who tests the heart and the mind” (Jeremiah 11:19–20). Therefore, “after three days,” His Father exalted Him by raising Him from the dead (Mark 9:31). 

In Holy Baptism, He takes disciples of all ages into His arms like little children. In receiving Him through repentance and faith in His forgiveness of sins, they receive from His Father a share in the glory of His cross and resurrection (Mark 9:36–37). 

Collect for Proper 20 – O God, whose strength is made perfect in weakness, grant us humility and childlike faith that we may please You in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.

Lord, break our fear of death by reminding us that You have died, never to die again. Today, open our frightened hearts with the resurrection's promise; one day, open our closed eyes with the resurrection's power. 

Lord, forgive us for our battles over greatness. Remind us that You alone are great, for You lave served the least among us. 

Lord, thank you for Your work through the lives of others. Lead me to welcome those miracles and mercies that You show through every one of Your people. 

Jesus shatters our hopes and dreams...

Sunday’s Theme: The Christian and his opposition can be clearly seen in the three main readings for this coming week. In the Old Testament lesson, [Jeremiah 11:18—20] Jeremiah asks vengeance upon his enemies.  In the Epistle, [James 3:13-4:10] Opposition has its source in worldly wisdom. In the Gospel, [Mark 9:30-37] Jesus goes to Jerusalem to face his oppressors. Christians live in a hostile world, for friendship with the world is enmity to God.

Jesus goes to Jerusalem to face his oppressors. Jesus again announces His approaching passion and teaches the disciples the meaning of greatness.  

On His way to Jerusalem, Jesus announces a second time that He is going there to suffer, die, and rise on the third day. To avoid being detained, he travels incognito.

Unlike the first announcement, the disciples do not understand it and are afraid to ask Him the meaning of it. When the group reaches Capernaum, Jesus asked them what they were discussing during the walk. 

They were too embarrassed to answer, for they had discussed who would be Number One in the coming Kingdom.  Jesus taught that the one to be first must be last as a servant. To illustrate He takes a child in His arms, for in that day women and children were considered second-class citizens. Jesus makes the point that the greatest will minister to one like a child in His name, and when He does, He serves both Christ and God.

Jesus Again Foretells Death, and Resurrection Vv. 30-32 - Jesus repeats the prophecy of His Passion and resurrection while the disciples listen in frightened silence. Death is frightening and confusing when we cannot see the promised resurrection. Yet, Jesus bears our fears as well as our sins on the cross in order to deliver us. 

Mark 9:30

They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know,

 κακειθεν εξελθοντες επορευοντο δια της γαλιλαιας και ουκ ηθελεν ινα τις γνοι

 - He did not want will wish desire for any to know where they were - because He was teaching them...

Mark 9:31 

for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.”

εδιδασκεν γαρ τους μαθητας αυτου και ελεγεν [αυτοις] οτι ο υιος του ανθρωπου παραδιδοται εις χειρας ανθρωπων και αποκτενουσιν αυτον και αποκτανθεις μετα τρεις ημερας αναστησεται

- he was continually teaching His disciples, the whole Gospel/salvation story. He will be betrayed into the hands of men, and after three days He Shall Rise.  

Mark 9:32 

But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

οι δε ηγνοουν το ρημα και εφοβουντο αυτον επερωτησαι

- They were ignorant of what He meant and afraid of the subject matter...afraid even to engages Jesus in the discussion. They shut up about it.

Who Is the Greatest? VV.32-37 Confused by Jesus' prediction of His death, the disciples return to a subject they know well, their own greatness. Jesus shows them that true status is found in serving those whom God values.

When we are tempted to debate who is the greatest, we should instead look to where the Master hangs on the cross. He represents us before the Father in order to redeem us, and He lead us by the cross into a new life.

Mark 9:33 

And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?”

και ηλθον εις καφαρναουμ και εν τη οικια γενομενος επηρωτα αυτους τι εν τη οδω διελογιζεσθε

-  He Asked them "what were you talking about on the road? He brings up the subject.

Mark 9:34 

But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.

οι δε εσιωπων προς αλληλους γαρ διελεχθησαν εν τη οδω τις μειζων

- They were silent...they shut up...as they were debating, "whose the greatest?"  A comparative, "who is greater?" 

Mark 9:35 

And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

 και καθισας εφωνησεν τους δωδεκα και λεγει αυτοις ει τις θελει πρωτος ειναι εσται παντων εσχατος και παντων διακονος

- sitting down, He called the twelve, if any would be first he must be deacon...sitting prophetic posture for teaching, He calls them to teach.  He became first by serving...he's not here to teach them how to be great...

Mark 9:36 

And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them,

και λαβων παιδιον εστησεν αυτο εν μεσω αυτων και εναγκαλισαμενος αυτο ειπεν αυτοις

- taking a παιδιον "little one" He embraced Him and said,

Mark 9:37 

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

ος αν [εν] των τοιουτων παιδιων δεξηται επι τω ονοματι μου εμε δεχεται και ος αν εμε δεχηται ουκ εμε δεχεται αλλα τον αποστειλαντα με

- whoever receives one of these little children in my name and receives them receives me and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.  Great baptism talk. Proof text! 

“Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

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

-1881 Westcott-Hort New Testament (WHNU) -by Public Domain

Reflections on Pentecost 18 - Proper 20

Pentecost 18 – Proper 20

September 23, 2018

Mark 9:30-37

Our Father cares for His children with the Gospel of His Son

“Jesus’ definition of greatness”

The Collect for Proper 20: “O God, whose strength is made perfect in weakness, grant us humility and childlike faith that we may please You in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.”  Amen 

For your information: Capernaum was a fishing village located on the northwest tip of the Sea of Galilee. It is mentioned in all four gospels. It was reported to have been the hometown of the tax collector Matthew, and located not far from Bethsaida, the hometown of the apostles Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. One Sabbath, Jesus taught in the synagogue in Capernaum and healed a man who was possessed by an unclean spirit (Luke 4:31–36 and Mark 1:21–28). This story is notable for being the only one common between the gospels of Mark and Luke, but not contained in the Gospel of Matthew. Afterwards, Jesus healed Simon Peter's mother-in-law of a fever (Luke 4:38–39).

According to Luke 7:1–10 and Matthew 8:5, Capernaum is also the place where Jesus healed the servant of a Roman centurion who had asked for His help. Capernaum is also the location of the healing of the paralytic lowered through the roof to reach Jesus reported in Mark 2:1–12 and Luke 5:17–26. In Matthew 9:1 the town is referred to only as "his own city" (Matthew 9:1-7).

Questions/Discussion

1.      According to vs. 30-32 Jesus again foretells His death, and resurrection. “They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.”

2.      By the time we get to verse 32, Jesus has just imparted a crucial teaching, telling them who he is, and not for the first time. The prospect of the Messiah being taken and killed just does not compute. When God comes in glory, it is surely to conquer his enemies, not to "be handed over into the hands of men, and they will kill him" (31). So, "they did not understand what he was saying and they were afraid to ask him" (verse 32).

3.       What is the focus of Jesus’ work with the disciples at this point? Why?

4.      To what degree do the disciples seem to understand Him? What is their chief concern? What is the point of His words about the child? How do they speak to what the disciples have been saying?

5.      Brainstorm. Make a list of questions you think the disciples might have wanted to ask Jesus at that point. What questions are people afraid to ask God?  What questions do you wish could be asked at church?

6.      What does this passage have to do with the other readings for today?  The Theme for today: “The Christian and his opposition” can be clearly seen in the three main readings. In the Old Testament lesson [Jeremiah 11:18—20], Jeremiah asks vengeance upon his enemies.  In the Epistle [James 3:13-4:10], opposition has its source in worldly wisdom. In the Gospel, [Mark 9:30-37], Jesus goes to Jerusalem to face His oppressors. Christians live in a world with a different mindset.  Friendship with the world places us at enmity to God. So, how do we strike a balance of living in the world and still being different?  

7.      What important points did you glean from the text, the sermon, and service? What was important to you?

            Grant us Thy peace throughout our earthly life,

            Our balm in sorrow and our stay in strife;

            Then, when Thy voice shall bid our conflict cease,

Call us, O Lord, to Thine eternal peace.

Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise st. four, Lutheran Service Book #917

Image © Higher Things

Time in the Word - Pentecost 18 - Proper 20

Time in the Word
 September 17-22, 2018

Proper 20
Preparation for next week

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday’s Theme: The Christian and his opposition can be clearly seen in the three main readings for this coming week. In the Old Testament lesson [Jeremiah 11:18—20], Jeremiah asks vengeance upon his enemies.  In the Epistle [James 3:13-4:10],opposition has its source in worldly wisdom. In the Gospel, [Mark 9:30-37], Jesus goes to Jerusalem to face his oppressors. Christians live in a hostile world, for friendship with the world is enmity to God.

This Week’s Morning Prayer Readings

Read and review the following Bible stories for each day… 

Mon., September 17 - Joseph before Pharaoh –Genesis 41 Selected Verses

Tues. September 18– Joseph rises to power –Genesis 41 Selected Verses 

Wed. September 11– Chapel Day

Thurs. September 20 - Joseph’s brothers in Egypt – Genesis 42 Selected Verses

Fri. – September 21- Joseph’s brothers return –Genesis 43 Selected Verses

From the Small Catechism –  8^th& 9^th Commandments

Collect for Proper 20 –O God, whose strength is made perfect in weakness, grant us humility and childlike faith that we may please You in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen. 

Collect for Pentecost 17–Keep, we pray You, O Lord, Your Church with Your perpetual mercy; and because without You we cannot but fall ,keep us ever by Your help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. 

A prayer for God to guide us – Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with Your most gracious favor, and further us with Your continual help, that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in You we may glorify Your holy name and finally, by Your mercy, obtain eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

A prayer for steadfast faith – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, of Your tender love towards us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in Him we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may remain steadfast in this faith to the end and come to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

For those in distress - Almighty and everlasting God, the consolation of the sorrowful and the strength of the weak, may the prayers of those who in any tribulation or distress cry to You graciously come before You, so that in all their necessities they may mark and receive Your manifold help and comfort; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

Monday, 17 September 2018—Psalm 37:5-7, Antiphon, Psalm 37:4 – Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. No matter what you are up against, trust in the Lord and He will sustain you. He will prove Himself worthy as you read the rest of the appointed readings for the coming week.

Tuesday, 18 September 2018—Psalm 54; key verse, verse 4—It is the Lord who sustains my life. The Psalmist finds his life is threatened, as were Jesus’ and Jeremiah’s, and he finds God as his helper who rescues him from death. In our opposition God does not forsake those who trust in Him.

 Wednesday, 19 September 2018—Jeremiah 11:18-20—Jeremiah asks vengeance upon his enemies. Jeremiah feels like a lamb led to the slaughter by his enemies and he asks to see God’s vengeance upon them. Jeremiah cries out for vengeance upon those seeking his life. God informs Jeremiah that his enemies were out to destroy him. Jeremiah felt like a “lamb led to the slaughter.” His enemies were offended by his preaching of judgment, doom, and the captivity of the nation. Like other prophets (Elijah and Amos), Jeremiah experienced persecution: beaten, threatened with lynching, imprisoned, and thrown into a pit to die. Even his family was a part of a plot to kill him. Jeremiah calls upon God not only for protection but for vengeance upon his enemies.

Thursday, 20 September 2018—James 3:13-4:10—Opposition has its source in worldly wisdom. James says the wars, quarrels, dissension, and strife have their source in earthly wisdom. It is a bad spirit that causes opposition. James will contrast earthly and heavenly wisdom.  In this lesson James distinguishes between the types of wisdom. Earthly wisdom is characterized by ambition, rivalry, and selfishness. This kind of wisdom provides disorder and confusion. Heavenly wisdom comes from God. This wisdom is “pure, peaceable, gentle,” etc. The heavenly side; do not boast of themselves, but promote peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. The source of fighting and killing each other is the heart which is full of selfish desire.

Friday, 21 September 2018—Mark 9:30-37—Jesus goes to Jerusalem to face his oppressors. Jesus again announces His approaching passion and teaches the disciples the meaning of greatness.  On His way to Jerusalem, Jesus announces a second time that He is going there to suffer, die, and rise on the third day. To avoid being detained, he travels incognito. Unlike the first announcement, the disciples do not understand it and are afraid to ask Him the meaning of it. When the group reaches Capernaum, Jesus asked them what they were discussing during the walk. They were too embarrassed to answer, for they had discussed who would be Number One in the coming Kingdom.  Jesus taught that the one to be first must be last as a servant. To illustrate He takes a child in His arms, for in that day women and children were considered second-class citizens. Jesus makes the point that the greatest will minister to one like a child in His name, and when He does, He serves both Christ and God.

Saturday, 22 September 2018— Exodus 20:1-17- The hymn, These Are the Holy Ten Commandments (LSB 581) Recall the Lord’s requirement of faithfulness to His Law. A good review of the Ten Commandments.

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

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

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

Pentecost 18 - Proper 20

Proper 20 Series C –

September 18 2016

Luke 16:1-15

O Lord, Keep your Church in Your perpetual mercy; and because without You we cannot be fail, preserve us from all things hurtful and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation.

The Lord Is Rich in His Grace and Mercy

So, what’s a parable? Most would say a parable is “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” Well, that’s a start. But the parables of Jesus are more. Much more! Jesus spoke in parables. He gave us these stories. But these stories. Are more than lessons with “a heavenly meaning.”

The parables of Jesus always tell us something about Himself. And about the Kingdom. When you hear one of Jesus’ parables, He is always telling you something you should know about His love, His grace, His mercy, His kindness, His character. And, when Jesus teaches a parable there is always a surprise. Something you did not expect!

Today’s parable is often referred to as “the parable of the Dishonest Manager.” Jesus said, “There was a rich man who had a manager. When we hear of the term “Manager” think, Chief Executive officer – the man who is placed in command when the landowner is not present. He has been given powers, privileges, and perks, to act on behalf of his commanding officer. Especially when he is away.  

Notice the problem. “Charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions.  And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’  The manager is brought up on charges that he has wasted his Master’s possessions.  He’s forced to turn over the books and face an audit. He’s told, “You can no longer be my manger.” Did you notice the surprise?  The manager is accused. Not good. He’s told, “You can no longer be my manager.” Even worse! However he isn’t fired. He keeps his job!

Here is the first surprise! Mercy is unjust. The manager is busted for his wastefulness. He is told, “You can no longer be my manager.”  The Master expects obedience. He is just. But he does not throw his manager into prison. This does not make sense in man’s economy. It makes perfect sense in God’s.  

It has become common practice in business, that on your last day of employment, security will personally escort you out of the building. Even if you’ve been a faithful employee! When my chaplaincy class at Lutheran Hospital ended this past May, I turned in my badge. My user name and password were erased from the hospital computer. It was, as if, I never existed!      

Immediately the manager hatches a plan. ³ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. ⁴ I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ ⁵ So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ ⁶ He said, ‘A hundred measures^[a] of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ ⁷ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures^[b] of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ ⁸

The manager latches on to the owner’s character. He gambles everything because of his Master’s mercy. And the farmers go along with it. Remember the manager acts on behalf of his owner. When he cuts the bill in half the people rejoice.  Because, they too, expect the Master to be merciful.

We expect the rich man to be outraged. Instead, he commends the man for stealing. These parables of Jesus tell us that God is not like us – the surprise - God does not act as we do. The Father wants to give His Kingdom away to the very people who would steal from Him and killed His own Son.  He bestows His Kingdom on rebels who sought to kill His Son. What is the    greatest injustice?  God forgives our debts and wants to give the Kingdom away. This makes no sense! God is wasteful in showering this upon us. He is unjust in forsaking His Son and declaring us righteous.  – It makes no sense in the economy of men. It makes perfect sense in God’s economy.

 What wealth can you use to bribe God –stolen wealth, that which belongs to another, that is not yours, that which you cannot buy or earn, wealth that which is stolen. That is all a part of God’s economy.

The innocent dies for guilty – that injustice is the foundation of the Kingdom. It is the shocking character of grace – the Master gives the Kingdom away. The Father forsakes the Son to have you. He accepts payment from the Son as payment for your sin.  More than you stole. He adds to your account. He adds a credit. And you end up with more than you attempted to steal. 

 Jesus shows us the character of the Master –who does not fire the steward and the steward banks on the character and the generosity of the Master. There are not Masters in this world like that. He goes too far. A Master we can never imagine. He is pleased with the steward because of what the steward has done is give the Master’s things away. For free. This is the parable of the Merciful Master who gives away the Kingdom for free –         

Jesus concludes with these words, ⁹ And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth,^[d] so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.

Who can receive you into eternal dwellings? Only God. Thus, Jesus concludes with this thought - You cannot serve God and money. The steward teaches us a valuable lesson.  Money must never to be seen an end in itself. It is only a means to an end.

Employment does not last forever. Retirement does not last forever.  No matter the level of security anyone has amassed; all of us, sooner, or later, will end up in a plot of earth. Given eternity, how can any thing of a material nature have any lasting consequence?

So where do you place your trust? Trust not in princes they are but mortal. Trust not in yourself. You will fail. Trust not in anything except the mercy of God. Who loves you more than you could ever imagine. Who is content to give you His Kingdom at the price of His own Son. Deserving has nothing to do with it. It all depends on the Father’s character, His good will, His clemency, His mercy, His grace.

Words- 1,175

Passive Sentences – 8%

Reading East – 78.6%

Reading Level – 4.5

Time in Word - Pentecost 18 - Proper 20

The Right Use of Money

We now turn to the money chapter from Luke’s Gospel. In dealing with today’s theme, we must consider next Sunday’s lessons. Both deal with our material possessions. For this coming week’s Gospel the parable of the unjust steward is put in the framework of the following verses, 1-13.

Alone the parable does not deal with the above over-all theme, but interpreted in the light of the following verses, the Gospel deals with the proper use of money. The Old Testament lesson deals more with how we get our money rather than how we use it. On the surface, the Epistle does not seem to deal with money at all, but a closer study shows that the implication is, if we pray for secular authorities, we shall have a society in which there can be economic justice and this the conditions described by Amos in the Old Testament would be prohibited.

Collect for the Eighteenth Sunday of Pentecost: O God without whose blessing we are not able to please You, mercifully grant that Your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and govern our hearts; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Collect for Proper Twenty: O Lord, keep Your church in Your perpetual mercy; and because without You we cannot but fail, preserve us from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Collect for Psalm 113: Lord Jesus, surrendering the brightness of Your glory, You became mortal so that we might be raise from the dust to share Your very being. May the children of God, always bless Your name from the rising of the sun to its going down, for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Prayer for steadfast faith: Almighty God, our heavenly Father because of Your tender love toward us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in him, we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may remain steadfast in this faith to the end and finally come to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Prayer for likeness to Christ: O God, by the patient suffering of Your only-begotten Son You have beaten down the pride of the old enemy. Now help us, we humbly pray, rightly to treasure in our hearts all that our Lord has of His goodness borne for our sake that following His blessed example we may bear with all patience all that is adverse to us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Monday, 12 September 2016—Psalm 119:137-140, 142; antiphon, Psalm 119:144—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray, Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live. The Lord and His law is righteous. As we cling to God’s Word and follow it we then shall live before God in righteousness, innocence and blessedness.

Tuesday, 13 September 2016—Psalm 113 — Psalms 113 – 118 are a group of psalms linked traditionally with the Jewish feasts of Tabernacles [Harvest] and Passover. In Jewish homes Psalm 113 and 114 are sung before the Passover meal. In the psalm for the week we encounter God. He is above and beyond His creation, yet closely concerned for the humblest of His people. This is an apt description of God. This first song of praise begins and ends with the word “Hallelujah”, which means praise. Praise God forever.

Wednesday, 14 September 2016—Amos 8:4-7— God promises never to forget the rich persons’ oppression of the poor. Does it matter how we get our money? Should a Christian be glad for his money and not ask questions how it was made/ Can a Christian in good conscience accept money derived from pornography, prostitution, or trafficked drugs? Should the church have investments in countries where civil rights are denied? In Amos’ day the people are rich but for all the wrong reasons. We still live in a world where the rich get richer and the get poorer. What is the answer to all this? The word of the Lord through Amos is the answer. The kind of wealth God condemns consists of 1. Greed – vs. 5a - They cannot wait for the holy days to be over that they can make more money. Compare today’s commercialization of holy days: Sunday, Christmas, Easter. 2. Dishonesty – vs.6a – Short weights: today’s false advertising. 3. Enslaving people – vs.6a – Today we are making people slaves to debt by over-purchasing. 4. Inferior products – vs. 6b – “Refuse of the wheat;” compare today’s scandal of overseas’ shipment of dirty wheat.

Thursday, 15 September 2016—1 Timothy 2:1-5— Paul urges prayer for all people, especially rulers, that we may live in peace. Paul talks about the hands of prayer. In recent years, there is a growing practice in some churches for people to raise their hands while praying, or some pastors hold out their hands with upraised palms when leading the people in prayer.

In our Epistle Paul urges us to pray for all people, especially those in high positions, that we may have that kind of world in which the gospel can flourish. Your hands in prayer are lifted hands – lifted up to the Source of our help, our Lord and Savior Jesus. Your hands in prayer are open hands – opened by faith to receive what we pray for. Your hands in prayer are holy hands – free from hatred and anger; filled with forgiving love.

Friday, 16 September 2016—Luke 16:1-15— The parable of the unjust steward. People need guidance on how to handle their money. Is it a virtue to be poor and a sin to be rich? Should a Christian despise money? Isn’t the love of money the root of all evil? In our Gospel lesson for Sunday Jesus has advice about money. He says that money can be your god. For a disciple this is an impossible situation, for no one can serve two gods. Trying to love two is impossible to do! Should a Christian then not strive to accumulate possessions? Where do you draw the line that money will not be in reality your god? John Wesley suggests a Christian should 1. Get all the money you can. 2. Save all the money you can. 3. Give all the money you can.

Saturday, 17 September 2016—1 John 3:16-18 - Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is We Give Thee But Thine Own, (LSB #781). Here is the definition of love. It is found in a person. It is found in an action. Jesus laid down His life for us. We in turn love and serve our neighbor. Actions speak louder then words. Thus John can say “If anyone has material possession and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? The faith is taught and it is caught. May we in love befriend and serve our neighbor.

Sources:
Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House
Collect for Pentecost 17 from Lutheran Worship © Concordia Publishing House
Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C by John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing Lima OH
For All the Saints A Prayer Book for and By the Church Vol. II © 1995 by the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

The etching by Jan Luyken illustrating Luke 16:1-9 in the Bowyer Bible, Bolton, England. © Wikimedia Commons afreely licensed media file repository http://artlibre.org/licence/lal/en