Pentecost 3 - Proper 9 Time in the Word

Jesus Christ, Our Savior, Is Our True Peace and Sabbath Rest

Though we have died with Christ in Holy Baptism, and we are raised to new life in Him, we find “another law waging war” in our body and life, that is, between our old Adam and the New Man (Rom. 7:23). By the Spirit of Christ, we “desire to do what is right,” but we are not able to do so, because “nothing good” dwells in our sinful flesh (Rom. 7:18). “Thanks be to God,” therefore, “through Jesus Christ our Lord,” who delivers us from “this body of death” (Rom. 7:24–25). We rejoice in Him, our gentle King, who comes “righteous and having salvation” (Zech. 9:9). He speaks peace to our embattled hearts, and by His Blood of the New Testament He sets us “free from the waterless pit,” and He returns us to the stronghold of our Baptism (Zech. 9:10–12). Though we “labor and are heavy laden,” He calls us to Himself and gives rest to our souls through His free and full forgiveness (Matt. 11:28), not because we are “wise and understanding,” but by the “gracious will” of God the Father, whom “the Son chooses to reveal” in love (Matt. 11:25–27).

Collect for the Third Sunday after Pentecost: Gracious God, our heavenly Father, Your mercy attends us all our days. Be our strength and support amid the wearisome changes of this world, and at life’s end grant us Your promised rest and the full joys of Your salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Prayer for spiritual renewal: Almighty God, grant that we, who have been redeemed from the old life of sin by our Baptism into the death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, may be renewed by Your Holy Spirit to live in righteousness and true holiness;

Prayer for our nation: Almighty God, You have given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember Your generosity and constantly do Your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action. Grant that we, who came from many nations with many different languages, may become a united people. Support us in defending our liberties, and give those to whom we have entrusted the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, may our hearts be thankful, and in troubled times do not let our trust in You fail;

Prayer for good government: Eternal Lord, ruler of all, graciously regard those who have been set in positions of authority among us that, guided by Your Spirit, they may be high in purpose, wise in counsel, firm in good resolution, and unwavering in duty, that under them we may be governed quietly and peaceably;


Monday, 27 June 2011—Psalm 91:2, 9–10; Antiphon, Psalm 91:1—The Introit for next Sunday reflects very well the theme of the day shown on the front cover; it speaks of those who trust in the LORD as being able to rest securely in His protection. If we dwell in the shelter of the Most High, we need fear no evil from our enemies, for the Lord protects those who abide in the shadow of the Almighty. It is of great comfort to us when we are assiled by our dread enemies—the devil, the world, and even our rebellious sinful nature—that the Lord promises that no evil shall be allowed to befall you; He shall preserve us to the day when He returns to take us to dwell forever in His heavenly kingdom.

Tuesday, 28 June 2011—Psalm 145:1–14—Psalm 145 is a song of high praise to the LORD for His greatness. Note how many of the attributes of the LORD David extols: His greatness, His majesty, His wondrous works and awesome deeds, His abundant goodness and righteousness, and especially, His grace and mercy. For us poor sinners, this is the best reason to praise the Lord, for He is slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and His mercy is over all that He has made. This truly gives us great reason to bless His name forever.

Wednesday, 29 June 2011—Zechariah 9:9–12—These words remind us of Advent, for verse 9 is the text for the First Sunday in Advent, which looks forward to Palm Sunday, and the advent of our Lord for the forgiveness of our sins. Here, it ties in well with the Gospel, where Jesus says that He is gentle and lowly in heart, fulfilling this prophecy of Zechariah where he proclaimed that the Messiah to come would come humbly, mounted on a donkey. Because He comes to us as righteous and having salvation, our response is to rejoice greatly and shout aloud!

Thursday, 30 June 2011—Romans 7:14–25a—St Paul writes of the conflict that plagues all Christians: the conflict between our old and new Adam, between our flesh and spirit. Our new man, redeemed by God and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, desires to do the will of God, but our old man desires only to serve his own appetites, to do what is pleasing to our flesh. This condition afflicts us all, as long as we abide here on earth, and with St Paul, we, too, must cry out, Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Fortunately, this is not a cry of abject despair, for it is answered in the very next verse: Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! He has delivered us from the punishment of the Law and the bondage to sin. It is fitting for us to pray Psalm 145 again as a prayer of praise and thanksgiving for God’s grace and mercy.

Friday, 1 July 2011—Matthew 11:25–30—The weary and burdened are the ones to whom Jesus chooses to reveal the Father. These are the same people Jesus has described as the poor in spirit, the meek, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Those who acknowledge their sinfulness and realize that it is a burden too heavy for them to bear, that this load will drag them down to hell if they must bear it by themselves—they are the ones to whom Jesus promises rest. And this rest is his gift. “I will give you rest,” Jesus says. (John Brug, the People’s Bible commentary, ©1996, NPH)

Saturday, 2 July 2011—The hymn of the day is based on the Gospel. Come unto Me, Ye Weary (LSB #684) repeats the invitation of Jesus to find our rest in Him. The hymn repeats the assurance that He will give us rest, light, and life, and will never cast us out, but comes to give us pardon, grace, and peace.
Lectionary summary on front page from LCMS Commission on Worship
Artwork by Ed Riojas, © Higher Things
Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House
This week's Time in the Word is written by Pr. Jeffrey Keuning serving St. John Casey and Zion, Dexter, IA

Pentecost 3 mid-week

Luke 7:11-17

Jesus raises a widow’s son - He comes at the most critical situation. Will people believe in Him? Will they attempt to make Him their king by force? Or, will they walk away, looking upon Him as a comedian, a magician, a man who works with smoke and mirrors – Will the people respond by saying, “He puts on a great act but it’s simply that – it’s only an act – there really isn’t anything there!”? We review the story as it unfolds.
1. A large crowd was coming out of town carrying a coffin - the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Sometime this weekend take a look at your most recent pay stub. What do you see? You see an amount of cash you can stash away in your pocket. That pay stub records the money you earned that you use to pay your bills until the next paycheck comes your way. It’s the money you live on. It’s the money you use to meet your obligations. It’s the money you set aside for a rainy day. It’s called “budgeting”.
But look deeper at that pay stub. You also see how much has been taken out for taxes, you’ll see how much has been placed in your 401 K account. You’ll see how much vacation time you receive. You’ll see how much has been taken out for disability should you need it. That pay stub speaks not only of the spending power you have now- but it also shows you the equity you will have in the future.
Not so with this poor woman. She had been provided for by her husband. But then he died. We don’t know how long she had been a widow, but we do know that her security had been shaken.
At least she had a son, who could provide for her. But now we see her double grief. Her only hope for a future had been taken away. Her only son was being carried out of the city for burial. Not only was she burying her child, she was facing a future without hope. There was no one to provide for her. In her grief she was all alone!
Can you relate to this woman’s plight? I know some you have experienced her grief- the loss of a child brings so much unhappiness, so much anguish, and so much heartache. Some of you have walked in this woman’s shadow knowing that there will be no tomorrows- you have heard a physician say, “your condition is terminal - there is nothing else we can do.” Some of you have experienced broken relationships, broken marriages, and some have been broken; as this woman, knowing that you have nothing, and there is no longer any financial support.
Some might ask, these stories in the Bible, could they really have happened as they were written? This story shows us how real they truly are. This incident could have been featured in this morning’s newspaper. Jesus encountered this woman 2,000 years ago- it touches us today where we live.
2. When the Lord saw her, His heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” How do you react to the Savior’s response? Have there not been times when we have been met with empty words and shallow sympathy? Have there been times when we have waited for a listening ear only to receive silence? Have there been times when we have sought encouragement only to meet rejection? Have you ever received unwarranted disapproval? We’ve heard the proverb, “Those who can, do- those who can’t, criticize.”
The words of Jesus are filled with compassion, understanding, and kindness. He is able to sympathize with us. The writer to the Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is so much greater then all of the Head Priests when he writes, “And since our great High Priest is God’s Son Jesus, who is now in heaven, we must hold on firmly to the faith we are telling others about. You see, this Head priest of ours isn’t a person who can’t feel any sympathy for us in our weakness, because He has been tried and tested in every way, just as we are. But He never sinned. Therefore we can come joyfully to the throne of our God, whose heart is filled with love for those who don’t deserve it, and there we will be given the mercy and love we don’t deserve to help us when we really need it.” [Hebrews 4:14-16]
Jesus meets this woman with compassion and consideration. His words to her, “Don’t cry” were filled with faith and feeling.
3. Then He went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” When Jesus broke into time and space death met its match. Death was finally defeated when Jesus burst from the grave on Easter morning. Yet, already, we see death’s grip weakened. He speaks to the corpse as if this young man were asleep!
Jesus has such authority for He is the author of life. He speaks to the young man individually, “young man, I say to you, get up!” In every resurrection which Jesus performs before His own resurrection, He speaks to the corpse individually. This young man, the little boy from Nain, Jairus’ daughter, Lazarus- He each calls to life individually. On the Last Great Day Jesus will not speak individually but collectively. In this instance Jesus says, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” On the Last Great Day He will simply say, “Get up!”
We can be assured of this final resurrection. Says St. Paul, “And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know the truth about those who are sleeping, so that you won’t be sad, like all the other people in the world who don’t have any hope. You see, since we believe that Jesus died and came back to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will have Him bring those who have fallen asleep back with Him.” [1 Thessalonians 4:13-14]
4. The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. As soon as the Savior speaks the young man begins to speak. What words were spoken we do not know. We could only imagine what he would have spoken. Could it have been concerning the glories of heaven? Yet could anyone adequately and sufficiently describe the glories of heaven effectively?
Possibly, it was one word, “Mother!” Yet, in an instant, mother and son are reunited. Sadness is turned into joy. Pain and suffering disappear. The family is restored. Where human efforts fail Jesus is able to restore and help us completely. What He was able to do for this woman He is able to accomplish in your life. The same concern Jesus had for this distraught woman, the same compassion, the same concern, He has for you.
5. They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help His people.” At last the people come to the understanding of who this Jesus is. He is the true God. He is the One who came to save His people.
Jesus is the One who came on a divine mission to restore and reconcile people back to God and to each other. Is He a prophet? No, He is more then a mere prophet. He is the Lord God Almighty- who has come to help His people.
Sources:

NEW TESTAMENT in Everyday American English by Julian G. Anderson © 1984 Anderson Books Naples, FL

Time in the Word Pentecost 3 Proper 6

The Righteous Shall Live by Faith

It is not by works of the Law that we are justified, for “the righteous shall live by faith” in Christ (Gal. 3:11). He “redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Gal. 3:13) through His death on the tree of the cross. Though we have “despised the Word of the Lord” (2 Sam 12:9), He has pity on us and calls us to repentance. He lays hold of us in mercy and grants us peace. He takes our sin upon Himself, so that we shall not die but live (2 Sam 12:13). And so we worship Him—like that woman who anointed His feet, washing them with her tears and drying them with her hair. We love Him much because our “sins, which are many, are forgiven” (Luke 7:47).

Collect for the Third Sunday after Pentecost: Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us Your gifts of faith, hope, and love that we may receive the forgiveness You have promised and love what You have commanded; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer for deliverance from sin: We implore You, O Lord, in Your kindness to show us Your great mercy that we may be set free from our sins and rescued from the punishments that we rightfully deserve; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for pardon, growth in grace, and divine protection: O Lord, our God, we acknowledge Your great goodness toward us and praise You for the mercy and grace that our eyes have seen, our ears have heard, and our hearts have known. We sincerely repent of the sins of this day and those in the past. Pardon our offenses, correct and reform what is lacking in us, and help us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Inscribe Your law upon our hearts, and equip us to serve You with holy and blameless lives. May each day remind us of the coming of the night when no one can work. In the emptiness of this present age keep us united by a living faith through the power of Your Holy Spirit with Him who is the resurrection and the life, that we may escape the eternal bitter pains of condemnation.By Your Holy Spirit bless the preaching of Your Word and the administration of Your Sacraments. Preserve these gifts to us and to all Christians. Guard and protect us from all dangers to body and soul. Grant that we may with faithful perseverance receive from You our sorrows as well as our joys, knowing that health and sickness, riches and poverty, and all things come by permission of Your fatherly hand. Keep us this day under Your protective care and preserve us, securely trusting in Your everlasting goodness and love, for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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. Amen.

Monday, 7 June 2010—Psalm 25:16–18, 20; antiphon, Psalm 25:1–2—In the antiphon, we, with author David, beseech the Lord to deliver and protect us, that our enemies not exult over us. In the body of the Introit, our chief enemy is named: sin. It is because of the fallen, sinful state of the world that there is loneliness, affliction, trouble, and distress. The only cure is the forgiveness of sins; we must take refuge in God alone, especially in the forgiveness offered through the sacrifice of Christ our Savior.

Tuesday, 8 June 2010—Psalm 32:1–7—This psalm of David is one of the seven penitential psalms. David, St Paul says, “speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works.” (Romans 4:6) Neither David, nor we, nor any person merits absolution from God; it is solely by His grace that our transgression is forgiven. David exhorts us to offer a prayer—a prayer of contrition—to the Lord, and then to have confidence that He will surround us with shouts of deliverance, such as the one we hear from Jesus on the cross: ‘It is finished!’

Wednesday, 9 June 2010—2 Samuel 11:26—12:10, 13–14—You might remember that, in the old television program Leave It to Beaver, Ward Cleaver, Beaver’s father, would often tell Beaver a tale designed to reprimand and correct some misbehavior by his son. God’s prophet, Nathan, does the same thing to David, who had committed adultery with another man’s wife, and then had the man, Uriah, killed. When David says that the wicked man in the story ought to die, Nathan accuses him, ‘You are the man!’ David is brought to repentance. Though he will sufferer the consequences of his actions, the sin is forgiven by God: ‘The Lord also has put away your sin.’ Likewise, when we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Thursday, 10 June 2010—Galatians 2:15–21; 3:10–14—The key verse of this reading—indeed, of the entire book of Galatians—is chapter 3, verse 11: The righteous shall live by faith. Our condition from the very moment of our conception is that we are dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). It is only God who can make us righteous by the blood of Christ Jesus, our Savior. Christ’s righteousness is imputed to us solely by grace, through faith which receives the benefits of Christ’s atoning death and resurrection. By faith, given to us by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament, we are declared righteous for Christ’s sake

Friday, 11 June 2010—Luke 7:36—8:3—In Luke 7:34, we are told that Jesus’ enemies accused Him of being a friend of tax collectors and sinners. Yes He was, and is! In the Gospel reading, we are told of a woman—a noted sinner—who anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume, and wiped them with her hair. Simon the Pharisee was scandalized that Jesus would allow this, but Jesus teaches that forgiveness is for sinners, not for the self-righteous. The woman, sorry for her sins, has them forgiven by Jesus. When we repent of our sins—which are many—we, too, are forgiven. Thanks be to Jesus that He is a friend of sinners like us!

Saturday, 12 June 2010—Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is Today Your Mercy Calls Us to Wash Away Our Sin (LSB #915). No matter the depth of our sin, the blood of Christ has atoned for it. Through Baptism, our sins are washed away, and Christ exchanges His righteousness for our sins. By faith in Christ, our eternal destiny is life with God forever in heaven.

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House
Woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, Das Buch der Bücher in Bilden [The Book of Books in Pictures]) ©WELS.

This week's Time in the Word written by Pr. Jeffrey Keuning service Zion and St. John Lutheran churches in Dexter and Casey, IA

Pentecost 3 - Proper 7 - Mark 4:35-41

Creatures in awe of Jesus’ authority over the creation

INTRODUCTION
A. Following a day full of teaching activity...
1. Jesus and His disciples got in a boat to sail across the Sea of Galilee –
2. A windstorm arose, beating waves into the boat –
3. Jesus was sleeping, but was wakened by His disciples fearing their lives –
4. Jesus rebuked the wind and calmed the seas –
5. He then reproached His disciples for their fear and lack of faith
6. Filled with great fear, His disciples expressed their awe of Jesus to one another. –

B. The account of Jesus calming the storm is well-known...
1. Popular in many children's Bible classes
2. The setting for the song “Jesus Savior Pilot Me”

I. WE ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM STORMS
A. WE FACE STORMS BECAUSE WE ARE HUMANS...
1. Being Jesus' disciples did not protect them from storms.
2. We live in a world where there are many storms, both literal and figurative.
3. Christians experience literal tornados, hurricanes, just like everyone else.
4. Christians likewise face storms such as sickness, accidents, disappointments, death.
5. Paul certainly experience the perils of storms and shipwrecks - 2Co 11:25-26 -- Three times I was beaten with rods; jonce I was stoned; three times I kwas shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, min perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; Jesus does not promise exemption from the normal storms of life.

B. WE FACE STORMS BECAUSE WE ARE CHRISTIANS...
1. Jesus warned that we will experience tribulation as His disciples - John 16:33 - I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
2. Paul did, and warned his fellow disciples - 2Corinthians 11:24-25; Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, Acts 14:22; strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said. 2Timothy 3:12 -In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
3. Peter wrote that we should not be surprised - 1Peter 4:12 - Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.-- Jesus does not promise exemption from the storms of religious persecution

Transition: So if we find ourselves in the midst of storms, whether literal or figurative, whether it’s because we are simply humans or because we are Christians, do not think it strange. Instead take heart knowing that…

II. JESUS HELPS US DEAL WITH STORMS
A. THROUGH FAITH...
1. During storms, we are often afraid ("we are perishing!") -
2. Jesus teaches that fear is indicative of a lack of faith –
3. To overcome fear in storms, we need to grow in faith!
a. Faith that God will protect us if it be His will - cf. Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
b. Faith that God will deliver us to His heavenly city even if we die - Psalm 46:4-5, There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.--Jesus reveals the role of faith in the midst of storms.

B. THROUGH HIS WORD...
1. Jesus' words prepare us to withstand the storms of life - Matthew 7:24-27. Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
2. How to pray in order to be heard by God - Matthew 6:5-8 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
3. To lay up treasure in heaven instead of on earth - Matthew 6:19-20 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
4. To seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness - Matthew 6:31-34 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. -- Jesus shares the secrets to standing strong against the storms of life.

C. THROUGH PRAYER...
1. Jesus is key to receiving mercy and grace to help in time of need - Hebrews 4:14-16; Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are— yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
2. In anxious times, God offers peace to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus through prayer. -- Jesus stands ready to calm our hearts and minds when facing storms.

D. THROUGH HIS SACRIFICE...
1. . The greatest "storm" all of us will face will be the Day of Judgment - 2Peter 3:7, By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
2. 2. A day in which we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ - 2Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due to him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
3. But Christ shed His blood to spare us on that Day - Romans 5:6-10 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
4. By obeying the gospel, we can have our names added to the Lamb's book of life and escape condemnation for our sins - cf. Mark 16:15-16; He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. -- Jesus stands ready to save us and protect us from the "perfect storm" to come.

CONCLUSION
A. Everyone will face one or more storms in his or her life...
1. Whether literally or metaphorically
2. Whether atheist or believer
B. How shall we react when the time(s) come...
1. Shall we cry out like the disciples who were weak in faith ("we are perishing!")?
2. Or shall we weather the storms with confident faith and calm repose?
C. And how shall we stand on when the final storm comes...
1. The "perfect storm", that is, the Day of Judgment?
2. Shall we hear Jesus say, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world"? Matthew 25:34
3. Or will we hear Him say, "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels"? - Matthew 25:41When Jesus rebuked the wind and spoke to the sea, "Peace, be still", the wind ceased and there was a great calm. The disciples, with fear and amazement, said: "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" The wind and the sea obeyed Jesus. Shall we not obey Him who now has all authority in heaven and on earth? - Matthew 28:18-20

Time in the Word - Pentecost 3 - Proper 7

The theme for the Third Sunday after Pentecost is The Creator and the Creature. The Introit sets the theme by recounting how the Lord delivered His people when they were at the mercy of the elements. They responded by thanking the Lord for His ‘steadfast love,’ that is, His mercy, His undeserved favor. When Job demanded to be able to question God and His actions, the Lord responded that He is the Creator of all things. No one was there to assist Him or tell Him how to do things. In the Gospel, Jesus, who created all things, stills a storm which terrified His disciples. Why? Because of His steadfast love, His mercy, His undeserved favor.

The Lord continues to shower His mercy upon us. The catechism’s definition of the Gospel is ‘what God has done for us in Christ and continues to do.’ Jesus died for we who were beset by sin, death, and the devil. But His steadfast love, His mercy, His undeserved favor, He continues to show to us daily.

Monday, 15 June 2009—Psalm 107:29–32; Antiphon, Psalm 107:28—This psalm recounts many of the things that the Lord has done for His people, and exhorts them to praise Him for them. In the section appointed for Sunday’s Introit, the Lord is given praise for manifesting His might by delivering His people from the storms of nature. This sets the theme for the day, where all the readings point to the authority of the Creator over His creation, and His continuing governance.

Tuesday, 16 June 2009—Psalm 124—This Song of Ascents, that pilgrims sang on their way up to Jerusalem, praises the Lord for His deliverance of His people from catastrophes of nature. Twice, it is sung, If the Lord had not been on our side…Those who sing the psalm recognize that their only hope of salvation is in the Lord. We echo this in the daily offices, such as Matins and Vespers, and when we confess our sins in the Divine Service, when we repeat verse eight: Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Wednesday, 17 June 2009—Job 38:1–11—At the end of the book of Job, God answers Job, who has demanded the opportunity to interrogate Him for the calamities which have befallen Job. God answers with an interrogation of His own: Who is Job to question the Creator of all things? The Lord, who laid the foundation of the earth and determined its measurements, who prescribed limits for the sea, knows what He is doing. How can the creature second-guess the Creator?

Thursday, 18 June 2009—2 Corinthians 6:1–13—In Sunday’s epistle reading, St Paul speaks of his experiences as Christ’s Ambassador of Reconciliation (2 Cor 5:20). He tells of these things not to boast, but because what people see in the messenger affects the credibility of the message. In verse 6, he speaks of the reason he was able to withstand these hardships and still bring forth the fruits of righteousness: it is solely the work of God, especially the Holy Spirit. God, the Creator of all things, is also able to create the New Man, who lives before God in righteousness and purity,

Friday, 19 June 2009—Mark 4:35–41—Terrified by a storm which came upon them quickly on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples were powerless to escape it or overcome it. Jesus, however, through whom all things were created (John 1:3), is able to calm the seas by the command of His voice. After all, He is God, who brought all things into existence by speaking, ‘Let there be…’ (Genesis 1)

Saturday, 20 June 2009—Sunday’s hymn of the day, Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me (LSB 715), uses the imagery of a stormy sea to represent the trials and tribulations which are part of our lives as long as we live in this fallen, sinful world. But Jesus is able to still those seas, as He did the Sea of Galilee, and bring comfort to us. True comfort can come only through Jesus, for He is our Salvation.

Collect for Pentecost 3—Almighty God, in Your mercy guide the course of this world so that Your Church may joyfully serve You in godly 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. Amen

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book copyright 2006 by Concordia Publishing House

Schnorr vin Carolsfeld woodcuts copyright by WELS The permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

June daily devotionals are written by Pr. Keffrey Keuning who serves the congregations of St. John Dexter and Zion in Casey, IA