Saturday prior to Proper 6

 

Sunday’s hymn of the day, Creator Spirit, By Whose Aid (LSB 500), is an eighth-century hymn written in praise of the Holy Spirit and the gifts He bestows on the Church. It first proclaims the Spirit as participating in the creation of all things, then testifies that He creates Christians by His gifts to us. The final stanza is a doxology: a hymn of praise to our Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This hymn is so ancient that the original authorship is not entirely certain. Some believe it was composed by Ambrose of Milan, which would make it sixteen centuries old. Yet it is still sung in churches today. Ambrose was a Roman governor of Northern Italy, and later served as the Christian bishop of Milan. The hymn has been translated or paraphrased many times.

The work of the Holy Spirit, in bringing us to spiritual maturity, first involves the new birth, a spiritual rebirth that comes through faith in Christ (John 1:12-13; 3:3, 6). And the Christian is said to be indwelt by the Spirit (Romans 5:5). Part of His work in us is to bring us more and more to follow after Christ, (Romans 8:29). And “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Prayer for persecuted Christians: Lord Jesus Christ, before whom all in heaven and earth shall bow, grant courage that Your children may confess Your saving name in the face of any opposition from a world hostile to the Gospel. Help them to remember Your faithful people who sacrificed much and even faced death rather than dishonor You when called upon to deny the faith. By Your Spirit, strengthen them to be faithful and to confess You boldly, knowing that You will confess Your own before the Father in heaven, with whom You and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, now and forever.  1

Sources:

Image of the Holy Spirit copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

1. Collect for persecuted Christians © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis 

Wednesday Prior to Proper 6

 

Ezekiel 17:22–24—Things looked bleak when Jerusalem fell and King Zedekiah died in exile (Ezekiel 17:11-21). Through the prophet Ezekiel, the LORD proclaims that He will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and…I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. This tender sprig will never be uprooted, for it is the promised Messiah, Jesus, who will be given the throne of His father David, and whose Messianic kingdom will be established forever.

“On the mountain heights of Israel,” He plants a young and tender twig, and it becomes “a noble cedar.” Indeed, His own Cross becomes the Tree of Life, under which “every kind of bird” will dwell, and in which “birds of every sort will nest” (Ezekiel 17:22–25).

The Lord says, “I will plant it.” God is in control of men and nations. He opens up a new era by creating a mighty king to rule Israel. All of this is God’s doing. It is similar to the Sower in the parable in that the kingdom grows while he sleeps. It behooves people to “wait upon the Lord” for deliverance.

 At times the Old Testament seems to be a nationalistic collection of books with Israel as the hosen and blessed people above all other races. However, there is a universalism in the Old Testament.  Israel is God’ instrument to bring all nations to him. In this passage we read of “all kinds of beasts,” ‘birds of every sort.” And “all the trees.” When God sets up his king and brings his people back from captivity, the whole world is to be drawn to God. 1  

Prayer for the mission of the Church and her missionaries: Almighty and gracious God, You want all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Magnify the power of the Gospel in the hearts of Your faithful people that Your Church may spread the good news of salvation. Protect, encourage, and bless all missionaries who proclaim the saving cross that Christ, being lifted up, may draw all people to Himself. 2 

Sources:

Consider the Ravens copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

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

2.  Collect for the mission of the Church and her missionaries, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House., St. Louis

Tuesday prior to Proper 6

 

Psalm 1—Verse six presents a key to understanding Psalm 1: “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” In this psalm, the way of the righteous and the way of the ungodly are contrasted.

The Psalmist begins the first Psalm of the book of Psalms “Blessed is the man.” The Hebrew word esher is here translated blessed, which has the idea of happiness or contentment. Esher is a form of the Hebrew word ashar, which in its root means “to be straight” or “to be right.”

Blessed is the man speaks of the happiness, the blessedness, the contentment in the life of the man or woman who is right or “straight” with God. The righteous man will be a blessed man, a happy man.

What makes you happy? What gets you excited? This is a good way to see what is important to you. If personal pleasure is the only thing that makes you happy, then you are a selfish, self-centered person. If being with your family or friends delights you, that can be better, but it still falls short. The righteous man finds his delight…in the law of the LORD.

Luther wrote that the Psalter is the Bible in miniature. If so, then the opening six verses are the portal leading into a treasure-house of communion with God. Who is the one who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners . . . but his delight is in the law of the Lord and on His Law he meditates day in night? First, it is Christ. Secondly, it is all of us who have been incorporated into Christ—the holy Christian Church. The new man, created by Baptism that comes forth daily and arises to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Collect for Pentecost 3: Blessed Lord, since You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 1

Sources:

The Sower, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

1. Collect for Pentecost 3, Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Monday prior to Proper 6

 

Psalm 92:12–15; Antiphon, Psalm 92:1—This ‘Psalm for the Sabbath’ is a hymn of praise, in which the psalmist gives thanks to the LORD for His steadfast love and faithfulness. He declares us righteous and makes us flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. From ancient times, even until today, Lebanon has been known for its tall strong cedars: Cedars from Lebanon were used in constructing the temple, and the cedar appears on Lebanon’s national flag. We who are planted in the house of the LORD are strong in the LORD like these trees of renown.

In the lessons for this coming week the Parables of our Lord convey the mysteries of the Kingdom of God to those who are “able to hear it,” that is, “to His own disciples,” who are catechized to fear, love and trust in Him by faith (Mark 4:33–34). He “scatters seed on the ground,” which “sprouts and grows” unto life, even as “He sleeps and rises” (Mark 4:26–27). 

“On the mountain heights of Israel,” He plants a young and tender twig, and it becomes “a noble cedar.” Indeed, His own Cross becomes the Tree of Life, under which “every kind of bird” will dwell, and in which “birds of every sort will nest” (Ezekiel 17:22–25). His Cross is our resting place, even while now in mortal bodies, we “groan, being burdened” (2 Corinthians 5:1–4). Yet by faith we live for God in Christ, who for our sake “died and was raised” (2 Corinthians 5:15). We know that, in His resurrected body, “we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1).

Collect for Psalm 92: Lord, take our shame away and make us rejoice in your saving acts, that all who have been redeemed by your Son may always abound in works of faith, hope and love in your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 1

Sources:

The sower, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

1. Collect for Psalm 92, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church Vol. 1 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, © 1995 Delhi, NY

Proper 6 Series B notes (Pentecost 4)

 

Proper 6 - Series B

Study Notes
Mark 4:26-34
Ezekiel 17:22-24
Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15 (12)
2 Corinthians 5:6-10 [11-13] 14-17

Prayer of the Day

God, you are the tree of life, offering shelter to all the world. Graft us into yourself and nurture our growth, that we may bear your truth and love to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege

“[The kingdom of God] is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” Mark 4:31-32                                                                        

Though the parables of Jesus were different from those spoken by other Rabbis of His day, yet there were similarities in the use of certain “stock” illustrations in such parables.  The following are recognized as some of the stock illustrations found in rabbinic parables in the first century:  A king represented God; harvest represented judgment; marriage represented the Messianic Age; a field represented the world; birds represented gentiles or evil beings. Jesus added His own “stock” illustrations, probably the most notable being the sowing of seed, which represented the spread of the Kingdom through preaching.

Unlike other rabbis, Jesus rarely gave interpretations to His parables; He fully expected people to wrestle with them, seeking interpretations consistent with the Old Testament and with what Christ had revealed to His Apostles.  Those who rejected the guidance of the Holy Spirit and thus would not wrestle with Christ’s parables, who just brushed them off as practically useless, are those who hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand [Mt 13:13].   

An obvious point being made by the parable of the mustard seed, is that Christ’s kingdom will start as a very small seed, but it will ultimately grow into a towering tree.  We who can look back on the progress of the Church can clearly see this reality; the Church started so small it seemed ready to perish because of poverty and persecution, but it has since grown to tower over every continent.  This has happened not because of clever planning, nor because of shrewd business models, nor because of charismatic church leaders through the centuries, nor because the message has been “adapted” to fit every culture and era.  It has happened because the message of the Gospel—the good news of Christ’s saving death and His life-guaranteeing resurrection—continues to change people by the Holy Spirit who works thereby.  People are not only thus born anew in Christ Jesus, but simultaneously they are changed and empowered to produce the God-pleasing, Christ-like fruit of love. 

This brings us to a secondary point made by the parable.  When Christ’s kingdom has thus grown into a monumental tree, its branches are able to provide a place for the birds.  In Mark’s record of the parable, the birds nest in the Kingdom’s shade, and in Matthew’s account, the birds nest in the Kingdom’s branches. Christ’s parable thus portrays how the Church is a blessing to the “birds” which rest/nest in its shady branches.  As the “birds” were gentiles in rabbinic parables, and as Jesus would use “birds” in another parable to illustrate demons snatching God’s seed, so now in this parable one can readily recognize the “birds” to be the non-Christians of the world.  Indeed Christ’s Church is and has been a blessing even to unbelievers!  On every continent the Church has become the source of previously unknown wisdom and love. In his book, How Christianity Changed the World, Alvin Schmidt has shown how Christ’s kingdom has been THE positive influence on the world’s charitable attitudes.  Before the Church of Christ, there were no hospitals, no adoption agencies and no charities to help the poor and elderly. Christianity has elevated marriage, sexuality and children. It has given women dignity and worth like never before. In summary, Christ’s incarnation, death and resurrection have given heretofore unknown value to fallen people. When Christians—that is, those re-born to be in and like Christ—permeate a godless society, the godless “birds” are unknowingly blessed.    

Of course God’s goal is not simply to graciously bestow blessings on unbelievers (“birds”), yet it shows the love of Christ, a love Christians do not withhold from unbelievers.  God’s desire is that all people come to the knowledge of the truth—that they also become members of Christ’s body, the Church.

Greek Text (NA27)

The Parable of the Seed Growing in Secret 26-29

 Only Mark records this parable.

 Whereas the parable of the sower stresses the importance of proper soil for the growth of seed and the success of the harvest, here the mysterious power of the seed itself is emphasized. The gospel message contains its own power. 

Some see this parable chiefly as a parable of contrast. As seedtime is followed in due time by harvest, so will the present hiddenness and ambiguousness of the kingdom of God be succeeded by its glorious manifestation. This parable conveys both a warning and a word of encouragement to Jesus’ disciples. However important their role may be (21–25), they are not to imagine that the Kingdom is their kingdom or its triumph their triumph; the Kingdom remains God’s mysteriously creative work. He is “Lord of the harvest” (Mark 9:38). This serves for encouragement also; however slow and unspectacular the “progress” of the Kingdom may be, the outcome is in the sure hands of the Creator. Men may pray, “Thy kingdom come,” with patience and confidence.

Mark 4:26

Καὶ ἔλεγεν, Οὕτωςἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦθεοῦὡςἄνθρωπος βάλῃτὸν σπόρον ἐπὶ τῆςγῆς

And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 

Mark 4:27

καὶ καθεύδῃ καὶ ἐγείρηται νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν, καὶ ὁ σπόρος βλαστᾷ καὶ μηκύνηται ὡςοὐκοἶδεν αὐτός.

He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.

οἶδεν (oiden |knows/understands) – 

At first there may be little to show for the sowing of the seed, and a skeptical observer might think that nothing is happening. But there is an inner dynamic in the message which will in due time produce its effect, even if human insight cannot fathom how the process works (ὡςοὐκοἶδεν αὐτός). In the meantime the wise disciple will wait in confidence for God's work to be accomplished in God's way. The kingdom of God, then, does not depend on human effort to achieve it, and human insight will not be able to explain it.

Mark 4:28

αὐτομάτη ἡ γῆ καρποφορεῖ, πρῶτονχόρτον, εἶτα στάχυν, εἶτα πλήρη[ς] σῖτονἐντῷστάχυϊ.

The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 

Mark 4:29

ὅταν δὲ παραδοῖ ὁ καρπός, εὐθὺς ἀποστέλλειτὸδρέπανον, ὅτι παρέστηκεν ὁ θερισμός.

But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” 

The Parable of the Mustard Seed 30-34

The main point of this parable is that the kingdom of God seemingly had insignificant beginnings. It was introduced by the despised and rejected Jesus and his 12 unimpressive disciples. But a day will come when its true greatness and power will be seen by the entire world. See also Matthew 13:31–33; Luke 13:18-f. This is another parable of contrasts, but the contrast may not be, as is sometimes thought, between the Church's insignificant beginnings and the wide spread, powerful organization it was to become: it is rather between the present veiled-ness of the Kingdom of God and its future glorious manifestation at the Parousia.

Mark 4:30

Καὶ ἔλεγεν, Πῶςὁμοιωσωμεντὴν βασιλείαν τοῦθεοῦ, ἢ ἐντίνι αὐτὴνπαραβολῇθῶμεν; 

And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?  

Mark 4:31

ὡς κόκκῳσινάπεως, ὃςὅταν σπαρῇ ἐπὶ τῆςγῆς, μικρότερονὂν πάντωντῶν σπερμάτωντῶν ἐπὶ τῆςγῆς, 

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, 

Mark 4:32

καὶ ὅταν σπαρῇ, ἀναβαίνει καὶ γίνεται μεῖζον πάντωντῶν λαχάνων καὶ ποιεῖκλάδουςμεγάλους, ὥστεδύνασθαι ὑπὸ τὴνσκιὰν αὐτοῦτὰ πετεινὰτοῦοὐρανοῦ κατασκηνοῦν.

yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” 

κατασκηνοῦν (kataskenoun |to nest/live/dwell) – See also Ezekiel 17:23; 31:6; Daniel 4:12,14,21. When at last he comes in his glory, who is himself the Kingdom (1:15), he will be not only the Judge of all men, but also the one under whose shadow all who have truly trusted in him will find shelter. Drawing attention to these same OT texts and particularly to 'all great nations' in Ezekiel 31:6, the allusion here may be intended to indicate the future wide scope of the kingdom of God, within which many nations (not only Israel) will find their place. Of this and the parable of the growth of the kingdom in verses 26-29, the two parables of verses 26-32 thus both warn against underestimating the significance of the proclamation of the kingdom of God, however unimpressive its initial impact may seem. What has begun in the Galilean ministry of Jesus will, by the power of God, one day prove to be of ultimate significance. If for the time being its power is hidden, it is not for that reason any less certain, and its growth will be spectacular.

Mark 4:33

Καὶ τοιαύταις παραβολαῖς πολλαῖς ἐλάλει αὐτοῖςτὸνλόγον, καθωςἠδύναντο ἀκούειν·

With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. 

Mark 4:34

χωρὶς δὲ παραβολῆςοὐκἐλάλει αὐτοῖς, κατ· ἰδίαν δὲτοῖςἰδίοις μαθηταῖς ἐπέλυεν πάντα.

He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

χωρὶςδὲ παραβολῆςοὐκἐλάλει αὐτοῖς - (choris de parabolesoukelalei autois) apart but from parables not he was speaking) 

- Jesus used parables to illustrate truths, stimulate thinking and awaken spiritual perception. The people in general were not ready for the full truth of the gospel. When alone with his disciples Jesus taught more specifically, but even they usually needed to have things explained. 

https://sites.google.com/site/briansgreekscripture/pentecost-3---mark-4-26-34

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Pentecost 4 - Proper 6

Proper 6

12 June 2016

Luke 7:36—8:3

Jesus, the Friend of Sinners

A 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.

Jesus’ enemies accused Him of being a friend of tax collectors and sinners. Yes, He was. And Yes! He is! – “Simon! Look at this woman…” says Jesus. “I came into your house water upon my feet you did not give. By her tears, she washed my feet. With her hair, she wiped them. A kiss you did not give. Upon my entry, she did not stop kissing them.” 

Jesus is the honored guest and Simon didn't have the common decency to treat him as such. Why? Simon cannot even give insincere hospitality. He did not recognize Jesus as the Christ. Simon was scandalized! That Jesus would allow this. But Jesus teaches that forgiveness is for sinners. Not for the self-righteous. This woman. Sorry for her sin. Was forgiven by Jesus. When we repent of our sins—which are many—we, too, are forgiven.  Glory be to Jesus. He is a friend of sinners. Like you!

1. The debt is great – These two debtors. Both had the obligation to pay. The liability what huge. One owed 500 denarii - a price of a house.  The other owed 50 –The price of a car. But not having it to pay the

The sinner must constantly confess, “I am a sinner.” The alcoholic, must constantly confess his condition daily until Jesus returns. And declares it no more.  That’s precisely the point Jesus makes. The debt of sin we could never repay. The weight is too much for us to bear. The burden is too heavy. The guilt is overwhelming. So He cancels the debt. He stops it. He revokes. Rescinds. And repeals the debt. And declares it to be no more.  

Transition:  The burden and guilt of sin is great. In mercy, your Father has forgiven your sin and He remembers them no more…

2.  In mercy, your heavenly Father canceled the debt. – Jesus doesn't talk about faith He delivers faith. Jesus tells the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” We can literally say, “Your Jesus has saved you. Go in peace.”  Faith always looks to its object.

NOTE: When using the word "faith" follow up with, "what God in Christ has given you."   We do not place faith in our faith. We trust in Christ and Him alone.  Jesus’ words always do what they say. When He says, “your sins are forgiven,” they are!  What a relief. What a blessing. To know that your sin, though they are many, have been removed. As far as the east is from the west. And He remembers your sin no more! What a blessing. To know that Christ Jesus has paid for every single transgression. What a joy to know that we do not have to carry about the weight of sin.

  

What a pleasure it is to carry our burdens and our cares to the throne room of grace and know that every stain of sin has been wiped clean.  What we were unable to accomplish the Father has made possible by the death and resurrection of His own dear Son Jesus Christ. In Him, all sin is purchased and forgiven period!

Transition:  Our sin, as great as they are, have been forgiven. How do you respond to all this?

3. What is your reaction to all this? Not like the other guests. Who began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Those sitting at the house were insulted. That Jesus would forgive sins.  This should not surprise us. When Jesus healed and forgave the paralyzed man. “At once the Scribes and Pharisees began to say to themselves ‘Who is this fellow who says things like this that are insulting to God? Is there anyone but God who can forgive sins?” [Luke 5:21]

Do you see what they infer?  Only God can forgive sins. Here is Jesus. Absolving and pardoning this woman. They will have none of it! They reject Jesus’ claim to pardon, cleans and release people from the guilt of their sin.

The same question these guests wrestled with at the table now becomes yours. Who is this Jesus? Who even forgives sins?  Do you believe that Jesus can forgive sin? Do you believe that Jesus can absolve you? Of your guilt?  Will you exchange your fault for His pardon?  Or, will you deny His invitation?  Read and react. Reflect and respond. This is the challenge presented to you this week.

We pray:        

Just as I am Thou wilt receive

Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

Because Thy promise I believe,

O Lamb of God, I come.

Sources:

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

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

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.

Words -875

Passive Sentences – 8%

Reading ease – 85.2

Reading level – 3.2 

Time in the Word - Pentecost 4 - Proper 6

Time in the Word

The Righteous Shall Live by Faith

A Study for Pentecost 4 – Proper 6
June 6-11 2016

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).

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, 6 June 2016—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, 7 June 2016—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, 8 June 2016—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, God forgives the sin: ‘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, 9 June 2016—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, 10 June 2016—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, 11 June 2016—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.

A prayer for St. Barnabas Day (11 June) - Almighty God, Your faithful servant Barnabas sought not his own renown but gave generously of his life and substance for the encouragement of the apostles and their ministry. Grant that we may follow his example in lives given to charity and the proclamation of the Gospel through Your son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

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.