June 27 – Saturday prior to Proper 8

 John 11:16 – This passage is the inspiration for the hymn “Let us ever walk with Jesus” LSB 685. Thomas is ready to suffer all, even death, for the sake of Christ. Such commitment is necessary yet impossible without faith in Christ. Our prayer: Lord, increase my faith!

“Sigismund von Birken was the son of an Evangelical pastor in Bohemia. His family was forced to flee to Nürnberg when he was three. Birken was an established poet and was appointed a tutor at the age of 16 to the Princes of Brunswick-Lünesburg. His poetic skills led to publication of 52 hymns. However, only three of them have been translated into English. The most prominent of these hymns is Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus and Jesus I will Ponder Now which was the focus of our mid-week Lenten series this spring.

Meditate on this much loved hymn

1 Let us ever walk with Jesus,
Follow His example pure,
Flee the world, which would deceive us
And to sin our souls allure.
Ever in His footsteps treading,
Body here, yet soul above,
Full of faith and hope and love,
Let us do the Father's bidding.
Faithful Lord, abide with me;
Savior, lead, I follow Thee

A Prayer of thanksgiving– Heavenly Father, God of all grace, govern our hearts that we may never forget Your blessings but steadfastly thank and praise You for all Your goodness in this life until, with all Your saints, we praise You eternally in Your heavenly kingdom.

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

Luther’s Seal copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

June 26 –Friday prior to Proper 8

 Psalm 119:153-160 – This Psalm is suggested for this coming Sunday. It falls under the Hebrew letter “Resh” the twentieth letter in the Hebrew alphabet.  It is a psalm and prayer of deliverance. “See how I love your precepts; preserve my life.”

We must rely on God to justify us and to defend us in the final day.  This life is full of grief, pain and affliction. Yet, we serve a heavenly Father, and His tender mercies are greater by far than any persecution of the enemy. We feel secure when we listen to His words and trust in His loving-kindness.

The psalmist cries, "Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word."

Christ is the advocate of his people, their Redeemer. Who is mighty, and thoroughly pleads their cause against the accusations of Satan. He defends their innocence from the calumnies of wicked men, and rights their wrongs, and redresses their grievances.

Christians are promised that we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. God will plead on the side of David. David knows that he is helpless unless God takes his side. This is like an attorney who pleads your case for you. Christ your Savior works on your behalf, pleading to the Father for pardon, mercy and grace.

These words of comfort and hope mirror the last five words that He spoke to humans before He ascended into heaven. "I am with you always..." Jesus your Savior gives you His guarantee that He will not walk out on you. Never!

Jesus understands your station in life and He promises to do something about this sorry lot.

He promises us the Counselor. For your aid and comfort.

Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will come and appears on your behalf to be a mediator, an intercessor, and a genuine helper for you.

Who is this counselor? He is the Spirit of truth, the One who can be known and revealed only by faith. He is the One who dwells and lives within you.

While so many live with the mistaken notion that perception is reality, the Savior confirms to you that He is your reality. Christ alone is the solution to any feelings of abandonment. So go ahead. Plead your cause to Him. He has promised to listen. And He will take action according to His gracious will.

Lord, you are just and your commandments are eternal. Teach us to love you with all our hearts and to love our neighbor as ourselves, for the sake of Jesus our Lord.  

Image copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Prayer for Psalm 119.153-16, For All the Saints – A Prayer Book For and By the Church Year 1 © 1994American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi NY  

June 25 – Thursday prior to Proper 8

 

Matthew 10:34-42 –Jesus calls upon his disciples to love him above all others. Matthew continues in this lesson with the price of discipleship. In verses 34-36, Jesus declares that His coming will cause dissension in families because disciples will love Him more than any member of the family. In verses 37-39, Jesus calls upon His disciples to take up the cross and to lose themselves in His cause. To those who do this, Jesus promises rewards (verses 40-42). In this passage, we have the cost and reward of discipleship.

There are many rewards — reward of a prophet, or a righteous man, of a spokesperson and ambassador of Christ. “He who receives you receives me.” To accept a follower of Christ is to accept Jesus; to help a disciple is to help Christ. To reject a disciple is to reject Christ. What a high honor to be a surrogate of Christ!

The pattern of Christ’s suffering is the outline of ministry. Found in the words of John the Baptizer who said, “He must increase while I must decrease.”- John 3:30

In her book “Generation Me” author Jean Twenge put it this way, “In many ways, there’s no better time to be alive than right now. Think of all the advantages we have that earlier generations did not: television, cell phones, better medical care, computers, more education, less physical labor, the freedom to make our own choices, the ability to move to a more desirable city. These last two, however, begin to hint at the underlying problem. Our growing tendency to put the self-first leads to unparalleled freedom, but it also creates an enormous amount of pressure on us to stand alone.”

It really isn’t about you. It’s always about Jesus.  All too often, we forget that the invisible God is working things out according to His purpose. Not yours. God is free to do as He pleases. He owes no one anything. And yet… And yet, He chose to redeem you. He chose to send Jesus into your world. Into time and space. To become your substitute. To live a perfect life for you. To bear your sin. To die your death. To rise again. To make you His own. And place His Spirit inside of you. To endow you with gifts. So you can be a sermon in shoes. So you can be His witness in this generation.

This tells us that grace alone will make and keep you with Jesus. Your status in this life is not dependent on what you do. It is decided by whose you are. You are in Christ. Therefore, you can choose to do anything you want in this life. You are free. You are free to be anything you want. You can be a butcher, a baker, a candle maker. You are free to be cop a teacher or a farmer. You are free to be a line cook at a greasy spoon or a garbage man. You are free to be a truck driver, a plastic surgeon or stay at home mom.  “Whatever your hand finds it to do…do it with all your might.” - Ecclesiastes 9:10 

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord.” - Colossians 3:17 

Remember the Service Master cleaning service. In all you do - you are rendering service to the Master. What you do is a reflection of who you are. 

Collect for Proper 8 –O Almighty God, by the working of Your Holy Spirit grant that we may gladly hear Your Word proclaimed among us and follow it’s directing; through Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Heavenly Father, grant Your mercy and grace to Your people in their many and various callings. Give them patience, and strengthen them in their Christian vocation of witness to the world and of service to their neighbor in Christ’s name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Image ‘With all your heart,’ copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Generation Me by Jean Twenge, PhD © 2006 Simon & Schuster

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

June 24 - Wednesday prior to Proper 8

  Romans 7:1-13 – Paul warns Christians not to back into our former way of living. As far as Christians are concerned, a life “controlled by the sinful nature” belongs to our past. The law not only reveals sin, it also stimulates it. The natural tendency in man is to desire the forbidden thing – death. Physical death and beyond that, eternal death - final separation from God – are the fruit of our “union” with the law.

Paul tells us what exactly happened to us. "Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit for God" (Romans 7:4). Remember, "we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him." (6:5–8)

This truth is so crucial to the believer's daily walk with Christ that Paul reminds us to "consider (reckon, count upon the fact) yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:11). God's solution to our sin problem was to crucify us with Christ. As far as the Father is concerned we were there in the grave with Christ and we rose into newness of life with Him. This happened in Baptism. Now we are joined in an intimate union with our Lord and Savior.

Remember, in Baptism you died to sin. Christ bore the penalty of the law on our behalf and rose from the dead. The moment you were born again in Baptism you were identified with Christ's death and resurrection. You are no longer under the law, but under grace.

Luther observed, "It is impossible for a man to be a Christian without having Christ; and if he has Christ, he has at the same time all that is in Christ. What gives peace to the conscience is, that by faith our sins are no more ours, but Christ's, upon whom God has laid them all; and that, on the other hand, all Christ's righteousness is ours, to whom God has given it. Christ lays His hand upon us, and we are healed. He lays His mantle upon us, and we are clothed; for He is the glorious Savior, blessed forever."

Merciful Father, through Holy Baptism You called us to be Your own possession. Grant that our lives may evidence the working of Your Holy Spirit in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, according to the image of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Baptism copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

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

History of the Great Reformation of the Sixteenth Century in Germany by Jean Henri Merle d'Aubigné

June 23 – Tuesday prior to Proper 8

 

Jeremiah 28:5-9 – A true prophet is one whose message is fulfilled. One day two preachers were speaking in the temple. They contradicted each other and yet both claimed to be prophets. Whom were the people to believe? One says God will send peace; the other promises trouble. Jeremiah gives the acid test: the true prophet is one whose preaching comes true. So, we have to wait and see who is right.

Here we find God’s bad news (verses 5-8).  Most think God has only good news for us. According to this lesson, God has both good and bad news. For the rebellious and disobedient there is bad news – judgment, war, famine, and death. King Ahab referred to Elijah as “you troubler of Israel,” and “my enemy.” 

Jeremiah’s response was marked by restraint. Nothing would have please him more than to affirm the prediction of an immediate deliverance of the people he loved so dearly.

Micah had bad news of defeat for the kings about to go to war. To say peace because people want to hear it is to be faithless to God who brings judgment upon a sinful people.

Which do you prefer, to be liked or respected?

The false prophets of Jeremiah's day prophesied by other gods such as Baal, the god of sex and success (Jeremiah 23:13). These prophets keep saying "Don't worry! Everything's going to be fine! (Jeremiah 23:17) But they have drummed up their own "prosperity preaching" and none of them has ever been in on the LORD's own council. (Jeremiah 23:18, 21-22) Their words are smooth, sweet, comforting. "But my word," says the prophet speaking in the name of the LORD, "is like fire, like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces!" (Jeremiah 23:29)

These are difficult words. They were difficult for Jeremiah. They challenge us today. May the Lord give us the strength to speak the truth of God’s word when the message is welcomed and courage even if it is not received.

Almighty and everlasting God, You would have all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. By Your almighty power and unsearchable wisdom break and hinder all the counsels of those who hate Your Word and who, by corrupt teaching, would destroy it. Enlighten them with the knowledge of Your glory that they may know the riches of Your heavenly grace and, in peace and righteousness, serve You the only true God; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

A wolf in sheep’s clothing copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

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

June 22 – Monday prior to Proper 8

 

Psalm 89:15-18 - This is the Psalm portion from which the Introit for next Sunday is taken. The antiphon is taken from verse 1, “I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known You faithfulness to all generations.” 

The love and faithfulness that appear here will be repeated fourteen times throughout the course of this Psalm. We trust in the mercies of our Lord because of His love and faithfulness.

Psalm 89 speaks of the rise and fall of David’s kingdom, suggesting a date during the time of the Kings. Because David’s sons, the kings of Judah, did not remain faithful to God, the Lord visited judgment upon His people. Lamenting this harsh treatment, the psalmist call upon God to relent and to restore His people once again.

God is merciful. His wonders never cease. This is the focus of this Sunday’s introit.

Verses 15-18, is best read as a joyful enactment of the psalmist's promise from v. 1 to sing of God's steadfast love and faithfulness. Verse 15 proclaims that "blessed" are the people who know the "festal shout"; who walk in God's light.

This expression, "festal shout" might sound strange.  The Hebrew word, can be used to convey such things as trumpets blowing and war cries. Here in the Psalms it usually denotes a shout of acclamation or joy towards God.

To "know the festal shout" is thus to express the joy that comes from experiencing God's steadfast love and faithfulness. It is significant that it is "the people" who is said to know this--a singular noun in Hebrew. This "festal shout" is something that can only be known collectively, as the gathered people of God. However loud one might yell, one cannot produce a "festal shout" on one's own!

Mighty God, in fulfillment of the promise made to David’s descendants you established a lasting covenant through your Son Jesus. You anointed your servant Jesus with holy oil and raised him higher than all kings on earth. Remember your covenant, so that we who are signed with the blood of your Son may sing of your mercies forever; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.    

Te Deum copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Lutheran Study Bible © 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Prayer for Psalm 89, For All the Saints – A Prayer Book For and By the Church Year 1 © 1994American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi NY 

https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=957

Proper 8 Series A (Pentecost 5)

 

Pentecost 5 

Jeremiah 28:5–9
Romans 7:1–13
Matthew 10:34–42

The Lord Jesus Brings Division on Earth for the Sake of Peace with God in Heaven

False prophets preach what their hearers want to hear, promising peace even when the Lord has spoken “war, famine, and pestilence” (Jer. 28:8). But if “the Lord has truly sent the prophet,” he speaks what the Lord has spoken, and “the word of that prophet comes to pass” (Jer. 28:9). The preaching of God’s Law is hard, because it confronts sin, brings it to light and makes it worse, “sinful beyond measure,” thereby “producing death” in the sinner (Rom. 7:13). But through our Baptism into Christ, “we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive” (Rom. 7:6). Now we belong “to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God” (Rom. 7:4). Belonging to Him puts us at odds with the world and divides us from all earthly ties, not only from our human family, but each person from his own life. For Christ does not come “to bring peace, but a sword” (Matt. 10:34). Yet, whoever takes up his cross to follow Christ, and “loses his life” for Christ’s sake, finds new life in Him (Matt. 10:38–39).

Not Peace, but a Sword

Matthew 10.34 
Μὴ νομίσητε ὅτι ἦλθον βαλεῖν εἰρήνην ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν· οὐκ ἦλθον βαλεῖν εἰρήνην ἀλλὰ μάχαιραν. 
Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 

Matthew 10.35 
ἦλθον γὰρ διχάσαι ἄνθρωπον κατὰ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ καὶ θυγατέρα κατὰ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτῆς καὶ νύμφην κατὰ τῆς πενθερᾶς αὐτῆς, 
For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 

Matthew 10.36 
καὶ ἐχθροὶ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου οἱ οἰκιακοὶ αὐτοῦ. 
And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 

Matthew 10.37 
ὁ φιλῶν πατέρα ἢ μητέρα ὑπὲρ ἐμὲ οὐκ ἔστιν μου ἄξιος· καὶ ὁ φιλῶν υἱὸν ἢ θυγατέρα ὑπὲρ ἐμὲ οὐκ ἔστιν μου ἄξιος· 
Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Matthew 10.38 
καὶ ὃς οὐ λαμβάνει τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀκολουθεῖ ὀπίσω μου, οὐκ ἔστιν μου ἄξιος. 
And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 

Matthew 10.39 
ὁ εὑρὼν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἀπολέσει αὐτήν, καὶ ὁ ἀπολέσας τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ εὑρήσει αὐτήν.
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Rewards

Matthew 10.40
 Ὁ δεχόμενος ὑμᾶς ἐμὲ δέχεται, καὶ ὁ ἐμὲ δεχόμενος δέχεται τὸν ἀποστείλαντά με. 
Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.

Matthew 10.41 
ὁ δεχόμενος προφήτην εἰς ὄνομα προφήτου μισθὸν προφήτου λήμψεται, καὶ ὁ δεχόμενος δίκαιον εἰς ὄνομα δικαίου μισθὸν δικαίου λήμψεται. 
The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward.

Matthew 10.42 
καὶ ὃς ἂν ποτίσῃ ἕνα τῶν μικρῶν τούτων ποτήριον ψυχροῦ μόνον εἰς ὄνομα μαθητοῦ, ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, οὐ μὴ ἀπολέσῃ τὸν μισθὸν αὐτοῦ.
And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Pentecost 6 - Proper 8 Time in the Word

When the prophet Elijah became discouraged and despaired of his life, “the Word of the Lord came to him” (1 Kings 19:9b) and stood him “on the mount before the Lord” (1 Kings 19:11). The Lord made Himself known to the prophet—not in the impressive power of gale force winds, nor in an earthquake, and nor in the fire, but in “the sound of a low whisper” (1 Kings 19:12). Today God reveals Himself among us through the frail preaching of the Gospel. The Son of Man sends “messengers ahead of Him…to make preparations for Him” (Luke 9:51–52). Putting their hand to that plow of preaching, they “go and proclaim the kingdom of God,” and they do not look back (Luke 9:60, 62). What they preach is not the power of the Law with its “yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1), but the power of God unto salvation through the Gospel of forgiveness, by which “Christ has set us free” (Gal. 5:1).

 Collect for the Fifth Sunday of Pentecost: Lord of all power and might, Author and Giver of all good things, graft into our hearts the love of Your name and nourish us with all goodness that we may love and serve our neighbor; 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 Psalm 16: Lord God our Father, keep safe Your servant on the path of eternal life, for You alone are my refuge. When my last hour comes, may my body rest secure in the promise of the Lord's resurrection; 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 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.

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; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for grace to love and serve God: O God, through the grace of Your Holy Spirit You pour the gifts of love into the hearts of Your faithful people. Grant Your servants health both of mind and body that they may love You with their whole heart and with their whole strength perform those things that are pleasing to You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Monday, 20 June 2016— Psalm 85:8–10, 13; antiphon, Psalm 85:7—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray, Show us Your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us Your salvation. God has shown His steadfast love and salvation to us by sending His Son into the world to save us. Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people. God speaks His peace to us through His holy Word, especially in the Gospels, where we have a record of the words and the deeds of Jesus, who accomplished our salvation for us. Truly, His salvation is near to us who fear Him!

Tuesday, 21 June 2016— Psalm 16 - In the psalm for the day, David takes delight in an unwavering commitment to the Lord in both life and death. This ought also to be our attitude and joy, for He has made known to us the path of life. We have a beautiful inheritance: life with God forever in the kingdom of heaven.

Wednesday, 22 June 2016—1 Kings 19:9b–21—On the lam to escape wicked Queen Jezebel, Elijah fell into despair: few people in Israel wanted to have anything to do with the Lord or His prophets, and the queen had sworn to kill him (1 Kgs 19:2). In the midst of his despondency, the Lord strengthened Elijah both physical (1 Kgs 19:4–9) and, in the reading for Sunday, spiritual. The Lord instructed Elijah to step out of his cave while the He showed him three tremendous displays of natural forces—a great and strong wind, an earthquake, and a fire. Then He came in patience and love, with gentleness and mercy—in a low whisper. He told Elijah that he had not been a failure; there were still seven thousand faithful in Israel. To encourage Elijah, God also gave him a threefold assignment. He was to head north and anoint the next king of Aram, who would be God’s scourge on Israel. He was also to anoint a new king over Israel, who would wipe out the dynasty of Ahab and destroy Baal worship in Israel. Finally, Elijah was to anoint the man who would succeed him as prophet. The mission of Elijah was to be continued in Elisha.

Thursday, 23 June 2016— Galatians 5:1, 13–25—We Americans are justly jealous of our freedoms; they were won and preserved at great cost. But, with freedom comes responsibility. As Christians, we have received an even greater freedom—freedom from the curse of the Law. With this freedom also comes great responsibility—the responsibility to use our freedom in service to God and neighbor. The only way we are able to do this is to be led by the Spirit, whose fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Friday, 24 June 2016— Luke 9:51–62—In Luke 9:51, the whole tenor of the Gospel according to St Luke changes, when Jesus sets His face to go to Jerusalem. Now the focus is on the cross, where He will redeem mankind from the clutches of Satan, from bondage to the Law, and from everlasting death. Our eyes, too, must ever be focused on the cross of Christ. It is there alone that we are able to find true freedom, as proclaimed in the epistle from Galatians. Likewise, if pastors are going to faithful to the Lord, as was Elijah, they must always preach Christ crucified as a sacrifice on our behalf.

Saturday, 25 June 2016— Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is Come, Follow Me, the Savior Spake (LSB #688), is an exhortation to live our lives under the cross. We, who have been set free from sin, death, and everlasting condemnation, must now live our lives in service to Him by walking in His way. How can we ever hope to accomplish such a thing? By firmly clinging to His Word (stanza 5).

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House

Luther’s Seals © Higher Things

Proper 8

Proper 8

28 June 2015

Mark 5:21-43

Jesus is the person of last resort. At least, according to our text for this morning. Here is a man who receives the bitter news; “Your daughter is dying”.  Immediately he turns to Jesus, the person of last resort. “Jesus, come quickly, place your hands on her and she will get better - I know You can do it! Please come Jesus!  Put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live!”

This man’s daughter was twelve at the time. I can remember when my daughter was twelve –and you, who are parents and grandparents, know what it’s like when your girl turned twelve...no longer a child but not quite a teenager. Not entirely interested in boys yet but...curious.  Innocent, inquisitive, capricious, sometimes shy. She’s daddy’s little girl - and he’s about to lose her! No wonder he turns to Jesus – the person of last resort. 

What does this miracle teaches us concerning Christ – the person of last resort. He knows better than others; He cares about people especially in their trouble and pain; He alone has power and authority over death.

Jesus knows better than others. He is the person of last resort. Listen to His words in the face of opposition, criticism and ridicule. “Your daughter is dead!” they said, “Why bother the Master anymore!”  Ignoring what they said Jesus told the synagogue ruler “don’t be afraid, only believe” (vv. 35-36)

Jesus ignored them. They could only see a physical dimension; “why trouble the Master!”

They have nothing to offer him. No solace. No consolation. No hope. They have nothing to offer - they can see only one dimension. Jesus cannot help this father. His daughter is dead. They only see and experience life from what can be experienced here and now.

Such people believe life can only be lived in time. They limit their existence to only that which can be experienced by the senses. For such people, life has limits, is temporal and ends at death.

Jesus knows better – the girl is not dead – she only sleeps. True. The girl has died. With Solomon, we define death as the separation of the soul from the body.

Listen as he describes such events in Ecclesiastes 12:7 “and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”

“…and the dust returns to the ground...” That’s life viewed from the perspective of man.  The Father sees things different; “...but the spirit returns to God who gave it” God sees the reality of life and death from a completely different perspective.

From the Father’s perspective; people may say that a persons has “passed away” but there is a part of us, which we call the immortal soul, which lives beyond the grave.

And if we believe in Jesus as our Savior and Lord death is not the end but rather it is a journey, a walk, from one end of the kingdom to the other; from the kingdom of grace into the kingdom of glory. 

He calls us to see death as a gate, which leads to eternal life. He calls us to believe in Him by faith.

He calls this grieving father to behold and believe. “Don’t be afraid, only believe!”

Jesus, the person of last resort, cares about people in trouble. “Jesus went with him...” (v. 24)

The man’s daughter was dead. He has compassion; He is moved by his loss – He cares for this grieving father – He goes along with him to his house!  Naysayers will not trouble him. Those who fail to believe that He has the words of life do not distract him. He reaches out to him – He went with Him.

He went with him for He has the sufficiency to grant life. Jairus needed a miracle.  Where could he go? To whom could he turn? He turns to Jesus who walked with him.

In the midst of your hurt, in the midst of your need - turn to Jesus who has promised to walk with you. Remember the last five words Jesus spoke to humans before His Ascended, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20)

Jesus, the person of last resort, has power and authority over death itself. “He took her by the hand and said: “Little girl – get up!”

Jesus said: “No one takes my life from me. I have the power to lay it down and I have the power to take it up!”  At the cross, Jesus willingly laid down His life for you... At the cross, all of your sin was forgiven period! At the cross, the power of death died.

“And when Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, He gave up His spirit. At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rock split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs and after Jesus’ resurrection; they went into the holy city and appeared to many people! “(Matthew 27:50-53)

When Jesus Christ died, death died. Jesus has the power over death.

Jesus has authority over death. With authority, Jesus took the girl by the hand and said: “Little girl – get up!” Jesus who has the authority over life and death restores this girl to life. He returns her to her parents. The family is made whole again!

And on the last day, Jesus by the same authority will say: “old man, young woman, o lad, young girl – get up!”

And on that last great day “at His calling all men shall rise again with their bodies and shall give an account of their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire.”  (Athanasian Creed)  

Jesus – a Savior of power and authority – Jesus - the person of last resort!

Words –1,010

Passive Sentences – 8%

Readability – 82.0

Reading Level – 4.2

Time in the Word - Pentecost 5 - Proper 8

Pentecost 5 – Proper 8

 June 22 -27, 2015

The Lord Jesus Is Faithful, and in Mercy He Raises You Up from Death to Life

The Lord is faithful. His steadfast love never ceases, and “His mercies never come to an end” (Lam. 3:22–23). To keep in repentance and to make our faith grow, He causes grief for a while, but He does not cast off forever; in due time, “He will have compassion” (Lam. 3:31–33). Therefore, “hope in Him,” and “wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord,” for “the Lord is good to those who wait for Him” (Lam. 3:24–26). That is what the woman did “who had a discharge of blood,” and the ruler whose daughter “was at the point of death.” Each waited on the mercy of the Lord Jesus, and each received His saving help (Mark 5:21–28). The woman had suffered much for twelve years, and the ruler’s daughter had already died before Jesus arrived. Yet, at the right time, the woman was immediately “healed of her disease,” and the little girl “got up and began walking around” (Mark 5:29, 42). Such is “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,” who humbled Himself, unto the extreme poverty of death, “so that you by His poverty might become rich,” unto life everlasting (2 Cor. 8:9).

Collect for Pentecost 5: Heavenly Father, during His earthly ministry Your Son Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead. By the healing medicine of the Word and Sacraments pour into our hearts such love toward You that we may live eternally; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

  

Prayer for one who is sick: O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need, look with favor upon Your servant(s) [name(s)]. Assure [him/her/them] of Your mercy, deliver [him/her/them] from the temptations of the evil one, and give [him/her/them] patience and comfort in [his/her/their] illness. If it please You, restore [him/her/them] to health, or give [him/her/them] grace to accept this tribulation with courage and hope; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord,

Prayer for one near death: Eternal Father, You alone make the decisions concerning life and death. We ask You to show mercy to Your servant [name], whose death seems imminent. If it be Your gracious will, restore [him/her] and lengthen [his/her] earthly life; but if not, keep [him/her] in [his/her] baptismal grace and in Your abiding care. Give [him/her] a repentant heart, firm faith, and a lively hope. Let not the fear of death cause [him/her] to waver in confidence and trust. At Your chosen time, grant [him/her] a peaceful departure and a joyous entrance into everlasting life with the glorious company of all Your saints; through Jesus Christ, our Savior,

Prayer for the hope of eternal life in Christ: Almighty, everlasting God, Your Son has assured forgiveness of sins and deliverance from eternal death. Strengthen us by Your Holy Spirit that our faith in Christ may increase daily and that we may hold fast to the hope that on the Last Day we shall be raised in glory to eternal life; through Jesus Christ,

Monday, 22 June 2015—Psalm 121:5–8; Antiphon, Psalm 121:1–2—Like yesterdays Psalm of the Day (Psalm 124), this is a Song of Ascents, that pilgrims sang on their way up to Jerusalem. On the journey, they had to go through mountains, or hills. To whom do they—and we—look to keep them safe, not just on the way to Jerusalem, but throughout life? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth…The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life . . . The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

Tuesday, 23 June 2015—Psalm 30—This Psalm of David praises the Lord for having preserved his life, granting him healing. When he seemed to be at the brink of death, the Lord restored him to life among those who go down into the pit. More than just physical healing, however, the Lord also granted David spiritual healing: when David, trusting in himself, said, ‘I shall never be moved,’ the adversity made him repent of his pride. As a result of physical and spiritual healing, David proclaims, ‘You have turned for me my mourning into dancing . . . O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!’

Wednesday, 24 June 2015—Lamentations 3:22–33—In the midst of a lament over the fall of Jerusalem, the prophet Jeremiah extols the mercy of the Lord: His steadfast love never ceases…the Lord is good to those who wait for Him. When the Lord’s chastisement has brought about its intended results, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love. This gives comfort to us, too: when we repent of our sins, the Lord is quick to bestow forgiveness upon us.

Thursday, 25 June 2015—2 Corinthians 8:1–9, 13–15—When the Christians in Jerusalem were in distress, the churches in Macedonia, though they were also beset by poverty and affliction, gave beyond their means to support their suffering brethren.

This was not of themselves, but a display of the grace of God that allowed them to give themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Paul then explains also the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

Friday, 26 June 2015—Mark 5:21–43—Jesus demonstrates His great love for those suffering from some of the consequences of the Fall, sickness and death. Out of compassion, he agrees to go to the home of Jairus, whose daughter is near death. On the way, he is sought out by a woman with an issue of blood. Tenderly, He tells her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well.’ At Jairus’ house, He is met with the news that the little girl is dead. Christ Jesus, who will conquer death on the cross, raises her from the dead, showing His power over death and beginning the work of the restoration of creation. This compassion and mercy flows from the great love God has for us.

Saturday, 27 June 2015—The first stanza of Sunday’s hymn of the day, In the Very Midst of Life (LSB 755), dates back to the ninth century. Luther altered it somewhat and added two stanzas. It is one of the foremost hymns we have for the dying. It strongly proclaims that by Jesus’ blood alone we have atonement for sin and, consequently, refuge from sin and peace with God.

Sources:

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House

Artwork by Ed Riojas © Higher Things

© WELS for private and congregational use

Lectionary summary on front page from the LCMS Commission on Worship

This week’s Time in the Word is written by The Revd Jeffrey M. Keuning.

Pentecost 5 - Proper 8

Proper 8

1 July 2012

Mark 5:35-43

Nothing will stand in His Way

INTRODUCTION: How willing is the Savior to help His own? Such a question is asked even of the most pious and devout believer. Is the Savior able to come to me when I need Him the most? When I call will He answer? Is my circumstance too bleak even for Jesus? The answer to these pressing questions is answered in our text for this day. When it comes to the Savior helping His own nothing will deter Him – not even death!  Let’s see how the cruel world reacts…

I.                    People’s opinions – Your daughter is dead! V.35

A.        This is the only way in which the world perceives reality.

1.          That there are certain challenges which not even Jesus can help. Who could bring someone back from the dead?

2.          If it’s believed that Jesus cannot help – then their statement is correct – “why trouble the Master?”

B.        Yet, how the world perceives reality may be deceiving.

1.          God’s masks – His power is seen in weakness; when we are brought low it is Christ who raises us up.

2.          Why trouble the Master? When tempted to give up and give in it is then that we need to seek Christ where He can be found. Instead of telling the Savior about your storm – tell our storm how big you Savior is.

Transition: People’s opinion will not deter Jesus from helping – nor will people ridicule and scorn.

II.                 Ridicule – They laughed at Him V.40

A.        They laugh because Jesus confronted their world view.

1.          That man is in control at all times and in every circumstance.

2.          That fact trumps faith {see C.S. Lewis and “Total Truth” etc.}

B.        They laugh because they really didn’t believe.

1.          That Jesus could intervene

2.          That Jesus could cure and heal

3.          That Jesus was the Christ

Transition: We cry to Jesus to help in every desperate situation. He will come to us without fail – even when death’s grim reality?

III.               Death’s stark reality – I say to you arise! V.41

A.        Jesus swallowed up death by His own death and resurrection. Because of the cross and empty tomb we are Easter People! Listen to how Mark describes it later on in his gospel account!

When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. Mark 16:9-11

B.     Death is so limited…

it has not crippled love,

it has not shattered hope,

 it has not corroded faith,

 it has not eaten away peace,

   nor destroyed confidence.

It has not killed friendship,

it has not shut out memories,

it has not silenced courage,

it has not invaded the soul,

   nor reduced eternal life.

It has not quenched the Spirit,

It cannot, has not,

   nor will not lesson the power of the resurrection!

CONCLUSION: When we cry to Jesus for help in a desperate situation, He comes to us without fail!

Artwork by Ed Riojas, © Higher Things

Pentecost 5 - Proper 8

The words of Christ in today’s Gospel are difficult and deliberate. He speaks of the demands of discipleship. Following Christ requires discipline. Many would not mind being a Christ follower if it did not cost anything in the way of personal hardship and sacrifice. The Savior confronts us with the truth of the high cost of being one of His followers. He turns away several who want the honor and the prestige of following Christ without fulfilling its demands. This morning we consider what Christ demands of His followers.

1. There is no money in it! As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. [Luke 9:57-58] You won’t get rich by becoming a follower of Christ. A Christian does not make money the goal of his life. If he has money, his love for Christ will cause him to share it. This raises a question. It’s easy to talk about modern sects who get amazing amounts of money to buy hotels, banks, and estates. It’s easy to single out radio and television evangelists living in luxury. But what about you? Look at the ledger of your check book. It shows the priorities in your life. It’s a window to your soul. It shows what drives you. Where is your first love?

2. There is urgency about it! He said to another man, "Follow me." [Luke 9:59] Being a Christ follower, being a disciple demands immediate response. Not even something as important as arranging and attending a family funeral should keep you from responding. Let someone else attend the funeral. The Kingdom cannot wait until you fulfill lesser responsibilities.

3. There is a singleness of purpose. Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." [Luke 9:61-62] No one who plays looks back. The eye is on the goal ahead. You cannot go back to say “goodbye” to your family. A disciple is likened to St. Paul who said “One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind…” A follower of Christ has a one track mind, one purpose in life, one task, one devotion: Jesus Christ.

4. For what are you living? Some today lack a purpose in life. They are committed to no one, nor to anything. This results in double-mindedness, shiftlessness, drifting here and there, inconstancy. They have not made up their minds what they are to do with their lives. A genuine Christian is not one of these. He follows the example of Christ. He knows who he is for he knows whose he is. He knows where he is going, what he is to do, and why he is doing it. Here we see Jesus’ total commitment to the Father’s call to be the Messiah. This requires His total interest, effort, and sacrifice. What Jesus does in terms of commitment He expects of his own. There are many forces at work calling for our attention. Yet our chief focus needs to be totally committed to Christ.

In many respects this may be called commitment Sunday. As Elijah is committed to the tasks God gave him Elisha is committed to the call to serve as Elijah’s successor. Paul is committed to a life lived by the Spirit of God. The Savior is committed to go to Jerusalem to fulfill His destiny as the Messiah. Thus He calls you to total commitment of anyone who desires to follow Him. Remain committed to Christ as He is committed to you.
Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS for personal and congregational use