Saturday prior to Proper 11

 Psalm 50:15; 1 John 5:14 - This passage is the inspiration for the hymn “In holy conversation” LSB 772.

The following reflection was written by Rev. Gregory J. Wismar the author of the hymn.

When so much of communication in life is done through single sentences and ‘sound bites’ it can be a real blessing to have an extended conversation with someone else in an unhurried and unimpeded way.

In the ‘What does this mean’ section responding to the Introduction to the Lord’s Prayer (‘Our Father who art in heaven’) Martin Luther writes: “With these words God tenderly invites us to believe that he is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear father.” Prayer is a most special conversation, a holy and sanctified speaking with God.

In the first stanza of “In Holy Conversation” we rejoice in God’s gracious invitation to come to him in prayer. In the words of the psalmist we hear that invitation fully extended: “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify me.” (Psalm 50:15) In troubled times, in good times, in all times our heavenly Father is ready to enter into that holy conversation with us. The stanza also reminds us that our speaking to God is assisted fully and fervently.

Saint Paul writes: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought…” (Romans 8:28) There may be times when words of prayer are hard to come by. Even then we can be sure that those prayers are in no way defective. The Holy Spirit is with us and for us in our prayer life with encouragement and support.

The second stanza the hymn reflects how we grow in our prayers in the different stages of life. A day begun and ended with prayer is one that is enveloped in the presence of God. Saint Paul wrote to the Christians at Philippi: “But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God.” (Philippians 4:6) God is always ready not only to hear but to respond to our prayers as they come before his throne of grace.

The final stanza of the hymn affirms that God cherishes our prayers and is ready to attend to our concerns even before they are completely expressed. Through the prophet Isaiah the Lord says: “Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24) Prayer is holy and confident conversation. Summing up that central truth, Saint John writes: “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (I John 5:13) So let us pray securely at all times and in all places in silence or by word or by song in Jesus’ name.

https://www.cuchicago.edu/globalassets/www-new/documents-and-images/academics/centers-of-excellence/center-for-church-music/devotions/hymn-of-the-day-devotion---proper-11_2.pdf

Friday prior to Proper 11

 Psalm 119:57-64 – This Psalm is suggested for this coming Sunday. This section falls under the Hebrew letter “He.” The Lord is the psalmist’s true homestead because it is God’s law that fills the earth with all that makes life secure and joyous. So God’s promises are his hope and God’s righteous laws his delight.

The Psalmist is ever aware of God’s mercy and His statutes. 

We have a sense of our deep need.  We are always in great need of two things: God’s mercy and wisdom to walk in God’s ways. It is only by God’s mercy and wisdom that we will find the paths of life.  So our hearts cry out for more of God’s mercy and more of God’s wisdom in his law that we may truly know what it is to live life.

We are always in need of the mercy of God (verse 58).  If ever we lose sight of this, we are most miserable and hopeless.  We are beggars for mercy. “Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy mercies. Have mercy!” The only basis on which we can plead for this mercy is the Word of God - the promises and the provisions already laid out in His Word. Thus we may say, “Have mercy on us, according to the provision of Christ’s blood and righteousness!”

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. 

For All the Saints: A Prayer Book For and By the Church Vol. II The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau © 1995 Delhi, NY

Sacrament of the Altar copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Thursday prior to Proper 11

 

Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43 –Jesus explains the parable of the wheat and the weeds at the request of His disciples. That’s a good thing! Now we know the meaning of the parable too! 

The Son of Man (Jesus) sows good seed into the field of the world, producing children of the kingdom. The devil, on the other hand, sows bad seed, producing evildoers. At the end of the age, that is, at the end of all time – angels will remove from the kingdom all evildoers. 

When that happens, then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.

This parable teaches that we are not to judge who is a true or false Christian. We are not to weed out the weeds because in doing so, we would destroy the wheat. On the Day of Judgment God only will judge and separate the weeds and the wheat. Until that time comes the church needs to have patience and forbearance of the weeds among the wheat.

The wheat (good) and the weeds (bad) are in the kingdom, not in the world. We could understand it if the parable applied to the world where there are all kinds of people. The kingdom of heaven is the kingdom of God, and the kingdom of God is God’s realm, God’s people, the church. The church of God consists of good and evil, wheat and weeds.

According to this parable, every church consists of wheat and weeds. Who is to determine who the weeds are? Who are we to judge? Since Jesus teaches that we should allow the weeds to remain, why try to decide who weeds are? Only God knows who are genuine believers, and members of the invisible church.

Weeds look like wheat — hypocrites. You cannot tell the difference between believers and make believers. Both live together in the Kingdom. Their behavior is similar. The only difference – one has faith the other not.

The weeds are so much like the wheat that only God can tell the difference. The Church is invisible to us. We can’t tell who has faith and who does not have faith. Only the Father Himself knows the heart of men. Only He knows the difference.

O God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that, ever mindful of Your final judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of living here and dwell with You in perfect joy hereafter; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Collect for Proper 11, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis

Wednesday prior to Proper 11

 Romans 8:18-27 – In our epistle lesson for this coming week the Apostle Paul reminds us “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God."  - Romans 8:19

To persevere in present sufferings with hope, keep your eyes on the future glory that God has promised us.  Paul wants us to understand two certainties.

First, the present time is marked by sufferings because of man’s fall into sin. This is a broken world.

Second, the future will be marked by glory for believers as God fulfills all His promises to us. The practical conclusion; if we keep our eyes on the future promised glory, then we can endure present sufferings with perseverance and hope.

Keep your eyes on the future promised glory and you will persevere in present sufferings with hope.

Paul anticipates us thinking, “But, I can’t see this future glory.” His reply is, “Yes, that’s the very nature of hope.” If you can see it all, then it’s not hope.

Our salvation includes hope because we don’t receive it all in this life. The hope of our salvation is not uncertain, as when we say, “I hope it doesn’t rain on my picnic tomorrow.” Rather, it is absolutely certain because of the many promises of God, who cannot lie. But we hope for it because we have not yet received all that has been promised.

Paul concludes, “But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” vs. 25 The key to persevering in suffering with hope is to keep your eyes on the promised future glory.

If you’ve ever watched your favorite team live, or in person, it's only natural to become anxious as the game progressed. Especially if it was close. If your team fumbled, threw an interception, or made some costly error you might have groaned because you didn’t yet know the outcome. You hoped they would win, but your hope was uncertain. Maybe you even got worried or anxious when they were far behind.

But if your team came from behind and won in the last seconds of the game and later you watched a replay of the game, your whole attitude is different. You don't despair when they fell behind. Because you knew how it all would turn out. Knowing the certainty of the future glory gave you hope to persevere through the setbacks.

It’s easy to become anxious or depressed in trials and lose hope. That’s because we’ve forgotten the absolutely certain outcome: future glory forever with Christ!

Yes, there is present suffering because we live in a fallen world, outside of Eden. But God has promised future glory. Keeping that in view will enable you to persevere any suffering with hope.

Today Let us pray that we hold fast to hope as we are anchored in Christ.

Almighty God, give us such a vision of your purpose and such an assurance of your love and power, that we may ever hold fast the hope which is in Jesus Christ our Lord who is alive with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.

Tuesday prior to Proper 11

 Isaiah 44:6-8 – The faithful believe in the one true God. There is no god but Him. It could be that Isaiah in these words is recalling a song of Moses, which describes God as “the Rock” (see Deuteronomy 32:4, 15, 30-31). This metaphor of the Lord is also common in the book of Psalms (see Psalm 18:2).

The Lord declares, “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no other god.”  V. 6b In short, there is no other viable object of worship. There is no other source of life. There is no other King. There is no other Redeemer. There is no other Lord of hosts. “You shall have no other gods before me” declares the Lord. –See Exodus 20:3, Deuteronomy 5:7

It is easy for us to become distracted placing our focus on family, career, our health, acquiring wealth, status, leisure.  Yet these will not last and can only provide temporary satisfaction.  

Our Lord; the King, Redeemer, and Lord of hosts -- the beginning and the end -- directs our attention and our devotion away from empty things, and empty pursuits back toward the only one who saves, back toward the only source of life. “I am the first and I am the last, besides me there is no god … Fear not, and do not be afraid.”

As our Lord has taught us, the first commandment is the most important one; everything stands or falls with it. The Psalmist directs our focus back to the Lord in verse 8; "Is there any god besides me? There is no other rock; I know not one."

Luther explains in the Catechism concerning the first commandment.  We should fear love and trust in God above all things. Trust not in princes they are but mortal. Rather, place your confidence in Christ your Savior.

Lord Jesus Christ whose grace always proceeds and follows us, help us to forsake all trust in earthly gain and find in you our heavenly treasure;  for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit; one God now and forever.

Collect for Proper 23 Series B, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis 

Monday prior to Proper 11

 Psalm 86:1-15 – This is the Psalm portion from which the Introit for next Sunday is taken. The antiphon is taken from verse 6, “Give ear, O lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.” In our need we pray to the Lord because out of His kindness and love our Lord answers each prayer according to His gracious Fatherly will and according to our need.

In this psalm David asks the Lord for protection against his enemies and expresses confidence the Lord will act. This is personal prayer as David states his confidence in the Lord.

In Psalm 86 you’ll find a man who puts his faith in God while crying out desperately. The psalm is filled with 15 requests—some of them are repetitive.  In all, the requests break down into four sections. In 86:1-7, David cries out in great need for God to hear and act on his behalf. In 86:8-10 there is a deliberate request of praise when David declares God as the only true God—the lord of the nations. Then in 86:11-13, David asks for God to teach him and unite his heart to fear God so that he can glorify Him forever.  Finally in 86:14-17, David appeals to God’s mercy and grace to deliver him.

The ultimate lesson and big picture that encompasses the entire psalm is, our great needs should drive us to pray to the great God, who alone can deliver us. The Lord is the only one who has control over the world that we live in. No matter how hard we wish, the Lord is the only one who can provide us with the strength and hope to get where we yearn to be. Once we all learn to put God first, then everything else falls into place.

There are so many trials and tribulations within the world; it is imperative that we pray to God for mercy. He will help lead us away from potential sin. The explanation to the first commandment reminds us, “We should fear, love and trust in God above all things.” May this be our prayer as we begin another week.

A prayer for Psalm 86 – God of mercy, when Christ called out to you in torment, you heard him and gave him victory over death. Fill us with the Love of your name and help us to proclaim you before the world, that all peoples may celebrate your glory in Jesus Christ our Lord.

For All the Saints A Prayer Book For and By the Church Vol. 2 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau © 1995 Delhi, NY 

Proper 11 Series A (Pentecost 8)

 

Pentecost 8

Isaiah 44:6–8

Romans 8:18–27

Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43

The Word of the Gospel Bestows the Righteousness of Christ and Brings Forth Faith

 The good Seed, which is “the Son of Man,” Jesus Himself (Matthew 13:37), brings forth a harvest of faith and bears good fruits in “the sons of the kingdom” (Matthew 13:38). Whatever is sown apart from His Word is of the devil, who plants the weeds of unbelief and sin, even among the people of God.

Thankfully, the Lord is patient and He does not uproot the weeds, lest the plants also be destroyed. He lets “both grow together until the harvest” (Matthew 13:30) while He continues to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins. 

Thus, He preserves His Church in righteousness, because He alone is “the King of Israel and his Redeemer” (Isaiah 44:6). Since all things are in His gracious care and keeping, “fear not, nor be afraid” (Isaiah 44:8). 

For “the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19), and in this hope we also wait with patience. Though we do not yet see it, “the Spirit helps us in our weakness” (Romans 8:26) and, in truth, “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).

Heavenly Father, thought we do not deserve Your goodness, still You provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may acknowledge Your gifts, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

A suggested hymn:

“Thy Harvest Field, O God"

Din Kirke-Mark, O Gud; Thomas Kingo (1689);

Sung to the Tune: “In God, My Faithful God”

TLH #526 LSB $745

Translated by Tim Daub, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Hecla, South Dakota  

1. Thy harvest field, O God,

With vicious tares stands marred,

Thy perfect toil and labor

Now spoiled by the invader.

Can wheat with sin infested

Be worth Thy love’s investment?

2. The scattered seed was pure.

Each kernel of Thy Word 

Still has life-giving power.

In patience, dear Lord, shower

Thy Gospel grains among us

Until the final harvest.

3. When purple crowns spring forth,

Thy servants doubt the worth

Of tending wheat polluted:

“Lord, shall it be uprooted?”

Thou also must feel anguish

To watch Thy church so languish.

4. O God, how can mankind

Sleep on in drunken pride,

And seek their earthly pleasures,

Forsaking heavenly treasures?

Sin keeps the lost soul blinded,

The enemy delighted.

5. But by Thy grace sprouts up 

A faithful, righteous crop.

Her fruit of Gospel preaching,

The noxious weeds o’erreaching,

Proclaims that Jesus’ labor

Has earned for us God’s favor.

6. Have mercy on us, Lord.

Preserve Thy holy Word.

Maintain a pure confession

Within this congregation.

Spare us from all false doctrine,

Our sin and weakness pardon.

7. God, by Thy gracious hand,

Thy Holy Spirit send

Our hearts to tend and water

That we Thy name may honor.

So cultivate among us

A bounteous, fruitful harvest! Amen.

Matthew 13:24-30

The Tares among the Wheat

:24 Ἄλλην παραβολὴν παρέθηκεν αὐτοῖς λέγων· Ὡμοιώθη ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν ἀνθρώπῳ [a]σπείραντι καλὸν σπέρμα ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ αὐτοῦ.

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field,

:25 ἐν δὲ τῷ καθεύδειν τοὺς ἀνθρώπους ἦλθεν αὐτοῦ ὁ ἐχθρὸς καὶ ἐπέσπειρεν ζιζάνια ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ σίτου καὶ ἀπῆλθεν. 

but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds[a] among the wheat and went away.

Probably darnel, a wheat-like weed

:26 ὅτε δὲ ἐβλάστησεν ὁ χόρτος καὶ καρπὸν ἐποίησεν, τότε ἐφάνη καὶ τὰ ζιζάνια. 

So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also.

:27 προσελθόντες δὲ οἱ δοῦλοι τοῦ οἰκοδεσπότου εἶπον αὐτῷ· Κύριε, οὐχὶ καλὸν σπέρμα ἔσπειρας ἐν τῷ σῷ ἀγρῷ; πόθεν οὖν ἔχει ζιζάνια;

And the servants[b] of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’

Matthew 13:27 b Or bondservants; also verse 28

:28 ὁ δὲ ἔφη αὐτοῖς· Ἐχθρὸς ἄνθρωπος τοῦτο ἐποίησεν. οἱ δὲ  δοῦλοι αὐτῷ λέγουσιν· Θέλεις οὖν ἀπελθόντες συλλέξωμεν αὐτά; 

He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’

Do not root out evil on your own. The more zealous you become the more harm will be done.

:29 ὁ δέ φησιν· Οὔ, μήποτε συλλέγοντες τὰ ζιζάνια ἐκριζώσητε ἅμα αὐτοῖς τὸν σῖτον·

But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them.

:30 ἄφετε συναυξάνεσθαι ἀμφότερα μέχρι τοῦ θερισμοῦ· καὶ ἐν καιρῷ τοῦ θερισμοῦ ἐρῶ τοῖς θερισταῖς· Συλλέξατε πρῶτον τὰ ζιζάνια καὶ δήσατε αὐτὰ εἰς δέσμας πρὸς τὸ κατακαῦσαι αὐτά, τὸν δὲ σῖτον συναγάγετε εἰς τὴν ἀποθήκην μου.

Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Note: The reapers will do this not you.

 The Parable of the Weeds Explained

:36 Τότε ἀφεὶς τοὺς ὄχλους ἦλθεν εἰς τὴνοἰκίαν. καὶ προσῆλθον αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ λέγοντες· Διασάφησον ἡμῖν τὴν παραβολὴν τῶν ζιζανίων τοῦ ἀγροῦ.

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.”

:37 ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς  εἶπεν· Ὁ σπείρων τὸ καλὸν σπέρμα ἐστὶν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου·

He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.

 :38 ὁ δὲ ἀγρός ἐστιν ὁ κόσμος· τὸ δὲ καλὸν σπέρμα, οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ υἱοὶ τῆς βασιλείας· τὰ δὲ ζιζάνιά εἰσιν οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ πονηροῦ,

The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,

:39 ὁ δὲ ἐχθρὸς ὁ σπείρας αὐτά ἐστιν ὁ διάβολος· ὁ δὲ θερισμὸς συντέλεια  αἰῶνός ἐστιν, οἱ δὲ θερισταὶ ἄγγελοί εἰσιν.

and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.

:40 ὥσπερ οὖν συλλέγεται τὰ ζιζάνια καὶ πυρὶ  καίεται, οὕτως ἔσται ἐν τῇ συντελείᾳ τοῦ αἰῶνος·

Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.

:41 ἀποστελεῖ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ, καὶ συλλέξουσιν ἐκ τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ πάντα τὰ σκάνδαλα καὶ τοὺς ποιοῦντας τὴν ἀνομίαν,

The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers,

:42 καὶ βαλοῦσιν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν κάμινον τοῦ πυρός· ἐκεῖ ἔσται ὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων.

and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Gnashing of teeth denotes anger at God not suffering – See Psalm 35:16; 37:12; 112:10; Lamentations 2:16; Job 16:9-10

:43 Τότε οἱ δίκαιοι ἐκλάμψουσιν ὡς ὁ ἥλιος ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῶν. ὁ ἔχων  ὦτα ἀκουέτω.

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

See Daniel 12:1-3

Footnotes:

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

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

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

Pentecost 8 - Proper 11

Proper 11

Mark 6:30-34

July 19, 2015

It's more than enough

One of life’s major mistakes is being the last member of the family to get the flu – After all the compassion has run out. It is often true. That a lot of our compassion is wasted on ourselves.  Or, that we are compassionate. As long as it costs us nothing. In our Gospel lesson, we learn of someone who is not like us. We see Christ who has a passion for compassion.

Jesus - His heart goes out to us. He is compassionate. Because He knows all your needs.

Your Lord knows His sheep.  You are His. You are a sheep of His fold. A lamb of His flock. A sinner of His own redeeming. He knows your physical needs. He knows what you need. And how you need it.

 Jesus said, “Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” – 

He knows you personally.  David prays, “Search my O God, You know my heart.” 

                O LORD, you have searched me and known me!

                You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

                                You discern my thoughts from afar.

                You search out my path and my lying down

                                And are acquainted with all my ways.

                Even before a word is on my tongue,

                                Behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

In your book were written, every one of them,

The days that were formed for me,

When as yet there was none of them.

Jesus knew His disciples were tired. He directed them to go to a desolate place where they could be alone and rest.  He was looking out for them. Giving them rest. So they could continue to minister to the world. 

While wondering in the desert the Father provided manna. He gave them water that flowed from the rocks to His chosen people the Israelites, so they would not parish in the desert.  In the Garden of Eden He provided Adam and Eve with a garden full of food. 

These blessing do not stop. We live in this modern world. True, we no longer have bread falling from the sky.  God our Creator has given us the ability to harvest the very earth to produce food that will nourish and sustain us. Many of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen by trade. They lived off what the sea provide them.  We have been endowed with the ability to manipulate our surrounding environment to best suit our needs.  This is the world of our Great Creator. Jesus had such compassion that he feed them all. 5,000 men. Plus women and children. With leftovers to spare.    It was more than enough. He fills their stomachs.  He nourished their souls. (vv.31, 35-44) 

When He saw the crowd, He felt compassion. He saw them as lost sheep. In need of a Shepherd.  His heart went out to them. This compassion moves Him to action.

He shepherds His flock.  Then, He saw the crowds who were seeking him.  He taught them.  They needed Him and His teaching.  He revealed Himself as their true Shepherd by proclaiming Good News.  By leading with His Word, “He began to teach them many things” (v. 34)

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” — 

It’s more than enough. He saves you.  By going to the cross. Bearing your sin. Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Redemption by crucifixion is the Savior’s supreme act of compassion – for you.

Christ’s forgiveness – purchased and won for you at the cross – this is Christ’s compassion for you. The forgiving king cancelled the liability of his debt.  And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.  Matthew 18:27. The waiting father, had compassion on his son – But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Luke 15:20

Compassion. What a beautiful description of Christ’s attitude toward you. To sheep who are prone to wander and often find themselves lost and hurt, it is good news that we have a Shepherd who pours out His heart to us and who poured out His blood for us.

Words –1,035

   Passive Sentences –7%

   Readability –86.1

   Reading Level – 3.7

Time in the Word - Pentecost 8 - Proper 11

Time in the Word 13-18 July 2015

Preparation for next week – The togetherness of God’s People

In the lessons for this coming Sunday several themes can be seen: that nature of a good shepherd, the functions of a good shepherd, and the togetherness of God’s people through a Davidic king, Christ, and the church. The last is suggested as the theme – togetherness. Jesus in the Gospel takes His disciples, who just returned from their preaching-healing mission, on a retreat. Jeremiah in the Old Testament lesson explains that the exile was due to false shepherds and the scattered sheep will be brought back to Israel under a Davidic king. Jew and Gentile (in the Epistle lesson) are made one through the blood of Christ and their oneness in the church. The Psalm’s refrain, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me…” reminds us of the Gospel – “He had compassion on them.” The Hymn of the Day sings of Jesus who is the center of the church’s life and the foundation on which we build.

Collect for this Sunday Pentecost 7—Grant, Lord, that the course of this world may be so governed by Your direction that Your church may rejoice in serving You in godly peace and quietness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen  

Prayer in time of affliction and distress: Almighty and most merciful God, in this earthly life we endure sufferings and death before we enter into eternal glory. Grant us grace at all times to subject ourselves to Your holy will and to continue steadfast in the true faith to the end of our lives that we may know the peace and joy of the blessed hope of the resurrection of the dead and of the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

Prayer for Home and Family: Visit, we implore You, O Lord, the homes in which Your people dwell, and keep far from them all harm and danger. Grant us to dwell together in peace under the protection of Your holy angels, and may Your blessing be with us forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Prayer the Unemployed: Heavenly Father, we remember before You, those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Lead us so to use the wealth and resources of this rich land that all persons may find suitable and fulfilling employment and receive just payment for their labor; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

Pray for Peace: O God, whom come all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works, give to us, Your servants, that peace which the world simply cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey Your commandments and also that we, being def3ended from the fear of our enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. 

Collect for this coming Sunday Proper 11 – Heavenly Father, though we do not deserve Your goodness, still You provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may acknowledge Your gifts, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen 

Monday, 13 July 2015—Psalm 147:7-11, Antiphon, Psalm 145:16— You open Your hand; You satisfy the desire of every living thing. Jesus sets the table. Jesus supplies all that we may ever need. The Lord is faithful. We will never be in need. He has promised to supply our daily wants and desires. Daily tells how much God should give us, enough for the day. We do not ask God that He give us now what we need in years to come, but it is sufficient if we get what we need each day. 

Tuesday, 14 July 2015—Psalm 23; key verse v.6— Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever... Goodness and mercy both refer to the benefits of being a child of God, namely that we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The Hebrew for this word suggests, “throughout the years”. Because of the relationship with have with Jesus Christ we will live and reign with Him throughout all eternity. What a comfort it is to have a relationship with our Lord and Savior. 

Wednesday, 15 July 2015—Jeremiah 23:1-6— Restoration. Exiles together under a Davidic king. Under new shepherds, God will return His people from captivity, and so a Davidic king will reign. In this passage Jeremiah predicts that because of false shepherds (rulers) the people will go into captivity. This happened in Jeremiah’s lifetime (586 BC) when the Jews were deported to Babylon. Jeremiah goes on to promises that God will raise up true shepherds who will bring back the exiles. In fact, there is to come a Davidic king who will rule with justice and righteousness. Under this Davidic ruler Israel will be restored as a nation. 

Thursday, 16 July 2015—Ephesians 2:11-22— Reunion. Jews and Gentile together in Christ. Christ has made us one in God and in the church. The heart of Ephesians is in this passage. In Vv. 13-18 we learn of the peace Christ grained between Jew and Gentile. Vv. 19-22 spell out the consequences of that peace. In the person of Christ and His cross, Jew and Gentile are made one. Christ died for both, and they are one in Christ by faith. Thus, they have a oneness in Christ, oneness with God and with each other. Christ’s death has removed the hostility and cancelled the law which separated Jew from Gentile. The two are now one in the church. The practical result is that Gentiles are no longer aliens but members of God’s family. 

Friday, 17 July 2015—Mark 6:30-44 — Retreat. Christ and the disciples together. Jesus takes His disciples to a lonely place for rest and teaches the crowd that gathers. This lesson combines the conclusion dealing with the sending out of the disciples and the introduction to the feeding of the five thousand. The disciples return from their preaching journey and are exhausted. People with needs throng around them so that they do not get any rest. Jesus takes them in a boat to a secluded spot that they may rest and be apart from the crowd. But the people will not let them alone. When the boat comes to shore, the people are waiting for them. Seeing the crowd, Jesus expresses compassion for them because they are as sheep without a shepherd. Before Jesus gives them physical bread, he gives them spiritual food by teaching them. This is the only time Mark refers to the Twelve as “apostles.” It is an appropriate name; for they had just returned from a preaching-healing mission. An apostle is one who is sent forth by Christ. Seeing the multitudes might have angered Jesus. He was taking the disciples apart for a retreat so sorely needed. He could have become impatient and told the people to scram. His reaction reveals His heart – compassion. He felt sorry for them because they were in desperate need. He has the heart of God, the God of love. Because of His compassion, Jesus cares about people. 

Saturday, 18 July 2015— Ephesians 2:20 - Sunday’s hymn of the day, The Church’s One Foundation (LSB 644). Paul pictures a house when he speaks of the structure of the church. The foundation is solid as the church is based on the Old and New Testaments the prophets and the apostles. The tested stone on which the church rests is Christ on which everything centers around. With such a structure the church moves forward victoriously. 

Sources:

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

Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcut used with permission ©WELS

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