Pentecost 9 - Proper 15

Proper 15 (14–20 Aug)
Almighty and everlasting Father, You give Your children many blessings even though we are undeserving. In every trial and temptation, grant us steadfast confidence in Your loving kindness and mercy; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives, and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

The Lord accepts Gentiles into His Kingdom “All Nations” - The faith of the Canaanite Woman -Matthew 15:21-28 – The Commissioning of Alicia Drier -

The story and legacy of Zion Friedheim congregation is familiar to us all. We don’t always talk about it, that’s fine with us. Let history speak for itself. We are a charter member of the Lutheran Church –Missouri Synod. From this parish FCD Wyneken served as president of the Synod at the height of the Civil War. From this congregation numerous sons and daughters have heard the Lord’s call to be servants and have entered into full time kingdom work.

But it’s been a while. In fact, it’s been about thirty years since one of our own has entered into public ministry. But the times, they are changing. This past year, Candice Sielschott –McMullan completed her Colloquy training. She is now eligible to be on the Roster as a called teacher in our Synod. And today, after successfully fulfilling all of the requirements of our Concordia University System, and having received and accepted a call to be a teacher at Concordia Lutheran High School, you will be commissioned as a called Lutheran teacher.

Today is a day for great rejoicing. We thank God that He continues to send workers into His harvest field. Just as He sent the needed rain, in a timely fashion, the Lord provides. Today is a day of possibility. Soon school will start. One of the reasons we have schools is to find out what you students do best. In this room are people filled with talents, abilities and gifts. The Lord simply asks us to put those talents to use for His purposes.

The possibilities are endless. If its farming – then go out and farm. If its service – then serve. If it’s laying bricks – then build a wall. The Lord needs all of us together, servicing Him. That’s the pattern of our life. We go to a worship service and then, in service, we worship Him. You become, a sermon in shoes. There might be someone in this room who might be thinking, “Could God use me as a pastor, a teacher, a Kingdom worker?” The opportunity for service is always there.

St. Paul reminds us, “We preach Christ crucified”. I understand, that’s an imperfect participle! Yet, that is what each of us as Christians have been called to do, to share Christ with others in our speaking, in our doing, in our living.

In planning a service there are any number of texts the pastor could use, that speak about ministry, service, and the like. But I always go back to the appointed text for the day, to see if it might be appropriate. Now at first glance, the Gospel lesson for today, which involves a pagan woman, seeking relief for her daughter, who is demon possessed, might not be the appropriate text for a Commissioning service. However, there may be some corollaries.

At your baptism, you managed to scream throughout the service. It was an exorcism, as the old Adam in you was drowned and died and a new person in you was born, the new Adam. And there will be times, throughout the school year, when you will wonder if some of your students are controlled by some sort of “spirit” and I suppose they – you.

But look at the text deeper, especially the exchange between this woman and the Savior. This is the kind of faith that is needed as you enter into full time kingdom work. This is the kind of prayer and kind of faith each of us needs as we face the challenges of living.

Jesus yields to the persistent pleas of a Canaanite mother. Jesus retired to a territory outside Israel and consequently a pagan, Gentile mother, a Canaanite, who begged Jesus to heal her daughter, approaches him. She persisted in her appeals until He was impressed with her faith. As a result, she was complimented and her daughter was instantly healed. In this story, we learn of the universality of Christ’s ministry and we see that faith has no racial boundaries.

The key to our Gospel lesson is the woman’s faith. It is not in Jesus’ power to heal even in absentia, nor in Jesus’ reluctance at first to help her. The faith of this woman impressed Jesus and won His favor — “O woman, great is your faith!” Faith, and no other possession, is the only necessity for God’s help. It was a faith that would not take “no” for an answer. It was a faith that would not let go.

1. A faith of confession — “O Lord, Son of David.” Until Jesus said, “O woman, great is your faith,” no mention is made of her faith. Jesus did not ask if she believed He was able to help her. In this struggle to overcome Jesus’ reluctance to help, He saw her faith. It was a faith that He could heal her daughter, because she addressed Him as Messiah, “Son of David.”

He saw faith in her knowing that He would help her. This was demonstrated by her persistence. Faith is the key to getting a hearing and a blessing from Christ. It is not a matter of race, religion; the determining factor is faith in Christ. As you begin in full time Kingdom service be a witness. May people always see your faith in Christ.

2. A faith of dependence — “Lord, help me.” The pagan woman asked Jesus to have mercy on her. It is significant that she identified her daughter to the degree that the help given to the child would be given to her. Here is a depth of love that is only possible between parent and child. A true parent wishes she could take the pain and trouble of the child.

As you start your ministry, continue to show passion, empathy, and a genuine care for the students and families in your charge. It’s not about you! – It’s about the people that you serve. And who are they? They are ones redeemed by Christ the crucified.

3. A faith of persistence — “She is crying after us.” When the woman begged for mercy, Jesus was perfectly silent. He ignored her! As though she said nothing. As though she did not exist! There are times when God is silent when we cry to Him for help or for answers. In this silence, God is saying something to us. It is a testing of faith. The test is whether we have patience and persistence in our prayers.

We have no right to expect “instant answers to our prayers.” Prayer is not like Google where we say a petition, ask a prayer, and expect to have an instant answer in less than a second. Prayer often is a wrestling, a waiting upon God.

Alicia, today you begin the life as a Lutheran teacher. There will be days – There will be days when you will question, when you will struggle, when you will freak out, when you will feel like giving up. But don’t! When those days come, remember the faith of this woman who so many wrote off. When Jesus belittled her, to something less than the family pet – she was content, to feast on crumbs. She was persistent. With tenacity, her faith carried her. And it is that sort of faith that will allow you to experience great and wonderful blessings – too many to count. Fare thee well child of God. Godspeed and God bless!

Pentecost 9 - Proper 15 Time in the Word

The Church Lives Under the Cross of Christ and Prays in the Hope of His Mercy

By her persistent prayer that Jesus would have mercy and help her (Matthew 15:22, 24), and even in the face of His initial silence and apparent rejection (Matthew 15:23–26), the Canaanite woman boldly confessed her faith in Him (Matthew 15:28). Her beautiful example encourages us to cling to the words and promises of the Gospel, even in the face of the Law that accuses and condemns us. “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 10:29), and His Law “has consigned all to disobedience” for the very purpose “that He may have mercy on all” (Romans 10:32). Hence, the woman’s faith and hope were not disappointed, but her prayers were answered in the mercy of Christ. Not only does He grant us the crumbs from His Table, but He also feeds us with “the children’s bread” in the house of His Father (Matthew 15:26–27). He has brought us to His “holy mountain,” and He makes us joyful in His house, where He hears our prayers and accepts our sacrifice of praise upon the altar of His cross (Isaiah 56:7).

Collect for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost: Almighty and everlasting Father, You give Your children many blessings even though we are undeserving. In every trial and temptation grant us steadfast confidence in Your loving-kindness and mercy; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Prayer for the mission of the Church: Almighty God, You have called Your Church to witness that in Christ You have reconciled us to Yourself. Grant that by Your Holy Spirit we may proclaim the good news of Your salvation so that all who hear it may receive the gift of salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord.

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.

Prayer for those outside the Church: Almighty and everlasting God, You desire not the death of a sinner but that all would repent and live. Hear our prayers for those outside the Church. Take away their iniquity, and turn them from their false gods to You, the living and true God. Gather them into Your holy Church to the glory of Your name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord.

Prayer for unity of faith: O God, Your infinite love restores to the right way those who err, seeks the scattered, and preserves those whom You have gathered. Of Your tender mercy pour out on Your faithful people the grace of unity that, all schisms being ended, Your flock may be gathered to the true Shepherd of Your Church and may serve You in all faithfulness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord.

Monday, 8 August 2011—Psalm 28:1–2, 6–7; Antiphon, Psalm 28:8—This psalm of David was probably written during the rebellion of his son, Absalom. Recognizing that he is unable to protect and redeem himself, David cries to the Lord, his Rock, to hear the voice of his pleas for mercy, and then gives thanks to the Lord for having heard and delivered him. Verse 8, used as the antiphon, shows that God’s blessings extend to all His people.

Tuesday, 9 August 2011—Psalm 67—All of the Propers of the day express the fact that God’s salvation is for all people. The psalmist begins with the familiar Aaronic blessing (Numbers 6:24–26), a blessing originally applied to the children of Israel, but then extends it to all people: that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations.

Wednesday, 10 August 2011—Isaiah 56:1, 6–8—Writing about 700 years before Christ, Isaiah prophesies of the LORD: Soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance will be revealed. The LORD’s salvation and righteousness have been revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. Because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus for all, regardless of race, the LORD is pleased to gather to Himself people of all nations and races, and accepts their offerings and sacrifices: My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.

Thursday, 11 August 2011—Romans 11:1–2a, 13–15, 28–32—St Paul recounts how salvation is from the Jews (for Jesus was a Jew), but that it extends to all peoples, even to the Gentiles. Indeed, he laments over the fact that his people have now been disobedient by rejecting the Savior, but hopes that they may yet be saved.

Friday, 12 August 2011—Matthew 15:21–28—In Sunday’s Gospel account, Jesus heals the daughter of one who was despised by the Jews of His day—a Cannanite woman. Jesus shows that His ministry is not limited to the Jews; it extends to all people. Like the woman, we are all poor beggars before the Lord, and are privileged to receive His crumbs of mercy, for even His crumbs are more than sufficient for us.

Saturday, 13 August 2011—The hymn of the day, In Christ There Is No East or West (LSB #653), reflects the theme of the readings: that, according to the order of salvation in Christ, there is no difference between any of the people of His Church. All man-made distinctions are gone as regards His forgiveness: Jew/Gentile, black/white, male/female, Anglo/Hispanic, etc. The Body of Christ, the Church, comes from all nations. Indeed, even our liturgy reflects this, as it is drawn from Jewish, African, and European sources. Likewise, our hymns come from many cultures across many ages.

Artwork by Ed Riojas, © Higher Things
Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House
This week's Time in the Word is written by Pr. Jeffrey Keuning serving St. John Casey and Zion, Dexter, IA

Pentecost 9 - mid-week

Genesis 18:1-10a

Can you be hospitable when guests come for dinner unannounced? Three men from God came to Abraham at a time when guests usually do not arrive - "in the heat of the day" (v.1) probably at noon.
What's more, nothing was prepared! There was no food in the house. Sarah had to bake bread. Abraham had to go to the fields to slaughter a calf. All of this was done eagerly and gladly because Abraham saw these man as angels of God. Do we entertain very much in or day? Would we go these extremes which Abraham and Sarah did, or would we take our guests to a restaurant and put them up in a motel rather than in our homes?
There is a spiritual aspect to our text for this morning. Moses is teaching us more then having proper manners. What was it that Abraham saw in these unannounced dinner guests? All of the preparation Abraham did because he saw these men as angels of God. There is a need for hospitality for the strangers we entertain may be angels in disguise.
As we look at this text for this morning we need to see the even greater need for us to have fellowship with God.
True, having guests may be an inconvenience and a lot of hard, hard work. But when we entertain especially God and His representatives, we are blessed beyond measure. Let's consider this morning the rewards of entertaining.
1. The presence of God in the guests – “ And the Lord appeared unto him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day. And he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood over against him. And when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself to the earth,” vss.1-2
Where do we find God today? Some say that God is nowhere to be found. The Soviets in the ‘60’s upon launching their spaceship into outer space informed the world that there was no God for they could not find Him in the outer recesses of the space and cosmos. Is that legitimate?
Abraham was searching for God thus he prepared himself to meet God where He would be found. What about us today? Do we search for God, and if we do, where do we look? God will be found in those places where He has determined to make Himself known. The challenge for us is twofold; first to believe that He can be found and second, to make ourselves accessible to those places where He has clearly told us that He will be found. That is what Abraham did. We must do the same. For what did Abraham find as he waited on the Lord? He found:
2. The fellowship and friendship “ and he said, My lord, if now I have found favor in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant. - v.3
“Abraham saw three men coming towards him. These three men were three spiritual heavenly beings, now assuming human bodies, so that they might be visible to Abraham. Having assumed human form they were now able to converse with him.
Some think that they were all created angels, others that one of them was the Son of God, the angel of the covenant. Notice that Abraham distinguished Him from the rest (v. 3), and called Him Lord.”
(From Matthew Henry's Commentary Genesis 18:1-8 - Abraham's interview with the angels PP5)
Abraham desired to have an intimate relationship with God. He found it in the coming of these three. Do we desire to be this close to God? Do we desire such a fellowship with Him? Are we easily frustrated when we cry out to God desiring to have our prayers answered, when all we hear is silence?
Abraham serves us well in this case. He not only expected God to come but He took the time for Him by fellowshipping with Him. We too need to take time for God. Daily draw strength from Him by spending time with Him in His Word, by speaking to Him in prayer, by communing with Him in His meal by coming to His table.
Transition: Having expected God to come and taking time with Him Abraham received the word that He was needing to hear that a son would be born.
3. The miraculous gift of new life “And he said, I will certainly return unto thee when the season cometh round. And, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son.” - 10a
The promise was made, and in due time the promise was kept. God is famous for keeping His Word. He is ever faithful and sure to keep His every promise. Do we expect a miracle? Do we expect God to keep His Word to us? Certainly Abraham did; and he is no different then you or me. He had his own doubts and struggles. He was familiar with disappointment and grief. He knew what it meant to be on a course that seemed to be headed nowhere. He was just as confused about his future as anyone as he wandered aimlessly for years.
But there was one thing he was sure of and that was that the Father would keep His Word. A year later that promise was fulfilled in the birth of a son. So it is with your life. God will keep each and every promise spoken to you. It may not seem possible at the moment; it may not seem to be feasible by the Father is more then capable of meeting your every need. As He proved it in the life of Abraham and Sarah so He will fulfill it in your life as well. Of this we can be sure – the Lord will keep His Word!

Pentecost 9 - Proper 12

July 25, 2010
Pentecost 9 – Proper 12
Luke 11:11-13
A God who loves to Give

We often think of God’s unwillingness to give. So, we use prayer, especially persistence, to eke out of God some favor to answer our needs. To get this answer, we are concerned about the quality of prayer and the pray-er. This is unnecessary according to Jesus in our text. God is more willing to give than we to ask. God lives to give.

1. Good gifts. "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?” Vv. 11, 12

A. God, like a good father, gives only good gifts. The point is ‘you just can’t imagine a father who would do this!’ He is not reluctant to give gifts. He does not have to be persuaded to help. As a father gives only good gifts, God gives the same to his children.

B. If one asks for a fish, God does not give a serpent. Here the Savior teaches us how to pray the right way. We pray as a child to a magnificent Father, confidently as Abraham and the persistent and unrelenting friend did.

C. God’s gifts are only and always good, helpful for us. Even when God is silent. Persistence in prayer means we mean it. We are sincere., It is urgent. It may be a test of our faith. God’s timing is always perfect. When God is silent it may be that it is not the right time for God to answer. At the time we ask we may not be ready for the gift. If we do not keep asking, when the time is right, we may not be receptive.

2. The best gift. “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" V. 13

A. The best gift is the Holy Spirit. Of all the gifts, the Holy Spirit is the best.

B. How many pray for the Spirit? How many realize the Spirit is the best gift God could ever give us?

C. Why is the Spirit the best gift? The Spirit is God. To Have the Holy Spirit is to have God in you, with you, for you.

Can there ever be anything better than God?

Time in the Word - Pentecost 9, Proper 12

Persistent Prayer

Prayer is the obvious them for next Sunday. The Gospel deals with several aspects of prayer: 1 how to pray; 2 persistence in prayer; 3 God is willing to give good gifts to His children. The Old Testament lesson deals with Abraham’s reasoning with God: getting God not to destroy Sodom because of only 10 righteous souls. Having been reduced from 50 the Lord stops Abraham at his request of ten. Not even ten were found and thus the city was destroyed as is depicted in the woodcut on our cover. Prayer is often a wrestling with God, a spiritual struggle. The Lord encourages us to watch and pray to remain vigilant and on our guard.

Collect for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost: Grant us Lord, the Spirit to think and do always such things as are pleasing in Your sight that we, who without You cannot do anything that is good, may by You be enabled to live according to Your will; 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 12: O Lord, let Your merciful ears be attentive to the prayers of Your servants, and by Your Word and Spirit teach us how to pray that our petitions may be pleasing before You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever.

For an answer to prayer; Almighty God, You have promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in Your Son’s name. Mercifully incline Your ears to us who have now made our prayers and supplications to You, and grant that those things that we have faithfully asked according to Your will we may receive to meet our need and bring glory to Your; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

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 the faith to the end and finally come to love everlasting; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

For the right understanding of Christ: Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life, grant us perfectly to know Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the way, the truth, and the life that following His steps we may steadfastly walk in the way that leads to eternal life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Monday, 19 July 2010—Psalm 119:145-149; antiphon, Psalm 50:15 This psalm is based on The Hebrew Letter “Qoph” It’s theme- “Crying With The Whole Heart” David cries “Save me O lord and I will keep Your law.” As the psalm draws to a close, prayer for deliverance becomes more dominant.

Tuesday, 20 July 2010—Psalm 138— This is a royal son of praise for God’s saving help against threatening foes. In many respects it is like Psalm 18 though it is more concise and direct. Two Hebrew four-line stanzas (Vv. 1-3, 6-8) develop the main theme; at the center a two line stanza (Vv. 4-5) expands the praise of the Lord to a universal company of earth’s royalty.

Wednesday, 21 July 2010—Genesis 18:20-33— Abraham bargains with God not to destroy Sodom for the sake of 10 righteous people. In addition to the idea of persistence in prayer, our Old Testament lesson teaches us a number of timeless truths. God is concerned about conditions on earth. Vv. 20-21. We do not have a God high in the heavens who could not care less what happens on earth. In the case of Sodom, God Himself comes down to the city for a first-hand investigation. God knows and cares about the human condition. The wrath of God is real. In verse 22 God intends to destroy the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Sin is punished. The wrath of God is visited upon the wicked. This applies to any city or nation at any period of history. A corrupt society will experience its consequences. In verse 25 Abraham tests God’s justice. Would God destroy the righteous along with the wicked? God would not do that; He is a just God. Vv. 27 and 30 speak concerning the attitude of one in prayer. Abraham realizes he has no right he had no right to speak to God, to approach God, to make any requests. This is the attitude of one who knows his finiteness and unworthiness to speak to God in prayer. Prayer is no friendly chat between equals. It is an audience with the Holy One, full of majesty and glory. Sodom was destroyed because 10 righteous people were not found in the city. Diogenes could not find one honest man in his land. Are there as many as 10 really righteous people in your city?

Thursday, 22 June 2010—Colossians 2:6-15— Paul exhorts his people to live in Christ in whom dwells the fullness of God. We live on earth only once and almost everyone wants to get as much out of life as possible. But how do you achieve a happy and fulfilling life? Go to any bookstore and you will find scores of books promising a life that can be good, rich, happy and free of fear, worry, and guilt. That is life as it ought to be, the kind of life God means for us to enjoy. But how many readers of these books will then have that new life? When will the real life begin? There is no easy way to get real life. Christians get this life by living in Christ. Life is a by product of a one-to-one relationship with Christ. Paul gives us the procedure for living in Christ as a way to real life. The key is in verses six and seven. Contemplate these words.

Friday, 23 July 2010—Luke 11:1-13— Jesus gives the Lord’s Prayer and teaches persistence in prayer. It is common practice for many to ask once and forget it. How long should we pray for something? Is unanswered prayer a “no” answer? In the Gospel for Sunday Jesus teaches that there is no limit to the number of times we pray. The friend wanting bread comes at midnight when his friend is in bed. The man wanting to borrow bread kept asking and pounding until in desperation he got out of bed and gave the food. It wasn’t because of friendship but because his friend would not quit bothering him. He would not take “No” for an answer. Jesus teaches that se should ask, see, and finally knock to get what we want. Persistence in prayer is necessary.

Saturday, 24 July 2010 – Matthew 6:5-13; 7:7-11 – The hymn of the week is “Come, My Soul, with Every Care” (LSB 779). In every need in every circumstance take it to the Lord in prayer.


Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House
Collect for Ninth Sunday after Pentecost from Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House
LECTIONARY PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES C John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
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.
Concordia Self Study Bible © 1886 Concordia Publishing House

Pentecost 9 - Proper 13

It’s a Lutheran thing. We love to dive home that central message that we are not saved by our good works. And yet, did you hear what Jesus said? He said there is a work that saves…it is to believe in Him. This might be a new thought – Faith is a work. It is like love in marriage. To be successful you must work at it.

To be saved means must work at our faith so that it continues to exist and grow. The spiritual bread comes as a gift, but faith is needed to receive it. In this sense, faith is all important for without the Bread of Life – without Jesus Christ we cannot be saved. Let’s consider this morning the work which saves.

1. Salvation is a gift of the Bread of life – Vs. 27 Do not work for food that perishes but for food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set his seal on Him.
A. There are many things of which we must work for – a new car, a college education, items we need to maintain our standard of living. Items need to be budgeted, and it takes time and effort to work for these things.

B. Yet, “that one thing needful,” what we really need, life with God, a relationship with Jesus Christ all comes to us as a gift. It is by grace that you have been saved through faith says St. Paul. It is all the wonderful workings of the Holy Spirit. Luther explains it this way, “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to Him. But the Holy Ghost has called me by the gospel; enlightened me with His gifts, sanctifies and keeps me in the one true faith.

2. Faith is the receptive agent – Vs. 29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God: to believe in the one whom he has sent."
A. This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. 1 John 3:23

B. Constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father. 1Thessalonians 1:3

3. Faith needs working – Vs. 29

A. You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; James 2:22

B. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son. Hebrews 11:17

We are saved not by works but by a work - the work of Christ. That work is active in your life. It’s the gospel light, the light of Christ. Therefore let your light so shine before men that they may see your good work and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Time in the Word Pentecost 9 - Proper 13

This coming Sunday marks an interlude in the long series of passages from Mark during the Pentecost season. The Gospels for three Sundays are taken in course from John 6 - The Bread of Life chapter. Jesus explains that the people have come for more physical bread, but He would rather they had spiritual food which comes from heaven, food for the soul. He then identifies Himself as the bread from heaven similar to the manna God sent to His people in the wilderness. The Old Testament. Paul speaks repeatedly of growth into the fullness of Christ’s stature and growth as “bodily growth”. As everyone knows, physical growth is not possible without adequate food. The Psalm of the Day sings of God’s goodness and greatness in satisfying the physical needs of every person. Jesus our Savior fills our deepest needs.

Collect for Proper 13 – Merciful Father, You gave Your Son Jesus as the heavenly bread of life. Grant us faith to feast on Him in Your Word and Sacraments that we may be nourished unto life everlasting;; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Collect for Pentecost 9—Grant us, Lord, the Spirit to think and do always such things as are pleasing in Your sight that we, who without You cannot do anything that is good, may by You be enabled to live according to Your will; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen

Monday, 27 July 2009—Psalm 78:23-25, Antiphon, Psalm 78:72 – With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with His skillful hand. Israel under the care of the Lord’s royal shepherd from the house of David was for the prophets the hope of God’s people (see Ezekiel 34:23; 37:23 Micah 5:4) fulfilled in Jesus Christ. (See Matthew 2:6’ John 10:11; Revelation 7:17)

Tuesday, 28 July 2009—Psalm145:10-21; key verse v15—The eyes of all look to You and You give them their food at the proper time. This is a psalm of praise and fitting for our theme for this week. The Lord is the provider of all both physical and spiritual blessings. He supplies physical food for us daily as we acknowledge in the Lord’s Prayer. He also supplies us spiritually as He comes to us through the means of grace.

Wednesday, 29 July 2009— Exodus 16:2-15— In response to the people’s complaint that they had no food, the Lord sends food from heaven. Only a few weeks after deliverance from Egypt the people complain about the lack of food. They murmur against Moses and Aaron, but God fknows that hey complain about Him. They doubt whether the Lord cares about them and His ability to provide for them. In response to their complaints the Lord sends quail in the evening and bread, “manna,” in the morning. To this day the Manna is a mystery – “What is it?” Moses answered, “it is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.” By this the people are to know that He is their God.

Thursday, 30 July 2009—Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16 — Bread makes for bodily growth. Christians are to live lives worthy of their calling in love, unity, and growth to maturity in Christ. The church is urged to become what they are by the grace of Christ. Paul appeals for unity on the basis of the unity of Spirit and body. Various functions are gifts of Christ to equip the members and to build up the church in love. The goal of the growth is the matching of the stature of Jesus so that we are not children but mature in faith and love.

Friday, 31 July 2009—John 6:22-35 — Bread satisfies hunger. John urges the people to seek bread from heaven and reveals Himself as the Bread of Life. What is the work of God? Jesus replies that the work of God is to believe in Him. The people ask for a sign that would persuade them to believe in Him and refer to the manna received in the wilderness. Jesus assures them that God sent the bread from heaven, the bread that gives life to the world. Then they ask Him to give this king of bread. He reveals that He is the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to Him and believes in Him will never hunger nor thirst.

In the center of Pentecost we will be reading the Bread of Life chapter of John 6. Following are the Gospel readings for the next three Sundays.

August 2, 2009 – Pentecost 9 – [Proper 13] John 6:22-35
Eat More then Bread - The Necessity of spiritual bread for life.

August 9, 2009 – Pentecost 10 – [Proper 14] John 6:35-51
Eat and Live – Spiritual food gives eternal life

August 16, 2009 – Pentecost 11 – [Proper 15] John 6:51-69
To Eat or Not to Eat – The decision whether or not to follow Christ

Saturday, 01 August 2009—John 6:22-58 - Sunday’s hymn of the day, Father, we Thank Thee (LSB 652) is a liturgical hymn based on John 6. The point of Jesus’ teaching and the text of the hymn is that to live spiritually we need the bread which comes from heaven namely our Lord and Savior Jesus. As Christ is received we as the children of God live new lives. Throughout the next several weeks we will be focusing on Jesus’ teaching on this import chapter from the gospel of John.

In John 6:1-15 is the feeding of the 5,000. (A prelude to the next three Sundays of readings) Some believe that the crowd could have been over 5,000 as only "men" were counted. If you would count "women and children" it could have been up to 15,000 (See Matthew 14:21). Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana seats close to 17,000 people....

According to the concessions manager the following items were sold at the Indiana Vs Wisconsin game, on Saturday, March 12, 1994 (per my telephone conversation with him on March 15, 1994)...

400 1bs of hot dogs,3,000 popcorn boxes, 8,200 cokes (about 1,000 gallons) 684 candy bars, 436 nachos, 284 boxes of caramel corn, 917 soft pretzels, 247 polish sausages, 100 sandwiches, 179 bags of peanuts ,50 muffins, 160 cups of coffee.

This game was played on an afternoon with tip-off scheduled for 2:00 pm. Most fans had eaten their breakfast and had probably had their lunch also! And fans had to pay for their food! Jesus feeds the crowd freely, without cost! When we pray "give us this day our daily bread" we can know that the Savior will supply us with all that we need to support our body and life.

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 and Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House and from Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House.
Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcut used with permission from WELS
Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B – John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
The Text This Week can be found at http://www.textweek.com/scripture.htm