Proper 12 Series B study notes

 

Proper 12 

Genesis 9:8–17
Ephesians 3:14–21
Mark 6:45–56

Creation Is Redeemed and Sanctified by the Word of Christ Jesus

Having spared faithful Noah and his family from the flood, the Lord established His covenant with them, “and with every living creature,” that never again would there be “a flood to destroy the earth” (Genesis 9:9–11). He signed and sealed this everlasting covenant with His rainbow in the clouds, by which He sees and remembers His promise that “the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.” (Genesis 9:13–16). Although creation suffers under the curse of sin, the Lord preserves and orders creation for the benefit of His Church. In particular, all of creation is redeemed and sanctified by the incarnate Son of God. “Take heart,” and “do not be afraid,” for He is with you on the sea. He is not a ghost, but He has come in the flesh to save you. He has gotten “into the boat” with you, and the wind that was against you has ceased (Mark 6:45–51). For He is the Word and promise of the Father, and His own flesh and blood are the covenant by which you are “strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” (Ephesians 3:16–17).

But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” Mark 6:50

Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege

They thought they were seeing a ghost.  After all, who walks on water?  It must be a spirit, because certainly flesh and blood cannot walk upon the waves of a stormy sea, let alone upon the calm surface of a placid sea.

So Jesus identifies Himself to them.  The translation given by the ESV and indeed by most English translations falls short of what Jesus is saying.  The ESV translates Jesus saying, “Take heart; It is I. Do not be afraid.”  William Weinrich states:  “Again, it seems superficial to interpret Jesus’ words as a mere self-identification:  “It is I, Jesus,” given the significance of these words in the OT…”  [Jn, vol. 1, 654].  What words is Dr. Weinrich referencing?  Jesus, while walking upon the water, said to the Apostles (literal translation):  “Take heart; I AM.  Do not be afraid.”  Jesus is here identifying Himself as I AM: the God of the Old Testament.  Moses replied to God at the burning bush:  If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM who I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you [Ex 3:13,14].’  The Greek translation of I AM in these Old Testament verses is precisely the Greek used by Jesus in our text. The Apostles should take heart and not be afraid, for Jesus is I AM, the eternal God who brought Israel out of slavery.

Many Christians have observed such a reference in John 8:58, where Jesus spoke to the Jews:  Truly, Truly I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.  Most English translators get this right. Jesus is here clearly identifying Himself as the same I AM encountered by Moses. However, unbeknownst to many, the Greek New Testament reflects this I AM-identification of Jesus on numerous occasions.  See e.g. John 4:26; 8:24, 25; 13:19; 18:5, 6,8.  Though such “I AM” references are not as common outside of John’s Gospel, yet the parallel accounts of Jesus walking on the sea (our text; Matt 14:27; Jn 6:20) record Jesus identifying Himself as the I AM. 

This then answers the question, Who walks on the water? It is God who walks upon the stormy sea; it is God who became a man for our salvation.  This identification of God as the water-walker is made in the Old Testament:  Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unknown [Psalm 77:19].  Perhaps it is even clearer in Job 9:8:…who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea (LXX translation:  …walks on the sea as on firm ground).

Mark 6:45-56

Almighty and most merciful God, the protector of all who trust in You, strengthen our faith and give us courage to believe that in Your love You will rescue us from all adversities; 

In the lessons for this coming Sunday God's promises are given and the Lord remembers those promises while man might not. The Lord promises Noah and his family that He will never again destroy the earth by a flood. In the Epistle lesson Paul thanks the Lord for the richness of grace which the Lord has established in Christ. In the Gospel Christ comes walking to His frightened disciples on the sea. They do not recognize Him because of fear and hardness of heart. The sermon hymn reminds us that it is the Lord Himself that orders our days. 

Faith calls for us to recognize the Lord working in our life especially when we cannot see His hand at work. God will not abandon us to the world we create for ourselves.  God does not withdraw to a contamination-free zone and leave us to get on with it on our own...but enters into the darkness, seriousness and consequences of human wrong-doing … in order to save us.

In Mark 1:16-20 when Jesus called Simon, Andrew, James, and John without any apparent previous knowledge of Jesus, they left everything immediately and followed him. What had they recognized in Jesus? It is remarkable that none of the gospels provide a physical description of Jesus. We will never be able to pin him down by virtue of his appearance. Rather, we will always have to recognize Jesus for who He is and what He does. It is more than the miracles and healings Jesus performed or the things he taught. It may actually take the gift of faith to recognize the one who died on the cross as the Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

Following the feeding of the 5,000 Jesus sends his disciples by boat to Bethsaida. Jesus, in the meantime, spends time in prayer. Jesus, aware that the boat is struggling in a high wind, walks out to the boat and is about to "pass them by." The disciples are terrified, but Jesus quiets them and the wind. The disciples response is amazement, rather than faith, for "they did not understand about the loaves."

The account of Jesus' walking on water follows immediately on from the feeding of the 5,000. The language is tied closely to the feeding and exhibits the heightened emotions of an eye witness. Like the feeding, this story is full of theological imagery. As in Psalm 107:23-32, where the Lord carries his people to their haven of rest, so Jesus miraculously reveals himself as the one who can take his people across the sea to their haven of rest. The story images Israel's crossing of the Reed Sea and the River Jordan. Yet, as with the feeding of the 5,000, the disciples do not understand the significance of the miracle and therefore do not come to faith.

Jesus Is Not a Life Coach
Chad Bird

Here comes Jesus. His feet are flattening out the sea like it’s a wet sidewalk. He doesn’t stand on the shore and shout instructions to us, “Row a little harder! Put some muscle into it! Get your act together! Think positive! You can do it!”

No, thank God.

Jesus is not a life coach, a personal trainer, or a cheerleader on the sidelines of life. He is the Lord of the storms of life. He rules the winds and the waves. He comes to us in the midst of our fear and hopelessness to say, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

“Take courage, it is I who rescued the frightened Israelites when they were trapped between the chariots of Egypt and the Red Sea.”

“Take courage, it is I who calmed the sea for the sailors when they cast Jonah into the waves.”

The one who walks on water to save us, to be with us in the storms of life, is not a ghost. He is the flesh-and-blood God of our salvation.

He doesn’t tread upon the waves to wow us but to rescue us, to forgive us, to be our light when all about is darkness.

Jesus Walks on Water
(Matthew 14:22-33; John 6:16-25)

Mark 6:45 

Καὶ  εὐθὺς  ἠνάγκασεν  τοὺς  μαθητὰς  αὐτοῦ  ἐμβῆναι  εἰς  τὸ  πλοῖον  καὶ  προάγειν  εἰς  τὸ  πέραν  πρὸς  Βηθσαϊδάν,  ἕως  αὐτὸς  ἀπολύει  τὸν  ὄχλον.  

Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 

Mark 6:46 

καὶ  ἀποταξάμενος  αὐτοῖς  ἀπῆλθεν  εἰς  τὸ  ὄρος  προσεύξασθαι.

And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.

Mark 6:47 

καὶ  ὀψίας  γενομένης  ἦν  τὸ  πλοῖον  ἐν  μέσῳ  τῆς  θαλάσσης,  καὶ  αὐτὸς  μόνος  ἐπὶ  τῆς  γῆς. 

And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land

Mark 6:48 

καὶ  ἰδὼν  αὐτοὺς  βασανιζομένους  ἐν  τῷ  ἐλαύνειν,  ἦν  γὰρ  ὁ  ἄνεμος  ἐναντίος  αὐτοῖς,  περὶ  τετάρτην  φυλακὴν  τῆς  νυκτὸς  ἔρχεται  πρὸς  αὐτοὺς  περιπατῶν  ἐπὶ  τῆς  θαλάσσης·  καὶ  ἤθελεν  παρελθεῖν  αὐτούς. 

And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them  

Mark 6:49 

οἱ  δὲ  ἰδόντες  αὐτὸν  ἐπὶ  τῆς  θαλάσσης  περιπατοῦντα  ἔδοξαν  ὅτι  φάντασμά  ἐστιν,  καὶ  ἀνέκραξαν· 

but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out  

Mark 6;50 

πάντες  γὰρ  αὐτὸν  εἶδον*  καὶ  ἐταράχθησαν.  ὁ  δὲ  εὐθὺς  ἐλάλησεν  μετ’  αὐτῶν,  καὶ  λέγει  αὐτοῖς  Θαρσεῖτε,  ἐγώ  εἰμι,  μὴ  φοβεῖσθε. 

for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”  

Mark 6;51 

καὶ  ἀνέβη  πρὸς  αὐτοὺς  εἰς  τὸ  πλοῖον,  καὶ  ἐκόπασεν  ὁ  ἄνεμος·  καὶ  λίαν  ἐκ  περισσοῦ  ἐν  ἑαυτοῖς  ἐξίσταντο· 

And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded  

Mark 6:52 

οὐ  γὰρ  συνῆκαν  ἐπὶ  τοῖς  ἄρτοις,  ἀλλ’  ἦν  αὐτῶν  ἡ  καρδία  πεπωρωμένη. 

for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened

Proper 12 Series A

Proper 12 Series A

Proper 12

(30 July 2023)

Deuteronomy 7:6–9

Romans 8:28–39

Matthew 13:44–52

The Son of God Has Redeemed Us for Himself with His Holy and Precious Blood

The Lord our God has chosen us to be “his treasured possession,” not because of any strength in us, but solely “because the Lord loves” us (Deuteronomy 7:6–8). He is faithful, and He “keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments” (Deuteronomy 7:9). He has searched for us and found us in love, and He has bestowed on us “great value” by the great price that He has paid on the cross. (Matthew 13:45–46). 

In His joy, He has redeemed us by His cross and gathered us into His Kingdom by the Gospel. Now we are “hidden in a field,” covered by the cross and subject to the persecution of the world (Matthew 13:44), not for destruction, but “to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29). 

Since we “are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28), and because Christ Jesus died, rose again and lives to intercede for us “at the right hand of God” (Romans 8:34), there is nothing in all creation that can separate us from “the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39).

Almighty and everlasting God, give us an increase of faith, hope and love that, receiving what You have promises, we may love what You have commanded; through Jesus Christ our Lord,

He Bought the Entire Field!
Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (Matthew 13:44)

When Jesus taught in parables, such a method of teaching was not totally foreign to the Jews of His day.  Jewish rabbis had certain stock “picture words” that they used in their teaching (e.g. harvest represented judgment; marriage indicated the beginning of the Messianic age; birds often showed the presence of gentiles or evil spirits; the field was the world.).  What was strange about Christ’s parables was their mysterious nature along with His use of new “picture words” which gave to His parables an apparent lack of clarity.  This fulfilled what Jesus earlier explained, that He spoke in parables so that “…seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. (13:13)” Christ’s parables were intended to be wrestled with.  As it turns out, many sayings of Jesus gain clarity and focus when one sees them through the lens of His death and resurrection.

In the mini-parable quoted above, Jesus speaks of a treasure.  What is this treasure?  This treasure is “hidden in a field” and the man of the parable covers it up until he can buy the field.  Unfolded in the writings of the Apostles, the treasure can be understood to be the people whom God foreknew and predestined to be saved. But the remarkable nature of this treasure was that God hid it; the Jewish people didn’t perceive that God treasured not just the descendants of Israel but also people who would come from every nation.  Throughout the entire New Testament the Apostle Paul makes this truth abundantly clear—that Christ came also to save Gentiles predestined to eternal life.  A reference that has bearing on this hidden treasure is recorded in Ephesians 3:4-6:  “When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known [It was hidden!] to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”

Using a stock “picture word” of other rabbis, Jesus explains that the man in the parable did not merely buy the treasure, but he bought the entire field.  Recall that “field” often represented the world, thus this was recognized as the purchase of the world!  Indeed the man sold all that He had to make this unbelievable purchase.  If the man is God the Father, then the “man” gave His greatest treasure, His Son.  See John 3:16 in relation to this.  Or consider 2 Corinthians 5:19, “…that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ.” If the man is the Son of God, then we can recognize the treasure to be His very life-blood, shed to purchase the world.  Consider then verses like, “He died for all (2 Co 5:14),” or “He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world (1 Jo 2:2).”


God bought the world!  It then makes perfect sense that not just Jews but Gentiles are “fellow heirs” of the world-wide salvation purchased by Christ’s death and resurrection; Gentiles are eligible to hear the Gospel, the good news that Christ’s blood has purchased the world.  With Christ’s death and resurrection at the center of the Christian faith, it makes sense that we can perceive meaning in this parable of Jesus by viewing it through the lens of His death and resurrection.

copyright (c) Indiana District LCMS

Matthew 13:44-54

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

44 Ὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν θησαυρῷ κεκρυμμένῳ ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ, ὃν εὑρὼν ἄνθρωπος ἔκρυψεν, καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς χαρᾶς αὐτοῦ ὑπάγει καὶ πωλεῖ πάντα ὅσα ἔχει καὶ ἀγοράζει τὸν ἀγρὸν ἐκεῖνον.

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value

45 Πάλιν ὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν  ἀνθρώπῳ ἐμπόρῳ ζητοῦντι καλοὺς μαργαρίτας·

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 

46 εὑρὼν δὲ ἕνα πολύτιμον μαργαρίτην ἀπελθὼν πέπρακεν πάντα ὅσα εἶχεν καὶ ἠγόρασεν αὐτόν.

who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

The Parable about the net

47 Πάλιν ὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν σαγήνῃ βληθείσῃ εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν καὶ ἐκ παντὸς γένους συναγαγούσῃ·

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.

48 ἣν ὅτε ἐπληρώθη ἀναβιβάσαντες ἐπὶ τὸν αἰγιαλὸν καὶ καθίσαντες συνέλεξαν τὰ καλὰ εἰς ἄγγη, τὰ δὲ σαπρὰ ἔξω ἔβαλον.

When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. 

49 οὕτως ἔσται ἐν τῇ συντελείᾳ τοῦ αἰῶνος· ἐξελεύσονται οἱ ἄγγελοι καὶ ἀφοριοῦσιν τοὺς πονηροὺς ἐκ μέσου τῶν δικαίων

So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous

50 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.

New and Old Treasures

51 Συνήκατε ταῦτα πάντα; λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Ναί.

Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.”

52 ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Διὰ τοῦτο πᾶς γραμματεὺς μαθητευθεὶς τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν ὅμοιός ἐστιν ἀνθρώπῳ οἰκοδεσπότῃ ὅστις ἐκβάλλει ἐκ τοῦ θησαυροῦ αὐτοῦ καινὰ καὶ παλαιά.

And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.

Jesus rejected at Nazareth

53 καὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε ἐτέλεσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τὰς παραβολὰς ταύτας, μετῆρεν ἐκεῖθεν.

 And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, 

54 καὶ ἐλθὼν εἰς τὴν πατρίδα αὐτοῦ ἐδίδασκεν αὐτοὺς ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ αὐτῶν, ὥστε ἐκπλήσσεσθαι αὐτοὺς καὶ λέγειν· Πόθεν τούτῳ ἡ σοφία αὕτη καὶ αἱ δυνάμεις;

and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works?

Footnotes:

 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.

Time in the Word Proper 12

Time in the Word

Proper 12

July 24-29, 2023

Three parables of the nature of the kingdom of God are told by the Savior in the Gospel for this coming week. Three parables are directed to the disciples concerning the kingdom. The first two deal with the kingdom as being of top value worthy of any sacrifice to gain it. The third parable concerns are similar to wheat and the weeds parable, the separation of the good and the wicked on Judgment Day. Jesus asks the disciples if they understand these parables. They claimed that they understood. Consequently, they were to be scribes trained for the kingdom who bring out of the treasure the old and the new.

The old truths are to be applied to the new conditions in the world. These are addressed in our Epistle and Old Testament lessons for the coming week.

Collect for Proper 12 –Almighty and everlasting God, give us an increase of faith, hope, and love that, receiving what You have promised, we may love what You have commanded; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

For a blessing on the Word – Lord God, bless Your Word wherever it is proclaimed. Make it a word of power and peace to convert those not yet Your own and to confirm those who have come to saving faith. May Your Word pass from the ear to the heart, from the heart to the lip, and from the lip to the life that, as You have promised, Your Word may achieve the purpose for which You send it; through Jesus Christ, my Lord.

A prayer before we study the Word – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, without Your help our labor is useless, and without Your light our search is in vain. Invigorate the study of Your holy Word that, by due diligence and right discernment, we may establish others and ourselves in Your holy faith.

Monday, July 24, 2023 – Psalm 105:2-6 –This is the Psalm portion from which the Introit for next Sunday is taken. The antiphon is taken from verse 1, “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known His deeds among the peoples!” The psalmist exhorts us to worship the Lord. Thus, we are called upon to give thanks to God through our worship and praise. When we call upon God and as we give thanks, our worship shall be blessed. Praise and prayer are the two expressions of our worship. As we recall the many acts of kindness the Lord has given to us, we will trust in Him and share with others what He has done. We will make known among the people His many deeds.

Tuesday, July 25, 2023– Deuteronomy 7:6-9 - The Lord is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love. We are loved and blessed because the Lord first loved us. Yet this love must be reciprocated by His people to others. Thus in the New Testament we are reminded, “We love because He first loved us” {1 John 4:19}.

Wednesday, July 26, 2023 – Romans 8: 28-39 -The Father spared not His own Son but gave Him up for us all. These words are read at many Christian funerals. They have comforted many troubled hearts. They have soothed and given encouragement to many who are troubled. St. Paul’s words are sure. No charge can be brought against the Christian because the Father has already pronounced a verdict! Not guilty! How so? No one can condemn God’s elect. Christ has died for you. He is alive at the right hand of God. He is interceding for you.

Thursday, July 27, 2023 – Matthew 13:44-52 – Christ treasures the world, and so He redeems it. Jesus likens the kingdom of God to a treasure, something of supreme worth.

It is a treasure of infinite worth because it is the kingdom of God. This includes Jesus, the priceless treasure, the riches of grace, and the wealth of God’s love. This treasure is discovered by accident. It is always found where no one expected it.

The kingdom of God can be a surprise. It may come in unexpected ways and places. Must we ask whether the average Christian considers Christianity the top treasure?

Both the farmer and the merchant sold all their goods to get the treasure.

This implies that the two men considered all their possessions to be inferior to the treasure or the pearl. It was a matter of establishing priorities. Because the treasure and pearl were evaluated as the best, the price of total sell-out, or exchanging all other possessions, was considered worth the price.

When a person finds a treasure, how can he help but be overjoyed? If a merchant has been looking for the perfect pearl for years and then finds it, is there any wonder that he would be as happy as can be? Many church members lack the joy of being Christians. They are not happy about their religion. Could this be the reason? They have not found the treasure or the pearl of Christ.

Friday, July 28, 2023 –Psalm 125 -This Psalm is suggested for next Sunday. This psalm speaks of Israel’s peace in testimony, prayer, and benediction. Bible scholars believe it was written after the exile when those held in Babylonian captivity were allowed to return to the Jewish homeland. This psalm was most likely prayed as part of the liturgy in the Jewish worship service. Thus, the Psalms we pray in worship reach back into the Old Testament. Through the centuries, our prayers have remained constant. 

Saturday, July 29, 2023 – Joshua 24:16 –This passage is the inspiration for the hymn, “From God can nothing move me” {LSB 524}. The people react to Joshua’s commitment to serve the Lord. The people respond, “We will not serve other gods.” If we say of the Lord, “He is our God,” we cannot serve any other. 

LUTHERAN SEVICE BOOK © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

LUTHERAN WORSHIP © 1980 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

LECTIONALRY PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES A © 1980 John Brokhoff CSS Publishing Lima, OH

Proper 12 Series C

Proper 12 Notes

Proper 12 Series C

(July 24-30)

For July 24, 2022

Genesis 18:(17–19) 20–33

Colossians 2:6–15 (16–19)

Luke 11:1–13

The Prayer of the Church Is the Voice of Faith

Jesus catechizes His disciples in the way of faith by teaching them how to pray. He promises us: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Luke 11:9). If earthly fathers know how to give good gifts to their children, “how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him” (Luke 11:13). 

Thus, father Abraham was bold in his prayer because he believed the gracious promise of the Lord, that he would “surely become a great and mighty nation” (Genesis 18:18). 

When we pray in Jesus’ name, we also hold “fast to the Head” (Colossians 2:19), “rooted and built up in him and established in the faith” (Colossians 2:6–7).

The Lord's Prayer

Luke 11:1-13

Luke 11:1

Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ εἶναι αὐτὸν ἐν τόπῳ τινὶ προσευχόμενον, ὡς ἐπαύσατο, εἶπέν τις τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ πρὸς αὐτόν• Κύριε, δίδαξον ἡμᾶς προσεύχεσθαι, καθὼς καὶ Ἰωάννης ἐδίδαξεν τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ. 

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”

This is the prayer Jesus Himself gives. He Himself has given us THIS prayer.

This is how the Savior has taught us.

We pray through Christ, we stand in his shoes.

Luke 11: 2

εἶπεν δὲ αὐτοῖς• Ὅταν προσεύχησθε, λέγετε• Πάτερ, ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου• ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου•

And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.

Luke does not include “Thy will be done”

Luke 11:3 

τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δίδου ἡμῖν τὸ καθ’ ἡμέραν•

Give us each day our daily bread,

Our bread “according to the day” or “bread for the coming day”

Luke 11:4

καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν, καὶ γὰρ αὐτοὶ ἀφίομεν παντὶ ὀφείλοντι ἡμῖν• καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν. 

and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”

Luke 11:5 

 Καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτούς• Τίς ἐξ ὑμῶν ἕξει φίλον καὶ πορεύσεται πρὸς αὐτὸν μεσονυκτίου καὶ εἴπῃ αὐτῷ• Φίλε, χρῆσόν μοι τρεῖς ἄρτους,

And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 

Luke 11:6

ἐπειδὴ φίλος μου παρεγένετο ἐξ ὁδοῦ πρός με καὶ οὐκ ἔχω ὃ παραθήσω αὐτῷ•

for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 

Luke 11:7

κἀκεῖνος ἔσωθεν ἀποκριθεὶς εἴπῃ• Μή μοι κόπους πάρεχε• ἤδη ἡ θύρα κέκλεισται, καὶ τὰ παιδία μου μετ’ ἐμοῦ εἰς τὴν κοίτην εἰσίν• οὐ δύναμαι ἀναστὰς δοῦναί σοι.

and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 

Luke 11:8

λέγω ὑμῖν, εἰ καὶ οὐ δώσει αὐτῷ ἀναστὰς διὰ τὸ εἶναι [e]φίλον αὐτοῦ, διά γε τὴν ἀναίδειαν αὐτοῦ ἐγερθεὶς δώσει αὐτῷ [f]ὅσων χρῄζει.

 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence[c] he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 

[c] Or persistence 

Luke 11:9

Κἀγὼ ὑμῖν λέγω, αἰτεῖτε, καὶ δοθήσεται ὑμῖν• ζητεῖτε, καὶ εὑρήσετε• κρούετε, καὶ ἀνοιγήσεται ὑμῖν•

And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 

Luke 11:10

πᾶς γὰρ ὁ αἰτῶν λαμβάνει, καὶ ὁ ζητῶν εὑρίσκει, καὶ τῷ κρούοντι ἀνοιγήσεται.

For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 

Luke 11:11

τίνα δὲ [g]ἐξ ὑμῶν τὸν πατέρα αἰτήσει ὁ [h]υἱὸς ἰχθύν, [i]καὶ ἀντὶ ἰχθύος ὄφιν [j]αὐτῷ ἐπιδώσει;

 What father among you, if his son asks for[d] a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;

[d] Some manuscripts insert bread, will give him a stone; or if he asks for

Luke 11:12

ἢ καὶ αἰτήσει ᾠόν, ἐπιδώσει αὐτῷ σκορπίον;

or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 

Luke 11:13 

εἰ οὖν ὑμεῖς πονηροὶ ὑπάρχοντες οἴδατε δόματα ἀγαθὰ διδόναι τοῖς τέκνοις ὑμῶν, πόσῳ μᾶλλον ὁ πατὴρ ὁ ἐξ οὐρανοῦ δώσει πνεῦμα ἅγιον τοῖς αἰτοῦσιν αὐτόν.

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

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

Luther's Seal  Copyright © Higher Things

Time in the Word - 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 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, 22 July 2019—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, 18 July 2022—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, 19 July 2022—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, 20 July 2022—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, 21 July 2022—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, 22 July 2022 – Matthew 6:5-13; 7:7-11 – The hymn of study this week is “Come, My Soul, with Every Care” (LSB 779). In every need in every circumstance take it to the Lord in prayer.

Sources:

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House

Collect for Seventh 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

Proper 12 Series B

Proper 12 

Genesis 9:8–17

Ephesians 3:14–21

Mark 6:45–56

Creation Is Redeemed and Sanctified by the Word of Christ Jesus

Having spared faithful Noah and his family from the flood, the Lord established His covenant with them, “and with every living creature,” that never again would there be “a flood to destroy the earth” (Genesis 9:9–11). He signed and sealed this everlasting covenant with His rainbow in the clouds, by which He sees and remembers His promise that “the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.” (Genesis 9:13–16). Although creation suffers under the curse of sin, the Lord preserves and orders creation for the benefit of His Church. In particular, all of creation is redeemed and sanctified by the incarnate Son of God. “Take heart,” and “do not be afraid,” for He is with you on the sea. He is not a ghost, but He has come in the flesh to save you. He has gotten “into the boat” with you, and the wind that was against you has ceased. (Mark 6:45–51). For He is the Word and promise of the Father, and His own flesh and blood are the covenant by which you are “strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” (Ephesians 3:16–17).

Mark 6:45-56

Almighty and most merciful God, the protector of all who trust in You, strengthen our faith and give us courage to believe that in Your love You will rescue us from all adversities; 

In the lessons for this coming Sunday God's promises are given and the Lord remembers those promises while man might not. The Lord promises Noah and his family that He will never again destroy the earth by a flood. In the Epistle lesson Paul thanks the Lord for the richness of grace which the Lord has established in Christ. In the Gospel Christ comes walking to His frightened disciples on the sea. They do not recognize Him because of fear and hardness of heart. The sermon hymn reminds us that it is the Lord Himself that orders our days. 

Faith calls for us to recognize the Lord working in our life especially when we cannot see His hand at work. God will not abandon us to the world we create for ourselves.  God does not withdraw to a contamination-free zone and leave us to get on with it on our own...but enters into the darkness, seriousness and consequences of human wrong-doing … in order to save us.

In Mark 1:16-20 when Jesus called Simon, Andrew, James, and John without any apparent previous knowledge of Jesus, they left everything immediately and followed him. What had they recognized in Jesus? It is remarkable that none of the gospels provide a physical description of Jesus. We will never be able to pin him down by virtue of his appearance. Rather, we will always have to recognize Jesus for who He is and what He does. It is more than the miracles and healings Jesus performed or the things he taught. It may actually take the gift of faith to recognize the one who died on the cross as the Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

Following the feeding of the 5,000 Jesus sends his disciples by boat to Bethsaida. Jesus, in the meantime, spends time in prayer. Jesus, aware that the boat is struggling in a high wind, walks out to the boat and is about to "pass them by." The disciples are terrified, but Jesus quiets them and the wind. The disciples response is amazement, rather than faith, for "they did not understand about the loaves."

The account of Jesus' walking on water follows immediately on from the feeding of the 5,000. The language is tied closely to the feeding and exhibits the heightened emotions of an eye witness. Like the feeding, this story is full of theological imagery. As in Psalm 107:23-32, where the Lord carries his people to their haven of rest, so Jesus miraculously reveals himself as the one who can take his people across the sea to their haven of rest. The story images Israel's crossing of the Reed Sea and the River Jordan. Yet, as with the feeding of the 5,000, the disciples do not understand the significance of the miracle and therefore do not come to faith.

Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege

But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” Mark 6:50

They thought they were seeing a ghost.  After all, who walks on water?  It must be a spirit, because certainly flesh and blood cannot walk upon the waves of a stormy sea, let alone upon the calm surface of a placid sea.

So Jesus identifies Himself to them.  The translation given by the ESV and indeed by most English translations falls short of what Jesus is saying.  The ESV translates Jesus saying, “Take heart; It is I. Do not be afraid.”  William Weinrich states:  “Again, it seems superficial to interpret Jesus’ words as a mere self-identification:  “It is I, Jesus,” given the significance of these words in the OT…”  [Jn, vol. 1, 654].  What words is Dr. Weinrich referencing?  Jesus, while walking upon the water, said to the Apostles (literal translation):  “Take heart; I AM.  Do not be afraid.”  Jesus is here identifying Himself as I AM: the God of the Old Testament.  Moses replied to God at the burning bush:  If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM who I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you [Ex 3:13,14].’  The Greek translation of I AM in these Old Testament verses is precisely the Greek used by Jesus in our text. The Apostles should take heart and not be afraid, for Jesus is I AM, the eternal God who brought Israel out of slavery.

Many Christians have observed such a reference in John 8:58, where Jesus spoke to the Jews:  Truly, Truly I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.  Most English translators get this right. Jesus is here clearly identifying Himself as the same I AM encountered by Moses. However, unbeknownst to many, the Greek New Testament reflects this I AM-identification of Jesus on numerous occasions.  See e.g. John 4:26; 8:24, 25; 13:19; 18:5, 6,8.  Though such “I AM” references are not as common outside of John’s Gospel, yet the parallel accounts of Jesus walking on the sea (our text; Matt 14:27; Jn 6:20) record Jesus identifying Himself as the I AM. 

This then answers the question, Who walks on the water? It is God who walks upon the stormy sea; it is God who became a man for our salvation.  This identification of God as the water-walker is made in the Old Testament:  Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unknown [Psalm 77:19].  Perhaps it is even clearer in Job 9:8:…who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea (LXX translation:  …walks on the sea as on firm ground). 

Jesus Walks on Water

(Matthew 14:22-33; John 6:16-25)

45 Καὶ  εὐθὺς  ἠνάγκασεν  τοὺς  μαθητὰς  αὐτοῦ  ἐμβῆναι  εἰς  τὸ  πλοῖον  καὶ  προάγειν  εἰς  τὸ  πέραν  πρὸς  Βηθσαϊδάν,  ἕως  αὐτὸς  ἀπολύει  τὸν  ὄχλον.  

Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 

46 καὶ  ἀποταξάμενος  αὐτοῖς  ἀπῆλθεν  εἰς  τὸ  ὄρος  προσεύξασθαι.

     And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.

47 καὶ  ὀψίας  γενομένης  ἦν  τὸ  πλοῖον  ἐν  μέσῳ  τῆς  θαλάσσης,  καὶ  αὐτὸς  μόνος  ἐπὶ  τῆς  γῆς. 

     And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land

48 καὶ  ἰδὼν  αὐτοὺς  βασανιζομένους  ἐν  τῷ  ἐλαύνειν,  ἦν  γὰρ  ὁ  ἄνεμος  ἐναντίος  αὐτοῖς,  περὶ  τετάρτην  φυλακὴν  τῆς  νυκτὸς  ἔρχεται  πρὸς  αὐτοὺς  περιπατῶν  ἐπὶ  τῆς  θαλάσσης•  καὶ  ἤθελεν  παρελθεῖν  αὐτούς. 

And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them  

49 οἱ  δὲ  ἰδόντες  αὐτὸν  ἐπὶ  τῆς  θαλάσσης  περιπατοῦντα  ἔδοξαν  ὅτι  φάντασμά  ἐστιν,  καὶ  ἀνέκραξαν• 

but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out  

50 πάντες  γὰρ  αὐτὸν  εἶδον*  καὶ  ἐταράχθησαν.  ὁ  δὲ  εὐθὺς  ἐλάλησεν  μετ’  αὐτῶν,  καὶ  λέγει  αὐτοῖς  Θαρσεῖτε,  ἐγώ  εἰμι,  μὴ  φοβεῖσθε. 

for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”  

51 καὶ  ἀνέβη  πρὸς  αὐτοὺς  εἰς  τὸ  πλοῖον,  καὶ  ἐκόπασεν  ὁ  ἄνεμος•  καὶ  λίαν  ἐκ  περισσοῦ  ἐν  ἑαυτοῖς  ἐξίσταντο• 

And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded  

52 οὐ  γὰρ  συνῆκαν  ἐπὶ  τοῖς  ἄρτοις,  ἀλλ’  ἦν  αὐτῶν  ἡ  καρδία  πεπωρωμένη. 

     for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened

Time in the Word - Proper 12

Time in the Word 

Pentecost 10 –Proper 12

July 19-24 2021

In the lessons for this coming Sunday, God’s promises are given and the Lord remembers those promises while man might not. The Lord promises Noah and his family that He will never again destroy the earth by a flood. In the Epistle lesson Paul thanks the Lord for the richness of grace which the Lord has established in Christ. In the Gospel Christ comes walking to His frightened disciples on the sea. They do not recognize Him because of fear and hardness of heart. The sermon hymn reminds us that it is the Lord Himself that orders our days. Faith calls for us to recognize the Lord working in our life especially when we can not see His hand at work. God will not abandon us to the world we create for ourselves.  God does not withdraw to a contamination-free zone and leave us to get on with it, but enters into the darkness, seriousness and consequences of human wrong-doing … in order to save us.

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 defended 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 Sunday Proper 12 –Almighty and most merciful God, the protector of all who trust in You, strengthen our faith and give us courage to believe that in Your love You will rescue us from all adversities; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. . Amen

Monday, 19 July 2021—Psalm 145:1-3, 6-7, Antiphon, Psalm 145:5.On the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.  This is a hymn summarizing the characteristics of God. It is in acrostic form, making it easy to memorize: each verse in Hebrew begins with a successive letter of the alphabet. Vv. 1-3 are the psalmist’s personal expression of praise. In v. 4, he expands to speaking of descendants, of passing on knowledge and experience of God. God is known for his “wondrous works” (v. 5). In vv. 8-20, he expands still further, to “all people” (v. 12). Vv. 8-9 mention his love, vv. 10-13a his kingship over all, vv. 14-20 of his care of all in need. 

Responsiveness to his call brings protection (v. 20a) but those who oppose his ways will be destroyed. Finally, v. 21 combines the personal commitment to God with that of “all flesh”.

Tuesday, 20 July 2021—Psalm 136:1-9; key verse v26— The phrase “the God of heaven” (v.26) is a Persian title for God found frequently in Ezra, Nehemiah and Daniel. The Psalm is a liturgy of praise to the Lord as Creator and as Israel’s Redeemer. Its theme and many of its verses parallel much of Psalm 135. Most likely a Levitical song leader led the recital which the choir or worshipers responded with the refrain. The Psalm recounts God’s mighty acts as the psalmist devotes six verse to God’s creation acts (Vv.1-3) six to His deliverance of Israel out of Egypt (Vv.10-15) one to the desert journey (v. 16) and six to the conquest (Vv.17-22) The four concluding verses return to the same basic themes in reverse order; God’s action in history ion behalf of His people (Vv.23-24), God’s action in the creation order (v.25) and a closing call to praise (v.26).

Wednesday, 21 July 2021— Genesis 9:8-17— We need to recognize the reality and depth of human resistance to God.  That is seen in killing Jesus.  What we call “sin” is not just the naughty things we do that make the tabloid headlines.  Sin can be deadly and destructive.  It has consequences.  And it offends. There is a deep seriousness to human wrong-doing – sin – that means that consequences cannot simply be bypassed. 

We can either turn away from them, or we can wrestle with them. Here we see God’s refusal to be marginalized. The next time instead of destroying the world through a flood He will turn His wrath on His own Son.

Thursday, 22 July 2021—Ephesians 3:14-21 —   This section of the letter offers a bit of relief from the heavy theological portions that have been read up to this point. It presents a moment of tenderness, in which the author speaks directly to his readers about his care for them. He speaks of his prayer for his readers, which he does on bended knee.  

Paul, like other apostles, had been entrusted with revelation by the Spirit. Specifically, it had been revealed to him that Gentiles, who receive the gospel in faith, are fellow heirs of the promises of God. They too are members of the body of Christ, and therefore they have access to God. "For this reason," the author prays that his readers may be strengthened in spiritual power, love, and knowledge.

Friday, 23 July 2021—Mark 6:45-56 —In Mark 1:16-20 when Jesus called Simon, Andrew, James, and John without any apparent previous knowledge of Jesus, they left everything immediately and followed him. What had they recognized in Jesus? It is remarkable that none of the gospels provide a physical description of Jesus. We will never be able to pin him down by virtue of his appearance. Rather, we will always have to recognize Jesus for who He is and what He does. It is more than the miracles and healings Jesus performed or the things he taught. It may actually take the gift of faith to recognize the one who died on the cross as the Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

Saturday, 24 July 2021—Psalm 37:5 - Sunday’s hymn of the day Entrust Your Days and Burdens, (LSB 754).  In the midst of our busy and hurried lives it is easy to loose sight that it is the Lord who orders our days and directs our path. Thus the hymn writer will remind us, “For He who guides the tempests along their thunderous ways will find for you a pathway and guide you all your days.” Place you confidence in Him. He can be trusted at His word. We can rely on Him as we recall what He has done. 

Sources 

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

"Te Deum" copyright © Ed Rioja Higher Things

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘Noah's Thanksgiving and Sacrifice’ copyright © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Proper 12 Series A

Proper 12 Series A

Proper 12
(26 July 2020)
Series A

Deuteronomy 7:6–9
Romans 8:28–39
Matthew 13:44–52

The Son of God Has Redeemed Us for Himself with His Holy and Precious Blood

The Lord our God has chosen us to be “his treasured possession,” not because of any strength in us, but solely “because the Lord loves” us (Deuteronomy 7:6–8). He is faithful, and He “keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments” (Deuteronomy 7:9). He has searched for us and found us in love, and He has bestowed on us “great value” by the great price that He has paid on the cross. (Matthew 13:45–46). 

In His joy, He has redeemed us by His cross and gathered us into His Kingdom by the Gospel. Now we are “hidden in a field,” covered by the cross and subject to the persecution of the world (Matthew 13:44), not for destruction, but “to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29). 

Since we “are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28), and because Christ Jesus died, rose again and lives to intercede for us “at the right hand of God” (Romans 8:34), there is nothing in all creation that can separate us from “the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39).

Almighty and everlasting God, give us an increase of faith, hope and love that, receiving what You have promises, we may love what You have commanded; through Jesus Christ our Lord, 

He Bought the Entire Field!
Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Brege

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (Matthew 13:44)

When Jesus taught in parables, such a method of teaching was not totally foreign to the Jews of His day.  Jewish rabbis had certain stock “picture words” that they used in their teaching (e.g. harvest represented judgment; marriage indicated the beginning of the Messianic age; birds often showed the presence of gentiles or evil spirits; the field was the world.).  What was strange about Christ’s parables was their mysterious nature along with His use of new “picture words” which gave to His parables an apparent lack of clarity.  This fulfilled what Jesus earlier explained, that He spoke in parables so that “…seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. (13:13)” Christ’s parables were intended to be wrestled with.  As it turns out, many sayings of Jesus gain clarity and focus when one sees them through the lens of His death and resurrection.

In the mini-parable quoted above, Jesus speaks of a treasure.  What is this treasure?  This treasure is “hidden in a field” and the man of the parable covers it up until he can buy the field.  Unfolded in the writings of the Apostles, the treasure can be understood to be the people whom God foreknew and predestined to be saved. But the remarkable nature of this treasure was that God hid it; the Jewish people didn’t perceive that God treasured not just the descendants of Israel but also people who would come from every nation.  Throughout the entire New Testament the Apostle Paul makes this truth abundantly clear—that Christ came also to save Gentiles predestined to eternal life.  A reference that has bearing on this hidden treasure is recorded in Ephesians 3:4-6:  “When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known [It was hidden!] to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”

Using a stock “picture word” of other rabbis, Jesus explains that the man in the parable did not merely buy the treasure, but he bought the entire field.  Recall that “field” often represented the world, thus this was recognized as the purchase of the world!  Indeed the man sold all that He had to make this unbelievable purchase.  If the man is God the Father, then the “man” gave His greatest treasure, His Son.  See John 3:16 in relation to this.  Or consider 2 Corinthians 5:19, “…that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ.” If the man is the Son of God, then we can recognize the treasure to be His very life-blood, shed to purchase the world.  Consider then verses like, “He died for all (2 Co 5:14),” or “He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world (1 Jo 2:2).”

God bought the world!  It then makes perfect sense that not just Jews but Gentiles are “fellow heirs” of the world-wide salvation purchased by Christ’s death and resurrection; Gentiles are eligible to hear the Gospel, the good news that Christ’s blood has purchased the world.  With Christ’s death and resurrection at the center of the Christian faith, it makes sense that we can perceive meaning in this parable of Jesus by viewing it through the lens of His death and resurrection.

copyright (c) Indiana District LCMS

Matthew 13:44-54

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

44 Ὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν θησαυρῷ κεκρυμμένῳ ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ, ὃν εὑρὼν ἄνθρωπος ἔκρυψεν, καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς χαρᾶς αὐτοῦ ὑπάγει καὶ πωλεῖ πάντα ὅσα ἔχει καὶ ἀγοράζει τὸν ἀγρὸν ἐκεῖνον.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value

45 Πάλιν ὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν  ἀνθρώπῳ ἐμπόρῳ ζητοῦντι καλοὺς μαργαρίτας• 

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 

46 εὑρὼν δὲ ἕνα πολύτιμον μαργαρίτην ἀπελθὼν πέπρακεν πάντα ὅσα εἶχεν καὶ ἠγόρασεν αὐτόν.

who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

The Parable about the net

47 Πάλιν ὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν σαγήνῃ βληθείσῃ εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν καὶ ἐκ παντὸς γένους συναγαγούσῃ• 

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.

48 ἣν ὅτε ἐπληρώθη ἀναβιβάσαντες ἐπὶ τὸν αἰγιαλὸν καὶ καθίσαντες συνέλεξαν τὰ καλὰ εἰς ἄγγη, τὰ δὲ σαπρὰ ἔξω ἔβαλον. 

When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. 

49 οὕτως ἔσται ἐν τῇ συντελείᾳ τοῦ αἰῶνος• ἐξελεύσονται οἱ ἄγγελοι καὶ ἀφοριοῦσιν τοὺς πονηροὺς ἐκ μέσου τῶν δικαίων 

So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous

50 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.

New and Old Treasures

51 Συνήκατε ταῦτα πάντα; λέγουσιν αὐτῷ• Ναί. 

“Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.”

52 ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς• Διὰ τοῦτο πᾶς γραμματεὺς μαθητευθεὶς τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν ὅμοιός ἐστιν ἀνθρώπῳ οἰκοδεσπότῃ ὅστις ἐκβάλλει ἐκ τοῦ θησαυροῦ αὐτοῦ καινὰ καὶ παλαιά. 

 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

Jesus rejected at Nazareth

53 καὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε ἐτέλεσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τὰς παραβολὰς ταύτας, μετῆρεν ἐκεῖθεν.

 And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, 

54 καὶ ἐλθὼν εἰς τὴν πατρίδα αὐτοῦ ἐδίδασκεν αὐτοὺς ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ αὐτῶν, ὥστε ἐκπλήσσεσθαι αὐτοὺς καὶ λέγειν• Πόθεν τούτῳ ἡ σοφία αὕτη καὶ αἱ δυνάμεις;

 and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works?

Footnotes:

 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 7 - Proper 12

Pentecost 7 – Proper 12
28 July 2019
Luke 11:1-13
Your prayers are the voice of faith
 

O Lord, the Protector of all who trust in You, without whom nothing is strong and nothing is holy, increase and multiply Your mercy on us that with You as our Ruler and Guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

"I’ll give you what you want so long as you will…go away!” We’ve each experienced such annoyances and frustrations. From the belligerent and aggressive telemarketer who knows exactly when you sit down to eat to an obnoxious friend. We contribute to a cause not because we are so noble. To the contrary, all too often we give in, submitting to their wishes and demands to acquire for ourselves, a little peace. 

How then are we to approach God? Jesus gives us insight as we consider approaching our Father in prayer. 

After repeated request -you receive mercy.

1. Sometimes we get what we want because we badger people – pounding them into submission.

A. We submit to others, we get what we want, or we press others to do for us – because we know which buttons to push. Try reasoning with a three – year -old. It does not work! They know exactly which button to push! Yours!

B. Some equate prayer, or answers to pray similar to debates parents have with toddlers.  They believe  the only way to get something from God is to first get His attention by complaining until we are heard.

Transition: We do not have to argue with God forcing Him to hear us. He understands us.

2. Not so with the Father. He knows your need.

A. Your heavenly Father knows your needs already. He not so distant that He has to be pushed or driven into submission. We do not have to provoke the Lord. We do not have to wake Him up or stand on our head to gain His attention. 

B. We do not even have to initiate the conversation. Before there is a word spoken from your tongue. He knows it altogether. Before there is even a thought in your mind. Your heavenly Father knows it already.

Transition: As the Father knows you, He is able to provide for all your needs.

3. When you request of the Lord in prayer He will always answer according to your need.

A. Every petition, every request, every plea that we cry out to God has already been answered. The answer is already there for you to receive. Your only prayer needs to be, “Thy will be don Lord!” Recall the explanation give to us from Luther’s Catechism, “The will of God is done indeed without our prayer; but we pray is this petition that it may be done among us also.” 

B. The good and gracious will of God includes – everything that God wants to do for us according to His promise. “God would have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” – 1 Timothy 2:4

C. The good and gracious will of God includes – everything that God wants us to suffer patiently according to His good pleasure. “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” – Matthew 16:24

D. The good and gracious will of God includes – everything God wants us to do as well as avoid – according to His will.  “This is the will of God, even your sanctification.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:3

Transition: You do not have to worry approaching the Father. Every request will be answered by grace for Jesus’ sake.  

4. Every request, every petition, we be answered with grace. 

A. There is no need to worry about holdouts. You do not have to wait for Him to be in a good mood for Him to act. You do not have to worry about Him changing His mind or going back on His Word. His mind is already made up. His Word is clear – “I am the Lord and I change not!”  - Malachi 3:6

B. The Father knows only how to give only good and perfect gifts. This is why we pray. We pray that God would strengthen and preserve us steadfast in His Word and faith unto our end; so that we may at all times do His will as gladly as the angels in heaven. 

C. We pray that God would in all suffering keep us faithful to our end. “He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” – 1 Corinthians 12:9

So what does this mean? God would be these words tenderly invite us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that we may with all boldness and confidence ask –as dear children ask their dear father.

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Words – 835
Passive Sentences – 5% 
Readability – 79.1
Reading Level – 5.3