Pr. DFD : Proper 21

Showing posts with label Proper 21. Show all posts

Saturday, September 23, 2023

Proper 21 - Series A notes

Proper 21 "A"

(25 Sept—1 Oct)

Ezekiel 18:1–4, 25–32

Philippians 2:1–4 (5–13) 14–18

Matthew 21:23–27 (28–32)

The Cross of Christ Opens to Us the Way of Repentance to Life with God

The way of the Lord is righteous and just: “the soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4). However, because the Lord has “no pleasure in the death of anyone.” (Ezekiel 18:32), He calls sinners to repentance and faith in His gracious forgiveness of sins. The man who is thus turned away from his wickedness, who henceforth lives by the grace of God, “shall surely live; he shall not die” (Ezekiel 18:28). This way of repentance has been opened for us by the cross of Christ. In the righteousness of faith and love, “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death” (Philippians 2:8), and He was vindicated in His resurrection from the dead. Indeed, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). He has given us this name in our Baptism into Christ, in whom we now “shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). He uses the authority that He has received from His Father (Matthew 21:23–27) to preach a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, by which even “the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God” (Matthew 21:31–32).

Christ’s Authority

Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Brege

“By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” (Matthew 21:23)

The priests had been authorized by God to lead and direct the matters of the Jewish temple. The elders of the Jews were regarded as the authorized leaders of the Jewish community. These two groups, which clearly had authority to perform their various religious tasks, now approach the man Jesus who the day before had authoritatively entered the temple and overturned the tables of money changers as well as the seats of the pigeon-sellers. As they now approach Him the day after He “cleansed” the Temple He acts as though the temple belongs to Him, and in the Temple He now teaches with unequaled authority.

These authorized leaders now approach Jesus with the question, By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority? They ignore the fact that from His baptism onward Jesus had been conveying the source of His authority. Many thus realized Him to be the Christ, the Son of God, and that from these two “positions” Jesus possessed authority never seen before. As the Christ, the Son of God, He had authority in and over the Temple. But what had the Christ, the Son of God been given special authority to accomplish? Was His authority only given so He would “clean up” the Temple both with His actions and with His teaching?

When He first cleansed the Temple at the beginning of His ministry, Jesus actually conveyed what He had been given authority to accomplish: Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up (Jn 2:19). In this veiled statement He was describing His death and resurrection. Later, when Jesus spoke of Himself as the Good Shepherd, He specifically used the word “authority” to describe His central work: I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father (John 10:17,18). In this statement Jesus explains how He had been given the charge and the authority by His Father to lay His life down and then to take it up again.

Forty days after completing His authorized work to die and rise again, Jesus explains His omni-authority in His final “commission” spoken to His Apostles: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me (Mt 28:19). Truly after His resurrection, having entered His State of Exaltation, the man Jesus has been given the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee must bow. As a man He now fully uses the omni-authority He always possessed as the Son of God.

And what does this man with infinite authority do? He uses this authority to institute Christian Baptism. We should all the more appreciate and treasure what Baptism is, for Christ now identifies Baptism as primary in relation to what He has been authorized to accomplish and create. Looking at what led up to Christ’s institution of Holy Baptism we should not be surprised at the importance of Christian Baptism, for John was authorized to baptize, performing this pre-sacrament as preparatory for Holy Baptism. And Christ’s very death and resurrection—the primary action Christ was authorized to perform—accomplishes salvation and this salvation is foundational to and miraculously conveyed in this wondrous washing. The Apostles’ writings explain much more about this Christ-empowered Sacrament. Indeed, as Jesus explains in this “Great Commission”, disciples are made through Holy Baptism.

Those who doubt the power and deep meaning in the Baptism performed by pastors may ask, By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority? Answer: The omni-authority of the crucified and risen Christ has authorized these things to be so.

The Cross of Christ Opens to Us the Way of Repentance to Life with God

Collect for Proper 21 - Almighty God, You exalted Your Son to the place of all honor and authority. Enlighten our minds by Your Holy Spirit that, confessing Jesus as Lord, we may be led into all truth; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

:23 Καὶ ἐλθόντος αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν προσῆλθον αὐτῷ διδάσκοντι οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι τοῦ λαοῦ λέγοντες• Ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιεῖς; καὶ τίς σοι ἔδωκεν τὴν ἐξουσίαν ταύτην;

And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”

-By what authority do you do "these things?" - Jesus had just entered Jerusalem and cleansed the Temple after P Sunday...This is Tuesday of Holy Week "Of what kind of authority?" they had previously accused him of demon possession...where does it come from and is it any good?

:24 ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς• Ἐρωτήσω ὑμᾶς κἀγὼ λόγον ἕνα, ὃν ἐὰν εἴπητέ μοι κἀγὼ ὑμῖν ἐρῶ ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιῶ•

Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things.

-Which if you will tell me and also to you by what authority these things I do. Remember, Jesus never answers a question in unbelief.

:25 τὸ βάπτισμα τὸ Ἰωάννου πόθεν ἦν; ἐξ οὐρανοῦ ἢ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων; οἱ δὲ διελογίζοντο ἐν ἑαυτοῖς λέγοντες• Ἐὰν εἴπωμεν• Ἐξ οὐρανοῦ, ἐρεῖ ἡμῖν• Διὰ τί οὖν οὐκ ἐπιστεύσατε αὐτῷ;

The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’

The baptism of John, from whence was it heaven or man? Why you not follow?

:26 ἐὰν δὲ εἴπωμεν• Ἐξ ἀνθρώπων, φοβούμεθα τὸν ὄχλον, πάντες γὰρ ὡς προφήτην ἔχουσιν τὸν Ἰωάννην.

But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”

:27 καὶ ἀποκριθέντες τῷ Ἰησοῦ εἶπαν• Οὐκ οἴδαμεν. ἔφη αὐτοῖς καὶ αὐτός• Οὐδὲ ἐγὼ λέγω ὑμῖν ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιῶ.

So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

-“if we say from man we fear the crowd for they hold John as a prophet...neither will I say to you.” They have the authority yet fear the left hand kingdom. They fear the crowd. To agree with John is to agree with Jesus, which, answers their own question.

The Parable of the Two Sons

:28 Τί δὲ ὑμῖν δοκεῖ; ἄνθρωπος εἶχεν τέκνα δύο. προσελθὼν τῷ πρώτῳ εἶπεν• Τέκνον, ὕπαγε σήμερον ἐργάζου ἐν τῷ ἀμπελῶνι.

What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’

- child today work in the vineyard but he replied I don't want to! But he repented, was sorry, changed his emotions, felt contrite.

:29 ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν• Οὐ θέλω• ὕστερον δὲ μεταμεληθεὶς ἀπῆλθεν.

And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went.

- coming to the other he said " I go" but did not...

:30 προσελθὼν δὲ τῷ δευτέρῳ εἶπεν ὡσαύτως• ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν• Ἐγώ, κύριε• καὶ οὐκ ἀπῆλθεν.

And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go.

- Which of the two did the will of the Father. Jesus said tax collectors and porn stars will enter before you. Turn and believe in Him.

:31 τίς ἐκ τῶν δύο ἐποίησεν τὸ θέλημα τοῦ πατρός; λέγουσιν• Ὁ πρῶτος. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς• Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι οἱ τελῶναι καὶ αἱ πόρναι προάγουσιν ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ.

Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.

:32 ἦλθεν γὰρ Ἰωάννης πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐν ὁδῷ δικαιοσύνης, καὶ οὐκ ἐπιστεύσατε αὐτῷ• οἱ δὲ τελῶναι καὶ αἱ πόρναι ἐπίστευσαν αὐτῷ• ὑμεῖς δὲ ἰδόντες οὐδὲ μετεμελήθητε ὕστερον τοῦ πιστεῦσαι αὐτῷ.

For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

_________

“God of love, You know our frailties and failings. Give us Your grace to overcome them; keep us from these things that harm us; and guide us in the way of salvation.”

The Bible testifies to the fact that all are sinners, whether in the church or in the world. In that event, why become a Christian? Why become committed to Jesus Christ? If all are sinners, even Christians, who can be saved? It is important for Christians to realize they are sinners lest they become holier-than-thou in their attitude toward non- Christians.

It is not a matter of being a sinner; it matters what kind of sinner you are. One type is missing and another is retrieved and reinstated. The two sons represent two kinds of sinners.

1. The lost sinner — the one who said, “I go, sir” — v. 30.

A. He had respect and piety — “Sir.” One of the sons was very polite and respectful of his father. He addressed him as “Sir.” This son said he would go to work as the father expected. He gave the right answer and showed the proper respect, but he was not as good as his word. This son represents “religious people” who know the right things to say in worship and prayer and in life.

They consent to God’s laws and make promises to obey, but do nothing. They gave confession without execution. The have “rigor without submission Orthodoxy without obedience”.[1]

Jesus says these people do not get into the kingdom. They failed to repent. This does not mean that we are saved by acts of obedience, but it points out that a superficial and artificial relationship with God does not count. How so? They fail in two respects.

B. They give only lip service — He said emphatically: “I go.” There are the obedient ones who refuse to obey. They see no need for Christ.

C. They fail to act. He cannot do what he promised. He can not produce —“but did not go.” Failed to do what he said – “but did not go” Lip service is inadequate, but how can we do the Father’s will and not simply say, “I will”?

Transition: The way of righteousness is that Jesus calls us sinful sons to enter the kingdom through repentance. This involves sorrow over our sins and faith that God has forgiven our sins and declared us righteous because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit He gives us a God given resolve to be righteous in our every day life.

2. The saved sinner — v. 29. He repented and He obeyed.

When the religious leaders heard the Baptist’s call to repentance, they did not heed it, while the sinners of the day did. It was shocking to the professional religious leaders that Jesus claimed the sinners and not the religious ones were in the kingdom. He is a sinner –yet saved by grace.

B. He repented –He turned from his sinful ways. He came to the understanding that he was in need of a change in his life. He turned from his evil ways. The way of righteousness is that Jesus calls us sinful sons to enter the kingdom through repentance.

This involves sorrow over our sins; and faith that God has in fact forgiven our sins and declared us righteous. This has happened because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

C. He Obeyed — “He went.” He is the disobedient who now obeys.

1. They turn from evil to good

2. They respond to Christ.

Notice that there is action to the young man’s resolve. By the power of the Holy Spirit there is a God pleasing resolve to be righteous. It is Jesus Christ who has changed us. It is His Holy Spirit which works in us to will and to do the Father’s good and gracious will.

"Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The latter." Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you that the tax-gatherers and harlots will get into the kingdom of God before you.” -Matthew 21:31

He who has entered the kingdom through repentance loves not just in word but in deed and in truth; his faith is not dead, without works, but alive and bearing fruit.

See “BOBO’s in Paradise” by David Brooks

Time in the Word - Proper 21

A Study for Proper 21

September 25-30, 2023

Repent & Live

In the Lessons for this week, we deal with sin and an appeal to turn to God for mercy. The Gospel lesson tells of two sons, one of whom repented and entered the Kingdom even though at first he disobeyed the Father. Through Ezekiel, God appeals to sinners to repent lest they die, for His will is for everyone to live. In the Epistle lesson, Paul deals with the problem of disunity in the Philippian congregation resulting from selfishness and arrogance, and appeals for unity by adopting the humble mind of Christ. The suggested Psalm deals with the theme by asking God not to remember the sins of our youth and appealing to God’s mercy and steadfast love.

Collect for Proper 21 – Almighty God, You exalted Your Son to the place of all honor and authority. Enlighten our minds by Your Holy Spirit that, confessing Jesus as Lord, we may be led into all truth;

Lord God heavenly Father, since we cannot stand before You relying on anything we have done, help us trust in Your abiding grace and live according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

O God, You are the Strength of all who put their trust in You. Mercifully accept our prayer, and because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing without Your help, grant us the help of Your grace that, keeping Your commandments, we may please You in both will and deed.

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.

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 ourselves and others in Your holy faith.

Monday, September 25, 2023 – Psalm 147:1-5, Antiphon, verse 6 – “The Lord lifts up the humble He casts the wicked to the ground.” Those who acknowledge that they are without resources in and of themselves, the Lord lifts up while others who trust in themselves will be cast down. This is the definition of faith.

Tuesday, September 26, 2023 – Psalm 25:1-10 – The Psalm appointed for next week has as the key verse, verse 6, “Be mindful of thy mercy, O Lord, and of thy steadfast love, for they have been from of old.” The Psalmist asks the Lord to remember the Lord’s long-standing mercy and love but not to remember his long-standing sin.

Wednesday, September 27, 2023 – Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 – God wants all to repent and live. In Sunday’s first reading, God appeals to Israel to repent and live. Turn from evil to good and you shall live. With that we can agree, but the rub comes in making the turn. What will create a desire to change? Where does one get the power to break away from sin to walk in righteousness? The answer is in “a new heart and a new spirit.” But how does one get a new heart? This takes us to Jesus who said, “You must be born new.” Thus, one does not straighten out his life and then come to Jesus. He comes to Jesus as he is in sin and gets a new spirit. He then follows a new way of life.

Thursday, September 28, 2023 –Philippians 2:1-4, 14-18 – Turn from conceit to humility for unity. Paul in the Epistle lesson appeals for unity in the Philippian congregation. Paul, in appealing for unity, presents Jesus as the model of humanity and obedience. Paul pleads for unity in the congregation at Philippi. He uses Jesus as an example of humility. In this lesson Paul shows the dual reality of the humanity and divinity of Jesus. His deity is indicated by the words, “in the form of God” and “equality with God.” His humanity is expressed in the phrases, “emptied himself,” “the likeness of men,” “in human form,” “obedient unto death.” This humility and obedience led to Christ’s exaltation. It is God’s will that every tongue confess Him as Lord. In the light of this, Christians are to work out their salvation as God works in them.

What is the solution to lack of church unity? Paul urges his people to have the mind of Christ. His mind was one of humility demonstrated in His taking the form of a servant and dying on a cross.

Humility is expressed by considering others better than yourself and being concerned more about others than yourself. Arrogance and pride divide and cause trouble while humility draws together into a unity.

Friday, September 29, 2023 – Matthew 21:23-27 – The sinner who repents enters the Kingdom of God. The Gospel lesson tells of two sons, one of whom repented and entered the Kingdom even though at first he disobeyed the Father. In the Parable of the Two Sons we learn a valuable lesson concerning sin and an appeal to turn to God for mercy. With this parable, Jesus confronts the religious leaders of His time (priests, scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees) who condemn Jesus for His association with sinners (publicans, prostitutes, and so on).

This one son who says, “I go” but does not, represents the religious leaders. The other son who says, “I will not go” but later changes his mind and obeys, represents the sinners. Moreover, Jesus points out that when the religious leaders saw sinners repenting upon hearing John the Baptist, they still did not repent. Consequently, the sinners will enter the kingdom before the leaders will.

Here is a case of repentance in action. One son refused to go to work in his father’s vineyard. Then he changed his mind and went to work. This about-face, change of mind from disobedience, from no to yes, from going in the wrong direction to turning in the right direction is the meaning of repentance. When the religious leaders heard the Baptist’s call to repentance, they did not heed it, while the sinners of the day did. It was shocking to the professional religious leaders that Jesus claimed the sinners and not the religious ones were in the kingdom.

Saturday, September 30, 2023 – John 8:31 – This passage is the inspiration for the hymn, “Lord Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word.” Faith clings to the Lord and His teaching. We are called to be faithful; faithful to the Lord, to His Word, to each other.

Sources:

Sunday, September 18, 2022

Proper 21 Series C

Proper 21 "C"

(25 Sept—1 Oct)

Amos 6:1-7
Psalm 146 (antiphon v.2)
1 Timothy 3:1-13
Luke 16:19-31

O God, You are the strength of all who trust in You, and without Your Aid we can do no good thing. Grant us the help of Your grace that we may please You in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Our Help Is Not in Worldly Riches

“The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side,” and “the rich man also died and was buried” (Luke 16:22). The poor man, Lazarus, who knew many bad things on earth, began to be comforted forever, whereas the rich man, after a lifetime of good things, began to be “in anguish” (Luke 16:25). Therefore, “woe to those who are at ease in Zion” (Amos 6:1), for “the revelry of those who stretch themselves out shall pass away” (Amos 6:7).

The wealthy are urged “not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches,” but “to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share” (1 Timothy 6:17–18). Covetous desire for what God has not given is idolatry and “a root of all kinds of evils” (1 Timothy 6:10). Contentment belongs to faith, by which the Christian has “great gain” in godliness (1 Timothy 6:6).

There is only one way forward. The debts of our enemies must be treated as the debts of the poor. Our enemies will not have enough to pay us. If these debts cannot be paid (and they can’t), then they can only be forgiven. Or, perhaps, someone else can loan them what is needed.
And here we come to the verse from Proverbs: “He who gives to the poor makes a debtor of God.” The Scriptures add: “And He will pay him.” Proverbs 19:17

The parable of Lazarus and the rich man presents to us a gulf born of greed; an attitude of callous indifference toward suffering. The man would not change. Instead, he horded wealth. With no thought for others.

The Ultimate insult – a disregard for Moses and the Prophets or the One man who would rise from the dead. The moral of the story? Listen to the Law and the Prophets. They point to Christ. Look to Jesus. He suffered all to grant mercy and pity. He offers clemency and pardon for your sin.

The Rich Man and Lazarus

:19 Ἄνθρωπος δέ τις ἦν πλούσιος, καὶ ἐνεδιδύσκετο πορφύραν καὶ βύσσον εὐφραινόμενος καθ’ ἡμέραν λαμπρῶς.
There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.

- should the variant readings which provide the rich man's name be considered? ~ The point, "Lazarus" is given a name. A certain rich man dressed in purple and looking good living splendidly in fine linen.

Scriptures only call rich negatively those who worship their goods regardless of the quantity of the goods.

:20 πτωχὸς δέ τις ὀνόματι Λάζαρος ἐβέβλητο πρὸς τὸν πυλῶνα αὐτοῦ εἱλκωμένος
And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,

:21 καὶ ἐπιθυμῶν χορτασθῆναι [c]ἀπὸ τῶν πιπτόντων ἀπὸ τῆς τραπέζης τοῦ πλουσίου• ἀλλὰ καὶ οἱ κύνες ἐρχόμενοι ἐπέλειχον τὰ ἕλκη αὐτοῦ.
who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores

:22 ἐγένετο δὲ ἀποθανεῖν τὸν πτωχὸν καὶ ἀπενεχθῆναι αὐτὸν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀγγέλων εἰς τὸν κόλπον Ἀβραάμ• ἀπέθανεν δὲ καὶ ὁ πλούσιος καὶ ἐτάφη.
The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side.[a] The rich man also died and was buried

-The account preserves into perpetuity the name of the "insignificant" beggar Lazarus. His poor estate is graphically portrayed. "full of sores" only appears here. Lazarus finds himself at the rich man's gate.

-The rich man's neglect of Lazarus signals his failure to "make friends for himself when the day of changed circumstances comes" and worldly wealth shall fail. See v. 9 from last week's text.

-Longing desiring to be fed from what was falling from the rich man's table. "Lick" only appears here. He was despised, rejected, acquainted with grief.

-The critical day, when circumstances change.

Note, the festive treatment of Lazarus contrasts with the stark description of the rich man's sad end.

-" ὁ πλούσιος καὶ ἐτάφη" - why Lazarus is carried to heaven is NOT part of the concern of the narrative.

-The point of the parable is to warn the self-centered and point to the Scriptures as their resource for planning ahead. It does not propose the equivalence of financial poverty and a state of grace. The name "Lazarus" literally means "He (whom) God helps."

-Note the contrast Lazarus is given a name the rich man is simply plopped into the ground.

:23 καὶ ἐν τῷ ᾅδῃ ἐπάρας τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ, ὑπάρχων ἐν βασάνοις, [e]ὁρᾷ Ἀβραὰμ ἀπὸ μακρόθεν καὶ Λάζαρον ἐν τοῖς κόλποις αὐτοῦ.
and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.

- The plight of the rich man is described. The point (directing people to heed the Scriptures) requires that the rich man and Lazarus be portrayed as separated yet able to communicate.

:24 καὶ αὐτὸς φωνήσας εἶπεν• Πάτερ Ἀβραάμ, ἐλέησόν με καὶ πέμψον Λάζαρον ἵνα βάψῃ τὸ ἄκρον τοῦ δακτύλου αὐτοῦ ὕδατος καὶ καταψύξῃ τὴν γλῶσσάν μου, ὅτι ὀδυνῶμαι ἐν τῇ φλογὶ ταύτῃ.
and he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.

- The Rich man now begs for what he did not give; mercy, care, relief from suffering. He cried "Kyrie Eleison!" but did NOT receive it. He still thinks Lazarus is there to serve him!

:25 εἶπεν δὲ Ἀβραάμ• Τέκνον, μνήσθητι ὅτι ἀπέλαβες τὰ ἀγαθά σου ἐν τῇ ζωῇ σου, καὶ Λάζαρος ὁμοίως τὰ κακά• νῦν δὲ ὧδε παρακαλεῖται σὺ δὲ ὀδυνᾶσαι.
But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.

:26 καὶ ἐν πᾶσι τούτοις μεταξὺ ἡμῶν καὶ ὑμῶν χάσμα μέγα ἐστήρικται, ὅπως οἱ θέλοντες διαβῆναι ἔνθεν πρὸς ὑμᾶς μὴ δύνωνται, [h]μηδὲ ἐκεῖθεν πρὸς ἡμᾶς διαπερῶσιν.
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.

-Note: The parable has not yet come to an end!

-This is more than karma. It is the great reversal. See the Magnificat.

-Abraham remains kind but will not call him "son" but rather "child" or "boy!"

-Neither poverty nor riches are virtues! Your best life now is the way of American Christianity but not Scriptural.

-Speaks against both purgatory and universalism.

:27 εἶπεν δέ• Ἐρωτῶ σε οὖν, πάτερ, ἵνα πέμψῃς αὐτὸν εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ πατρός μου,
and he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house

:28 ἔχω γὰρ πέντε ἀδελφούς, ὅπως διαμαρτύρηται αὐτοῖς, ἵνα μὴ καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔλθωσιν εἰς τὸν τόπον τοῦτον τῆς βασάνου.
for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

- The rich man still wants Lazarus to do his bidding! "If only in my lifetime a voice had warned me and instructed me how to plan ahead!"

:29 λέγει δὲ Ἀβραάμ• Ἔχουσι Μωϋσέα καὶ τοὺς προφήτας• ἀκουσάτωσαν αὐτῶν.
But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’

-The written word of God, the law and the prophets are all we have. The Writings are not meant to be excluded.

See Acts 3:24; Luke 24:25-27; John 5; "Moses wrote of me,"

:30 ὁ δὲ εἶπεν• Οὐχί, πάτερ Ἀβραάμ, ἀλλ’ ἐάν τις ἀπὸ νεκρῶν πορευθῇ πρὸς αὐτοὺς μετανοήσουσιν.
And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’

:31 εἶπεν δὲ αὐτῷ• Εἰ Μωϋσέως καὶ τῶν προφητῶν οὐκ ἀκούουσιν, οὐδ’ ἐάν τις ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀναστῇ πεισθήσονται.
He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

- Not a new idea! "Send someone back from the dead!" Yet God's Word is now available. It calls us to faith. It will not fail. It is Christ's testimony to the judgment and salvation that He will work.
______________
Footnotes:
- Luke 16:22 Greek bosom; also verse 23

- Illustration from a 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 used by permission for personal and congregational use.

Time in the Word - Proper 21

Time in the Word

Proper 21

19-24 September 2022

Concerned Christians

The lessons give us a picture of people in luxury, affluence, and leisure but without concern for the less fortunate. In the Gospel, the rich man (known to many as “Dives”) has no concern for the hungry man at his palace gates; the dogs have more compassion for Lazarus than he does. The Old Testament lesson shows us a people enjoying the height of prosperity but who have no concern for the future of the nation. In the Epistle lesson we are admonished not to be concerned about worldly possessions but about the attainment of spiritual values. This is driven home in the words of the hymn to the day “Lord, Thee I love with all my heart.” The theme of this day speaks to our American culture a people with more wealth comforts and leisure than any other nation in world history. Yet are many in our country still looking for contentment?

Father, You show Your almighty power in Your mercy and forgiveness. Continue to fill us with Your gifts of love. Help us to hurry toward the eternal life Your promise and come to share in the joy of Your kingdom. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen

Collect for Proper Twenty-one: O God, You are the strength of all who trust in You, and without Your aid we can do no good thing. Grant us the help of Your grace that we may please You in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.

Collect for Psalm 146: God of glory and power, happy indeed are those who have put their trust in You. Shine the brightness of Your light upon us, that we may love You always with a pure heart and praise Your forever; through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer against the love of money: Almighty God, heavenly Father, You have called us to be Your children and heirs of Your gracious promises in Christ Jesus. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may forsake all covetous desires and the inordinate love of riches. Deliver us from the pursuit of passing things that we may seek the kingdom of Your Son and trust in His righteousness and so find blessedness and peace; through Jesus Christ, or Lord.

Monday, 19 September 2022—Psalm 119: 73-75 antiphon, Psalm 119:76—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray, Let Your steadfast love comfort me according to Your promises to Your servant. Christ will comfort us even in the midst of great testing and affliction. The Hebrew term for unfailing or steadfast love denotes befriending. It is an appeal to God’s unfailing love, His kindness and mercy which was demonstrated by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Tuesday, 20 September 2022—Psalm 146 — The focus is on God, the hope and help of His people, utterly dependable, caring for all in need. God reigns. While I live I will praise God. I will sing praise to God while I have any being. The grand outburst of Hallelujahs, with which the book of Psalms comes to a climatic close, is carried over to the end of the Bible itself, and is echoed in the heavenly choirs of the redeemed (Revelation 19:1, 2, 4, 6).

Wednesday, 21 September 2022—Amos 6:1-7— Woe to the affluent who have no concern for the nation. Our Old Testament speaks of the American condition today in many respects. Like Israel of the 8th Century BC, American is a people of ease, comfort, luxury and affluence. It is a law of life that like causes produce like effects. American is in danger of the same fate as Israel: judgment, decline, and destruction. Who will sound the alarm as a watchman in the night? Will America take heed?

Thursday, 22 September 2022—1 Timothy 6:6-19— Timothy is charged to seek spiritual values. There are countless people who have no aim in life, no purpose, no reason for living. Others have low aim, such as the massing of world possessions. Some aim only to make as much money as possible, own at least one home, get a higher education, or climb the ladder of success.

What is the aim of a Christian? Paul would suggest the Christian’s aim in life is to seek the highest values – vs. 11 and to fight for the faith vs. 12 while we keep the Lord’s commandments –vs.14.

Friday, 23 September 2022—Luke 16:9-31 — The parable of the rich man and Lazarus. It the parable we have a description of wealth and total depravity. This is a description of today’s world. On the one hand is America’s wealth giving us the highest standard of living in the history of the world. On the other hand, we have a third world of poverty and hunger. It could be that the so-called wealth, either nation or individual, is really the poor man as was the case in the parable. Americans may be the richest on earth, but they can be suffering from the poverty of abundance.

Saturday, 24 September 2022—1 John 4:19 - Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart, (LSB #708). The Christian’s only focus is upon Christ. When we fear, love and trust in Him above all things then we are content. Read the words of stanza three. This is a powerful evening prayer one which has been prayed with many a Christian on their death bed. When we pray these words confidently we truly are at peace with God and with ourselves.

“Lord, Let at last Thine angels come, To Abr’han’s bosom bear me home, That I may die un-fearing; And in its narrow chamber keep My body safe in peaceful sleep Until Thy reappearing. And then from death awaken me, That these mine eyes with joy may see, O Son of God, Thy glorious face, My Savior and my fount of grace. Lord Jesus Christ, my prayer attend, my prayer attend, And I will praise thee without end.

Sources:
-Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House
-Collect for Pentecost 17 from Lutheran Worship © Concordia Publishing House
-Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C by John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing Lima OH

-Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Sunday, September 19, 2021

Proper 21 Series B

Proper 21 B
Numbers 11:4–6, 10–16, 24–29
James 5:(1–12) 13–20
Mark 9:38–50

Christ Jesus, the Son of God, Cares for Us and Serves Us with the Forgiveness of Sins

When the people of Israel wept, complaining that they had no meat to eat (Numbers 11:4), Moses cried out to the Lord that “the burden of all this people” was too heavy for him and that he was “not able to carry all this people alone” (Numbers 11:11–14). So the Lord had Moses gather “seventy men of the elders of Israel” (Numbers 11:16), and the Lord “took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders” (Numbers 11:25), so that Moses would not carry the burden alone.

All who thus labor are honored, and all the people are cared for, in the name of the Lord (Mark 9:39–41). Everything is done with reference to Christ Jesus. So we cling to Him, and we flee from all sins that would separate us from Him (Mark 9:42–48). The life of the Church is one of repentant faith in Christ. Christians confess their sins to one another, and they “pray for one another,” that each would be raised up and healed by the Lord Jesus, who covers “a multitude of sins” and saves our souls from death (James 5:15–20).

The theme is Tolerance. In the Old Testament lesson Moses tolerates the giving of the Spirit. In the Epistle, James calls for intolerance of wickedness. In the Gospel, Jesus approves a non-follower's use of His name. Coupled with tolerance is an underlying theme of resistance. Jesus urges to get rid of anything that causes us to sin while in the Old Testament lesson the Israelites complain about the monotony of daily manna. James condemns the sin of arrogance and persecution of the poor.

Collect for Proper 21 - Everlasting Father, source of every blessing, mercifully direct and govern us by Your Holy Spirit that we may complete the works You have prepared for us to do; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Lord, thank You for Your work through the lives of others. Lead me to welcome those miracles and mercies that You show through every one of Your people.

Lord, give us the lasting faith that can persevere through every trial. Empty our heads of anything that competes with You, and let us hold firmly to You eternally.

Mark 9:38-50 – Jesus approves a non-follower’s use of His name to cast our demons. He urges the extermination of those sins that result in hell. The first part of the Gospel (Vv. 38-41) obviously parallels the Old Testament lesson. It deals with Jesus’ approval of a non-disciple casting out demons in Jesus’ name. The next section (Vv.42-48) deals with Jesus’ “little ones” – not children but his disciples or new converts. The point is that any sacrifice is worth eternal life rather than going to hell forever which is described as eternal torment.

A third section of the reading deals with salt. It is a call to radical obedience rather than to accommodation to the world.

In Christ you are free. There is much Christian liberty and freedom the child of God can experience in this life. The Lord wants His followers to enjoy the fullness of life. All that God created is good. However, if any part of us or any habit causes us to sin, we are to get rid of it. It would be better to abstain and deny ourselves certain pleasures and privileges than to allow one pleasure to ruin the whole. When should we allow our Christian liberty to be exercised? When might you deny yourself certain “freedoms” for the sake of someone else? How might we better live balanced lives?

For the one who is not against us is for us.” – Mark 9:40

Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege

We are born as creatures who are dead-set against the Christ. From the Fall of Adam onward, we are born to trouble as sparks fly upward [Job 5:7]. We born to trouble in so many ways, and there is no greater trouble than to be against the Christ. Saint Paul lists some of our troubling ways in the second chapter of his epistle to the Ephesians. Whereas Christ is the sinless personification of life, we on the other hand are born dead in trespasses and sins [v 1]. Instead of following Christ the Lord, we, who now possess a fallen nature, walk in the steps of His enemy; we are naturally following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit (Satan) that is now at work in the sons of disobedience [v 2]. As corrupt human beings, we were conceived in our mother’s womb to behave contrary to our Lord’s holy standards, and thus grow to naturally break one commandment after another, living in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind [3a]. Indeed, we were not naturally born as children of God, but we were born as children of wrath, like the rest of mankind [v 3b]. In no way, shape, or form could we be considered on the side of God; on the contrary it is quite clear we were born set against Him.

So if we are conceived and born against the Christ, how can Jesus claim someone—anyone—could be not against Him? Jesus unequivocally explains that the one who is not against us is for us [v 40]. There are only two sides to the issue of Christ; we are either against Him or we are for Him. We are either on His side of the fence or we are on Satan’s side; there are no fence-riders. How can it be that we who were born and naturally live on the wrong side of the fence, could somehow be for Jesus—existing on His side of the fence, ceasing to be against Him? Clearly some people are no longer against Jesus, and thus somehow these people have been brought to His side of the fence. This is a miracle of the Holy Spirit. We are saved and brought to Christ’s side of the fence by faith, and faith comes by hearing by the Word of Christ [Rom 10:17]. People who have been brought to Christ’s side of the fence must have been exposed to the innately powerful Gospel, and the Holy Spirit must have worked faith—however immature—within such people. In Sunday’s Gospel we find two examples—not examples that we would expect—of people who were brought to Christ’s side of the fence, and thus they were no longer against Him.

The first example of people brought to Christ’s side are those who were not actively following Jesus like the Apostles were following Him; nonetheless, they were performing exorcisms in Jesus’ name. Obviously these exorcists were not doing such exorcisms like the apparently money-grubbing sons of Sceva in the book of Acts (19:14ff). The sons of Sceva tried to cast out demons in Jesus’ name, and the demon-possessed man turned on them and pummeled them. The sons of Sceva apparently did not have faith in Jesus. The exorcists recorded in Sunday’s Gospel clearly had a faith in Jesus; they were on His side of the fence. This is evident because it is in speaking of these exorcists that Jesus gives the assurance, For the one who is not against us is for us. These amateur exorcists no doubt had much to learn, but they clearly had a faith in the Christ. They were no longer—as they had been from their birth—against Him.

The second examples of people brought to Christ’s side of the fence are the “little ones.” Such “little ones” may be any person with an apparently immature knowledge of the faith, but it seems likely that since Jesus had just placed a child in their midst (vv 36,37), He is speaking of small children. Luke records how mothers were bringing even their infants to Jesus, that these little ones might receive His blessed touch [Lk 18:15ff]. As Jesus—the Word made flesh—touched these infants, what greater blessing could He give them than faith in the Christ? Those who deny the possibility of infant faith are those who try to make faith into a personal decision, a meritorious act. In Sunday’s Gospel Jesus identifies the faith of these little ones: Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea [v 42]. Observe that Jesus identifies certain little ones—yes even babies—as those who believe in Him. Thanks be to God that because of Christ’s death and resurrection anyone, even a baby, is able to be brought to His side of the fence. They are miraculously connected to Jesus, brought to believe in His identity and in His death and resurrection for their eternal salvation. They are no longer set against Christ, therefore they are for Him.

Vv. 38-41 Jesus opens the disciples' eyes to see those who do God's work in dramatic or simple ways. The work of God goes far beyond us. He show His power and kindness through great life changing miracles and simple cups of water.

Anyone Not Against Us Is for Us

:38 [a]Ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰωάννης· Διδάσκαλε, εἴδομέν τινα [b]ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί σου ἐκβάλλοντα δαιμόνια, [c]καὶ ἐκωλύομεν αὐτόν, ὅτι οὐκ ἠκολούθει ἡμῖν. John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name,[a] and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.”

-John the Baptist beheaded in chapter 6 - he's not following us, not one of us...casting out demons correctly. Is this a part of the 70/72?

-Consistent with John/James “shall we call down fire?” “Sit on Your right/left.”

:39 ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν· Μὴ κωλύετε αὐτόν, οὐδεὶς γάρ ἐστιν ὃς ποιήσει δύναμιν ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου καὶ δυνήσεται ταχὺ κακολογῆσαί με· But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me.

- do not forbid him...do not stop them...for no one who does a powerful work (things) ...in My Name... and turn around and speak evil.

-Powerful things = proclaiming the Word, baptizing…

:40 ὃς γὰρ οὐκ ἔστιν καθ’ [d]ἡμῶν, ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν ἐστιν For the one who is not against us is for us.

-whoever is not against us is for us...

:41 Ὃς γὰρ ἂν ποτίσῃ ὑμᾶς ποτήριον ὕδατος ἐν [e]ὀνόματι ὅτι χριστοῦ ἐστε, ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν [f]ὅτι οὐ μὴ [g]ἀπολέσῃ τὸν μισθὸν αὐτοῦ. For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.

- for whoever gives you to drink a cup of water in the Name because you are in Christ, he will certainly no loose his reward...Christian Vocation...

-There must have been a conversion. By nature people start out against Christ, in the realm of darkness...

-Jesus also said, "He who is not with me is against me."

-Do not compare yourself to others but also do not compromise the truth.

“There is no neutral ground in the universe. Every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counterclaimed by Satan.” – CS Lewis “Through the Wardrobe”

Vv. 42-50 Nothing is more important than retaining the faith unto eternal life. Let nothing come between you and the Savior. Though He tests us with fire, He does not consume His own people. Rejoice, for God graciously gives us the faith in which He preserves us to eternity.

Temptations to Sin

:42 Καὶ ὃς [h]ἂν σκανδαλίσῃ ἕνα τῶν μικρῶν [i]τούτων τῶν πιστευόντων [j]εἰς ἐμέ, καλόν ἐστιν αὐτῷ μᾶλλον εἰ περίκειται [k]μύλος ὀνικὸς περὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ καὶ βέβληται εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν. Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,[b] it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

"little ones" Gk. μικρῶν "smallest child"

:43 Καὶ ἐὰν [l]σκανδαλίζῃ σε ἡ χείρ σου, ἀπόκοψον αὐτήν· καλόν [m]ἐστίν σε κυλλὸν [n]εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ζωὴν ἢ τὰς δύο χεῖρας ἔχοντα ἀπελθεῖν εἰς τὴν γέενναν, εἰς τὸ πῦρ τὸ [o]ἄσβεστον. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell,[c] to the unquenchable fire.[d]

-"hell: Gk. γέενναν from Hebrew name for the Hinnom Valley southwest of Jerusalem, where humans were sacrificed (2 Ch.28:3; 33:6) and garbage was dumped (2 Kings 23:10) Fire was constantly present in the Hinnom Valley due to sacrifices and burning trash. This became a figure for the everlasting fire of hell. Used in Mark Vv. 43, 45, 47.

-Hand, foot, eye = Works, your walk, what you take in goes to the heart...

:45 καὶ ἐὰν ὁ πούς σου σκανδαλίζῃ σε, ἀπόκοψον αὐτόν· καλόν ἐστίν [p]σε εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ζωὴν χωλὸν ἢ τοὺς δύο πόδας ἔχοντα βληθῆναι εἰς τὴν [q]γέενναν. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell.

:47 καὶ ἐὰν ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου σκανδαλίζῃ σε, ἔκβαλε αὐτόν· καλόν [r]σέ ἐστιν μονόφθαλμον εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ ἢ δύο ὀφθαλμοὺς ἔχοντα βληθῆναι εἰς [s]τὴν [t]γέενναν, And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell,

:48 ὅπου ὁ σκώληξ αὐτῶν οὐ τελευτᾷ καὶ τὸ πῦρ οὐ σβέννυται. where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.

:49 Πᾶς γὰρ πυρὶ [u]ἁλισθήσεται. For everyone will be salted with fire.

:50 καλὸν τὸ ἅλας· ἐὰν δὲ τὸ ἅλας ἄναλον γένηται, ἐν τίνι αὐτὸ ἀρτύσετε; ἔχετε ἐν ἑαυτοῖς [v]ἅλα, καὶ εἰρηνεύετε ἐν ἀλλήλοις. Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Sources

Luther’s Seal © Higher Things

Time in the Word - Proper 21

Time in the Word

September 20-25, 2031

Proper 21

Preparation for next week, 18th Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday’s Theme is Tolerance. In the Old Testament lesson, Moses tolerates the giving of the Spirit. In the Epistle, James calls for intolerance of wickedness. In the Gospel, Jesus approves a non-follower’s use of His name. Coupled with tolerance is an underlying theme of resistance. Jesus urges to get rid of anything that causes us to sin while in the Old Testament lesson the Israelites complain about the monotony of daily manna. James condemns the sin of arrogance and persecution of the poor.

Collect for Proper 21 –Everlasting Father, source of every blessing, mercifully direct and govern us by Your Holy Spirit that we may complete the works You have prepared for us to do; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Monday, 20 September 2021—Psalm 135:1-3, 13-14, Antiphon, Psalm 135:13—Your Name, O Lord, endures forever, Your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages. Psalm 135 is a call to praise the Lord – the one and only true God, the Lord of all creation, the Lord over all the nations, Israel’s redeemer. The Psalmist reminds us that the Lord and His redeeming work will be remembered throughout time. Thus we praise Him for His marvelous deeds.

Tuesday, 21 September 2021—Psalm 104:27-35; key verse, verse 24—How many are Your works, O Lord! In wisdom You made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures. The psalmist recalls the fifth day of creation. (Genesis 1:20-23). The realm of the sea is structurally balanced with the celestial realm, (see verses 2-4) as the other boundary to the realm of earth. And the Lord orders each day of your life as He has promised to guide and sustain you.

Wednesday, 22 September 2021—Numbers 11:4-6; 10-16, 24-29—Moses tolerates the giving of the Spirit. The Lord provides seventy elders to assist Moses in meeting the needs of the people and gives his spirit to others than the seventy. The Israelites are in the wilderness and complain to Moses that they have only manna and no meat. Moses takes the complaint to God who orders Moses to bring seventy elders to the meeting place outside the camp. Some of Moses’ spirit was given to the elders and they began to prophesy. Two men, Eldad and Medad, were not invited to the meeting of the seventy. While in the camp, they received the Spirit and prophesied. Joshua was jealous for Moses and asked him to stop the two. Moses refused and wished that all of the people had the spirit and were prophets.

Thursday, 23 September 2021—James 5: (1-12) 13-20—James calls for intolerance of wickedness and a return to God for the avoidance of evil. This lesson continues where last Sunday’s Epistle has stopped. James urges his readers to turn to God and away from wickedness. Among the evils we are to avoid are judging others, boasting, and injustice to the poor.

Friday, 24 September 2021—Mark 9:38-50—Jesus approves a non-follower’s use of His name to cast our demons. He urges the extermination of those sins that result in hell. The first part of the Gospel (verses 38-41) obviously parallels the Old Testament lesson. It deals with Jesus’ approval of a non-disciple casting out demons in Jesus’ name. The next section (verses 42-48) deals with Jesus’ “little ones” – not children but his disciples or new converts. The point is that any sacrifice is worth eternal life rather than going to hell forever which is described as eternal torment. A third section of the reading deals with salt. It is a call to radical obedience rather than to accommodation to the world.

Saturday, 25 September 2021—John 14:2; 1 John 4:19; John 8:12- The hymn, Thee Will I Love, My Strength, My Tower (LSB 694), is the Hymn of the Day. Having seen what the Lord has done, having experienced His goodness and mercy, having entered into His presence, we are now called to praise the Name of the Lord which is expressed in this wonderful hymn.

Collect for Pentecost 18—Keep, we pray. O Lord, Your Church with Your perpetual mercy; and because without You we cannot but fall, keep us ever by Your help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

A prayer for God to guide us—Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with Your most gracious favor, and further us with Your continual help, that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in You we may glorify Your holy name and finally, by Your mercy, obtain eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

A prayer for steadfast faith—Almighty God, our heavenly Father, of Your tender love towards us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in Him we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may remain steadfast in this faith to the end and come to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

For the Hope of Eternal life in Christ—Almighty, everlasting God, whose Son has assured forgiveness of sins and deliverance from eternal death, strengthen us by Your Holy Spirit that our faith in Christ increase daily and we hold fast to the hope that we shall not die but fall asleep and on the last day be raised to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

For those in distressed—Almighty and everlasting God, the consolation of the sorrowful and the strength of the weak, may the prayers of those who in any tribulation or distress cry to You graciously come before You, so that in all their necessities they may mark and receive Your manifold help and comfort; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Sources:

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

Saturday, September 26, 2020

Proper 21 Series A

Matthew 21:23-27 (28-32)

“God of love, You know our frailties and failings. Give us Your grace to overcome them; keep us from these things that harm us; and guide us in the way of salvation.”

Jesus gives yet another parable. This time. Two sons. The meaning of this story is crystal clear. The first son stands for the tax collectors and sinners. Their lifestyle looked like a blunt refusal to have anything to do with religion or God. And yet when Jesus came they listened to him and changed their way of life to fit to His message and meet his demands.

The second son stands for the priests, scribes, and Pharisees. They had only one profession in their lives that they would serve God and obey his commandments; and yet when the Son of God came they completely ignored Him and in the end they crucified Him.

There is a difference in the way the two sons responded to their father's request. The first son answers with almost despicable bluntness. On the other hand, the second son says all things with great respect and politeness. He even adds "sir" at the end of every sentence. But neither the verbal courtesy, nor the politeness could take the place of deeds. It is true that only through deeds we can prove that we really love someone.

1. The lost son — is the one who said, “I go, sir” — v. 30.

A. He had respect and piety — He was very polite and respectful of his father. He was reverent. He addressed him as “Sir.” This son said he would go to work in the vineyard as the father expected. He gave the right answer and showed the proper reverence. He was saying yes but living no. He offered to work then refused to go.

He was not as good as his word. This son represents “religious people” who know the right things to say in worship and prayer and in life.

They consent to God’s laws and make promises to obey, but do nothing. In this American culture there are many who desire, “rigor without submission.

They gave confession without execution. They have orthodoxy without obedience.”[2] Like this young man they offer only hollow promises.

Jesus says these people do not get into the kingdom. They failed to repent. The Savior points out that a superficial and artificial connection with God does not count. How so? They fail in two respects.

B. They give only lip service. — He said emphatically: “I go.” These are the obedient ones. Who refuse to follow. They will not comply. They have their own agenda and plan. They see no need for Christ. Or they approach Him on their own terms.

C. Yet it is the Spirit who draws us to the waiting arms of the Father. It is the Lord Jesus, who bore the burden of the cross wiping clean the note which read “This! You owe!” Now it declares, “Paid in full!”

Says, St. Paul, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,₆ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ₇ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ₈ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” – Philippians 2:5-8 “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:21

Transition: The way of righteousness is that Jesus calls us; sinful sons to enter the kingdom through repentance and reliance in Christ. This involves sorrow over our sins and faith that the Father has forgiven our sins and declared us righteous because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit He gives us a God given resolve to be righteous in our everyday life.

2. The second son —He’s the other son. The boy who at first responds negatively. At first he spurned his father. v. 29. He turned in repentance and He obeyed the word of his father.

A. He repented —here is a case of repentance in action. There was an “about face” in his life. This son refused to go to work in his father’s vineyard. Then he changed his mind and went to work.

This about-face, this change of mind from disobedience, from no to yes, from going in the wrong direction to turning in the right direction is the face; the expression of repentance. When the religious leaders heard the Baptist’s call to repentance, they did not heed it, while the sinners responded in contrition and faith. It was shocking to the professional religious leaders that Jesus claimed the sinners and not the religious ones were in the kingdom. The other son is a sinner –yet saved by grace.

This involves sorrow over our sins; and faith that the Father has in fact forgiven our sins and declared us righteous for Jesus’ sake. Christ alone is our peace. He Himself bore of infirmities.

As Peter has taught, “When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. ₂₄He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.” ₂₅For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. – 1 Peter 2:23-25

C. He Obeyed — “He went.” He was the disobedient boy the defiant son, the insubordinate one the one who now obeys.

1. They turn from evil to good which moved Joseph. “But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this— to preserve the lives of many people. Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.” – Genesis 50:19 -21

2. They respond to Christ in faith. Not by making yourself better, or by trying hard to get it right. To be a Christian, you simply turn to the Lord in pure, surrendering, all-or-nothing faith. We are all sinners in need of grace, that Jesus died for us, and that He rose again so that we can be made new. Life must be all about Jesus. He is Lord. He sows His Word in fertile soil, and it’s by His grace that we believe and bear fruit.

"Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The latter." Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you that the tax-gatherers and harlots will get into the kingdom of God before you.” -Matthew 21:31

The good news is that we don’t have to find the help, the guidance, the support and strength; they have found us—in the person and work of Jesus the Christ. He who has entered the kingdom through repentance loves not just in word but in deed and in truth; his faith is not dead, without works, but alive and bearing fruit.

WORDS -1,525

PASSIVE SENTENCES – 0%

READABILITY –77%

READING LEVEL – 5.6

[1] Zion Friedheim Lutheran Church

[2] BOBO’s in Paradise The New Upper Class and How They Got There, David Brooks © 2001, Simon & Schuster - The thesis is that during the late 1970s a new establishment arose that represented a fusion between the bourgeois world of capitalist enterprise and the hippie values of the bohemian counterculture. He refers to these individuals as bobos, a portmanteau word for "bourgeois bohemians".

“This bobo reconciliation I talk about is really a product of the information age, what they're creating, because in this economy, ideas and information are as important to creating wealth as natural resources and finance capital. So the people who thrive are the ones who can take ideas and emotions and turn them into products. So they really do have one foot in the world of Bohemia, which are ideas, emotions, creativity, and one foot in the world of the bourgeoisie, which is the world of the marketplace. And that's what's reconciled this 150-year-old culture war between the Bohemians and the bourgeoisie.”

Sunday, September 20, 2020

Proper 21 Series A

Proper 21 "A"

(25 Sept—1 Oct)

Ezekiel 18:1–4, 25–32

Philippians 2:1–4 (5–13) 14–18

Matthew 21:23–27 (28–32)

The Cross of Christ Opens to Us the Way of Repentance to Life with God

The way of the Lord is righteous and just: “the soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4). However, because the Lord has “no pleasure in the death of anyone.” (Ezekiel 18:32), He calls sinners to repentance and faith in His gracious forgiveness of sins. The man who is thus turned away from his wickedness, who henceforth lives by the grace of God, “shall surely live; he shall not die” (Ezekiel 18:28). This way of repentance has been opened for us by the cross of Christ. In the righteousness of faith and love, “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death” (Philippians 2:8), and He was vindicated in His resurrection from the dead. Indeed, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). He has given us this name in our Baptism into Christ, in whom we now “shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). He uses the authority that He has received from His Father (Matthew 21:23–27) to preach a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, by which even “the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God” (Matthew 21:31–32).

Christ’s Authority

Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege

“By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” (Matthew 21:23)

The Cross of Christ Opens to Us the Way of Repentance to Life with God

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

:23 Καὶ [a]ἐλθόντος αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν προσῆλθον αὐτῷ διδάσκοντι οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι τοῦ λαοῦ λέγοντες· Ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιεῖς; καὶ τίς σοι ἔδωκεν τὴν ἐξουσίαν ταύτην;

:24 ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἐρωτήσω ὑμᾶς κἀγὼ λόγον ἕνα, ὃν ἐὰν εἴπητέ μοι κἀγὼ ὑμῖν ἐρῶ ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιῶ·

Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things.

-Which if you will tell me and also to you by what authority these things I do. Remember, Jesus never answers a question in unbelief.

:25 τὸ βάπτισμα [b]τὸ Ἰωάννου πόθεν ἦν; ἐξ οὐρανοῦ ἢ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων; οἱ δὲ διελογίζοντο [c]ἐν ἑαυτοῖς λέγοντες· Ἐὰν εἴπωμεν· Ἐξ οὐρανοῦ, ἐρεῖ ἡμῖν· Διὰ τί οὖν οὐκ ἐπιστεύσατε αὐτῷ;

The baptism of John, from whence was it heaven or man? Why you not follow?

:26 ἐὰν δὲ εἴπωμεν· Ἐξ ἀνθρώπων, φοβούμεθα τὸν ὄχλον, πάντες γὰρ [d]ὡς προφήτην ἔχουσιν τὸν Ἰωάννην.

But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”

:27 καὶ ἀποκριθέντες τῷ Ἰησοῦ εἶπαν· Οὐκ οἴδαμεν. ἔφη αὐτοῖς καὶ αὐτός· Οὐδὲ ἐγὼ λέγω ὑμῖν ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιῶ.

So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

The Parable of the Two Sons

:28 Τί δὲ ὑμῖν δοκεῖ; ἄνθρωπος εἶχεν τέκνα δύο. [e]προσελθὼν τῷ πρώτῳ εἶπεν· Τέκνον, ὕπαγε σήμερον ἐργάζου ἐν τῷ [f]ἀμπελῶνι.

What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’

- Child, today work in the vineyard but he replied I don't want to! But he repented, was sorry, changed his emotions, felt contrite.

:29 ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· [g]Οὐ θέλω· ὕστερον δὲ μεταμεληθεὶς ἀπῆλθεν.

And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went.

- Coming to the other he said " I go" but did not...

:30 προσελθὼν δὲ τῷ [i]δευτέρῳ εἶπεν ὡσαύτως· ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· [j]Ἐγώ, κύριε· καὶ οὐκ ἀπῆλθεν.

And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go.

- Which of the two did the will of the Father. Jesus said tax collectors and porn stars will enter before you. Turn and believe in Him.

:31 τίς ἐκ τῶν δύο ἐποίησεν τὸ θέλημα τοῦ πατρός; [k]λέγουσιν· Ὁ [l]πρῶτος. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι οἱ τελῶναι καὶ αἱ πόρναι προάγουσιν ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ.

Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.

:32 ἦλθεν γὰρ [m]Ἰωάννης πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐν ὁδῷ δικαιοσύνης, καὶ οὐκ ἐπιστεύσατε αὐτῷ· οἱ δὲ τελῶναι καὶ αἱ πόρναι ἐπίστευσαν αὐτῷ· ὑμεῖς δὲ ἰδόντες [n]οὐδὲ μετεμελήθητε ὕστερον τοῦ πιστεῦσαι αὐτῷ.

_________

“God of love, You know our frailties and failings. Give us Your grace to overcome them; keep us from these things that harm us; and guide us in the way of salvation.”

It is not a matter of being a sinner; it matters what kind of sinner you are. One type is missing and another is retrieved and reinstated. The two sons represent two kinds of sinners.

1. The lost sinner — the one who said, “I go, sir” — v. 30.

They consent to God’s laws and make promises to obey, but do nothing. They gave confession without execution. The have “rigor without submission Orthodoxy without obedience”.[1]

B. They give only lip service — He said emphatically: “I go.” There are the obedient ones who refuse to obey. They see no need for Christ.

2. The saved sinner — v. 29. He repented and He obeyed.

A. He repented —Here is a case of repentance in action. There was an “about face” in his life. One son refused to go to work in his father’s vineyard. Then he changed his mind and went to work. This about-face, this change of mind from disobedience, from no to yes, from going in the wrong direction to turning in the right direction is the meaning of repentance. When the religious leaders heard the Baptist’s call to repentance, they did not heed it, while the sinners of the day did. It was shocking to the professional religious leaders that Jesus claimed the sinners and not the religious ones were in the kingdom. He is a sinner –yet saved by grace.

This involves sorrow over our sins; and faith that God has in fact forgiven our sins and declared us righteous. This has happened because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

C. He Obeyed — “He went.” He is the disobedient who now obeys.

1. They turn from evil to good

2. They respond to Christ.

He who has entered the kingdom through repentance loves not just in word but in deed and in truth; his faith is not dead, without works, but alive and bearing fruit.

See “BOBO’s in Paradise” by David Brooks