Pr. DFD : Proper 24

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Sunday, October 9, 2022

Proper 24 Series C

(October 16-22)

Genesis 32:22–30

2 Timothy 3:14—4:5

Luke 18:1–8

Faith Clings to the Word and Promises of God and Perseveres in Prayer

Collect for Proper 24: “O Lord, almighty and everlasting God, You have commanded us to pray and have promised to hear us. Mercifully grant that You Holy Spirit may direct and govern our hearts in all things that we may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of Your name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.”

“Left alone,” Jacob wrestled through the night with the Lord, “until the breaking of the day” (Genesis 32:24). Though “Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him” (Genesis 32:25), he would not let go until the Lord blessed him. At times we, too, strive with God; He strives with us and blesses us by grace. So Jesus teaches us “always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). Jesus speaks of “a judge who neither feared God nor respected man” and of a widow “who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary’ ” (Luke 18:2–3). Because of her persistence, the judge agreed to “give her justice” (Luke 18:5). Our Lord dispenses justice generously and swiftly, giving “justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night” (Luke 18:7). He does so according to the Gospel. Therefore, His ministers are to persevere faithfully in their vocation, in what they “have learned and have firmly believed” (2 Timothy 3:14). On the basis of “the sacred writings” (2 Timothy 3:15), they are to “preach the word” at all times and not lose heart (2 Timothy 4:2).

Man’s “Goodness” vs. God’s Goodness (Luke 18:1-8)
Rev.Dr. Daniel J Brege

Though Scripture acknowledges that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and that there is no one who does good, not even one, and that without faith it is impossible to please God, yet as the Lord Jesus speaks of prayer He verifies that among fallen mankind a kind of “goodness” can be observed. Though this kind of “goodness” in fallen man is to be found, yet such goodness is tainted with sinful motives, tainted with selfish desires. Such apparent goodness must yet be purged of sin in the eyes of the Holy God.

At times Jesus would then use this warped “goodness” in the fallen world as a contrast with God’s wondrous and loving goodness—a goodness uniquely found in the giving of His Son into death for mankind’s salvation.

Our text speaks of an unrighteous judge who neither feared God nor respected man. This description indicates an outward evil of this judge being expressed because of the inner evil of his heart. Nonetheless this judge (though it was because of totally wrong motives) did good to the widow who was petitioning him. If the unrighteous judge did something good, how much more will the righteous God hear and lovingly answer the prayers of His people—for Jesus’ sake—giving them good things with the ultimate good timing that only God possesses?

As another example of this tainted goodness used by the Lord to illustrate something about approaching God in prayer, consider what Jesus says about those who come to God—asking, seeking and knocking at the ear of God. The Lord explains, “If you then, being evil, now how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” (Lu. 11:13). Observe the commentary on the condition of man: “…you, being evil.” Yet even though people are evil, they still know how to give good gifts to their children. Once again the giving of such good gifts by evil people is a goodness warped by sin, yet there is still a goodness—albeit tainted—that can be recognized among fallen mankind.

The contrast again is clear: If God, who is not tainted by sin, is approached by His children, won’t He give what is good—ultimately the Holy Spirit—to those children who ask?

Why would God hear the requests of sinful people who live in a sinful world? Who are His children that He should listen to them? It is only because there is one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. Our approach to our Father in prayer can only happen because God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not counting their trespasses against them. Indeed, whatever we ask the Father in Jesus name (that is, consistent with who He is and what He is about), the Father will give it to us. Yes, the Righteous Judge, the good Father who loves His children infinitely more than any earthly Father—this One will always hear us for Christ’s sake.

Luke 18:1–8

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

Luke 18:1

Ἔλεγεν [a]δὲ παραβολὴν αὐτοῖς πρὸς τὸ δεῖν πάντοτε προσεύχεσθαι [b]αὐτοὺς καὶ μὴ ἐγκακεῖν,

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

- ἐγκακεῖν, do not...stop, loosing heart. Become weary, loose confidence.

Luke 18:2

λέγων• Κριτής τις ἦν ἔν τινι πόλει τὸν θεὸν μὴ φοβούμενος καὶ ἄνθρωπον μὴ ἐντρεπόμενος.

He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.

-Jesus will call him "unjust" in v.6 Arguing from the greater to the lesser he has no regard for God or for man.

Luke 18:3

χήρα δὲ ἦν ἐν τῇ πόλει ἐκείνῃ καὶ ἤρχετο πρὸς αὐτὸν λέγουσα• Ἐκδίκησόν με ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀντιδίκου μου.

And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’

- continued action. She kept coming to him.

- ἀντιδίκου - the "unrighteous" or anti righteous opponent.

Luke 18:4

καὶ οὐκ [c]ἤθελεν ἐπὶ χρόνον, μετὰ [d]ταῦτα δὲ εἶπεν ἐν ἑαυτῷ• Εἰ καὶ τὸν θεὸν οὐ φοβοῦμαι [e]οὐδὲ ἄνθρωπον ἐντρέπομαι,

For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man,

Luke 18:5

διά γε τὸ παρέχειν μοι κόπον τὴν χήραν ταύτην ἐκδικήσω αὐτήν ἵνα μὴ εἰς τέλος ἐρχομένη ὑπωπιάζῃ με.

yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’”

- ὑπωπιάζῃ - blacken my eye, pester, wearing me down...

- "this troublesome widow"

Luke 18:6

εἶπεν δὲ ὁ κύριος• Ἀκούσατε τί ὁ κριτὴς τῆς ἀδικίας λέγει•

And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says.

- listen to this one

Luke 18:7

ὁ δὲ θεὸς οὐ μὴ ποιήσῃ τὴν ἐκδίκησιν τῶν ἐκλεκτῶν αὐτοῦ τῶν βοώντων [f]αὐτῷ ἡμέρας καὶ νυκτός, καὶ [g]μακροθυμεῖ ἐπ’ αὐτοῖς;

And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?

-God makes justice for His elect

- will he not surely - be slow to help, delay

Luke 18:8

λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ποιήσει τὴν ἐκδίκησιν αὐτῶν ἐν τάχει. πλὴν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐλθὼν ἆρα εὑρήσει τὴν πίστιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς;

I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

- The faith see 2 Timothy 4:4

footnotes

Lectionary notes LCMS notes

Sunday, October 10, 2021

Proper 24 Series B

Proper 24 Series B
Ecclesiastes 5:10–20
Hebrews 4:1–13 (14–16)
Mark 10:23–31

By the Voluntary Poverty of Christ, We Enter the Kingdom of God

Collect for Proper 24 – O God, the protector of all who trust in You, have 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, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

To love and trust in earthly wealth is vanity. For nothing of this earth will last forever, nor can any of it grant eternal life (Ecclesiastes 5:10). But the one who trusts in God is “occupied with joy in his heart” and is able to sleep in peace, “whether he eats little or much,” because he knows that the “days of his life” are “the gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:12, 18–20). The person who trusts in riches cannot sleep, because he “shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand” (Ecclesiastes 5:15). Therefore, it is difficult, “for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 20:23). Indeed, it is impossible for man, yet “all things are possible with God” (Mark 20:27). Thus, the Rich Man, Jesus Christ, has made Himself poor and has gone through “the eye of a needle,” through death and the grave, “to enter the kingdom of God” on our behalf " (Mark 20:24–25). He is the “great high priest who has passed through the heavens” (Hebrews 4:14), so that we may now enter His Sabbath rest by faith in His forgiveness (Hebrews 4:3–9).

The Impossible Made Possible

Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege

And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:26-27

Ever since Eve (and Adam) desired and then took that “thing” which did not belong to them, mankind has been plunged into an inordinate desire for the things of this world. Because of this greedy nature of man, God not only established one of His commandments to forbid stealing but He also set forth two more commandments forbidding the sin of coveting. Everybody wants to be rich.

Apparently the Apostles were aware of this evil desire for wealth embedded in the heart of every human being. After hearing that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, they ask, Then who can be saved [v 26]? They correctly realized that the greed and selfishness of man make it impossible for anyone to enter God’s kingdom. Jesus agrees with their theological insight, for He responds, With man it is impossible [v 27]. No innately covetous individual can expect to enter—or even be able to enter—the kingdom of God.

It is not a coincidence that coveting was uniquely recognized by Jewish teachers to be an expression of the sin of idolatry. Thus the learned Apostle Paul wrote, Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.[Col 3:5; also Eph 5:5]. How could someone who worships another god ever expect to enter God’s kingdom?

Nonetheless, even though it is declared impossible for man to accomplish entrance into God’s kingdom, yet Jesus leaves a wondrous opening in the door when He avows, With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God [v 27]. How can the impossible become possible? That previously shut door into God’s kingdom is opened and then held open for mankind by a pierced hand.

It seems oxymoronic that the door closed to the rich (and to those craving wealth) is to be held open by the wealthiest One in the universe. Saint Paul was inspired to explain it this way: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich [2 Cor 8:9]. So how rich was the Lord Christ? You can’t get any richer than owning everything! The Son of God is the one by whom the world was created, and because He is Creator (one with the Father and the Spirit), He has ownership and authority over all things.

Yet this wealthiest of the wealthy became the poorest of the poor. Paul wrote, For your sake he became poor. Not only was the humbled Son of God born into a poor household, and not only did He grow up without clinging to the wealth of this world, but the Lord Christ ultimately had no place to lay His head, and after even giving up every stitch of His clothing and the very breath of His body He finally attained ultimate poverty…He entered the grave. He then rose from the grave, and He becomes the rich man who entered God’s kingdom! In Him the impossible is made possible; we repeat, a rich man—the richest man—has physically entered the kingdom of God!

So how does Jesus enable us greedy folk to enter God’s kingdom? Remember, it is a pierced hand that opens and holds open the door to God’s kingdom. He not only led a life of perfect non-covetousness in our place, but He made atonement with His pierced hands and feet upon the cross. He was pierced for our transgressions and by His stripes we are healed. All of our sins of greed, selfishness and covetousness have been atoned for. He not only opens and then holds the door open for us, He unites us with His death and resurrection in Baptism, so that in Him we walk as saints through that heretofore unsurpassable door. In Christ, God makes the impossible possible, for Jesus has truly made us rich, giving us a wealth that has no covetousness attached to it, a wealth that includes the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. But we do not simply possess a future entrance into God’s kingdom. Already now we have been made super-rich as we possess Christ’s saving gifts, and already now we have entered the kingdom of God by faith. In Christ the impossible has been made possible.

Mark 10:23-31

Jesus predicts His trial, execution, and resurrection for the third time, while walking boldly to His death. Jesus goes to die the sinners' death, accepting the Law's penalty in our place. Faith looks to Christ crucified and risen and says, "for me!" Luther - "Who is this "me?" It is I, an accursed and damned sinner, who was so beloved by the Son of God that He gave Himself for me." (AE 26:176)

-Sunday's Gospel is a continuation of last week's. After the rich young man went away sorrowful, Jesus takes the opportunity to educate His disciples in the barrier that great wealth poses to one's salvation. The temptation is to trust in the riches, rather than the rest of them.

In fact, it is impossible, not only for the wealthy, but for anyone to earn His salvation by any means, even good works. Who can be saved? They ask, Who, indeed? None can, if he relies on himself. It is only by God's grace that anyone can be saved, yet all things are possible with God.

Mark 10:23

Καὶ περιβλεψάμενος ὁ Ἰησοῦς λέγει τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ• Πῶς δυσκόλως οἱ τὰ χρήματα ἔχοντες εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ εἰσελεύσονται.

And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

-Difficult it is for those having wealth to enter into the kingdom of God. It's difficult...but they get in.

Mark 10:24

οἱ δὲ μαθηταὶ ἐθαμβοῦντο ἐπὶ τοῖς λόγοις αὐτοῦ. ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς πάλιν ἀποκριθεὶς λέγει αὐτοῖς• Τέκνα, πῶς δύσκολόν [a]ἐστιν εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ εἰσελθεῖν•

And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is[a] to enter the kingdom of God!

-The disciples marveled at this word, children how difficult it is to enter into the kingdom. Jesus no longer speaks of wealth but the kingdom.

- Some manuscripts add "for those who trust in riches"

Mark 10:25

εὐκοπώτερόν ἐστιν κάμηλον διὰ [b]τῆς τρυμαλιᾶς τῆς ῥαφίδος [c]διελθεῖν ἢ πλούσιον εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ εἰσελθεῖν.

it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

-Easier it is for the camel through the eye of the needle to enter than for a rich man to enter the kingdom.

-C.S Lewis reminds us, the camel has to die! “All things (e.g. a camel's journey through A needle's eye) are possible, it's true. But picture how the camel feels, squeezed out. In one long bloody thread, from tail to snout.” – C.S. Lewis, Poems

Mark 10:26

οἱ δὲ περισσῶς ἐξεπλήσσοντο λέγοντες πρὸς [d]ἑαυτούς• Καὶ τίς δύναται σωθῆναι;

And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him,[b] “Then who can be saved?”

-They were exceedingly astonished, so who then shall be saved? The center of the text finds the biggest animal and the smallest opening.

- Some manuscripts add, “and said to one another”

A way to divide the text as follows, "the gaze of Jesus," "difficult," and "amazed."

Mark 10:27

[e]ἐμβλέψας αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς λέγει• Παρὰ ἀνθρώποις ἀδύνατον ἀλλ’ οὐ παρὰ θεῷ, πάντα γὰρ [f]δυνατὰ παρὰ τῷ θεῷ.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

-Looking/gazing at them Jesus says, with man yes, but not with God all things are possible.

Mark 10:28

Ἤρξατο [g]λέγειν ὁ Πέτρος αὐτῷ• Ἰδοὺ ἡμεῖς ἀφήκαμεν πάντα καὶ [h]ἠκολουθήκαμέν σοι.

Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.

-Peter began to say, right here and now, The verbs are in the perfect tense, “we have left everything!”

Mark 10:29

[i]ἔφη ὁ Ἰησοῦς• Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, οὐδείς ἐστιν ὃς ἀφῆκεν οἰκίαν ἢ ἀδελφοὺς ἢ ἀδελφὰς ἢ [j]μητέρα ἢ πατέρα ἢ τέκνα ἢ ἀγροὺς ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ ἕνεκεν τοῦ εὐαγγελίου,

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel,

-Those who have released homes, brothers, etc.

Mark 10:30

ἐὰν μὴ λάβῃ ἑκατονταπλασίονα νῦν ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τούτῳ οἰκίας καὶ ἀδελφοὺς καὶ ἀδελφὰς καὶ [k]μητέρας καὶ τέκνα καὶ ἀγροὺς μετὰ διωγμῶν, καὶ ἐν τῷ αἰῶνι τῷ ἐρχομένῳ ζωὴν αἰώνιον

who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

-Will he not receive 100 times in this life, these things and persecutions and, in the coming age, eternal life.

Mark 10:31

πολλοὶ δὲ ἔσονται πρῶτοι ἔσχατοι καὶ [l]οἱ ἔσχατοι πρῶτοι.

But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

-Many who are first will be last and those last will be first.

Sources:

LCMS Lectionary

Saturday, October 17, 2020

Proper 24

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 24
Matthew 22:15-22
18 October 2020
Coins of Commitment

O God, the protector of all who trust in you. Have 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;

Lord Jesus, bless Thy Word, that we might trust in Thee!

These words of Jesus were spoken at the temple in Jerusalem. It's Wednesday of Holy Week – Within twenty-four hours. Jesus will be arrested. This will instigate a speedy trial, conviction and execution. The wheels of Justice are about to commence.

But what justice? The LORD’s justice.

The Pharisees took counsel on how to trip Jesus up. Jesus had been destroying them. Now there is a time of grace. But not for long. The end will come.

There was NO inconsistency in Jesus' words. Still, they wanted to find fault with Him.

Pharisees began to plot against Jesus in response to His actions of healing on the Sabbath day. They drew the Herodians into their conspiracy.

These Pharisees. Send their disciples along with the Herodians to confront Jesus. Yes! Pharisees and Herodians in bed together.

These Herodians. Were considered “unclean.”

Pharisees and Herodians were mortal enemies. They did not like each other.

These Herodians. Were. And had been - sincerely friendly to Herod the Great, and to his dynasty. They would refer to Herod as, "The King of the Jews!"

They begin by complementing Him. Be aware! When they serve desert before dinner.

They flatter Jesus for His honesty and impartiality. Then they question Him politically. In relation to His attitude to paying Roman taxes. Jesus did appear to have impressed the Herodians with His reply: “They marveled (εθαυμασαν) at Him".

What do you think? We know you teach the way of God and truth. It doesn't matter to you nor does it concern you. You do not look into the face of men. Is it lawful to pay tribute, to Caesar?

And what were His parents doing? “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David :) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.” – Luke 2:4-5 KJV

Is it permissible to participate in government?

Jesus knowing their evil asks them, "Why do you tempt me?" Remember the warning of the apostle James, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations." (James 1:2)

Everyone experiences trials of various kinds. We enter our hardships as deposits into the checkbook of our life, not withdrawals. How we categorize that moment when assessing our life as a whole points us to Christ who strengthens us.

We may not be able to control our circumstances. But we can control how we think about our circumstances. When bad things happen, we can immediately say, "This is terrible. This is a no good, very bad day. My life is a wreck. All is going wrong. Why did this happen to me?"

Or we can say, "This is a bad thing, but I will get through it. I will learn and be stronger. I will call the growth and strength worth rejoicing over, even while it hurts."

The Psalmist teaches, “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn Your statutes.” – Psalm 119:71

Trials may test our faith but they also produce endurance. And this endurance produces maturity which is being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Says St. Paul, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”- Romans 8:28-30

We ask the LORD, “Lord, help me. Help me see what benefits You can reap from this.” These words, “Lord help me,” are the words of a helpless child clinging to Savior fully in control.

Jesus is still in charge of the conversation. He controls the narrative.

"Show me the tribute'" Jesus responds. They displayed a denarius.

"Whose image portrait is on it?"

"Caesar!" they reply.

"Give to CAESAR what belongs to Caesar. And to GOD what belongs to God."

Jesus has no desire to get into a political debate. Especially when He knows their heart and their intent.

There are more pressing matters. It’s Holy Week! It's Wednesday! In 48 hours Jesus will be dead. The cross is coming into view. It can't be avoided. The cross compels Him.

Jesus is content for His followers to render loyalty to Caesar, who is an earthly King. Render to Caesar what he is due; taxes, revenue, respect.

But to Christ; the King of Kings, you owe Him your life.

“When they heard it they left Him.” Literally, they let it go.

And is this not the definition of forgiveness? Your sin, it's gone. Nailed to Jesus' cross. He bore your sin in His own body on the bloody cross of Calvary. That you might die to sin. And live to Him.

There at the cross we find that great exchange. Your flaws and failures. Given in exchange for Christ's perfection. He renders you to God...offering His own life as a sacrifice; as the payment for your sin.

As a follower of Jesus the Christ, the King of Kings, you owe Him everything.

As for Caesar, there is only an obligation. Try to evade paying taxes. You won't go far. Run afoul of law, and you must pay the consequences. Stopped by the man…you must pay the man!

For King Jesus, the debt you owe for your sin, the bill is marked, "Paid in full!"

Jesus gives you NOT religion. Religion says, "If you change first, you may join us." Jesus invites you. He simply says, "Come, and follow Me, and you'll be changed."

So, what's your obligation to Jesus?

"For all which it is my duty to thank and praise and serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true!”

Words-1,105
Passive Sentences-3%
Readability – 77%
Reading Level – 4.6

“The Crucifixion” Woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, The Book of Books in Pictures copyright © WELS used by permission for personal and congregational use.

Friday, October 16, 2020

October 17 - Saturday prior to Pentecost 28 (Proper 24)

Psalm 145:1 -Our reading is the inspiration for tomorrow’s sermon hymn; “Before the Lord We Bow” an appropriate hymn for this week’s theme “Nations under God.” In this hymn we praise God who rules the world and is boundless in power and love. Truly we serve a God who governs the affairs of men who will judge the world with righteousness and equity. Having read these lessons here are a few points to ponder. Is it a true statement that the Lord has already judged the world? If so when and how? When Christ returns in glory what will be the sentence rendered?

This hymn written by Francis Scott Key, best known for “The Star-Spangled Banner” has made its way unto scores of hymnals. Stanza one reads as follows:

Before You, Lord, we bow,

Our God who reigns above

And rules the world below,

Boundless in pow’r and love.

Our thanks we bring

In joy and praise,

Our hearts we raise

To You, our King!

A prayer for our nation: Almighty God, You have given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember Your generosity and constantly do Your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action. Grant that we, who came from many nations with many different languages, may become a united people. Support us in defending our liberties, and give those to whom we have entrusted the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, may our hearts be thankful, and in troubled times do not let our trust in You fail;

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

October 15 - Thursday prior to Pentecost 20 (Proper 24)

– 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5a -In our Epistle lesson for this week Paul greets the Thessalonians and thanks God for their faithful service of faith and love. This is the first of a series of readings from the book written by the Apostle Paul.

With respect to the Gospel lesson for the week – The Thessalonians render to God what God deserves. As for the Old Testament lesson; as Cyrus was chosen, God chose the church of Thessalonica. (Vs. 4) 1 Thessalonians is Paul’s earliest letter from Corinth ca. 50 A.D. He was writing to a Gentile congregation. Accordingly, he refers to their turn from idols to God, to their deliverance from sin through the cross and resurrection, and to their hope for Jesus’ return. In these opening verses, Paul thanks God for their faith, love, and hope. They prove that God has chosen them through the gospel which he preached. Moreover, they imitated the example of Paul and thus they became examples to the other churches.

The fruit mentioned above indicates that the Thessalonian Christians were chosen by God to be His people. How did these people become people of faith, hope and love? Paul says it was the power of the Word which be brought. The gospel was proclaimed in a dynamic way, not only in word but in power and with conviction.

In short, Paul in his introductory remarks thanks God for these Christians in Thessalonica. Do we today every think of thanking God constantly in our prayers for the church? There is good reason to thank God for the church today. Take time this day to thank God for the church because of her work of faith her labor of love and her endurance in hope.

Lord we pray that Your grace may always precede and follow us that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen[1]

Sunday, October 11, 2020

Proper 24 Series A

Isaiah 45:1–7

1 Thessalonians 1:1–10

Matthew 22:15–22

We Are Recreated in the Image of God by the Cross of Christ

Collect for Proper 24: O God, the protector of all who trust in You, have 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, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Plotting against Jesus, the Pharisees attempted “to entangle him in his words” by asking about the payment of taxes to Caesar (Matthew 22:15). The Lord pointed to coins required for the tax, and He answered that we should “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). But if coins bearing the image of Caesar should be rendered to him, then man — who is made in the image of God — must be rendered to the Lord. That tax is paid for us by the Lord Jesus, the image of God in the flesh, by His self-offering on the cross. And from His cross, as the Lord’s anointed, He reigns as the true Caesar over all nations “from the rising of the sun and from the west” (Isaiah 45:6). The Lord once called and anointed Cyrus “to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings” (Isaiah 45:1). Now by the preaching of the Gospel, “in power and in the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 1:5), foreigners from all over the world are “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9–10).

The Image

Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege

And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” (Matthew 22:20, NKJV)

When Jewish leaders questioned Jesus as to whether one should pay Roman taxes, He asked for a coin. They showed him a denarius and he promptly asked them whose image was stamped into the coin. After they answered that it was Caesar’s image, Jesus said to give to Caesar that which is Caesar’s and give to God that which is God’s. Jesus demonstrated wisdom beyond that of Solomon, thus shutting down the questioning of the Pharisees.

Bear with me now and consider an illustration from our text. Though some translations fail to translate the Greek word as “image”, yet that is precisely the word used in this account when Jesus asks, “Whose image and inscription is this?” “Image” is a word used in Scripture to convey great depth of meaning. It was the word used to describe that perfect humanity possessed by Adam when the world still had its pristine purity. Adam was made in the image of God. When Adam then sinned, the image was lost. One could look at every human being on the planet from Adam onward and find no one demonstrating possession of the image of God.

But now there stands in front of the Pharisees the man who once again possesses the image of God. Jesus has God’s image from two perspectives: First He is the eternal Son of God, having been stamped with the Father’s image from eternity. Second He is the man who when one sees Him living as a man, one beholds the perfect man, the man without sin, the man whose will perfectly aligns with God’s will. Beholding Jesus one beholds the New Adam who, like the first Adam, is in the image of God.

Jesus is like the perfect coin, stamped with the image of God, and the inscription beneath the image declares, “This my beloved Son.” Now we can hear the voice of the Father commanding, “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and unto God that which is God’s.” The “coin”, Jesus Christ, will make the payment. Jesus is both the spender and the coin, even as He is both priest and sacrifice.

After a trial handled by the Roman ruler named Pontius Pilate, the people cried out, “Crucify Him.” They were in effect saying, “Make Him pay the price of claiming to be a king who competes with Caesar.” Indeed, “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s.” The coin is to be spent; Jesus must die by the hand of Caesar, He must be crucified under Roman law.

Being in God’s image as both God and man, this Jesus is without sin, perfectly obedient to His heavenly Father. But now the Father makes Him who knew no sin to be sin for us. This Second Adam is being commanded to pay the price of mankind’s sins. He is being told by His Father to render unto God that which is God’s. So the Son obeys. This coin perfectly stamped with the image of God is spent to pay for mankind’s sins.

Now this perfect coin, because He willingly rendered unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and unto God that which is God’s, has paid the price of our redemption. And what is the result? We become the righteousness of God in Him, for He rises from the dead for our justification. Or to state it differently, in Christ we have the image of God restored. Now in our Baptism God has declared us again to be in His image, and the inscription upon us says, “This is my beloved son.” This is Christ’s blood-bought gift for us.

Matthew 22:15-22

Paying Taxes to Caesar

Matthew 22:15

Τότε πορευθέντες οἱ Φαρισαῖοι συμβούλιον ἔλαβον ὅπως αὐτὸν παγιδεύσωσιν ἐν λόγῳ.

Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words.

Matthew 22:16

καὶ ἀποστέλλουσιν αὐτῷ τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτῶν μετὰ τῶν Ἡρῳδιανῶν [a]λέγοντες• Διδάσκαλε, οἴδαμεν ὅτι ἀληθὴς εἶ καὶ τὴν ὁδὸν τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ διδάσκεις, καὶ οὐ μέλει σοι περὶ οὐδενός, οὐ γὰρ βλέπεις εἰς πρόσωπον ἀνθρώπων

And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.[a]

a. Matthew 22:16 Greek for you do not look at people's faces

Matthew 22:17

εἰπὸν οὖν ἡμῖν τί σοι δοκεῖ• ἔξεστιν δοῦναι κῆνσον Καίσαρι ἢ οὔ;

Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

Matthew 22:18

γνοὺς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς τὴν πονηρίαν αὐτῶν εἶπεν• Τί με πειράζετε, ὑποκριταί;

But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?

Matthew 22:19

ἐπιδείξατέ μοι τὸ νόμισμα τοῦ κήνσου. οἱ δὲ προσήνεγκαν αὐτῷ δηνάριον.

Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius.[b]

b. Matthew 22:19 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer

Matthew 22:20

καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς• Τίνος ἡ εἰκὼν αὕτη καὶ ἡ ἐπιγραφή;

And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”

Matthew 22:21

λέγουσιν [b]αὐτῷ• Καίσαρος. τότε λέγει αὐτοῖς• Ἀπόδοτε οὖν τὰ Καίσαρος Καίσαρι καὶ τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ τῷ θεῷ.

They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.”

Matthew 22:22

καὶ ἀκούσαντες ἐθαύμασαν, καὶ ἀφέντες αὐτὸν ἀπῆλθαν.

When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.

Sources:

LCMS Lectionary series

Sunday, October 14, 2018

Proper 24 Series B

Proper 24 Series B

Ecclesiastes 5:10–20

Hebrews 4:1–13 (14–16)

Mark 10:23–31

By the Voluntary Poverty of Christ, We Enter the Kingdom of God

To love and trust in earthly wealth is vanity. For nothing of this earth will last forever, nor can any of it grant eternal life (Ecclesiastes 5:10). But the one who trusts in God is “occupied with joy in his heart” and is able to sleep in peace, “whether he eats little or much,” because he knows that the “days of his life” are “the gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:12, 18–20). The person who trusts in riches cannot sleep, because he “shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand” (Ecclesiastes 5:15). Therefore, it is difficult, “for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 20:23). Indeed, it is impossible for man, yet “all things are possible with God” (Mark 20:27). Thus, the Rich Man, Jesus Christ, has made Himself poor and has gone through “the eye of a needle,” through death and the grave, “to enter the kingdom of God” on our behalf (Mark 20:24–25). He is the “great high priest who has passed through the heavens” (Hebrews 4:14), so that we may now enter His Sabbath rest by faith in His forgiveness (Hebrews 4:3–9).

Mark 10:23-31

Jesus predicts His trial, execution, and resurrection for the third time, while walking boldly to His death. Jesus goes to die the sinners' death, accepting the Law's penalty in our place. Faith looks to Christ crucified and risen and says, "for me!" Luther - "Who is this "me?" It is I, an accursed and damned sinner, who was so beloved by the Son of God that He gave Himself for me." (AE 26:176)

Mark 10:23

And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

-Difficult it is for those having wealth to enter into the kingdom of God. It's difficult...but they get in.

Mark 10:24

And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is[a] to enter the kingdom of God!

-The disciples marveled at this word, children how difficult it is to enter into the kingdom. Jesus no longer speaks of wealth but the kingdom.

- Some manuscripts add for those who trust in riches

Mark 10:25

it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

-Easier it is for the camel through the eye of the needle to enter than for a rich man to enter the kingdom.

Mark 10:26

οἱ δὲ περισσῶς ἐξεπλήσσοντο λέγοντες πρὸς [d]ἑαυτούς• Καὶ τίς δύναται σωθῆναι;

And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him,[b] “Then who can be saved?”

-They were exceedingly astonished, so who then shall be saved? The center of the text finds the biggest animal and the smallest opening.

- Some manuscripts add, “and said to one another”

A way to divide the text as follows, "the gaze of Jesus," "difficult," and "amazed."

Mark 10:27

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

-Looking/gazing at them Jesus says, with man yes, but not with God all things are possible.

Mark 10:28

Ἤρξατο [g]λέγειν ὁ Πέτρος αὐτῷ• Ἰδοὺ ἡμεῖς ἀφήκαμεν πάντα καὶ [h]ἠκολουθήκαμέν σοι.

Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.

-Peter began to say, right here and now, The verbs are in the perfect tense, “we have left everything!”

Mark 10:29

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel,

-Those who have released homes, brothers, etc.

Mark 10:30

who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

-Will he not receive 100 times in this life, these things and persecutions and, in the coming age, eternal life.

Mark 10:31

πολλοὶ δὲ ἔσονται πρῶτοι ἔσχατοι καὶ [l]οἱ ἔσχατοι πρῶτοι.

But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

-Many who are first will be last and those last will be first.

Sources:
English Standard Version. 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

LCMS Study notes
Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing, St. Louis

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Pentecost 18 - Proper 24 - Time in the Word

We Are Recreated in the Image of God by the Cross of Christ

Plotting against Jesus, the Pharisees attempted “to entangle Him in His talk” by asking about the payment of taxes to Caesar (Matt. 22:15). The Lord pointed to coins required for the tax, and He answered that we should “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matt. 22:21). But if coins bearing the image of Caesar should be rendered to him, then man—who is made in the image of God—must be rendered to the Lord. That tax is paid for us by the Lord Jesus, the Image of God in the flesh, by His self-offering on the Cross. And from His Cross, as the Lord’s Anointed, He reigns as the true Caesar over all nations “from the rising of the sun and from the west” (Is. 45:6). The Lord once called and anointed Cyrus “to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings” (Is. 45:1). Now by the preaching of the Gospel, “in power and in the Holy Spirit” (1 Thess. 1:4), foreigners from all over the world are “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thess. 1:9–10).

Collect for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost: O God, the protector of all who trust in You, have 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, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Prayer for good government: Eternal Lord, ruler of all, graciously regard those who have been set in positions of authority among us that, guided by Your Spirit, they may be high in purpose, wise in counsel, firm in good resolution, and unwavering in duty, that under them we may be governed quietly and peaceably; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .

Prayer for the nation: Almighty God, You have given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember Your generosity and constantly do Your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action. Grant that we, who came from many nations with many different languages, may become a united people. Support us in defending our liberties, and give those to whom we have entrusted the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, may our hearts be thankful, and in troubled times do not let our trust in You fail; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .

Prayer for responsible leaders: O merciful Father in heaven, from You comes all rule and authority over the nations of the world for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do well. Grciously regard Your servants, those who make, administer, and judge the laws of this nation, and look in mercy upon all the rulers of the earth. Grant that all who receive the sword as Your servants may bear it according to Your command. Enlighten and defend them, and grant them wisdom and understanding that under their peaceable governance Your people may be guarded and directed in righteousness, quietness, and unity. Protect and prolong their lives that we with them may show forth the praise of Your name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .

Monday, 10 October 2011—Psalm 121:1–4, 7–8; Antiphon, Psalm 121:5—Psalm 121 is a Song of Ascents; it was sung by pilgrims making their way up to the holy city of Jerusalem for the celebrations of the great feasts and festivals. It speaks of the help and assistance rendered by the Lord to His people. The first verse is a bit surprising: for people who had to travel great distances from home on foot, hills were often dangerous places, where thieves or wild animals could hide, lying in wait for unwary travelers. But here, the hills refer to the hills surrounding Jerusalem, the place where God dwelt with His people in the temple. It is from Him that our help comes, it is the Lord who watches over us.

Tuesday, 11 October 2011—Psalm 96:1–9—All the peoples of the earth are called to sing to the Lord, because he has provided salvation for the whole world. Christ won peace and forgiveness not only for Israel but for all people. Since Christ died for all the world, God’s people are to proclaim the message of salvation to the whole world. (People’s Bible)

Wednesday, 12 October 2011—Isaiah 45:1–7—Isaiah was sent by God in the eighth century b.c. to prophesy to the nation of Judah (the southern kingdom), warning them to repent of their wicked ways, lest they suffer the same fate as their northern brethren, who had been carried off into captivity by the Assyrians. In 586 b.c., the Babylonians fulfilled God’s decree. But Isaiah also prophesied that God would send someone to deliver them from the Babylonians and allow them to return to their homeland. This one was Cyrus, the Persian king. This portion of Isaiah speaks of him. Astoundingly, though Cyrus was a pagan, God calls him His ‘anointed’. Though this term was usually reserved for Israelites who were consecrated as priests, prophets, and kings, this foreign heathen would become the instrument of God to deliver His people. Likewise, in our day, God works, even through godless regimes and governments to take care of Hos people, even when we cannot understand His methods and reasons.

Thursday, 13 October 2011—1 Thessalonians 1:1–10—In this last portion of the Church Year, the epistle readings are drawn from St Paul’s letter to the church at Thessalonica in Greece. The congregation had been established by Paul whilst on his second missionary journey. All of Paul’s work in the region of Macedonia was marked by severe persecution; the congregation at Thessalonica faced fierce opposition from Jews. When he got to Athens, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to strengthen the fledgling congregation and to bring a report. The report cheered Paul’s heart, as it told him that, more than just withstanding persecution, the congregation was actively spreading the Gospel throughout Macedonia. The first half of the letter (through 3:9), therefore, expresses his love, thankfulness, and concern for the Christians at Thessalonica.

Friday, 14 October 2011—Matthew 22:15–22—We Americans often have an adversarial relationship with the civil authorities. We worry about what the government is going to do to us, rather than for us. We may be tempted to withhold what we rightly owe, thinking that they won’t spend it correctly, or that they don’t deserve so much. But Jesus councils us to pay the taxes we owe, but also drawing a line of demarcation between the government and God. There is rightly a separation of Church and State. We do not want the civil government interfering in the affairs of the Church; neither should the Church interfere in matters of state.

Saturday, 15 October 2011—As the psalm for the day calls upon all peoples of the earth to praise the Lord, so, too, the hymn of the day, Holy God, We Praise Thy Name (LSB #940), calls upon every creature, on earth and in heaven, to join in the chorus.

Lectionary summary on front page from LCMS Commission on Worship

This week's Time in the Word written by Pr. Jeffrey Keuning