Proper 29 - Series A notes

 

Last Sunday of the Church Year

Christ the King 
Ezekiel 34:11–16, 20–24
1 Corinthians 15:20–28
Matthew 25:31-46 

 

By the Cross of Christ We Enter the Kingdom of Our God and Father

 Eternal God, merciful Father, You have appointed You Son as judge of the living and the dead. Enable us to wait for the day of His return with our eyes fixed on the kingdom prepared for Your own from the foundation of the world; 

When the crucified and risen Lord Jesus comes to judge the living and the dead, “he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:32). “To those on his right,” who have been crucified and raised with Him through repentance and faith in His Gospel, He will grant the blessed Kingdom of His Father (Matthew 25:34). Having been justified by His grace, they live unto righteousness in Him (Matthew 25:35–40). But “those on his left,” who trust in themselves and despise their neighbor, will depart “into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). Until that day, the Lord searches for His sheep “as a shepherd seeks out his flock” (Ezekiel 34:11–12). Through His preaching of repentance, He disciplines the proud sheep and goats, “the fat and the strong,” but through the preaching of forgiveness He rescues the lost, binds up the injured, strengthens the weak and feeds “the lean sheep” (Ezekiel 34:16, 20). In this way, He destroys the power of death in the children of Adam by His cross, so that “in Christ shall all be made alive” by His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20–26).

Identity of the Saved

Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege 

“Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” (Matthew 25:32)                                                                       

The Judgment Day scene in this Sunday’s Gospel can be easily misunderstood.  Some may look at those who are “saved” and come to the conclusion that they are saved by their own efforts, saved by their own good works.  But further consideration reveals that the “saved” are not saved by what they have done, but by who they are.

The first identity of the saved is that they are sheep, and as such they exist under the care of the Good Shepherd.  The rest of the world consists of goats.  Sheep are sheep and goats are goats by their birth; they were born that way.  So the sheep behave as sheep because that is what they are; it is natural for them to behave as sheep.  Indeed as they follow the Good Shepherd they go where He directs, and He directs that they go to the needy of the world both with the Gospel and with acts of mercy.  They don’t do these things in order to “become” sheep, they do it because they are Christ’s sheep.

A second identification of the saved is that they have been placed at the right of Jesus (v 33). In Scripture God’s right hand is the place of blessing and favor. Observe that those at Christ’s right were placed there; they did not make any effort to attain this position.  Those at Christ’s right have been given the position of salvation, and having been given the position of salvation they behave as the saved; their behavior did not place them at Christ’s right hand, but it is the result of being at Christ’s right hand.

Jesus further identifies the saved as those “blessed by my Father” (v 34).  A primary way that the saved are blessed of the Father is that they have been brought into His family; they stand as brothers and sisters of Jesus, children of God.  Thus when they behave in a godly way, they are only doing that which comes naturally; children of God behave with mercy and love even as their Father is merciful and loving. 

Related to being blessed of our Lord’s Father, the saved are identified as heirs.  Jesus says to the saved,…inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (v 34).  People inherit something because they are born in or have been brought into the family of the deceased.  The saved are heirs because they are in God’s family, and they will inherit what the deceased has bequeathed—a kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world.  Jesus, the deceased one, has not only bequeathed a kingdom because of the testament flowing from His death, but having risen from the dead He has also raised the saved to new life and has established them as joint heirs with Him.  Realizing they have an eternal kingdom, the saved use their wealth to help others now, realizing they stand to inherit that which will not fade away.  

Finally the saved are identified by Jesus as The Righteous. The Righteous may at times be identified by their righteous works; however in both the Old and New Testaments the righteous are foundationally those who have been justified, declared righteous.  Thus when Jesus labels them as righteous, He is first and foremost identifying them as the justified, those who are clothed with the righteousness of Jesus.

So when (or how) did the sheep become sheep, when did they become blessed of the Father, heirs of the eternal kingdom, and when were they declared righteous?  All of these transformations happened in the death and resurrection of Jesus.  The transformation was then bestowed on individuals uniquely when they were baptized, and they believed they were thus united with the One whose death and resurrection combine to truly change people in this life and into eternity.

Matthew 25:31 –

Ὅταν δὲ ἔλθῃ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐν τῇ δόξῃ αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντες οἱ ἄγγελοι μετ’ αὐτοῦ, τότε καθίσει ἐπὶ θρόνου δόξης αὐτοῦ•  
When the son of man comes in his glory and all his angels with him then he will sit on his glorious throne.  

ALL His Angels, you won't miss it. See Daniel 7:1, Ps. 80. 

When he sits on the throne he judges. Future more vivid. He will sit. Matthew 19:8 "regeneration" we have already in baptism.  

Matthew 25:32 –

καὶ συναχθήσονται ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, καὶ ἀφορίσει αὐτοὺς ἀπ’ ἀλλήλων, ὥσπερ ὁ ποιμὴν ἀφορίζει τὰ πρόβατα ἀπὸ τῶν ἐρίφων, 

"All the nations" will gather. 

All inclusive. See Rev. 6/7 The same phrase as Matthew 28.

Condemnation is on the cross. Sentencing is at the judgment. 

Matthew 25:33 –

καὶ στήσει τὰ μὲν πρόβατα ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ τὰ δὲ ἐρίφια ἐξ εὐωνύμων. 
and he will stand the sheep to his right and the goats to the left. 

ἐκ  They come out from, they emanate from him.

Matthew 25:34 – 

τότε ἐρεῖ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῖς ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ• Δεῦτε, οἱ εὐλογημένοι τοῦ πατρός μου, κληρονομήσατε τὴν ἡτοιμασμένην ὑμῖν βασιλείαν ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου.
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 

Come the blessed ones of my Father. 

Inherit κληρονομήσατε is passive, before you even lifted a finger it was given. It comes as gift. You are born into it. You cannot inherit anything until Christ is slain. The book of life has only one name in it...Jesus. Worked on the cross, consummated on the last day. 

Matthew 25:35 – 

ἐπείνασα γὰρ καὶ ἐδώκατέ μοι φαγεῖν, ἐδίψησα καὶ ἐποτίσατέ με, ξένος ἤμην καὶ συνηγάγετέ με,
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 

Matthew 25:36-

γυμνὸς καὶ περιεβάλετέ με, ἠσθένησα καὶ ἐπεσκέψασθέ με, ἐν φυλακῇ ἤμην καὶ ἤλθατε πρός με.
I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’

These actions do not refer to social justice or economic aid. Context these words were spoken on Wednesday of Holy Week. The purpose is for your salvation. 

Matthew 25:37 –

τότε ἀποκριθήσονται αὐτῷ οἱ δίκαιοι λέγοντες• Κύριε, πότε σε εἴδομεν πεινῶντα καὶ ἐθρέψαμεν, ἢ διψῶντα καὶ ἐποτίσαμεν; 
Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?

Matthew 25:38 -

πότε δέ σε εἴδομεν ξένον καὶ συνηγάγομεν, ἢ γυμνὸν καὶ περιεβάλομεν;
And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?

Matthew 25:39-

πότε δέ σε εἴδομεν ἀσθενοῦντα ἢ ἐν φυλακῇ καὶ ἤλθομεν πρός σε; 
And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 

The righteous are called righteous because they have been declared righteous. 

Then the righteous will answer Him saying, "when...?"  

The protest of the sheep shows this is not works righteousness. We are blind to our own works. These are not the deeds you do but Christ. They are the works pre ordained. The question for both righteous and unrighteous is "when did we see You?" 

The unrighteous ask, "show us when we didn't do this."  

Matthew 25:40 –

καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐρεῖ αὐτοῖς• Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐφ’ ὅσον ἐποιήσατε ἑνὶ τούτων τῶν ἀδελφῶν μου τῶν ἐλαχίστων, ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε.  
whatever you did for one of these brothers, the least of these, you did it to Me. 

See the negative in Acts, "Paul why are you persecuting Me?"  We consider "least" in human standards. 

Hell is without the presence of Christ. They are cursed because they are not in Christ. 

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

Time in the Word - Proper 29

 

The Lessons for this coming week deal with the Last Sunday of the Church year, Christ the King Sunday. On Christ the King Sunday, it is obvious that the kingship of Christ is the theme. The church year closes with a climax in which Jesus is crowned Lord of all. His kingship is universal and eternal. The Gospel portrays Jesus as King-Judge of all nations. The Old Testament lesson is related to the Gospel by the fact that Jesus compares his sheep to himself. Paul depicts Jesus as the victor over the world with all things under Christ’s feet, including death. The Prayer of the Day refers to the Theme of the Day: “King of all Creation” and “The glorious and gentle rule of your Son.” The Psalms pick up the idea of the sheep, but there is reference to “a King above all gods.” The Hymn of the Day uses the phrase “King of kings and Lord of lords,” and refers to the coming judgment.

Collect for Christ the King –Merciful and gracious Lord, You cause Your word to be proclaimed in every generation. Stir up our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may receive this proclamation with humility and finally be exalted at the coming of Your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 

Collect for the Harvest – Almighty God, Your crown the fields with Your blessing and permit us to gather in the fruits of the earth. As stewards of Your creation, may we receive Your gifts in humble thankfulness and share Your bounty with those in need;

Prayer for Thanksgiving–Almighty God, Your mercies are new every morning and Your generously provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant us Your Holy spirit that we may acknowledge Your goodness, give thanks for Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience all our days.

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

Monday, November 20, 2023 - Psalm 39:4-5, 7-8, 12a - The Antiphon for this coming Sunday is from 2 Peter 3:13, “ In keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth the home of the righteous.”

Tuesday, November 21, 2023– Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 - The Shepherd King will gather His people. As the shepherd for his people, Yahweh will seek the lost, gather, and feed his sheep with David as the prince among them. A popular metaphor for a religious-political leader in Judah was “shepherd.” False shepherds, says Ezekiel, led Judah to ruin and captivity. So, the Lord will be her shepherd who will bring his sheep out of captivity in Babylon, feed them with justice, and restore them to their former homeland. The nation will be restored under a new leader, a Messiah, a son of David.

The Lord says He will be the shepherd of His people. A shepherd is considered a king in Hebrew writings. He acts like a king who cares for his people. He is a good shepherd, the perfect one. He does only good for his people; seeks, gathers, and feeds them. He has compassion on the lost, the crippled and the weak. Nor does he neglect the healthy ones whom he feeds with justice. “My God, how wonderful thou art!”

Wednesday, November 22, 2023– 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 - The King will conquer the world. God has put all things in subjection to Christ. On this Christ the King Sunday, we see Christ as the king over death. His resurrection was the first person to rise from death. Since He rose, the Christian dead will also rise. At the end of time, He will deliver His kingdom to God. All enemies, including death, will be defeated by King Jesus. Then the Son will subject himself to God the Father that God may be everything to everyone.

Thursday, November 23, 2023– Matthew 25:31-46 –Jesus will judge the nations. Christ the King will judge the nations. At the end of time Christ is to come as judge of the nations. As Shepherd-King, Jesus will separate the sheep and goats, the good and the bad. The basis of the separation is the nations’ ministering or lack of ministering to the hungry, thirsty, sick, and imprisoned. The passage is not primarily an appeal for social justice or economic aid. 

The main point of the parable is the coming separation of the good and the bad who are destined either for heaven or hell. It should also be noted that what was done to Christ was done not to people in general, but to “the least of these my brethren.” The brethren are Jesus’ disciples.

The word “Me” is used fourteen times in this lesson. It refers to Christ. Is Christ the one who is hungry, naked, and in prison? The sick “brother” is not Christ himself; the hungry man is not Christ.

When we help the needy, we do it as to Christ. This is because Jesus identifies with the afflicted. When we love someone, we say to one who helps the beloved, “What you do for him, you do for me.” Anyone who befriends your child is automatically a friend of yours. Thus in everything we do we do it unto the Lord.

Friday, November 24, 2023 - Psalm 95:1-7a - This Psalm is the one appointed for this Sunday.  Verse 7a is the key verse, “We are the people of his pasture.”  Our Savior has promised to shepherd us; we are never in want. Thus we cast our worries and cares into His hands as He orders our days and directs our path. He alone is our good shepherd and king.

Saturday, November 25, 2023 - Hebrews 2:19 -Our reading is the inspiration for the hymn, “The Head that Once was Crowned with Thorns.”  As the Church year comes to a close, we recall that He who Ascended will return in glory. If we are prepared to receive Him on the last great day, we will be ready to celebrate at the time of His birth. The baby in the manger, the death of the man on the cross, and the king who comes in triumph are all one in the same – Jesus our Savior. 

Sources
LUTHERAN SEVICE BOOK © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
 
LECTIONALRY PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES A © 1980 John Brokhoff CSS Publishing Lima, OH

 
 Image of Christ the King copyright © Ed Riojas Higher Things

 

 

 

Christ the King - Proper 29 Series C

Proper 29 Series C

Christ the King

(November 20 - 26)

Malachi 3:13–18

Colossians 1:13–20

Luke 23:27–43

Lord Jesus Christ, You reign among us by the preaching of Your cross. Forgive Your people their offenses that we, being governed by Your bountiful goodness, mY enter at last into Your eternal paradise; 

Jesus Christ Reigns, Enduring the Cross — Its Scorn and Shame

The Lord Jesus reigns in love among those who are baptized in His name. “They shall be mine,” He says, “and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him” (Malachi 3:17). 

Jesus’ service through crucifixion for sinful men anchors us in new life. In the proclamation of His Son, God makes His justice clear, defining “the distinction between the righteous and the wicked” (Malachi 3:18). 

He truly is “the King of the Jews” (Luke 23:38), who governs His Church with all authority in heaven and on earth. He has come into His kingdom by His cross, and He graciously remembers us in paradise. Therefore, do not weep for Him, but with repentant faith “weep for yourselves and for your children” (Luke 23:28). Then the mountains and hills of Jerusalem, His holy Church, shall cover you with His righteousness and peace. For He “is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Colossians 1:15). 

"All things were created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16), and “all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” bodily in Him, reconciling all things to Himself “by the blood of his cross” (Colossians 1:19–20).

Jesus is a king on a cross. His enemies did not realize the truth of the mockery, "If You are the King of the Jews..."  The political authorities also did not realize what they wrote, "This is the King of the Jews."  

On Psalm Sunday the faithful sang praises to their King - "Behold, your king is coming to you."  There are various reactions to this king. The people - they watch from a distance as mere spectators - v.35. The rulers were scoffers and cynics - v.35.  The soldered mocked and ridiculed - v.36. Sinners offered prayers and petitions of penitence - Vv. 39-43.  

The Great Absolution: Father Forgive Them (Luke 23:34)
Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege

Our Lord’s first words from the cross are universally and foundationally meaningful. As his accusers and tormentors accomplished their goal by giving Him the appointment with death through the torturous Roman cross, the Savior called out the intercessory absolution, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” We here emphasize the first words, “Father, forgive them.”  (Indeed no sinner knows what he is doing; man’s mind is set against God.)

His wondrous words are universally meaningful because there is the universal sinful condition of mankind.  Many theologians have concluded that Christ’s absolution from the cross was for more than those who directly crucified Him. Scripture indicates all humanity—all sins—put Him to death. St. Paul states, “He died for all.”   St. John wrote:  “He is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” From these inspired statements and many others we realize the universal payment for sin that was made by Christ at the cross. It was thus not merely the sins of those who were present at His crucifixion that nailed Him to the tree, but it was the sins of all humanity, from Adam to the end of time, that crucified Him. Even as He dies for all He also speaks absolution for all by praying, “Father, forgive them.” He thus intercedes for all humanity; His is a universal absolution.

As the crucified Son of God speaks to His eternal Father, “Father forgive them,” His words are foundational to all Christian truth and works. Holy Scripture echoes the foundational need for man’s forgiveness from God. What is the basis for such forgiveness?  Getting more specific, why would God forgive Adam and Eve?  Why did the animal sacrifices offer forgiveness in Old Testament times?  What was the foundation for the forgiveness pronounced, for instance, by Nathan to King David?  Why do Holy Baptism, Holy Absolution and the Holy Supper bring forgiveness?  Indeed the work of the cross creates the reason behind all forgiveness, but Christ’s prayer—Father, forgive them—marks the foundational petition behind all forgiveness—past, present and future. This foundation is thus that the Father in heaven forgives because of the crucifixion and because of the cross-supported request of His Son.

This forgiveness of God toward mankind creates other wonders of the Christian faith as well.  In our Father’s forgiveness of us there is the reason and the power to forgive one another. In Christ we are tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God in Christ has forgiven us. Additionally our gift of eternal life only flows from God’s foundational forgiveness of our sins, for, as Luther Biblically concluded, where there is forgiveness of sins there is also life and salvation.

Would the Father be forgiving us without the specific request made by the Son? Indeed the crucifixion of Jesus is in itself the absolution of humanity, but what joy and comfort is found in the absolving words, “Father, forgive them.”

Luke 23:26-43 

The Crucifixion -

Luke 23:26 

Καὶ ὡς ἀπήγαγον αὐτόν, ἐπιλαβόμενοι [a]Σίμωνά τινα Κυρηναῖον ἐρχόμενον ἀπ’ ἀγροῦ ἐπέθηκαν αὐτῷ τὸν σταυρὸν φέρειν ὄπισθεν τοῦ Ἰησοῦ. 

And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.

Luke 23:27 

Ἠκολούθει δὲ αὐτῷ πολὺ πλῆθος τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ γυναικῶν [b]αἳ ἐκόπτοντο καὶ ἐθρήνουν αὐτόν.

And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. 

Literally, “beating the breast." Pious women occasionally and customarily would lament those being sentenced to death.  

The term for 'the people' τοῦ λαοῦ is found in Revelation 7 

Luke 23:28

στραφεὶς δὲ πρὸς αὐτὰς [c]ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν• Θυγατέρες Ἰερουσαλήμ, μὴ κλαίετε ἐπ’ ἐμέ• πλὴν ἐφ’ ἑαυτὰς κλαίετε καὶ ἐπὶ τὰ τέκνα ὑμῶν, 

But turning to them Jesus said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 

"Weep upon yourselves and your children."  

"Daughters of Jerusalem" is reference to OT a way of referring to the OT church. See Palm Sunday Old Testament readings.

Luke 23:29 

ὅτι ἰδοὺ ἔρχονται ἡμέραι ἐν αἷς ἐροῦσιν Μακάριαι αἱ στεῖραι καὶ [d]αἱ κοιλίαι αἳ οὐκ ἐγέννησαν καὶ μαστοὶ οἳ οὐκ [e]ἔθρεψαν. 

For behold, (right here and now in time) the days are coming when they (NOT 'you') will say, 'Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!'  

The world is literally ending! It’s happening now. 

Luke 23:30 

ότε ἄρξονται λέγειν τοῖς ὄρεσιν• Πέσετε ἐφ’ ἡμᾶς, καὶ τοῖς βουνοῖς• Καλύψατε ἡμᾶς•

Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us,' and to the hills, 'Cover us.' 

- See Revelation 6:15-16. This what the unbelievers say of themselves of mocking the faithful of themselves.  

These are not words of faithfulness but of panic not the words of faith. See also Hosea 10:8 

Luke 23:31

 ὅτι εἰ ἐν [f]τῷ ὑγρῷ ξύλῳ ταῦτα ποιοῦσιν, ἐν τῷ ξηρῷ τί γένηται; 

For if they do these things when the wood is green, (moist) what will happen when it is dry?" 

-A proverb? - see Proverbs 11:31 - an expectation of the coming persecution.

These are the beatitudes of evil. They are evil but not the ultimate evil.  

See the reference to Jesus' cursing of the fig tree.  Mark 11:12-25; Matthew 21:18–22

Luke 23:32 

Ἤγοντο δὲ καὶ ἕτεροι [g]κακοῦργοι δύο σὺν αὐτῷ ἀναιρεθῆναι. 

Two others, who were criminals, (wicked workers) were led away to be put to death (executed) with him. 

Luke 23:33 

αὶ ὅτε [h]ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον τὸν καλούμενον Κρανίον, ἐκεῖ ἐσταύρωσαν αὐτὸν καὶ τοὺς κακούργους, ὃν μὲν ἐκ δεξιῶν ὃν δὲ ἐξ ἀριστερῶν.

And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 

Why is Jesus in the center?  He is set apart as an example. 

Luke 23:34

 [i]ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς ἔλεγεν• Πάτερ, ἄφες αὐτοῖς, οὐ γὰρ οἴδασιν τί ποιοῦσιν. διαμεριζόμενοι δὲ τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ ἔβαλον [j]κλήρους. 

And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments.

See the variant reading, it belongs to the text. 

Luke 23:35

καὶ εἱστήκει ὁ λαὸς θεωρῶν. ἐξεμυκτήριζον δὲ καὶ οἱ [k]ἄρχοντες λέγοντες• Ἄλλους ἔσωσεν, σωσάτω ἑαυτόν, εἰ οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ χριστὸς [l]τοῦ θεοῦ, ὁ ἐκλεκτός. 

And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!"

Luke 23:36

 [m]ἐνέπαιξαν δὲ αὐτῷ καὶ οἱ στρατιῶται προσερχόμενοι, [n]ὄξος προσφέροντες αὐτῷ 

The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 

- See Psalm 22;  Psalm 69 

Luke 23:37

 καὶ λέγοντες• Εἰ σὺ εἶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων, σῶσον σεαυτόν. 

and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" 

A little word is added here "if"   

Luke 23:38

 ἦν δὲ καὶ [o]ἐπιγραφὴ ἐπ’ [p]αὐτῷ• Ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων [q]οὗτος. 

There was also an inscription over him, "The King of the Jews This." 

Luke 23:39 

Εἷς δὲ τῶν κρεμασθέντων κακούργων ἐβλασφήμει αὐτόν [r]λέγων• [s]Οὐχὶ σὺ εἶ ὁ χριστός; σῶσον σεαυτὸν καὶ ἡμᾶς.

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at (blasphemed) him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

More than joining the mocking...a double negative. 

Luke 23:40

 ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ ἕτερος [t]ἐπιτιμῶν αὐτῷ ἔφη• Οὐδὲ φοβῇ σὺ τὸν θεόν, ὅτι ἐν τῷ αὐτῷ κρίματι εἶ; 

But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?

 "in the same judgment we are" 

Luke 23:41

 καὶ ἡμεῖς μὲν δικαίως, ἄξια γὰρ ὧν ἐπράξαμεν ἀπολαμβάνομεν• οὗτος δὲ οὐδὲν ἄτοπον ἔπραξεν. 

And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."

Luke 23:42

 καὶ [u]ἔλεγεν• Ἰησοῦ, μνήσθητί [v]μου ὅταν ἔλθῃς [w]ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ σου. 

And he said, "Jesus, remember me (whenever) you come into your kingdom."

Luke 23:43 

 καὶ εἶπεν [x]αὐτῷ• Ἀμήν [y]σοι λέγω σήμερον μετ’ ἐμοῦ ἔσῃ ἐν τῷ παραδείσῳ.

And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." 

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

Time in the Word - Proper 29

The King of the Kingdom

The church year comes to a close on a triumphant note. Christ the King. It is a festival, not an ordinary day, and the liturgical color changes to white, a color denoting festivity, joy, and peace. The church year comes to a close not with a whimper but with a shout. Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” would be appropriate. The year ends not in defeat but in triumph. The Old Testament Malachi 3:13-18 the Lord promises to have pity and compassion upon His people. The Epistle Colossians 1:13-30 identifies the king as the Son of God Jesus Christ our Savior. The Lord is crucified for us in the Gospel and His kingdom is opened to a penitent thief.

Collect for Christ the King Sunday: Lord God, heavenly Father, send forth Your Son, we pray, that He may lead home His bride the Church, that we with all the redeemed may enter into Your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Almighty and merciful God, You break the power of evil and make all things new in Your Son Jesus Christ, the King of the universe. May all in heaven and earth acclaim Your glory and never cease to praise You. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God for ever and ever. Amen

Collect for Proper 29: Lord Jesus Christ, You reigns among us by the preaching of Your cross. Forgive Your people their offenses that we, being governed by Your bountiful goodness, may enter at least in to Your eternal paradise; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Collect for Psalm 46: Lord God, our refuge and strength, when the restless powers of this world and the waters of hell rise up against Your Holy City, watch over it and keep it safe. By the river that flows form the throne of the Lamb, purify this New Jerusalem as Your chosen dwelling for You are with us, our stronghold now and forever.

Collect for Psalm 98: Lord, we sing to You a new song, for Your victory is ever new. In the empty tomb You have given us a glimpse of Your future and in Your victory over death Yu have shown us now we shall overcome the last enemy.

Christ the King is the Last Sunday of the Church year. It is fitting that the Gospel gives the account of the end of Jesus’ life. He died as a king. Ironically His enemies ridiculed Him as the King of the Jews and as the reason for His crucifixion Pilate wrote, “King of the Jews!” We must see the whole life of Christ as a king. He was born a king and all through His life we can see his royal life and work, with the authority and power of the king of kings.

Monday, 14 November  2022—Psalm134; antiphon, Psalm 33:8—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray confidently Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. The word of the Lord lasts forever. Nothing can snatch us out of the Savior’s hand. The promises of God from of old are all fulfilled in the life, and ministry of Jesus Christ the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Tuesday, 15 November 2022—Psalm 46 — This week’s psalm is the inspiration of Luther’s great hymn of the Reformation “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” This Psalm may have been written following Sennacherib’s attack on Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 32), some natural disaster, or in anticipation of the events heralding Messiah’s coming. Vv.4-5 Have a parallel in Revelation 22:1-5 where the ideal is perfectly realized. The psalmist glories in God’s presence with His people and His real and unassailable protection (Vv. 1, 4-5, 7, 11)

Wednesday, 16 November 2022—Malachi 3:13-18— In their arrogance and unbelief the Jews called blessed those whom the godly know to be cursed. But it is they who will be called blessed if they repent. Even at the final hour the Lord is still calling His people to repentance and faith. In the Day of Judgment the Lord will spare those who fear Him. They will be called the Lord’s most treasured possession. 2,500 years after these words were written the Lord is still calling His people back to repentance. This is our attitude, searching and calling those missing from the Father’s table. 

Thursday, 17 November 2022—Colossians 1:13-20—Our lesson gives us the scope of Christ’s kingdom. It is much needed because we think usually of Jesus as king of the Jews only, or of Christians only, or of the individual’s heart. Paul raises our sights and we see Jesus as king of the universe.

Look at your king; can you imagine the honor and privilege of being a servant of a king of such great dimensions? If Jesus is king of the cosmos, then He is not confined to one nation, race, or church. He rules the world, and all the nations, and all the planets. Who is this King? He is the creator of the vast universe - v.16.

He is the eternal king – v. 17. He is the Head of the church – v.18. He is the reconciler and redeemer of the whole world – Vv.14, 20.

Friday, 18 November 2022-Luke 23:27-43 — Jesus was a king on the cross. His enemies did not realize the truth of the mockery, “If you are the King of the Jews.” The political authorities also did not realize what they wrote, “This is the king of the Jews.” On Palm Sunday the faithful sang praises to their king – ‘Behold, your king is coming to you.” In the gospel lesson there are various reactions to this king. The people – they watched from a distance. They were mere spectators – v. 35. The rulers – they were scoffers and cynics – v. 35. The soldiers – they mocked and ridiculed – v. 36. Sinners – the offered prayers and petitions of penitence – Vv. 39-43.

Saturday, 19 November 2022—Psalm 23-  Our featured Hymn is The King of Love My Shepherd Is. (LSB #709). This suggested hymn is one of praise and thanksgiving to our good shepherd Jesus Christ. He is our king. He is our good shepherd. Thanks be to God that we are a sheep of His fold, a lamb of His flock, a sinner of His own redeeming. Tomorrow come to church expecting to offer praise and worship to our King of Kings Jesus Christ the righteous one.

Sources:

 Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House
Collect for Pentecost 24 from Lutheran Worship © Concordia Publishing House
Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C by John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing Lima OH
For All the Saints A Prayer Book for and By the Church Vol. II © 1995 by the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

The Story of 50 Hymns © 1934 By General Mills, Inc Minneapolis, MN
Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Christ the King copyright  © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Proper 29 Series B

Proper 29 Series B

Christ the King 

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

Psalm 93 *antiphon; v. 2

Revelation 1:4b-8

John 18:33-37

Lord Jesus Christ, so govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that, ever mindful of Your glorious return, we may persevere in both faith and holiness of living; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

The signs of the end are all around us, constant reminders that “heaven and earth will pass away.” But all of these signs are centered in the Cross of Christ, whereby He has conquered sin and death, that we might be raised with Him in righteousness through His Word of the Gospel, which “will not pass away” (Mark 13:31). He is “the firstborn of the dead,” who in His great love “has freed us from our sins by His blood” (Revelation 1:5). His salvation is certain, because “His dominion is an everlasting dominion,” and His kingdom “shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:14). For this purpose He came into the world, to reign in love through His voice of the Gospel, which is the truth (John 18:37). So is the righteousness of Christ “a light to the peoples,” which “will never be dismayed,” because it is the justice of His Cross and Resurrection (Isaiah 51:4–6). As He “is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory,” so wait upon “the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life” (Jude 20–24).

- Christ's kingship is totally other than this world. Jesus explains to Pilate that, though He is a king, His kingship is not of this world.  Pilate has Jesus inside his court and the Jews are outside. Pilate is torn between the two. He is trying to make up his mind by asking Jesus questions. His first question is whether Jesus is a king. This is a political term and thus it is very dangerous. Jesus dodges the question by asking Pilate if this was his or others' opinion.  

The other question concerns what Jesus has done. Jesus explains that His kingship is not of this world. This is proved by the fact that Jesus is not using force to defend Himself. Jesus explains that His mission in the world was to bear witness to the truth. 

But, only those of the truth and of God will accept His words as truth.  So, with Pilate we must ask, "what is truth?" Or, more telling, "can you handle the truth?" -From a few good men.

John 18:33-37

John 18:33

Εἰσῆλθεν οὖν [a]πάλιν εἰς τὸ πραιτώριον ὁ Πιλᾶτος καὶ ἐφώνησεν τὸν Ἰησοῦν καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ• Σὺ εἶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων;  

Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

John 18:34 

ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς• [c]Ἀπὸ σεαυτοῦ σὺ τοῦτο λέγεις ἢ ἄλλοι [d]εἶπόν σοι περὶ ἐμοῦ;

“Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”

John 18:35 

ἀπεκρίθη ὁ Πιλᾶτος• Μήτι ἐγὼ Ἰουδαῖός εἰμι; τὸ ἔθνος τὸ σὸν καὶ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς παρέδωκάν σε ἐμοί• τί ἐποίησας;

“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”

John 18:36 

ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς• Ἡ βασιλεία ἡ ἐμὴ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου τούτου• εἰ ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου τούτου ἦν ἡ βασιλεία ἡ ἐμή, οἱ ὑπηρέται [e]οἱ ἐμοὶ ἠγωνίζοντο ἄν, ἵνα μὴ παραδοθῶ τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις• νῦν δὲ ἡ βασιλεία ἡ ἐμὴ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐντεῦθεν.

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

John 18:37 

εἶπεν οὖν αὐτῷ ὁ Πιλᾶτος• Οὐκοῦν βασιλεὺς εἶ σύ; ἀπεκρίθη [f]ὁ Ἰησοῦς• Σὺ λέγεις ὅτι βασιλεύς [g]εἰμι. ἐγὼ εἰς τοῦτο γεγέννημαι καὶ εἰς τοῦτο ἐλήλυθα εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἵνα μαρτυρήσω τῇ ἀληθείᾳ• πᾶς ὁ ὢν ἐκ τῆς ἀληθείας ἀκούει μου τῆς φωνῆς. 

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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

Proper 29 - Christ the King

 

Lord Jesus Christ, Shepherd of your Church, you give us new birth in the waters of baptism; you anoint us with oil, and call us to salvation at your table. Dispel the terrors of death and the darkness of error. Lead your people along safe paths, that they may rest securely in your and dwell in the house of the Lord now and forever, for your name’s sake.

Jesus’ parable of the sheep and the goats drives home once again an important point. Namely, that faith is what really makes a person holy. And that your works are for the service of people.

 Faith alone saves.  But faith that saves is never alone. Works are necessary but never arbitrary. Faith is what makes you a holy person.  Works are always done in the interests of the neighbor.

Faith is the hand that reaches up to Christ. Works is the hand that reaches out to help and serve the neighbor in love.  You come to a worship service. Then, in service, you support your neighbor. 

The difference between the goats and the sheep is not that the sheep were nice and friendly while the goats were mean and insular. The dividing line is not based on the good works and charity and giving money to foreign missions of the sheep, or the lack of civic love and welfare on the part of the goats. NO!

 

What divides the heaven-dwellers from the prisoners of Hades is Faith. And more precisely, because it is CHRIST for you, in you and with you that sets you on His Right Hand. Jesus said, my sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.-John 10:27 Those who have received Jesus are lambs and sheep. Those who reject Him are goats.

Both sheep and goats forget to realize that it was the Lord. The goats failed to recognize Jesus while the lambs didn't remember serving Jesus either. How so? The lambs did not look to their own works. Rather they looked to the finished work of Christ their Good Shepherd who alone produces works that are accounted as good.

The sheep hear the shepherd’s voice and they follow Him. They are sheep of His fold, lambs of His flock, sinners of His own redeeming. The sheep follow their Shepherd wherever He makes them lie down in green pastures, and leads them besides still waters. He revives their soul and guides them along the right pathway for his Name’s sake. They fear no evil… (Psalm 23)

You were judged in time and in a particular place when you were brought to faith by the Workings of the Holy Ghost, your Lord and Giver of Life. The Spirit takes that which is of Christ, His Word, His Remission, and His Body & Blood and gives it to you. You were judged innocent, once again, at the Font of Forgiveness at the and at the Rail of Righteousness.

You became His when He died for you on Calvary’s cross.  Jesus predicted this on the night he was betrayed. Then Jesus said to them, You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ –Matthew 26:31

This is what Isaiah predicted when he said, “Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:4-5

Now He is alive. He suffers no more. He is seated at the right hand of the Father. You are in Him. And all that He has - He gives to you as a gift.

As your Good Shepherd He guides and leads you. “He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.” –Isaiah 40:10

Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.”  - John 10:27-29

The righteous do not look to their own works. They look to the finished work of Christ who alone can produce works that are accounted as good before the Father.

And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. – John 10:16

These are connected to Christ their good Shepherd which comes only through the gospel; the good news of sins forgiven by the cleansing blood of Christ, shed on Calvary’s cross.

This proclamation is the good news this word needs to hear that the Father has given you for Jesus sake! Christ is your righteousness! Jesus is your life! Jesus is your eternal life. Life that overcomes the grave, even as Jesus rose from the dead that first Easter morning.

On that day, the Shepherd will say, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”  You enter only because of Christ the Good Shepherd. He opens the door which allows you to enter into the heavenly mansion in a kingdom which has no end.

So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. “All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” –John 10:7-10

Almighty God, merciful Father, You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit, that when we hear the voice of our Shepherd we may know Him who calls us each by name and follow where He leads us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Words –1,150
Passive Sentences –8%
Readability – 85.6%
Reading Level – 4.5

  

Sources:
Collect for Psalm 23, For All the Saints, A Prayer book for and By the Church © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
Collect for Easter 4, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
https://www.augsburglutheranchurch.org/sermons/2009/second-last-sunday-in-the-church-year.html
https://steadfastlutherans.org/2017/11/the-sheep-and-the-goats
Christ the King, Christ the Door, The Lost Sheep, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Proper 29 Series A

Proper 29 A Series

Last Sunday of the Church Year

Christ the King

Ezekiel 34:11–16, 20–24

1 Corinthians 15:20–28

Matthew 25:31-46 

By the Cross of Christ We Enter the Kingdom of Our God and Father

Eternal God, merciful Father, You have appointed You Son as judge of the living and the dead. Enable us to wait for the day of His return with our eyes fixed on the kingdom prepared for Your own from the foundation of the world; 

When the crucified and risen Lord Jesus comes to judge the living and the dead, “he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:32). “To those on his right,” who have been crucified and raised with Him through repentance and faith in His Gospel, He will grant the blessed Kingdom of His Father (Matthew 25:34). Having been justified by His grace, they live unto righteousness in Him (Matthew 25:35–40). But “those on his left,” who trust in themselves and despise their neighbor, will depart “into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). Until that day, the Lord searches for His sheep “as a shepherd seeks out his flock” (Ezekiel 34:11–12). Through His preaching of repentance, He disciplines the proud sheep and goats, “the fat and the strong,” but through the preaching of forgiveness He rescues the lost, binds up the injured, strengthens the weak and feeds “the lean sheep” (Ezekiel 34:16, 20). In this way, He destroys the power of death in the children of Adam by His cross, so that “in Christ shall all be made alive” by His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20–26).

Identity of the Saved

Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege 

“Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” (Matthew 25:32)                                                                       

The Judgment Day scene in this Sunday’s Gospel can be easily misunderstood.  Some may look at those who are “saved” and come to the conclusion that they are saved by their own efforts, saved by their own good works.  But further consideration reveals that the “saved” are not saved by what they have done, but by who they are.

The first identity of the saved is that they are sheep, and as such they exist under the care of the Good Shepherd.  The rest of the world consists of goats.  Sheep are sheep and goats are goats by their birth; they were born that way.  So the sheep behave as sheep because that is what they are; it is natural for them to behave as sheep.  Indeed as they follow the Good Shepherd they go where He directs, and He directs that they go to the needy of the world both with the Gospel and with acts of mercy.  They don’t do these things in order to “become” sheep, they do it because they are Christ’s sheep.

A second identification of the saved is that they have been placed at the right of Jesus (v 33). In Scripture God’s right hand is the place of blessing and favor. Observe that those at Christ’s right were placed there; they did not make any effort to attain this position.  Those at Christ’s right have been given the position of salvation, and having been given the position of salvation they behave as the saved; their behavior did not place them at Christ’s right hand, but it is the result of being at Christ’s right hand.

Jesus further identifies the saved as those “blessed by my Father” (v 34).  A primary way that the saved are blessed of the Father is that they have been brought into His family; they stand as brothers and sisters of Jesus, children of God.  Thus when they behave in a godly way, they are only doing that which comes naturally; children of God behave with mercy and love even as their Father is merciful and loving. 

Related to being blessed of our Lord’s Father, the saved are identified as heirs.  Jesus says to the saved,…inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (v 34).  People inherit something because they are born in or have been brought into the family of the deceased.  The saved are heirs because they are in God’s family, and they will inherit what the deceased has bequeathed—a kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world.  Jesus, the deceased one, has not only bequeathed a kingdom because of the testament flowing from His death, but having risen from the dead He has also raised the saved to new life and has established them as joint heirs with Him.  Realizing they have an eternal kingdom, the saved use their wealth to help others now, realizing they stand to inherit that which will not fade away.  

Finally the saved are identified by Jesus as The Righteous. The Righteous may at times be identified by their righteous works; however in both the Old and New Testaments the righteous are foundationally those who have been justified, declared righteous.  Thus when Jesus labels them as righteous, He is first and foremost identifying them as the justified, those who are clothed with the righteousness of Jesus.

So when (or how) did the sheep become sheep, when did they become blessed of the Father, heirs of the eternal kingdom, and when were they declared righteous?  All of these transformations happened in the death and resurrection of Jesus.  The transformation was then bestowed on individuals uniquely when they were baptized, and they believed they were thus united with the One whose death and resurrection combine to truly change people in this life and into eternity.

Matthew 25:31 –

Ὅταν δὲ ἔλθῃ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐν τῇ δόξῃ αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντες [a]οἱ ἄγγελοι μετ’ αὐτοῦ, τότε καθίσει ἐπὶ θρόνου δόξης αὐτοῦ•  

When the son of man comes in his glory and all his angels with him then he will sit on his glorious throne.  

ALL His Angels, you won't miss it. See Daniel 7:1, Ps. 80. 

When he sits on the throne he judges. Future more vivid. He will sit. Matthew 19:8 "regeneration" we have already in baptism.  

Matthew 25:32 –

καὶ [b]συναχθήσονται ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, καὶ ἀφορίσει αὐτοὺς ἀπ’ ἀλλήλων, ὥσπερ ὁ ποιμὴν ἀφορίζει τὰ πρόβατα ἀπὸ τῶν ἐρίφων, 

"All the nations" will gather. 

All inclusive. See Rev. 6/7 The same phrase as Matthew 28.

Condemnation is on the cross. Sentencing is at the judgment. 

Matthew 25:33 –

καὶ στήσει τὰ μὲν πρόβατα ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ τὰ δὲ ἐρίφια ἐξ εὐωνύμων. 

and he will stand the sheep to his right and the goats to the left. 

ἐκ  They come out from, they emanate from him.

Matthew 25:34 – 

τότε ἐρεῖ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῖς ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ• Δεῦτε, οἱ εὐλογημένοι τοῦ πατρός μου, κληρονομήσατε τὴν ἡτοιμασμένην ὑμῖν βασιλείαν ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου.

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 

Come the blessed ones of my Father. 

Inherit κληρονομήσατε is passive, before you even lifted a finger it was given. It comes as gift. You are born into it. You cannot inherit anything until Christ is slain. The book of life has only one name in it...Jesus. Worked on the cross, consummated on the last day. 

Matthew 25:35 – 

 ἐπείνασα γὰρ καὶ ἐδώκατέ μοι φαγεῖν, ἐδίψησα καὶ ἐποτίσατέ με, ξένος ἤμην καὶ συνηγάγετέ με,

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 

Matthew 25:36-

 γυμνὸς καὶ περιεβάλετέ με, ἠσθένησα καὶ ἐπεσκέψασθέ με, ἐν φυλακῇ ἤμην καὶ ἤλθατε πρός με.

I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’

These actions do not refer to social justice or economic aid. Context these words were spoken on Wednesday of Holy Week. The purpose is for your salvation. 

Matthew 25:37 –

τότε ἀποκριθήσονται αὐτῷ οἱ δίκαιοι λέγοντες• Κύριε, πότε σε εἴδομεν πεινῶντα καὶ ἐθρέψαμεν, ἢ διψῶντα καὶ ἐποτίσαμεν; 

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?

Matthew 25:38 -

πότε δέ σε εἴδομεν ξένον καὶ συνηγάγομεν, ἢ γυμνὸν καὶ περιεβάλομεν;

And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?

Matthew 25:39-

πότε δέ σε εἴδομεν [c]ἀσθενοῦντα ἢ ἐν φυλακῇ καὶ ἤλθομεν πρός σε; 

And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 

The righteous are called righteous because they have been declared righteous. 

Then the righteous will answer Him saying, "when...?"  

The protest of the sheep shows this is not works righteousness. We are blind to our own works. These are not the deeds you do but Christ. They are the works pre ordained. The question for both righteous and unrighteous is "when did we see You?" 

The unrighteous ask, "show us when we didn't do this."  

Matthew 25:40 –

καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐρεῖ αὐτοῖς• Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐφ’ ὅσον ἐποιήσατε ἑνὶ τούτων τῶν ἀδελφῶν μου τῶν ἐλαχίστων, ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε.  

whatever you did for one of these brothers, the least of these, you did it to Me. 

See the negative in Acts, "Paul why are you persecuting Me?"  We consider "least" in human standards. 

Hell is without the presence of Christ. They are cursed because they are not in Christ. 

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

Proper 29 Series C

Proper 29 Series C

Christ the King

(November 20 - 26)

Malachi 3:13–18

Colossians 1:13–20

Luke 23:27–43

Lord Jesus Christ, You reign among us by the preaching of Your cross. Forgive Your people their offenses that we, being governed by Your bountiful goodness, may enter at last into Your eternal paradise; 

Jesus Christ Reigns, Enduring the Cross — Its Scorn and Shame

The Lord Jesus reigns in love among those who are baptized in His name. “They shall be mine,” He says, “and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him” (Malachi 3:17). 

Jesus’ service through crucifixion for sinful men anchors us in new life. In the proclamation of His Son, God makes His justice clear, defining “the distinction between the righteous and the wicked” (Malachi 3:18). 

He truly is “the King of the Jews” (Luke 23:38), who governs His Church with all authority in heaven and on earth. He has come into His kingdom by His cross, and He graciously remembers us in paradise. Therefore, do not weep for Him, but with repentant faith “weep for yourselves and for your children” (Luke 23:28). Then the mountains and hills of Jerusalem, His holy Church, shall cover you with His righteousness and peace. For He “is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Colossians 1:15). 

"All things were created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16), and “all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” bodily in Him, reconciling all things to Himself “by the blood of his cross” (Colossians 1:19–20).

Jesus is a king on a cross. His enemies did not realize the truth of the mockery, "If You are the King of the Jews..."  The political authorities also did not realize what they wrote, "This is the King of the Jews."  

On Psalm Sunday the faithful sang praises to their King - "Behold, your king is coming to you."  There are various reactions to this king. The people - they watch from a distance as mere spectators - v.35. The rulers were scoffers and cynics - v.35.  The soldered mocked and ridiculed - v.36. Sinners offered prayers and petitions of penitence - Vv. 39-43.  

The Great Absolution: Father Forgive Them (Luke 23:34)
Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Brege

Our Lord’s first words from the cross are universally and foundationally meaningful. As his accusers and tormentors accomplished their goal by giving Him the appointment with death through the torturous Roman cross, the Savior called out the intercessory absolution, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” We here emphasize the first words, “Father, forgive them.”  (Indeed no sinner knows what he is doing; man’s mind is set against God.)

His wondrous words are universally meaningful because there is the universal sinful condition of mankind.  Many theologians have concluded that Christ’s absolution from the cross was for more than those who directly crucified Him. Scripture indicates all humanity—all sins—put Him to death. St. Paul states, “He died for all.”   St. John wrote:  “He is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” From these inspired statements and many others we realize the universal payment for sin that was made by Christ at the cross. It was thus not merely the sins of those who were present at His crucifixion that nailed Him to the tree, but it was the sins of all humanity, from Adam to the end of time, that crucified Him. Even as He dies for all He also speaks absolution for all by praying, “Father, forgive them.” He thus intercedes for all humanity; His is a universal absolution.

As the crucified Son of God speaks to His eternal Father, “Father forgive them,” His words are foundational to all Christian truth and works. Holy Scripture echoes the foundational need for man’s forgiveness from God. What is the basis for such forgiveness?  Getting more specific, why would God forgive Adam and Eve?  Why did the animal sacrifices offer forgiveness in Old Testament times?  What was the foundation for the forgiveness pronounced, for instance, by Nathan to King David?  Why do Holy Baptism, Holy Absolution and the Holy Supper bring forgiveness?  Indeed the work of the cross creates the reason behind all forgiveness, but Christ’s prayer—Father, forgive them—marks the foundational petition behind all forgiveness—past, present and future. This foundation is thus that the Father in heaven forgives because of the crucifixion and because of the cross-supported request of His Son.

This forgiveness of God toward mankind creates other wonders of the Christian faith as well.  In our Father’s forgiveness of us there is the reason and the power to forgive one another. In Christ we are tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God in Christ has forgiven us. Additionally our gift of eternal life only flows from God’s foundational forgiveness of our sins, for, as Luther Biblically concluded, where there is forgiveness of sins there is also life and salvation.

Would the Father be forgiving us without the specific request made by the Son? Indeed the crucifixion of Jesus is in itself the absolution of humanity, but what joy and comfort is found in the absolving words, “Father, forgive them.”

Luke 23:26-43 

The Crucifixion - 

Luke 23:26 

Καὶ ὡς ἀπήγαγον αὐτόν, ἐπιλαβόμενοι [a]Σίμωνά τινα Κυρηναῖον ἐρχόμενον ἀπ’ ἀγροῦ ἐπέθηκαν αὐτῷ τὸν σταυρὸν φέρειν ὄπισθεν τοῦ Ἰησοῦ. 

And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.

Luke 23:27 

Ἠκολούθει δὲ αὐτῷ πολὺ πλῆθος τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ γυναικῶν [b]αἳ ἐκόπτοντο καὶ ἐθρήνουν αὐτόν.

And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. 

Literally, “beating the breast." Pious women occasionally and customarily would lament those being sentenced to death.  

The term for 'the people' τοῦ λαοῦ is found in Revelation 7 

Luke 23:28

στραφεὶς δὲ πρὸς αὐτὰς [c]ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν• Θυγατέρες Ἰερουσαλήμ, μὴ κλαίετε ἐπ’ ἐμέ• πλὴν ἐφ’ ἑαυτὰς κλαίετε καὶ ἐπὶ τὰ τέκνα ὑμῶν, 

But turning to them Jesus said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 

"Weep upon yourselves and your children."  

"Daughters of Jerusalem" is reference to OT a way of referring to the OT church. See Palm Sunday Old Testament readings.

Luke 23:29 

ὅτι ἰδοὺ ἔρχονται ἡμέραι ἐν αἷς ἐροῦσιν Μακάριαι αἱ στεῖραι καὶ [d]αἱ κοιλίαι αἳ οὐκ ἐγέννησαν καὶ μαστοὶ οἳ οὐκ [e]ἔθρεψαν. 

For behold, (right here and now in time) the days are coming when they (NOT 'you') will say, 'Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!'  

The world is literally ending! It’s happening now. 

Luke 23:30 

ότε ἄρξονται λέγειν τοῖς ὄρεσιν• Πέσετε ἐφ’ ἡμᾶς, καὶ τοῖς βουνοῖς• Καλύψατε ἡμᾶς•

Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us,' and to the hills, 'Cover us.' 

- See Revelation 6:15-16. This what the unbelievers say of themselves of mocking the faithful of themselves.  These are not words of faithfulness but of panic not the words of faith. See also Hosea 10:8 

Luke 23:31

 ὅτι εἰ ἐν [f]τῷ ὑγρῷ ξύλῳ ταῦτα ποιοῦσιν, ἐν τῷ ξηρῷ τί γένηται; 

For if they do these things when the wood is green, (moist) what will happen when it is dry?" 

-A proverb? - see Proverbs 11:31 - an expectation of the coming persecution.

These are the beatitudes of evil. They are evil but not the ultimate evil.  

See the reference to Jesus' cursing of the fig tree.  Mark 11:12-25; Matthew 21:18–22[

Luke 23:32 

Ἤγοντο δὲ καὶ ἕτεροι [g]κακοῦργοι δύο σὺν αὐτῷ ἀναιρεθῆναι. 

Two others, who were criminals, (wicked workers) were led away to be put to death (executed) with him. 

Luke 23:33 

αὶ ὅτε [h]ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον τὸν καλούμενον Κρανίον, ἐκεῖ ἐσταύρωσαν αὐτὸν καὶ τοὺς κακούργους, ὃν μὲν ἐκ δεξιῶν ὃν δὲ ἐξ ἀριστερῶν.

And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 

Why is Jesus in the center?  He is set apart as an example. 

Luke 23:34

 [i]ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς ἔλεγεν• Πάτερ, ἄφες αὐτοῖς, οὐ γὰρ οἴδασιν τί ποιοῦσιν. διαμεριζόμενοι δὲ τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ ἔβαλον [j]κλήρους. 

And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments.

See the variant reading, it belongs to the text. 

Luke 23:35

καὶ εἱστήκει ὁ λαὸς θεωρῶν. ἐξεμυκτήριζον δὲ καὶ οἱ [k]ἄρχοντες λέγοντες• Ἄλλους ἔσωσεν, σωσάτω ἑαυτόν, εἰ οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ χριστὸς [l]τοῦ θεοῦ, ὁ ἐκλεκτός. 

And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!"

Luke 23:36

 [m]ἐνέπαιξαν δὲ αὐτῷ καὶ οἱ στρατιῶται προσερχόμενοι, [n]ὄξος προσφέροντες αὐτῷ 

The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 

- See Psalm. 22, Psalm.69 

Luke 23:37

 καὶ λέγοντες• Εἰ σὺ εἶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων, σῶσον σεαυτόν. 

and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" 

A little word is added here "if"   

Luke 23:38

 ἦν δὲ καὶ [o]ἐπιγραφὴ ἐπ’ [p]αὐτῷ• Ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων [q]οὗτος. 

There was also an inscription over him, "The King of the Jews This." 

Luke 23:39 

Εἷς δὲ τῶν κρεμασθέντων κακούργων ἐβλασφήμει αὐτόν [r]λέγων• [s]Οὐχὶ σὺ εἶ ὁ χριστός; σῶσον σεαυτὸν καὶ ἡμᾶς.

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at (blasphemed) him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

More than joining the mocking...a double negative. 

Luke 23:40

 ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ ἕτερος [t]ἐπιτιμῶν αὐτῷ ἔφη• Οὐδὲ φοβῇ σὺ τὸν θεόν, ὅτι ἐν τῷ αὐτῷ κρίματι εἶ; 

But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?

 "in the same judgment we are" 

Luke 23:41

 καὶ ἡμεῖς μὲν δικαίως, ἄξια γὰρ ὧν ἐπράξαμεν ἀπολαμβάνομεν• οὗτος δὲ οὐδὲν ἄτοπον ἔπραξεν. 

And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."

Luke 23:42

 καὶ [u]ἔλεγεν• Ἰησοῦ, μνήσθητί [v]μου ὅταν ἔλθῃς [w]ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ σου. 

And he said, "Jesus, remember me (whenever) you come into your kingdom."

Luke 23:43 

 καὶ εἶπεν [x]αὐτῷ• Ἀμήν [y]σοι λέγω σήμερον μετ’ ἐμοῦ ἔσῃ ἐν τῷ παραδείσῳ.

And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." 

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