Time in the Word Lent 1

Time in the Word
Preparation for the 1st Sunday in Len
12-17 February 2018

Christ Jesus Defeats Our Temptation
and Saves Us by His Faithfulness

In faith and the fear of God Abraham prepared to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. At the Word of the Lord, he “took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son” and “when they came to the place of which God had told him, ‘ Abraham bound Isaac “and laid him on the altar” (Genesis 22:6,9) Then God stayed Abraham’s hand and provided “for Himself the Lamb for a burn offering” (Genesis 22:8). That Lamb is God’s own beloved Son, Jesus, in whom “all the nations of the earth” are blessed (Genesis 22:18) As the Substitute for all the sins of men, Jesus is driven by the Spirit “into the wilderness” to be “tempted by Satan” (Mark 1:12-13) in order to endure and defeat all temptation. We are tempted by our own desire, “which conceives and gives birth to sin” (James 1:14-154) But this blessed man, Christ Jesus, remained “steadfast under trial” and He has received “the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12) His faithfulness, His victory, and His life are now given to us by His grace in the Gospel.

Collect for the First Sunday in Lent; O Lord God, You led Your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land. Guide the people of Your Church that following our Savior we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the  world to come; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Collect for Ash Wednesday: Almighty God, You despise nothing You have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create inn us new and contrite hearts that lamenting our sins and acknowledging our sin we may receive from You full pardon and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Wednesday Evening Lenten themes: Jesus our Good Shepherd

Ash Wednesday – Psalm 23:1

Mid-week #2 – Psalm 23:2

Mid-week #3 – Psalm 23:3

Mid-week #4 – Psalm 23:4

Mid-week #5 – Psalm 23:5

Mid-week #6 – Psalm 23:6

Prayer in times of temptation: Almighty and everlasting God, through Your Son You have promised us forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. Govern our hearts by Your Holy Spirit that in our daily need, and especially in all time of temptation, we may seek Your help and, by a true and lively faith in Your Word, obtain all that You have promised; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer for aid against temptation: O God, You justify the ungodly and desire not the death of a sinner. Graciously assist us by Your heavenly aid and evermore shield us with Your protection that no temptation may separate us from Your love in Christ Jesus, Your Son, our Lord.

Monday 12 February 2018– Psalm 91:9-13; antiphon, Psalm 91:15-16 – The Introit sets the theme for the day: that, in times of trouble, the Lord is our only sure dwelling place and refuge. The Lords loves everyone who puts his trust in Him, and so He promises, “When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble.. I will rescue him and honor him,’

Tuesday 13 February 2018 –Psalm 25:1-10 – In this psalm, David prays for God’s mercy when he is under attack by his enemies. He asks the Lord to remember His mercy and steadfast love, and not to look upon David’s sins. We do the same thing when we pray the Lord’s prayer. We ask God to deliver us from evil, and in praying ‘Forgive us our trespasses,’ we pray that ‘our Father in heaven would not look upon our sins, nor on their account deny our prayer.’ (Small Catechism)

Wednesday 14 February 2018 –Genesis 22:1-18 – Our Old Testament reading - and the text for Ash Wednesday - is a familiar one; the testing of Abraham. When we New Testament believers hear this account, it reminds us of our Savior Jesus. Jehovahjirech – The Lord Will Provide – supplies a substitute for Isaac. The ram is caught by its horns, and thus remains unblemished, the perfect sacrifice. Likewise, the Lord offered up His Son Jesus on the cross to be our substitute. He was the perfect sacrifice, unblemished by the taint of sins. 

Thursday 15 February 2018 –James 1:12-18 – When we are baptized, it is as if a bull’s –eye is painted on us. The devil will attack us, for he knows that, in Baptism, we are washed clean of our sins, and are made the children of God. When temptation comes, therefore, as it surely will, we must remain steadfast in the faith we received at Baptism. 

We do this by reading and hearing God’s Word, by daily remembering our Baptism, and by being regular in our church attendance, where we confess our sins and receive absolution and where we receive the Lord’s Supper for the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening and nurturing of our faith.

Friday 16 February 2018 – Mark 1:9-15 – After our Lord’s Baptism the Spirit led Him into the desert to suffer temptation at the hands of the devil He endured the same temptations as were presented to Adam and Eve in the Garden – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, as the holy Evangelist John names them (1 John 2:16) Unlike our first parents (and us), however, He does not give into temptation, but resists the devil with the words of Holy Scripture.

Temptation is a testing of faith. Traditionally, the first Sunday in Lent deals with Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness. The beginning of Jesus’ ministry is an integral part of the baptism and temptation, for it naturally follows both. In his baptism, Jesus was called to his Messiahship. In the temptation he decided how to carry out his mission. The death of John the Baptist gives the immediate occasion for the beginning of his ministry. Mark does not tell us what the temptations were. They are symbolized by the “wild beasts” and the “wilderness.” Though Mark does not say Jesus was victorious, it can be assumed that he was because the angels continually ministered to him throughout the forty-day period. 

Saturday 17 February 2018–The great hymn of the Reformation, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (LSB #656), is our hymn of the day. It reminds us that, though the devil is a formidable foe, one whom we are unable to overcome on our own, he has been defeated by the Word made flesh, our Savior Jesus. ‘Our victory has been won; The Kingdom ours remains.’

Sources:

Lectionary summary from the LCMS Commission on Worship

Artwork by Julius Schnoor von Carslsfeld, © WELS

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House

Transfiguration Sunday, February 11, 2018 Psalm 2:6

In Christ, you are the Lord’s. To rebel against the Lord’s Anointed is also to rebel against the One who anointed him. The psalm refers to the Davidic king and is ultimately fulfilled in Christ. The English word “Messiah” comes from the Hebrew word for “anointed one” and the English word “Christ” comes from the Greek word for “anointed one.” On the mountain of Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah will speak to the Lord’s anointed one and His glory at the cross and empty tomb. 1 

Throughout life’s journey, there are many mountains and valleys with which we must traverse. What has been your experience during such episodes? What have you learned?   

We are just a few days from the start of our Lenten pilgrimage. Since Jesus has come to the full possession of God’s glory, He is prepared to fulfill His mission as the Messiah by going to Jerusalem to the cross. As we step away from the Mountain of Transfiguration and walk through the valley of Lent, remember that Christ accompanies you along this journey. Walk with him along this year’s Lenten Pilgrimage. 

Hymn: ‘Tis Good, Lord, to Be Here (Lutheran Service Book 414:1)

‘Tis good, Lord, to be here!

    Thy glory fills the night;

Thy face and garments like the sun,,

Shine with unborrowed light.

O God, in the glorious transfiguration of Your beloved Son You confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of Moses and Elijah. In the voice that came from the bright cloud You wonderfully foreshowed our adoption by grace. Mercifully make us co-heirs with the King in His glory and bring us to the fullness of our inheritance in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 2

1 The Lutheran Self Study Bible © 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 2 Collect for Transfiguration, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis

Our Lenten Journey 2018

During our 2018 Lenten pilgrimage, we will be reviewing Christ’s Redemption through the Old Testament. The readings, which are listed for each day, come to us from the Propers that we use Sunday mornings in worship.They were outlined by the students of Concordia Theological Seminary student association for a devotional project in 2017. The hymn verse selected for each day corresponds with the suggested Old Testament Scripture lesson. 

The concluding prayers come from the following on-line source, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/Lenten Collects.htmhttp://llpb.us/Psalm%20Prayers.htm

Biblical sources The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

During our Mid-week Lenten services, we will review Psalm 23

Ash Wednesday – 14 February 2018 Psalm 23 v.1

Mid-week #2 – February 21,2018         Psalm 23 v.2

Mid-week #3 – February 28,2018         Psalm 23 v.3

Mid-week #4 – March 7, 2018            Psalm 23 v.4

Mid-week #5 – March 14, 2018         Psalm 23 v.5

Mid-week #6 – March 21, 2018         Psalm 23 v.6

Maundy Thursday – March 29, 2018 John 13:1-17 “He loved them to the end”

Good Friday – March 30, 2018         John 19:30 “The Death of Christ our Savior”

Easter Sunrise –  April 1, 2018         Colossians 3:1-4 “New Life”

Easter Festival –  April 1, 2018         John 20:1-9 “Christ is Risen!”

May God bless our Lenten Pilgrimage!

Kelly Baumann

Kelly Baumann
12-25-1973 – 1.28.2018
Baptized into Christ - May 8, 1988
Committal Service – February 4, 2018

In the bulb there is a flower;
In the seed, an apple tree.
In cocoons, a hidden promise,
Butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter
There’s a spring that waits to be.
Unrevealed until its season,
Something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence,
Seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness,
Bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future;
What it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season,
Something God alone can see.

In the end is our beginning,
In our time, infinity.
In our doubt, there is believing,
In our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection;
At the last, a victory.
Unrevealed until its season,
Something God alone can see. [1]

Death is so limited…
It has not crippled love,
It has not shattered hope,
It has not corroded faith,
It has not eaten away peace
   Nor destroyed confidence.

It has not killed friendship,
It has not shut out memories,
It has not silenced courage,
It has not invaded the soul,
   Nor reduced eternal life.

It has not quenched the Spirit,
It cannot, has not,
  Nor will not lessen the power of the resurrection! [2]

Trevor, Melina, Sophia, Alex. Family, neighbors, friends.

As we gather this afternoon, questions still linger. Why this sickness, this pain, this grief? -- Why did God let this happen? 

I want you to know that it not wrong to ask the question why. If you’ve noticed, from the cross, Jesus asked this very question, "My God, My God, why?”

There is no easy answer given to our questions. Why is life so hard? The answer to the “why?” question can only be really worked through when we cling to Christ in grim determination, knowing that only His love sustains us. 

Jesus hears our cries. “In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears.” (Psalm 18:6)

We are to remember when Jesus was with His disciples in the boat. Although Jesus did not hear the howling storm; He heard His disciples' cries. Much as a mother hears the cries of her baby and a shepherd hears the bleat of the sheep. So does Jesus hear your cries. "Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear." (Isaiah 59:1)

We knew this day would come. Kelly knew it too. There would be a time. When her end would come. When Kelly’s presence would be absent from us. And now we are here. With this reality. Kelly Baumann has been received into the hands of Jesus.  

She has been parted from us for a season. But soon will come that glorious day. When that call will come in our own lives. When we shall see Jesus - face to face. And then, we shall be together again. Never to be parted by time, distance, or space. 

We gather today to celebrate the life Kelly lived and the life she lives now. For we are Easter people. And this we can say in confidence; Kelly lives.  You wife. Your mother. Your daughter. Your sister. Your friend - Kelly - is alive. She is at peace. She is well. She is whole. She is in the very presence of Jesus. Because Jesus has promised, “Because I live, you shall live also!”  (John 14:19)

Kelly has successfully celebrated the three great days of her life.  They are the day you are born into this world, the day you are born again in baptism, and the day we are born into glory. These days, and so many more, Kelly received as gift. 

Kelly was born into this world on Christmas Day 1973. Kelly embraced Christmas. Some radio stations begin playing Christmas music 24/7 around Thanksgiving. Kelly was well into Christmas by then. She could get started planning as early as October! It was a day to celebrate life and the life Christ brings when He entered into time and space –as the old song sings, “To prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love.” 

This Good News that Christ’s kingdom is at hand began when Jesus broke into time and space at Christmas. He began His proper work; delivering people from the effects of sin and fulfilled it on Easter morning when He broke from the tomb giving us His life. 

Yes, there is something more lasting, more powerful and greater than your sin. It is the love and compassion Jesus has for us sinners. While each of us were lost and steeped in sin, God our Father had a plan. A plan, which was in place, way before the dawn of time.

What God did not become. He could not save. And so, Jesus comes into the world as one of us. To save us. Jesus came into the world. To be counted with sinners. To save sinners. 

At the right time, our heavenly Father would send His only Son. Jesus would enter into our world. Breaking into time and space. He came to be your substitute. He would live the perfect life for you.

He would die the death that you deserve. And there, at a cross, He would trade your sin, your misery and your guilt for His perfection and work out what you and I could never, ever do! 

Yes, Jesus has done for you better than what you could ever do for yourself. When settling the issue with sin, Jesus acts alone. He dealt with the issues of your brokenness Himself. Period. With no help from anyone. The Father sends His own Son to the cross. Jesus bore your sin. He carried it alone. – To the cross of Calvary. There He died for you. 

Every birthday is an opportunity for us to reflect upon the talents abilities and gifts the Lord gives us. It’s a time for us to serve both God and our neighbor as representatives of His mercy and grace. It’s an opportunity for us to let our light shine. Kelly touched many lives. She was Christ’s agent, an instrument of His peace.

The second great day of Kelly’s life happen on May 8, 1988 when she was baptized. On that day she entered Christ’s family. There she was incorporated into the life of Jesus. Says Saint Paul, “All of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death. We therefore were buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:3-4) This life Christ gave to Kelly was His own. It is a life which has no end. 

Kelly’s third great day happened this past Sunday, January 28, 2018. Trevor, the words you spoke, were the words of Jesus. The words Kelly heard, were the words of Jesus her Savior. She heard them clearly as she entered glory, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

 And with those words, Kelly took a walk. From one end of Christ’s kingdom to the other. From grace to glory. She closed her eyes to this world. When she opened them again she saw Jesus face to face.

Today we rejoice in the life Kelly lives. We take comfort in the fact that because Jesus lives we will live also. This does not mean that we do not grieve. We will grieve. But not as those who have no hope. 

We will carry with us feelings of grief and loss. There will be sorrow as we begin to process Kelly’s absence and all that which has happened. But even in your darkest hours. Even when you feel and experience such deep sadness. Yet we have this hope. Put your trust in Jesus. And He will lift you in His arms.  Christ remains present.  You can even glory in your weakness. For when you are weak. You are made strong by the power of Christ. Comfort yourselves in the sure promises of Jesus. “Because I live you shall live also.” (John 14:19)

Melina, Sophia, in his work “The Lion the Witch and Wardrobe” C.S. Lewis describes the hold Satan has on the world this way, “He makes it always winter…and never Christmas!” You and I have it so much better. 

Every time we enter into God’s house and we sing the Gloria,[3]  a hymn the church has sung for thousands of years. We sing glory to God just as the angels sang that first Christmas night. It’s a song you mom is singing even now as she joins with angels and arch angels and all the company of heaven.  Because of Jesus, every time we gather for worship; there is a little Christmas, as we pray and sing along with them together, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men!” That peace is the peace of Christ. Kelly has received it. And it will never be taken from her.  

___________________
Words – 1,625
Passive Sentences –4%
Readability – 87%
Reading Level – 3.3
Woodcut by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, © WELS

[1] Hymn of Promise The United Methodist Hymnal © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House, Nashville, TN requested by the family 
[2] Unknown source, © Common Domain

 [3] The Gloria pg. 187 Lutheran Service Book © 2009 Concordia Publish House, St. Louis

Time in the Word - Transfiguration

Prayers for the Epiphany Season: Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace through all our days; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities and stretch forth the hand of Your majesty to heal and defend us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

For peace in the world: Heavenly Father, God of all concord, it is Your gracious will that Your children on earth live together in harmony and peace. Defeat the plans of all those who would stir up violence and strife, destroy the weapons of those who delight in war and bloodshed, and, according to Your will, end all conflicts in the world. Teach us to examine our hearts that we may recognize our own inclination toward envy, malice, hatred, and enmity. Help us, by Your Word and Spirit, to search our hearts and to root out the evil that would lead to strife and discord, so that in our lives we may be at peace with all people. Fill us with zeal for the work of Your Church and the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone can bring that peace which is beyond all understanding; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

For blessing on the Word: Lord Jesus Christ, giver and perfecter of our faith, we thank and praise You for continuing among us the preaching of Your Gospel for our instruction and edification. Send Your blessing upon the Word, which has been spoken to us, and by Your Holy Spirit increase our saving knowledge of You, that day by day we may be strengthened in the divine truth and remain steadfast in Your grace. Give us strength to fight the good fight and by faith to overcome all the temptations of Satan, the flesh, and the world so that we may finally receive the salvation of our souls; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

Illustration from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, Das Buch der Bücher in Bilden (The Book of Books in Pictures).

Image of the Transfiguration  © Google images

Time in the Word
5–10 February 2018
Preparation for next week, The Transfiguration of Our Lord

The theme for the Transfiguration of Our Lord is The Vision Glorious. Peter, James, and John were privileged to go with our Lord onto a mountain and see Him transfigured. That is, they were given a brief glimpse of His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). St Luke tells us that Jesus talked with Moses and Elijah about His departure (Luke 9:31), that is, His impending death, resurrection, and ascension. It is a strange concept for the natural man, his understanding clouded by sin, to see the death of Jesus as something glorious, but it is precisely at the cross that the glory of Christ is made known to us. For it is on account of this work of Christ that Moses, Elijah, and all the saints in heaven have been received into glory. This is also the eternal destiny of all who put their trust in Him and His atoning sacrifice.

Weekly Book of Concord Reading for Epiphany 6
The Large Catechism, Part IV, Baptism

[In to-day’s Old Testament reading, Naaman was reluctant to bathe in the Jordan River to be healed of leprosy. It seemed ridiculous. Likewise, the well-educated modern man considers Holy Baptism ridiculous: the sprinkling a handful of water on the head of a person and repeating a few words seems to him a meaningless ceremony of no real significance. But it is commanded by God and we then must respect it as God's way of bringing regeneration and cleansing to the sin-sick soul.]

Here you see again how highly and preciously we should value Baptism, because in it we receive such an unspeakable treasure. This also proves that it cannot be ordinary, mere water. For mere water could not do such a thing. But the Word does it and, as I said above, so does the fact that God’s name is included in Baptism. Where God’s name is, there must also be life and salvation [Psalm 54:1]. So Baptism may certainly be called a divine, blessed, fruitful, and gracious water. Such power is given to Baptism by the Word that it is a washing of new birth, as St. Paul also calls it in Titus 3:5.

Our would-be wise, “new spirits” assert that faith alone saves, and that works and outward things do nothing. We answer, “It is true, indeed, that nothing in us is of any use but faith, as we shall hear still further.” But these blind guides are unwilling to see this: faith must have something that it believes, that is, of which it takes hold [2 Timothy 1:13; Titus 1:9] and upon which it stands and rests [1 Cor. 2:5]. So faith clings to the water and believes that in Baptism, there is pure salvation and life. This is not through the water (as we have stated well enough), but through the fact that it is embodied in God’s Word and institution, and that God’s name abides in it. Now, if I believe this, what else is it than believing in God as the One who has given and planted His Word [Mark 4:14] into this ordinance and offers to us this outward thing by which we may gain such a treasure? (¶26–29)

Excerpted from Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, A Reader’s Edition of the Book of Concord, edited by Paul T. McCain, et al., © 2005, 2006 Concordia Publishing House, pp. 425–26.

Time in the Word
9-14 February 2015
Preparation for next week, The Transfiguration of Our Lord

Monday, 05 February 2018—Psalm 112:1, 3, 7–9; antiphon, Psalm 112:4—Psalm 112 speaks of the blessedness of the man who fears the Lord. This psalm is a complement to the preceding psalm, which tells of the blessings, physical and spiritual, which God bestows upon us. Those who trust in Him—who fear the Lord—show their gratefulness to Him by their lives, which are conformed to His will. The one who trust in the Lord greatly delights in His commandments.

Tuesday, 06 February 2018—Psalm 50:1–6—The opening line of Sunday’s psalm heaps up divine titles: Mighty One, God, the Lord. This psalm was used in the temple liturgy, where the singers of it acknowledge that they will worship only the one, true God. Even the earth and the heavens declare His righteousness.

Wednesday, 07 February 2018—2 Kings 2:1–12—Elijah was one of the greatest of the prophets of God, remaining faithful and proclaiming God’s Word even when nearly all of Israel had apostatized. He is one of only two people in Scripture who didn’t die; rather, God took him—in a fiery chariot. The last verses of the Old Testament, Malachi 4:5-6, prophesy that Elijah would appear before the coming of the Messiah. Jesus said that John the Baptist fulfilled this prophecy (Matt. 11:14); later, Elijah appeared with Jesus at His transfiguration.

Thursday, 08 February 2018—2 Corinthians 3:12–13; 4:1–6—When Moses came down from Mt. Sinai, from speaking with the Lord, the children of Israel were afraid to look upon him, because his face shone from being in the presence of God. They made Moses wear a veil over his face. (Exodus 34:29-35) As this veil concealed from the Israelites the transient character of the old covenant and its orders, so now when the Law (Moses) is read they cannot see the real significance of the Law as witness, together with the prophets, to the newly revealed righteousness of God in the Gospel. But, when we are brought to faith in Christ, the veil is removed, and we recognize that Christ is the fulfillment of the Law.

Friday, 09 February 2018—Mark 9:2–9—Three of the disciples—Peter, James, and John—were privileged to go up on a mountain with Christ, as He was transfigured before them. That is, His glory as the Son of God, normally masked by His humanity, was clearly shown. Elijah and Moses appear with Him, and they discuss His impending death (Luke 9:31). Peter, James, and John are witnesses of the glory which awaits Christ beyond the cross.

Saturday, 10 February 2018—The words of Peter on the mount of transfiguration we make our own in the Hymn of the Day: ‘Tis Good, Lord, to Be Here (LSB 414). We, too, are privileged to be in the presence of Christ; when we gather for worship, when we receive absolution, and when we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we are in the presence of Christ, the Son of God come down from heaven, born of a virgin, transfigured, crucified, died, and rose again.

Collect for Transfiguration—O God, in the glorious transfiguration of Your beloved Son You confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of Moses and Elijah. In the voice that came from the bright cloud You wonderfully foreshowed our adoption by grace. Mercifully make us co-heirs with the King in His glory and bring us to the fullness of our inheritance in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Epiphany 5

Epiphany 5 –
February 4, 2018

"When we seek relief From a long-felt grief, When temptations come alluring, Make us patient and enduring; Show us that bright shore Where we weep no more."

Sometimes life just stinks! Often life is not a bowl of cherries. There is a seamy side of life. It is a life that is difficult. Life can be hard, tough, disappointing, and often painful.

Living under the constant fear of God’s judgment caused Martin Luther to confess with regularity even the slightest offense to his spiritual guide Johann Staupitz. Staupitz, who served as the chaplain of the University of Wittenberg where Luther taught theology, eventually grew tired of Luther’s perpetual appeals for forgiveness and said to him, “God is not mad at you. You are mad at God.”

Luther had a word for this kind of terror. He called it Anfectung. Although there is no English word that corresponds exactly to this German phrase, we know that Luther was expressing the deepest kind of darkness that one can ever experience when his worst moments of terror, depression, doubt and despair are all combine in the darkest of days. C. S. Lewis in his work “The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe” described it simply as, “being always winter and never Christmas!”

All three of our lessons call our attention not only to the reality of suffering but they point to the Great Physician who is able to cure and heal. They point to healing from that suffering as the Savior comes to us in our great need. You are not alone in your suffering. Your Savior walks with you.

As you consider the pains you as a believer in Christ must endure we will find three significant forms of suffering.

1. Personal suffering – the depths of human suffering – Job 7:1-7 - Why is life so hard? Why do we suffer? Job suffered more in a short episode of his life than most of us do in a life-time. His question is reasonable: Why is his life so hard? Is God unhappy with him? Is it some kind of curse? Is it karma- judgment for deeds in a previous life? Job certainly didn't understand why his life was so chaotic, but he did hold on to God. Sin in the form of sickness and weakness can often beset us. This was Job’s lot in life. He was not being punished for any particular sin. To the contrary, Satan argued that Job would fall like a house of cards if trouble entered his life. This is Satan’s tactic - to bring misery into our lives so that we would give up hope.

Even at the end of the story there is no answer given to his question “Why is life so hard?” The answer to the “why?” question can only be really worked through when we cling to Christ in grim determination, knowing that only His love sustains us.

The purpose of the church is not to produce well behaved children and perfect marriages. Nor is it to build a strong financial base. Or establish rules for living. Or create a political platform. Or teach a moral ethic.  The purpose of the church is to point us to the One who suffered death for sin. For only by His stripes are you healed. So look to Christ. Who suffers for you.

Transition: There is one’s personal suffering. Then there is the suffering we share mutually.

2. Vicarious sufferings – sharing others’ misery – 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 - We have all known people who have become hardened and embittered by the challenges faced in life. They tend to be chronic complainers who feel entitled to the sympathy of others. Yet, their constant cries repel their friends and family.

On the other hand, are the quiet thankful folk who see life as a series of challenges to be faced. Suffering is something to be dealt with, lived through, learned from, and redeemed. This is a very different perspective than the victims who meet every trial with resistance, resentment, and anger. We can learn from them. We can help them in their suffering. 

Transition: As difficult as suffering might be - whether it is ours, or others, or both, it shall not last.

3. Temporary suffering – the solution of our suffering – Mark 1:29-39

Jesus makes known who He is by demonstrating His authority. Last week, He showed that He has authority over the unclean spirits. This week, He demonstrates His authority also over sickness and disease.

He does His proper work; delivering people from the effects of sin. By healing diseases and casting out demons, He foreshadows His eventual defeat of the power of sin and the devil by His death at Calvary.

Jesus overpowered evil. Everyone searches for Jesus because He heals all kinds of diseases. Jesus begins His public ministry with healing both mental and physical illnesses. Only God can heal! By restoring people to health Jesus shakes Satan’s kingdom and arrives to offer the people new life.

The Good News is that Christ’s kingdom is at hand. Jesus broke into time and space at Christmas. He began His work at His Baptism and fulfilled it on Easter morning when He broke from the tomb. In repentance and faith we experience His power in our lives. The same power He demonstrated to the people in all the areas of Galilee is what we experience every time He comes to us in His Word and Sacraments – to give us His strength, His peace, His purpose, His power!

We put our hope in His mercy and unfailing love and receive power to endure sin and the trials in our lives. David put it this way, “His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (Psalm 147:10-11)

As we live in a world of sin and sickness we do not always understand WHY the righteous suffer. But we trust that Christ is in control and His will is best. He remains in control. He promises us the final victory in Christ.

Jesus lifts us up by His almighty power. Here we have not only compassion but also the power of Jesus to heal. The love and compassion of Christ always gives us a lift; a lift from sickness to health, from despair to hope, from sin to holiness, from death to life.

Jesus’ death and resurrection win the victory. “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the first-fruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” 1 Corinthians 15:20-26

Jesus lead Thou on Till our rest is won, Heav’nly leader, still direct us, Still support, consol, protect us, Till we safely stand In our fatherland.

Words – 1,370
Passive Sentences – 5%
Readability – 74.8%
Reading Level – 5.8
Woodcut by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, © WELS

Jesus lead Thou On, Lutheran Service Book © 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

February

The first commandment is so critical. To follow it, we must fear, love, and trust in God above all things, which includes our own self. More information does not equal being more informed.  

In this age of "information overload," everyone seems to think we are more informed nowadays, what with 24-hour news, social media, and real time communication. However, what we are missing is perhaps just how controlled that information now has become. The news is much more biased, and computer algorithms are swayed, such that, the information each of us receives is only that which someone else has decided we should receive. For instance, when you do a "Google" search, the results you see are based on algorithms set by you own personal internet usage. What you see is based on your own biases and perceptions. Not everyone has the same search results show up. Not everyone sees the same advertisements, or the same posts, or the same "news." You could say we are actually being manipulated by our own habits. Now that's a scary thought. And it's being played out, right in front of us, all on a daily basis!  

Adam's temptation was to doubt the Father's promises and to become his own "God." He was tempted to question, "did God say?" and was promised, "you shall not die...for God know that in the day you eat of it...you will be...like God..." (Genesis 3:1-4) 

As the Substitute for all the sons of men, Jesus is driven by the Spirit “into the wilderness” to be “tempted by Satan” (Mark 1:12–13), in order to endure and defeat all temptation. We are tempted by our own desire, which conceives and “gives birth to sin.” (James 1:14–15). But this blessed Man, Christ Jesus, remained “steadfast under trial,” and He has received “the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12). His faithfulness. His victory.  His life. Are now given to us by His grace in the Gospel.