Pentecost 20 - Proper 22 Reflection and Study

Proper 22 Reflections

7 October 2018

Mark 10: 2-16

   

Collect for Proper 22 Lord, thank You for Your work through the lives of others. Lead me to welcome those miracles and mercies that You show through every one of Your people. Grant us the lasting faith that can persevere through every trial. Empty our heads of anything that competes with You, and let us hold firmly to You eternally.

For your information

Jesus and the disciples have now left Galilee, his home and the place of his ministry so far, and have come into Judea. From now on, the journey clearly takes them closer to Jerusalem.

Pharisees were scholars of the law, and spent much of their time raising questions about it; they saw this as a religious duty. In addressing them Jesus shows they are not coming from the attitude of faith but contempt.

It was easy for a man to divorce his wife. A wife was not permitted to divorce her husband. Children were not idealized, as is sometimes true in our culture, but usually had little value until they matured.

God intends marriage to be lifelong. Today’s Gospel deals with two accounts: marriage/divorce and Jesus’ love of children. In regard to marriage and divorce, Mark has Jesus take the position that neither husband nor wife should get a divorce. For the Pharisees, divorce is a legal matter: for Jesus it is a divine matter – not what is legal, but what is right. Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees that the legal right to get a divorce was due to a human’s sinfulness, but this was contrary to God’s intention that marriage is permanent. To substantiate this, Jesus refers twice to the creation account. 

The Gospel continues with an account of Jesus receiving little children, for marriage and children go together. 

Jesus urges that children should be brought to Him and teaches that one should receive the kingdom of God as a child in terms of openness and receptivity.

Questions

1. Is there any indication that the Pharisees were up to no good in their questioning of Jesus?

2. Why do you think they picked that particular question? How is it related to Genesis 2, quoted here by Jesus? To the teachings of Moses?

3. How does Jesus respond to their question? What effect do you think this answer would have on the Pharisees?

4. What is the significance of vs. 10-12,” And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.  And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” when compared to v. 4? They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.”

5. Why do you think Jesus says this part privately? In view of the strictness of this statement, do you think our church is wrong in permitting divorce as well as remarriage?

6. What is it about little children that Jesus considers not only valuable, but essential for the Kingdom of God.

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

Source: 

http://goodshepherdnewton.org/wp-content/uploads/B-pdf-Proper-18-Last-Pentecost-RCL-2018.pdf

Prayers Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Luther’s Rose © Higher Things

Pentecost 20 - Proper 22

Pentecost 20 – Proper 22
October 7, 2018
Mark 10:2-16
The Savior’s perspective on children

Over a million children are victimized by parents; broken bones, missing teeth, burns, bruises, etc. In contrast, Jesus urges parents to bring children to Him that He might bless and love them. He calls parents to provide, protect, and love His children. Though parents may not physically abuse their children, they may be cruel to them by neglecting them. Good parents want only the best for their children.  This morning Jesus asks parents to permit their children to come to Him. By doing this we are doing a very good thing.

Bring your children to Jesus and permit them –

1.    To be blessed by Jesus – V.16

2.    To know Jesus by your instruction

3.    To come to Jesus by Baptism – V. 14

O Spirit of the Father, breathe on them from above. So searching in Your pureness, So tender in Your love, that guarded by Your presence and kept from strife and sin, their hearts may heed Your guidance and know You dwell within. (LSB 858; 3)

I.        Bring your children to Jesus and permit them to be blessed by Jesus. (v. 16) “And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.”  Jesus took the small children in His arms and blessed them (cf. 9:36-37) - “He took a little child and had Him stand among them. Taking him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me but the one who sent Me.”

This is a striking act taken by the Savior. He is showing His love for them. Apparently these were fairly small children. This was the overflowing of Jesus' divine love for children. It was this experience - that the disciples in their insensitivity - were preventing the children from having and Jesus from giving. No wonder Jesus was indignant!

A.     One of the greatest gifts we can give is an investment to our children. What wouldn’t we do for our children? Time and circumstances may change from one generation to the other - yet one truth remains central – we want to do right by our children.  But far and above and temporal gift we can bestow on our children are the spiritual blessings we offer them. These parents begged Jesus that He would touch them, but He did more. This says something about the Savior – He gives far and above what we could ever ask or think.

1.      He took them in His arms. Now the Scripture was fulfilled. Isaiah 40:11 reminds us, He shall gather the lambs in His arms, and carry them in His bosom. There was a time, when Christ Himself was taken up in the old man Simeon’s arms, (Luke 2:28).  Now He took up these children, not complaining of the burden – Not as Moses did, when he was told to carry Israel, that peevish child, in his bosom, as a nursing father bears the sucking child, (Numbers 11:12). Jesus was pleased with it. If we in a right manner bring our children to Christ, He will take them up, not only in the arms of His power and providence, but in the arms of His pity and grace, (see Ezekiel 16:8); for under them are His everlasting arms.

2.      He put His hands upon them, indicating the bestowing of His Spirit upon them (for that is the hand of the Lord), and His sets them apart for Himself. Children are an inheritance from the Lord. They are set apart to be a blessing.

3.      He blessed them - with the spiritual blessings which only He can give. Our children are happy, if they have but the Savior’s blessing.  This is what we attempt to do when our babes-in-arms are brought to the communion rail.

What is the reason for bringing them? What is the reason for blessing them? Is it to make them better? Will Billy or Mary be better behaved children if we bring them up front?  Is it magic, something akin to a “good luck charm”? 

No, we bring them to remind them of the blessings which are theirs in and through their baptism. If, our children are to be blessed, I think it is wise to remind our children (and also ourselves) of the blessing which is theirs in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.

This is what you do every time you make the sign of the cross. Whenever we have a baptism the candidate receives the sign of a cross on the forehead and the heart as a sign that they have been redeemed by Christ the crucified. When you make the sign of the cross you are reminded that you have been redeem by Christ the crucified. You are reminding yourself of the blessing which are yours in and through your baptism.

What are these blessings? In baptism the Christian receives the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation.  That is why we use the benediction spoken over these babies at their baptism, “May the God and Father of your Lord Jesus Christ who has begotten you of the water and the Word keep you in His grace both now and forever more, peace be with you. Amen”  

B.      Jesus asserted that children are to be welcomed. He bestows His blessings upon them, which are now appointed to be conveyed and conferred in holy Baptism. For the seal of the promise, is to you and to your children. (see Acts 2) 

II.     Bring your children to Jesus and permit them to know Jesus by our instruction.

A.     This is why we have a Sunday school and a parochial day school at Wyneken Lutheran School. This is why we support a youth group and encourage family devotions with the children.

B.     If the church is to continue it will be through these little ones. They are the future. Because they are present already. Each generation enters this world apostate. It is our duty to connect them to the Savior. We do this by following the words of the Savior’s Great Commission; we make disciples - by baptizing and by teaching. 

III.   Bring your children to Jesus and permit them to come to Jesus by Baptism. (v.14) “When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

A.     Baptism is the means of bringing children into the kingdom. You can almost hear the Savior. “What do you mean? Will you hinder Me from doing good; from doing good to this rising generation, to the lambs of the flock?”

1.      Christ is very angry with His own disciples, if they discourage any in coming to Him themselves, or in bringing their children to Him.

2.      He ordered that they should be brought to Him, and nothing should be said or done to hinder them. Jesus says, “Suffer these little children…” as soon as they are able, to come to Me, to offer up their supplications to Me, and to receive instructions from Me. Little children are always welcomed to the throne of grace with their Hosannas.

B.     Baptism is the means of keeping all in the kingdom.  Jesus was "indignant" when He realized that the disciples thought children were unimportant and bothersome.

1.      Mark not as softness these human emotions of Jesus. Mark tells us He was indigent with His disciples.  He is quite candid about the failings of these disciples.

2.      Jesus wanted children to come to Him. They should not be hindered in their coming. After all, children in their receptivity and dependency exemplify for us the characteristics of those who possess God's kingdom. 

Bring your children to Jesus and permit them –

1.    To be blessed by Jesus –

2.    To know Jesus by instruction –

3.    To come to Jesus by and through their Baptism –

Words-1,375

Passive Sentences-10%

Readability – 75%

Reading Level-6.3

Morning Prayer Reading 32 - The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments

 Exodus 19-20 

(Selected Verses)

19 On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 3 while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel:

16 On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain.20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

20 And God spoke all these words, saying,

2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

3 “You shall have no other gods before[a] me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands[b] of those who love me and keep my commandments.

7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates

. 

12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

13 “You shall not murder.[c]

14 “You shall not commit adultery.

15 “You shall not steal.

16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

17 “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; 

you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.”

Footnotes:

Exodus 20:3 Or besides

Exodus 20:6 Or to the thousandth generation

Exodus 20:13 The Hebrew word also covers causing human death through carelessness or negligence

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

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

Morning Prayer Reading 31 - Manna in the Wilderness

Manna in the Wilderness

Exodus 15-16 

(Selected Verses)

22 Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah.[b] 24 And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25 And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a log,[c] and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.

2 And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, 3 and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.”

10 And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. 11 And the Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’”

13 In the evening quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning dew lay around the camp. 14 And when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground. 15 When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?”[a] For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat." 

31 Now the house of Israel called its name manna. It was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.35 The people of Israel ate the manna forty years, till they came to a habitable land. They ate the manna till they came to the border of the land of Canaan.

Footnotes:

Exodus 15:23 Marah means bitterness

Exodus 15:25 Or tree

Exodus 15:25 Hebrew he

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

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

Morning Prayer Reading 30 - The Exodus

The Exodus 

Exodus 12-14 

(Selective Verses)

29 At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock.31 Then he summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Up, go out from among my people, both you and the people of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as you have said. 32 Take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone, and bless me also!”

37 And the people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children.21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

8 And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly. 9 The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea.

10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord. 12 "Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 

26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the Lord threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea.

30 Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

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

October

In the month of October, we celebrate the Reformation and focus on the implications that the cross offers to us.  What are the blessings and benefits of the cross of Christ? There are many.  Let's recall what they might be.

There is now forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation! In Jesus Christ, all sin is forgiven - period!  That is the battle cry of the Reformation. That's what our Lutheran faith is all about. As the catechism so clearly reminds us, "where there is the forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation."  These are the gifts and blessings which have been offered to us through Jesus Christ through His innocent suffering and death. Because of a cross and an empty tomb, we are a free and forgiven people.

Jesus was cut off out of the land of the living. When the Son of God entered this world He took upon Himself all your embarrassments, all your disappointments and regrets. All the sins you've only realized later much to your shock and appall, Jesus suffered all.

Jesus came neither to impress you nor to be impressed by you. He came to save you. He took your sins as His, only to suffer and die in your place. He received the punishment you deserve, so you won't have to be afraid.

Have you ever felt conflicted in your spiritual life? Gone from great to little, from high to low?  Behold His cross. And understand; He knows and understands your every sorrow. And see how He has taken it all away; all away to His grave. He died for everything that pains you, for on the third day He rose victorious from it all. In the glory of this His resurrection, He declares and pronounces, that you are righteous before God's heavenly throne, that your sins are forgiven, that the gates of heaven are now opened to you. You are forgiven. You are free.

What is the reality of this forgiveness, this freedom, and life?  "That I might be His own and live before Him in His kingdom and serve Him in righteousness, innocence and blessedness."  Jesus is raised from the dead.  When He died, death died.  When He died, sin's sting and power died. When He died, Satan's grip was weakened.  Jesus now lives throughout all eternity to bless me, to guide me, to forgive me, and to direct my life.

What is my response to all this?  "To thank and praise, to serve and obey Him."  The Father has given you these and so many other precious gifts.  Your response is to serve Him all the days of your life.  Bask in His forgiveness.  Serve Him with vigor and virtue. You have been born to be a blessing.  Bless God by being a blessing to others!

A Prayer for Agriculture: Almighty God, You blessed the earth to make it fruitful, bringing forth in abundance whatever is needed for the support of our lives. Prosper, we implore You, the work of farmers, grant them seasonable weather that we may gather in the fruit of the earth and thus proclaim Your goodness with thanksgiving. May we see by this noble vocation that with Your help they feed the world. And cause all those who give thanks over their food to treat those who produce it with both honor and respect; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  

Morning Prayer Reading 29 - Moses Before Pharaoh

Moses Before Pharaoh

 Exodus 5-12 

(Selective Verses)

5 Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’” 2 But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.” 3 Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God, lest he fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.” 4 But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people away from their work? Get back to your burdens.” 5 And Pharaoh said, “Behold, the people of the land are now many,[a] and you make them rest from their burdens!” 6 The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen, 7 “You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as in the past; let them go and gather straw for themselves."

7 And the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land. 3 But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt.4 Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.” 6 Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the Lord commanded them. 

11 The Lord said to Moses, “Yet one plague more I will bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will drive you away completely. 3 Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers' houses, a lamb for a household. 4 And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, 6 and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight."

7 “Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8 They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it.11 In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord's Passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt."

14 “This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast."

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

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