Morning Prayer #44

 

1 Samuel

There was a certain man whose name was Elkanah 2 He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”  20 And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.”[b]  

 

24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, [c] an ephah [d] of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. And the child was young.

 

12 Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord. 22 Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 23 And he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. 24 No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad. 25 If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death.

 

26 Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man.2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 

4 Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.

6 And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.

 

8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

 

10 And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” 11 Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tremble." 

 

15 Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. 16 But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” 17 And Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.”

 

Footnotes:

1 Samuel 1:5 Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain. Septuagint And, although he loved Hannah, he would give Hannah only one portion, because the Lord had closed her womb

1 Samuel 1:20 Samuel sounds like the Hebrew for heard of God

1 Samuel 1:24 Dead Sea Scroll, Septuagint, Syriac; Masoretic Text three bulls

1 Samuel 1:24 An ephah was about 3/5 bushel or 22 liters

 

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. 

Monday prior to Proper 28

 

[1]

Psalm 48:11-14, Antiphon, Mark 13:13b–The one who endures to the end will be saved.   The words of the Antiphon are simple, direct, and profound. If you endure to the end, you will be saved. Lord grant while worlds endure we keep God’s teachings pure throughout all generations!

Sunday’s Theme is simply “The Coming End of the World.” Mark’s “Little Apocalypse,” Chapter 13, is being used to introduce the theme of the end times. Sunday’s Gospel Mark 13:1-13 deals with the events of disaster and persecution that mark the birth-pangs of the final end of the world.

The Old Testament lesson Daniel 12:1-3 was chosen to harmonize with the Gospel for it, too, speaks of the end of time and God’s deliverance of His people. The Epistle lesson Hebrews10:11-18 continues the discussion of Christ as high priest, but indicates that after His once-for-all sacrifice, He is waiting in His exalted state for the defeat of His enemies. As the church year comes to a close, it is fitting to dwell on the end of the world and the return of Christ.

Despite its “wonderful stones” and “great buildings,” the Jerusalem temple would be torn down, not one stone left upon another; just as this present world and its kingdoms will come to an end (Mark 13:1–8).

But that temple pointed beyond itself to Christ, to His sacrifice upon the Cross, and to the resurrection of His Body as the true Temple of God. In the midst of sin and death, by the proclamation of the Gospel, He now gathers disciples into His Body, wherein “the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Mark 13:10–13).

 

For He is “a great priest over the house of God,” who “will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” By the pure water of His Baptism, they “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,” and by His flesh and blood they enter the Holy of Holies (Hebrews 10:17–22).

Thus are His people delivered, “everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.” For by the wisdom of His Gospel, He turns “many to righteousness,” so that “many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake” to everlasting life (Daniel 12:1–3).[2]

Collect for Psalm 84 Almighty God, you heard the prayer of Christ, your chosen one, and raised him to the lasting joy of your presence. Help us in our pilgrimage toward you to love your Church and to offer the sacrifice of praise at your altar, that we may hasten to your home and joyfully look upon your glorious splendor, which we have seen in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.[3] -08 November 2021

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[1] The Crucifixion, Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] Lectionary Summery LCMS commission on worship

[3] Collect for Psalm 84, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. IV. © 1996 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY 

Proper 28 Series B

PROPER 28 Series B 

(November 13–19)

Daniel 12:1–3

Hebrews 10:11–25

Mark 13:1–13

The Crucified and Risen Body of Christ Jesus Is the True Temple of God

O Lord, by Your bountiful goodness release us from the bonds of our sins, which by reason of our weakness we have brought upon ourselves, that we may stand firm until the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Lord of harvest, great and kind, Rouse to action heart and mind; Let the gathering nations all See Your light and heed Your call. (LSB 840:4)

Despite its “wonderful stones” and “great buildings,” the Jerusalem temple would be torn down, not one stone left upon another; just as this present world and its kingdoms will come to an end (Mark 13:1–8). 

But that temple pointed beyond itself to Christ, to His sacrifice upon the Cross, and to the resurrection of His Body as the true Temple of God. In the midst of sin and death, by the proclamation of the Gospel, He now gathers disciples into His Body, wherein “the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Mark 13:10–13). 

For He is “a great priest over the house of God,” who “will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” By the pure water of His Baptism, they “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,” and by His flesh and blood they enter the Holy of Holies (Hebrews 10:17–22). 

Thus are His people delivered, “everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.” For by the wisdom of His Gospel, He turns “many to righteousness,” so that “many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake” to everlasting life (Daniel 12:1–3).

Jesus begins to talk about the fall of Jerusalem and the end of the world with a prediction of the temple's destruction. What makes a house of worship worthy is not its outward appearance but the Word of God in it. 

The temple in Jerusalem had been the "embassy" of heaven on earth. With the birth of Jesus, this temple would no longer serve that purpose. Now, in Jesus Christ, the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily among us. (See Colossians 2:9) 

Jesus warms His disciples about the coming troubles they will face as they bring the Gospel into the world. He encourages them to trust God and rely on the Holy Spirit, especially when they face opposition and persecution.  

Nobody likes to be shown his or her sin. As Christians proclaim Law and Gospel, they need to be ready to endure the loss of everything including their lives. 

Because God wants all people to hear the Gospel. He prolongs the NT age so that the Church may witness to all the earth. To His alone we owe the survival of our personal faith as well. 

Before the end of the world comes, there will be natural disasters and Christ's followers will be persecuted.  This chapter from Mark's Gospel, is known as the "Little Apocalypse." 

It is the last long teaching of Jesus in Mark, as though it were a farewell speech. The destruction of the temple is predicted and the disciples privately asked Jesus when this would occur and what would be the signs of the end. 

But these signs mark only the beginning of the end: earthquakes, wars, and persecution. The end will not come until the Gospel is preached to all nations. When will the end come? When the last pagan is converted.

Mark 13:1-13-

DON'T FREAK OUT!

Mark 13:1  

1 Καὶ ἐκπορευομένου αὐτοῦ ἐκ τοῦ ἱεροῦ λέγει αὐτῷ εἷς τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ• Διδάσκαλε, ἴδε ποταποὶ λίθοι καὶ ποταπαὶ οἰκοδομαί. 

And coming out of the temple one of his disciples said look at these wonderful buildings. 

A genitive absolute. (Luke 21) "destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up". John 2:19  Is the trust being put in the temple?  This is coming right after the faith of the widow. All she had was God. The temple will be distorted as He Will be distorted. 

Mark 13:2 

2 καὶ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ• Βλέπεις ταύτας τὰς μεγάλας οἰκοδομάς; οὐ μὴ ἀφεθῇ ὧδε λίθος ἐπὶ λίθον ὃς οὐ μὴ καταλυθῇ.

And Jesus said to him, do you see the majestic buildings, surely they will be loosed from another. 

Future strong negation. Absolutely not the stones will absolutely not be standing. The negatives get strong. 4 of them stacked together. Passion. Is Jesus raising his voice?  The temple, the old system will all be disproved.

Mark 13:3  

3 Καὶ καθημένου αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ Ὄρος τῶν Ἐλαιῶν κατέναντι τοῦ ἱεροῦ ἐπηρώτα αὐτὸν κατ’ ἰδίαν Πέτρος καὶ Ἰάκωβος καὶ Ἰωάννης καὶ Ἀνδρέας•

After he had sat down on the Mt. of Olives, over against the temple. They asked him by themselves, the four asked, when will these things happen, what is the sign when all these things will be carried out? 

The Mt. Of Olives where he will be arrested, from the east where Messiah will come.  Mark 8 the Pharisees asked for a sign and received none.

Mark 13:4  

4 Εἰπὸν ἡμῖν πότε ταῦτα ἔσται, καὶ τί τὸ σημεῖον ὅταν μέλλῃ ταῦτα συντελεῖσθαι πάντα. 

Now Jesus began to say to them, watch out, least no one leave you astray. 

Don't look for the signs. They ask in faith. But why ask for the sign?  Signs are not the point. Live within your vocation. Do what is given you. We all want to avoid suffering. 

Mark 13:5-6 

5 ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς ἤρξατο λέγειν αὐτοῖς• Βλέπετε μή τις ὑμᾶς πλανήσῃ• 6 πολλοὶ ἐλεύσονται ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου λέγοντες ὅτι Ἐγώ εἰμι, καὶ πολλοὺς πλανήσουσιν.

Watch least no one deceive you. Many will come on behalf of Me claiming, "I am He" and will deceive many.  

Panic is the pastime of despair. We're called to faithfulness. 

Mark 13:7  

7 ὅταν δὲ ἀκούσητε πολέμους καὶ ἀκοὰς πολέμων, μὴ θροεῖσθε• δεῖ γενέσθαι, ἀλλ’ οὔπω τὸ τέλος.

Still and when you hear of wars and hearings of wars do not be disturbed (don't freak out don't panic.) They must come but not yet the end. 

Mark 13:8 

8 ἐγερθήσεται γὰρ ἔθνος ἐπ’ ἔθνος καὶ βασιλεία ἐπὶ βασιλείαν, ἔσονται σεισμοὶ κατὰ τόπους, ἔσονται [l]λιμοί• ἀρχὴ ὠδίνων ταῦτα.

Nation will rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. These are only the beginnings of the birth pangs.  

Mark 13:9  

9 βλέπετε δὲ ὑμεῖς ἑαυτούς• παραδώσουσιν ὑμᾶς εἰς συνέδρια καὶ εἰς συναγωγὰς δαρήσεσθε καὶ ἐπὶ ἡγεμόνων καὶ βασιλέων σταθήσεσθε ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ εἰς μαρτύριον αὐτοῖς. 

See to yourselves, you will be betrayed into the hands of the Sanhedrin, stand before kings, and on account of me you will be martyred.   

"A court room scene. "

"We have entered that midnight hour when even the virgins sleep." - Walther 

Mark 13:10 

10 καὶ εἰς πάντα τὰ ἔθνη πρῶτον δεῖ κηρυχθῆναι τὸ εὐαγγέλιον.

It is necessary that this good message be preached to all the nations first.  

See Revelation 6. 

Mark 13:11  

11 καὶ ὅταν ἄγωσιν ὑμᾶς παραδιδόντες, μὴ προμεριμνᾶτε τί λαλήσητε, ἀλλ’ ὃ ἐὰν δοθῇ ὑμῖν ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ τοῦτο λαλεῖτε, οὐ γάρ ἐστε ὑμεῖς οἱ λαλοῦντες ἀλλὰ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον.

And when they lead/hand you over to trial do not fret what to say, but the Holy Spirit will speak for you. 

To whom is Jesus speaking? Only these four. NOT to every Christian. We have the Creed, what has been given to us as eye-witnesses. 

Mark 13:12  

12 καὶ παραδώσει ἀδελφὸς ἀδελφὸν εἰς θάνατον καὶ πατὴρ τέκνον, καὶ ἐπαναστήσονται τέκνα ἐπὶ γονεῖς καὶ θανατώσουσιν αὐτούς•

Brother will deliver brother unto death and Fathers their children putting them to death. 

Yours safe place is not safe. 

Mark 13:13 

13 καὶ ἔσεσθε μισούμενοι ὑπὸ πάντων διὰ τὸ ὄνομά μου. ὁ δὲ ὑπομείνας εἰς τέλος οὗτος σωθήσεται.

You will be hated by all on account of My name but those who endure until the end will be saved. 

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

Hebrews 10:11-25
Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Brege

When Jesus, or the New Testament writers, separate “body” and “blood” in their discussion of the work of Christ, they are speaking of Him as a sacrifice.  To prepare an Old Testament sacrifice the blood was associated with the life of a creature, and it was taken from the sacrificial flesh and strewn, daubed or sprinkled on the appropriate place or person in relation to the worship occurring in the Tabernacle.  The blood—the creature’s life—was associated with atonement, and being the life of a creature it was not to be eaten, probably partly because such a creature did not willingly give its life-blood, and thus it belonged only to God.

Christ now comes and willingly sheds His life-blood, and now His blood is miraculously offered to God’s people to drink.  To the non-Christian and to those just being instructed in the faith this sounds gross.  Far from “gross” we realize that in miraculously drinking Christ’s blood we are taking into our bodies God’s life and His blood-bought atonement.

Hebrews 10:11-25 is the assigned three-year epistle for Proper 28.  In his Hebrews commentary Dr. John Kleinig convincingly presents the perspective that the entire epistle to the Hebrews is especially about the Sacrament of the Altar and—directly linked with this— it is about God’s people in worship.

Hebrews 10:19-25 has several markers identifying the Eucharist in worship.  In verses 19 and 20 we see that it is through the blood and flesh of Jesus that we enter “through the curtain (veil)” and into the Holy of Holies.  Indeed when we partake of Christ’s flesh and blood we are uniquely in God’s Holy presence. Thus Christianity has from ancient times prayed the “Prayer of the Veil” immediately before receiving the Lord’s holy flesh and blood. The remnant of this ancient prayer is found in our Lutheran liturgy when we pray, “Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven…”

In the celebration of the Holy Supper we confess that we are joining these other-worldly individuals in the heavenly Holy of Holies!

Our Lutheran church along with others has adopted the exact wording of verse 22 to be liturgically voiced as we approach Christ’s Holy Meal. We rightly confess, “Let us draw near with a true heart…” What gives us a true heart to rightly draw near the Most Holy Place?  The text continues, “…having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”  Yes, we may draw near and partake of Christ’s flesh and blood in the Most Holy Place, for we have been cleansed in the priestly bath of Christ’s bloody water in Holy Baptism!


No wonder this text concludes with the worship-related admonition that we should not be “neglecting to meet together.”  Why would someone consider avoiding the saving body and blood of Christ?

Time in the Word - Proper 28

Time in the Word

 November 8-13, 2021

Proper 28

Sunday’s Theme is simply “The Coming End of the World.” Mark’s “Little Apocalypse,” Chapter 13,is being used to introduce the theme of the end times. Sunday’s Gospel deals with the events of disaster and persecution that mark the birth-pangs of the final end of the world. The Old Testament lesson was chosen to harmonize with the Gospel for it, too, speaks of the end of time and God’s deliverance of His people. The Epistle lesson continues the discussion of Christ as high priest, but indicates that after His once-for-all sacrifice, He is waiting in His exalted state for the defeat of His enemies. As the church year comes to a close, it is fitting to dwell on the end of the world and the return of Christ. 

Collect for Proper 28 –O Lord, by Your bountiful goodness release us from the bonds of our sins, which by reason of our weakness we have brought upon ourselves, that we may stand firm until the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. 

Monday, 08 November 2021—Psalm 48:11-14, Antiphon, Mark 13:13b–The one who endures to the end will be saved.   The words of the Antiphon are simple, direct, and profound. If you endure to the end, you will be saved. Lord grant while worlds endure we keep God’s teachings pure throughout all generations! 

Tuesday, 09 November 2021—Psalm 16; key verse, verse 11— You will show me the path of life. The Psalm for this week reminds us that God is our refuge in trying times and assures us that God will not abandon us in our trials. 

Wednesday, 10 November 2021—Daniel 12:1-3–At a time of great trouble, both the living and the dead will be delivered and the wicked condemned. This week’s Old Testament lesson comes from the prophet Daniel. It deals with the Persian period of history and predicts the end of history. At the end there will be great trouble in the world, but God’s people will be delivered because Michael, Israel’s angelic guardian, will come to their rescue. The saved will be those living and dead who have their names in the book of life, a list of God’s faithful people. Here is a statement of the resurrection from the Old Testament. The dead will be raised for eternal life or for eternal death (“contempt”).  This life is not the end, but the final verdict comes at the resurrection. 

Thursday, 11 November 2021—Hebrews 10:11-18 – After His perfect sacrifice, Jesus is seated at God’s right hand until all of His enemies are defeated.  The one supreme sacrifice of Christ removes the necessity of repeated sacrifices of animals. These repeated sacrifices cannot remove sin. Jesus’ one sacrifice perfected the faithful. After the perfect offering, Jesus is seated now at God’s right hand waiting for all evil forces to be subjected to Him. This once-for-all-time offering initiated a new covenant which cancels all former covenants and their sacrifices. It is a new covenant of forgiveness. Since there is forgiveness in and through the new covenant, there is no need of other sacrifices for sin. 

Friday, 12 November 2021 – Mark 13:1-13– Before the end of the world comes, there will be natural disasters and Christ’s followers will be persecuted.  This chapter from Mark’s Gospel, is known as the “Little Apocalypse.” It is the last long teaching of Jesus in Mark, as though it were a farewell speech. The destruction of the temple is predicted and the disciples privately asked Jesus when this would occur and what would be the signs of the end. But these signs mark only the beginning of the end: earthquakes, wars, and persecution. The end will not come until the Gospel is preached to all nations. When will the end come? When the last pagan is converted.

Saturday, 13 November 2021—Hebrews 12:1-3; Revelation 2:10; 14:13; 17:14 is the inspiration for the hymn, For All the Saints (LSB 677).  Soon we will close out the church year. As citizens of the United States, we are also citizens of another country – the Kingdom of Christ in glory. This week we have celebrated Veteran’s Day honoring those who have served in the armed forces of our nation. At the same time, we honor Christ who has served us defeating our last great enemy death and opened for us the gate which leads to eternal life. 

Collect for Pentecost Season - O Lord, we pray that the visitation of Your grace may so cleanse our thoughts and minds that Your Son Jesus Christ, when He shall come, may find in us a fit dwelling place; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. 

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

A Prayer for Peace -O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works proceed, give to Your servants that peace which the world simply cannot give that our hearts may be set to obey Your commandments and also that we, being defended by You, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord.

A prayer for Christ’s return – O Lord, absolve Your people from their offenses that from the bonds of our sins, which by reason of our weakness we have brought upon us, we may be delivered by Your bountiful goodness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

For strong faith in Christ – Almighty and ever-living God, since You have given exceedingly great and precious promises to those who believe, grant us so perfectly and without all doubt to believe in Your Son Jesus Christ, that our faith in Your sight may never be reproved; through our Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Sources:

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 and Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House 
Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts "The Crucifixion" copyright © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B – John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH 

THE PARABLE OF THE FAITHFUL SERVANT –

 

[1]

Almighty and everlasting God, always more ready to hear than we to pray and always ready to give more than we either desire or deserve, pour down on us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us the things of which our conscience is afraid and giving us the good things we are not worthy to ask but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen[2]

Mark 13:33–37 (ESV):  “Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.  It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake.  Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.  And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”[3]

In an age of increasing violence and sudden death heralding the last times, Christian watchful and faithful readiness is imperative. Our sinful instinct is to join crowds about us in a flight/fight response to mounting anxiety.  Desperately we might seek to flee the pain of stark fear, unrestrainedly plunging into practices of instant pleasure (misuse of drugs and alcohol, entertainment to deny grim reality, growing immorality, and sexual abuse), or we can deliberately fight and angrily resist, denying the base sin in humanity that has unleashed the deadly and destructive forces now so apparent.

 Christ exhorts us to watch and be ready for His return

How are Christians to watch?

Disciples of Jesus are to establish priorities and value systems based on their citizenship in the kingdom of God. This great and gracious gift bestowed by the Holy Spirit through Christ’s death and resurrection altered our lives and changed our perception of the world and life.

No longer driven by an accusing conscience or groaning under the burden of the Law, we are able to set aside earthly transient ambition and receive the timeless treasure of forgiveness won for us and all people by our Savior and committed to us through the Holy Spirit by faith. Thus renewed and equipped, we are able to discern accurately and comfortingly the difficult days we are traversing on our way to an eternity of joy and peace with our gracious God.

Our society has often defiled science, idealized humanity and in arrogance and self-righteousness sought to work out its own salvation. The bright hope have dimmed, ware and peace and seemingly beyond human control, and we are living in the weary hours of history.

By what means are Christians to be ready?

On the one hand, we are to examine critically and consider in the light of Scripture the full implications of modern, seemingly alluring philosophies popular in our day (new morality, situation ethics, essential goodness and competence of human beings, the totally cynical existential dogma of despair) that either promise fulfillment or actualization by our own power or plug us deeply into the Angst (pervasive anxiety) of despair and disillusionment.

We know not the hour when the Son of Man will return. Hence urgency accompanies the challenge of open door, inviting the saving Gospel and dawning hope throughout our shrinking world, we are to “’gird up our loins” and get to work for Christ. Millions languish in barren confusion, frightening violence, numbing poverty, and starvation spiritually and physically. Our Master is depending upon us; may He find us busily engaged when He comes.

Blessed are those who respond to the Savior’s call. The same Redeemer, who willingly placed His sinless body on the altar of the cross as the all-sufficient sacrifice for humanity’s sin and rose triumphantly and endow us with new life, will serve us graciously and personally, either at the hour of death or on the Last Day. He will invite us to partake of the eternal banquet Hid has prepared for u. God grant that we may be ever watchful and ready as we await joyously the coming of our heavenly King.[4]

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[1] Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] Collect for Pentecost 12, Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

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

 

[4] Lectionary Preaching Resources Series C © 1988 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Saturday prior to Proper 27

 

[1]

Luke 21:25-36; Matthew 25:31-46-Sunday’s hymn of the day is The Day Is Surely Drawing Near (LSB 508).  Just as the days are growing shorter so also time is counting down to the end of the church year and the end of the world as we know it. This calls for vigilance, patience, and faith. These themes and ideas are all communicated in this much treasured hymn.

"The day is surely drawing near When Jesus, God's anointed, In all His pow'r shall appear, As judge whom God appointed. Then fright shall banish idle mirth, And flames on flames shall ravage earth, As Scripture long has warned us.”

"My Savior paid the debt I owe, And for my sin was smitten; Within the Book of Life I know My name has now been written. I will not doubt, for I am free, And Satan cannot threaten me, There is no condemnation!"

The last day! Children know all about last days—the last day of school before summer or the last day before the Christmas break. Adults, too, may eagerly count down the days (and hours) until the last day of work before a long-anticipated vacation. Our hymn celebrates a very different last day: the Last Day. The "day is surely drawing near" when God will bring life on this earth—life as we know it now—to an end, the day when Jesus, God's Anointed, will return to judge the earth.

We do not always think of Jesus as a Judge. In fact, we may view Him as very non-judgmental, perhaps not in His interactions with the Pharisees and other opponents, but certainly with the many people who received His compassionate forgiveness and healing. As Scripture says, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him" (John 3:17). Jesus came not to condemn, but to be condemned on behalf of the world, to shoulder the burden of the world's sin and carry it to the cross.

But the Day of Judgment is coming, and God the Father "has given all judgment to the Son" (John 5:22b). The apostle Paul explains that God "has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a Man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead" (Acts 17:31). Jesus, the appointed Judge, warned of signs that would alert us to the nearness of that day—wars, earthquakes, persecution, false prophets, a darkened sun and falling stars. On the Last Day, "fright shall banish idle mirth." The day of Jesus' return will be a day of terror for many, but it will be a day of joy—eternal joy—for all who believe in Him, because our Judge is also our Redeemer, who took onto Himself our sin, guilt, and shame, and clothed us in His righteousness.

For all who trust in Christ Jesus, "there is therefore now no condemnation" (Romans 8:1a). Satan can no longer accuse us before God. Our sins were judged and condemned at the cross of Jesus and washed away in His blood. Our names are written in the Book of Life. Today, on that Last Day and for all eternity we are held securely in the hand of the coming Judge, the crucified and risen Son of God, our Savior and our Shepherd.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You have promised that You are coming soon. We long for the day when we will see You face-to-face and live in Your presence forever. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! [2] 06 November 2021

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[1] The Crucifixion, Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] https://www.lhm.org/dailydevotions/default.asp?date=20191117

Morning Prayer #43

 

Job Part 3

Satan Attacks Job's Health

 

Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 3 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” 4 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. 5 But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” 6 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.”

 

7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes.

 

9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” 10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

 

19 Then Job answered and said:

23 “Oh that my words were written!

    Oh that they were inscribed in a book!

24 Oh that with an iron pen and lead

    they were engraved in the rock forever!

25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,

    and at the last he will stand upon the earth.[b]

26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed,

    yet in my flesh I shall see God,

27 whom I shall see for myself,

    and my eyes shall behold, and not another.

    My heart faints within me!

 

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

Luther's Seal copyright © Ed Riojas Higher Things