Tuesday prior to Proper 23

 

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Psalm 90:12–17—Psalm 90 is a psalm written by Moses, and is a great comfort in times of sadness. It starts out with a confession that the Lord abides with us always: Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Verses 12–17 are a prayer for the continuation of God’s favor, and the wish that He would carry out His work of salvation and bless His people’s undertakings to that end.

This psalm is titled A Prayer of Moses the man of God. Some commentators think this was not the same famous and familiar Moses, but the evidence is much stronger for believing that this was indeed the great leader of Israel. This is the only song of Moses in the psalms, but there are two other songs in the Pentateuch (Exodus 15 and Deuteronomy 32), as well as the blessing of the tribes of Israel in Deuteronomy 33.

 If we connect it with any particular time in the life of Moses, the best suggestion is the time described in Numbers 20. “The historical setting is probably best understood by the incidents recorded in Numbers 20:

 (1) The death of Miriam, Moses’ sister; 

(2) The sin of Moses in striking the rock in the wilderness, which kept him from entering the Promised Land;  

(3) The death of Aaron, Moses’ brother.” (James Montgomery Boice)

Moses writes; “So teach us to number our days.” When Moses considered the frail nature of humanity and the righteous judgment of God, it made him ask God for the wisdom to understand the shortness of life. 2

Collect for Psalm 90: Eternal Father of our mortal race; in Jesus Christ your grace has come upon us. For his sake, prosper the work of our hands until he returns to gladden our hearts forever. 3

Sources:

1. Luther's Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

2. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-90 

3. Collect for Psalm 90, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. IV © 1996 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY 

Monday prior to Proper 23

 

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Psalm 112:3–6; Antiphon, Psalm 112:1—Sunday’s Introit tells of the blessedness of the man who fears the Lord and delights in His commandments. This man delights especially in the First Commandment; You shall have no other gods. He fears, loves, and trusts in God above all things, especially earthly things. Thus, he is truly wealthy, for he possesses wealth that is far greater than material things; he has the righteousness of God that comes by faith. 

The blessings upon those who fear the Lord. 

Like Psalm 111 before it, Psalm 112 is an acrostic psalm. James Montgomery Boice commented on the similarities between Psalms 111 and 112: “They are the same length, fall into identical stanzas, and even have identical or similar phrases occurring at the same places in each. Both are precise acrostics; that is, they have twenty-two lines each of which begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.” 2

The theme for this Sunday is The Root of Evil. You will sometimes hear a person say ‘Money is the root of all evil.’ Usually it is said in a judgmental tone, used to condemn another. But such a one doesn’t quote Scripture correctly, for the Bible does not say that money is the root of all evil, but ‘the love of money is the root of all evil.’ (1 Timothy 6:10)

All of next Sunday’s readings exhort us not to depart from the Lord, but to remain faithful to Him. Oftentimes, not only the cares of this world, but the things of this world divert our attention from the Lord.

The sin of the rich young man in next Sunday’s Gospel reading was not that he had great riches, but that those riches were the most important thing to him. A Christian who is wealthy need not be ashamed of his wealth, for it is a gift from God, but he must not let his wealth rule him. He must realize that he is but a steward of the gifts God gives, and must use those gifts in a manner pleasing to God.

Collect for Psalm 112: Lord Jesus, you are the light shining in darkness for the upright. Teach us to love one another as you love us, that we might bring peace and joy to the world and find the happiness of your home where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.  3

Sources

1. Luther's Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

2. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-112

3. Collect for Psalm 112, For All the Saints A Prayer Book For and By the Church Vol. IV, © 1996 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Proper 23 Series B study notes

 

Proper 23 Series B

Amos 5:6–7, 10–15 

Hebrews 3:12–19

Mark 10:17–22

 

Christ Jesus Is the One and Only Good by Whom You Inherit Eternal Life

 

The Lord is the Author and Giver of life, as well as a consuming fire of judgment against all “who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate” (Amos 5:12). “Seek the Lord and live,” therefore, by hating what is evil, loving what is good and doing what is just and right, according to His Word. “And so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you” (Amos 5:6, 14–15). 

Understand that “no one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18). The life that you are called to live is found neither in your “great possessions,” nor in your good works, but only in Christ Jesus. Let go of “all that you have” and follow Him, even unto death, and “you will have treasure in heaven” (Mark 10:21–22). Do not harden your heart against His voice, nor turn away from Him, lest you “fall away from the living God.” Rather, hear and heed His call, cling to His Word and “exhort one another every day,” that you may remain steadfast in Christ and “firm to the end” (Hebrews 3:12–15). 

Mark 10:17-22

A question: Did this man hear what Jesus said about marriage and children?

Children connection "All these I have kept since childhood."  Also, Jesus concludes the commandments with the 4th Commandment. 

Jesus teaches His disciples that not even people with the greatest worldly means can enter the kingdom of God on their own merit; We cannot justify ourselves, we receive salvation (inherit eternal life) solely by grace through faith in Jesus. Just like a little child (Vv. 13-16) 

-The rich young man was off in his thinking from the very start, when he asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Inheriting eternal life is not a matter of our doing; it is a gift of grace. Jesus tried to show the man that he could not earn his salvation, by directing him to the commandments. Yet, the young man persisted in his self-righteousness by proclaiming that he had kept them all from his youth.

Still, Jesus looked on him with love and compassion, as a wayward sheep. He directs the man to the First Commandment, by asking him to give up all he had. This young man loved the things of the world more than the things of God, and so he went away sorrowful.

How can any person enter the Kingdom of God? Not on his own merits, for with man it is impossible…but all things are possible with God.

Mark 10:17

Καὶ ἐκπορευομένου αὐτοῦ εἰς ὁδὸν προσδραμὼν εἷς καὶ γονυπετήσας αὐτὸν ἐπηρώτα αὐτόν· Διδάσκαλε ἀγαθέ, τί ποιήσω ἵνα ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσω; 

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

- As he was going out one was running along the way, kneeling, he questioned Him, “what must I do to inherit eternal salvation”. He comes to Jesus respectively not reverently.  He takes a knee in front of his life coach.  "Kneeling" is not worshipful. He has nothing to give in reverent repentance. He approaches Jesus as an equal.  Thinking they are both "good." 

The children are welcomed why not me? They are children but I can contribute.

Mark 10:18

ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Τί με λέγεις ἀγαθόν; οὐδεὶς ἀγαθὸς εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ θεός. 

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 

- Why are you calling me good? No one is good except God...he points to the one thing the man lacks...to be in the presence of God is to be in the need of confession and faith...you're not good but God is...all morality evolves around Christ...YET HERE - no evidence of contrition.

Mark 10:19

τὰς ἐντολὰς οἶδας· Μὴ [a]φονεύσῃς, Μὴ μοιχεύσῃς, Μὴ κλέψῃς, Μὴ ψευδομαρτυρήσῃς, Μὴ ἀποστερήσῃς, Τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα.

You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 

- The commandments, you know...is 4 at the end connected to 9/10? Connected to Corbin gifts...

Do not defraud is not listed in the commandments...is this the dagger? 

Mark 10:20

ὁ δὲ [b]ἔφη αὐτῷ· Διδάσκαλε, ταῦτα πάντα ἐφυλαξάμην ἐκ νεότητός μου.

And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.

- Look at the Greek ‘ἐκ νεότητός μου” I've done this since I became of age, apart from the children. “I've guarded them.” ἐφυλαξάμην Confused moral goodness with righteousness.  The man is listening.

Mark 10:21

ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς ἐμβλέψας αὐτῷ ἠγάπησεν αὐτὸν καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἕν [c]σε ὑστερεῖ· ὕπαγε ὅσα ἔχεις πώλησον καὶ δὸς [d]τοῖς πτωχοῖς, καὶ ἕξεις θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ δεῦρο ἀκολούθει [e]μοι.

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

- Jesus looking into him loved him, all you have sell it, and you will have treasures in heaven.  Jesus looks at the man as a little one...is this Mark? 

After He loves him Jesus preaches the law again. Is this Jesus' "cut off your arm" command to this rich man?

Mark 10:22

ὁ δὲ στυγνάσας ἐπὶ τῷ λόγῳ ἀπῆλθεν λυπούμενος, ἦν γὰρ ἔχων κτήματα πολλά.

Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

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

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

Saturday prior to Proper 22

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Joshua 24:15b; Ephesians 6:4; Luke 2:41-52; 10:38-42-Sunday’s hymn of the day is Oh, Blest the House (LSB 862).  This is an appropriate hymn as it deals with the Christian home. May the Lord bless not only our families, but each and every individual family of our congregations. Taking the lead from Joshua, “as for me and my house we shall serve the Lord!” May the Lord bless each of us as Christ remains at the center of our homes.

Oh, Blest the House
1. Oh, blest the house, whate’er befall,
 Where Jesus Christ is all in all!
A home that is not wholly His -
 How sad and poor and dark it is!

2. Oh, blest that house where faith is found
 And all in hope and love abound;
They trust their God and serve Him still
 And do in all His holy will!

3. Oh, blest the parents who give heed
 Unto their children’s foremost need
And weary not of care or cost,
 May none to them and heav’n be lost!

4. Oh, blest that house; it prospers well,
 In peace and joy the parents dwell,
And in their children’s lives is shown
 How richly God can bless His own.

5. Then here will I and mine today
 A solemn promise make and say:
Though all the world forsake His Word,
 I and my house will serve the Lord

A prayer for home and family - Visit, we implore You, O Lord, the homes in which Your people dwell, and keep far from them all harm and danger. Grant us to dwell together in peace under the protection of Your holy angels, and may Your blessing be with us forever. 2

Sources:

1.  “Adam and Eve in Paradise” Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

2. A prayer for home and family, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

Friday prior to Proper 22

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Mark 10:2-16 – God intends marriage to be lifelong. Sunday’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.

Flesh is more than the physical body or sex. A sexual union does not necessarily make two people one. They are momentarily joined together physically for the completion of a sexual act, but they are not necessarily one. “Flesh” goes beyond the body to the whole person; physical, mental, psychological and spiritual. In marriage there is to be a union of two personalities, and the sexual act is merely an expression of that oneness. Thus, sex apart from a spiritual union is meaningless and contrary to God’s will. Sex outside of marriage is therefore meaningless. The physical union is proper, right and meaningful only when two people of the opposite sex have union of heart and mind.

To enter the kingdom of God is not to be a child  nor to be childish. A person enters the kingdom “like a child.” There is an innocence, openness, and receptivity on the part of a child that a person wanting to enter the kingdom of God must have. A child is ready to believe and trust what an adult says. Children eagerly believe and readily obey without question or doubt. 2

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. 3

Sources:

1.  “Adam and Eve in Paradise” Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

2. Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

3. Collect for Peace, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

Thursday prior to Proper 22

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Hebrew 2:1-13, (14-18) – God intends the family of humankind to be a family in Christ. By the grace of God, Jesus became a man who suffered and died for all. Today’s Epistle reading is the first in a series of passages from Hebrews. The author in Hebrews is facing the situation of the church’s waning faith, probably because of the delay of Christ’s return. To stimulate their faith, he writes the epistle of Hebrews. 

Today’s reading deals with the event of Christ’s incarnation leading to His suffering and death for the salvation of humanity. Jesus’ incarnation gave Him solidarity with humankind in order to save it.  At present, we do not see Christ’s lordship over everything, but we do see Him (verse 9).  His atoning death created a oneness of Christ and His followers whom He calls “brethren” (verse 11).  In comparison with the Old Testament lesson, humans are created and re-created by redemption. 

The writer to the Hebrews uses the term “perfect” in verse 10. This is not a moral but a religious use of the word. The religious meaning of “perfect” is the completion and fulfillment of a goal, destiny, or purpose. It was Jesus’ mission to take away the sins of the world through his atoning death. He fulfilled the mission and accomplished the goal through suffering death on a cross. Thus, Jesus was perfect – fulfilled, completed his destiny as Savior. 2

Collect for Pentecost 19—O God, whose almighty power is made known chiefly in showing mercy and pity, grant us the fullness of Your grace that we may be partakers of Your heavenly treasures. 3

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. 4

Sources:

  

1. “Adam and Eve in Paradise” Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

2.  Lectionary Preaching Workbook, John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

3. Collect for Pentecost 19, Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House, St Louis

4. For steadfast faith, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

Wednesday prior to Proper 22

 

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Genesis 2:18-25 – The creation of woman as man’s helper and companion.

God intends husbands and wives to be one. God creates woman as man’s helper and companion. This lesson is part of the Lord’s account of creation, beginning with Chapter 2, verse 4. 

It is the earlier of the two accounts. According to this account, man is created first, then the animals, etc., and finally woman. The animals were not a suitable helper for Adam, and, consequently, Eve was created. Why the rib? It’s closest to the man’s heart. After her creation from his rib, Adam recognizes her as an equal part of him (verse 23).  She is recognized as a fellow human with equal dignity and worth. 

Because of the creation of man and woman, marriage is one of the orders of creation in which the two become an entity of one flesh. Flesh here is more than physical; it refers to the whole person.

For man to be alone was not good. This caused God to create a woman. No amount of vegetation and no number of animals, no matter how much a pet one might be, could be a satisfactory companion to a human being. Man was not meant to be alone, not even with people of the same sex. Woman was made for man, and it is normal and right for male and female to be together as companions and friends.

It is significant that Eve was not an isolated nor independent creation. Adam was formed out of dust; Eve was formed out of Adam by the use of a rib. Male and female are not two separate creations, each going his/her own way. They were not made to be independent of each other. Eve was made from Adam to indicate that they were of the same material and were meant for each other. But again, why the rib? Why not the head or the heart? Is it that the bib is close to the heart? 2

A prayer for home and family - Visit, we implore You, O Lord, the homes in which Your people dwell, and keep far from them all harm and danger. Grant us to dwell together in peace under the protection of Your holy angels and may Your blessing be with us forever. 3

Sources:

1. Adam and Eve in Paradise” Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

2. Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

3. For home and family, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis