Pr. DFD

Friday, April 14, 2017

Good Friday

Good Friday
April 14, 2017
“Are you the Christ…I am”

So the high priest stood up before them and questioned Jesus, “Have You no answer? What is it these men are testifying against You?” But Jesus remained silent and made no reply. Again the high priest questioned Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,,” said Jesus “and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven” Mark 14:60-62

The trial was dragging on. The case against Jesus was unraveling. It became clear. That no two witnesses could agree. Caiaphas grew even more agitated. He needed a conviction. Fast! Finally, Caiaphas speaks. “Have you no answer? To what these men are testifying against You?”

Silence… Jesus remained silent. He makes no reply. “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7) Caiaphas redirects. Rephrasing and reshaping his question. “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

Now Jesus answers. “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

By these words the die is cast. Caiaphas will get the verdict he sought. Jesus will get the death penalty. He will be convicted of blasphemy.

For Jesus not only proclaims to be the Christ, the Son of the Blessed. He adds that He will be seated with the Father judging humanity.

When Jesus said, “I AM” Caiaphas was not surprised. Jesus had said this before. He remembered a time in the temple when Jesus had said, “Before Abraham was, I am.”

When Jesus first spoke, the authorities attempted to stone Him. He had spoken major blasphemy in their eyes. They knew Jesus was making reference to the ancient prophecy. - “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13-14).

Caiaphas tears his garments in indignation. In their so-called righteous anger the council renders their verdict, “Blasphemy! Condemn Him! Crucify! Put Him to death!” Some spit on Jesus. He’s blindfolded. Others strike and taunt Him. Taking their cue, the guards close in. They begin to beat Him.

Yet, “Caiaphas did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.” (John 11:51-52)

Here we see that blessed irony. That great exchange. His innocence replaces your shame and guilt. The Lord of life will trade His life for yours. He took on flesh to live your life. As your substitute. He takes to Himself your death. The death which is yours. As a wage for the sin you have committed. And the good you have not done.

The Holy One is accused of curses and blasphemy! Just as the Psalmist predicted, “I will declare this decree: the LORD has said to me, You are my Son.” (Psalm 2:7)

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Words – 507
Passive Sentences – 8%
Readability – 80.5
Reading Level – 4.2
Image: Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS for private and congregational use.

Good Friday

Good Friday, April 14, 2017 Psalm 22:1

Psalm 22:1 English Standard Version (ESV)
Why Have You Forsaken Me?
To the choirmaster: according to The Doe of the Dawn. A Psalm of David.

22 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

The psalm expressed profound loneliness. God seems completely absent. Jesus quotes from this verse on the cross (See Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34) as He paid the penalty of human sin. It has been said this psalm is the whole passion of Christ. 1

These words are words that capture what is perhaps the greatest fear of people who love God – the thought that the God they love and in whom they trust would one day forget them, abandon them, turn his back to them in their time of greatest need. And that is precisely the experience of Jesus on the cross. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” The cup which the night before Jesus had asked to be taken from him – Jesus was on the cross drinking fully. God withdrew from Jesus so that he wouldn’t have to withdraw from us. It is God’s separation from Jesus that draws us near to him. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” The Father made him who had no sin to be sin for us…

Almighty God, Graciously behold this Your family for whom our Lord Jesus was willing to be betrayed and delivered into the hands of sinful men to suffer death upon the cross; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 2

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Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Thursday, April 13, 2017

M Thursday

13 April 2017

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” – John 6:35

Jesus speaks. Jesus the bread of life speaks to us this night. What would He say? Let’s listen to His voice.

I. I am from heaven - John 6:41 “At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." (NIV)

A. Jesus makes a bold claim – “I am the bread that came down from heaven” Jesus makes Himself equal to the Father…He does not merely claim to know God. Or to represent God. His claim is unique. He is God. It is God alone who would rain down bread from heaven in the form of manna. It is only God Himself. Who can feed a starving prophet. By sending ravens. Holed up in a cave. In fear of his life.

B. Jesus makes Himself equal with God. He caused many to grumble at Jesus. Many eventually grew dishearten. They walked away. Are you to grumble too? We claim that God will guide and lead us. Do we have the right to grumble and complain when His blessings are present in our midst? It takes faith to submit to His will. It takes a daring faith to trust in Him. Come what may.

Transition: Jesus claims to have come from heaven. He also claims to have direct access to God.

II. I alone see God - John 6:46 “No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father.” (NIV)

A. No one has seen the Father. Except the one who is from God. Jesus will not lay claim to anything else. He is the only begotten Son of the Father. Not one, who knows God. Not one who understands God. He is the only one who has seen the Father.

B. Only He has seen the Father - To have seen God. Meant sure death. Moses had to shield his face. Jesus makes the claim as to have seen the Father.

Transition: Jesus claims to come from heaven. He claims to have seen the Father. His claim is simple. He alone is the bread of life.

III. I am the bread of life - John 6:48 (NIV)

A. He creates life. In ten simple phrases. The entire created order was made. There is nothing that exists. Either on earth. Or in heaven. Which did not come by the created mouth of Jesus.

B. He sustains life. As He brought this world into existence. By His mighty Word. He will continue to sustain and keep it. “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, will never cease” (Genesis 8:22) Times and seasons. Created by the Word of the Lord. Will never cease. Until the end of human history. This is His promise to you.

Transition: Jesus comes from heaven. He alone sees God. He creates and sustains the earth. He alone gives eternal life.

IV. I give eternal life - John 6:50 “But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die.” (NIV)

A. Here is the bread that comes down from heaven. Jesus is looking intently into the face of the crowd. How would He fare today? Do we believe that He is God in the flesh? Do we believe that He gives His life for this world? Do we believe that His death. Upon that bloody cross. And the eyewitness testimony of the open tomb can give and sustain life? These are the claims of Jesus. He asks you this night. To believe and trust in Him.

B. Which a man may eat and not die. The Scriptures remind. In the midst of life. We are in death. Death seems to surround us. Will we have the prospect of life eternal? Jesus Christ guarantees that we will have life in His name. By faith, we believe and live. Every time you feast. On Christ. The bread from heaven. Eternity is granted. This is His guarantee to you this night.

Jesus says – “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.” By faith. We trust Him. By faith. We receive Him. He gives us His life. In exchange for the life of this world. Remember His words this night. “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread. He will live forever. This bread is My flesh. Which I will give. For the life of this world.”

Words - 780

Passive Sentences 5%

Readability – 95.2

Reading Level -2.1

Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS for private and congregational use.

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday, April 13, 2017 Psalm 112:7

Psalm 112:7 English Standard Version (ESV)

7 He is not afraid of bad news;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.

"Maundy" comes from the word “mandatum”, which means "commandment" and refers to Christ’s mandate at the Last Supper on Holy Thursday to "Love one another, even as I have loved you" (John 13:34)

“Bad news” Upright people do not fear setbacks and do not constantly worry about what could be lost. They know God will never lose them. 2

Ours is not to panic but to trust. We commend our lives into the sure hands of God. As Jesus willingly endured His arrest, trial, and passion we place our lives into His hands. The Father demonstrated His love for us by having His only Son Jesus suffer on our behalf. When overwhelmed by life’s issues place your cares into the hands of Jesus who has promised to carry you in every circumstance.

O Lord God, who hast left unto us in a wonderful Sacrament a memorial of Thy Passion, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may so use this Sacrament of Thy body and blood that the fruits of Thy redemption may continually be manifest in us.

Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen 2

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[1] Collect for Maundy Thursday, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Wednesday of Holy Week

Psalm 70:5 English Standard Version (ESV)

5 But I am poor and needy;
hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O LORD, do not delay!

The terms “poor” and “needy” are not necessarily economic these words, often refer to the humble and repentant attitude of God’s people. (See Matthew 5:3; Luke 6:20) The worshiper expresses the fervent longing of his faith; his is acutely aware of how helpless he is without God’s salvation. 1

When we cry out to God we can be assured He will answer and act. But in His own time. When God seems distant, we must call to Him and trust in His unfailing love. Patience is needed by all.

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds are continually afflicted may mercifully be relieved by the Passion of Thine only – begotten Son.

Merciful and everlasting God the Father, who did not spare Your only Son but delivered Him up for us all that He might bear our sins on the cross, grant that our hearts may be so fixed with steadfast faith in our Savior that we may not fear the power of any adversaries; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen 2

[2] Collect for Wednesday of Holy Week, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Tuesday of Holy Week

Tuesday of Holy Week, April 11, 2017 Psalm 71:12

Psalm 71:12 English Standard Version (ESV)
12 O God, be not far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!

This is a psalm for an older believer struggling with assaults on his faith, including temptations to think that his faith was in vain. By proclaiming the saving deeds of the Lord, he meets the challenge of old age with faith, hope, faithfulness, witness, and praise. The psalmist’s difficult circumstances seem to prove that God is far away. Therefore, he prays for the Lord to help him, and to vindicate his faith. 1

The Psalms are a school of prayer that teaches us to gather our troubles and take them to God who loves us and is always there for us. With assurance, we can cry with the psalmist — “O LORD, make haste to help me!”

Almighty and everlasting God, grant us grace to pass through this holy time of our Lord’s Passion that we may obtain the pardon of our sins.

Almighty and everlasting God, grant us grace so to pass through this holy time of our Lord’s Passion that we may receive the pardon of our sins; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen 2

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[2] Collect for Tuesday of Holy Week, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm