Time
in the Word – Epiphany 6
February
11-16, 2019
Christians Live by Faith in Christ and Rejoice in the Promise of His Resurrection
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man,” for all the strength of his flesh is like the grass that fades away (Jeremiah 17:5). The one who turns away from the Lord may have food and money and laugh for now, but he “shall mourn and weep” in the judgment (Luke 6:24–25). But “the man who trusts in the Lord” is blessed with all that he needs, “like a tree planted by water.” When heat comes, he survives (Jeremiah 17:7–8). For the Lord has come in the flesh to heal the people of all their diseases, to cleanse their spirits with forgiveness, and to preach the Gospel of the kingdom of God to the poor (Luke 6:18–20). As all of this is by way of His cross, it is solely by faith in the promise of His resurrection that Christians “rejoice” and “leap for joy” (Luke 6:21–23). “If Christ has not been raised,” our faith is in vain and we are most to be pitied (1 Corinthians 15:14–19). But, in fact, just as “Christ died for our sins,” so has He also “been raised from the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:3, 20).
Monday, 11
February 2019 Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5 (antiphon, Psalm 119:3)– The blessings
which come from the Lord encompass everything the child of God does. They will
seek the Lord. They seek after God with their entire being.
Tuesday, 12 February 2019 Psalm
1 (antiphon; v.2) – This week’s Psalm is in harmony with the Psalm which makes
up the Introit for this coming week. “Blessed
is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of
sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the
LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” The Solid Declaration of
the Formula of Concord in the Augsburg Confession says, “The Law is a mirror in which God’s will and what pleases Him are
exactly portrayed. This mirror should be constantly held up to the believers
and be diligently encouraged for them without ceasing.” (FC SD VI 4)
Wednesday,
13 February 2019 Jeremiah
17:5-8 – A contrast of one who does and does not trust in the Lord. Whom will
you trust; trust in God or trust in humankind? Jeremiah describes a man who
trusts in God in terms of a tree. Compare this wit the Psalm for today. (Psalm
1)The person who trusts in God is like a tree planted, “like a tree planted by
water” rooted, grounded, stable, secure. Jeremiah further explains this planted
is provided for “sends out its roots by
the stream.” Roots go to the water for refreshment, renewal, strength.
Finally, this tree is productive, “it
does not cease to bear fruit.”
Thursday, 14
February 2019 1
Corinthians 15:12-20 – St. Paul would argue “If there is no resurrection, we
all remain dead.” If there is no resurrection, there is no accountability to
God. This will affect our human values, for as Paul said, we can then say,
“Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die.” Yet in these passages Paul
assures us of the indispensability as well as the factuality of the
resurrection. It is the keystone in the arch of the Christian faith. Remove the
keystone and everything galls. Yet, it is not possible to remove the keystone,
because the resurrection is true as an historical fact of reality.
Friday 15
February 2019 Luke
6:17-26 – The Gospel harmonizes with the Old Testament lesson, “Cursed is the man who trusts in man…Blessed
is the man who trusts in the Lord.” Blessed are those – whether rich or
poor, hungry or well-fed, happy or sad, hated or well-liked, who trust in God
to fill their need. The New English Bible translates Luke 6:20 –“How blessed are you who are in need.”
Matthew 5:3 – “How blessed are those who
know their need of God.” This reduces itself to the basic need for change
of values, from material to spiritual.
Saturday 16
February 2019 1 Peter 1:20 - This week’s hymn of the week, “Songs of
Thankfulness and Praise.” Peter would remind us, “He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made
manifest in the last times for the sake of you.” The sacrifice of Jesus on
the cross wasn't improvised. God didn't make it up in response to the unfolding
events of history. Peter writes that Christ was known before the world was
founded. Jesus existed in eternity past as the one whose blood would cover the
sins of all who receive salvation. Jesus' birth, life, death, resurrection, and
return to the Father were always God's plan to save you. Always. Jesus was
always the answer to the questions asked by the prophets. Jesus is the
fulfillment to which the Old Testament prophecies were pointing. In this
Epiphany season Jesus is made manifest as the promised coming one.
A prayer for newness of life in Christ – Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast
away the works of darkness and put upon ourselves the armor of life, now in the
time of this mortal life, in which Your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in
great humility, that in the last day, when He shall come again in glory to
judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal.
Collect for Epiphany 6– O Lord, graciously hear the prayers of Your people that we who justly suffer the consequence of our sin may be mercifully delivered by Your goodness to the glory of Your name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Collect for purity – Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love You and worthily magnify Your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Collect for the likeness of Christ—O God, by the patient suffering of Your only-begotten Son, You have beaten down the pride of the old enemy. Now help us, we humbly pray, rightly to treasure in our hearts all that our Lord has of His goodness born for our sake that after His example we may bear with patience all that is adverse to us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Collect for humility – O God, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true humility after the likeness of Your only Son that we may never be arrogant and prideful and thus provoke Your wrath but in all lowliness be made partakers of the gifts of Your grace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Sources:
Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 and Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House
Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C – John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
This Week’s Morning Prayer Readings
Read and review the following Bible stories for each day…
Monday, February 11- The death of John- Matthew 14:1-12
Tuesday, February 12–Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath–Matthew 12:1-14
Wednesday, February 13– Chapel Day
Thursday, February 14- The sign of Jonah –Matthew 12:38-45
Friday, February 15 – No school teacher in-service
From the Catechism; “What is the benefit of such eating?”
