Pr. DFD

Thursday, June 23, 2022

Friday prior to Proper 8

Luke 9:51–62—In Luke 9:51, the whole tenor of the Gospel according to St Luke changes, when Jesus sets His face to go to Jerusalem. Now the focus is on the cross, where He will redeem mankind from the clutches of Satan, from bondage to the Law, and from everlasting death. Our eyes, too, must ever be focused on the cross of Christ. It is there alone that we are able to find true freedom, as proclaimed in the epistle from Galatians. Likewise, if pastors are going to faithful to the Lord, as was Elijah, they must always preach Christ crucified as a sacrifice on our behalf.

Jesus calls for total commitment – Commitment to Christ requires total surrender

Jesus has “set His face to go to Jerusalem,” meaning that He has resolutely determined that He must follow that course of action in order to do the will of the Father. As He often did, Jesus sent advance agents ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for His arrival. However, when the advance agents reached the village, they were met with hostility instead of hospitality. They then asked Jesus if He wouldn’t pull some miracle which would punish the village. Jesus, of course, refused sand went to another village. While is on the road, notice the people who want to follow Jesus but always with reservations. The reading ends with a difficult saying, “no one who puts his hand to the ploy and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

We often speak glibly at times of being Jesus’ disciple. Do we understand and appreciate what it means? Do we truly want to be disciples? The Gospel confronts us with the challenge of being Christian disciples. It asks us to examine our connection to Christ not only in what we believe about Him but in how faith becomes active in our daily living.

There is a not of hoe in the description of Jesus’ passion as the time for His being received up. There will be suffering and death. Yet the culmination lies even beyond the resurrection. The Suffering Servant will be the Ascended LORD.

Collect for Friday of the week of Pentecost 3: What we ask of thee wisely, O God, do thou of thy great bounty bestow; with all that we so deeply need and know not how to ask; that in the knowledge of thy love we may have they peace that comes not of our striving but of thy gift. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen [2] -24 June, 2022

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Thursday prior to Proper 8

[1]

Galatians 5:1, 13–25—We Americans are justly jealous of our freedoms; they were won and preserved at great cost. But, with freedom comes responsibility. As Christians, we have received an even greater freedom—freedom from the curse of the Law. With this freedom also comes great responsibility—the responsibility to use our freedom in service to God and neighbor. The only way we are able to do this is to be led by the Spirit, whose fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Christian freedom is living by the Spirit

Today’s reading from Paul’s letter to the Galatians is an explanation of the proper meaning of freedom for the Christian. In the opening verse, Paul pleads with believers to remain free and to avoid taking back “the yoke of slavery” meaning the burden of obeying the former laws, rites, and rituals. Then the explains that freedom is being servants of one another through love and proceeds to list what characteristics are part of this Christian freedom.

Paul uses vivid imagery in V. 15 “bite,” “devour,” “consume,” especially appropriate to the dog-eat-dog world we often describe ourselves as living in today.

“Flesh” V.16 of course, is not “the body” but rather, “the sin power in the body” (human rebellion against God.) It is the corrupted human nature. This is especially evident from the ear-filing catalog of sins mentioned in Vv. 19-21, some of which are clearly sins of the mind rather than sins of the body; emulations and envying for example.

“Faith” V.22 is better translated “fidelity” or “faithfulness.” “Temperance” in V. 23 had a broader meaning than the world has today. Modern usage so often restricts the word to the proper use of alcohol, yet it is the Holy Spirit’s intention that we apply the word to all areas of life; food, pleasure, work, emotion, etc.

Mention of Christ in V. 24 calls to Paul’s mind His crucifixion, leading Paul to state one of his favorite concepts (See Romans 6:1-11; Galatians 2:20), namely, that we Christians share in Christ’s crucifixion. Incidentally, there is a possible tie-in between the concept and the circumcision (Vv 2-12) advocated by some of Paul’s readers. Circumcision of literal flesh is not needed; no. But crucifixion of the flesh, i.e. the body of sin; is needed, yes! Paul’s proposal, in a sense, is more revolutionary than that of his readers. Paul does them one better.

Collect for Thursday of the week of Pentecost 3: Almighty and Holy Spirit, the comforter, oure, living true – illumine, govern,,, sanctify me, and confirm my heart and mind in the faith and in all genuine consolation; preserve and rule over me so that dwelling in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, I may behold the Lord and praise him with a joyful spirit, and in union with all the heavenly church, Amen – Philip Melanchton [2] -23 June, 2022

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Wednesday prior to Proper 8

[1]

1 Kings 19:9b–21—On the lam to escape wicked Queen Jezebel, Elijah fell into despair: few people in Israel wanted to have anything to do with the Lord or His prophets, and the queen had sworn to kill him (1 Kings 19:2). In the midst of his despondency, the Lord strengthened Elijah both physical (1 Kings 19:4–9) and, in the reading for Sunday, spiritual. The Lord instructed Elijah to step out of his cave while the He showed him three tremendous displays of natural forces—a great and strong wind, an earthquake, and a fire. Then He came in patience and love, with gentleness and mercy—in a low whisper. He told Elijah that he had not been a failure; there were still seven thousand faithful in Israel. To encourage Elijah, God also gave him a threefold assignment. He was to head north and anoint the next king of Aram, who would be God’s scourge on Israel. He was also to anoint a new king over Israel, who would wipe out the dynasty of Ahab and destroy Baal worship in Israel. Finally, Elijah was to anoint the man who would succeed him as prophet. The mission of Elijah was to be continued in Elisha.

Collect for Proper 8: Lord of all power and might, author and giver of all good things, graft into our hearts the love of Your name and nourish us with all goodness that we may love and serve our neighbor; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen [2]

Collect for Wednesday of the week of Pentecost 3: O God, from whom all good proceeds, grant to us, your humble servants, that by your holy inspiration, we may thing the things that are right and by you merciful guiding accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever Amen. [3] -23 June, 2022

Monday, June 20, 2022

Tuesday prior to Proper 8

[1]

Psalm 16 - In the psalm for the day, David takes delight in an unwavering commitment to the Lord in both life and death. This ought also to be our attitude and joy, for He has made known to us the path of life. We have a beautiful inheritance: life with God forever in the kingdom of heaven.

Psalm 16 – The Benefits of a Life Dedicated to God

This psalm is titled A Michtam of David. The title Michtam is commonly understood as golden; others think it is related to a word meaning to cover. Since the psalms with this title (16, 56-60) are written from times of peril, some think the idea is of covering the lips in the sense of secrecy, as if this were a secret or silent psalm given in a time of crisis. This is a wonderful song relating how David found the secret of contentment and great gladness even in pressing times; it also powerfully predicts Jesus and His work for us. [2]

Collect for Psalm 16: Lord God our Father, keep safe Your servant on the path of eternal life, for You alone are my refuge. When my last hour comes, may my body rest secure in the promise of the Lord's resurrection; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. [3]

Collect for Tuesday of the week of Pentecost 3: O God, your never failing providence sets in order all things both in heaven and earth. Put away from us, we entreat you, all hurtful things, and give us those things which are profitable for us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, Amen [4]-21 June, 2022

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-16/

Sunday, June 19, 2022

Monday prior to Proper 8

[1]

Psalm 85:8–10, 13; antiphon, Psalm 85:7—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray, Show us Your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us Your salvation. God has shown His steadfast love and salvation to us by sending His Son into the world to save us. Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people. God speaks His peace to us through His holy Word, especially in the Gospels, where we have a record of the words and the deeds of Jesus, who accomplished our salvation for us. Truly, His salvation is near to us who fear Him!

Psalm 85 – Praying for Revival and Restoration

This psalm is titled To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. These sons of Korah were Levites, from the family of Kohath. By David’s time it seems they served in the musical aspect of the temple worship (2 Chronicles 20:19).

Like several psalms, Psalm 85 (in some ways) seems to fit the period of Israel’s return from exile; in other ways it does not. Alexander Maclaren noted, “The book of Nehemiah supplies precisely such a background as fits the psalm. A part of the nation had returned indeed, but to a ruined city, a fallen Temple, and a mourning land, where they were surrounded by jealous and powerful enemies.” Even if this psalm belongs to an earlier period (such as the end of Saul’s reign), God’s people find themselves in this place from time to time, and this beautiful psalm is appropriate.

When the prophet Elijah became discouraged and despaired of his life, “the Word of the Lord came to him” (1 Kings 19:9b) and stood him “on the mount before the Lord” (1 Kings 19:11). The Lord made Himself known to the prophet—not in the impressive power of gale force winds, nor in an earthquake, and nor in the fire, but in “the sound of a low whisper” (1 Kings 19:12). Today God reveals Himself among us through the frail preaching of the Gospel. The Son of Man sends “messengers ahead of Him…to make preparations for Him” (Luke 9:51–52). Putting their hand to that plow of preaching, they “go and proclaim the kingdom of God,” and they do not look back (Luke 9:60, 62). What they preach is not the power of the Law with its “yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1), but the power of God unto salvation through the Gospel of forgiveness, by which “Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1).[2]

Collect for Psalm 85: God of love and faithfulness, you so loved the world that you gave your only Son to be our Savior, Help us to receive him as both lord and brother and freely celebrated him as our gracious Redeemer now and forever. [3]

Collect for Monday of the Week of Pentecost 3: God our Father, we rejoice in the faith that draws us together, aware that selfishness can drive us apart. Let your encouragement be our constant strength. Keep us one in the love that has sealed our lives, help us to live as one family the gospel we profess, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen [4] -20 June, 2022

[2] Lectionary Summary LCMS commission on worship

Proper 8 - Series C (26 June - 2 July)

Proper 8 Series C

(June 26-July 2)

Lord of all power and might, author and giver of all good things, graft into our hearts the love of your name and nourish us with all goodness that we might love and serve our neighbor;

1 Kings 19: 9b–21

Galatians 5:1, 13–25

Luke 9:51–62

Christ’s Messengers Proclaim His Kingdom

When the prophet Elijah became discouraged and despaired of his life, “the word of the LORD came to him” (1 Kings 19:9b) and stood him “on the mount before the LORD” (1 Kings 19:11). The Lord made Himself known to the prophet — not in the impressive power of gale force winds, nor in an earthquake, and nor in the fire, but in “the sound of a low whisper” (1 Kings 19:12).

Today God reveals Himself to us through the frail preaching of the Gospel. The Son of Man sends “messengers ahead of Him ... to make preparations for Him” (Luke 9:52).

Putting their hand to that plow of preaching, they “go and proclaim the kingdom of God,” and they do not look back (Luke 9:60, 62).

What they preach is not the power of the Law with its “yoke of slavery,” but the power of God unto salvation through the Gospel of forgiveness, by which “Christ has set us free” (Gal. 5:1).

A Samaritan Village Rejects Jesus

9:51 - This is a turning point in Luke's gospel. Now Jesus knows the end is near. He sets out resolutely toward Jerusalem. The cross is now His focus. It happened - as the time for him to be taken up to heaven.

Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ συμπληροῦσθαι τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς ἀναλήμψεως αὐτοῦ καὶ αὐτὸς τὸ πρόσωπον ἐστήρισεν τοῦ πορεύεσθαι εἰς Ἰερουσαλήμ,

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.

9:52 - Jesus sends messengers ahead. See 10:1 Jesus sent messengers to all places He would visit. These are official ambassadors, messengers,(pastors). See Matthew 25, "visited a stranger"

καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ἀγγέλους πρὸ προσώπου αὐτοῦ. καὶ πορευθέντες εἰσῆλθον εἰς κώμην Σαμαριτῶν, ὡς ἑτοιμάσαι αὐτῷ•

And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him.

9:53 - A Samaritan village will not welcome/ receive Jesus because He Is traveling on His way to Jerusalem. As they reject Him they reject the cross and the message of the cross.

καὶ οὐκ ἐδέξαντο αὐτόν, ὅτι τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἦν πορευόμενον εἰς Ἰερουσαλήμ.

But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem.

9:54 - James and John want to know whether they should call down fire from heaven. Why? They had just witnessed the Transfiguration. Are they being presumptive?

ἰδόντες δὲ οἱμαθηταὶ Ἰάκωβος καὶ Ἰωάννης εἶπαν• Κύριε, θέλεις εἴπωμεν πῦρ καταβῆναι ἀπὸ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ ἀναλῶσαι [e]αὐτούς;

And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?

Some manuscripts add “as Elijah did.” This echoes John's preaching about the wrath to come - See Luke 3:7-9 See also Elijah calling down fire from heaven on the captains and their men - 2 Kings 1:10-14.

9:55 - 56 - Jesus rebukes them and they move on. He gives no explanation. He must be rejected to save them. This echoes the repute of Peter. (The variant echoes Matt.20:28 and John 3:17 "For the Son of Man did not come to destroy the lives of men, vault to save."

:55 has several variants - see the Good Samaritan 10:30-37, and the Samaritan leper 17:11-19.

:55 Some manuscripts add And he said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of

στραφεὶς δὲ ἐπετίμησεν [f]αὐτοῖς.

But he turned and rebuked them

:56 Some manuscripts add or the Son of Man came not to destroy people's lives but to save them”

καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν εἰς ἑτέραν κώμην.

And they went on to another village.

The cost of following Jesus -

9:57-62 - A summary of Jesus' exchanges on his journey - compare this with Matthew 8:19-22 - Note, these exchanges take place around the Sea of Galilee. Together they reflect an unsentimental and realistic view of discipleship. This might mean alienation if not persecution (see 9:23-25) it requires single-minded, unflinching devotion to Christ and His mission. See Hebrews 11:35ff - This overrides social convention and family obligation (see 14:25-33).

9:57 - is this a fellow from the crowd of followers or one whom they encountered?

Καὶ πορευομένων αὐτῶν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ εἶπέν τις πρὸς αὐτόν• Ἀκολουθήσω σοι ὅπου ἐὰν ἀπέρχῃ.

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

9:58 - Foxes have holes, birds of heaven have places to dwell but the son of man has nowhere to recline his head.

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς• Αἱ ἀλώπεκες φωλεοὺς ἔχουσιν καὶ τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατασκηνώσεις, ὁ δὲ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου οὐκ ἔχει ποῦ τὴν κεφαλὴν κλίνῃ.

And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

9:59 - 60 he turns and said to another, "follow me", the man replied 'Let me first bury my father.' Jesus said to him, "let the dead bury the dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." 1 Kings 19 Elijah allowed Elisha to say good-by to his family. - One greater than Elijah is here.

:59

εἶπεν δὲ πρὸς ἕτερον• Ἀκολούθει μοι. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν• Κύριε, ἐπίτρεψόν μοι ἀπελθόντι πρῶτον θάψαι τὸν πατέρα μου.

To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

:60

εἶπεν δὲ αὐτῷ• Ἄφες τοὺς νεκροὺς θάψαι τοὺς ἑαυτῶν νεκρούς, σὺ δὲ ἀπελθὼν διάγγελλε τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ.

And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

:61

εἶπεν δὲ καὶ ἕτερος• Ἀκολουθήσω σοι, κύριε• πρῶτον δὲ ἐπίτρεψόν μοι ἀποτάξασθαι τοῖς εἰς τὸν οἶκόν μου.

Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”

:62

εἶπεν δὲ [n]ὁ Ἰησοῦς• Οὐδεὶς ἐπιβαλὼν τὴν χεῖρα ἐπ’ ἄροτρον καὶ βλέπων εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω εὔθετός ἐστιν [p]τῇ βασιλείᾳ τοῦ θεοῦ.

Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

"Anyone who does not follow in this way is not appropriate or fit or properly suited for the reign of God.” εὔθετός

Commitment to Christ Requires total Surrender

We encounter numerous excuses not to follow Christ. Have things changed over the years?

1. “I will follow you wherever you go.” - “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

A. I will follow so long as I am not inconvenienced.

B. I will follow so long as my creature comforts are not compromised.

C. I will follow but don’t make this discipleship too difficult!

2. "I will follow you, Lord; but first, let me go back and say good-by o my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

A. We need a total focus.

B. Jesus will take second seat to no one

Where are your priorities? John the Baptist’ words still ring true, “I must decrease, He must increase.”

Time in the Word Proper 8

Time in the Word

Proper 8

Christ’s Messengers Proclaim His Kingdom
June 20-25, 2022

When the prophet Elijah became discouraged and despaired of his life, “the Word of the Lord came to him” (1 Kings 19:9b) and stood him “on the mount before the Lord” (1 Kings 19:11). The Lord made Himself known to the prophet—not in the impressive power of gale force winds, nor in an earthquake, and nor in the fire, but in “the sound of a low whisper” (1 Kings 19:12). Today God reveals Himself among us through the frail preaching of the Gospel. The Son of Man sends “messengers ahead of Him…to make preparations for Him” (Luke 9:51–52). Putting their hand to that plow of preaching, they “go and proclaim the kingdom of God,” and they do not look back (Luke 9:60, 62). What they preach is not the power of the Law with its “yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1), but the power of God unto salvation through the Gospel of forgiveness, by which “Christ has set us free” (Gal. 5:1).

Prayer for likeness to 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 borne for our sake that following His blessed example we may bear with all patience all that is adverse to us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for spiritual renewal: Almighty God, grant that we, who have been redeemed from the old life of sin by our Baptism into the death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, may be renewed by Your Holy Spirit to live in righteousness and true holiness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for grace to love and serve God: O God, through the grace of Your Holy Spirit You pour the gifts of love into the hearts of Your faithful people. Grant Your servants health both of mind and body that they may love You with their whole heart and with their whole strength perform those things that are pleasing to You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Monday, 20 June 2022— Psalm 85:8–10, 13; antiphon, Psalm 85:7—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray, Show us Your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us Your salvation. God has shown His steadfast love and salvation to us by sending His Son into the world to save us. Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people. God speaks His peace to us through His holy Word, especially in the Gospels, where we have a record of the words and the deeds of Jesus, who accomplished our salvation for us. Truly, His salvation is near to us who fear Him!

Tuesday, 21 June 2022— Psalm 16 - In the psalm for the day, David takes delight in an unwavering commitment to the Lord in both life and death. This ought also to be our attitude and joy, for He has made known to us the path of life. We have a beautiful inheritance: life with God forever in the kingdom of heaven.

Wednesday, 22 June 2022—1 Kings 19:9b–21—On the lam to escape wicked Queen Jezebel, Elijah fell into despair: few people in Israel wanted to have anything to do with the Lord or His prophets, and the queen had sworn to kill him (1 Kgs 19:2). In the midst of his despondency, the Lord strengthened Elijah both physical (1 Kgs 19:4–9) and, in the reading for Sunday, spiritual. The Lord instructed Elijah to step out of his cave while the He showed him three tremendous displays of natural forces—a great and strong wind, an earthquake, and a fire. Then He came in patience and love, with gentleness and mercy—in a low whisper. He told Elijah that he had not been a failure; there were still seven thousand faithful in Israel. To encourage Elijah, God also gave him a threefold assignment. He was to head north and anoint the next king of Aram, who would be God’s scourge on Israel. He was also to anoint a new king over Israel, who would wipe out the dynasty of Ahab and destroy Baal worship in Israel. Finally, Elijah was to anoint the man who would succeed him as prophet. The mission of Elijah was to be continued in Elisha.

Thursday, 23 June 2022— Galatians 5:1, 13–25—We Americans are justly jealous of our freedoms; they were won and preserved at great cost. But, with freedom comes responsibility. As Christians, we have received an even greater freedom—freedom from the curse of the Law. With this freedom also comes great responsibility—the responsibility to use our freedom in service to God and neighbor. The only way we are able to do this is to be led by the Spirit, whose fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Friday, 24 June 2022— Luke 9:51–62—In Luke 9:51, the whole tenor of the Gospel according to St Luke changes, when Jesus sets His face to go to Jerusalem. Now the focus is on the cross, where He will redeem mankind from the clutches of Satan, from bondage to the Law, and from everlasting death. Our eyes, too, must ever be focused on the cross of Christ. It is there alone that we are able to find true freedom, as proclaimed in the epistle from Galatians. Likewise, if pastors are going to faithful to the Lord, as was Elijah, they must always preach Christ crucified as a sacrifice on our behalf.

Saturday, 25 June 2022— Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is Come, Follow Me, the Savior Spake (LSB #688), is an exhortation to live our lives under the cross. We, who have been set free from sin, death, and everlasting condemnation, must now live our lives in service to Him by walking in His way. How can we ever hope to accomplish such a thing? By firmly clinging to His Word (stanza 5).