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Trinity 5 – Trinity 10
July 1-August 11, 2018
2018 Reflections
Trinity 5 – Trinity 10
Rev. Aaron T. Fenker (Media Executive) Unless otherwise noted, Biblical quotations are from the NKJV.
Mrs. Katie Hill (Executive Editor)
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But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night
and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”
(Luke 5:5)
O God, who has prepared for those that love You such good things as
pass man's understanding, pour into our hearts such love toward You
that we, loving You above all things, may obtain Your promises, which
exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever. Amen. (Collect for Trinity 5)
The Visitation A Short Form for Daily Reflection
July 2, 2018 Adapted from Luther's Small Catechism
Today's Reading: Luke 1:39-56 Make the sign of the holy cross and say
Daily Lectionary: Joshua 7:1-26; Acts 10:34-48
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to
me? (Luke 1:43) Read the Psalm for the Day (A table of daily psalms can be found in
Lutheran Service Book, page 304).
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It wasn't enough that dear
Elizabeth, well past childbearing age, was going to be blessed with a Read “Today's Reading” if there is one listed.
son. Oh, no. Now she meets the mother of the Son of God! Yahweh's
mommy! Why should Elizabeth get that gift? Because the Lord gives Read the Daily Lectionary selections.
gifts. It's His will that people be where His Son is. So Mary visits
Elizabeth and together, these two special women celebrate that God is Read the Reflection for the Day.
keeping His promises.
Why special? Were they better than other women? Were they Say the Apostles' Creed.
more holy? More devout? More faithful? The Bible doesn't talk like that.
Rather it says they were “favored.” That is, God chose them. He chose Pray the Lord's Prayer.
Elizabeth to be the mother of Jesus' forerunner, John the Baptist. He
chose Mary to be the Mother of His Son. That's grace. He doesn't pick Pray one of these little prayers:
them because they deserve it; they are “favored” because God has In the Morning:
chosen them.
You, too, are “favored.” God has chosen you. In your Baptism, I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear
He has joined you to the cross and empty tomb of Jesus so that you are Son, that Thou hast kept me this night from all harm and danger;
at once dead and made alive. Your Old Adam is put to death and the and I pray Thee to keep me this day also from sin and all evil, that
new man in Christ comes forth. You are highly favored because the Lord all my doings and life may please Thee. For into Thy hands I
has chosen to bless you with forgiveness of all your sins, eternal life, and commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy
salvation. angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me.
God did not choose you because you are more special than Amen.
anyone else. He chose you because in Christ, He has chosen you to be
His child. In fact, this gift is given to the whole world. Not everyone In the Evening:
receives it. Some reject it, but that's not because God did not favor them.
It's because they don't want to rejoice that God has given His grace to I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear
them. Son, that Thou hast graciously kept me this day, and I pray Thee to
John the Baptist will grow up and point to the grownup Jesus and forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously
declare, “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” But keep me this night. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body
even now, from the womb, little John leaps and points to Jesus, who is and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the
the Savior of John, Elizabeth, Mary, and you. In the Name + of Jesus. Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Amen.
In the morning go to your work with joy, singing a hymn, as the Ten
Isaiah 'twas foretold it, The rose I have in mind; With Mary we behold it, Commandments, or what your devotion may suggest. If it is evening,
The virgin mother kind. To show God's love aright, She bore to us a then go to sleep promptly and cheerfully.
Savior, When half spent was the night. (Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming,
LSB 359:2)
Saturday of the Tenth Week after Trinity Tuesday of the Fifth Week after Trinity
August 11, 2018 July 3, 2018
Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 26:1-25; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 Today's Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Daily Lectionary: Joshua 8:1-28; Acts 11:1-18
Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our
salvation! (Psalm 68:19 from the Introit for Trinity 11) For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Lord is in the business of 1:18)
giving stuff out. And not just anything. Sure, He provides our daily bread
of clothing and food and house and home and all that. But His benefits In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. There is not a way to make the
are way more. Forgiveness. Life. Salvation. Good News of Christ's death on the cross for sinners less foolish to the
Think of the Divine Service tomorrow. It's like a constant caravan world. Tell the world that God became a man, was nailed to a cross, rose
of gifts and benefits being delivered to you. It starts with remembering on the third day, and that means you will rise from the dead and live
your baptism. There's absolution. Then there's the Word read and the forever. Yes, it's pretty unbelievable. And if you've ever heard it
sermon preached, delivering Jesus and His forgiveness. There's the paraphrased or parodied by an unbeliever, it's enough to conclude that it
Supper where Christ Himself is present with His Body and Blood for you. is indeed a pretty foolish message.
And tying it all together is a constant flow of hymns, liturgy, and prayer, But we don't believe it because we're crazy. We believe it
centered in and flowing from and echoing God's Word. Benefits! Lots of because the Holy Spirit has taught us God's Word. He has exposed our
benefits! sinfulness before God with the holy Law that condemns all because no
Benefits of the cross. Gifts of the saving tree. Fruits of salvation one can keep it. He has put trust in our hearts that relies on the Good
earned and won for you by the Son of God on Calvary when He died for News that, for Jesus' sake, our condemnation has been laid on Jesus in
you and rose again on Easter. From His side flow such benefits: water our place and that we are forgiven. It's foolishness to the world, but to
and blood, Baptism and Supper. Forgiveness of sins. Rescue from death those who believe, this Gospel, this Good News, is life. Salvation.
and the devil. Eternal salvation. Life and salvation. Loads of benefits Comfort. Joy. Peace. Certainty.
earned by Him and delivered to you in His Church. The Gospel is the power of God. Why? What power? It’s the
Tomorrow, in church, is the “loading zone.” There, you will open power to save us from our sins. In fact, it's the only thing that saves us
wide the arms of faith and the Lord will pour into your possession, will from our sins. Science can't fix everything. Philosophies come and go.
pile onto you, all these gifts. More gifts than you can hold. More than you Morality and an attempt at a good life won't do it. Only the Good News
can ask for. More than you can ever imagine. And He'll keep doing that, that the Son of God is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
day after day, week after week, year after year, until He delivers the final world does it. Only the Good News that sin and death have been
gift of Himself on the Last Day, in all His glory, to raise you from the dead defeated by Jesus will rescue us from that same sin and death.
and give you life everlasting. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. This Good News is powerful. It saves you. It washes you,
absolves you, and feeds you. It denies Satan his accusations against
All glory to the One Who lavishes such love; The triune God in love you. It robs the world of its ability to overcome you. It cancels the power
Assures our life above. His means of grace for us Are gifts He loves to of your sinful flesh which would drag you down. Yes, the Good News, the
give; All thanks and praise for His Great love by which we live! (The Gifts Gospel, the proclamation of Jesus the Savior, is utterly ridiculous in the
Christ Freely Gives, LSB 602:6) world's eyes. But by the Holy Spirit we know better. We know it is life and
salvation. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Though Satan's wrath Beset our path And worldly scorn assail us, While
You are near, We shall not fear; You strength will never fail us. Your rod
and staff Will keep us safe And guide our steps forever; Nor shades of
death nor hell beneath Our lives from You will sever. (Who Trusts in God
a Strong Abode, LSB 714:2)
Wednesday of the Fifth Week after Friday of the Tenth Week after Trinity
Trinity
August 10, 2018
Not the labors of my hands Can fulfill Thy Law's demands; Could my zeal
no respite know, Could my tears forever flow, All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone. (Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me, LSB
761:3)
Thursday of the Tenth Week after Thursday of the Fifth Week after Trinity
Trinity
July 5, 2018
Today's Reading: Romans 9:30-10:4 Daily Lectionary: Judges 2:6-23; Acts 13:13-41
Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 20:24-42; 1 Corinthians 1:1-25
Hear the voice of my supplications When I cry to You, When I lift up my
Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. hands toward Your holy sanctuary. (Psalm 28:2 from the Introit for Trinity
(Romans 10:4) 6)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. There is no Law in Christ Jesus. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When the psalmist says “lift up
Jesus is the telos, the ending, the finishing, the completion of the Law. my hands toward your holy sanctuary” he no doubt had in mind the
Christ has accomplished all the Law's demands in your place. There's Tabernacle where the Ark of the Covenant rested and the Presence of
nothing more that can be done. Christ has done it all. He Himself has Yahweh dwelt. When we pray these words now, we aren't “aiming” for
said so. "Tetelestai. It is finished," was what Jesus said on the cross. He the Holy Tent now, but to Christ who is the place where God Himself
has said that the Law is finished—accomplished in Him. Paul and Jesus dwells.
say the same thing. Telos and tetelestai are from the same word. "Christ And to lift our hands to Christ means to look to Him in His
is the end (telos) of the Law" because in His death and resurrection He Church where He is present and dishing out His awesome gifts. Beaten
has finished it all as He said, "It is finished (Tetelestai)." Jesus is the "it is down by devil, world, and sinful nature, we come to the Lord's house
finished" of the Law. crying out with the voice of supplication—the “Help me, Lord!” prayer that
Yet, we want to put everything back under the Law. We compare desires rescue from all these things.
ourselves to others all the time. Oh sure, we'll admit that we aren't And the Lord answers you when we you cry out. He answers
perfect, that we've sinned, but at least we’re not as bad as the next guy. with the sign of the cross, reminding you that you are marked with His
We create our own categories, label people, put them in the "hell" box Name at the font. He answers with Absolution, pronouncing the “not
because they've murdered, stolen, gotten an abortion, a divorce, guilty” verdict Christ has earned for you. He answers with the sermon,
because we know what they did at that party, and we would never do the testimony from the Scriptures, delivered by your pastor of Christ's
anything like that. Repent. We are using the Law for righteousness, but death and resurrection to give you eternal life. He answers with the Body
"you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?" and Blood of Jesus, given for you to eat and drink.
(Galatians 4:21). There are only two categories when it comes to the The psalms are filled with prayers and confessions and praise,
Law: righteous and sinner. There isn't better sinner or worse sinner. relating to the worship of God and His holy temple. When you hear,
Repent. speak, and sing those words, remember how they are about the Church
Thanks be to God that in spite of our own laws—our law-ing where Jesus comes to be among us with His saving gifts.
other people—He saves us. "Christ is the end of the Law for In water and Word, sermon and Supper, Christ is present with
righteousness to everyone who believes." He has already died and risen, His people to deliver them from sin, death, devil, hell, and the
fulfilling the Law completely for you. There's no reason to try anything condemnation of the Law. He is there to comfort you against a troubled
else, to jockey for position, to climb the mountain a little bit higher. Christ conscience and the fear of death. He is there to remind you that you are
already ascended the mountain. He's given you the best place: He has saved, redeemed, bought with a price, and forever the Lord's. In the
made you God's child in Baptism and seated you at the foretaste of the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
heavenly banquet when you receive His Body and Blood. What more is
there to be done for righteousness' sake? Nothing. Jesus has done it all. O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer; When I call answer me.
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer; Come and listen to me.
(O Lord, Hear My Prayer, LSB 780:1)
By grace! None dare lay claim to merit; Our works and conduct have no
worth. God in His love sent our Redeemer, Christ Jesus, to this sinful
earth; His death did for our sin atone, And we are saved by grace alone.
(By Grace I'm Saved, LSB 566:2)
The Sixth Sunday after Trinity Monday of the Tenth Week after Trinity
July 8, 2018 August 6, 2018
For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the “Even the stork in the heavens Knows her appointed times; And the
righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter turtledove, the swift, and the swallow Observe the time of their coming.
the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:20) But My people do not know the judgment of the LORD.” (Jeremiah 8:7)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Many people suppose the In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. God says in the Third
Pharisees made the Law and Commandments more difficult because Commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” We
they added all sorts of rules on top of the Commandments. But it's know that this means that “We should fear and love God so that we do
actually the reverse. By making sin just a matter of breaking a bunch of not despise preaching and His Word but hold it sacred and gladly hear
rules, the Pharisees were able to conveniently ignore our real problem: and learn it.” The problem is we don’t. So often we don’t care about the
our SINFULNESS, that is, our inward corruption which is turned away Lord’s Word. We don’t really listen to it. We begrudgingly go to church to
from loving God and others and is turned inward on ourselves. receive. We don’t even read it on our own! We sing so often, “Alleluia!
Jesus demolishes this sort of convenient law dodging by Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia!”
showing that, for example, murder isn't just killing, it's a matter of hatred But do we really take them to heart and believe them, and if we believe
and rage in the heart. By teaching us what the Law is really like, He them, do we live them?
teaches us what sort of sinners we really are: the kind of sinners who The wild animals listen to His Word. They follow the seasons He
cannot save themselves. controls. They migrate. They are fruitful and multiply according to His
If the Law is easy for you, and you pretty much keep the Word and will. The animals listen more to what He says than we do.
commandments and don't do any BIG sins, then you've dodged the Law We’re worse off than the beasts of the field or the birds of the air. As
and avoided what it's really all about. On the other hand, if you stare at David says, “I was foolish and ignorant; I was a beast of burden before
the commandments and the only conclusion you can draw is that you are You” (Psalm 73:22).
seriously toast, then the Law is doing its work. That's the Law's job—not This is exactly why Christ Jesus had to come. He always heard
to tell you how good you are (or how bad someone else is) but to show and did God’s Word. He listened and so He bore our sins against His
you why you need a Savior. Word, He was crucified for them, shed His blood for them, died for them,
And when you can't keep the Law? Jesus fulfills it. All of it. What and rose on the third day so that you would be perfect, holy, and
you didn't do, He does. What you did that you shouldn't have, He righteous—justified—before God, your heavenly Father.
doesn't. He lives the life you should according to the Law; He takes the Now that we’re in Him we joyfully hear His Word. We receive it
punishment you deserved. And in your Baptism He makes His perfect with joy and gladness. We can’t get enough of it. It’s been washed over
keeping of the Law yours. Now, in God's sight, you are a commandment our foreheads, placed into our ears and hearts, and placed in our
keeper and not a breaker. That's what Jesus has done and fulfilled and mouths. The Word is powerful and we receive it through font, Keys,
accomplished for you. And because of that, in you go into the kingdom of pulpit, and altar. There’s always more Word for you. We receive it, we
God. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. believe it, we live it, in Christ Jesus. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Lord of all power and might, the Author and Giver of all good things, graft God's Word is our great heritage And shall be ours forever; To spread its
into our hearts the love of Your name, increase in us true religion, light from age to age Shall be our chief endeavor. Through life it guides
nourish us with all goodness, and of Your great mercy keep us in the our way, In death it is our stay. Lord, grant, while worlds endure, We
same; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord who lives and reigns keep its teachings pure throughout all generations. (God’s Word Is Our
with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen. (Collect Great Heritage, LSB 581)
for Trinity 6)
The Tenth Sunday after Trinity Monday of the Sixth Week after Trinity
August 5, 2018 July 9, 2018
He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known, even you, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out
especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace!” (Luke of the house of bondage. “You shall have no other gods before Me.
19:41-42) (Exodus 20:2-3)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It’s all about Jesus, dying and In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Why should you have no other
rising for you. It’s all about hearing Jesus’ Word that delivers His death gods before Him? Because no other “gods” can do what He did. No other
and resurrection over your forehead, into your ears, and into your mouth. “god” can rescue you from slavery in Egypt. No other “god” can keep a
These are all the things that make for our peace. These are all the signs promise to give you the land He said He would give to your forefathers.
and works that God does to show that He earnestly desires to save, not No other “god” would put up with you when you keep sinning and then
just you but the whole world. This isn’t just true now, but it was also how bail you out. No other “god” would become man to be one of us. No other
it was when Jesus walked, talked, and taught during His earthly life. “god” would suffer Himself to be rejected and betrayed and tried and
The religious leaders had rejected Him. They wanted to have mocked and spit upon and beaten and crucified. No other “god” would or
earthly power and control. His people would be stirred up and would could die for you. And no other “god” could actually rise from the dead.
reject Him, having Him crucified by their Roman overlords. “He came to No other “god” would mark you with His own Name to claim you
His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11). Because of this as His own and not let the evil one have you. No other “god” would
Jesus wept over Jerusalem and said, “If you had known, even you, declare to you that He is not keeping score but has forgiven and
especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace” (Luke forgotten your sins. No other “god” would make the center of His
19:42). Swift judgment falls on those outside of Christ, who reject Him message the Good News that He Himself saves you when you cannot
with their words and actions. Those who try and buy and sell their save yourself. No other “god” would give you His own flesh and blood to
salvation and merit before God are cast out, those who try to bargain eat and drink as a pledge and promise of His unwavering mercy toward
with God through their prayers and those who don’t always gladly hear you.
Christ’s Word fall under judgment. God is not commanding us not to have other gods. He's telling
But we shouldn’t lose heart. Christ’s Word makes us glad: “the us, there are no other gods. He's it. He's the real deal. The Lord doesn't
things that make for your peace.” He makes our peace. He bears our give us the Ten Commandments to burden us with rules but to teach us
bargaining, our not holding His Word sacred, our not gladly hearing and what a gift-giving God He is: Himself, His Name, His Word, our parents,
learning it. It’s all about what He has done for you. He’s died and risen our lives, our spouses, our stuff, our reputations, and contentment.
for all of that. The judgment doesn’t stand against you. You are And when we don't want that stuff? When we tell God to take a
surrounded not by judgment or enemies, but by Christ and His salvation. hike and we'll go and get what we want? That same and only God is the
You are filled with the Spirit and reconciled to the Father. “You were one who comes to save us. Die for us. Rise again. Forgive us. Give us
washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord His Holy Spirit so that we learn to believe: “Yes, He alone is truly God.
Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). In the Name + There are no others. I don't have other gods because I'm a good and
of Jesus. Amen. obedient person but because there are no other gods to have and no
other god will have me but the true God who loves me and gave His life
O God, as You declare Your almighty power above all in showing mercy for me.” He is the Lord your God. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
and pity, mercifully grant unto us such a measure of Your grace that we
may obtain Your gracious promises and be made partakers of Your To those who help in Christ have found And would in works of love
heavenly treasures; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives abound It [the Law] shows what deed are His delight And should be done
and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. as good and right. (The Law of God is Good and Wise, LSB 579:3)
Amen. (Collect for Trinity 10)
Tuesday of the Sixth Week after Trinity Saturday of the Ninth Week after Trinity
July 10, 2018 August 4, 2018
Today's Reading: Romans 6:1-11 Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 18:10-30; Acts 27:27-44
Daily Lectionary: Judges 6:1-24; Acts 14:19-15:4
As for me, I will call upon God, and He shall hear my voice. He has
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may redeemed my soul in peace. (Psalm 55:16, 18, Introit for Trinity 10)
abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We needed to be redeemed—
Jesus were baptized into His death? (Romans 6:1-3) bought back. We were in the darkness and death of our sins. We were
enemies of God, just like Adam and Eve were. They hid from God. We
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Stop! Don't do it. You're going to hide, too. There are things that we're ashamed of; things we're not proud
read those words above as a command rather than a description. When of. We've all got skeletons in our closets. There have been times we've
they hear those words of St. Paul, people hear, “You've been saved, so let our family down, our friends down, ourselves down, and we know that
now stop sinning.” But what Paul is saying is this: “You're saved so now there are times that we've let God down. There are those whom we've
you can't live in sin; you've been rescued from it. That's your reality.” hurt, those whom we've failed to help. Our thoughts and desires, our
The difference is this: The first way of understanding these internet search histories and our words to our friends have been soiled
words leaves our Christian life in our own hands as if it's up to us to stop with sin. We think, "I've got to be on the outs with God, and He certainly
sinning and improve our lives. Now, don't misunderstand. The Holy Spirit won't hear my prayers."
works the fruits of faith in those who believe so that we do indeed strive But take heart, dear Christian, you have been redeemed in
to love God and our neighbor. That's what we do as the Spirit lives in us. peace. You have been bought with the precious blood of Christ. His
But when God looks at you, He doesn't see your sin. He only blood covers all your sins and whatever debt you had has been paid.
sees you doing good works and being perfect and holy. How? Because There is nothing left to pay. Christ said, "It is finished!" The account has
you are baptized. And because your Baptism into Christ means all that been settled, and you are debt free! If you want to say, "I can't pray. The
He is and has done is yours. You aren't holy in God's sight because you Lord won't hear me or answer me because I did..." The Lord's answer is,
don't actually sin. You are holy in God's sight because you are in Christ, "Because you did what? I've redeemed you in peace. I don't see
who has covered all your sin and made it His own and died for it and left anything counted against you. What do you need?"
it in the grave forever. The Lord will hear your voice. You've been redeemed by the
Many Christians have a misguided idea that if we just tell precious blood of Christ, you've had it washed over you, you've drunk the
ourselves (or others) to stop sinning because we're Christians, that that's Blood and eaten the Body of Christ and you are at peace with God. For
going to work. But that's not the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one this reason, alone can we say, "I will call upon God, and He shall hear
who works through the Good News that God doesn't hold your sins my voice." In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
against you. It is that Good News that creates in us new impulses and a
love for God's Law. It's that work in us through Christ's Word and water Come, my soul, with ev'ry care, Jesus loves to answer prayer; He
and Body and Blood that the Spirit forgives what we have done and Himself has bid thee pray, Therefore will not turn away. (Come, My Soul,
sanctifies what we do so that God counts us holy for Jesus' sake. with Every Care, LSB 779:1)
So it's okay to go ahead and sin because we're forgiven? Of
course not! But you can't do that anyway because your sins are buried
with Jesus and you are a new creation in Him. In the Name + of Jesus.
Amen.
Help us that we Thy saving Word In faithful hearts may treasure; Let e'er
that Bread of Life afford new grace in richest measure. O make us die to
ev'ry sin, Each day create new life within, That fruits of faith may flourish.
(O Holy Spirit, Grant Us Grace, LSB 693:2)
Friday of the Ninth Week after Trinity Wednesday of the Sixth Week after
Trinity
August 3, 2018
Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and Daily Lectionary: Judges 6:25-40; Acts 15:6-21
drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. And
when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. (1 How is God’s will done? God’s will is done when He breaks and hinders
Samuel 17:51) every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature,
which do not want to hallow God’s name or let His kingdom come; and
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It seems like they always leave when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His word and faith until we
off that part of the David and Goliath story. It wasn't the stone that killed die. This is his good and gracious will. (Small Catechism: The Lord's
Goliath. David used Goliath's own sword to kill him and cut off his head! Prayer, Third Petition)
That's what Jesus, the Son of David, does to the devil, our
enemy. He steps forth and takes the enemy down, using his own In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Next to the 5th petition of the
weapon: death! The devil brought sin into this world and sin brought Lord’s Prayer, this is probably one of the hardest petitions to pray. Why?
death. So Jesus uses death to take down the devil by dying for our sins Because in this petition we’re praying against ourselves. We’re praying
and so wiping out their power. By forgiving your sins, Jesus has cut the for God’s will to be done, not ours.
head off death so that it cannot be your enemy anymore. On the Last But our old sinful nature is dead set on having our own way.
Day, Jesus will raise you up to live forever. We’re always looking out for ourselves. It’s always “my will” be done.
David, to prepare for fighting Goliath, took five smooth stones And in this way we sin against the First Commandment. We worship,
and was ready to launch them at the giant. So Jesus, pierced in hands adore, and praise our favorite god: me, myself, and I.
and feet and side—five wounds!—fends off sin, death, devil and hell by That’s why we pray in this petition that our heavenly Father
his suffering and death. would break our will, like a trainer breaks in a wild horse. Our will is more
Now, Jesus gives to us five smooth stones with which to defeat than wild; we’re hell bent on doing our will. So God uses His Law like a
our enemies: His holy gifts. The Holy Spirit. Water. Word. Body. Blood. bit and bridle. He leads us to the still Gospel waters of His good and
These gifts drive away your enemies and keep them from defeating you. gracious will, which is far better than anything we could have imagined or
In fact, with those gifts, you can tell off sin, death, devil and hell the way willed for ourselves.
that David mocked Goliath and put him down. After all, those gifts of Our will leads to death and destruction. God’s will leads to mercy
Jesus are your proof and promise that the Lord fights for you and and eternal life. Our will is a foundation of sinking sand. God’s will is a
therefore there is no enemy that is stronger than you. firm foundation in Jesus’ promises. And so God’s will is done when He
David took down Goliath. Jesus takes down your big, bad keeps us steadfast in the Christian faith. God’s will is done when you
enemies. There is nothing that can defeat you when your Good repent and hear the forgiveness of sins. God’s will is done when your
Shepherd and King fights for you. Because He always wins. In the Name sinful nature is drowned in Holy Baptism. God’s will is done on earth as it
of Jesus. Amen. is in heaven when you kneel and receive Jesus’ last will and testament in
His Body and Blood. This is His good and gracious will. In the Name + of
Down through the realm of darkness He strode in victory, And at the hour Jesus. Amen.
appointed He rose triumphantly. And now, to heav'n ascended, He sits
upon the throne When He had ne'er departed, His Father's and His own. Your gracious will on earth be done As it is done before Your throne,
(LSB 539:3) That patiently we may obey Throughout our lives all that You say. Curb
flesh and blood and ev’ry ill That sets itself against Your will. (Our Father,
Who from Heaven Above, LSB 766:4)
Thursday of the Sixth Week after Trinity Thursday of the Ninth Week after Trinity
July 12, 2018 August 2, 2018
Daily Lectionary: Judges 7:1-23; Galatians 1:1-24 Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 17:20-47; Acts 26:24-27:8
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth
than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8) stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag, in a pouch
which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Whoa, there, St. Paul! Take it Philistine. (1 Samuel 17:40)
easy! In these modern times we don't talk that way about other people's
religions and ideas. Everyone's “path” is valid. You can't say they're In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Five smooth stones to sling
wrong! You certainly can't tell them to be “cursed” or “damned!” But, oh against the giant, Goliath. No sword. No armor. No helmet. Just the little
yes, he can! He should! And he does! Perhaps we take it for granted but weapon that a shepherd might use to scare off a wolf from messing with
the simple fact is that any preaching, teaching, religion, or philosophy the sheep. And one of those stones found a place in Goliath's head,
other than the forgiveness of sins freely given for Christ's sake, will kill taking down the mocking enemy of Israel.
you. It. Will. Kill. You. It. Will. Damn. You. The Son of David. Jesus. Five wounds in hands and feet and
The problem with the churches in Galatia was that some side. He takes down the Goliath of sin, death and devil. The enemies of
preachers had come in who said that you could only be a Christian if you the Lord can't stand against the pierced Jesus who gives His life for
were circumcised. They may have added some other requirements from sinners. Sin, death, devil and hell are laid low by the Son of God and Son
the Old Testament Jewish Law. Regardless of the details, the fact is, of David whose five wounds spell the end of their power and strength.
they said, “You have to [fill in the blank] in order to be a Christian, to be And now, five stones for you. Baptism, Absolution, the Word,
saved.” Body and Blood. Five gifts of Jesus by which you cast down sin, death
It doesn't matter whether it's as big as “You have to live a good and devil, laying low the enemies which would destroy you.
life and try hard to please God” or as seemingly small as “You have to These enemies look big. Impressive even. Scary. The whole
give your heart to Jesus, but He does the rest...” If there's any of YOU in army of Israel sat and cowered as Goliath came out day after day to
the equation, that's wrong. False. Deadly. mock them. They trembled in their sandals and armor and there was no
Jesus came to rescue us from any sort of religion where we can way they could defeat him. But David didn't trust in Himself. He knew the
fix what's wrong between us and God ourselves, because we can't. It Lord was more powerful than Goliath. Don't fear your sins. Don't fear
doesn't mean religions don't try. Five Pillars. Meditation to nirvana. death or the devil. He who fights for you is mightier than they are. He is
Eating only certain foods. Whatever. The religions that man make up all the Son of David whose death and resurrection defeat all your enemies.
have this one thing in common: they are things YOU do to get to God. It's foolish to think we can overcome these things on our own.
Since such religions don't save us, Jesus saves us. He comes to Being a Christian isn't some self-help program whereby we gain
us. He does the saving. He does the suffering, dying, and rising. He does confidence to confront the things that attack us. Rather, being a Christian
the baptizing, absolving, preaching and feeding. He does it all. He said, means you have Christ fighting for you to save and rescue you from all
“It is finished” on Calvary and told His disciples, “Go deliver it to the your enemies. Your own sins. The world. The devil. Anything that can
world, as a free gift. No strings attached.” Paul wants nothing other than harm you. Even death. He stands to fight for you and His weapons can't
that Good News be the only thing the Galatians or any of us ever hear. miss. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
For in that Good News, we have everlasting life. In the Name + of Jesus.
Amen. With might of ours can naught be done, Soon were our loss effected; But
for us fights the valiant One, Whom God Himself elected. Ask ye, Who is
Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word; Curb those who by deceit or this? Jesus Christ it is, Of Sabaoth Lord, And there's none other God; He
sword Would wrest the kingdom from Your Son And bring to naught all holds the field forever. (A Might Fortress Is Our God, LSB 656:2)
He has done. (Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word, LSB 655:1)
Wednesday of the Ninth Week after Friday of the Sixth Week after Trinity
Trinity
July 13, 2018
Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 17:1-19; Acts 26:1-23 But his wife said to him, "If the LORD had desired to kill us, He would not
have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor
And lead us not into temptation. What does this mean? God tempts no would He have shown us all these things, nor would He have told us
one. We pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us so that such things as these at this time." (Judges 13:23)
the devil, the world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or mislead
us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. Although In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Do you ever feel like the Lord is
we are attacked by these things, we pray that we may finally overcome out to get you? Nothing goes right. Everything goes wrong. It rains and
them and win the victory. (Small Catechism: Lord's Prayer, Sixth Petition) then pours—a miserable chain of events that pile up to cause you
sadness and despair. Samson's parents, when they saw the Angel of the
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It's entirely true that “God tempts Lord, were scared. They thought they might be doomed. But they
no one.” No one but Jesus! After all, Matthew tells us that Jesus was “led weren't.
by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted...” What the Catechism is And neither are you. After all, God can't be out to get you when
teaching us is that God will not tempt YOU. He will not lead YOU into He Himself is your Savior. He can't die for you on the cross and then
temptation and conflict and battle with the devil because He has already crush you like a bug! He can't say your sins are wiped out and then hold
done that to His Son and Jesus took care of it for you. them against you!
Jesus has defeated each of the enemies that the Catechism tells The Lord is for you. He's on your side. That's why He was born,
us are against us. The devil wants to convince you God's Word is a lie baptized for you, carried your sins, suffered for them, died, rose again
and keep you from trusting in Jesus. So Jesus faces the evil one head and ascended to the right hand of the Father. All for you. It's why He has
on, slaps him down with the Word of God and beats him for you. baptized you, absolved you, taught you His Word and fed you with His
The world tries to overcome you. Sway you to its view. Get you Body and Blood. Jesus doesn't do those things just so He can put an end
to stop believing all that “Jesus stuff” and have a good time while you to you!
can. The world wants to overcome you with all sorts of cool temptations God the Father accepts the sacrifice of His Son. Jesus offered
that won't last. So Jesus overcame the world. He obeyed His Father to Himself in exchange for you. He bore your sins so you don't have to. He
die for you and rise again. The world doesn't dictate your future now. was forsaken by the Father so that you may see the Lord and not die. He
Your sinful flesh would love to go along with the devil and the gives us His Word so that we know what His heart toward us is one of
world. It would, too, except for the perfect flesh of Jesus. Sinless, He grace and forgiveness, not vengeance and smiting.
bears your sin. Perfect and holy, He is cursed for you, so that by His It is our own sinfulness that causes us to fear the Lord. After all,
blood, you are sanctified, made holy. Your sinful flesh is crucified with the Lord could rightly punish us for our sins. But He doesn't. Instead He
Jesus in your Baptism and the new you in Christ rises to live before God bears them for us. While our sins can make God seem scary, and even
each day in holiness. the rough things in our lives can seem to persuade us that God is against
These victories of Jesus are yours, and in the Lord's Prayer, us, His Word and gifts are a certain and sure promise that God is all for
particularly the Sixth Petition, we learn to believe that they are indeed us. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
ours for His sake. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
If God Himself be for me, I may a host defy; For when I pray, before me
Lead not into temptation, Lord, Where our grim foe and all his horde My foes, confounded, fly. If Christ, my head and master, Befriend me
Would vex our souls on ev'ry hand. Help us resist, help us to stand Firm from above, What foe or what disaster Can drive me from His love? (LSB
in the faith, a mighty host, Through comfort of the Holy Ghost. (Our 724:1)
Father, Who From Heaven Above, LSB 766:7)
Saturday of the Sixth Week after Trinity Tuesday of the Ninth Week after Trinity
July 14, 2018 July 31, 2018
Daily Lectionary: Judges 14:1-20; Galatians 3:1-22 Today's Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:6-13
Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 16:1-23; Acts 25:13-27
God will subdue the peoples under us, And the nations under our feet.
(Psalm 47:3 from the Introit for Trinity 7) God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are
able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Those words from tomorrow's may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Introit sure make it sound like the Christian Church is going to win out
over all the nations. But in every nation it seems as if there's nothing but In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When we are tempted to do
hostility toward Christ and His people if not outright hatred and murder anything against God’s Law, no matter what it is: lie about our friend,
against them. Around the world, it sure looks like the secular and steal, inappropriately check out the waitress, doubt that God will give us
atheistic values of “no religion” are winning out. It looks like the enemies all that we need to support this body and life—we’re tempted to think that
of the cross of Christ are triumphing. ultimately, it’s up to us to get out of it. We wonder if maybe God leads us
It looks like that. But there is still the “one, holy, Christian and to this point so that we can show Him how good we are at keeping His
apostolic church.” Wherever Christ's Word is preached, the Holy Spirit is Law. We think that we’ll find some way out of it by our own cunning and
still saving sinners. They trust in Christ and even through persecution strength. After all, “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted
and martyrdom, and they rejoice in the crown of life they receive. beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way
And it's always been so. From the days of Adam and Eve, of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
through Noah, through the nation of Israel, through the life of the But you are not the way out of temptation, out of your own sin,
Christian Church since Jesus and the Apostle, the world has tried to out of the messes you make. Repent of thinking and acting that way.
destroy the Church, wipe out God, and destroy religion and faith. But the Jesus is the way of escape, for He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Holy Spirit just keeps on saving people through that Gospel. Jesus brought you out of the Egypt of your sins. He saved you from the
Tomorrow in the Divine Service, you will see how these words of ancient pharaoh, the devil. By His death and resurrection He has opened
the psalm come true. The preaching of Christ you hear tomorrow is the way to everlasting life. When we’re tempted, He is our way of
heard all over the world. Those baptized into Christ are gathered escape. His temptation, His cross, His empty tomb are yours. These
together in magnificent churches or humble huts. The delivery of Christ's overcome the crafts and assaults of the devil, the world, and our own
Body and Blood happens among many or among few. The Good News flesh. Jesus overcame every temptation, and when you fall into
of Christ crucified and risen is preached, loudly and openly, sometimes in temptation, when you give in and sin, He is your way of escape. His way
secret. But this is going on all over the world. And wherever the Holy is still your way until the temptations cease, and you’re with Him forever,
Spirit is converting sinners into Christians, that is the Lord “subduing” the never to be tempted again.
peoples. Keep the Law. It’s what God calls us to do, but when you’re
Looks are deceiving. The Church looks like she's in trouble, but tempted to do otherwise, look to Jesus. He was tempted for you. When
she's not because Her Lord never leaves her nor forsakes her. And that you fall into sin, look to Jesus. He suffered, died, and rose for you. His
means He never leaves nor forsakes you and those who are a part of His way of escape leads through an empty tomb (yours!), and then you will
Body. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. live before Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and
blessedness. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Preserve, O Lord, Your Zion, Bought dearly with Your blood; Protect
what You have chosen Against the hellish flood. Be always our defender As true as God’s own Word is true, Not earth nor hell’s satanic crew
When dangers gather round; When all the earth is crumbling, Safe may Against us shall prevail. There might? A joke, a mere facade! God is with
Your Church be found. (Preserve Your Word, O Savior, LSB 658:3) us and we with God—Our vict’ry cannot fail. (O Little Flock, Fear Not the
Foe, LSB 666:3)
Monday of the Ninth Week after Trinity The Seventh Sunday after Trinity
July 30, 2018 July 15, 2018
For by You I can run against a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall. His disciples answered Him, “How can one satisfy these people with
(2 Samuel 22:30) bread here in the wilderness?” (Mark 8:4)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Lord saves us from our In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus has compassion. How can
enemies. There’s nothing that can truly stand against us. With the devil, He not? Jesus has compassion on the crowds. His heart is moved, and
the world, and your sinful nature taken care of, what else is there that He cares for them. They're "like sheep that don't have a shepherd"
can harm you? Jesus’ victorious death and resurrection have taken care (Matthew 9:36). "I have compassion on the crowds because they've
of all your enemies. Sin, death, devil, and hell are all done for! remained with Me already three days, and they have nothing to eat"
But it doesn’t feel like it sometimes. In our daily lives we have (Mark 8:2). Jesus is the compassionate One. He's the Good Shepherd,
pains and struggles. We fight with our parents. Our friends turn their but what sort of shepherd leads His flock into a desert? Jesus does, and
backs on us. The people who are out to get us seem to get the better of it's all part of His plan.
us. We get sick. Our friends and family get cancer. There are people we Jesus doesn't just feel for His flock, His crowd, His people, but
love who die. The world makes fun of us for our faith. He also does something. He's moved to action. He doesn't want His
It seems like we’re on the losing end, but we’re not. Paul says, people to suffer, to hunger, to die on the journey. He’s the loving
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or Shepherd. How could He do otherwise?
distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Yet He can’t but help His people, but we doubt it all the time. We
in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved doubt that He’s the fountain and source of all goodness. We doubt that
us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor He will supply us, not only with all that we need for this body and life but
principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor also for the life to come. We think that He’s some sort of stingy God, and
height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate if He does dole out gifts, it’s only enough to scrape by.
us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35, But this is not the Lord’s way of caring for His sheep. It’s not how
37–39). Because Christ has been crucified and raised, our victory cannot He doles out His gifts. There’s always more with the Lord. “They ate and
fail. We are victorious. We are baptized into Christ’s death and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments”
resurrection. We are fed with His eternal-life-giving Body and Blood. No (Mark 8:8). Four thousand men ate until they were stuffed and there
matter what happens, we can face it head-on. We’ve already won! were a bunch of leftovers. Always more from the Lord. Always more
Nothing can truly get us down—not sin, not the devil, the world, forgiveness, life, and salvation: font-ed, pastor-ed, and altar-ed to you.
or even the grave. Christ was victorious and gives His victory to you. Little faith one, how will He not give you much more? He will and does. In
You’re a member of His Church, “and the gates of hell shall not prevail the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
against it” (Matthew 16:18). In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
O God, whose never-failing providence orders all things both in heaven
O little flock, fear not the foe Who madly seeks your overthrow; Dread and earth, we humbly implore You to put away from us all hurtful things
not his rage and pow’r. And though your courage sometimes faints, His and give to us those things that be profitable for us; through Jesus
seeming triumph o'er God's saints Lasts but a little hour. (O Little Flock, Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy
Fear Not the Foe, LSB 666:1) Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for Trinity 7)
Monday of the Seventh Week after The Ninth Sunday after Trinity
Trinity
July 29, 2018
Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 13:1-18; Acts 23:12-35 Today's Reading: Romans 6:19-23
Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 1:1-20; Galatians 5:1-26
Save me, O God, by Your name, and vindicate me by Your strength.
(Psalm 54:1, Introit for Trinity 9) The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Wouldn’t it be great if you could
leave your mark on the world? Wouldn’t it be great if everyone—well In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. What does the devil tempt you to
maybe not everyone—knew your name? Wouldn't it be awesome if your do? What about the world? How quickly our flesh gives in to the devil or
name could be synonymous with something like Tiger Woods and golf, the world! How willingly it follows wherever they lead! “Each one is
Steve Jobs and Apple, or Stan Lee and comic books? We all want to be tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then,
better, to make a name for ourselves, or to do something that would when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-
make us successful and popular. Then our name would be something grown, brings forth death.” (James 1:14-15) There’s lying, cheating,
really special. stealing, pornography, sex, pride, deceit, half-truths, lustful thoughts and
This is why the Lord needs to save us—from us! He delivers us actions. All these things and more fill us with regret and shame. When
out of the trouble we find ourselves in when we pursue being king of the we did them, we didn’t care. We enjoyed it at the time, but Paul’s word
hill. Jesus comes and redeems us. By His being King on Calvary’s Hill, rings true: “What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are
He redeems us. There His name is posted for our salvation: Jesus of now ashamed?” Those things end in death.
Nazareth, the King of the Jews. With His holy, precious blood and with It’s true that the wages of sin is death. Sin deserves death. Every
His innocent suffering and death He redeems us. sin. All sins. Sinfulness results in separation from God, physical death,
The Lord saves us by His Name. He doesn’t do it by making a and eternal damnation. Just like you must get paid for work you do
name for Himself in the eyes of the world. He does it by letting His otherwise your boss will get in trouble, so also sin’s wages must be paid.
Name become the worst and cursed: “Christ has redeemed us from the The question is this: Who pays them?
curse of the law, having become a curse for us.” The Lord’s Name You can try to pay with second chances, more and better
delivers this salvation to you in the waters of Baptism. Once again, the promises, more heartfelt good intentions, trying again and again. But
Lord’s Name is saving by something simple. take heart, Jesus has paid the wages of sin with His holy precious blood
You are saved and made great, not by your own name, but by and with His innocent suffering and death. The wages of sin is death—
the Lord’s Name. His Name was nailed to a cross and washed over your God’s death to save you from death. In Jesus “you have your fruit to
forehead. Because of Him your name is great. It’s written in the Lamb’s holiness, and the end, everlasting life.”
Book of Life, now and forever. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. There’s no more fruit for which to be ashamed. There’s Jesus’
fruit—the fruit which Jesus’ cross produces and which He gives to you.
God’s own child, I gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ! He, because I He pours the blood-price over you, washing you in it. He feeds you the
could not pay it, gave my full redemption price. Do I need earth’s payment with His Body and Blood which bore and gave the price of sin.
treasures many? I have one worth more than any That brought me Rejoice, dear saint of God, for you are in Christ Jesus. You have eternal
salvation free Lasting to eternity! (God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It, LSB life. The wages of sin won’t reach you for you have “eternal life in Christ
594:1) Jesus our Lord.” In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Jesus has come and brings pleasure eternal, Alpha, Omega, Beginning
and End; Godhead, humanity, union supernal, O great Redeemer, You
come as our friend! Heaven and earth, now proclaim this great wonder:
Jesus has come and brings pleasure eternal! (Jesus Has Come and
Brings Pleasure, LSB 533:1)
Wednesday of the Seventh Week after Friday of the Eighth Week after Trinity
Trinity
July 27, 2018
Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 10:1-27; Acts 22:17-29 Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 2:18-36; Acts 15:22-41
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who shall do according to
us. What does this mean? We pray in this petition that our Father in what is in My heart and in My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he
heaven would not look at our sins, or deny our prayer because of them. shall walk before My anointed forever. (1 Samuel 2:35)
We are neither worthy of the things for which we pray, nor have we
deserved them, but we ask that He would give them all to us by grace, In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Lord told Eli, through the
for we daily sin much and indeed deserve nothing but punishment. So prophet Samuel, that he was done. He was the Lord's priest, but let his
we too will sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against sons, also priests, act wickedly. They died, and Eli died in sorrow. But
us. (Small Catechism: The Lord's Prayer, Fifth Petition) the Lord doesn't ever leave us without His Word. He promised, through
Samuel, that He would raise up a faithful prophet. For a while, that
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We pray this petition of the prophet was Samuel. The Old Testament is full of the stories of other
Lord's Prayer to learn and believe that we actually don't DESERVE a faithful prophets. But even those who faithfully proclaimed the Lord's
single thing from God but rather that He gives them all to us by grace. Word often grumbled or despaired. Really, the one, true, and perfectly
And when we see that word “grace” we should read, “because of Jesus faithful prophet is Jesus. He is the One who comes to teach God's Word
living, dying, and rising for us.” That's why our heavenly Father does faithfully.
what He does for us: for Jesus' sake. But Jesus is more than just a prophet and preacher and rabbi.
This includes the Fifth Petition! Forgive us our sins! Trespasses. He is the One who came to fulfill all the things the other prophets ever
Debts. Slip-ups. Mistakes. Deliberate actions that contradict God's Word said. All the promises God made to His people through the prophets
even when we know better. Forgive them! Overlook them! Forget them! came true in Jesus. And He not only prophesied—that is preached God's
And He does because Jesus died for us. Paid for our sins. Took them Word—He also accomplished it by dying and rising as the world's Savior.
away. Baptized. Ears filled with the Gospel. Mouths filled with the Body Sometimes the Lord's pastors make mistakes. Sometimes they
and Blood of Jesus. These are the answers to this petition: Forgive us fall into sin. Sometimes the Lord might even take them away from being
our trespasses. And He has! a pastor. But know this: He will never take His Word from you. He will
He has forgiven all trespasses, even the sins of those who sin give you a pastor who will proclaim the Lord's Word faithfully—a pastor
against us. So it would be silly for us to say that God forgives all our sins who will remind you of your baptism, absolve you of your sins, and give
for Jesus' sake but then choose to stand in judgment and withhold you Christ's Body and Blood.
forgiveness from those who sin against us! And, sure, it's hard to forgive The Lord promises that He will make a sure house. Sometimes it
others. So we need forgiveness from Christ and then that forgiveness seems as if the Church, filled with sinners, is not long for this world. But
goes from us to them. This isn't a prayer with a condition. It's a prayer in the real point of view is the Lord's, who has promised that He will always
which we learn that because God forgives us, we forgive others. That's provide His Word and promises to His people. When we are disobedient,
how the love of God in us works in us and through us. He will call us back. Should a preacher leave his place, the Lord will
So that's life as a child of God: He forgives us and we forgive provide another. The Good News that your sins are forgiven for Jesus'
others. That's the Spirit at work in those who have been born from above sake will always be the gracious call that brings you from death to life.
in the mercy and grace of Jesus. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. And the gates of hell will never prevail against this “sure house” of Jesus
Christ. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Forgive our sins, Lord, we implore, That they may trouble us no more;
We, too, will gladly those forgive Who hurt us by the way they live. Help As true as God's own Word is true, Not earth nor hell's satanic crew
us in our community To serve each other willingly. (Our Father, Who Against us shall prevail. Their might? A joke, a mere facade! God is with
from Heaven Above, LSB 766:6) us and we with God—Our vict'ry cannot fail. (O Little Flock, Fear Not the
Foe, LSB 666:3)
Friday of the Seventh Week after Trinity St. James the Elder, Apostle
July 20, 2018 July 25, 2018
Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 3:1-21; Acts 16:1-22 Today's Reading: Mark 10:35-45
Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 9:1-27; Acts 21:37-22:16
Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls
you, that you must say, 'Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears.' " So For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to
Samuel went and lay down in his place. (1 Samuel 3:9) give His life a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. You can't get around the fact that In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. James, along with John, his
the Lord speaks to us through men. In the Old Testament, He spoke brother, wanted to call shotgun for when Jesus would enter His glory and
through the preaching of the prophets and the Scriptures written by kingdom. They wanted the best seats—front row! The other disciples
Moses and preached by the Levites. These words pointed to the were upset with James and John’s request. They were upset because
fulfillment of the promise when the Savior would come. they hadn’t thought of it first!
When the Son became man in the womb of Mary, the Lord But Jesus comes not for worldly glory or power. His glory is a
spoke to the world through Him. Jesus, whose words are written down cross on a trash-heap called Golgotha. There they crucified Him. There
for us in the Gospels, told us the love of God, that by His death, our sins all the power and glory of God is seen when God dies for the sins of the
are forgiven, and that by His resurrection, we have conquered death. world. “The Son of Man came…to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Now the Lord still speaks to us through the witness of the Shotgun couldn’t be called. “With Him they also crucified two robbers,
prophets and the apostles in the Holy Scriptures and through the one on His right and the other on His left” (Mark 15:27).
preaching and teaching of that Word by the pastors He calls. James wasn’t crucified with His Lord, but His crucified and
The Lord called Samuel because He hadn't said much to His resurrected Lord sent James—not to proclaim a glory and power of this
people in a while. When the Lord is quiet, people get worried. Where did world, not a utopian message, not a better morality, but to proclaim
God go? What are we going to do? How can we survive on our own? Jesus Christ and Him crucified for the sins of the whole world. He was
Samuel was given as a prophet to Israel to comfort them with God's sent to deliver the Lord’s gifts: His Baptism to wash away sins, His
Word. Absolution to unlock the gates of heaven, and His Body and Blood to
Your pastor is given for the same reason. When the world keep us, both body and soul, to life everlasting.
troubles you, when your sins bother you, when it seems like everything James would eventually drink Christ’s cup of suffering, He would
declares that God has left you, then your pastor is there from God be baptized into death. He was put to death by Herod, but James had
Himself to tell you what is really true: Christ died for you. He rose for you. done all that the Lord Jesus wanted Him to do. He proclaimed the
He baptized you. He forgives you. He has His Body and Blood for you. suffering, dead, and raised Jesus who came “not to be served, but to
We need to hear those things from someone outside of ourselves. We serve, and to give His life a ransom for many,” for you, for me, for all. In
can convince ourselves that we're doing all right until we can't fool the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
ourselves any more.
But the pastors whom Jesus calls to declare His Word to us are O Lord, for James we praise You, Who fell to Herod’s sword; He drank
given that, by their preaching of His Word, the Holy Spirit would comfort the cup of suff’ring And thus fulfilled Your word. Lord, curb our vain
us against all temptations to unbelief and keep us in the faith of Jesus impatience For glory and for fame, Equip us for such suff’rings As glorify
forever. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Your name. (By All Your Saints in Warfare, LSB 818:21)
For deep in prophets' sacred page, And grand in poets' winged word,
Slowly in type, from age to age The nations saw their coming Lord; Till
through the deep Judean night Rang out the son, “Goodwill to men!”
Sung once by firstborn sons of light, It echoes now, “Goodwill!” Amen.
(LSB 810:2)
Tuesday of the Eighth Week after Trinity Saturday of the Seventh Week after
Trinity
July 24, 2018
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, “Am I a God near at hand,” says the LORD, “And not a God afar off?” “Is
and that He had spoken these things to her. (John 20:18) not My word like a fire?” says the LORD, “And like a hammer that breaks
the rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:23, 29)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Mary’s face was the first face
Jesus saw after His coming back to life again on the third day. Jesus’ In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. God is close at hand. He sees all
face was the first face Mary saw when she was resurrected, rescued the stuff that we do that breaks His Law. He sees all the times when we
from the darkness and death of being possessed by many demons. They do something that He doesn’t like. It’s not just that He knows it. He’s
were very close, but when Mary saw the Lord Jesus on that first Easter, there when we do it! “Am I a God near at hand,” says the LORD, “And
she didn’t recognize Him. She saw Him, heard Him as a thieving not a God afar off?” We can’t escape from His presence for “in Him we
gardener. She pleads with Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). He doesn’t just see our
me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” In Mary’s actions, hear our words, but He also knows our thoughts. He knows and
estimation, Jesus is dead, because dead people stay dead. sees and hears every time we love ourselves more than others, more
That’s our problem in the face of death. We’re just like Mary. than Him, and every wicked thought that we hide so no one finds out
Once we’ve seen the face of a loved one who’s died, we think that’s it. how screwed up we really are.
But Jesus cuts through all the darkness and death. “Jesus said to her, Against all that stuff the Lord speaks a Word, “That is worthy of
‘Mary!’ She turned and said to Him, ‘Rabboni!’” He’s not a gardener hell. My Spirit shall not strive with man forever. You have done what is
who’s a harbinger of death, sweeping it under the rug, bypassing it, evil in My sight. You must be cast out. You will perish in your
ignoring it. Jesus is the type of Gardener who brings life from dust, life wickedness, and anyone who says otherwise is wrong. I shall carry out
from nothing, life from death. He formed Adam from the dust of the My judgment against you. Is not My word like a fire? And like a hammer
ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. Jesus went that breaks the rock in pieces?”
through death and brought life from it. Life will come from cancer, The Lord is true to His Word. He will not back down. Repent. The
sickness, pain, tragedy, death. It has to, and He has to because life and Lord says, “He who has My Word, let him speak My Word faithfully.” It is
immortality shine forth from His empty tomb. spoken faithfully—by the Lord Himself! “My God, My God why have You
He calls us each by name. He gives His life to us. He prunes us. forsaken Me?” “It is finished!”
He tends us. He’s the type of Gardener who gives life. He gives you life. The fire and hammer of God’s wrath and Law came down on
He waters you with it at the font. He breathes the good air of forgiveness Jesus Christ. He spoke His Father’s Word faithfully. He sets us free from
over you in Absolution. He strengthens you with good fertilizer, good the curse of the Law. He became sin, became the curse for you. God’s
food: His own Body and Blood in the Supper. When Jesus gardens you, wrath was poured out on every idle word, everything we’ve done that
you have life even in the midst of death. His face will be the first you see we’re ashamed of. Jesus is the One who bore it for you. He’s saved you
after your eyelids close the last time. He will call you by name and will from it. The Spirit enlivens you to live a life pleasing to God. He does this
hold onto you forever. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. through the Word which says that the God, who sees all, hears all,
knows all, and can’t forget, does because of Jesus. You’ve had it
All praise for Mary Magdalene, Whose wholeness was restored By You, washed over you, absolved over you. Truly, “I will forgive their iniquity,
her faithful master, Her Savior and her Lord. On Easter morning early A and their sin I will remember no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). In the Name +
word from You sufficed; For she was first to see You, Her Lord, the risen of Jesus. Amen.
Christ. (By All Your Saints in Warfare, LSB 518:20)
To Jesus we for refuge flee, Who from the curse has set us free, And
humbly worship at His throne, Saved by His grace through faith alone.
(The Law of God Is Good and Wise, LSB 579:6)