✠ One Message: Christ crucified and risen for you ✠
The Word of the Lord Endures Forever
se cwide þæs béaggiefan ábireþ ferhþ
Ephesians 6,10-17 5216
21. Sonntag nach Trinitatis 066
Gallus, Abbot of St. Gallen, Switzerland, ✠ 646
16. Oktober 2016
1. О Almighty and Everlasting God, who by Your Son has promised us the forgiveness of sins, righteousness and everlasting life: We beseech You, do by Your Holy Spirit quicken our hearts so that we in daily prayer may seek our help in Christ against all temptations, and, constantly believing His promise, obtain that for which we pray, and at last be saved through Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. (Veit Dietrich for the 21. Sn. n. Trinitatis)
2. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
3. In the Apostle Paul’s day there was no better equipped and trained soldier than the Roman legionnaire. Their tactics and skills were honed with daily training and combat experiences. Perhaps the closest comparison today would be an US Marine regiment or a special operations team like the Navy Seals or Army Rangers. Paul uses the equipment of a Roman legionnaire to explain that Christians are likewise equipped and ready for battle against the devil and his forces. Paul concludes his analogy with faith, salvation and the Bible which he allegorically describes as a shield, helmet and sword.
4. »In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.« The infamous Roman scutum (shield) was a 3-foot tall curved, rectangular shield. A common Roman tactic was for legionnaires to form up as a rectangle with the front line extending their shields ahead, each row behind lifted their shields above their heads and the soldiers who formed the outside held their shields to their left or right, respectively. This formation had several different names, but one common name was The Turtle. The legionnaires could advance on the enemy and deflect stones, arrows and spears that might be hurled against them.
5. I think most people read this verse and immediately think of faith individually: Jesus and me. While this is certainly true, and faith deployed like a shield does gives good protection, I suspect Paul also envisions faith collectively. A Roman legionnaire was adept at fighting one-on-one, but what made Roman legions so effective was their ability to fight as a group with a specific tactic for any given situation. As The Turtle advanced, if one soldier went down another soldier from the rear would immediately step into that space with his shield and plug the vulnerable opening. Christians are more effective defending against the assaults of the devil together, covering each other and defending one another from whichever flank the devil fires his arrows at. Paul constantly exhorts Christians to uplift and help each other so that working together in faith on Jesus we steadily advance against the attacks of the devil.
6. »Take the helmet of salvation.« The legionnaire’s cassis (helmet) was usually the Imperial Gallic style which had two cheek pieces and a „lobster“ tail in the rear to protect the neck.
7. »Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.« I wonder how many people envision legionnaires wielding long two-handed swords like Medieval knights. Legionnaires did not use such broad swords but rather the gladius, with a 45–68 cm (18 - 27 in) long blade (24-33 inches total from tip to pommel); this short sword (much like a dagger) was well-suited for close-in stabbing, hacking and thrusting. Paul’s use of imagery here gives insight as to how Christians should use the Bible. The way some Christian theologians use the Scriptures you’d think they were truly wielding it as a large two-handed sword as they swing wildly in a circle attempting to prove their theological point. A gladius is a more precise weapon meant to penetrate armor quickly and easily. The Epistle to theHebrews tells us: »For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart« (Hebrews 4,12). Holy Scripture is our offensive weapon against the devil and our adversaries in this world. All doctrinal and moral arguments are made from the Scriptures. False teaching and heresy are combatted with the Scriptures. Aberrant worldly moral behavior is attacked with the Bible. The Word of God is an effective weapon because it can overcome all reason and arguments, changing the very heart and mind of those who oppose its teachings.
8. In the years ahead the Church will be facing an adversary that is more bold and determined than in centuries past. The rulers and authorities of this present darkness mean to challenge and defeat sound Christian doctrine and virtue. It is a fight we must engage in both individually and corporately by bearing the banner of Christ crucified as a Christian and as the Church. Faith and salvation are our defensive armor; the Bible is our offensive weapon.
9. The Apostle Paul warned us: »Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is approaching when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths« (2. Timothy 4,2-4). Holy Scripture counters this attitude and focuses our attention back on Christ. The preached word is centered upon the gospel of Christ crucified for sinners. The preached word tells us of God’s mercy, love and forgiveness that He shows to us through the vicarious sacrifice of His Only Son. The preached word also applies the word to specific situations. At times it is the law so as to reveal sin and convict sinners. At other times it is the gospel so as to comfort sinners with the promise of forgiveness. The Scriptures also tell us about God’s attributes, how Christians live and comfort us when trials and tribulations assault us.
10. Thus »be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might«. He has given you the Holy Spirit who has armed you with armor and sword by which you can live as Chritians in this world fighting against the devil and all his schemes by which he seeks to deceive the downtrodden. You have the gospel, which is the powerful word of God, that turns despair into joy and defeat into victory for the gospel proclaims the victory of Christ over sin, death and the devil. Amen.
11. Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou Steadfast Love and Justice of the Heavenly Father; may our preaching be as hymns of joy that provide the comfort of Your gospel unto all the world. Amen.
To God alone be the Glory
Gode ealdore sy se cyneþrymm
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All Scriptural quotations are translations done by The Rev. Peter A. Bauernfeind using the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, 4. Edition © 1990 by the Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart, and the Novum Testamentum Graece, Nestle-Aland 27. Edition © 1993 by Deutsch Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart.
ELKB. Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Bayern. www.bayern-evangelisch.de/www/index.php. Copyright © 2013 Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Bayern.
VELKD. Vereinigte Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche Deutschlands. www.velkd.de. Copyright © 2013 Vereinigte Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche Deutschlands.
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