Grace Evangelical-Lutheran: April 2021

Monday, April 26, 2021

Acts 17,22-34. Jubilate

Acts 17,22-34 2821

Jubilate 038

Mark, Evangelist, Martyr in Alexandria 68

25. April 2021

1. O Lord God, Heavenly Father, who of Your Fatherly goodness does suffer Your children to come under Your chastening rod here on earth, so that we may be like unto Your only-begotten Son in suffering and hereafter in glory: We beseech You, comfort us in temptations and afflictions by Your Holy Spirit, so that we may not fall into despair, but that we may continually trust in Your Son’s promise, so that our trials will endure but a little while, and will then be followed by eternal joy; so that we thus, in patient hope, may overcome all evil, and at last obtain eternal salvation. Amen. (Veit Dietrich)

2. »The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.«

3. Paul deliberately chose the Areopagus as the site upon which he would publicly preach the gospel to the Athenians because he knew the site’s importance to them. The Areopagus is the „Hill of Ares“ northwest of the Acropolis, which in classical times functioned as the chief homicide court of Athens. Ares was supposed to have been tried here by the gods for the murder of Poseidon’s son Alirrothios (a typical example of an aetiological (origin) myth). In The Eumenides of Aeschylus (458), the Areopagus is the site of the trial of Orestes for killing his mother (Clytemnestra) and her lover (Aegisthus). In Greek pagos means big piece of rock, and areios could have come from Ares or from the Erinyes, as on its foot was erected a temple dedicated to the Erinyes where murderers used to find shelter so as not to face the consequences of their actions.

4. When Paul preached to the Jews in their synagogues, he used their Scriptures as the foundation upon which he proclaims the gospel. The Athenians however had a limited or no knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures, so Paul uses their Greek poets and philosophers as the foundation of preaching the gospel to them. Standing in the midst of the Areopagus, Paul said: »Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.« Paul reminded them of their Epimenides of Crete who wrote in 600 bc:

They fashioned a tomb for you, O holy and high Zeus,

Cretans, always liars, evil beasts, idle bellies.

But you are not dead: you live and abide forever,

For in you we live and move and have our being (Epimenides’ Cretica (Κρητικά)). [1]

Paul then refers to Aratus’ poem Phaenomena where he wrote in 300 bc:

Let us begin with Zeus, whom we mortals never leave unspoken.

For every street, every marketplace is full of Zeus.

Even the sea and the harbor are full of this deity.

Everywhere everyone is indebted to Zeus.

For we are indeed his offspring. [2]

Another poet, Cleanthus, also affirmed the last stanza in 300 bc. Paul then interprets the Greek poets by saying: »Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the Divine Being is like gold, silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a Man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.« Paul tells the Athenians: It is not Zeus who created the world and mankind, but it is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who created us in His Divine image. It is not Zeus who gives us life eternally and in whom we live and have our being, but it is the very resurrected Jesus who lives eternally and gives us eternal resurrection [3] life.

5. Paul told the Athenians: yes, you have been ignorant of a god, the Most High God, who is higher and mightier than your beloved Zeus. This unknown god is the God of the Jews and He sent His Son, not to punish you like Zeus’ sons Apollo and Ares were apt to do in fits of rage, but to die for you and rise again for you. Many of the Athenians who heard this mocked Paul for at that time Greek philosophy generally denied the resurrection of the dead. Rather they held to the Platonic [4] ideal that one’s soul lived on after death and forever left behind the inferior and corrupt body of flesh.

6. Nevertheless, Paul complemented the Athenians for being very religious. They had shrines and temples throughout the city for the gods of their myths. And Paul notes, they even had an alter to the unknown god. Apollodorus, Philostratus and Pausanias also mentioned this unknown god. Then Paul says: let me tell you about the unknown God; He is now the Known God and His name is Jesus Christ. As the law and the prophets prepared the Jews for the arrival of Jesus, so the poets and philosophers prepared the Greeks for the advent of Jesus. The Greeks were fond of wisdom, and Paul gives them the Wisdom who is Jesus. The Athenians receive Paul’s preaching until he tells them Jesus has risen from the dead. Some mocked and scoffed at Paul for belief in the resurrection. Those who scoffed at Paul were probably Athenians who held to the Epicurean philosophy. The Epicureans did not acknowledge a resurrection for they held that at death the soul is separated from the lusts of the body and is now at peace. But those Athenians who want to hear more about this resurrection were most likely Athenians who followed the Stoic philosophy, for Paul’s proclamation touched on several points of similarity with their own stoicism. Massimo Pigliucci (b. 1959), a modern stoic philosopher, gives a succinct description of Stoic philosophy as: „Briefly, their notion of morality is stern, involving a life in accordance with nature and controlled by virtue. It is an aesthetic system, teaching perfect indifference (apathea) to everything external, for nothing external could be either good or evil. Hence to the Stoics both pain and pleasure, poverty and riches, sickness and health, were supposed to be equally unimportant“ (thoughtco.com/stoics-and-moral-philosophy-4068536).

7. The establishment of the church in Athens is grounded upon the resurrection of Jesus, for some Athenians accepted Paul’s teaching about Jesus and His resurrection. In the immortal Jesus they lived, moved and had their being. They were indebted to Jesus. Jesus taught us in John 15: »Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit« (15,4-5).

8. Jesus then proclaimed: »Greater love has no one than this: that someone lay down his life for his friends« (John 15,13). Jesus laid down His life for both His friends and His enemies, yes, Jesus died for the whole world, for those who would believe in Him and for those who would reject Him. He then became the first fruits of those of the resurrection, for by His resurrection we will also be resurrected on the last day. His love and His forgiveness is for you. Amen.

9. Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, our Life and Resurrection; preserve the lives of His saints in and with the gospel, so that we live in You. Amen.

1 Circa 600 bc, Epimenides said: „A grave has been fashioned for you, O holy and high one, the lying Cretans, who are all the time liars, vile beasts, idle bellies; but you do not die, for you live and stand eternally, for in you we live and move and have our being.“ The quote comes from his poem Radamanthus and Minos in which he puts the words in the mouth of Minos, the son of Zeus, regarding Cretans who said Zeus had been ripped apart by a bull, buried and is still in his grave.

2 Ἐκ Διὸς ἀρχώμεσθα, τὸν οὐδέποτ' ἄνδρες ἐῶμεν

ἄρρητον· μεσταὶ δὲ Διὸς πᾶσαι μὲν ἀγυιαί,

πᾶσαι δ' ἀνθρώπων ἀγοραί, μεστὴ δὲ θάλασσα

καὶ λιμένες· πάντη δὲ Διὸς κεχρήμεθα πάντες.

τοῦ γὰρ καὶ γένος εἰμέν. κτλ (Aratus, Phaenomena 1–5).

The poets Aratus and Cleanthus both made the assertion of stanza 5 in 300 bc.

3 αναστασις. The Epicureans presumably mocked Paul at this point in Acts 17,32 because they did not hold to a resurrection for in death the soul is at peace and separated from the lusts of the body, but the Stoics would be more willing to hear more from him as Paul’s proclamation touched on several points of similarity with their own philosophy.

4 Plato (428-347 bc) was an Athenian.

To God alone be the Glory

Gode ealdore sy se cyneþrymm

✠

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 28. Revised Edition © 2012 by Deutsch Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart.

Jubilate Divine Service III

Jubilate

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Ephesians 6,1-9 Bible study

Ephesians 6,1-9

Ezekiel 34,1-2.10-16.31. Misericordias Domini

Ezekiel 34,1-2.10-16.31 2721

Misericordias Domini 037

Anicet, Bishop of Rome, Martyr 173

18. April 2021

1. O Lord God, Heavenly Father, who of Your Fatherly goodness has been mindful of us poor, miserable sinners, and has given Your beloved Son to be our Shepherd, not only to nourish us by His Word, but also to defend us from sin, death and the Devil: We beseech You, grant us Your Holy Spirit, so that, even as this Shepherd does know us and succor (assist) us in every affliction, we also may know Him, and, trusting in Him, seek help and comfort in Him, from our hearts obey His voice and obtain eternal salvation. Amen. (Veit Dietrich)

2. »„As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out My sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.«

3. The theme of this Sunday is the mercy of the Lord (Misericordias Domini). Martin Luther nicely summarizes it this way: If we truly believe that Christ is our Savior, then we have a God of love, and to see God in faith is to look upon his friendly heart. For we know One who suffered and made satisfaction in our behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God. Where He is, there we shall be also (cf. AE 21,37). This is why Jesus is the Good Shepherd.

4.The Prophet Ezekiel likewise records these words of Yahweh: »For thus says the Lord who is the Lord: „Behold, I, I Myself will search for My sheep and will seek them out. And you are My sheep, human sheep of My pasture, and I am your God“ declares the Lord who is the Lord.«

5. In the days of Ezekiel (particularly 593-70 bc) Judah was exiled to Babylon. This punishment occurred because of the peoples’ generations of idolatry. Not only the kings, but self-proclaimed prophets, tolerated or even encouraged this idolatry. The few prophets, like Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, who urged Judah to repent and put aside their idols were shamefully treated, persecuted and ultimately ignored.

6. The Church still has her share of false teachers in 2021. Such has been the case in every era of the Church, including the Apostolic Age, as the New Testament Epistles testify to. Particular to our day and age, is the prosperity gospel, the dating of the return of Christ and the empty gospel of vacuous content. In a nutshell, the prosperity gospel teachers that financial blessing and physical well-being are always the will of God, and that faith, positive speech and donations will increase one’s material well. Just never thought this in the Gospels, and when Jesus did speak about material wealth it was usually cautionary, i.e. he spoke about not letting well worth the desire for wealth to become more important than the worship of God and the care of the neighbor. Likewise the apostle Paul caution to Timothy: »For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs« (1. Timothy 6,10). How many times have you hurt someone predict the precise date when Jesus will return? We can find preachers on TV and book after book in the bookstore or on Amazon telling when the person believes Jesus will be turned. Jesus sniffed this false teaching in the bud when he said: »But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the Flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man« (Matthew 24,36-39). And, finally, unfortunately it is easy to find creatures on TV or the Internet to simply preach, week after week, a message of vacuous content. Often this is a message that seeks to be an offensive. So, instead of speaking about Jesus, they choose to speak about a generic God that anyone could except. Or the teaching of Jesus is so water down that anything controversial or what the preacher simply doesn’t like about Jesus is simply ignored or glossed over. Jesus forthrightly said: »I am the Way, and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.« (John 14,6) and »Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.« (Matthew 10,34-35).

7. Christianity is not about the prosperity gospel, nor trying to date when Jesus will return, nor a religious organization with an empty message that can appease every person and every philosophy. The pure, Scriptural gospel of Jesus can be summarized in 5 succinct loci (points):

i. All children of Adam and Eve are sinful and have sinned (Erbsünde). Romans 3,23.

ii. The penalty for sin is death, both physical and eternal (Die Strafe für die Sünde). Romans 6,23.

iii. Jesus paid that penalty by His crucifixion (substitutionem poenali; solus Christus). Romans 5,8.

iv. Justification is pure gift and not your works (sola iustia; iustia imputata). Ephesians 2,8-9.

v. The assurance that you are right now justified before God (Heilsgewißheit). Romans 1; John 5,12-13.

8. Where does one find the proof of this assurance? We find the proof that we are justified before God in the Holy Scriptures. Moses and the Prophets, the Evangelists and the Apostles, tell us again and again and again that God has redeemed us and saved us. God the Father even sent His Only Son into this world to be the Word made flesh so that we would hear from His own lips and see in His deeds that our Heavenly Father indeed justifies us through the vicarious sacrifice of His Son. This gospel soothes consciences burdened by false christs and false prophets who seek to lead the elect away with great signs and wonders (Matthew 25,24). Every generation sees its share of false prophets who peddles a gospel mingled with the law and things we must do to be assured of our salvation. The gospel brings you blessed assurance (seligste Versicherung): Fear not, dear Christians, fear not, for you are saved by Christ alone (solus Christus) and no one and no thing can snatch you out of Christ’s redeeming hands: not your sins, not false teachers, not the tribulations of the world and not even the devil himself. You are free; you are forgiven; you belong to Jesus. Christ’s vicarious and substitutionary death solves your real problem: sin. There is now full and complete peace between God the Father and you. You are righteous and justified on account of Christ’s merits which have now been credited to you.

9. Our Lord Jesus Christ assures us through the words of the Prophet Ezekiel: »I Myself will be the Shepherd of My sheep, and I Myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord who is the Lord. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy.I will feed them in justice. And you are My sheep, human sheep of My pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord who is the Lord.« Jesus truly is our Good Shepherd. Amen.

10. Let us pray. O Christ Jesus, our Good Shepherd; You guide us with Your voice in the Holy Scriptures, so that following You we receive eternal life and will never perish. Amen.

To God alone be the Glory

Soli Deo Gloria

✠

Miscericordias Domini DS IV

Misericordias Domini

Friday, April 16, 2021

Ephesians 5,15 f. Bible study

Ephesians 5,15 ff

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

John 21,1-14. Quasimodogeniti

John 21,1-14 2621

Quasimodogeniti 036

Antipas, the faithful witness at Pergamum, Revelation 2,13

Mikael Agricola, Bishop of Turku, Finland, Reformer, ✠ 1557

11. April 2021

1. O Lord God, Heavenly Father, we thank You, that of Your ineffable grace, for the sake of Your Son, You have given us the holy gospel, and have instituted the holy Sacraments, so that through the same we may have comfort and forgiveness of sin: We beseech You, grant us Your Holy Spirit, so that we may heartily believe Your Word; and through the holy Sacraments day by day establish our faith, until we at last obtain salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Veit Dietrich)

2. »Jesus said to them: „Come and have breakfast.“ Now none of the disciples dared ask Him: „Who are you?“ They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after He was raised from the dead.«

3. John tells us in the 21. chapter of his gospel that the 3. appearance of Jesus to His disciples occurred at the Sea of Tiberius, that is, the Sea of Galilee. The 11 apostles, being from Galilee, return to Galilee. The 1. appearance to His disciples was on Easter evening, and the 2. was a week later with Thomas present and this appearance to the 7 is the next appearance. It’s possible that since Peter, James and John are among these 7, and that they had a fishing business in Capernaum, that this is where they were fishing when Jesus appeared to them.

4. This fishing expedition is similar to an earlier one 3 years prior when Jesus began His ministry (Luke 5,1-11). At that time Peter, James and John toiled all night and got nothing. Jesus told them to cast the nets again, and doing so they caught a large number of fish. Jesus told Peter that he will now be catching men. The similarity to the earlier fishing encounter with Jesus 3 years prior surely was apparent to Peter, James and John, including that at that time Jesus had called them to be His first disciples. Three years later that same call to discipleship and proclamation is foremost in their minds.

5. On His prior appearance, recorded in John 20, Jesus showed Himself alive to the apostles and then He ordained them into the office of the ministry. He says 1. »Peace be with you« to show that He wants to give them the true peace of heart – as well as give them the order for the office of reconciliation (Gerhard 366). He says 2. »Just as a Father has sent Me, so I send you.« where He ordained them to preach and teach the gospel (Gerhard 367). The apostles likewise ordained pastors to continue this office of reconciliation, preaching and teaching. As Jesus promised them in Luke 5, they will be catching men and women. He promises that this catch of people will be great. 2000 years later the number of Christians around the world is at around 2.6 billion (out of 7.9 billion: 33% of the Earth’s population)– a huge catch indeed!

6. The gospel preached by the apostles and pastors is well grounded in historical testimony. Faith in Jesus’ resurrection is based on the testimony of the Holy Scripture. Historical evidence, furthermore, supports the Biblical and apostolic claims of Jesus’ resurrection. The Biblical and historic testimonies account for more information surviving about Jesus Christ than almost any other person who has lived. In fact, if somehow the entire Bible was lost or destroyed we could replicate every verse in Scripture from Genesis to Revelation using other books in any given library.

7. There are several historians who record Jesus, His death and resurrection. Flavius Josephus (ad 37-97), a 1. century court historian for Emperor Vespasian wrote: „Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call Him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works – a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ; and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the Divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day“ (Josephus 480 §§ 63-64). Cornelius Tacitus, a Roman historian in the early 2. century ad, writes: „Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular“ (Annals 15,44).

8. Over 39 extra-biblical sources attest to more than 100 facts regarding the life and teachings of Jesus (reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2011/04/evidence-for-the-resurrection-in-a-nutshell). There are numerous 1. and 2. century extra-biblical writings that witness to the fact that Christians believed that Christ did extraordinary things, died on a cross and rose from the grave, including: Josephus, Clement, Papias, the Didache, Barnabas, Justin Martyr, Ignatius, Irenaeus, Hermas, Tatian, Theophilus, Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria, (reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2011/04/evidence-for-the-resurrection-in-a-nutshell) the Talmud, Plinius Secoundus, Gaius Seutonius Tranquillas, and Lucian. Even the earliest Jewish arguments against Christianity admit the empty tomb. The Toledoth Yeshu, a 5. century compilation of early Jewish writings, acknowledges this historical fact and posits the theory that the gardener took the body of Jesus from His tomb and buried it somewhere else in the cemetery garden (Toledoth Yeshu ¶ 24). The Gospel according to Matthew records another Jewish theory: The Jewish elders told their temple guards who had watched over Jesus’ tomb to tell people that His disciples had stolen the body from the tomb while they slept (Mathew 28,11-15). The Jewish and Roman sources admit that Jesus’ tomb was empty.

9. Our Lord’s resurrection created faith in James the brother of Jesus and Paul of Tarsus, both enemies of Jesus and the gospel before Jesus appeared to them. James became the first Bishop of Jerusalem, wrote the New Testament epistle that bears his name and he was later martyred at Jerusalem in ad 62. Paul became the apostle to the Gentiles, was an evangelical missionary who traversed the Roman Empire 4 times, was a prolific writer who penned 13 of the 27 New Testament books of the Bible and his traveling companion Luke wrote the Gospel that bears his name and the Book of Acts. In ad 68 Paul was beheaded at Rome by Emperor Nero’s order.

10. Peter was an apostle to the Jews, the author of 2 New Testament epistles. He eventually preached in Rome, and Mark the Evangelist wrote the Gospel that bears his name based on Peter’s sermons. In ad 68 Peter was also crucified by Emperor Nero’s order. Andrew was severely whipped and tied by ropes on an X-shaped cross where he hung 2 days to expire in Edessa or Patras, Greece, in the mid to late 1. century. James bar-Zebedee was the first apostle to be martyred when King Herod ordered him beheaded with a sword at Jerusalem in ad 44 (Acts 12,1-2). Philip was crucified at Hierapolis, Turkey in ad 80. Nathanael/Bartholomew was beaten, flayed and crucified head down in Albania, Armenia, India or Persia in the 1. century. Thomas, who first did not believe but a week later did believe that Jesus rose from the tomb, preached the gospel in southern India. Indian Christians from the west coast Kerala area claim they were evangelized by Thomas. Later he was speared to death near Madras, India on the east coast in ad 72. Matthew wrote the Gospel that bears his name; he was later axed to death with a halberd in Nadabah, Ethiopia in ad 60. James Alphaeus was thrown down from the temple and clubbed to death with a fullers club at age 94 at Jerusalem in ad 66. Jude/Thaddaeus was crucified in Edessa, Greece or Persia in ad 72. Simon the Cananaean was crucified in Brittainnia, Europe. Matthias was stoned and then beheaded at Jerusalem in ad 80.

11. John bar-Zebedee wrote the Gospel that bears his name, the book of Revelation and three New Testament epistles. He miraculously survived being boiled with oil before the Latin Gate at Rome in ad 95 and was summarily exiled to the Turkish island of Patmos for a couple of years. He died of natural causes in Ephesus, Turkey in ad 98 or 100; he was the last of the apostles to enter Paradise. Important Early Church disciples of John the Apostle are Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, Turkey (Martyr 108), Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, Turkey (Martyr 155) and Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyon, France (Martyr 202); Irenaeus was a disciple of Polycarp.

12. The apostles and the historical records attest to Jesus’ crucifixion and the empty tomb. The apostles proclaimed that the tomb is empty because Jesus rose from the dead. They all saw the risen Jesus. Thomas beheld the nail marks and His side. Several women saw Jesus on Easter morning (Matthew 28,9), and Mary Magdalene is mentioned by name in all 4 Gospel accounts of Easter and she even held the risen Jesus (John 20, 17). Paul lists others who saw Jesus during the 40 days before His ascension: »For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures and that He appeared to Peter, then to the apostles. Then He appeared to more than five hundred Christians at one time. Then he appeared to James, the brother of Jesus, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me, Paul« (1. Corinthians 15,3-8). Jesus has given us this rich and detailed eyewitness testimony of His resurrection so that although we have not seen Him, we hear the proclamation of those who did see Him, and we believe. Amen.

13. Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, You have done great things; bless the preaching of Your Resurrection, so that we are rejoice, have faith created and faith strengthened this day and every day. Amen.

To God alone be the Glory

Gode ealdore sy se cyneþrymm

✠

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Annals_(Tacitus)/Book_15#44. Translation based on Alfred John Church and William Jackson Brodribb (1876).

Quasimodogeniti video

Quasimodogeniti Divine Service IV

Friday, April 9, 2021

Ephesians 5 Bible study

Ephesians 5,1-15

Easter Tuesday homily. Chrysostom

Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom, ad 400

If anyone is devout and a lover of God, let them enjoy this beautiful and radiant festival.

If anyone is a grateful servant, let them, rejoicing, enter into the joy of his Lord.

If anyone has wearied themselves in fasting, let them now receive recompense.

If anyone has labored from the first hour, let them today receive the just reward.

If anyone has come at the third hour, with thanksgiving let them feast.

If anyone has arrived at the sixth hour, let them have no misgivings; for they shall suffer no loss.

If anyone has delayed until the ninth hour, let them draw near without hesitation.

If anyone has arrived even at the eleventh hour, let them not fear on account of tardiness.

For the Master is gracious and receives the last even as the first; He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, just as to him who has labored from the first.

He has mercy upon the last and cares for the first; to the one He gives, and to the other He is gracious.

He both honors the work and praises the intention.

Enter all of you, therefore, into the joy of our Lord, and, whether first or last, receive your reward.

O rich and poor, one with another, dance for joy!

O you ascetics and you negligent, celebrate the day!

You that have fasted and you that have disregarded the fast, rejoice today!

The table is rich-laden: feast royally, all of you!

The calf is fatted: let no one go forth hungry!

Let all partake of the feast of faith. Let all receive the riches of goodness.

Let no one lament their poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed.

Let no one mourn their transgressions, for pardon has dawned from the grave.

Let no one fear death, for the Savior’s death has set us free.

He that was taken by death has annihilated it!

He descended into Hades and took Hades captive!

He embittered it when it tasted His flesh! And anticipating this, Isaiah exclaimed: Hades was embittered when it encountered Thee in the lower regions (Isaiah 14,9).

It was embittered, for it was abolished!

It was embittered, for it was mocked!

It was embittered, for it was purged!

It was embittered, for it was despoiled!

It was embittered, for it was bound in chains!

It took a body and came upon God!

It took earth and encountered Ηeaven!

It took what it saw, but crumbled before what it had not seen!

O death, where is thy sting?

O Hades, where is thy victory?

Christ is risen, and you are overthrown!

Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!

Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!

Christ is risen, and life reigns!

Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in a tomb!

For Christ, being raised from the dead, has become the first-fruits of them that have slept.

To Him be glory and might unto the ages of ages.

Amen.

Monday, April 5, 2021

Easter Monday homily. Miletus

An ancient Holy Saturday homily.

Bishop Melito of Sardis ✠ 180

2. Century

http://www.stjosephcath.org/ancient-homily-of-holy-saturday

1. Something strange is happening﹣there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and He has raised up all who have slept since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.

2. He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, He has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, He who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won Him the victory. At the sight of him, Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: „My Lord be with you all.“ Christ answered him: „And with your spirit.“ He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: „Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.

3. „I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by My own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the Life of the dead. Rise up, work of My hands, you who were created in My image. Rise, let us leave this place, for your are in Me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated.

4. „For your sake, I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.

5. „See on My face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in My image. On My back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See My hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.

6. „I slept on the cross and a sword pierced My side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from sleep in Hell. The sword that pierced Me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.

7. „Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am Life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The reign of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.“

Melito of Sardis (Greek: Μελίτων Σάρδεων Melíton Sárdeon) (died c. 180) was the bishop of Sardis near Smyrna in western Anatolia (Western Turkey: where the 7 churches of Revelation were located), and a great authority in early Christianity. Melito held a foremost place in terms of Bishops in Asia due to his personal influence on Christianity and his literary works, most of which have been lost but of what has been recovered has provided a great insight into Christianity during the second century. Jerome, speaking of the Old Testament canon established by Melito, quotes Tertullian to the effect that he was esteemed as a prophet by many of the faithful. This work by Tertullian has been lost but pieces regarding Melito are quoted by Jerome as to the high regard that Melito was considered at the time. Melito is remembered for his work on developing the first Old Testament Canon. Though it cannot be determined what date he was elevated to episcopacy, it is probable that he was bishop during the arising controversy at Laodicea in regards to the observance of Easter, which resulted in him writing his most famous work, an Apology for Christianity to Marcus Aurelius. Little is known of his life outside of what works are quoted or read by Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Eusebius. A letter of Polycrates of Ephesus to Pope Victor about 194 (Eusebius, Church History V.24) states that „Melito the eunuch [this is interpreted „the virgin“ by Rufinus in his translation of Eusebius], whose whole walk was in the Holy Spirit“, was buried at Sardis.His feast day is celebrated on 1. April.

Melito believed that the Christian Passover should correspond with the Jewish Passover, thus celebrated each year on 14. Nisan. This practice was called Quartodeciman. The Council of Nicaea decided against this, as this would put Easter on a different day of the week each year, and decreed that the Church would celebrate Easter on Sunday.

Easter Monday

Exodus14,8-14.19-23.28-30a.; 15,20f. Easter Sunday

Exodus 14,8-14.19-23.28-30a.; 15,20f 2521

Ostersonntag 034

Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Italy. ✠ 397

4. April 2021

1. O Lord God, Heavenly Father, who did deliver Your Son for our offenses, and did raise Him again for our justification: We beseech You, grant us Your Holy Spirit, so that He may rule and govern us according to Your will; graciously keep us in the true faith; defend us from all sins, and after this life raise us unto eternal life. Amen. (Veit Dietrich)

2. »And Moses said to the people of Israel: „Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of Yahweh, which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. Yahweh will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.“«

3. Perhaps the oldest Christian confession is: »Christ is risen!« (1. Corinthians 15,20), and another Early Christian confession based on it is: »Hallelujah! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!« This confession is the confession of Easter, the Four Gospels and the Epistles.

4.The Psalmist beautifully typifies our Easter confession 1000 years before the actual event. »Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous.« Easter is a Church feast of salvation and righteousness. The somber moods of Maundy Thursday and Karfreitag yield to the anticipation of the Holy Saturday vigil and the joyous songs of praise we gladly sing this Easter Sunday. The Gospel according to Mark tells us that the women left Christ’s empty tomb trembling and astonished, but it did not take them long, lead by Mary Magdalene, to proclaim to the apostles what they had seen and heard: »His tomb is empty; Jesus is risen!« But what does this mean? A: Paul began his Epistle to the Romans, writing: »Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ« (Romans 1,1-6). St. Paul tells us that grace and faith are received through Jesus’ resurrection. Paul then tells us that faith reveals that God declares us righteous. »The righteous shall live by faith« (Romans 1,17).

5. »Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of Yahweh, which He will work for you today.« Moses said this to the Israelites after the Passover. Pharaoh had changed his mind and wants his slaves back. His army has trapped the people, and all looks hopeless. Yahweh opened the waters of the Red Sea: Israel crossed in safety but when Pharaoh followed his army was swept away in the waters. Jesus told His disciples that He will, suffer, die and then rise from the dead. Jesus was humiliated and dead as Friday drew to a close. He slept in the tomb on Saturday. On Sunday He burst forth from the grave alive. Jesus exercised His Divine authority when He rose from the dead. Jesus told John in a vision that the authority of His resurrection is »Fear not, I am the First and the Last, and the Living One. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades« (Revelation 1,17-18).

6. »Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of Yahweh, which He will work for you today.« Jesus has authority over Death and Hades. Those two are mankind’s oldest and indefatigable foes; Death and Hades strike fear in the hearts of all people. We cannot cheat death forever, and many fear they will be separated from God after they have died. Jesus comforts us by saying: Don’t be afraid; do not fear Death and Hades. See the salvation that I will achieve. I have died. I have been to hades. I returned. I am the Living One. You will live, too. You will live forever in My Father’s glorious presence. You see, this is what makes the gospel so extraordinary: We had severed our fellowship with God through our sin; we cast our lot to dwell apart from Him. Other religions then say: you must earn your way back to God. You must merit your own righteousness by being a good person and doing what God commands. Jesus entered our world and turned religion on its head. He tells us: „You do not need to do anything to merit yourself into My good graces; I will do something for you and in doing so declare you righteous. I will become your vicarious sacrifice; I will take your place under the law and suffer your punishment on the cross as payment for your sins; I will die and even travel to hades where I will proclaim My gospel and release all longing to see My Father. I will return from hades, rise from the dead and ascend into heaven where I will now prepare your place in My eternal presence.“

7. The cornerstone of our Christian faith is: Christ was raised on the third day; His tomb is empty (1. Corinthians 1,4; Mark 16,6). Easter Sunday is the cornerstone of our faith. Christ has been raised, and on the last day He will raise all the dead (1. Corinthians 15,14). »This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes« (Psalm 118,23).

8. The Four Gospels give us a complete picture of the events that first Easter morning. Everyone believes Jesus is dead. Then women find the tomb empty. They are astonished at this news. They tell the disciples who don’t believe Jesus has risen. Jesus starts appearing to the women and the disciples so that unbelief yields to faith: Jesus has surely risen from the dead!

9. Easter »Yahweh fighting for us.« Let us continue the proclamation of the women, and tell others that Jesus is risen, sin has been forgiven and salvation has been secured. Jesus is the Greater Jonah (Matthew 12,40); Jesus is the Greater Temple (John 2,19).

10. Our faith is not in vain. Jesus’ tomb is empty. Christ is risen. Our sins are forgiven. The Gospel according to Mark is so compelling and powerful to us because in Mark 16 the women did not see the risen Jesus. The only evidence they have for His resurrection is that the tomb is empty and the angel (a young man) proclaims to them that Jesus is risen. Like those dear women, we are seated here this morning hearing that Jesus is risen. We have no tangible evidence before us save the 1991-year old empty tomb, the testimony of the women and the proclamation from the Gospels. The pastor preaches it. And like the women, you hear the gospel message and believe that Jesus is risen. Christianity grew from the words of three Jewish women: The tomb is empty; Jesus is risen. May that gospel console you and strengthen your faith. The risen Christ and His empty tomb proclaim that Jesus has triumphed over death. Pandemics and viruses cannot overcome Jesus. Sin and the Devil have also been conquered. Hell hath no fury for those who are in Christ Jesus. Believe it, and share the gospel.

11. What John Chrysostom proclaimed 1600 years ago is yet true this very day: „O death, where is thy sting? O Hades, where is thy victory? (Hosea 13,14) Christ is risen, and you are overthrown! Christ is risen, and the demons are falling! Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is risen and life reigns! Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the tomb! For Christ, being raised from the dead, has become the first-fruits of them that have slept. To Him be glory and might unto the ages of ages.“ Amen and Amen.

11. Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou risen Savior, You hold the keys of Death and Hades so that we may fear death no more nor tremble at the thought of hades for You have redeemed us from both and given us eternal life in heaven. Amen.

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

Monday, April 26, 2021

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Friday, April 16, 2021

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Friday, April 9, 2021

Monday, April 5, 2021