Job 2,1-13. Incocavit

Job 2,1-13  1623

Invocavit  25 

Nestor, Bishop of Sida in Pamphylia, Turkey. Martyr 250 (Emperor Decius’ persecution 249-51) 

26. Februar 2023

1. ℣ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer Him: 

℟ I will deliver him and honor him (Psalm 91,15). 

O Christ Jesus, Thou First-born of all creation; command Your angels to guard us in all our ways, so that they will bear us up and protect us from the evil one.  Amen. (Psalm 91,11-12 Gradual). 

2. »Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Yahweh, and Satan also came among them to present himself before Yahweh. And Yahweh said to Satan: „From where have you come?“ Satan answered Yahweh and said: „From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.“ And Yahweh said to Satan: „Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to destroy him without reason.“ Then Satan answered Yahweh and said: „Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out Your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse You to Your face.“ And Yahweh said to Satan: „Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.“ So Satan went out from the presence of Yahweh and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. Then his wife said to him: „Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.“ But he said to her: „You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive calamity?“ In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him. And when they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him. And they raised their voices and wept, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven. And they sat with him on the ground 7 days and 7 nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.« 

3. On Wednesday of last week, the Church transitioned from the season of Gesima to the season of Lent. During Lententide we reflect more intensely on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus, meditate upon our sinfulness and repent of our wickedness. Invocavit is the 1. Sunday in Lent and the theme is temptation. We hear how Satan successfully tempted Adam and Eve to sin; thousands of years later he failed in tempting Jesus to sin. Paul reminds us that Christians endure trials and tribulations on account of their faith in Christ.  

4. In today’s sermon text we hear about the temptation of Job. Yahweh describes him as a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil. The opening chapters of the book describe a contest between God and Satan over Job. Satan believes that he can break Job and get him to curse God, but God is confident that Job will stand fast in his faith. God gives Job unto the hand of Satan who proceeds to unleash devastating tribulations upon Job: he loses his wealth, his children and his health; his friends and family give him awful or irrelevant advice. Throughout his tribulations, Job did not sin or accuse God of wrong/wickedness (Job 1,22 mas/lxx). 

5. When we examine ourselves in light of Job we realize that we would be sorely tempted to give up and reject God for even a fraction of what Job suffered and endured. We see it in the lives of people who likewise renounce God when any suffering befalls them. But Job is grounded upon his this truth: we receive good from God; shall we not receive calamity from Him? Such a profound statement is almost unheard of in the 21. century when people speak of God; people are loathe to equate adversity and affliction to God.  

6. Nevertheless, we see good and calamity from God impacting Job in our sermon text, Jesus in our Gospel pericope and even throughout the course of our lives. Like Job, we often do not know why God’s hand is upon us with calamity. Job exemplifies what Martin Luther called the theology of the cross: God’s power and wisdom are often revealed in unexpected or paradoxical ways, particularly through suffering and weakness. Job did not know at the time why he suffered, yet he humbled himself before God and trusted in His merciful steadfast love. 

7. Jesus also suffered and was tempted, however Jesus did know why He suffered. He humbled Himself to these sufferings and temptations. He knew His Heavenly Father is gracious. Jesus suffered on our behalf. Jesus was tempted for us. Jesus overcame the temptation in our place. Where we doubt God and yield to temptation, Jesus trusted God and overcame temptation. All this was preparation for His suffering upon the cross where as our vicarious sacrifice Jesus paid for our sin. The cross is the ultimate expression of God’s merciful steadfast love. Before all the world, God the Father boasts: »Have you considered My Son, Jesus, that there is none like Him on the earth, a blameless and upright Man, who fears Me and turns away from evil?« 

8. God’s glory, love and mercy is revealed in the crucified Christ. Paul proclaimed: »The word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block/scandal to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the Power of God and the Wisdom of God« (1. Corinthians 1,18.23-24). 

9. Job is a powerful reminder of the mystery and complexity of our suffering. Some times we comprehend it, but often we do know know why or how we suffer. God even uses suffering to work together for good in our lives and to glorify His Name (Romans 8,28). Jesus knows the human toll suffering brings upon a person for He Himself suffered as we do. God also provides relief. Job did not suffer for the rest of his life, but it was intense tribulation for at least several months (Job 7,3-4). Soon God restored his health, fortune and family. Jesus was ministered to by the angels after His temptations. God does the same for us. 

10. We have the comfort of His Word. »Yahweh is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but Yahweh delivers him out of them all« (Psalm 34,18-19). »Yahweh heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds« (Psalm 147,3). »Cast all your anxieties on God, because He cares for you« (1. Peter 5,7). 

11. Ash Wednesday begins Lent by telling us that we are dust and to dust we shall return.  Suffering and death are our sinful lot and curse. But we recall that God made Adam from the dirt of the ground. God will resurrect us who have returned to dust. The Prophet Ezekiel vividly speaks of this: »Thus says Yahweh God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live« (Ezekiel 37,5). This is the centerpiece of Jesus’ ministry as the Christ: the Son of Man will suffer, die and live again. Jesus will resurrect us who suffer and die. Jesus’ dwelling place shall be with us; He is our God, and we are His people (Ezekiel 37,27). The final word of G is that we are blessed with eternal life. 

12. Abide, O Lord, Christ Jesus 

Among us with Your grace,

That Satan may not harm us

Nor his cunning give place. (Ach bleib mit deiner Gnade elkg 276,1 2021 Josua Stegmann  1627). 

This is most certainly true. 

13. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4,7).  Amen. 

14. Let us pray. O God, whose holy and beloved Son chose to be born as we are born, to live as we live, to suffer as we suffer and to be tempted in all points like as we are, strengthen us both by His example and by His helping hand that in the multitude of our temptations we may be found like Him, without sin.  Amen. (Invocavit, Vespers Collect 1. The Daily Office.)

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 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart, Septuaginta, Vol. I and II 2. Revised Edition © 2006 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart and the Novum Testamentum Graece, Nestle-Aland 28. Revised Edition © 2012 Deutsch Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart. 

Evangelisch-Lutherisches Kirchengesangbuch. Copyright © 2021 Selbständige Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche, Hannover. 

The Daily Office. Copyright © 1965 Concordia Publishing House. 

1. Corinthians 13,1-13. Quinquagesima

 1. Corinthians 13,1-13 1423

Quinquagesima 23 

Gabinus, Pastor, Martyr 296 (Emperor Diocletian, 284-311/12; persecution 302-11)

Bishop Sadok of Seleucia and Ktesiphon in Persia with 128 Christians. Martyrs 342

19. Februar 2023

1. ℣ Be Thou my Strong Rock:

℟ For an house of defense to save me (Psalm 31,2). 

O Yahweh, You are the God who works wonders; make known Your Might among the nations, so that they see Your arm redeem Your Church.  Amen. (Psalm 77,14-15 Gradual)

2. »If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect arrives, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.« 

3. In the Apostle Paul’s day, the Greeks had 10 words for love and the highest expression of love was άγαπαω/άγάπη which was unconditional, sacrificial love. This is the word for love Paul uses in 1. Corinthians 13. 

4. Jesus exemplifies this άγάπη in our Gospel pericope. He tells His apostles that the Son of Man will suffer, die and rise again (Luke 18,32-33). Then He has mercy (έλέησόν) upon a blind man and heals him. 

5. The Scriptures teach that God’s mercy and love are closely connected to sacrifice. The Sinai covenant put forth all the different types of sacrifice Israel was to perform. Every day, and once a year on the Day of Atonement, sacrifices were done to cover and forgive the sins of the people. Even when Israel lapsed into idolatry, those sacrifices continued.  

6. So it came as a shock when the Prophet Amos declared: »Therefore thus says Yahweh: „I hate, I despise sacrifices. I will not accept them.“« (Amos 5,21-23). If God is not accepting their sacrifices, then their sin is not being forgiven. The purpose and existence of the temple and the priests is now in doubt. What provoked this severe chastisement from Yahweh? Israel had lost faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; they worshipped idols, and even tolerated idolatry in God’s holy temple. Israel was to be set apart and holy from all the nations, but now Israel was like the Gentiles in all the worst ways. 

7. Yahweh does not tolerate sin and unbelief in His presence. He likewise despises obedience to His covenant where there is no faith in Him. By Amos’ day, Israel’s hands were performing the sacrifices, but their heart was not in it (Apology III,85). The law spoken by the Prophets also must cut us to the heart. When we confess our sins, are we only saying the words but have no desire to repent of those sins? When we abide by the 10 Commandments, is it because God told us to, or are we keeping them because we love God and our neighbor. If faith and love are lacking, then we are akin to Israel in Amos’ day—going through the actions but our spirit is not in it. God would have us repent of such things.  

8. Patience is a Christian virtue and gift of the Holy Spirit that our fast-paced world often overlooks or dismisses. Our fallen human nature demands instant gratification instead of waiting on God, trusting in His timing and persevering in love.  

9. The Scriptures teach that God is patient and long-suffering. He plays the long game with Heilsgeschichte (salvation history). Generation after generation, decades after decades, Yahweh waited patiently with love for idolatrous Israel to repent. When they finally did, His mercy was swift. »The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but He is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should reach repentance« (2. Peter 3,9). »When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son … to redeem us« (Galatian 4,4-5). 

10. Jesus told His apostles on a number of occasions that the Christ must suffer, die and rise again. Grace is not easily understood. The apostles did not comprehend this teaching that was at odds with their expectation of the Christ. They had been taught that the Christ was to destroy the enemies of God, not to be overcome and killed by those enemies. They were like their ancestors 700 years prior at the time of Amos: their hands brought the animals for sacrifice, but their hearts did not know what those sacrifices were preparing them for. 2000 years after Jesus, people, and even some denominations within the Church, do the right things but their hearts are ignorant of the gospel of Christ and why He had been sent. 

11. Yahweh was once more about to reject the temple sacrifices, not because they had become a burden to Him as in the day of Amos but because Jesus was about to become the acceptable sacrifice; He would bring about the end of the sacrifices by fulfilling the reason for the temple as His sacrifice would be the only one needed for all times. Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in merciful steadfast love (Psalm 145,8). Yahweh’s mercy and love are manifested in Jesus. He must die, becoming the vicarious sacrifice, as the Lamb of God who has taken away the sin of the world (John 1,29). He has born our transgressions and has reconciled us to our Heavenly Father. 

12. As He told His apostles, His death would not be an end in itself, but the means to a greater end. Through His crucifixion, Jesus gives us life. Through His sacrifice, He gives us forgiveness. Through His Resurrection, He gives us everlasting life. Faith, hope and love abide; we have faith in Christ, we have hope in His Resurrection and we abide in His love, a love that never ends because Christ is eternal—this is why love is the greatest. Seek Christ, and live (Amos 5,4). 

13. O Lord Christ, cover our sin

And bind such love to us within,

That we with delight to our neighbor do,

As O Son of God, Thou do to us too (Ein wahrer Glaube Gotts Zorn stillt elkg 646,8 2021 Nikolaus Herman (1560) 1562) 

This is most certainly true. 

11. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4,7).  Amen. 

12. Let us pray. O our God, we believe in Thee, we hope in Thee, and we love Thee because Thou hast created us, redeemed us and dost sanctity us; increase our faith, strengthen our hope and deepen our love that giving up ourselves wholly to Thy will, we may serve Thee faithfully all the rest of our life and finally be found worthy through Thy grace to inherit life eternal.  Amen. (Quinquagesima, Vespers Collect 2. The Daily Office. Copyright © 1965 Concordia Publishing House.)

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 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart, Septuaginta, Vol. I and II 2. Revised Edition © 2006 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart and the Novum Testamentum Graece, Nestle-Aland 28. Revised Edition © 2012 Deutsch Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart. 

Evangelisch-Lutherisches Kirchengesangbuch. Copyright © 2021 Selbständige Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche, Hannover.  

Isaiah 55,8-12. Sexagesima

Isaiah 55,8-12  1323

Sexagesima  22 

Eulalia of Barcelona, Virgin, Martyr 290 (Diocletian, 284-311/12; persecution 302-11)

Eulalia of Merida, Virgin, Martyr 

12. Februar 2023

1. ℣ Awake, why sleepest Thou, O Yahweh?: 

℟ Arise , cast us not off forever (Psalm 44,23). 

O Christ Jesus, Thou art the Most High over all the earth; be Thou our Light and Life so that our enemies know that You alone are G and that Your people are enlightened and enlivened unto salvation and good works.  Amen. (Psalm 107,20-21 Gradual). 

2. »„For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,“ declares Yahweh. „For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow fall down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so will My word be that goes out from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish that which I purpose, and will succeed in the thing for which I sent it. For you will go out in joy and be led forth in peace.“« 

3. With Sexagesima we are now about 60 days before Easter. Our theme today is that grace is passively received.  

4. The Prophets had a 2 predominant themes: repent of your sins, and imparting  a particular revelation that further developed an aspect pertaining to the promised Messiah. Isaiah exhorts Judah to forsake their wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts (Isaiah 55,7). The primary sin of Israel and Judah was idolatry: generation after generation the people forsook Yahweh for some other local idol, usually Baal. This is a 1. Commandment issue whereby the people did not fear, love and trust Yahweh alone. Because they forsook Yahweh, the other 9 Commandments fell like dominoes. Once you stop loving Yahweh, ceasing to love your neighbor soon follows, and that is where Judah was at when Isaiah is sent to them; Isaiah calls Judah to cling to Yahweh with their heart and to trust in Him entirely (Large Catechism I,15). As Luther would phrase it in his Small Catechism, Isaiah  exhorted the people to fear, love and trust God. 

5. This exhortation is for us today. Put your trust in God. Money, education, the government are all good gifts God gives us to live in this earthly life, but do not put your trust in them; do not turn them into your idols. Such gifts are temporary and they will eventually fail you. Put your trust in what is eternal, for God is there for you day after day providing all that you need. Thus Isaiah reminds us: God sends the rain and the snow to fall down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth making it bring forth and sprout.  

6. Thus says Yahweh: »My Word will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish that for which I sent it.« Judah eventually repented and returned to Yahweh; He forgave them and returned them to the land. His Word spoken through Isaiah bore forth the fruit God desired. Then God speaks through Isaiah: »Thus says Yahweh: soon My salvation will arrive, and My righteousness be revealed. Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to Yahweh say: „Yahweh will surely separate me from His people.“ The foreigners who join themselves to Yahweh, to love the Name of Yahweh, these I will bring to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Adonai Yahweh, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares: „I will gather yet others to Him besides those already gathered“« (Isaiah 56,1b.3.6.7.8). 

7. Jesus is the Word (Λογος) sent from His Father who fulfilled these Divine promises in Isaiah! Sinners flocked to Jesus. Jews and Gentiles drew near to hear Jesus teach. Men and women received forgiveness from Jesus. Jesus welcomed them all and showed them Yahweh’s merciful steadfast love. Jesus who is the Word is God’s instrument of revelation to men (Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho 128); His revelation is manifested in His preaching and miracles, particularly in the absolution He spoke to individuals. Jesus paid for our forgiveness on the cross.  

8. The Word became flesh to be the vicarious sacrifice to redeem sinners. Jesus is the Word and Wisdom of God the Father. Jesus was crucified to save the world, and the preached word of His crucifixion does not return void. This gospel of Christ crucified is the the very Word of Yahweh that is preached and accomplishes what it promises. This Word has Divine power to take filthy sinners, convert them unto faith in Jesus and make them Christians. This Word is a preaching of law to secure sinners, convicting them of their sin, and this Word is a preaching of the gospel that absolves sinners of their sin. This Word has the power to create righteous people from unholy sinners. This Word has the power to created law abiders from law breakers. This Word has the power to make weak men and women stalwart defenders of the faith who base their speech and actions on the love of Christ shown to them and reciprocated to their neighbors in many diverse ways. The preached Word has the power to turn a few stingy, partisan Christians into a mighty host of giving, united Christians who are true stewards of Jesus and His Church. The preached Word does this to us, and by the power of the Holy Spirit His Word does not return from this place, from our lives, void. 

9. God the Father let that glory Thine

Thy Word spread far and wide.

Help, Jesus, that teaching Thine

Enlighten us and guide.

O Holy Spirit, that Word Divine

Continually within us shine

Faith, love, patience and hope. (Herr, für dein Wort sei hock gepreist elkg 200,6 2021 David Denicke 1659). 

This is most certainly true. 

10. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4,7).  Amen. 

11. Let us pray. O God, the Sovereign Good of the soul, who requirest the hearts of all Thy children, deliver us from all sloth in Thy work, all coldness in Thy cause and grant us by looking unto Thee to rekindle our love and by waiting upon Thee to renew our strength.  Amen. (Sexagesima, Matins Collect 2. The Daily Office.)

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 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart, Septuaginta, Vol. I and II 2. Revised Edition © 2006 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart and the Novum Testamentum Graece, Nestle-Aland 28. Revised Edition © 2012 Deutsch Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart. 

Evangelisch-Lutherisches Kirchengesangbuch. Copyright © 2021 Selbständige Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche, Hannover. 

The Daily Office. Copyright © 1965 Concordia Publishing House. 

Matthew 9,9-13. Septuagesima

Matthew 9,9-13 1223

Septuagesima 21 

Jacob (Israel), Patriarch

Agatha, Virgin, Martyr at Catania, Sicily 251 (Emperor Decius’ persecution 249-51)

5. Februar 2023

1. ℣ In My distress I called upon Yahweh:

℟ And He heard My voice out of His temple (2. Samuel 22,7). 

O Yahweh, Thou Stronghold for the oppressed in times of trouble; arise, O Yahweh, and prevail for those who put their trust in You, so that we may live and do good to our neighbors in full trust that we are redeemed by Your grace and mercy 

whose Name the nations fear; build up Your Church, so that the nations trust in Your mercy and their rulers praise Your Glory.  Amen. (Psalm 9,9-10.18-19a Gradual)

2. »As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and He said to him „Follow Me.“ And he rose and followed Him. And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples: „Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?“ But when He heard it, He said: „Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, and not sacrifice. [Hosea 6,6] For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.“« 

3. The Gesima Sundays transition the Church Year from Christmas-Epiphany to Lent-Holy Week. Candlemas (2. February) liturgically completes the Christmas season with Mary’s purification 40 days after Jesus’ birth.  Gesima means day; it is derived from the Latin dies. Septua is Latin for 70; thus today is approximately 70 days before Easter. With the Season of Gesima The lessons in the Daily Office begin to unfold the salvation history of mankind. 

4. Our sermon text picks up on this theme from the Daily Office: Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners. Judaism in Jesus’ day was segregated: Jews didn’t eat with Gentile pagans nor with notorious Jewish sinners, like tax collectors.The scribes and Pharisees followed this segregation meticulously. They are amazed that a teacher of Jesus’ calibre is eating with sinners. To do so makes Jesus unclean, and begs the question: is Jesus condoning their sinfulness? The Pharisees interpreted Jesus’ dining companions as evidence that Jesus does not take their sinfulness seriously, else He would have not eaten with them in their homes. 

5. Sinful men and women are renowned for holding similar Pharisaic attitudes in the 21. century. People are shocked if a politician is friends for dining companions with one’s political adversary. If one is seen cavorting with the wrong person, public opinion immediate throws the person in the same camp of the wrong person and demands for apology are soon forthcoming.The political and cultural Zeitgeist in America is eerily similar to the Pharisaic Zeitgeist in Jesus’ day. It wasn’t always this way. Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill had what was called their 6 o’clock friendship. Although they were polar opposites politically, they did not allow that to define their friendship. They frequently got together for drinks at the end of the day. When Reagan was shot, Tip O’Neill was the first one to visit him. 

6. Ironically, if the Pharisees had their way, then God would never visit anyone because none are righteous, no not one (Psalm 53,3; Romans 3,10), not even the Pharisees. Sin separates us from God’s, but the only way to restore fellowship is for God to draw near to sinners. Jesus quotes to the Pharisees the Prophet Hosea: »I desire mercy and not sacrifice« (Hosea 6,6 lxx). Jesus came not to call the righteous but sinners. Jesus reminded the Pharisees that Yahweh’s nature is to show merciful steadfast love. To sinners, this mercy is undeserved, but Jesus comes to give mercy to the undeserving. 

7. The Pharisees believed they earned this righteousness and mercy by keeping the Mosaic covenant. This Pharisaic attitude is common to many people, for at our sinful core we think we can pleas God with our law-keeping and thus merit His righteousness. Like the Pharisees, those who think this way often know what the Scriptures say, but do not understand what the Scriptures mean. Jew and Gentile, Pharisee and sinner, alike stand in equal need of God’s merciful steadfast love (Gibbs 474). 

8. Jesus fulfills the words of the Prophet Hosea at the cross. There Jesus displayed both Gs desire of mercy and sacrifice. The Mosaic covenant teaches that forgiveness involves a sacrifice where blood is shed and a life is taken. To cover and redeem mankind’s sin necessitates that God Himself. Must be the sacrifice, and in giving up His life God shows His merciful steadfast love for all sinners. Jesus freely gives God’s mercy to those who do not deserve it. 

9. Septuagesima exhorts us to go and learn what God’s merciful steadfast love means. Jesus on the cross paying for the sins of the world is what it means, and today we begin once more that journey that leads to the foot of the cross where the fellowship between God and man has been restored. 

10. He hastens to cover me  

With His Word and Light,

So in need I’ll never be,

Fulfilling promises is His delight;

He pays in full my reward,

He never faileth, aye.

Shine brightly will His Word,

However dark the day (Er weckt mich alle Morgen elkg 694,5 2021 Jochen Klepper 1938 nach Isaiah 50,4-8) 

This is most certainly true. 

11. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4,7).  Amen. 

12. Let us pray. We beseech Thee, O Lord, make Thy servants always to join together in seeking Thee with their whole heart, to serve Thee with submissive mind, humbly to implore Thy mercy and perpetually to rejoice in Thy blessings.  Amen. (Septuagesima, Vespers Collect 2. The Daily Office. Copyright © 1965 Concordia Publishing House.)

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 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart, Septuaginta, Vol. I and II 2. Revised Edition © 2006 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart and the Novum Testamentum Graece, Nestle-Aland 28. Revised Edition © 2012 Deutsch Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart. 

Evangelisch-Lutherisches Kirchengesangbuch. Copyright © 2021 Selbständige Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche, Hannover. 

Gibbs, Jeffrey A. Matthew 1:1 – 11:1. Copyright © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. 

Matthew 17,1-9. Transfiguration

Matthew 17,1-9  1123

Letzter Sonntag nach Epiphanias  18 

Valerius, Bishop of Trier, Germany. Disciple of Peter
Francis of Sales, Bishop of Geneva, Switzerland, ✠ 1622

29. Januar 2023

1. ℣ Thy lightnings lightened the world: 

℟ The earth trembled and shook (Psalm 97,18). 

O Christ Jesus, You are the most handsome of the sons of men; pour out Your grace upon us, so that we may recline at Your feet in eternal bliss.  Amen. (Psalm 107,20-21 Gradual). 

2. »And after 6 days Jesus took with Him Peter, James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with Him. And Peter said to Jesus: „Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah.“ He was still speaking when, behold, a Bright Cloud overshadowed them, and a Voice from the Cloud said: „This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.“ When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. ⁷But Jesus went and touched them, saying: „Rise, and have no fear.“ And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. And as they were walking down the mountain, Jesus commanded them: „Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.“« 

3. In Exodus 33,18 Moses asked Yahweh to show him His Glory. Yahweh gave Moses a backside glimpse of His Glory. In today’s Gospel pericope Jesus shows His Glory to Peter, James and Joh. The event is bookended by 2 teachings: 

A »From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests and scribes and be killed, and on the third day be raised« (16,21). 

  B Transfiguration

A' »As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them: „The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day“« (17,22-23).  

4. Jesus’ Glory is His suffering, death and resurrection. Moses and Elijah appear to discuss with Jesus His upcoming Passion (Luke 9,30-31). Luke tells us they were discussing Jesus’ exodus. That connects with Moses, for the first exodus involved suffering and death leading to new life for freed Israel. Jesus’ exodus would be a more glorious exodus than the one from Egypt.  

5. Moses and Elijah personify the Law and the Prophets. They give as an answer to the question „Who is Jesus?“ That Jesus is what the Law and Prophets were all leading toward (Nagel 67). The Law and the Prophets lead to the Lamb on the cross; the Lamb who fulfills the Sinai covenant is the revealing of God in all His Glory. Do you want to see Yahweh’s Glory? You find it at full display on the cross.  

6. Isaiah speaks verbosely about this Glory. »Adonai Yahweh has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning He awakens; He awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. Adonai Yahweh has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. But Adonai Yahweh helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. Behold, Adonai Yahweh helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up. Who among you fears Yahweh and obeys the voice of His servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the Name of Yahweh and rely on his God« (Isaiah 50,4-10). 

7. The Scriptures attach to God’s Glory help and vindication. Isaiah proclaims: »Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous hand« (Isaiah 41,10). »Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, My servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities«. (Isaiah 53,11). 

8. Jesus has told His apostles these things—that His Glory is tied to His suffering, but they have not grasped it yet. Moses and Elijah depart; the heavenly Voice is silent. Only Jesus remains. But the Glory has not really gone, for where Jesus is, there is that Glory, whether hidden or shining forth (Nagel 69). 

9. After the Transfiguration, Jesus continues to teach and perform miracles. He sets His eyes to Calvary and He directs His apostles and disciples to focus on the hill outside Jerusalem. After His resurrection He told 2 of His disciples: »O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His Glory?« (Luke 24,25-26). He tells His disciples that the Scriptures speak of these things (Luke 24,27). 

10. Jesus’ path takes Him to the cross and the grave. He exhorts you to travel this path with Him. Focus on the cross, the crucified Christ and the risen Savior, for He has redeemed the world; He has ransomed you. Jesus can and will sustain His disciples as they deny themselves, take up their cross and continue to follow Him (Gibbs 861). This is still true today, for Jesus can and will sustain you as you suffer and walk the way of the cross as His lowly disciple, because Jesus has named you co-heirs in His Glory. 

11. In this world, shine upon us, 

You transfigured Sun of mercy; 

Through the field of tears for us

In the land of the sweet felicity,

Where the pleasure, that us elevates 

Never fades. (Morgenglanz der Ewigkeit elkg 693,5 2021 Christian Knorr von Rosenroth 1684). 

This is most certainly true. 

12. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4,7).  Amen. 

13. Let us pray. O God, who on the mount didst reveal to chosen witnesses Thine only-begotten Son wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening, mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may be permitted to behold the King in His beauty.  Amen. (The Last Sunday after Epiphany, Vespers Collect 2. The Daily Office.)

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 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart, Septuaginta, Vol. I and II 2. Revised Edition © 2006 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart and the Novum Testamentum Graece, Nestle-Aland 28. Revised Edition © 2012 Deutsch Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart. 

Evangelisch-Lutherisches Kirchengesangbuch. Copyright © 2021 Selbständige Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche, Hannover. 

The Daily Office. Copyright © 1965 Concordia Publishing House. 

Gibbs, Jeffrey A. Matthew 11:2 – 20:34. Copyright © 2010 Concordia Publishing House. 

Nagel, Norman. Selected Sermons of Norman Nagel: From Valparaiso to St. Louis. Frederick W. Baue, Ed. Copyright © 2004 Concordia Publishing House.