2. Corinthians 4,6-10 1224
Letzter. Sonntang nach Epiphanias 18
Agnes, Virgin, Martyr at Rome, 304 (Diocletian, 284-311/12; persecution 302-11)
21. Januar 2024
1. ℣ Thy lightnings lightened the world:
℟ The earth trembled and shook (Psalm 97,18).
О Great and Exalted God, having thus provided for them in all bodily things, show us Your grace and goodness also in spiritual matters. Let sinners be led to repentance by Your goodness so that the angels in heaven may rejoice over them. … Have mercy on all people. Amen. (Pieper 126; English 74).
2. »For God, who said: Let light shine out of darkness, [Genesis 1,3] has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.«
3. In Luke’s account of Jesus’ Transfiguration, we read: »Moses and Elijah appeared in glory and were speaking of Jesus’ exodus, which He was to accomplish at Jerusalem« (Luke 9,31). The exodus of which these 3 men speak is the crucifixion of Jesus. The reality of Jesus’ crucifixion is still part of our Christian life: we daily carry and manifest in our body our Lord’s death. Paul lists some examples : affliction, perplexity and struck down. The years after Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and ascension were times of tribulation for Christians. All of the apostles suffered for preaching the gospel of Jesus’ death and resurrection for the redemption of humanity. Paul suffered numerous times for preaching this gospel. Some Jews and Gentiles rejected and persecuted Christians.
4. The gospel is a message of justification and liberation, but often it is met with ridicule and violence. Many Christians suffer around the world for their faith in Jesus. The unbelieving world means it to be one of mockery and discouragement. We are tempted to also receive it that way. When Jesus would teach about His suffering and death, His disciples were perplexed by His words and found them difficult to hear and believe. What He told them went against their preconceived notions of who the Christ is and how the Christ would be received.
5. 2000 years we still are surprised at the hostility the gospel can evoke. Why would the message „God loves you and sent His Son to die for you so as to redeem you“ create such angst and anxiety in people? Jesus said: »Do not think that I have arrived to bring peace to the earth. I have not arrived to bring peace, but a sword. Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves« (Matthew 10,34.16). The gospel will divide people, and some will receive it peacefully but others will reject it violently. Jesus reminds us that it is Him they are rejecting. »A disciple is not above his teacher. If they have called Me [Jesus] Beelzebul, how much more will they malign My disciples« (Matthew 10,24.25).
6. Jesus comforts us with these words: »Have no fear« (Matthew 17,7). The exodus that is Jesus’ suffering and death leads to the promised land of resurrection. We will suffer as did Jesus, and we will arise as He did. »But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?« (2. Corinthians 2,14-16).
7. The Light of God is Jesus Christ who shines the light of righteousness into the darkness of our sins. Jesus forgives and drives away our sins. His redemptive light now shines forth from our hearts. »You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven« (Matthew 5,14.16). Let His light shine forth so people know the gospel of the crucified and risen Jesus. We may be earthen clay jars but we hold the treasure of Jesus that the world needs to see. »Your Word is a Lamp to my feet and a Light to my path. Your testimonies are my Heritage forever, for they are the Joy of my heart« (Psalm 119,105.111). »Lucerna pedi meo verbum tuum et lux semiae meae. Hereditas mea testimonia tua in sempiternum quia gaudium cordis mei sunt« (Psalmi 118,105.111 vul). Christ Jesus is the Word, our Lamp, Light, Heritage and Joy. To Him be all glory forever!
8. Bright dawn of eternity,
Light of inexhaustible light,
Send us each morning daily,
Your rays to give us sight
And drive away by Your might
Our night.
(Morgenglanz der Ewigkeit elkg 693,1 2021 Christian Knorr von Rosenrot 1684).
This is most certainly true.
9. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4,7). Amen.
10. 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. (Final Sunday after Epiphany, 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.
Starck, Johann. Tägliches Hand-Buch. Copyright © 1852 Enßlin & Laiblin.
Starck, Johann. Tägliches Handbuch. Franz Pieper, tr. Copyright © 19oo Concordia Publishing House.
Starck, Johann. Starck’s Prayer Book. Copyright © 2009 Concordia Publishing House.
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