Grace Evangelical-Lutheran: November 2024

Friday, November 29, 2024

Psalm 126. Trinity XXVII

Psalm 126 6024

27. Trinitatis. Trinity xxvii 75

Chrysogonus, Martyr 303

24. November 2024

1. ℣ All the glory of the King daughter from within in golden fringes:

℟ Surrounded by her companions, the virgins who closely follow her, shall be brought to the king. (Psalm 44,14-15 vul lxx).

Omnis gloria eius filiæ regis ab intus, in fimbriis aureis: circumamicta varietatibus adducentur regi virgines post eam proximæ eius afferentur tibi. lxx

Omnis gloria filiæ regis intrinsecus fasceis aureis vestia est: in scutulatis ducetur ad regem virgines sequentur eam amicae eius ducentur illue. mas

O Almighty God, deliver us according to Your mercy. Raise up the downtrodden and lift up the humble. Before we call, You will answer. Have mercy upon us (Stark 308; English 228-29). Forgive us, save us and keep us faithfully awaiting Your Son’s advent that brings us to eternal life. Amen.

2. »A Song of Ascents. When Yahweh restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations: „Yahweh has done great things for them.“ Yahweh has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O Yahweh, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.«

3. Psalms 120-134 are the 15 psalms of ascent. These psalms were sung by Jewish pilgrims as they traveled up to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. (Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot). Psalm 126 is a song of joy for restoration (OT VIII: Psalm 51-150 126,1) of fortunes and the resultant joy. Post-exilic Judaism rejoiced in their return from Babylonian Exile, the restoration of Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple. Once more they could sing this psalm as they journeyed up to the city. Jesus probably sang this song when He travel to Jerusalem to celebrate the feasts.

4. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, Yahweh restores fallen men and women, but we often allow tribulations to obstruct this truth. The Psalmist uses the image of dryness and hardship. Our minds tend to focus on the current trouble which may lead to despair and lack of hope. While God forgives and forgets our sins (Psalm 103,12), we hash over our sins and let them burden us. To forget or downplay all of God’s previous acts of salvation and restoration may hinder faith and trust in His promises. Songs of regret will replace our songs of rejoicing.

5. King Solomon reminds us that there is a time for regret: »τοῖς πᾶσιν χρόνος καὶ καιρὸς τῷ παντὶ πράγματι ὑπὸ τὸν οὐρανόν. καιρὸς τοῦ κλαῦσαι καὶ καιρὸς τοῦ γελάσαι καιρὸς τοῦ κόψασθαι καὶ καιρὸς τοῦ ὀρχήσασθαι. For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to be merry« (Ecclesiastes 3,1.4). When Judah returned from Babylonian Exile, they were still mourning. For 18 years they mourned (538-20 bc) and the temple remained built. The Prophet Haggai rises up and chastises then: it’s been almost 20 years since God ended the exile and returned us home! Why are you still moping about like you’re under the discipline of exile? It is time to rebuild the temple for the worship of Yahweh. The pagan King Darius has been more faithful to Yahweh than His own people (Haggai 1,4-11).

6. For us 2500 years later, the Scriptures exhort us to stop thinking and acting like the world has demoralized and defeated us! Lift up your hands and sing for joy! God is faithful and fulfills His promises. The promise is not only an announcement that will only be fulfilled in the future; it is a valid and powerful promise and pledge that takes immediate and present effect (Bayer 50-51). God is bound by His promissio, and He will stick to it and keep it (Bayer 50-51). The merciful steadfast level of Yahweh never ceases; His mercies never comes to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness (Lamentations 3,22-23). The Prophet Jeremiah spoke these words of comfort to Judah who was reeling from its defeat at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, the destruction of the temple and exile to Babylon. Years later, the exiles return to Judah and rebuilt the temple.

7. The the maidens in today’s Gospel pericope are awaiting Jesus. He is the fulfillment of His Father’s promissio; He is the true Temple. »Jesus answered the Jews: „Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.“ But He was speaking about the temple of His body. When therefore He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken« (John 2,19.21-22).

8. Jesus is the fulfillment of Psalm 126. Iesum qui proposito sibi gaudio sustinuit crucem. Jesus who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross (Hebrews 12,2). We go to Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus is His Father’s promissio of forgiveness. The Holy Spirit gives us this forgiveness in the preached Word, in our Baptism, in the Absolution and when we receive the body and blood of Jesus in the Lord’s Supper.

9. The promise we await today is the return of Jesus. On that day He will raise our bodies to eternal life where we will dwell in His presence forever. On this earth we often sow in tears, but on the new earth we shall reap with shouts of joy for Jesus wipes away all tears. He is our Hope of salvation, our Victory over sorrow and our Resurrection.

10. O Lord, through Your kindness,

Guide me on the right path;

Lord Christ, protect and bless me,

Lest I might stray in wrath.

Keep me firm in my faith,

As the evil days rage,

Help me to always receive

The joyous eternal wedding age.

(Herzlich tut mich erfreuen selk 799,9 2021 Johann Walter (1545) Jahre 1552, Strophe 9 Dresden 1557))

This is most certainly true.

11. Et pax Dei, quæ exuperat omnem sensum, custodiat corda vestra, et intelligentias vestras in Christo Jesu. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4,7). Amen.

12. Let us pray. Jesus, our Lord, do Thou meet us while we walk in the way and long to reach that heavenly country, so that, following Thy light, we may keep the way of righteousness and never wander away into the darkness of this world’s night while Thou, who art the Way, the Truth and the Light, art shining within us; for Thy mercy’s sake. Amen. (Trinity XXVII, 2^nd Vespers Collect. 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.

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

2. Peter 3,3-14. Trinity XXVI

2. Peter 3,3-14 5924

Trinity XXVI 73

Dionysius of Alexandria, Bishop ✠ 264

17. November 2024

1. ℣ O God know, save me by/in Your Name:

℟ And judge me by/in Your strength/power (Psalm 53,3 vul lxx).

Deus in nomine tuo salvum/salva me fac:

et in virtute/fortitudine tua iudica/ulciscere me. lxx mas

O Jesus, for the sake of Your holy wounds,keep us in Your love, faithful to You unto death and die faithful to You. With You in our hearts and minds, help us to live in Your Name. Amen. (Stark 444; English 318).

2. »First of all you must know that scoffers will arrive in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say: „Where is the promise of Jesus’ arrival? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.“ For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will arrive like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodieswill be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the advent of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish, and at peace.«

3. The Apostle Peter speaks of the promise of Christ’s second advent and parousia. He is speaking about Jesus Himself and the promise to return; Jesus is faithful to his promise. Jesus is also patient, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. The apostle personally experienced Jesus’ mercy and patience, and he here emphasizes the grace and patience of our Savior who provides time for repentance and salvation.

4. Some are skeptical about this. Again the apostle is likely speaking from experience. Almost 3 decades had passed from Jesus’ promise to return and the writing of Peter’s 2^nd epistle. The unbelievers were mocking the Christians for believing this foolhardy assurance. This mockery had troubled some Christians who likewise begin to become skeptical about the promise: Well, where is Jesus? Such mockery and skepticism would intensify a few years later when Nero persecuted the Christians and both the Apostles Peter and Paul would be among the Christian martyrs. And Jesus did not return.

5. Fast forward nearly 2000 years and the same mockery and scoffing continue. Our fallen human nature is impatient, more so now with all our instantaneous access to news, information and other TV programming our attention spans are even shorter. Now the 3 minute commercial break on TV shows or broadcast sports seems too long; we want the story and the game to continue now. At the heart of skepticism is unbelief: did Jesus really say He would return? If He did, then does His delay imply He is powerless to fulfill His promise? If He didn’t, then were words put into Jesus’ mouth and passed on as truth? The unbelieving scoffer and the believing skeptic might settle for either approach for it creates doubt as to Jesus’ truthfulness and power. Furthermore, it underlies the scoffer’s opinion of Christians: they are just fools to believe in Jesus. The skeptical Christian entertains such doubts, too, and that can lead laxity in Christian living or outright rejection of one’s faith in Jesus.

6. The sinful flesh is easily persuaded to live up the ungodly lifestyle. As Luther is credited with saying anecdotally: Der alte Adam wird bei der Taufe ertränkt, aber dieser Esel ist ein guter Schwimmer. The Old Adam is drowned in Baptism, but that jackass is a good swimmer. Following our own selfish desires, the Old Adam tempts us that since Jesus’ second adventure seems to be an event way into the future, then live and overindulge on the riches and pleasures of this world. The Old Adam will even remind us that wise King Solomon said the same: »And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat, drink and be joyful« (Ecclesiastes 8,15). See, the Old Adam argues, it’s in the Bible. In addition to being a good swimmer, our Old Adam is adept at eisegesis: reading into the Scriptures what it wants us to believe. Jesus and His Apostles therefore exhort us to be ready and anticipate His return, and this involves being prepared by remaining in the faith and living holy lives in service to our Lord. We’ll hear about that in next Sunday’s Gospel Lesson.

7. We long for the return of Christ Jesus, for we are wearied and burdened by false christs who promise salvation but cannot deliver it, by false prophets who offer false hope and law burdens disguised as gospel, by those who wear us down with their incessant dating of Christ’s return that are always wrong and make Christians look like fools, by those who persecute our Christian brothers and sisters around the world, by those who ridicule and defame Christians in our society and by the cares and duties of this fallen world that weigh us down as if a millstone were hung around our necks.

8. We look back at Jesus’ 1^st advent and look forward to His 2^nd advent. The law calls from us a recognition of the folly in mocking or being skeptical of Jesus’ promise to return, and exhorts us to trust Christ’s word. In doing so, we anticipate Christ’s parousia and strive to lead lives of holiness and godliness that is a transformation by the Holy Spirit that prepares our hearts for Christ. For the Christian, Jesus’ 2^nd advent is a joyous and welcomed event.

9. The pure gospel of the crucified and risen Christ soothes burdened consciences. Every generation sees its share of tribulations that threaten to overwhelm the Church. The gospel brings us this blessed assurance (seligste Versicherung): Fear not, dear Christians, fear not, for we are saved by Christ alone (solus Christus) and no one and no thing can snatch us out of Christ’s redeeming hands: not our sins, not false teachers, not the tribulations of the world and not even the Devil himself. We are free; we are forgiven; we belong to Jesus. The gospel from today’s lessons give us a real and bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus promises to us an everlasting fellowship in His midst. „He wants to be pouring out some more. Faith is receiving His gifts—not receiving the Giver from the gifts, but the gifts from the Giver“ (Nagel 253).

10. Let the world and the Devil press against us with tribulations, doubts and despair! Our faith is purified in testing; our sins are purged away with the absolution. We have Christ, and He has rescued us from the fallen world and the hordes of devils that surround us. Christ is our Victor and Deliverer. Christ will return and loose the chains that bind us; He will lead us forth and cast this world behind us. With Him, the Anointed, our souls find their joy and rest appointed (Simon Dach Oh, How Blest Are They lsb 679,5). Amen and Amen.

11. O Jesus Christ! how long must we

Await Your advent’s dawning,

For people on earth fear and flee

The many plagues now spawning.

Draw nigh, O Thou Great Judge above,

And free us by Your gracious love

From every evil. Amen.

(Es ist gewißlich an der Zeit elkg 499,7 2021 Bartolomäus Ringwaldt 1582 nach der lat. Sequenz Dies ires, dies illa 12. Jh.)

This is most certainly true.

15. Et pax Dei, quæ exuperat omnem sensum, custodiat corda vestra, et intelligentias vestras in Christo Jesu. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4,7). Amen.

16. Let us pray. O Lord Christ, Son of the Living God, who at the last judgment wilt acknowledge all deeds of mercy to others as done onto Thee, grant in this world of sin, pain and want that we may never pass by the poor and helpless whose cry is Thine own; for the honor of Thy holy Name. Amen.

Amen. (Trinity xxvi, 2^nd Vespers Collect. The Daily Office.)

To God alone be the Glory

Gode ealdore sy se cyneþrymm

✠

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Micah 4,1-5. Trinity XXV

Micah 4,1-5 5824

25. Trinitatis. Trinity xxv 72

Florentia of Agde, France Martyr 303 (Diocletian, 284-311/12; persecution 302-11)

Leo I of Rome, Bishop and Teacher ✠ 461

Baptism 1968

10. November 2024

1. ℣ Have mercy on me, O Yahweh, for I am afflicted:

℟ Deliver me from the hand of mine enemies and from those who persecute me. (Psalm 30,10a.16b vul lxx mas).

Miserere mei, Domine, quoniam tribulor; eripe me de manu inimicorum meorum, et a persequentibus me. lxx

Miserere mei, Domine, quoniam tribulor; libera me de manu inimicorum meorum, et persequentibus me. mas

O Lord, make us to know our end and the measure of our days, that we may know how frail we are. We have here no continuing city, but we seek one that is to come. Amen. (Stark 308; English 228-29).

2. »It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of Yahweh shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it, and many nations shall go, and say: „Lo, let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, to the house of the God of Jacob, so that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in his paths.“ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the Word of Yahweh from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide disputes for strong nations far away; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore; but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid, for the mouth of Yahweh Sebaoth has spoken. For all the peoples walk each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.«

3. The Prophet Micah (750-686 bc) ministered to Judah’s kings Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. He told Judah of Yahweh’s grand plan of salvation: the Messiah will bring peace among the nations, end all conflicts and establish Divine justice. When this occurs, all humanity, not just Judah, will have Jesus as their Savior.

4. We do not live in the era of this implementation of the reign of God. The 21st century is an era of endless wars, nationalistic pride and a plethora of man-made divisions that thwart God’s Kingdom. In the U.S. we have recently concluded a brutal year of Federal and State elections that pitted voters on one side or the other where neither seem willing to end the verbal attacks and vicious rhetoric. We do well to ponder the Psalmist: »nolite confidere in principibus … cui non est salus. Put not your trust in princes … in whom there is no salvation« (Psalm 145,2b.3b mas; Psalm 146,3).

5. Even in Christ’s Church there are heated and deep divisions among Christians on theological, moral and social issues. Often times this division is the result in holding to a different gospel from that in the Scriptures and having a Jesus who is antithetical to the Jesus found in the Gospels. These divisions are not easily resolved.

6. The Word of Yahweh, particularly His law, will clear the way for His gospel. His law critiques our sinful tendencies towards violence, pride and insecurity. His law calls out any attempt to impede God’s goal of peace and justice throughout the world. His law challenges our opinions about doctrine and morality if they are opposed to His Word. His law also serves as precepts and instructions for peace and righteousness which are only the result as the gift God gives to people. His law exhorts us to seek God and His Messiah.

7. As His law does its work in us and in all people, it is clearing the path for the reception of Christ and His gospel of peace. The final prophetic words spoken to Judah were from Malachi circa 430 bc: »Thus says Yahweh Sebaoth: „Lo, I will send you the Prophet Elijah before the great and awesome day of Yahweh arrives. He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers“« (Malachi 4,5-6a). 400 years later John prepared the way for Jesus, and the Prophets Micah and Malachi were fulfilled. The people will hasten to the house of the Lord—namely, Christ (Cyril of Alexandria 3,222).

8. The Spirit of Yahweh draws all the nations to Christ. He draws them to the mountain of the house of Yahweh where the Angel of Yahweh redeemed all people on the cross. Divine justice was meted out at the cross. Jesus bore the justice of His Father’s wrath against sin on the cross. The righteous blood of Jesus justified us on the cross. The cross is the act by which Jesus establishes His righteousness, saves and justifies (Hummel 336). We need a God who is somewhere (Nagel); the ultimate and definitive somewhereness of God is Christ on the cross.

9. Christ rendered justice to many peoples beyond counting—namely, those who had been wronged—and justified them by mercy and faith. He cast out “the ruler of this world” and canceled his rule over us, convicting him of being unjust, unholy, murderous, an oppressor of the earth and under heaven (Cyril of Alexandria 3,224). Cast out and canceled along with the Devil are all his fallen angelic minions, every false christ and false prophet, all men and women, be they prince or pauper, who do his bidding knowingly or unknowingly, in short all who would hinder the reign of God and His kingdom. They are all of them defeated although they like to shout and prance around as if they are still large and in charge. In this temporal life, Christ still allows them to cling to what they once had so that they are still shouting and prancing. But Christ is now, at this moment, seated on His throne at the right hand of His Father. He rules and reigns from heaven through His Church on earth. „Our victory has been won; The Kingdom ours remaineth“ (lsb 656,4).

10. Our hearts for You, they truly ache,

Though in our minds, You’re ever near,

With love, You’ve managed to make.

Us yearn for You to soon appear.

You give us peace

And joy, no less,

A glorious life that’s blessed.

(Wir warten dein, o Gottes Sohn selk 504,3 2021 Philipp Friedrich Hiller 1767).

This is most certainly true.

18. Et pax Dei, quæ exuperat omnem sensum, custodiat corda vestra, et intelligentias vestras in Christo Jesu. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4,7). Amen.

19. Let us pray. O Almighty God, Maker of heaven and earth, Giver of light and life, so teach us those things which belong to the heavenly kingdom and those duties which are of the earth that we, stirred by the light and life of the peace of God, may be enabled faithfully to do the things committed to us, looking ever unto Thee for light and life that, being lifted above ourselves, the life of God in the soul of man may be ours, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding may then keep our hearts and minds. Amen. (Trinity XXV, 1^st Vespers Collect. The Daily Office).

To God alone be the Glory

Gode ealdore sy se cyneþrymm

✠

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

Friday, November 29, 2024

Psalm 126. Trinity XXVII

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

2. Peter 3,3-14. Trinity XXVI

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Micah 4,1-5. Trinity XXV