Proper 16 Series B study notes

 

Proper 16 Series B

Isaiah 29:11–19
Ephesians 5:22–33
Mark 7:1–13

The True Tradition of the Church Is the Ministry of the Gospel of Christ Jesus, Her Savior

The true tradition of the Church is the Gospel, which is the preaching and administration of Christ Jesus.

Other traditions, although not commanded by God, may serve and support that sacred tradition of the Gospel. But the Church dare not “[reject] the commandment of God” in order to establish or hold to “the tradition of men” (Mark 7:8–9).

Sinful people attempt to draw near to the Lord “with their mouth” and to honor Him “with their lips,” while their hearts are far removed from Him (Is. 29:13).

Yet, He is “the Holy One of Israel,” who brings about salvation by His cross. Therefore, “the wisdom of their wise men shall perish,” but “the deaf shall hear” and “the eyes of the blind shall see” (Is. 29:14–19).

This mystery of Christ is profound, for He is the Husband of the Church, and He is her Savior. Not because of any works that she has done, but solely for the sake of His great love, He “gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word” (Eph. 5:25–26).

Almighty and merciful God, defend Your Church from all false teaching and error that Your faithful people may confess You to be the only true God and rejoice in Your good gifts of life and salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit. one God, now and forever. 

Lord, cleanse us each day from our sins. We thank You that Jesus was made a fragrant sacrificial offering for us.

Traditions of Men

Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Brege

…all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders… Mark 7:3

Is tradition good or is it bad?  Actually it can be very good. It can also be very bad. And sometimes, I believe, it can be neither good nor bad…almost kind of neutral in value.

Tradition basically means to hand something over, especially words or actions.  If it means anything that is handed down from one generation to the next, then it can even describe the handing down of Holy Scripture…which is of the highest good.  If on the other hand tradition means that which has been invented by men and handed down from generation to generation, then it can be either good or bad.  This is how the word tradition is employed in our text…something invented by men and handed down from one generation to the next.

In Jesus’ day one such tradition of the elders dictated that the Jewish people had to wash their hands before a meal.  This washing of the hands was not done for sanitary reasons; it was done for ceremonial/spiritual reasons.

It is easy to understand how such a tradition came to be.  God himself had established sacred washings.  For the priests, God had commanded that they daily wash their hands and their feet before performing the tabernacle liturgy (Ex 30:18ff).  By thus cleansing their hands, God purified them to be able to handle the holy things and the holy food in His house.  By cleansing their feet, God allowed them to walk in His house.  God also required that the “unclean” (any “unclean” Israelite, not just priests) bathe in water before they could be declared clean (See e.g. Lev 14-16).  When we then encounter verses such as Psalm 24:3,4 (Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart…) we hear the emphasis on clean hands. No wonder the elders established their tradition of hand-washing, ultimately attempting to mandate it for every Jew.  Such man-mandated hand-washing stood to remind God’s people that He required purity, as indicated also by His washing mandates. Thus we see a possible positive value in such a tradition.

Today we also have salutary traditions, such as bowing the head and folding the hands for prayer, burning incense, making the sign of the cross on oneself, kneeling, employing a processional cross and facing certain directions during worship.  And though our entire liturgy is scripturally based, yet it too is a large example of salutary human tradition.  Such traditions are supposed to magnify God and His Word, magnifying especially Christ’s life, death and resurrection.  They are also observed to encourage reverence in our worship settings.  Yet they are not specifically mandated by God.  If they are enforced as some kind of law, then there is a very real danger they could mislead God’s people, perhaps giving them the impression that by doing these things they merit God’s favor.

As Christ indicated in our Gospel, tradition can be very bad either if it is considered essential or if it supersedes that which is essential.  He warned, You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men [v 7].  We now have the “commandments” of Jesus which we are to keep (Mt 28:19f).  His Gospel-oriented commandments, drawn from His cross and empty tomb, include the command to baptize, to do the Lord’s Supper, to pray, to absolve, to preach and hear the Gospel, to love one another as He loved us and to continue in His Word.  None of these are human traditions.  Any human tradition that detracts or is given to supersede these commandments is bad.  Any human tradition that supports and encourages the keeping of these commandments is good, for it is a tradition that ultimately magnifies Christ and His work of salvation.

Mark 7:1-13

Tradition and Vain Worship

Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for being overly concerned with mad-made observances while failing to fulfill God's Commandments. Such hypocrisy still abounds, as most people worry more about human opinions that what God things. Given our own failures in this regard, it is a good thing that the Lord not only commands in His Word, but also graciously forgives and promises goodness.

1 Now when the Pharisees gathered to him,(and some of) with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem,

Καὶ συνάγονται πρὸς αὐτὸν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι καί τινες τῶν γραμματέων ἐλθόντες ἀπὸ Ἱεροσολύμων

2 they saw that (some) of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (ritually)

καὶ ἰδόντες τινὰς τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ [a]ὅτι κοιναῖς χερσίν, τοῦτ’ ἔστιν ἀνίπτοις, ἐσθίουσιν [b]τοὺς [c]ἄρτους

Why did they not wash?  Had Jesus told them not to? By observation? Like His teaching on fasting? Is Jesus taking on all the leadership had heaped upon them? What makes clean?

3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders,

οἱ γὰρ Φαρισαῖοι καὶ πάντες οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι ἐὰν μὴ πυγμῇ νίψωνται τὰς χεῖρας οὐκ ἐσθίουσιν, κρατοῦντες τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν πρεσβυτέρων,

4 and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.)

καὶ ἀπ’ [d]ἀγορᾶς ἐὰν μὴ [e]βαπτίσωνται οὐκ ἐσθίουσιν, καὶ ἄλλα πολλά ἐστιν ἃ παρέλαβον κρατεῖν, βαπτισμοὺς ποτηρίων καὶ ξεστῶν καὶ χαλκίων [f]καὶ κλινῶν—

5 And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?”

[g]καὶ ἐπερωτῶσιν αὐτὸν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι καὶ οἱ γραμματεῖς· Διὰ τί [h]οὐ περιπατοῦσιν οἱ μαθηταί σου κατὰ τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν πρεσβυτέρων, ἀλλὰ [i]κοιναῖς χερσὶν ἐσθίουσιν τὸν ἄρτον;

Spoken in anger. “Traditions of the Elders” –mentioned five times in these verses.

6 And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far(away) from me;

ὁ [j]δὲ εἶπεν [k]αὐτοῖς· Καλῶς ἐπροφήτευσεν Ἠσαΐας περὶ ὑμῶν τῶν ὑποκριτῶν, ὡς γέγραπται [l]ὅτι Οὗτος ὁ λαὸς τοῖς χείλεσίν με τιμᾷ, ἡ δὲ καρδία αὐτῶν πόρρω ἀπέχει ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ·

Jesus will yell as their presumed self-righteousness. Buying righteousness with gifts above the tithe. And they were lording it over those who did not.

These sacrifices were weak.

7 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

μάτην δὲ σέβονταί με, διδάσκοντες διδασκαλίας ἐντάλματα ἀνθρώπων· 

In vein they worship “Me”

8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to (cling to) the tradition of men.”

[m]ἀφέντες τὴν ἐντολὴν τοῦ θεοῦ κρατεῖτε τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν [n]ἀνθρώπων.

They set off, let go, leave behind, the commandments of God.

“Commandment” is singular – in Vv. 8,9 He gives an example. Yet it all hinges on the first commandment.

Vv. 9-13 Jesus gives a concrete example of the Pharisees' hypocritical piety. He describes them as failing to obey the 4th Commandment because they consider it more important to give special offerings than to support elderly parents.  Such piety is ultimately self-serving and a sham.

9 And he said to them, “You have a fine way of a rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!

Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· Καλῶς ἀθετεῖτε τὴν ἐντολὴν τοῦ θεοῦ, ἵνα τὴν παράδοσιν ὑμῶν [o]τηρήσητε· 

10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’

Μωϋσῆς γὰρ εἶπεν· Τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα σου, καί· Ὁ κακολογῶν πατέρα ἢ μητέρα θανάτῳ τελευτάτω·

11 But you say, ‘If a man (should say to) tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban” ’ (that is, given to God)—

ὑμεῖς δὲ λέγετε· Ἐὰν εἴπῃ ἄνθρωπος τῷ πατρὶ ἢ τῇ μητρί· Κορβᾶν, ὅ ἐστιν Δῶρον, ὃ ἐὰν ἐξ ἐμοῦ ὠφεληθῇς,

"Corban" was an offering above and beyond the tithes required by the Mosaic Law.

The Pharisees and scribes expected the disciples and Jesus to follow their ritual practices, especially those involving washing.  Jesus' quote of Isaiah is to rebuke the hypocrisy of His pharisaical accusers. This passage contrast insincere lip service with heartfelt obedience. See Isaiah 1:2-3

Jesus' rebuke is aimed the Pharisees; elevating of human tradition above divine commandment.

12 then you no longer permit him to do (nothng) anything for his father or mother,

  [p]οὐκέτι ἀφίετε αὐτὸν οὐδὲν ποιῆσαι τῷ [q]πατρὶ ἢ τῇ [r]μητρί,

13 thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

ἀκυροῦντες τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ τῇ παραδόσει ὑμῶν ᾗ παρεδώκατε· καὶ παρόμοια τοιαῦτα πολλὰ ποιεῖτε.

Sources:

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016.  Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

SBL Greek New Testament (SBLGNT)

Scripture quotations marked SBLGNT are from the The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

Proper 16

(27 August 2023)

Series A

Isaiah 51:1–6

Romans 11:33—12:8

Matthew 16:13–20

The Lord Jesus Christ Is the Son of the Living God

Jesus asked His disciples: “But who do you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:15). The question is also put to us: Who do you say that He is? Flesh and blood do not reveal this to us, but by the ministry of the Gospel the Father in heaven reveals His Son to us on earth, who has become flesh and suffered death for our salvation. Thus we believe and confess that He is “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt 16:16). As He died for our transgressions and was raised for our justification, He looses us from all our sins and preserves our life within His Church, against which even “the gates of hell shall not prevail” (Matt. 16:18–19). His salvation is forever, and His righteousness “will never be dismayed” (Is. 51:6). He comforts us with the Gospel in His Church, so that “joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song” (Is. 51:3). Therefore, “according to the measure of faith that God has assigned” (Rom. 12:3), we also offer ourselves “as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Rom. 12:1) through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

The Foundational Creed
Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege

You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matthew 16:16)

A creed is a confession of what a person believes, and it may be derived from any number of sources.  Creeds are drawn from public opinion, dreams, science, life experiences, etc.  Everyone has creeds.  When people say, “I don’t believe in creeds,” they have just stated a creed.  A creed may also include statements of what a person does NOT believe.

In Sunday’s Gospel Jesus asked His apostles for creeds:  Who do people say that the Son of Man is (v 13)?  Some believed Jesus was John the Baptist (resurrected), others believed He was the long awaited Elijah, the prophet promised to precede the Christ, and still others thought Jesus was the “representative prophet” Jeremiah or another prophet.  Every one of these was an incorrect creed; they were wrong beliefs, beliefs that would lead to a dead end.  Finally Simon Peter spoke the rock-solid creed:  You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. All valid religious creeds come from God and are linked to Peter’s confession.

The author of the epistle to the Hebrews summarizes the source of Christian creeds:  God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… (1:1,2).  In summary, the Spirit-inspired Scripture is the source from which we draw our creeds.  Through the Old Testament prophets and through His Son’s New Testament revelation the Father sent His Spirit so Peter could make his foundational confession:  You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Christ Jesus would indeed build His Church upon Peter’s creed.  Thus it should come as no surprise that the New Testament repeatedly echoes this creed.  Just a couple of examples:  At His baptism Jesus is anointed as the Christ, with the Father declaring Him to be the beloved Son.  When Jesus asked Martha whether she believed Him to be the resurrection and the life, she responded, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God (Jn 11:27).  Saint John summarizes the reason for writing his gospel:  [T]hese are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (20:31). When Jesus was on trial in front of the Jewish leaders, they wanted answers to two questions:  If you are the Christ, tell us (Lu 22:67); Are you the Son of God?  (Lu 22:70).  Jesus was sentenced to die not only because of His supposed false identity as the Christ, the Son of God, but because this was the purpose of the Christ, God’s Son made flesh.  After Paul’s calling to be an Apostle, immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” (Acts 9:20).  Then, as if scripted, Luke records that Saul (Paul) confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ (v 22).

One of the first Christian creeds was summarized in the Greek by an acronym for “fish”.  In English it states, Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior.  All other creeds of the Christian church—from the Apostles and Nicene creeds to the Concordia—are but expansions on what it means for Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of God.  Of course these creeds draw their belief statements from Holy Scripture.

The foundational creed is that Jesus is the Christ, for to be the Christ also meant that He must be the Son of God.  It should thus come as no surprise that Mark’s account of Peter’s confession condenses the foundational creed about Jesus simply to, You are the Christ (8:29).  And as the Christ what did the incarnate Son of God have to do?  Jesus explains:  Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory (Lu 24:26)?  Every valid religious creed has this as its key:  The Christ, God’s Son, came to save mankind by dying and rising from the dead.  All Christian creeds, as that foundationally confessed by Simon Peter, do not lead to a dead end, they lead to life eternal.

Proper 16 Series A 

Romans 11:33-12:8

Rock Sunday

Old Testament - Abraham the Rock from Which Israelis Hewn  

Gospel - Matthew 16:13-20  The confession of St. Peter 

Hymn of the Day - "Built on the Rock"

Strong parallel with the Old Testament Abraham and Sarah

11:33  A Doxology of praise - Paul worshipping as he reflects on the worship of God lived out in the life of the Christian in chapter 12 this is a worship of God's mercy which is bottomless

ta krimata. - "judgments"

"Unsearchable" - "incomprehensible"  Not to be tracked out...beyond description...

11:34: who first gave to God? Who paid God?  God owes no man...

11:36 - the end of all things Col.1:20 all things created for Him  what happened before, now, and what is to come.

Romans 12:1ff

Sanctification flows out of Justification Imperatives flow first from the Gospel I comfort you, encourage, urge you,  this is your appropriate worship...in light of the Gospel (the mercies of the Gospel) is the therefore which recalls everything God has done for you.

A sacrifice is something that has been killed. We're not called to bleed, not atoning for sin...but something really is being put to death (daily) daily/hourly offering ourselves to God...a death to sin not for sin.  See Romans 6

This is your daily worship Romans 9 a continuation of the Old Testament worship. Christian life is the liturgy we do after the liturgy.

"Appropriate worship" brought back to be...what is appropriate/logical to do.

Our life is a response to God's service...

Paul says "present your bodies" not gnostic...your body is you...the whole person...present all of you to God in your vocation and station of life...what you do with your body is a reflection of the soul.

12:2  do not adapted to the pattern of this present world By renewing of your mind...see Romans 7 the mind affirms will of God, the central control of the new man. To probe the will of God what is God's will into the life God has called me. How do we probe the will of God through the Word...in our  vocation we have free will...in the things below us.

12:3 do not consider your calling as superior to others...we are sacramental Ly and forensically one.

12:4-8

What you are doing - how does it relate to faith?

Prophecy - narrow or broad?  First classifications (four) clergy, last (three) - laity

One who gives, w/o an agenda

Administrative powers

Acts of mercy 

Time in the Word - Proper 16

Time in the Word

Proper 16
21–26 August 2023

There Is No Other God than Jesus Christ

In Jesus’ day, people had many ideas about who this Jesus was. Simon Peter made the bold and true confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” (Matt 16:17) Likewise, in our day, people wonder about Jesus. Was He merely a rabble-rousing Jew. A revolutionary? A great teacher? Did He exist at all? With Peter, we must be bold and proclaim the truth: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” The eternal second Person of the Trinity came down from heaven, assumed flesh and was born of a virgin, lived, died, and rose again for the remission of the sins of all people. He is the One of whom the psalmist tells us in the Introit God declared, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.” (Psalm 2:6) No one could have imagined that this would be the way which the Lord would send One to deliver the world. This is why St Paul writes in the epistle reading, Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! (Romans 11:33) The illustration above carries the title of our Lord: the Anointed One, or, in Greek, ὁΧριστός, the Christ.

Monday, 21 August 2023—Psalm 2:6–7; Psalm 117; Antiphon, Psalm 115:18—Next Sunday’s Introit comes is take from three psalms. Psalm 2 is one of the most important messianic psalms, pointing directly to Christ. Psalm 117, the shortest psalm, is Hallelujah song that calls upon all nations to praise the Lord for His steadfast love and faithfulness in keeping His promise to send a Savior to redeem us from sin. The antiphon expands the call to praise the Lord to all time. Thus, all people everywhere and of all times, Praise the Lord!

Tuesday, 22 August 2023—Psalm 138—The beginning three verses and ending two verses of this psalm of David are David’s vow to praise the Lord for His deliverance and protection. The middle three verses, like the Introit call upon all the kings of the earth to give thanks and sing of the ways and the glory of the Lord. His love and mercy extend to all peoples of all time. Christ is the Redeemer of the entire world.

Wednesday, 23 August 2023—Isaiah 51:1–6—In chapter 40, the Lord said, “Comfort, comfort My people.” The comfort would be provided by a Savior, one who would deliver His people out of exile in Babylon, out of exile in a land of idolaters. Chapter 42 begins telling us of this great Savior, who is portrayed as a Suffering Servant. The portion of Isaiah 51 used for next Sunday’s Old Testament reading once again assures God’s people of the comfort which He will provide them: joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song. From where would such comfort be provided? He would be a Descendant of Abraham and Sarah (v. 2), but would bring His light to the peoples, that is, all peoples, not just other descendants of Abraham and Sarah, but for us Gentiles, as well.

Thursday, 24 August 2023—Romans 11:33—12:8—St Paul’s splendid hymn of praise at the end of chapter 11 follows several chapters of his teaching about the salvation of all people—Jews and Gentiles alike—and extols the wisdom and knowledge of the one true God who conceived of, and brought about His plan of Salvation.

He then gives practical advice as to what shape our response to God’s love and mercy in Christ ought to take: in leading lives that are acceptable to God, who, by His Word, transforms our minds, that we may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Friday, 25 August 2020—Matthew 16:13–20—The Holy Christian Church is founded upon the confession of Peter—that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. This Church, the Body of Christ, is not distinguished by race or origin, but by those who despair of their own works and trust solely in the merits of Christ, the promised Redeemer, for their salvation.

The Lord asks two important questions at this moment, in this location and of His disciples. The answers to the questions were important for them and also for His followers today. There can be no doubt that Jesus was aware of the gravity of the question being asked. They are the two important questions of faith.

Ø  “Who do men say that I am?

Ø  “But you, who do you say I am?”

Saturday, 26 August 2023—Sunday’s hymn of the day is Built on the Rock (LSB #645). It is based on the Gospel reading, the confession of St Peter which is the Rock on which Christ’s Church is founded. The last stanza confesses the same truth which is confessed in the Augsburg Confession: The Church is the congregation of saints in which the Gospel is purely taught and the Sacraments are correctly administered.

Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life, grant us to know Your Son, Jesus Christ to be the way the truth and the life that we may boldly confess Him to be the Christ and steadfastly walk in the way that leads to life eternal; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Collect for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost: Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life, grant us to know Your Son, Jesus, to be the way, the truth, and the life that we may boldly confess Him to be the Christ and steadfastly walk in the way that leads to life eternal; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Prayer for the Church: Almighty God, grant to Your Church Your Holy Spirit and the wisdom that comes down from above, that Your Word may not be bound but have free course and be preached to the joy and edifying of Christ’s holy people, that in steadfast faith we may serve You and, in the confession of Your name, abide unto the end; 

Prayer for the Holy Ministry: O almighty God, Your Son, Jesus Christ, gave to His holy apostles many excellent gifts and commanded them earnestly to feed His flock. Make all pastors diligent to preach Your holy Work and the people obedient to follow it that together they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; 

Prayer for Church musicians and artists: God of majesty, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven, be with Your servants who make art and music for Your people that with joy we on earth may glimpse Your beauty. Bring us to the fulfillment of that hope of perfection that will be ours as we stand before Your unveiled glory; 

Prayer for those who hold special offices in the Church: Lord of the Church, in whose name all who oversee and serve Your flock have been called, grant Your servants all the gifts necessary for the godly administration of their duties for the up building of Your Church that they may bring glory to Your name;

Artwork by Ed Riojas, © Higher Things

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006Concordia Publishing House

Proper 16 Series C

Isaiah 66:18–23

Hebrews 12:4–24 (25–29)

Luke 13:22–30

The Cross of Christ Is the Way into the Kingdom of God

With the cross of Christ, the time has come “to gather all nations and tongues” (Isaiah 66:18). The sign of the cross is set forth in the preaching of the Gospel, the declaration of the Lord’s glory “among the nations” (Isaiah 66:19). Many “will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God” (Luke 13:29), but only by the narrow way of the cross. Those who refuse to follow Christ crucified will ultimately find only “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Luke 13:28), whereas Christ’s disciples, called from all the nations, will eat and drink with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of God. They will come into “the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.” (Hebrews 12:22).

Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege

To those pleading to enter through the closed door of Christ’s eternal kingdom the Lord answers:  “I do not know where you come from.” (Luke 12:25).  When they give what they think constitutes eligibility to enter, the Lord repeats:  “I tell you, I do not know where you come from.” (v. 27).  Certainly this gives us pause to ask ourselves, “Where do I come from?”

From Scripture we learn that we come from Adam, and in Adam all die.  We learn that we are conceived and born sinners, having come forth and descended from sinners.  We learn that we come forth spiritually dead, unable in our flesh to please God at all.  We learn that when we try to approach God we come from the domain of the ruler of this world, and thus we stand as God’s enemies.  Based on where we come from, it looks like we will never be able to enter through the narrow door.

Of course Jesus knows each of these “sources” of our evil existence.  Why then does He state, “I do not know where you come from.”?  Perhaps we can compare it to presenting a passport in order to enter a given country. An official looks carefully at it to see where the owner of the passport came from and whether the passport information is correct.  If it is a fake passport, or if it is a passport identifying citizenship in an enemy state, the official could say something like, “With this passport we do not recognize where you are from, you may not enter.”  Recognizing where a person is from is key to allowing entrance into an earthly nation.  It is even more important in allowing entrance into the heavenly realms.  Indeed our “passport” must prove where we are from, that our citizenship is in heaven.

The Jews, boasting that they were from Abraham, thought that this gave them valid passports.  Some, according to the parable, boasted that they had rubbed shoulders with Jesus as they ate in His presence and He taught in their streets.  Likewise this did not make them eligible to enter the narrow door.

Jesus—conceived by the Holy Spirit, born sinless, not coming from Satan’s domain—came into this world to give mankind a new passport, a new passport that identifies us as citizens of a sweet and blessed country.  To create such a passport Christ Jesus had to first conquer all the enemy “states” from which we came.  By His death He conquers the “states” of sin and sinfulness.  By His resurrection He shows His victory over the “domains” of Satan and death.  Having freed us from our old “states” Jesus wants to give to all a new passport, giving to each of us a new citizenship.

There is only one valid passport allowing entrance into God’s kingdom where those possessing such a passport may recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the prophets.  That is the passport that has the picture of Jesus, identifying Him as coming from God and going back to Him.  Now, in our Baptism, He gives to each of us this passport.  In Baptism we are born again, we are made a new creation in Christ.  In Baptism we are so thoroughly covered with Christ that when the Father looks at each of us, He sees His beloved Son—the only one who could be pictured on the passport identifying where we are from and where we are headed.  In Christ alone we may enter the narrow door, for in Him we come from heaven, and in Him we return.

Luke 13:22-30 

The Narrow Door

Luke 13.22 

Καὶ διεπορεύετο κατὰ πόλεις καὶ κώμας διδάσκων καὶ πορείαν ποιούμενος εἰς εροσόλυμα.

He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem.

:22 - are these the same villages as the sending of the 72?  

Note, Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem. Recall all of Jesus' teaching this far. Within the context of verse 23 these are difficult teachings. 

Luke 13.23 

 εἶπεν δέ τις αὐτῷ• Κύριε, εἰ ὀλίγοι οἱ σῳζόμενοι; ὁ δὲ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτούς•

And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 

:23-24 - some will not have the strength. Can any be saved? Jesus will speak in the second person - He speaks to you. He is patient but redirects the conversation.  How do you translate the ὅτι "hauti" clause in verse 24? 

It is not law but calling them to repentance and faith. 

"Many seek" no one is strong enough. This is all Law. 

The fact is you are out. All are out, He is the door. Only through Him can you enter. NOT "do more" or  "try harder." You can not force yourself through.

Luke 13.24 

 Ἀγωνίζεσθε εἰσελθεῖν διὰ τῆς στενῆς θύρας, ὅτι πολλοί, λέγω ὑμῖν, ζητήσουσιν εἰσελθεῖν καὶ οὐκ ἰσχύσουσιν,

“Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 

Luke 13.25 

ἀφ’ οὗ ἂν ἐγερθῇ ὁ οἰκοδεσπότης καὶ ἀποκλείσῃ τὴν θύραν, καὶ ἄρξησθε ἔξω ἑστάναι καὶ κρούειν τὴν θύραν λέγοντες• Κύριε, ἄνοιξον ἡμῖν• καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ἐρεῖ ὑμῖν• Οὐκ οἶδα ὑμᾶς πόθεν ἐστέ.

When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 

:25 - he will answer I do not know you from where you are. A question of origin. They come from the wrong place and have the wrong Father. There are no more frightening words in Scripture. You come from the wrong family. They call you Lord. See - Matthew 7:22  they prophecy in His name. Salvation is dependent on His knowing. God's faithfulness is stronger than your faith.

Luke 13.26 

τότε ἄρξεσθε λέγειν• Ἐφάγομεν ἐνώπιόν σου καὶ ἐπίομεν, καὶ ἐν ταῖς πλατείαις ἡμῶν ἐδίδαξας•

Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 

:26 - we are in your face and you taught in our open spaces. A juxtaposition against Jesus being one of many gods. A difference between knowing about Jesus; {fides humana faith accomplished by man's power alone - See Jeremiah 9:23-24} and a faith which saves. {fides divina a faith accomplished by the word, the Holy Spirit, and God - See Jeremiah 31:33-34} There is a difference between historical knowledge and saving faith. 

Luke 13.27 

καὶ ἐρεῖ λέγων ὑμῖν• Οὐκ οἶδα πόθεν ἐστέ• ἀπόστητε ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ, πάντες ἐργάται ἀδικίας.

But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ 

:27 - "Step off,! You are apostate!" 

He highlights their works but they are unrighteous. 

Luke 13.28 

ἐκεῖ ἔσται ὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων, ὅταν ὄψησθε Ἀβραὰμ καὶ Ἰσαὰκ καὶ Ἰακὼβ καὶ πάντας τοὺς προφήτας ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τοῦ θεοῦ, ὑμᾶς δὲ ἐκβαλλομένους ἔξω.

In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. 

:28 - there will be THE weeping and THE gnashing of teeth. They claim to have Abraham as father. But faith is directed away from these.

Luke 13.29 

καὶ ἥξουσιν ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν καὶ δυσμῶν καὶ ἀπὸ βορρᾶ καὶ νότου καὶ ἀνακλιθήσονται ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τοῦ θεοῦ. 

And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. 

:29 - a reference to the Gentiles. A reversal. Those who think they are close are out. Those afar are included. 

Luke 13.30

καὶ ἰδοὺ εἰσὶν ἔσχατοι οἳ ἔσονται πρῶτοι, καὶ εἰσὶν πρῶτοι οἳ ἔσονται ἔσχατοι.

And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

:30 - "Right here and now in time and space in front of your face" - there are those who are last who will be first and first who will be last.  

He is forsaken so you can be chosen. See Epistle lesson for the day. 

Sources:

ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

Time in the Word - Proper 16

Proper 16

August 15-20, 2022

The Cross of Christ is the Way into the Kingdom of God

With the cross of Christ, the time has come “to gather all nations and tongues” (Is. 66:18). The sign of the cross is set forth in the preaching of the Gospel, the declaration of the Lord’s glory “among the nations” (Is. 66:19). Many “will come from east and west, and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God” (Luke 13:29), but only by the narrow way of the cross. Those who refuse to follow Christ crucified will ultimately find only “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Luke 13:28), whereas Christ’s disciples, called from all the nations, will eat and drink with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of God. They will come into “the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem” (Heb. 12:22).

Collect for Proper 16 O Lord, You have called us to enter Your kingdom through the narrow door. Guide us by Your Word and Spirit, and lead us now and always into the feast of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Prayer for pardon, growth in grace, and divine protection: O Lord, our God, we acknowledge Your great goodness toward us and praise You for the mercy and grace that our eyes have seen, our ears have heard, and our hearts have known. We sincerely repent of the sins of this day and those in the past. Pardon our offenses, correct and reform what is lacking in us, and help us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Inscribe Your law upon our hearts, and equip us to serve You with holy and blameless lives. May each day remind us of the coming of the night when no one can work. In the emptiness of this present age keep us united by a living faith through the power of Your Holy Spirit with Him who is the resurrection and the life, that we may escape the eternal bitter pains of condemnation.

By Your Holy Spirit bless the preaching of Your Word and the administration of Your Sacraments. Preserve these gifts to us and to all Christians. Guard and protect us from all dangers to body and soul. Grant that we may with faithful perseverance receive from You our sorrows as well as our joys, knowing that health and sickness, riches and poverty, and all things come by permission of Your fatherly hand. Keep us this day under Your protective care and preserve us, securely trusting in Your everlasting goodness and love, for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

  

Monday, 15 August 2022—Psalm 117; antiphon, Psalm 96:6a; 115:18—Psalm 117, the shortest of the psalms, comprising only two verses, is paired with an antiphon that announces, Splendor and majesty are before him; we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord. The splendor and majesty of the Lord are shown chiefly in His steadfast love toward us and in His faithfulness, which endures forever.

Tuesday, 16 August 2022—Psalm 50:1–15—This psalm of Asaph speaks of the Lord as a mighty Judge. The Lord will judge all men based on their faithfulness and trust in Him, not on the outward show of ritual and religion. We must ever be on our guard, that we do not just ‘go through the motions,’ but that our hearts are right: that is, that we trust not in ourselves, nor in any earthly rulers or things, but solely in God the Lord for our salvation. He alone can accomplish it, and He delights in our trust in Him. Call upon me in the day of trouble, He exhorts us, and promises, I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.

Wednesday, 17 August 2022—Isaiah 66:18–23—In this, the last chapter of the great Gospel-drenched Book of Isaiah, the Lord speaks to His faithful. They will rejoice at the revelation of His glory, especially at the Last Day, when this present age shall pass away and God will bring forth new heavens and a new earth. The adoration of the Lord by the faithful shall never cease. Tragically, however, the torment of those who have rebelled against the Lord shall also not cease. Let us, then, ever remain faithful to the Lord and to His Word, that we may be counted among those whom the Lord, through the Holy Spirit, brings in from all the nations.

Thursday, 18 August 2022—Hebrews 12:4–24—We continue our reading through the latter chapters of Hebrews with an exhortation to remain faithful, even when suffering or persecution befalls us. We are not to regard such as punishment, but as discipline, as from a loving Father. the goal of such discipline is not the suffering, but the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Friday, 20 August 2022—Luke 13:22–30—Christ Jesus was born for one purpose: to suffer and die for the sins of the world. In the Gospel reading for Sunday, we see Him journeying toward Jerusalem, where His mission will be accomplished. Along the way, He performed many miracles and also taught the people, as He does here.

A common question, then as now, is, ‘Who will be saved?’ Instead, Jesus answers the question, ‘How will they be saved?’ The answer is, only through Christ. He is the narrow door through which the heavenly banquet is entered. He counsels us to strive and to struggle to enter. Our struggle is against our own flesh and blood, which wants eternal life on its own terms, and against the demonic forces of the devil, who wants all men to be damned. We are not to delay in entering the door, that is, trusting in Christ alone for our salvation, and turning our backs on the devil, the world, and our sinful desires. For those who reject Christ, there is only weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Saturday, 20 August 2022—Sunday’s Hymn of the Day, A Multitude Comes from the East and the West(LSB #510), uses the imagery of the feast from the Gospel reading. Partaking of the unending feast in the kingdom of heaven will be the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, along with all the faithful from the East and the West, people from every nation under heaven. What they have in common is their trust in the goodness of the Lord.

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House

Face of Christ: http://spiritlessons.com/Documnets/Jesus_Pictures/Jesus_Christ_Pictures.htm

Proper 16 Series B

Proper 16 Series B

Isaiah 29:11–19

Ephesians 5:22–33

Mark 7:1–13

The True Tradition of the Church Is the Ministry of the Gospel of Christ Jesus, Her Savior

The true tradition of the Church is the Gospel, which is the preaching and administration of Christ Jesus.

Other traditions, although not commanded by God, may serve and support that sacred tradition of the Gospel. But the Church dare not “[reject] the commandment of God” in order to establish or hold to “the tradition of men” (Mark 7:8–9).

Sinful people attempt to draw near to the Lord “with their mouth” and to honor Him “with their lips,” while their hearts are far removed from Him (Is. 29:13).

Yet, He is “the Holy One of Israel,” who brings about salvation by His cross. Therefore, “the wisdom of their wise men shall perish,” but “the deaf shall hear” and “the eyes of the blind shall see” (Is. 29:14–19).

This mystery of Christ is profound, for He is the Husband of the Church, and He is her Savior. Not because of any works that she has done, but solely for the sake of His great love, He “gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word” (Eph. 5:25–26).

Almighty and merciful God, defend Your Church from all false teaching and error that Your faithful people may confess You to be the only true God and rejoice in Your good gifts of life and salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit. one God, now and forever. 

Lord, cleanse us each day from our sins. We thank You that Jesus was made a fragrant sacrificial offering for us.

Traditions of Men

Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Brege

 …all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders… Mark 7:3

Is tradition good or is it bad?  Actually it can be very good. It can also be very bad. And sometimes, I believe, it can be neither good nor bad…almost kind of neutral in value.

Tradition basically means to hand something over, especially words or actions.  If it means anything that is handed down from one generation to the next, then it can even describe the handing down of Holy Scripture…which is of the highest good.  If on the other hand tradition means that which has been invented by men and handed down from generation to generation, then it can be either good or bad.  This is how the word tradition is employed in our text…something invented by men and handed down from one generation to the next.

In Jesus’ day one such tradition of the elders dictated that the Jewish people had to wash their hands before a meal.  This washing of the hands was not done for sanitary reasons; it was done for ceremonial/spiritual reasons.

It is easy to understand how such a tradition came to be.  God himself had established sacred washings.  For the priests, God had commanded that they daily wash their hands and their feet before performing the tabernacle liturgy (Ex 30:18ff).  By thus cleansing their hands, God purified them to be able to handle the holy things and the holy food in His house.  By cleansing their feet, God allowed them to walk in His house.  God also required that the “unclean” (any “unclean” Israelite, not just priests) bathe in water before they could be declared clean (See e.g. Lev 14-16).  When we then encounter verses such as Psalm 24:3,4 (Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart…) we hear the emphasis on clean hands. No wonder the elders established their tradition of hand-washing, ultimately attempting to mandate it for every Jew.  Such man-mandated hand-washing stood to remind God’s people that He required purity, as indicated also by His washing mandates. Thus we see a possible positive value in such a tradition.

Today we also have salutary traditions, such as bowing the head and folding the hands for prayer, burning incense, making the sign of the cross on oneself, kneeling, employing a processional cross and facing certain directions during worship.  And though our entire liturgy is scripturally based, yet it too is a large example of salutary human tradition.  Such traditions are supposed to magnify God and His Word, magnifying especially Christ’s life, death and resurrection.  They are also observed to encourage reverence in our worship settings.  Yet they are not specifically mandated by God.  If they are enforced as some kind of law, then there is a very real danger they could mislead God’s people, perhaps giving them the impression that by doing these things they merit God’s favor.

As Christ indicated in our Gospel, tradition can be very bad either if it is considered essential or if it supersedes that which is essential.  He warned, You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men [v 7].  We now have the “commandments” of Jesus which we are to keep (Mt 28:19f).  His Gospel-oriented commandments, drawn from His cross and empty tomb, include the command to baptize, to do the Lord’s Supper, to pray, to absolve, to preach and hear the Gospel, to love one another as He loved us and to continue in His Word.  None of these are human traditions.  Any human tradition that detracts or is given to supersede these commandments is bad.  Any human tradition that supports and encourages the keeping of these commandments is good, for it is a tradition that ultimately magnifies Christ and His work of salvation.

Mark 7:1-13

Tradition and Vain Worship

Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for being overly concerned with mad-made observances while failing to fulfill God's Commandments. Such hypocrisy still abounds, as most people worry more about human opinions that what God things. Given our own failures in this regard, it is a good thing that the Lord not only commands in His Word, but also graciously forgives and promises goodness.

1 Now when the Pharisees gathered to him,(and some of) with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem,

Καὶ συνάγονται πρὸς αὐτὸν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι καί τινες τῶν γραμματέων ἐλθόντες ἀπὸ Ἱεροσολύμων

2 they saw that (some) of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (ritually)

καὶ ἰδόντες τινὰς τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ [a]ὅτι κοιναῖς χερσίν, τοῦτ’ ἔστιν ἀνίπτοις, ἐσθίουσιν [b]τοὺς [c]ἄρτους

Why did they not wash?  Had Jesus told them not to? By observation? Like His teaching on fasting? Is Jesus taking on all the leadership had heaped upon them? What makes clean?

3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders,

οἱ γὰρ Φαρισαῖοι καὶ πάντες οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι ἐὰν μὴ πυγμῇ νίψωνται τὰς χεῖρας οὐκ ἐσθίουσιν, κρατοῦντες τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν πρεσβυτέρων,

 4 and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.)

καὶ ἀπ’ [d]ἀγορᾶς ἐὰν μὴ [e]βαπτίσωνται οὐκ ἐσθίουσιν, καὶ ἄλλα πολλά ἐστιν ἃ παρέλαβον κρατεῖν, βαπτισμοὺς ποτηρίων καὶ ξεστῶν καὶ χαλκίων [f]καὶ κλινῶν—

5 And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?”

[g]καὶ ἐπερωτῶσιν αὐτὸν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι καὶ οἱ γραμματεῖς· Διὰ τί [h]οὐ περιπατοῦσιν οἱ μαθηταί σου κατὰ τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν πρεσβυτέρων, ἀλλὰ [i]κοιναῖς χερσὶν ἐσθίουσιν τὸν ἄρτον;

Spoken in anger. “Traditions of the Elders” –mentioned five times in these verses.

6 And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far(away) from me;

ὁ [j]δὲ εἶπεν [k]αὐτοῖς· Καλῶς ἐπροφήτευσεν Ἠσαΐας περὶ ὑμῶν τῶν ὑποκριτῶν, ὡς γέγραπται [l]ὅτι Οὗτος ὁ λαὸς τοῖς χείλεσίν με τιμᾷ, ἡ δὲ καρδία αὐτῶν πόρρω ἀπέχει ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ·

Jesus will yell as their presumed self-righteousness. Buying righteousness with gifts above the tithe. And they were lording it over those who did not.

These sacrifices were weak.

7 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

μάτην δὲ σέβονταί με, διδάσκοντες διδασκαλίας ἐντάλματα ἀνθρώπων· 

In vein they worship “Me”

8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to (cling to) the tradition of men.”

 [m]ἀφέντες τὴν ἐντολὴν τοῦ θεοῦ κρατεῖτε τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν [n]ἀνθρώπων.

They set off, let go, leave behind, the commandments of God.

“Commandment” is singular – in Vv. 8,9 He gives an example. Yet it all hinges on the first commandment.

Vv. 9-13 Jesus gives a concrete example of the Pharisees' hypocritical piety. He describes them as failing to obey the 4th Commandment because they consider it more important to give special offerings than to support elderly parents.  Such piety is ultimately self-serving and a sham.

9 And he said to them, “You have a fine way of a rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!

Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· Καλῶς ἀθετεῖτε τὴν ἐντολὴν τοῦ θεοῦ, ἵνα τὴν παράδοσιν ὑμῶν [o]τηρήσητε· 

10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’

 Μωϋσῆς γὰρ εἶπεν· Τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα σου, καί· Ὁ κακολογῶν πατέρα ἢ μητέρα θανάτῳ τελευτάτω·

11 But you say, ‘If a man (should say to) tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban” ’ (that is, given to God)—

ὑμεῖς δὲ λέγετε· Ἐὰν εἴπῃ ἄνθρωπος τῷ πατρὶ ἢ τῇ μητρί· Κορβᾶν, ὅ ἐστιν Δῶρον, ὃ ἐὰν ἐξ ἐμοῦ ὠφεληθῇς,

"Corban" was an offering above and beyond the tithes required by the Mosaic Law.

The Pharisees and scribes expected the disciples and Jesus to follow their ritual practices, especially those involving washing.  Jesus' quote of Isaiah is to rebuke the hypocrisy of His pharisaical accusers. This passage contrast insincere lip service with heartfelt obedience. See Isaiah 1:2-3

Jesus' rebuke is aimed the Pharisees; elevating of human tradition above divine commandment.

 12 then you no longer permit him to do (nothng) anything for his father or mother,

  [p]οὐκέτι ἀφίετε αὐτὸν οὐδὲν ποιῆσαι τῷ [q]πατρὶ ἢ τῇ [r]μητρί,

13 thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

 ἀκυροῦντες τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ τῇ παραδόσει ὑμῶν ᾗ παρεδώκατε· καὶ παρόμοια τοιαῦτα πολλὰ ποιεῖτε.

 sources:

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016.  Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

SBL Greek New Testament (SBLGNT)

Scripture quotations marked SBLGNT are from the The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

Time in the Word - Proper 16

Time in the Word

Preparing for Pentecost 13 –Proper 16 

August 16-21, 2021

The True Tradition of the Church Is the Ministry of the Gospel of Christ Jesus, Her Savior

The true tradition of the Church is the Gospel, which is the preaching and administration of Christ Jesus. Other traditions, although not commanded by God, may serve and support that sacred tradition of the Gospel. But the Church dare not “[reject] the commandment of God” in order to establish or hold to “the tradition of men” (Mark 7:8–9). Sinful people attempt to draw near to the Lord “with their mouth” and to honor Him “with their lips,” while their hearts are far removed from Him (Isaiah 29:13). Yet, He is “the Holy One of Israel,” who brings about salvation by His cross. Therefore, “the wisdom of their wise men shall perish,” but “the deaf shall hear” and “the eyes of the blind shall see” (Isaiah 29:14–19). This mystery of Christ is profound, for He is the Husband of the Church, and He is her Savior. Not because of any works that she has done, but solely for the sake of His great love, He “gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word” (Ephesians 5:25–26).

Lord Jesus Christ, our support and defense in every need, continue to preserve Your Church in safety, govern her by Your goodness, and bless her with Your peace; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Lord of all power and might, Author and Giver of all good things, graft in our hearts the love of Your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord we pray. Amen.

Some thoughts concerning our worship life together …

Hearing the Word of God, the people respond with words of praise. The Gradual is a Proper. It is a portion of a psalm of other Scripture passage that provides a response after the Old Testament Reading. The Epistle lesson gives us God’s counsel on how His gracious Word is applied to the hearer and the Church. Often in this reading we hear how God’s Word accomplishes what it says-creating faith, bestowing forgiveness, strengthening God’s people in their struggles against sin, and enlivening in them the hope of eternal life. 

Monday, August 16, 2021 – Psalm 26 – Next week’s Introit is an appeal for God to take account of David’s moral integrity, his unwavering trust, and his genuine delight in the Lord. This is not a boast of self-righteousness, but an appeal to God. The Antiphon is taken from verse 8, “I love the house where You live, O Lord, the place where Your glory dwells.”  

Tuesday, August 17, 2021 – Psalm 119:129-136 – The appointed Psalm for next week is taken from the longest Psalm and it under the Hebrew letter 'Pe.' The Psalmist recalls the righteousness of God’s law and how they are a delight to follow. As we focus on the Lord and His precepts, we find direction in living. 

Wednesday, August 18 2021 –Isaiah 29:11–19 The visitation of the Lord will bring death and destruction to Jerusalem. Yet the Lord promises to do wonderful things with His people. God desires genuine repentance, not hypocrisy. God has accomplished wonderful things for us through the gracious visitation of His son in our human flesh. In Jesus’ death and resurrection. God has turned the world upside down and removed our shame.

Thursday, August 19, 2021 –Ephesians 5:22–33 For the Christian, the Gospel does not overturn the order of life, but gives it new meaning. Each human relationship is reinterpreted “in the Lord.”  Wives, children, and  servants look on their husbands, parents, and masters as representatives of the Lord and submit to them. Husbands, parents and masters likewise views the ones  entrusted to them as Christ viewed the church with self-sacrificing love. 

Friday, August 20, 2021 – Mark 7:1–13 - Good living comes from a believing heart. The prophet Isaiah had denounced the religious leaders of his day. Jesus uses a quotation form this prophet to describe the tradition of the elders as “rules taught by men.”

Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for being overly concerned with man-made observances while failing to fulfill God’s Commandments. Such hypocrisy still abounds, as most people worry more about human opinions that what God things. Given our  failures in this regard, it is a good thing that the Lord not only commands in His Word, but also graciously forgives and promises goodness. Thus, we ought to pray, “Lord, cleanse us each day from our sins. We thank You that Jesus was made a fragrant, sacrificial offering for us.”

Saturday, August 21, 2021 –Luke 17:5– This verse is the inspiration for the hymn, “Oh for a Faith that Will Not shrink”.  The disciples, feeling incapable of measuring up to the standards set forth by the Lord, cry out to Him, “Lord, increase our faith!” This is the cry of faith asking the Lord to supply us in every need. 

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John  3:1) Parenting begins with parents remembering that they live in God’s kingdom ruled by God’s lavished love in Christ. The Gospel is the basis for parenting, not some how-to book with a list of rules. God’s underserved love in Christ reminds parents that having a child is not a right but a blessing. Parents do not merely produce children as an industry produces a product. They are entrusted with a child as a gift from God. All parenting flows from the gift of the heavenly Father.

Sources:

The Lutheran Hymnal, © 1941, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Lutheran Worship, © 1982, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis pg. 78

Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis  

Worshiping with Angels and Archangels – An Introduction to the Divine Service by Scot Kinnaaman© 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis pg. 20

Luther’s Seal © Ed Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas Higher Things