Proper 28 - Series A notes

  

Zephaniah 1:7–16
1 Thessalonians 5:1–11
Matthew 25:14–30

 

God’s Gift of Forgiveness Engenders Our Forgiveness of Others

The Day of the Lord is “near and hastening fast,” and it will be “a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation” (Zephaniah 1:14, 15). The Lord will search out and punish “the men who are complacent” concerning His Word, “who fill their master’s house with violence and fraud” (Zephaniah 1:9, 12). Then all their works and efforts will be for nothing: “Though they build houses, they shall not inhabit them; though they plant vineyards, they shall not drink wine from them” (Zephaniah 1:13). 

But those who fear, love and trust in the Lord are “good and faithful” stewards of His property (Matthew 25:21). They live by faith in His free gift of forgiveness, and they multiply His goods in the loving forgiveness of their neighbor, and “the master of those servants” settles His accounts with them by the gracious reckoning of His Gospel (Matthew 25:19). Likewise, “God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Therefore, let us also “put on the breastplate of faith and love” in our dealings with one another (1 Thessalonians 5:8).

Using What He Has Entrusted

Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege 

“You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed” (Matthew 25:26)                                                                        

In Sunday’s parable Jesus gives a hint as to how His stewards are to invest the “money” entrusted to them.  In giving us the response of the wicked steward Jesus highlights a farming metaphor:  Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed [v  24].  To this lazy steward Jesus continues the farming metaphor:  You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed [v 26]?

The first recorded parable of Jesus is the parable of the sower.  Might Jesus be returning His hearers to this parable when in the parable before us He uses the same illustration of sowing and reaping? The master’s expectation of His stewards is that they sow His seed, using what He has given them to do this. 

God’s Word as a seed became an illustration of the Apostles’ work. Paul describes his apostolic work as the planting of a seed:  I planted, Apollos watered, and God gave the growth [1 Co 3:6].  In his first epistle the Apostle Peter credits a Christian’s new birth to the seed of God’s Word: …you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God [1:23].  

Truly the Lord Jesus created the super-powerful seed of the Gospel by His death and resurrection.  This Gospel-seed must be the foundation of every sermon, every Baptism, every absolution, every celebration of Holy Communion, and of all outreach endeavors.  It is by this seed that people are both brought to faith in Jesus and established in this faith. It is by this seed that the Holy Spirit enters the hearts of people, establishing them as eternal saints in Christ.

The Gospel-seed is fundamentally the “Word of the cross.” This seed, when sown, has power to grow and produce abundantly.  Saint Paul explains its power:  For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God [1 Cor 1:18].  And again a few verses later: …we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God…[23,24].  To the Romans Paul again sets forth the power of the Gospel: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation…[v 16]. 

The Gospel is a seed that is to be sown, and Christ has entrusted the sowing of this seed to His church.  In this Sunday’s parable our Lord speaks of entrusting money to His servants.  Though “servants” can be any Christian, yet uniquely in both the Old and New Testaments God’s called “servants” are the “official” proclaimers of His Word.  They know it is their unique calling to scatter the seed of the Gospel, for they know that Jesus, even as he explains in the parable, will reap where He personally did not sow the seed…but He expects to reap!  Woe to the pastor who does not thus scatter the Gospel-seed!

So what about the “money” entrusted to the servants in the parable?  The money can be seen to represent all the Gospel-related opportunities entrusted to a given pastor and congregation.  Not everyone will be given equal Gospel-opportunities. The “money” may represent the literal wealth by which a congregation supports the scattering of the Gospel-seed, or it may represent the community in which a congregation is located, or it may represent the willingness of God’s people to work together to support and share the Gospel. Some pastors and congregations have more and others less, but if we have less opportunities we dare not simply bury them.  May we as congregations and pastors fully use the opportunities entrusted to us, and thus scatter the seed of the super-powerful Gospel within the church, as well as outside it to those who must yet come to believe in the Word of the Cross.

Matthew 25:14 

Ὥσπερ γὰρ ἄνθρωπος ἀποδημῶν ἐκάλεσεν τοὺς ἰδίους δούλους καὶ παρέδωκεν αὐτοῖς τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτοῦ,
it will be as a man who went on a journey. Calling his own slaves he distributed his property.   

The apostles are listening privately. We're listening in. We can extrapolate who these servants are but doing...he hands over his goods.

Matthew 25:15 

καὶ ᾧ μὲν ἔδωκεν πέντε τάλαντα ᾧ δὲ δύο ᾧ δὲ ἕν, ἑκάστῳ κατὰ τὴν ἰδίαν δύναμιν, καὶ ἀπεδήμησεν. εὐθέως  
to one he gave five talents to another two to another one each according his own power/might/ability...then he went away.  

This is not equality. He gives them what they can handle. No little no less. Equality is predicated on difference not sameness. 

A talent = the tribute one nation owes another.  Trillions of $ here...

Matthew 25:16-18

Matthew 25:16 

πορευθεὶς ὁ τὰ πέντε τάλαντα λαβὼν ἠργάσατο ἐν αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐκέρδησεν ἄλλα πέντε• 
the man who had the five, worked the them and gained another five. 

Matthew 25:17

ὡσαύτως ὁ τὰ δύο ἐκέρδησεν ἄλλα δύο•
So also the one given two traded two more. 

Matthew 25:18

ὁ δὲ τὸ ἓν λαβὼν ἀπελθὼν ὤρυξεν γῆν καὶ ἔκρυψεν τὸ ἀργύριον τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ.
But to the one he dug and hid the silver of his Lord.  

He did not want the responsibility he did not trust the Lord. Genesis 3 again. 

Matthew 25:19

μετὰ δὲ πολὺν χρόνον ἔρχεται ὁ κύριος τῶν δούλων ἐκείνων καὶ συναίρει λόγον μετ’ αὐτῶν
After much time the Lord of those slaves came and took up works with them...day of reckoning. 

Matthew 25:20

καὶ προσελθὼν ὁ τὰ πέντε τάλαντα λαβὼν προσήνεγκεν ἄλλα πέντε τάλαντα λέγων• Κύριε, πέντε τάλαντά μοι παρέδωκας• ἴδε ἄλλα πέντε τάλαντα ἐκέρδησα. 
Coming to him the one with five said "Lord you handed over to me five talents (a confession of grace w/o any instruction and recklessly invested it) gaining five more. 

No instruction on what to do with it but they do with it as they believe their Lord to be.

All can be addressed by God

Matthew 25:21

ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ• Εὖ, δοῦλε ἀγαθὲ καὶ πιστέ, ἐπὶ ὀλίγα ἦς πιστός, ἐπὶ πολλῶν σε καταστήσω• εἴσελθε εἰς τὴν χαρὰν τοῦ κυρίου σου.  
said to him his Lord well done slave good and faithful. You have been faithful with "a little" (5 trillion is small) enter into the joy of the lord. 

See Revelation 7 

We know very little apart from our infants. 

Matthew 25:22

προσελθὼν δὲ καὶ ὁ τὰ δύο τάλαντα εἶπεν• Κύριε, δύο τάλαντά μοι παρέδωκας• ἴδε ἄλλα δύο τάλαντα ἐκέρδησα.  
the one with two also  came. "Master!  You entrusted me with two ...see I Have  gained two more!" 

Notice a confession of the lord's grace and mercy. As you gave freely I returned see how awesome this is. 

These were slaves. And we too have been purchased. Not with gold or silver...

Matthew 25:23 
ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ• Εὖ, δοῦλε ἀγαθὲ καὶ πιστέ, ἐπὶ ὀλίγα ἦς πιστός, ἐπὶ πολλῶν σε καταστήσω• εἴσελθε εἰς τὴν χαρὰν τοῦ κυρίου σου. 
his master answered well done good and faithful slave. Over little you were faithful over much you shall stand. Welcome into your lord's happiness. 

The response to the two is verbatim.  Continued generosity of the Lord...the joy is the saints encircling the throne. 

Matthew 25:24
προσελθὼν δὲ καὶ ὁ τὸ ἓν τάλαντον εἰληφὼς εἶπεν• Κύριε, ἔγνων σε ὅτι σκληρὸς εἶ ἄνθρωπος, θερίζων ὅπου οὐκ ἔσπειρας καὶ συνάγων ὅθεν οὐ διεσκόρπισας•  
knowing you are a harsh man harvesting where you have not sown 

Luther "you get the God you believe..." He hated the Lord's generosity so he hid the talent digging a hole for fear of what the Master would do.  More than he didn't want to loose it. He despised the Master.

Matthew 25:25
καὶ φοβηθεὶς ἀπελθὼν ἔκρυψα τὸ τάλαντόν σου ἐν τῇ γῇ• ἴδε ἔχεις τὸ σόν.  
Here it what belongs to you. 

He didn't want the gifts so he gave it back because he hated the Master.

Matthew 25:26
ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ εἶπεν αὐτῷ• Πονηρὲ δοῦλε καὶ ὀκνηρέ, ᾔδεις ὅτι θερίζω ὅπου οὐκ ἔσπειρα καὶ συνάγω ὅθεν οὐ διεσκόρπισα;  
"you evil, lazy servant. Did you really know I harvested where I did not sow...? 

Matthew 25:27
ἔδει σε οὖν βαλεῖν [p]τὰ ἀργύριά μου τοῖς τραπεζίταις, καὶ ἐλθὼν ἐγὼ ἐκομισάμην ἂν τὸ ἐμὸν σὺν τόκῳ.   
you should have put my money on deposit so when I returned I should have received what is mine with interest."

Matthew 25:28 
ἄρατε οὖν ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ τὸ τάλαντον καὶ δότε τῷ ἔχοντι τὰ δέκα τάλαντα• 
therefore snatch the silver from him and give it to the one who had ten.

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

Time in the Word - Proper 28

 

The Lessons for this coming week again help us prepare for the coming of our Lord. In the Old Testament lesson, the prophet Zephaniah reminds us of the reason the Lord must return. Sin will cause death and destruction. In the Epistle lesson, Paul assures his readers the children of light will not be surprised when the day of the Lord suddenly comes. The Christians of the first century were concerned about the exact date of Jesus’ return. Paul reminded them that no exact day could be determined, for Jesus will come suddenly and unexpectedly as a thief comes in the night. In the Gospel lesson, we are given the parable of the talents. This is another parable related to the Lord’s return. According to the parable, the return is long delayed (v. 19). The servants are asked to give an account of their investment. Two servants doubled the investment and the third preserved what he was given. The third servant was condemned for not making the most of his talent. It was taken from him and given to the other two. Jesus has ascended and His return has been delayed. When He comes, He will ask for an accounting whether they worked for Him while He was absent or whether they cared only for their security. A hoarded gift is lost and the hoarder is condemned.

Two simple yet heart-felt Prayers–Lord God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit that, always keeping in mind the end of all things and the day of judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of life here and may live with you forever in the world to come.

Lord, when the day of wrath comes, we have no hope except in your grace. Make us so to watch for the last days that the consummation of our hope may be the joy of marriage feast of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Collect for Proper 28 –Almighty and ever-living God, You have given exceedingly great and precious promises to those who trust in You.  Dispel from us the works of darkness and grant us to live in the light of Your Son Jesus Christ, that our faith may never be found wanting; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Prayer for responsible citizenship – Lord keep this nation under Your care. Bless the leaders of our land that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to the other nations of the earth. Help us provide trustworthy leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare, and thus serve You faithfully in our generation to the honor of Your holy name.

A prayer before we study the Word – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, without Your help our labor is useless, and without Your light our search is in vain. Invigorate the study of Your holy Word that, by due diligence and right discernment, we may establish ourselves and others in Your holy faith.

Monday, November 13, 2023 – Psalm 143:5-6, 10-11 - The Antiphon for this coming Sunday is from Psalm 143:1: “Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my pleas for mercy! In Your faithfulness answer me, in Your righteousness!” David calls for deliverance from his enemies and for divine leading. As he makes his appeal to the Lord, he is confident the Lord will act on his account. Thus we are directed to pray in the morning and evening “…into Thy hands I commend myself…”

Tuesday, November 14, 2023– Zephaniah 1:7-16 - The prophet reminds his hearers sin will cause destruction and death. Zephaniah calls upon the nation to be “silent” before God. Similarly a psalmist wrote, “Be still and know that I am God.” If one is to hear what God has to say, there must be silence. Because of this, silence is requested in a library or concert hall. But, there is greater reason for silence. In the face of something catastrophic or terrible, our only reaction is silence. When the seal is broken in heaven, there is a half hour of silence. Zephaniah has a dreadful word from God: The day of the Lord is coming as a day of doom, gloom, destruction, and death for all people. That is enough to shock us into silence.

The “end” is final. There is nothing beyond or it would not be the end. The wrath of God will not be spent until the end of everything. It reminds us of the result of nuclear warfare and the end of the earth. This passage gives us no hope, no solution. The end is promised and it will come, unless.... Or, is it too late?

Wednesday, November 15, 2023– 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -Since Christians are children of the day (righteousness) and not of the night (wickedness), they are to remain sober and awake. To be ready and to be equipped to do battle against evil, they are to be equipped with faith, hope, and love. Paul comforts and assures them that God has not destined them to wrath, but to salvation so that whether they live or die, they might be with the Lord.

Thursday, November 16, 2023– Matthew 25:14-30 – What the servants have is not their own. The rich man of the parable gave his property to his servants as a trust until he returned. As servants of God, all we have has been given to us: our world, gifts, and our very own lives. Thus, we are stewards of God’s wealth. We are not free to do with his possessions as we wish. God holds us accountable for what we did or did not do with His property.

The Bible teaches us to fear God, but not to be afraid of Him. The servant who did nothing with his talent was afraid of God. Though God is a just God who demands justice, holiness, and righteousness, we need not be afraid of Him, for He loves us. Fear Him? Yes! Fear Him in terms of reverence and awe! When we are afraid, we freeze, hold back, fear to venture. The servant was afraid he would lose his one talent and he knew the master would demand a return of his money. In all ways, fear in terms of being afraid, makes us inhibited, cautious, and withholding. Love dares to venture and invest.

Friday, November 17, 2023 - Psalm 90:1-12 - This Psalm is the appointed one for this Sunday.  Verse 17 is the key verse, “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,” David says.  As You Lord only have been our security in the world so also make our labors to be effective and enduring – though we are so transient.

Saturday, November 18, 2023 Luke 21:25-36 - Our reading is the inspiration for the hymn; “The Day is Surely Drawing Near.” As the Church year comes to a close, so we look to the time of Christ’s second coming. We need not fear these days for we are confident of Him who orders our days and directs our path.

Sources

LUTHERAN SEVICE BOOK © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
 
LECTIONALRY PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES A © 1980 John Brokhoff CSS Publishing Lima, OH
 
Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

Proper 28 Series C

Proper 28 Series C

(November 13 -19)

Malachi 4:1–6

2 Thessalonians 3:(1–5) 6–13

Luke 21:5–28 (29–36)

O Lord, almighty and ever-living God, You have given exceedingly great and precious promises to those who trust in You. Rule and govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may live and abide forever in Your Son who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 

God’s Plan of Redemption Trumps Earthly Destruction and Violence

There are signs of the Lord’s coming all around: the cross that marks His Church, the violence and death of the sinful world, and the shaking of the natural order. “There will be great distress upon the earth” (Luke 21:23), but the faithful know that “the kingdom of God is near” (Luke 21:31). Therefore, “straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). Be awake and alert, and heed the words of Christ, which “will not pass away” (Luke 21:33). 

As for you, “the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings” (Malachi 4:2). He sends His preachers of repentance in the spirit and power of Elijah “before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes” (Malachi 4:5), in order to “direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5). Although you are often faithless, “the Lord is faithful,” and by the preaching of His Word “He will establish you and guard you against the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3). Therefore, “do not grow weary in doing good” (2 Thessalonians 3:13). In the midst of calamity, believe upon the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Hated for His Name (Luke 21:5-28)
Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Brege

A person’s name is not simply a vocable, but it is linked to especially two things.  It is linked to everything about that person’s identity and it is linked to what that person does (or did).   Simply put, your name is linked to who you are and to what you do. The literal meaning of a name may not identify these things, but nonetheless these two things are linked to each name.

When Jesus promised, “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake,” He was identifying the fact that His Name—identifying who He is and what He does—will make those associated with it the objects of hatred.  Similarly when anything is done “in His name” it is done in connection with who Jesus is and what He does (or has done), and such Jesus-identified workers are the objects of hatred as well.

So what is the “who” of the name Jesus that will generate such hatred?  First, His name is The Name that is above every name.  What does this mean?  Simply put, He is God.  He is Yahweh (e.g. Isaiah 40:3).  He is one of the three persons of the Godhead, each person being 100% God, (attested throughout Scripture; of Jesus’ deity see e.g. Col. 2:9.).  Such hatred is generated because this “God-with-us” is indeed a man; God now—and forever—has flesh and blood.  If we tenaciously hold to this belief—that Jesus is eternally God and man—we will not only be mocked, but because the devil is the ruler of this world, we will be hated by all for His name’s sake.  More could be said of the Name of Jesus linked with His identity as God, but branch off of this identity and find a unique reason He was hated particularly by numerous Jews:  He was identified as the Christ, the long awaited supreme Prophet, Priest and King.  Jesus did not fit the common Jewish preconception of the Christ, so those who linked the name of Jesus with the identity of the long-awaited Christ were hated by such Jews.

So the Name of Jesus not only identifies “Who” He is, but it identifies “What” He does.  The devil not only bars his teeth and goes into a frenzy when Jesus is identified as the Christ, the Son of God, but similarly Satan and his world lash out in hatred when the saving work of Jesus is identified.  Every Christian knows the “What” of Jesus—what He did:  He came to seek and to save the lost.  To accomplish this He went to the cross to bodily pay for the sins of the world, to die mankind’s death, to absorb our sin-caused misery.  Thus it is when we are asked what we preach, “We preach Christ crucified.”  This, along with His cross-verifying resurrection, identifies the primary work of Christ inseparably linked to His Name, and inseparably linked to the hatred extended to those who believe it.

Of course the cross is meaningless to a person unless that person comes to realize sin and that he/she is a sinner who was conceived and born as such.  Like King Herod who beheaded John the Baptist because John had exposed him and his bloodthirsty wife as adulterers, so also when the world has its sins exposed—for that must be done before the cross of Jesus has meaning—it, like the Pharisees facing Jesus in Sunday’s Gospel, seethes with murderous hatred.

It is no wonder then that when the Name of Jesus is shared—the Name that identifies Him as the Son of God who came to die and thus release man from sin—the world, as it hated Him, hates those proclaiming His Name as well.  May we ever be identified as those who both bear and share the Name of Jesus, and as we are hated by the “world” realize this life is only temporary, for in the Name of Jesus—uniquely bestowed in Baptism—we have the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.

Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple - 

Luke 21:5

Καί τινων λεγόντων περὶ τοῦ ἱεροῦ, ὅτι λίθοις καλοῖς καὶ ἀναθήμασιν κεκόσμηται εἶπεν•  

And while some (NIV renders "disciples") were speaking (concerning) of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and (votive) offerings, he said, (the stones are still impressive...) 

Luke 21:6

Ταῦτα ἃ θεωρεῖτε, ἐλεύσονται ἡμέραι ἐν αἷς οὐκ ἀφεθήσεται λίθος ἐπὶ [a]λίθῳ ὃς οὐ καταλυθήσεται. 

"As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."  

The word Luke uses to describe the utter destruction of the temple καταλυθήσεται is the what we derive our word "catastrophe."  The days are coming when "all will be thrown down..." i.e. Destroyed, torn down, demolished, abolished, annulled, made invalid. Catastrophe is an apt term for what happens when that in which we have trusted is utterly destroyed.  Trust the one who cannot be destroyed - the Risen Savior.   What is Jesus speaking about here? Destruction of Jerusalem? Himself? 

Luke 21:7

Ἐπηρώτησαν δὲ αὐτὸν λέγοντες• Διδάσκαλε, πότε οὖν ταῦτα ἔσται, καὶ τί τὸ σημεῖον ὅταν μέλλῃ ταῦτα γίνεσθαι; 

And they asked him, "Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?"

 Do they want to be prepared? The only sign is 'the sign of Jonah.'  See 1 Corinthians 1:22

Every theologian believes these are the last days. Prepare for it to be now and not yet. See Revelation 7.  The call is to be faithful and to bear witness. 

Luke 21:8

ὁ δὲ εἶπεν• Βλέπετε μὴ πλανηθῆτε• πολλοὶ γὰρ ἐλεύσονται ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου [b]λέγοντες• Ἐγώ εἰμι καί• Ὁ καιρὸς ἤγγικεν• [c]μὴ πορευθῆτε ὀπίσω αὐτῶν. 

And he said, "See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I AM' he! and, 'The time is at hand!' Do not go after them.

Watch and see THAT you be not deceived...they come in His name. (See epistle reading 2 Thessalonians 3...) Be active within your vocation. Be not idle. The Pope is THE false prophet. And there are others... Do not be surprised when these things happen. Do NOT look forward, but forward looking...rather be faithful. 

Luke 21:9

ὅταν δὲ ἀκούσητε πολέμους καὶ ἀκαταστασίας, μὴ πτοηθῆτε• δεῖ γὰρ ταῦτα γενέσθαι πρῶτον, ἀλλ’ οὐκ εὐθέως τὸ τέλος. 

And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, (rumbled) for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once." - Luke 21:5-9

"The end" is the cross, and one's own baptism. Don't put this on a timeline.

Do not be shaken...these things will/must come. The "birth pangs" are a sign of life not death.  This is the church's natural habitat. The future is not frightening. 

Jesus tells of wars and persecutions - 

Luke 21:10

τότε ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς• Ἐγερθήσεται ἔθνος ἐπ’ ἔθνος καὶ βασιλεία ἐπὶ βασιλείαν,  

Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

This is passive. It is an intransitive voice. Has the not been true. Nations have always risen against each other. Look not for a theology of glory. 

Luke 21:11

σεισμοί τε μεγάλοι [d]καὶ κατὰ τόπους [e]λιμοὶ καὶ λοιμοὶ ἔσονται, φόβητρά τε καὶ [f]σημεῖα ἀπ’ οὐρανοῦ μεγάλα ἔσται. 

There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

Both man made and natural disasters are the result of sin. Some may think God is against them.  Run not to the hidden God but to the revealed God of Scripture. 

Luke 21:12

Πρὸ δὲ τούτων πάντων ἐπιβαλοῦσιν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῶν καὶ διώξουσιν, παραδιδόντες εἰς [g]τὰς συναγωγὰς καὶ φυλακάς, [h]ἀπαγομένους ἐπὶ βασιλεῖς καὶ ἡγεμόνας ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματός μου• 

But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.

Luke 21:13

 [i]ἀποβήσεται ὑμῖν εἰς μαρτύριον. 

This will be your opportunity to bear witness.

Luke 21:14

 [j]θέτε οὖν [k]ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν μὴ προμελετᾶν ἀπολογηθῆναι, 

Settle it therefore in your minds (literally 'hearts,') [In Greek the body part is always a step down] not to meditate beforehand how to answer,

Luke 21:15

ἐγὼ γὰρ δώσω ὑμῖν στόμα καὶ σοφίαν ᾗ οὐ δυνήσονται [l]ἀντιστῆναι ἢ ἀντειπεῖν [m]ἅπαντες οἱ ἀντικείμενοι ὑμῖν. 

for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.

Luke 21:16

 παραδοθήσεσθε δὲ καὶ ὑπὸ γονέων καὶ [n]ἀδελφῶν καὶ συγγενῶν καὶ φίλων, καὶ θανατώσουσιν ἐξ ὑμῶν, 

You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death.

Luke 21:17

καὶ ἔσεσθε μισούμενοι ὑπὸ πάντων διὰ τὸ ὄνομά μου.  

You will be hated by all for my name's sake.

Luke 21:18

καὶ θρὶξ ἐκ τῆς κεφαλῆς ὑμῶν οὐ μὴ ἀπόληται. 

But not a hair of your head will perish. 

Unique to Luke is this phrase. (See Daniel 3:27)

Luke 21:19

ἐν τῇ ὑπομονῇ ὑμῶν [o]κτήσασθε τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν. 

By your endurance you will gain your lives. 

See - Luke 21:10-19 for context

Faith under attack endures. 

Jesus tells of the destruction of Jerusalem 

Luke 21:20

 Ὅταν δὲ ἴδητε κυκλουμένην ὑπὸ [p]στρατοπέδων Ἰερουσαλήμ, τότε γνῶτε ὅτι ἤγγικεν ἡ ἐρήμωσις αὐτῆς.

"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.

Luke 21:21

τότε οἱ ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ φευγέτωσαν εἰς τὰ ὄρη, καὶ οἱ ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῆς ἐκχωρείτωσαν, καὶ οἱ ἐν ταῖς χώραις μὴ εἰσερχέσθωσαν εἰς αὐτήν, 

Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it,

Luke 21:22

ὅτι ἡμέραι ἐκδικήσεως αὗταί εἰσιν τοῦ πλησθῆναι πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα.

 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 

It still is the work of God

Luke 21:23

[q]οὐαὶ ταῖς ἐν γαστρὶ ἐχούσαις καὶ ταῖς θηλαζούσαις ἐν ἐκείναις ταῖς ἡμέραις• ἔσται γὰρ ἀνάγκη μεγάλη ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ [r]ὀργὴ τῷ λαῷ τούτῳ,  

Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people.

Luke 21:24

καὶ πεσοῦνται στόματι μαχαίρης καὶ αἰχμαλωτισθήσονται εἰς [s]τὰ ἔθνη πάντα, καὶ Ἰερουσαλὴμ ἔσται πατουμένη ὑπὸ ἐθνῶν, ἄχρι [t]οὗ [u]πληρωθῶσιν καιροὶ ἐθνῶν. 

They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 

The Coming of the Son of Man 

Luke 21:25

Καὶ [v]ἔσονται σημεῖα ἐν ἡλίῳ καὶ σελήνῃ καὶ ἄστροις, καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς συνοχὴ ἐθνῶν ἐν ἀπορίᾳ [w]ἤχους θαλάσσης καὶ σάλου, 

"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,

Luke 21:26

 ἀποψυχόντων ἀνθρώπων ἀπὸ φόβου καὶ προσδοκίας τῶν ἐπερχομένων τῇ οἰκουμένῃ, αἱ γὰρ δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν σαλευθήσονται. 

people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Luke 21:27

καὶ τότε ὄψονται τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐρχόμενον ἐν νεφέλῃ μετὰ δυνάμεως καὶ δόξης πολλῆς. 

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Luke 21:28

ἀρχομένων δὲ τούτων γίνεσθαι ἀνακύψατε καὶ ἐπάρατε τὰς κεφαλὰς ὑμῶν, διότι ἐγγίζει ἡ ἀπολύτρωσις ὑμῶν. 

Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." 

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

Time in the Word - Proper 28

The End of the World

The theme for this coming week’s theme deals with the theme of the end of the world. In the Gospel (Luke 21:5-9) Jesus tells us what will happen as He gives us signs of the end. Judgment is pronounced in the Old Testament lesson (Malachi 4:1-2a) as the wicked will be burned up but the righteous will be saved. In the Epistle lesson (2 Thessalonians 3:6-13) Paul teaches that we are not to be idle but to work and provide for our needs. We work until the end comes. Today’s world is in a terrible mess. Each generation seems to think that conditions are so bad that the Day of the Lord is nigh. What is the answer? Can the world be saved from destruction? Is the answer in an international army, or in strengthening the dollar abroad, or in raising the economic level of the Third World, or in the conquest of illiteracy? The lessons have other options to propose. What can be done about the world? Burn – God’s fire both destroys and restores – Malachi 4:1-6 Earn – Work while waiting for the end – 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 – Warn – An opportunity to witness to the world – Luke 21:5-19

Time in the Word
07-12 November 2022
Preparation for next week, Proper 28

Collect for Sunday O God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that, being ever mindful of the end of all things and Your just judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of living here and dwell with You forever hereafter; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Father of all that is good, keep us faithful in serving You, for to serve You is our lasting joy. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy

Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect for Proper Twenty-eight: O Lord, almighty and ever-living God, You have given exceedingly great and precious promises to those who trust in You. Rule and govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may live and abide forever in Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Collect for Psalm 98: Lord, we sing to You a new song, for Your victory is ever new. In the empty tomb You have given us a glimpse of Your future and in Your victory over death Yu have shown us now we shall overcome the last enemy. As the seas roar and the hills sing together, we too will praise You for Your great triumph, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Prayer for the hope of eternal life: Almighty, everlasting God, Your Son has assured forgiveness of sins and deliverance from eternal death. Strengthen us by Your Holy Spirit that our faith in Christ may increase daily and that we may hold fast to the hope that on the Last Day we shall be raise in glory to eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Monday, 07 November  2022—Psalm 121:1-2, 5,7-8 antiphon, Luke 21:33—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray the words promised by the Savior, Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. The world is surely coming to an end. This is more noticeable as the days become shorter and as the church year is drawing to a close. Yet we need not fear. Our Savior has given us a wonderful promise. Every word He has given us will be fulfilled. Although the world passes away He word will never pass away.

   

Tuesday, 08 November 2022—Psalm 98 — This week’s psalm is a song to God the Victor. He comes to rule His kingdom. Let the whole world go wild with joy. Three stanzas progressively extend the call to ever wider circles – the worshiping congregation at the temple, all the people of the earth and the whole creation. The first stanza recalls God’s revelation of His righteousness (vs. 2) in the past; the last stanza speaks confidently of His coming rule “in righteousness.” (vs.9) The middle stanza is enclosed by the jubilant cry, “shout for joy” (Vv. 4, 6)

Wednesday, 09 November 2022—Malachi 4:1-6— Think of the end of he4 world in terms of the rising sun. It means a new day and a new era. The un of God brings light and healing. When you are not feeling well, doesn’t lying in the warm sun make you feel better? The sun for us in the Son of God. When He rises in our lives, we can shine with gladness and hope. When He comes at the end of time, it is the beginning of an eternity of life and love. The end of the world is not to be feared nor dreaded but to be greed with the phrase, “Come Lord Jesus!”

Thursday, 10 November 2022—2 Thessalonians3:6-13— Jesus may return within a year. That means one year to love on earth!

Or, put it this way: you have a terminal disease which will kill you within one year. What would you do with the time until the end? In Paul’s day, the Christians were convinced that Jesus would return shortly.

They gave up their jobs and were idly standing by as they waited for his coming day after day. Throughout history there have been groups of people convinced of Jesus’ immediate return – they quit their jobs, sold their property, took their children out of school and lived in a commune. What would you do? Paul encourages us to keep busy and to work until the end comes. See especially verses 10-13.

Friday, 11 November 2022-Luke 21:5-28 — Many believe we are living in the worst of times. Perhaps every generation says this. But has there been a generation with so much destructive power; nuclear weapons, germ warfare, guided missiles, instant communication, supersonic travel? Are we not on the edge of a worldwide nuclear holocaust with the power to over-ill many times over? What can a Christian do about it? We could hide or flee but where? In the passage Jesus calls upon us to do our best under the worst circumstances. The worst calls for us to be at our best – to feel secure in God’s protection and to endure until the end. See especially verses 18-19.

Saturday, 12 November 2022—Isaiah 28:16, 41:10; 43:1-7- Sunday’s featured  Hymn is How Firm a Foundation. (LSB #728). We need not fear the end of time for our faith has its foundation in the words and work of our Savior Jesus. As we sing this magnificent hymn we can be confident that our Lord will sustain and guide us to the end.

Sources: Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House
Collect for Pentecost 24 from Lutheran Worship © Concordia Publishing House
Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C by John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing Lima OH
For All the Saints A Prayer Book for and By the Church Vol. II © 1995 by the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

The Story of 50 Hymns © 1934 By General Mills, Inc Minneapolis, MN
Luther’s Seal copyright © Higher Things

Proper 28 Series B

PROPER 28 Series B 

(November 13–19)

Daniel 12:1–3

Hebrews 10:11–25

Mark 13:1–13

The Crucified and Risen Body of Christ Jesus Is the True Temple of God

O Lord, by Your bountiful goodness release us from the bonds of our sins, which by reason of our weakness we have brought upon ourselves, that we may stand firm until the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Lord of harvest, great and kind, Rouse to action heart and mind; Let the gathering nations all See Your light and heed Your call. (LSB 840:4)

Despite its “wonderful stones” and “great buildings,” the Jerusalem temple would be torn down, not one stone left upon another; just as this present world and its kingdoms will come to an end (Mark 13:1–8). 

But that temple pointed beyond itself to Christ, to His sacrifice upon the Cross, and to the resurrection of His Body as the true Temple of God. In the midst of sin and death, by the proclamation of the Gospel, He now gathers disciples into His Body, wherein “the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Mark 13:10–13). 

For He is “a great priest over the house of God,” who “will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” By the pure water of His Baptism, they “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,” and by His flesh and blood they enter the Holy of Holies (Hebrews 10:17–22). 

Thus are His people delivered, “everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.” For by the wisdom of His Gospel, He turns “many to righteousness,” so that “many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake” to everlasting life (Daniel 12:1–3).

Jesus begins to talk about the fall of Jerusalem and the end of the world with a prediction of the temple's destruction. What makes a house of worship worthy is not its outward appearance but the Word of God in it. 

The temple in Jerusalem had been the "embassy" of heaven on earth. With the birth of Jesus, this temple would no longer serve that purpose. Now, in Jesus Christ, the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily among us. (See Colossians 2:9) 

Jesus warms His disciples about the coming troubles they will face as they bring the Gospel into the world. He encourages them to trust God and rely on the Holy Spirit, especially when they face opposition and persecution.  

Nobody likes to be shown his or her sin. As Christians proclaim Law and Gospel, they need to be ready to endure the loss of everything including their lives. 

Because God wants all people to hear the Gospel. He prolongs the NT age so that the Church may witness to all the earth. To His alone we owe the survival of our personal faith as well. 

Before the end of the world comes, there will be natural disasters and Christ's followers will be persecuted.  This chapter from Mark's Gospel, is known as the "Little Apocalypse." 

It is the last long teaching of Jesus in Mark, as though it were a farewell speech. The destruction of the temple is predicted and the disciples privately asked Jesus when this would occur and what would be the signs of the end. 

But these signs mark only the beginning of the end: earthquakes, wars, and persecution. The end will not come until the Gospel is preached to all nations. When will the end come? When the last pagan is converted.

Mark 13:1-13-

DON'T FREAK OUT!

Mark 13:1  

1 Καὶ ἐκπορευομένου αὐτοῦ ἐκ τοῦ ἱεροῦ λέγει αὐτῷ εἷς τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ• Διδάσκαλε, ἴδε ποταποὶ λίθοι καὶ ποταπαὶ οἰκοδομαί. 

And coming out of the temple one of his disciples said look at these wonderful buildings. 

A genitive absolute. (Luke 21) "destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up". John 2:19  Is the trust being put in the temple?  This is coming right after the faith of the widow. All she had was God. The temple will be distorted as He Will be distorted. 

Mark 13:2 

2 καὶ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ• Βλέπεις ταύτας τὰς μεγάλας οἰκοδομάς; οὐ μὴ ἀφεθῇ ὧδε λίθος ἐπὶ λίθον ὃς οὐ μὴ καταλυθῇ.

And Jesus said to him, do you see the majestic buildings, surely they will be loosed from another. 

Future strong negation. Absolutely not the stones will absolutely not be standing. The negatives get strong. 4 of them stacked together. Passion. Is Jesus raising his voice?  The temple, the old system will all be disproved.

Mark 13:3  

3 Καὶ καθημένου αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ Ὄρος τῶν Ἐλαιῶν κατέναντι τοῦ ἱεροῦ ἐπηρώτα αὐτὸν κατ’ ἰδίαν Πέτρος καὶ Ἰάκωβος καὶ Ἰωάννης καὶ Ἀνδρέας•

After he had sat down on the Mt. of Olives, over against the temple. They asked him by themselves, the four asked, when will these things happen, what is the sign when all these things will be carried out? 

The Mt. Of Olives where he will be arrested, from the east where Messiah will come.  Mark 8 the Pharisees asked for a sign and received none.

Mark 13:4  

4 Εἰπὸν ἡμῖν πότε ταῦτα ἔσται, καὶ τί τὸ σημεῖον ὅταν μέλλῃ ταῦτα συντελεῖσθαι πάντα. 

Now Jesus began to say to them, watch out, least no one leave you astray. 

Don't look for the signs. They ask in faith. But why ask for the sign?  Signs are not the point. Live within your vocation. Do what is given you. We all want to avoid suffering. 

Mark 13:5-6 

5 ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς ἤρξατο λέγειν αὐτοῖς• Βλέπετε μή τις ὑμᾶς πλανήσῃ• 6 πολλοὶ ἐλεύσονται ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου λέγοντες ὅτι Ἐγώ εἰμι, καὶ πολλοὺς πλανήσουσιν.

Watch least no one deceive you. Many will come on behalf of Me claiming, "I am He" and will deceive many.  

Panic is the pastime of despair. We're called to faithfulness. 

Mark 13:7  

7 ὅταν δὲ ἀκούσητε πολέμους καὶ ἀκοὰς πολέμων, μὴ θροεῖσθε• δεῖ γενέσθαι, ἀλλ’ οὔπω τὸ τέλος.

Still and when you hear of wars and hearings of wars do not be disturbed (don't freak out don't panic.) They must come but not yet the end. 

Mark 13:8 

8 ἐγερθήσεται γὰρ ἔθνος ἐπ’ ἔθνος καὶ βασιλεία ἐπὶ βασιλείαν, ἔσονται σεισμοὶ κατὰ τόπους, ἔσονται [l]λιμοί• ἀρχὴ ὠδίνων ταῦτα.

Nation will rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. These are only the beginnings of the birth pangs.  

Mark 13:9  

9 βλέπετε δὲ ὑμεῖς ἑαυτούς• παραδώσουσιν ὑμᾶς εἰς συνέδρια καὶ εἰς συναγωγὰς δαρήσεσθε καὶ ἐπὶ ἡγεμόνων καὶ βασιλέων σταθήσεσθε ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ εἰς μαρτύριον αὐτοῖς. 

See to yourselves, you will be betrayed into the hands of the Sanhedrin, stand before kings, and on account of me you will be martyred.   

"A court room scene. "

"We have entered that midnight hour when even the virgins sleep." - Walther 

Mark 13:10 

10 καὶ εἰς πάντα τὰ ἔθνη πρῶτον δεῖ κηρυχθῆναι τὸ εὐαγγέλιον.

It is necessary that this good message be preached to all the nations first.  

See Revelation 6. 

Mark 13:11  

11 καὶ ὅταν ἄγωσιν ὑμᾶς παραδιδόντες, μὴ προμεριμνᾶτε τί λαλήσητε, ἀλλ’ ὃ ἐὰν δοθῇ ὑμῖν ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ τοῦτο λαλεῖτε, οὐ γάρ ἐστε ὑμεῖς οἱ λαλοῦντες ἀλλὰ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον.

And when they lead/hand you over to trial do not fret what to say, but the Holy Spirit will speak for you. 

To whom is Jesus speaking? Only these four. NOT to every Christian. We have the Creed, what has been given to us as eye-witnesses. 

Mark 13:12  

12 καὶ παραδώσει ἀδελφὸς ἀδελφὸν εἰς θάνατον καὶ πατὴρ τέκνον, καὶ ἐπαναστήσονται τέκνα ἐπὶ γονεῖς καὶ θανατώσουσιν αὐτούς•

Brother will deliver brother unto death and Fathers their children putting them to death. 

Yours safe place is not safe. 

Mark 13:13 

13 καὶ ἔσεσθε μισούμενοι ὑπὸ πάντων διὰ τὸ ὄνομά μου. ὁ δὲ ὑπομείνας εἰς τέλος οὗτος σωθήσεται.

You will be hated by all on account of My name but those who endure until the end will be saved. 

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

Hebrews 10:11-25
Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Brege

When Jesus, or the New Testament writers, separate “body” and “blood” in their discussion of the work of Christ, they are speaking of Him as a sacrifice.  To prepare an Old Testament sacrifice the blood was associated with the life of a creature, and it was taken from the sacrificial flesh and strewn, daubed or sprinkled on the appropriate place or person in relation to the worship occurring in the Tabernacle.  The blood—the creature’s life—was associated with atonement, and being the life of a creature it was not to be eaten, probably partly because such a creature did not willingly give its life-blood, and thus it belonged only to God.

Christ now comes and willingly sheds His life-blood, and now His blood is miraculously offered to God’s people to drink.  To the non-Christian and to those just being instructed in the faith this sounds gross.  Far from “gross” we realize that in miraculously drinking Christ’s blood we are taking into our bodies God’s life and His blood-bought atonement.

Hebrews 10:11-25 is the assigned three-year epistle for Proper 28.  In his Hebrews commentary Dr. John Kleinig convincingly presents the perspective that the entire epistle to the Hebrews is especially about the Sacrament of the Altar and—directly linked with this— it is about God’s people in worship.

Hebrews 10:19-25 has several markers identifying the Eucharist in worship.  In verses 19 and 20 we see that it is through the blood and flesh of Jesus that we enter “through the curtain (veil)” and into the Holy of Holies.  Indeed when we partake of Christ’s flesh and blood we are uniquely in God’s Holy presence. Thus Christianity has from ancient times prayed the “Prayer of the Veil” immediately before receiving the Lord’s holy flesh and blood. The remnant of this ancient prayer is found in our Lutheran liturgy when we pray, “Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven…”

In the celebration of the Holy Supper we confess that we are joining these other-worldly individuals in the heavenly Holy of Holies!

Our Lutheran church along with others has adopted the exact wording of verse 22 to be liturgically voiced as we approach Christ’s Holy Meal. We rightly confess, “Let us draw near with a true heart…” What gives us a true heart to rightly draw near the Most Holy Place?  The text continues, “…having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”  Yes, we may draw near and partake of Christ’s flesh and blood in the Most Holy Place, for we have been cleansed in the priestly bath of Christ’s bloody water in Holy Baptism!


No wonder this text concludes with the worship-related admonition that we should not be “neglecting to meet together.”  Why would someone consider avoiding the saving body and blood of Christ?

Time in the Word - Proper 28

Time in the Word

 November 8-13, 2021

Proper 28

Sunday’s Theme is simply “The Coming End of the World.” Mark’s “Little Apocalypse,” Chapter 13,is being used to introduce the theme of the end times. Sunday’s Gospel deals with the events of disaster and persecution that mark the birth-pangs of the final end of the world. The Old Testament lesson was chosen to harmonize with the Gospel for it, too, speaks of the end of time and God’s deliverance of His people. The Epistle lesson continues the discussion of Christ as high priest, but indicates that after His once-for-all sacrifice, He is waiting in His exalted state for the defeat of His enemies. As the church year comes to a close, it is fitting to dwell on the end of the world and the return of Christ. 

Collect for Proper 28 –O Lord, by Your bountiful goodness release us from the bonds of our sins, which by reason of our weakness we have brought upon ourselves, that we may stand firm until the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. 

Monday, 08 November 2021—Psalm 48:11-14, Antiphon, Mark 13:13b–The one who endures to the end will be saved.   The words of the Antiphon are simple, direct, and profound. If you endure to the end, you will be saved. Lord grant while worlds endure we keep God’s teachings pure throughout all generations! 

Tuesday, 09 November 2021—Psalm 16; key verse, verse 11— You will show me the path of life. The Psalm for this week reminds us that God is our refuge in trying times and assures us that God will not abandon us in our trials. 

Wednesday, 10 November 2021—Daniel 12:1-3–At a time of great trouble, both the living and the dead will be delivered and the wicked condemned. This week’s Old Testament lesson comes from the prophet Daniel. It deals with the Persian period of history and predicts the end of history. At the end there will be great trouble in the world, but God’s people will be delivered because Michael, Israel’s angelic guardian, will come to their rescue. The saved will be those living and dead who have their names in the book of life, a list of God’s faithful people. Here is a statement of the resurrection from the Old Testament. The dead will be raised for eternal life or for eternal death (“contempt”).  This life is not the end, but the final verdict comes at the resurrection. 

Thursday, 11 November 2021—Hebrews 10:11-18 – After His perfect sacrifice, Jesus is seated at God’s right hand until all of His enemies are defeated.  The one supreme sacrifice of Christ removes the necessity of repeated sacrifices of animals. These repeated sacrifices cannot remove sin. Jesus’ one sacrifice perfected the faithful. After the perfect offering, Jesus is seated now at God’s right hand waiting for all evil forces to be subjected to Him. This once-for-all-time offering initiated a new covenant which cancels all former covenants and their sacrifices. It is a new covenant of forgiveness. Since there is forgiveness in and through the new covenant, there is no need of other sacrifices for sin. 

Friday, 12 November 2021 – Mark 13:1-13– Before the end of the world comes, there will be natural disasters and Christ’s followers will be persecuted.  This chapter from Mark’s Gospel, is known as the “Little Apocalypse.” It is the last long teaching of Jesus in Mark, as though it were a farewell speech. The destruction of the temple is predicted and the disciples privately asked Jesus when this would occur and what would be the signs of the end. But these signs mark only the beginning of the end: earthquakes, wars, and persecution. The end will not come until the Gospel is preached to all nations. When will the end come? When the last pagan is converted.

Saturday, 13 November 2021—Hebrews 12:1-3; Revelation 2:10; 14:13; 17:14 is the inspiration for the hymn, For All the Saints (LSB 677).  Soon we will close out the church year. As citizens of the United States, we are also citizens of another country – the Kingdom of Christ in glory. This week we have celebrated Veteran’s Day honoring those who have served in the armed forces of our nation. At the same time, we honor Christ who has served us defeating our last great enemy death and opened for us the gate which leads to eternal life. 

Collect for Pentecost Season - O Lord, we pray that the visitation of Your grace may so cleanse our thoughts and minds that Your Son Jesus Christ, when He shall come, may find in us a fit dwelling place; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. 

For those in distress - Almighty and everlasting God, the consolation of the sorrowful and the strength of the weak, may the prayers of those who in any tribulation or distress cry to You graciously come before You, so that in all their necessities they may mark and receive Your manifold help and comfort; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

A Prayer for Peace -O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works proceed, give to Your servants that peace which the world simply cannot give that our hearts may be set to obey Your commandments and also that we, being defended by You, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord.

A prayer for Christ’s return – O Lord, absolve Your people from their offenses that from the bonds of our sins, which by reason of our weakness we have brought upon us, we may be delivered by Your bountiful goodness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

For strong faith in Christ – Almighty and ever-living God, since You have given exceedingly great and precious promises to those who believe, grant us so perfectly and without all doubt to believe in Your Son Jesus Christ, that our faith in Your sight may never be reproved; through our Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Sources:

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 and Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House 
Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts "The Crucifixion" copyright © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B – John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH 

Pentecost 25 (Proper 28) Series A

 

What have you done?

 

Our Gospel lesson is a continuation from the parable related to the Lord’s return from last Sunday. In the parable of the 10 virgins a basic and yet profound principle is made – each must believe for himself.

In the parable concerning the talents the question for us to consider is this - what have you done with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Did you use it or did you abuse it? Did you let your light shine or did that light go out?

According to the parable, the Lord’s return is long delayed (v. 19). The servants are asked to give an account of their investment. Two servants doubled the investment and the third preserved what he was given.

The third servant was condemned for not making the most of his talent. It was taken from him and given to the other two.

Jesus has ascended and His return has been delayed. When He comes, He will ask for an accounting whether we have worked for Him while He was absent or whether we have cared only for our security. When Christ returns He will ask each of us “What have you done with the Gospel entrusted to you?” Let us pray…

“Lord God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit that, always keeping in mind the end of all things and the day of judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of life here and may live with you forever in the world to come.”

To one servant He gave five talents, meaning a sum of money, to a second two, and to a third one. Why is life like that? I don't know. We are all equal in the eyes of God. We are all guaranteed equal rights under the Constitution. In an election our votes are all equal. But when it comes to our abilities, we are as different as different can be. God simply did not make us all the same. In the Lord’s economy equality is predicated upon difference not sameness.

There are some people who can handle five talents; there are some who can handle only one. There are some persons who have great intellectual capabilities, and some who do not.

There are some who have the ability to project and articulate their thoughts, and there are some who cannot.

There are some who have physical prowess and attractive looks, and there are some who do not. The important thing to remember is that each servant was given something. No one was left idle.

Some claim that they have no gift, that they have no talent. As a result, they fail to use and develop what little God may have given them in terms of possessions, natural gifts, and faith. People, we need to be challenged to use all the gifts to the fullest for the glory of God. This parable asks each of us to answer the question: “What have you done with the gospel of Jesus Christ?”

1. Some hide it for fear of losing it —I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you. v. 25.

Accomplishing a little is better than accomplishing nothing at all. The reason why the master was so angry at the servant who buried his talent was because he did nothing. The only real failure in life is in giving up. God's grace is endless therefore we never need to give up. When you give up, you close the door on God changing you.

Transition: Use it or lose it.

2. Invest it — Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. v. 27.

The servant who was given five talents was called good and faithful because he went at once to put his talents to work—do the same. Whatever it is that you need to accomplish in your life, there is something you can do TODAY to get started. It's not our job to worry about what we don't have; it's our job to make the most of what we do have.

Transition: Faithfulness always leads to a promotion.

3. Multiply it — The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' vv. 22-23.

You'll be given opportunities according to your ability. Not everyone gets the same opportunity, because not everyone is capable of handling the same amount of responsibility. Whether you're faithful with a little or a lot, God is equally pleased. Being responsible always leads to more responsibility.

God gives each a gift according to each one’s ability to use it. In the last analysis, however, we are all equal in being accountable for whatever gift we have. A person's calling should not lie hidden and barren: it should be out- going, apostolic and self-sacrificial. "Don't lose your effectiveness; instead, trample on your selfishness. You think your life is for yourself?

Your life is for God, for the good of all men, though your love for our Lord. Your buried talent, dig it up again! Make it yield. Christ has entrusted you to the work of His kingdom. Why? Because He believes in you.

Words – 945
Passive Sentences – 14%
Readability – 77.9%
Reading Level – 5.4
Luther’s Seal copyright © Higher Things

November 13, 2020 – Friday prior to Pentecost 24 (Proper 28)

Psalm 90:1-12 - This Psalm is the appointed one for this Sunday.  Verse 17 is the key verse, “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us.”  The Psalmist asks, As You Lord only have been our security in the world so also make our labors to be effective and enduring – though we are so transient.

Not all of the psalms were written by David. Psalm 90 is one of those exceptions. There is a notation which reads, “A Psalm/Prayer of Moses the man of God.” In this psalm Moses directs us to consider God’s eternity and man’s life as transitory. In the midst of this psalm lies verse 10, “As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, or if due to strength eighty years. Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow. For soon it is gone and we fly away.’ (NASV) Or, as the King James Version renders this verse, “The days of our years are threescore and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away."

Moses lived roughly 2,000 years before Christ. Thus, this psalm is nearly 4,000 years old. What Moses declares and what we know by experience; for the past four thousand years the average human life span is between seventy and eighty years.  Compared to eternity our life is brief and short-lived.  Thus Moses asks the LORD, ”So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.”  Our time on earth weighed against eternity, there is no comparison. Thus we ask the LORD to apply our hearts to wisdom so we may be about the business of gossiping the gospel serving our neighbor in love.

We are not given to know how long our life shall be. Some are longer; others short. Thus we ask the LORD to direct our path and order our day as we prepared to spend eternity with Christ in glory.  

Collect for Psalm 90:  Eternal Father, of our mortal race, in Jesus Christ your grace has come upon us. For his sake, prosper the work of our hands until he returns to gladden our hearts forever. [1]

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[1] Collect for Psalm 90, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book for and By the Church Vol.II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

November 10, 2020– Tuesday prior to Pentecost 24 (Proper 28)

Zephaniah 1:7-16 - The prophet Zephaniah reminds us of the reason the Lord must return. Sin will cause death and destruction. The prophet reminds his hearers’ sin will cause destruction and death. Zephaniah calls upon the nation to be “silent” before God.

Similarly the psalmist David wrote, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46) If one is to hear what God has to say, there must be silence. Because of this, silence is requested in a library or concert hall. But, there is greater reason for silence. In the face of something catastrophic or terrible, our only reaction is silence. When the seal is broken in heaven, there is a half hour of silence. Zephaniah has a dreadful word from God: The day of the Lord is coming as a day of doom, gloom, destruction, and death for all people. That is enough to shake us into silence.

The “end” is final. There is nothing beyond or it would not be the end. The wrath of God will not be spent until the end of everything. It reminds us of the result of nuclear warfare and the end of the earth. This passage gives us no hope, no solution. The end is promised and it will come, unless.... Or, is it too late?

It’s never too late when it comes to the Lord’s timing. Now is the day of salvation. Now is the time for change. Now is the time for the Church to be bold in witness. As mentioned earlier, the readings, as we near the end of the church year, take on a somber tone. They remind us of the sure and certain return of the Lord Jesus, which ought to give us pause to be vigilant, to be prepared to meet the Lord when He returns.

Lord God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit that, always keeping in mind the end of all things and the day of judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of life here and may live with you forever in the world to come.[1]

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The Crucifixion, Woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, The Book of Books in Pictures. copyright © WLS for personal and congregational use

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