Brothers and sisters I encourage you to attend Bible study and worship tomorrow.
Each of the lessons for the day make reference to blindness or darkness. Further study indicates this topic is not limited to non-functioning eyes, but more eternally importantly is concerned with spiritual blindness or unbelief.
We will continue to follow a modified version of the Divine liturgy setting 3 found on page 184 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Scriptures for the day: Psalm 142; Isaiah 42:14-21; Ephesians 5:8-14; and John 9:1-41.
Hymns chosen for the day are #421 Jesus Grant that Balm and Healing; #690 Hope of the World; and #849 Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness. Those present for communion will sing #637 Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord.
Psalm 142 is recorded as a maskil of David. The meaning of maskil is uncertain, though it seems to have a musical connection. Some Bible scholars suggest maskils are a musical way of conveying wisdom. In this case of this psalm, the words sound more like a lament. They are the words of fear, frustration, and discouragement one might cry when it seems everything and everyone is attacking. It can feel like being isolated, and imprisoned by trouble. But at the end of the lament, the psalmist remembers that God cares, and He will provide the needed relief and support. At one time or another all of us have had reason to complain that no one cares. Remember God cares. The psalm also directs us to Jesus’ suffering as friends desert Him; Even God allows Him to die under the weight of the world’s sin-guilt. But it is Jesus death that we have proof of God’s love and commitment toward us. His death on a cross reconciled you to God so that He could deal bountifully with you.
In Isaiah 42:14-21 God speaks through the prophet, foretelling a day of judgment. Specifically He is warning the spiritually deaf and spiritually blind, that is, those who stubbornly cling to false gods and refuse to hear or see (in other words, believe) His saving Servant. There is an old saying traced back to the 1500s, ‘there’s none so blind as those who will not see.’ Pray that God would enlighten us, giving us eyes of faith that we might see/believe in His Son Jesus as we walk through the darkness of this world.
In Ephesians 5:8-14 St. Paul reminds all of us that as sinners we all have walked in the darkness of life, exhibited by our thoughts, words, and actions. But Jesus has forgiven our sin, and the Holy Spirit has enlightened us by God’s Word, the Bible. Paul urges us to open our spiritual eyes and live in the light of Christ.
In John 9:1-41, Jesus restores the sight of a blind man. But read the story and ask, who is really the blind in this story. The restoring of physical eyesight is great miracle. We can only imagine the joy the man felt. But such healing is temporary. A more important aspect of the story is that the man became a believer, able to see Jesus eternally. Through His Son Jesus, conveyed to us in Word and baptism, God has delivered us from the dominion of sin’s darkness, and brought us into His kingdom of light.
COLLECT: Almighty God our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Feel free to send me prayer requests, or questions or concerns about Sunday’s lessons. God bless you, Pastor Boster
