Brothers and sisters, greetings in the name of our living and ascended Lord, Jesus.
The school year is coming to an end. But our schedule of Bible class, Sunday School, and worship will continue through the summer. Since our expenses also continue, I encourage you to continue sending in your offerings even if vacations or other activities prevent your attendance.
This past Thursday the Church celebrated the anniversary of Jesus’ ascension. The God/Man rules over all things. We are coming to the end of what is often designated the season after Easter. But we continue to be Easter people trusting in the Lord Jesus who was crucified, victoriously rose bodily from the dead, and ascended for each of us. Though He is not in sight, Jesus uses His divine authority to ensure His Word still goes out, and that forgiveness and eternal life are still preached in His name. The assurance that He is in control, and that all things will work out for the good of those who love Him, should give each of us comfort and motivation to confidently share His message with others.
Thinking about what themes or themes connect the scripture lessons designated for May 21, one thing I noticed is that in each, a change is taking place. Change and transitions take place in each of our lives, sometimes gradually, sometimes suddenly. We often use these events to mark time—we remember the year (maybe the day and hour) that they happened. We tell stories about what our lives were like before the change, and what our lives are like after the change. We may desire a change in our life. Often, change is forced on us by circumstances. There are changes that make us happy. There are changes that make us sad. What are some of the changes that have affected your life? Graduations, marriages, births, new jobs, layoffs and firings, moves to a new home, retirements, accidents, illnesses, and death are some of the factors that bring change to our lives. As you consider all these changes, I would encourage you to remember the ‘life-changing change in your life’ that occurred when you were joined to Christ in baptism, and you were given the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus and the Spirit will complete their saving work in you by bringing you through life’s changes to live in Their presence for eternity. God’s love for you never changes.
Scripture readings are Psalm 68:1-10; Acts 1:12-26; 1 Peter 4:12-19, and 5:6-11; and John 17:1-11.
We will be following the liturgy of Divine Service setting One beginning on page 151 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are: #534 Lord Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor; #652 Father We Thank Thee; and #548 Thanks to Thee, O Christ Victorious. Those present for communion will sing #623 Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray; and #525 Crown Him With Many Crowns verses 1 and 5.
We will be reciting verses 1 to 10 of Psalm 68. The introduction attributes the psalm as a song of David intended for the choirmaster. The full psalm is 35 verses long. The lyrics suggest it may have been sung during a procession leading to worship, as the people recounted all the great things God has done for His people. Verses 1-10 emphasize the care and protection God provided to the ancient nation of Israel following their exile out of Egypt. They were slaves and often abused, but at least it was familiar. God promised to lead them to a land of their own. Their exile–as they wandered in the wilderness, wondering where their next food and drink would come from, unsure of what was ahead, threatened by various hardships and enemies with no assurance other than that God was with them—can be treated as a metaphor for the transitions in our life. God was their protector and provider, and brought them to the promised land of milk and honey. God is protecting you and providing for you, and will at last bring you through this wilderness to the promised land of heaven.
Jesus had initially chosen 12 men to be His apostles, His closest disciples He trained and prepared to be sent into the world as His messengers. Sadly, Judas the disciple who betrayed Jesus killed himself. This left the apostles one man short. The reading from Acts 1 tells how the apostles chose a replacement, and what criteria were used to identify potential candidates. Similar procedures are used in our church to Call pastors for service. The apostles were transitioning from being hearers and students who constantly questioned and came to faulty conclusions. By the power of the Holy Spirit they became bold witnesses to Jesus, teaching others, continuing His ministry, and being God’s earthly agents for spreading the gospel.
In the epistle lesson, from 1 Peter, the apostle is writing to Christians who are fleeing persecution. Losing businesses and being forced to look for homes in different regions would a frightening time of transition. Add in the threats of ridicule, arrest, possibly death, and we get a sense of what many Christians suffer. In the midst of these changes Peter urges Christians to rejoice, because Jesus underwent similar suffering. Suffering for Christ is a good thing, for it is another bond to Him and refines our faith to recognize that only He can save us. Peter urges suffering Christians to give their fears and anxieties to Jesus. Let Him carry your worries. Jesus assures us that He is with us so we can resist and withstand anything the devil or the sinful world might do to us. Jesus, our Lord, is still in control.
John 17 includes a prayer Jesus prayed after eating the Passover meal with His disciples, a short time before He was betrayed and arrested. Jesus is aware that He would soon be taken away to be crucified. His task of saving the world from sin was nearly complete. There would be a transition as the disciples continued the ministry of the Lord without His visible presence. So He prays for His disciples and for all those who would come to faith through their testimony, asking that the Father would preserve them so that they would be united in Christian faith and Christian confession. To help us, God poured out the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and upon the Church. We will hear more about that next Sunday May 28 as we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost.
COLLECT: O Jesus Christ, King of glory, Lord of hosts, uplifted in triumph far above all kingdoms, do not leave us without consolation but continue to send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the Father, for You live and reign with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please contace me if you have any prayer requests or questions and Sunday’s Scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
