The words of the Old Testament and Gospel readings for July 2 counter any claim that following Jesus and speaking God’s Word is all peace and tranquility. As you may have already observed or experienced, being a Christian includes suffering, for the Church’s message sets us contrary to the world, sometimes even putting you in conflict with unbelieving family members. But these texts should also encourage you to remain faithful to Jesus, even be willing to lose your life for Him if necessary. For a long time Christianity has had a favored position in our society. That will not always be the case. More and more people are turning against the Church. This is most evident in pagan nations. Let us pray for one another, especially for those who suffer for the sake of Jesus’ ministry.
On July 2 we will be using the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Four beginning on page 203 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are: #900 Jesus, Name of Wondrous Love; #659 Lord of Life and God of Our Salvation; #610 Lord Jesus Think on Me; #685 Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus.
Scripture readings are: Psalm 119:153-160; Jeremiah 28:5-9; Romans 7:1-13; Matthew 10:34-42.
Psalm 119 is a teaching psalm. Each of the verses 153-160 originally began with the Hebrew letter RESH, using a method for making the verses easier to remember. The psalmist cries out to God for protection from his enemies. The troubles caused by these adversaries leads the psalmist to remember God’s mercy. As the psalmist is disgusted by the way his enemies live, he is lead to a deeper study of God’s Word. ‘Law’ is usually an English translation of the Hebrew ‘Torah’ which applies to all of God’s Word. But even God’s rules and precepts are intended for your good. In your times of trouble, do the same as the psalmist– turn to God’s word and pray to Him for relief. Remember His mercy and the salvation He gives through Jesus. Enemies may cause you trouble and take your life, but they cannot overcome the salvation that is in Jesus.
The Old Testament lesson is from the book of Jeremiah. He was prophet to the southern kingdom Judah before, during, and after the exile into Babylon. At the time, Judah was caught between warring nations vying for regional control. Even so, the citizens of Judah felt secure, not because they trusted God’s promises but because they trusted their traditions and institutions. Many took God for granted. In Chapter 28 Jeremiah is publicly and cynically chastising false prophets including a man named Hananiah. These false prophets claimed they had God’s authority to proclaim peace. Such prophecies are popular. People enjoy hearing that everything is great as is, and no change is necessary. Jeremiah too wanted to speak peace. But he couldn’t. He was called to speak God’s Word— there was no peace. There was idolatry and apostacy. So Jeremiah warned of approaching judgment, destruction, and exile. In Chapter 27 God had told Jeremiah to put on a wooden yoke as an object lesson, warning the people they would soon be put under the control of the Babylonians. But rather than fight, the people of Judah were to surrender so that they might live. The people hated Jeremiah for what sounded like a treasonous and quitters’ message, and they threatened to kill him. God would eventually bring peace, but it would be on His terms and in His time. God’s actions would show which of the two prophets was a true prophet (Hint, think Jeremiah). Today people enjoy hearing words of peace and prosperity. Accusations of sin and calling to repentance are rejected as too negative. Let us pray for wisdom that the Holy Spirit would help us to discern God’s Word and distinguish true teaching from false teaching.
The Epistle lesson is from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans. In Chapter 6 Paul wrote about spiritual slavery. We either serve sin which leads to death, or we serve God which leads to righteousness and eternal life. It is strange to say, but being a slave of God is the way of freedom. In Sunday’s reading from Chapter 7 Paul uses a different comparison to make his point about the freedom Jesus gives. He uses marriage as an illustration. A woman is bound to her husband ‘until death do they part’. If a husband dies, the wife is free to remarry. Paul writes that in like manner, we are bound to the “Law” until it “dies”. It is strange to say, but the Law produces sin in us. Not that God’s Law is bad, but we are rebels who react badly to it. The restraints and limits God set in place to protect us instead produce in us a desire to trespass. How does one escape the Law? It is through baptism that our self is put to death, the bond of the Law is broken, and we are united with the bridegroom of the Church, Jesus. Jesus has given you a new life and releases you from obligation to the Law and it’s coercive threats.
The Gospel lesson from Matthew’s account is a continuation of what we read last week. Jesus sent out His 12 disciples to announce that the kingdom of God was at hand (in the person and restoring ministry of Jesus). Matthew reports on Jesus’ instructions which are some of His “hardest” words. Jesus alerts them that being His agents comes with difficulty. He does not bring peace but the sword. His message will divide believers from unbelievers, even splitting up families. To be His disciple will include taking up the cross that is given, that is, those who follow Jesus should expect to suffer emotional and possibly physical abuse for speaking for Him. You and I are not called to be apostles. We are not all called to full time church work. But Jesus says we gain life when we lose our life for Him. When we assist the “prophets” we will receive a prophet’s reward. Jesus’ words are an encouragement to not let anything stop us from following Him to the Last Day.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about Sunday’s readings. Set aside time on Independence Day to thank God for our freedoms, and ask that He would bless and direct this country’s leaders and citizens to use those freedoms wisely. God bless you. Pastor Boster
