Brothers and sisters, greetings in the name of Jesus. We have come to the end of another week, with a bit cooler weather, and most of us refreshed by rain. I hope you are able to join us for worship tomorrow.
Many of you have already heard that Wednesday school will return this week. If you know any families with 3-4 year old kids, invite them to the open house Monday night 5-7 pm. It will be an opportunity to ask specific questions about the program. We will also be serving hotdogs.
On Sunday September 17 we will be following the liturgy of Divine Service One beginning on page 151 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #812 Come, Let Us Join Our Cheerful Songs; #501 Come Down, O Love Divine; #611 Chief of Sinners, Though I Be; and #852 O God of Mercy, God of Might.
Scripture readings for the day are Psalm 103:1-13, 22; Genesis 50:15-21; Romans 14:1-12; and Matthew 18:21-35.
Psalm 103 is attributed to King David, but it is unclear what situation in his life led to this writing. The psalm expresses praise to God for the benefits He gives. Among the
benefits on David’s list are physical health and the ‘good things’ of life. Forgiveness and redemption are emphasized. God removes our transgressions from us as far as east is from
west. A refrain often repeated in the psalms is that God is merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Forgiveness, redemption, removal of transgressions is not merely ignoring our sin. Rather, God pays the penalty His justice demands from us, by sending His Son Jesus to suffer the death we deserve. David was looking ahead to the day when Jesus took your sin upon Himself at His crucifixion, and passed His righteousness onto you in your baptism. So with David we can rejoice. Though we humans were originally formed from the dust of the earth, and like grass destined to die, God has made us alive in Him. In all the times of life, even times of fear or despair, God’s grace and promises renew us. Bless the Lord, O my soul!!
The Old Testament reading from Genesis 50 reports a conversation that took place between a man named Joseph and his brothers. Joseph was one of the twelve sons of the patriarch Jacob, also called Israel. Joseph spoiled Jacob and his brothers resented him. They grew tired of what they considered his bragging. So they sold him into slavery, lying to their father, saying Joseph had been killed by wild animals. God took care of Joseph, and over many years and through many ups and downs Joseph became one of the chief leaders in Egypt, appointed by Pharaoh to oversee all of Egypt’s crops. God used a dream given to Pharaoh to direct Joseph to stockpile food. So when a severe famine came upon the region, the sons of Jacob came to Egypt to ask for food for their families. Because of the years of separation, and Joseph’s transition to Egyptian culture and language, they no longer recognized him. Joseph gave them food, and eventually revealed his identity to them. Immediately the brothers recalled how they had harmed Joseph, and they wondered if he was going to take revenge on them. Instead, Joseph forgave his brothers. This forgiveness is an example of what flows from the forgiveness God has shown to us. The greatest example of forgiveness is revealed in Jesus, who gave His life as a sacrifice that we would be forgiven of our rebellious and self-centered sin by God. By His death, Jesus has earned forgiveness for all the sins of the world. God’s work in Joseph should be seen as a foreshadowing of the greater forgiving and restoring work of Jesus.
The epistle reading is from Romans chapter 14. Earlier in his letter, St. Paul had written about Christian freedom. Redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus we are freed from the bonds of sin and free from the threat of God’s condemnation (Romans 6:6-23; Romans 8:1-5). In Chapter 14 Paul describes living a life of freedom. We answer only to God. So we do fear what others may say of us. And we should not impose our personal standards on to others, or look down on them. Rather we should welcome one another and encourage each other to live according to God’s standards, standards that include His patience, grace, and steadfast love.
In the gospel lesson, Matthew 18:21-35, Peter asks a question about forgiveness. Jesus had just given instruction about how to treat a brother who sins against us, and delegated authority to forgive or not forgive someone’s sin. Peter wants to know, ‘how many times are we required to forgive sin?’ Other teachers of the time reportedly taught that 3 times was a generous standard. Peter’s suggestion of seven times seems even more generous. Translations vary but Jesus’ answer of seventy times seven (or alternatively, seventy-seven times) should not be understood as a specific hurdle, but instead should be understood as a number beyond counting, that is, forgiveness should have no limits. Afterall, how many times has God forgiven your sin? Jesus death has paid for all your sin. Every sin has been accounted for. God holds none of your sin against you. All obligation for your sin has been paid, no matter how many known and unknown sins you have. That is why is sacrificial death is so dear to us. Jesus tells a parable to make His point. He concludes that we have been forgiven a great debt, so we should forgive our brother from the heart, no matter how many times we are harmed. This can cause us great concern. How are we to forgive someone who has hurt us deeply? It is impossible for us. So we must turn to Jesus. We ask the Holy Spirit for help. Only connected to Christ can we forgive the trespasses of others as He has forgiven us.
COLLECT: O all-knowing and almighty God, without Your grace and blessing we cannot please You. Mercifully continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit to direct and govern our hearts in all things ; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about Sunday’s readings. God bless you. Pastor Boster
