Brothers and sisters, greetings in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I encourage you to make worship attendance part of your schedule this weekend, that you may hear God’s Word and receive the gifts of forgiveness He administers through the service.
During the Sunday October 15 worship, we will be following a slightly modified version of the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #726 Evening and Morning; #947 All Glory Be To God on High; #737 Rejoice My Heart, Be Glad and Sing; #629 What is This Bread; and #813 Rejoice O Pilgrim Throng.
Scripture readings for the day are Psalm 23; Isaiah 25:6-9; Philippians 4:4-13; and Matthew 22:1-14.
Psalm 23 is perhaps the best known of the psalms. Written by King David, the psalm uses imagery of a shepherd protecting and providing for His sheep, to expresses confidence and corresponding comfort in knowing that God cares for His people. He will bring us safely through death to a land of peace and plenty. Verse 5 mentions God preparing a table, symbolic of fellowship, hospitality, and trust. This verse 5 connects well with the Old Testament and Gospel readings which describe a feast of celebration. Why do we have reason to celebrate? Jesus the Good Shepherd laid down His life and was raised again so that your sin is forgiven, death is defeated, and you have been given a seat at God’s eternal banquet table in heaven.
In Isaiah 5:6-9 God speaks through the prophet, using the imagery of a lavish feast table to describe life in His kingdom. People from every nation and generation have been invited. They celebrate because God has lifted the veil of sin that confuses and obscures our view of Him. God destroys sin, wipes out sadness, removes our blame, disgrace, and disapproval. In the Old Testament days God’s people waited for the arrival of the Messiah. Jesus has come, and promises to return to take you to be with Him. Wait for Jesus, trust in Him, that you would reason to rejoice on that great day.
St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians was written while he was in jail. Surprisingly, Paul is quite upbeat. He is sure he is in God’s care; the good news of Jesus is going out in spite of his chains. In 4:4-13, Paul encourages the Philippians (and all Christians) to also be joyful no matter what the earthly circumstances may be. There is no reason to remain anxious. For the Lord Jesus is with us, close by, not far away. And His assurance of forgiveness and eternal life gives strength to go forward. Paul writes that in response we should do things that are in keeping with Jesus’ will for us– pray, give thanks, be gentle to others, be content, and think of heavenly things. You may notice that these behaviors are about 180 degrees opposite of what this sin-broken world encourages us to do. God sent Jesus to bring you peace, and He will preserve your hearts and minds as you believe in Him. Rejoice that the ‘secret’ of Jesus’ salvation has been made known to you.
In the week before His arrest and crucifixion, Jesus is critical of the Pharisees and others who have been rejecting Him and the promises of the gospel. Because of their stubbornness and refusal to accept Him, they will be sent to hell, a place of great and unending suffering. In Matthew 22:1-14 Jesus makes His point by telling a parable about a king who prepares a wedding banquet for his son. Servants were sent out with invitations to the celebration, but for a variety of worldly reasons no one accepts. Some were so bold and disrespectful that they abused the servants and killed them. This angers the king, and he has them destroyed. Then he sent out more servants, expanding the invitation list to everyone and anyone who could be found. So the banquet hall was filled with guests. But then the king notices a man who is not wearing the wedding garments that had been given him. So the man was thrown out. The wedding garments represent the righteousness of Jesus which covers our sin. Anyone not clothed in Christ is not dressed properly, and will be thrown from God’s heavenly hall. The invitation is still going out. Many are called. But sadly, few are chosen. Many prefer their own sense of righteousness, and reject Jesus. If you have accepted the Spirit’s invitation to believe in Jesus, you are one of the chosen. For only being led by the Spirit can we say Jesus is our Lord.
COLLECT: Lord Jesus Christ, whose grace always precedes and follows us, help us to forsake all trust in earthly gain, and to find in You our heavenly treasure; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about the lessons for Sunday. God bless and direct you. Pastor Boster
