Brothers and sisters, greetings in the name of our Savior Jesus. This coming Sunday we are entering into June and the season of “Sundays after Pentecost”. The Gospel readings chosen for these Sundays tend to emphasize the work of Jesus done through His disciples and His Church. To symbolize this work, the paraments will change to green, the color symbolizing life. Assured by Jesus, equipped and motivated by the Holy Spirit, each of us have opportunity to share the life-giving Word of Jesus with other people.
On Sunday June 2 we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting 3 beginning on page 184 in the LSB hymnal. During the opening of each of the services this summer, we will also add a bit of catechetical review. Hymns chosen for June 2 are #904 Blessed Jesus At Your Word; #903 This is the Day the Lord Has Made; #627 Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior; and #654 Your Kingdom O God, is My Glorious Treasure.
Scripture readings are Psalm 81:1-10; Deuteronomy 5:12-15; 2 Corinthians 4:5-12; and Mark 2:23-28.
Psalm 81 is a psalm of Asaph, intended for the choirmaster according to GITTITH. Asaph was one of the men King David appointed to lead worship music (see 1 Chronicles 6:31-39). The meaning of GITTITH is not clear, but it seems to be a musical term indicating which style or instrumentation was to be used as accompaniment. The psalm urges people to praise God for the rescue and encouragement He gives them. Such praise has been commanded by God (for example, what we call the third commandment, ‘Remember the Sabbath day). Included among the reasons for praising and thanking God are historical events in which He miraculously defended His people and saw to their physical and spiritual needs, (For example, causing Israel’s release from abuse and captivity in Egypt in the days of Moses; and God’s subsequent provision of water from a rock during the Exodus). History shows that God is a deliverer. Even when He admonishes His people, it is for their good. Verses 11 to 16 are not part of our recitation, but they criticize people for not listening to God’s Word, which includes law and gospel, warnings and promises. As a result of their not listening, many people miss out on the blessings God intends for them. Consider the psalm as instruction for you–set aside time to hear, read, and consider God’s Word. Submit to Him. Avoid idols and complacency.
The Old Testament lesson is from the book of Deuteronomy. The title ‘Deuteronomy’ can be translated as the second telling of the law. In the book, God speaks His word through Moses to the Israelites who have been wandering in the Sinai Wilderness for 40 years. They are camped on the east bank of the Jordan River about to enter Canaan, the land God had promised them. God uses the opportunity to retell their national history, including their rebellion and complaining. God reminds them how He has repeatedly delivered them and cared for them. He has declared them to be His people. In Chapter 5 God repeats the Ten Commandments and gives further instruction as to how they are to live after the enter the Promised Land. Among the instructions is the command to ‘Observe the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy.’ ‘Sabbath’ means ‘rest’. After creating the world in six days. God rested on the seventh day. Rest is good for us. It is time for our bodies and our animals to physically recover from labor. Even more importantly, ‘Sabbath rest’ encourages us to think on God and His Word, that our spirits would be restored. As the writer of Hebrews points out (Chapter 4), the Sabbath day is a foreshadowing of Jesus. He gives our spirits eternal rest. For now, we rest by considering His Word, that our faith would be strengthened, and we would be guarded from falling into disobedience. That rest is available to you every day of the week.
The epistle lesson is part of St. Paul’s second letter to the congregation in Corinth. Corinth was a chief city in southern Greece, 50 miles west of Athens. The ancient city is located on a narrow four-mile-wide isthmus. In ancient days it was an important port and trade center. Boats and goods were dragged overland on a tramway across the isthmus for shorter and safer travel from the Aegean Sea/ Saronic Gulf through the Corinthian Gulf to the Ionic Sea and western Mediterranean. A Christian congregation was established in Corinth during Paul’s second missionary journey. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians indicates it was a very divided congregation, fighting over a number of theological and practical issues. Paul rebukes and corrects them. Paul’s second letter indicates that God’s Word had had a positive effect. Many of the members had been reconciled to Paul and to one another. Paul uses the second letter to commend them, and to warn them against false teachers who were challenging Paul’s integrity and apostolic authority. In Sunday’s reading from chapter 4, Paul admits his human weakness. But he reminds the church that Christ is our focus. We are nothing more than clay jars. Jesus is the treasure that fills us. It is Jesus’ strength that we rely on, not on the strengths of men. Paul was suffering, but he endured it so that he could preach the good news of Jesus to them. It is wise to not rely too much on pastors. They too are sinners. They will disappoint. But as long as they preach Jesus as Lord and Savior, we should listen to them.
The gospel lesson from Chapter 2 of Mark’s account, narrates an event that occurred on a Sabbath day. In Jesus’ day, in an attempt to ensure that people didn’t break Old Testament rules and regulations, Jewish religious often interpreted and applied the rules by adding even greater restrictions. One Sabbath, Jesus and His disciples were in a field plucking grain to eat. The religious leaders accused Jesus of doing something unlawful. They considered plucking grain as harvesting and doing work forbidden on the Sabbath (compare Exodus 31:13-15 and 34:21 with Deuteronomy 23:25). Jesus reminded them of a past occasion when King David and his companions had eaten bread consecrated for use in the tabernacle. The bread served a practical need, nourishing God’s anointed, and was therefore not considered sinful. In response to the accusations, Jesus uses the example of David to declare to the religious leaders (and to us) that He has a greater authority, even authority over the Sabbath. Observing the Sabath (and keeping all commandments) is intended to be of benefit to us, not to cause us trouble or make us miserable. The Pharisees were overlooking the beneficial value of the Sabbath. The Sabbath filled a need for physical rest, and time to contemplate God. But there is something of greater value that many people are missing out on. Jesus came to fulfill our need for eternal rest and a respite from guilt and fear. An event that triggered accusations about rule breaking became a lesson about Jesus’ authority and an early indication of His benefits for us.
COLLECT: Almighty and eternal God, Your Son Jesus Christ is our true Sabbath rest. Help us to keep each day holy by receiving His Word of comfort that our rest may always abide in Him, 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 lessons. For the next several Sundays we will be studying 2 Corinthians in the 9 am Bible class. You are invited to join in the study and discussion. God bless you. Pastor Boster
