Greetings in the name of Jesus. I encourage you to be in Bible class and worship on Sunday.
On August 18 we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service setting 3 beginning on page 184 in the LSB service book. We will also include a recitation of the first three commandments along with Martin Luther’s explanation. These can be found on page 321 of the LSB.
Hymns chosen for the day are #908 Lord, Open Now My Heart to Hear; #696 O God, My Faithful God; #619, They Body Given For Me O Savior; and #921 On What Has Now Been Sown.
Scripture texts for the day are Psalm 34:12-22; Proverbs 9:1-10; Ephesians 5:6-21; and John 6:51-69. I noticed that each of these passages include a sharp contrast between two ways of life. Do you notice the contrast also?
In Psalm 34 there is a contrast between the way God responds to the wicked versus the way He responds to the righteous. The wicked He will slay; but He hears the cries of the righteous and delvers them. The question arises, what must I do to be righteous? We often think of proper behavior, doing the right things, and avoiding the wrong things. But those things are the response of righteousness, not the cause. Scripture emphasizes that our righteousness comes from God. This is revealed in the gift of His Son, Jesus. Paul reports in Romans 3 that ‘no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by observing the Law’. But Paul also reports of the revelation of God, that there is now a righteousness from God apart from the Law, one that come by believing in Jesus who has redeemed us. Jesus is our righteousness. It is Jesus’ perfection that God accounts to us. Jesus is the sacrifice that makes us right with God. When King David wrote Psalm 34, he knew his personal righteousness was inadequate. Like all of us, he needed to depend on God’s mercy. This is a good reason why we should join David in glorifying and exalting God.
King Solomon is considered to be the primary human author of Proverbs. By God’s grace he was the wisest man to have lived. In Proverbs 9 wisdom is contrasted with foolishness. Wisdom is depicted by the image of a woman setting out a fine banquet, inviting the “simple” to come and eat of the meal she offers that they would turn from their ‘simple’ ways and gain insight, especially into God’s ways. The simple person is one who is gullible, easily lured, easily falling for the temptations of the world and the devil. Note that they are not in a neutral state. They are not following God’s ways; they are not following Wisdom. This Wisdom begins by fearing God. Fear as used in Proverbs generally has to do with awe, respect, honor, and love toward God, not wanting to disappoint Him. Of course, this fear is also aware of God’s demands and His power and judgment of sin. The Holy Spirit makes us aware of God’s mercy and work’s repentance in us that we would wisely turn to His full instruction. A wise man, one who gives heed to God’s instruction, especially His instruction that points to Jesus, will become still wiser.
In the opening chapters of his letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul as God’s spokesman instructs Christians what a gift God has given us in Jesus. Jesus has changed our eternal destiny by redeeming us from sin and giving us a new life. In the concluding chapters, Paul gives instructions on how we as Christians ought to live in response. As in Solomon’s proverbs, there is instruction to act wisely and not be foolish. Read through the passage and identify for yourself which behaviors Paul puts in each category. The point Paul is making in Chapter 4, through the preached word and the waters of Baptism, Jesus has given you a new identity. You are God’s child. You have been brought out of the darkness of sin and into the glorious light of Jesus. You should respond by doing the wise things and stop doing the foolish things.
The Gospel lesson from John 6 continues a narration of Jesus instruction to those who had come to Him looking for bread. Jesus identifies Himself as the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of Him will live forever. And the bread He offers is His own flesh, which He gives for the life of the world. The passage has many things to consider. It is a saying hard to comprehend. I will list one thing to consider. Jesus intends to give of Himself. He is pointing to His death on the cross to pay for your sin, and for the sins of all the world. He will also offer His body and blood to be eaten and drank in the Supper He institutes. We eat, not in a way that we rip His flesh with our teeth, but that according to His word and in a sacramental way we take and eat His glorified body, and take and drink His glorified blood. Some will believe Him; others will not. There is a sharp contrast between believers and unbelievers. There is no middle ground. Those who trust Him will receive eternal life—He will raise them up on the Last Day. Those who do not believe, those who walk away from Him because He doesn’t do things the way they want—they will be die separated from God. When many in the crowd walked away, Jesus asked His disciples an important question we should all consider: “Do you want to go away as well?” Peter responded with an answer inspired through faith: Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that You are the Holy One of God.” How would you have answered Jesus’ question?
COLLECT: Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life, grant us to know Your Son, Jesus, to be the way, the truth and the life, that we may steadfastly follow Him in the way that brings us to life eternal, through Jesus Christ, 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 the Scripture lessons for Sunday. I also encourage you to contact me if you would like to be involved in a Bible study. God bless you. Pastor Boster
