Brothers and sisters, greetings in the name of our Savior Jesus. Remember that you are loved by God, and redeemed from sin by the blood of Jesus. I encourage you to be in bible study and worship on Sunday to hear more about what God has done for you.
Sunday, September 22 we will be following the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 in the LSB hymnal. As part of our ongoing catechetical study, we will also recite the third article of the Apostles Creed regarding the work of the Holy Spirit, and Luther’s explanation.
Hymns chosen for the day are #915 Today Your Mercy Calls Us; 850 O God of Mercy, God of Might; # 610 Lord Jesus Think On Me; and #698 May We Thy Precepts, Lord, Fulfill .
Scripture texts assigned to the day are Psalm 54:1-7; Jeremiah 11:18-20; James 3:13-4:10; and Mark 9:30-37.
The introduction to Psalm 54 says the psalm is a maskil of David. It is unclear what the term ‘maskil’ means. It is related to other terms indicating style or type of accompaniment. Some scholars suggest maskils generally highlight some type of special wisdom or insight about God. The introduction to the psalm also says the psalm was written as a follow-up to the Ziphite betrayal of David (1 Samuel 23:15-24 and 26:1). Envious of David’s reputation as national hero, King Saul plotted several times to kill him. To escape, David fled to the desert hill country south of Jerusalem, near the city of Ziph. In an apparent attempt to win Saul’s favor, the Ziphites alerted him as to where David was hiding. Saul pursued David. The two and their troops nearly met, unknowingly passing by each other on opposite sides of a hill, when suddenly a messenger called Saul back north, alerting him that Philistines were attacking in other parts of the country. David recognized God as his protector. The place became known as Sela Hammahlekoth ( translated as “Slippery Rock” or “Divided Rock” or “Rock of Escape”). In Psalm 54, David prays that God would save him from evil men, acknowledging that God is the helper and upholder of life. God would ultimately give David victory over his enemies. In a similar way God defends us from evil. As St. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6, our struggle is not really against flesh and blood enemies, but against spiritual forces of the devil. Trusting God’s promises we should follow David’s example, praying to God, recognizing His Son as our Shield and Deliverer from the devil, and thanking Him for protection every day.
In Chapter 11 of Jeremiah, God instructs the prophet to proclaim the approaching destruction of Judah which is His judgment against the people’s iniquity. They had refused to listen to Him, instead following after false gods. Then God warns Jeremiah that his neighbors would respond by trying to kill him in an attempt to silence God’s message. They wrongly assumed that if Jeremiah was gone, God’s Word would also be gone. Their attitude was that God had no right to impose His will on them. Recognizing his vulnerability before the threatening crowds, Jeremiah meekly says that he is like a lamb led to slaughter. And he prays that God would vindicate him, to defend him and clear him from all accusation and blame. This imagery of a lamb led to slaughter would be applied to Jesus centuries later as the innocent son of God is falsely accused, judged, and hung on a cross. Jesus rose from the dead. In His death and resurrection Jesus demonstrates that He had come to vindicate Jeremiah and you and all of God’s elect. He has rescued us from the judgment and destruction our arrogance and iniquity deserve. Praise God that He has remained committed to our cause.
The writer of the New Testament book of James was the half-brother of Jesus. After Jesus’ death and resurrection James became a believer and key leader in the Christian congregation of Jerusalem. In the verses we will read Sunday, James rebukes those who quarrel and live following earthly passions. He gives God’s instruction as how we should treat one another– speaking the truth while avoiding jealousy, selfishness, conflict, and pursuing worldly desires. Instead, we Christians should be humble, gentle, peaceable, and merciful (read the passage for the full list of instructions). These attitudes are the attitudes demonstrated by Jesus, so should also be evident in the lives of those redeemed by Him. O Holy Spirit, help us to avoid worldly passions, and strengthen and direct us that we might instead live as examples of Jesus’ love.
In the gospel reading from St. Mark’s account of the gospel, Jesus for the second time tells his disciples of His impending death and resurrection in Jerusalem. How would you react to that news? In his Gospel account, Mark regularly depicts the disciples as not quite ‘getting it’, missing the impact of what Jesus is telling them. They didn’t understand, and were afraid to ask. As the disciples consider Jesus’ approaching death, they begin to argue over who of them will be greatest. (The implication of their argument is that they would all be great, but some would be ‘more great’). Jesus uses the opportunity to correct and teach them (and each of us) that life in His kingdom involves humility and servanthood, not superior status, self-aggrandizing, or dominance. In serving Jesus, we all become first. As a very real demonstration of this attitude, Jesus welcomes a young child who would need to be cared for, with no community status, no ability to repay, nothing that would have helped Jesus. In a similar way and with a similar attitude, “in Jesus’ name” we should serve the meek and needy without partiality or sense of superiority. We serve God by serving our neighbor, even those who appear insignificant. We serve because Jesus served us. Jesus ultimately served by giving up His life for you, paying for your sins so that you would be reconciled to God. This is why God sent him into the world, that you would be restored to Him forever.
COLLECT: Almighty God, heavenly Father, Your strength is made perfect in weakness. Grant us humility and childlike faith that we may please You in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, 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 Scripture readings. God bless you. Pastor Boster
