Greetings to you in the name of our living Savior, Jesus Christ. In explaining the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer (Hallowed be Thy name), Martin Luther wrote, “God’s name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven!” This Sunday is another opportunity to hold God’s word sacred by gladly hearing and learning it. You might also plan to attend Lenten season midweek services beginning with Ash Wednesday on March 5.
Sunday February 23rd is the seventh Sunday after the Epiphany. We will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 of the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #905 Come Thou Almighty King; #845 Where Love and Charity Prevail; and #’706 Love in Christ is Strong and Living. We’ll include two hymns to be sung during the distribution of communion #704 Renew Me, O Eternal Light and #692 Praise to You and Adoration.
Scriptures assigned to the day are Psalm 103:1-13; Genesis 45:3-15; 1 Corinthians 15:21-26 and 30-42; and Luke 6:27-38.
Psalm 103 is a psalm of David. He praises God for His redemptive mercy, caring for His people’s bodies and souls. There will be times of suffering and times when we feel we are being punished. But David tells himself and each of us to never forget God’s compassion and mercy. He does not treat us the way we deserve for our sin, but instead does good things for us. David points ahead to the truth– God’s mercy is demonstrated in Jesus who has redeemed us from the pit of death. Let us give proper fear, honor, and love to God for His undeserved favor. Bless the Lord O my sou, and all that is within me bless His holy name.
Genesis 45 reports on a portion of the life of Old Testament patriarch Joseph, son of Jacob/Israel. You probably know the story of Joseph’s boyhood. At the time Joseph was the youngest son of Jacob, and his father spoiled him. He told his older brothers of dreams that they would one day bow before him. His brothers responded by plotting to kill him, but at the last moment sold him into Egyptian slavery instead. But Joseph God while enduring a series of ups and downs, including promotions and jail time. Joseph was able to interpret some of the Pharaoh’s dreams and foretold a coming famine. Joseph was given authority to manage crops and stockpile food, so the Egyptians were ready when the famine came. In a surprising twist, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt seeking food. When they made their request for food, they did not recognize him. In the text we will read Sunday, Joseph reveals his identity to them. Fear and dread came over the brothers as they were sure Joseph would seek revenge against them. Instead, Joseph showed them mercy. Time and suffering had matured Joseph. He recognized that God had brought these events all about so that their lives would be spared. Joseph told his brothers that he was not angry and would not punish them. God turned a sad story about a dysfunctional family and envious, hateful brothers into a joyous story of reconciliation. Joseph’s mercy towards his brothers is a foretaste of the mercy and forgiveness Jesus has shown to us. Our sin was a cause of His suffering and death. Rather than seeking revenge against us, Jesus welcomes us and reassures us that His crucifixion was part of God’s plan to rescue us all from His judgment. Jesus has paid for your sin and welcomes you as a member of His family. He empowers us to forgive others as He has forgiven us.
The epistle lesson from 1 Corinthians 15 is a continuation of St. Paul’s explanation of the resurrection of the dead. Jesus is raised bodily from the dead. His victory over death becomes the open portal for us all. Paul writes to assure you, that even as we die because we are descendants of Adam, you will also be raised from the dead to live forever in a new glorious body because you are connected to Jesus. Because Jesus lives, you too shall live forever as you trust in Him.
The gospel lesson recorded by St. Luke is a continuation of Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain which we began reading last week. After giving assurance to His disciples of the blessings they receive as His disciples, He had also warned them against being lackadaisical and taking His blessings for granted or assuming they deserved those benefits. In the verses we will read Sunday, Jesus explains what love is and encourages His disciples to live a life of love. His instruction includes what we often call the golden rule: As you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Love is expressed in showing mercy even to our enemies, just as God has shown mercy and reconciled Himself to you through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
COLLECT: Father God, You are merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Grant us the love of Jesus that we may honor You and love others in our words and our actions; through the same 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 if you have any prayer requests or questions about Sunday’s scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
