Brothers and sisters, Greetings, and peace to you in the name of our living Savior, Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus rose from the grave on the first day of the week, Sundays are still a great time to gather and celebrate Jesus’ victory over death. Because He lives, you and all who believe in Jesus will also live forever.
Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus ascended into the clouds returning to full divine authority over all things. His Human nature’s entry into heaven has opened the way for all of us to enter. An Ascension Day celebration is planned for Thursday May 29 at 6:30 pm.
May 25th is the sixth Sunday of Easter. Our focus on Sunday mornings remains on Jesus’ victory over death, but the Scripture readings we read have increasing numbers of references to the Holy Spirit, preparing us for Pentecost which we will celebrate in two weeks. On the 25th we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service One beginning on page 151 of the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #478 The Day of Resurrection; #772 In Holy Conversation; #622 Lord Jesus Christ You Have Prepared; #488 He is Arisen! Glorious Word.
Scripture readings assigned to the day are Psalm 67:1-7; Acts 16:9-15; Revelation 21:9-14, 21-27; and John 16:23-33.
The introduction to Psalm 67 includes the instruction that it is to be sung accompanied by stringed instruments. The psalm is marked by the instruction ‘selah’ at verses 1 and 4, which is thought to infer a musical interlude and time to contemplate the impact of the words just sung. The psalmist begins with a prayer for the group, asking God to show favor to His people. The psalm ends with a statement of assurance that God will bless the people and provide a harvest. In the middle of the psalm, people are encouraged to praise God and rejoice over His perfect justice and guidance. It is a prayer we should consider more often. God proved salvation to us through His Son Jesus. The good news of forgiveness and eternal life which Jesus earned for us continues to turn the hearts of people and brings them into the Church.
In the reading from Acts Chapter 16, St. Paul is on his second missionary journey through Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) when he receives a vision of a man urgently asking him to take a detour to preach the gospel in Macedonia (northern Greece). Paul travels to Philippi, a Roman garrison. The passage we read Sunday reports on Paul’s travels and the conversion of some of the believers who heard his message. Baptism and the preaching of the gospel is still the way of making disciples.
The second reading from Revelation Chapter 21 is part of the vision seen by St. John, giving a description of conditions in heaven. It is described as a beautiful city, like Jerusalem, glorious, full of light, with nothing to fear. But we should take note, there is also an urgency to repent, to turn to the cleansing power granted through Jesus. He is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. His blood cleanses sinners. He gives the only access to heaven. Nothing unclean will enter in.
Events in the 16th Chapter of John take place the night of Jesus’ Passover meal with His disciples, before His arrest by the Jewish authorities. Jesus prays for them. He gives an explanation in preparation of the events that were about to take place, including His death and resurrection. Jesus would be leaving them ( not visible to them) to go to His Father. The disciples themselves would soon be scattered by oppression. There will be tribulation. Much of Jesus’ teaching had been done using parables and allegories, often leaving the disciples confused. Jesus speaks to them in plain terms about the benefit of prayer to God the Father. Then Jesus encourages them to take heart for He has overcome the world. Evil and cannot stop Jesus. All these instructions are intended to encourage all believers. Jesus grants us the peace we need.
COLLECT: Gracious God, the giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right, and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; 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 schedules or about Sunay’s Scripture readings. God bless you. Pastor Boster
