Greetings in the name of our Savior, Jesus. I’m back from vacation and look forward to seeing you in church on Sunday.
The lectionary texts assigned to Sunday July 20th are Psalm 27:1-7; Genesis 18:1-14; Colossians 1:21-29; and Luke 10:38-42.
Hymns chosen for the day are #907 God Himself is Present; #536 One Thing’s Needful; #631 Here, O Lord, I See Thee Face to Face; and #729 I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus.
In Genesis 18 Abraham and his wife Sarah are visited by the Lord, appearing as three men. Abraham and Sarah welcome the men, preparing a meal for them. The Lord makes a promise that Sarah would give birth to a son even though she and Abraham were quite old and beyond the normal age of child- bearing. But nothing is too hard for the Lord. At God’s appointed time Sarah miraculously gave birth to a son (Isaac). The birth is evidence of God’s power and His faithfulness. He will do what He says, even if it sounds impossible. Through Abraham and his descendants God has continued to bless the world. This points to Jesus, and also to those who believe God’s promises as Abraham did. God counts such faith as righteousness.
The epistle lesson is a portion of a letter that St. Paul sent to the congregation in Colossae, a town in the southwestern apart of what is now Turkey. Paul reminds Christians of every age that we were conceived and born in sin, and as a result were once enemies of God, by corrupted nature opposed to Him in thoughts and actions. But Paul also reminds us that God has made a change in our lives and in our destiny. Jesus died to set you free from sin, and reconciled you to God. God no longer sees you as an enemy, but as one who has been purified by Jesus, free from accusation and without the stain of sin. This is the good news of the gospel. The gospel that was hidden for centuries has been revealed to you. Through Jesus, God saves sinners. Such a blessing should not be ignored or taken for granted. Without continued faith and anticipation of God’s promise fulfilled in Jesus, the benefit of the blessing can be lost.
In the gospel lesson, Jesus visits two sisters, Martha and Mary. Martha focused on serving Jesus. Mary focused on what Jesus was teaching. Both women were welcoming Jesus, but He says that Mary chose the good portion, that is, the more important activity. Service to Jesus is a good response, but receiving the word of Jesus is the one thing necessary for salvation.
Collect: O Lord, Grant us the Spirit to hear Your Word and know the one thing needful, that by Your Word and Spirit we may live according to Your will; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about the lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
