Brothers and sisters, greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. This is a three-day weekend as our country celebrates Labor Day. The origins of the federal holiday are related to the formation of labor unions, but more broadly honors all who work to provide for the rest of us. As Christians we are aware that from the beginning of time God has assigned mankind to manage or steward what He had created. With the fall into sin, that labor became burdensome. So, we complain about work and grow weary of it. But with eyes of faith we see that God still uses workers from every righteous vocation as His agents to serve one another. As the country has designated a day to thank workers for their efforts, let us Christians set aside even more time to thank God who coordinates and equips workers to meet our needs. And let us constantly recall the work Jesus completed to meet our spiritual need. Come to church. Listen to His Word. Receive His gift of forgiveness. And praise Him for His kindness and generosity toward us beggars.
On August 31 we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Three beginning on page 184 in the LSB Hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #915 Today Your Mercy Calls Us; #635 O Gracious Lord, I Firmly Am Believing; #570 Just As I Am; and #535 How Wide the Love of Christ.
Scripture lessons assigned to the day by the lectionary for Proper 17 is Psalm 131:1-3; Proverbs 25:2-10; Hebrews 13:1-17; and Luke 14:1-14. A theme that is common to each of the readings is having an attitude of humility. Humility involves thoughts and actions demonstrating modesty and submissive service to others, not being arrogant or overly proud, recognizing one’s imperfections, and not thinking oneself to be more important than other people. Jesus is the perfect example of humility. The divine Son of God came down from heaven and took on human flesh and soul to live as one of us, enduring the temptations that trouble us, and dying in our place so that the penalty of our disobedient and often arrogant nature would be paid for.
Psalm 131 is a psalm of ascents, the type of song one would sing as they approached the temple to worship God. The psalmist declares he approaches with lowered eyes and heart, signs of humility, not a prideful gaze or haughty attitude. God is the one who should be exalted, not oneself. While we are each needy, dependent on God’s care, we can also be content, assured that He will lovingly care for us. The psalmist explains that we are like weaning children, still dependent on a mother, while at the same time content that she will continue to meet our needs. We can be confident, but not arrogant. For we really contribute nothing to our welfare. God is the one who should be acknowledged and praised.
Proverbs is a book of accumulated godly wisdom. In the passage to be read Sunday, King Solomon reminds us that none of us knows as much as we might like to think we do. Solomon gives examples of behaviors such arrogance produces– barging in on a king or other authority telling them what to do, or challenging someone in court who has more facts and evidence than we do, or going about town telling someone else’s secrets when you don’t know the whole story. Such a person will end up ashamed and be ridiculed as a fool. Instead, we should be humble, thoughtful, and careful when we speak, recognizing our weaknesses. God rejects the proud but will exalt the humble. The humble are like silver which has had impurities removed and becomes the kind of valuable material precious vessels are made of. God values the humble and will use them to accomplish His purposes.
The Hebrews passage is a list of various loving behaviors that should be exhibited by Christians, including examples of being concerned about others.
The reading from Luke 14 reports Jesus was attending a dinner party at the house of a chief Pharisee. This was not the first of such dinners (see Luke 11:37-54). Jesus has challenged the authority and teachings of the Pharisees and in their increasing hostility toward Him they are watching for something they could use to have Him silenced or put away. A man with dropsy (edema or extreme swelling of body parts) arrives and Jesus heals him. Pharisees would have criticized such action since it was a Sabbath, a day of rest and no labor. But when Jesus challenges their thinking, they have no response. Jesus also observes the way they are each vying for seats around the table, intending to sit near someone important, hoping to be noticed and raise their prestige among their peers. Jesus tells a parable warning against such arrogance. Instead of trying to gain importance, they should act humbly and be concerned for those often considered weak or outcasts who have nothing to offer them in return. We are being encouraged to be humble and to care first for others. Humility and service are evidence of the attitude God will reward on the day of judgment.
Collect: O Lord of grace and mercy, teach us by Your Holy Spirit to follow the example of Your Son in true humility, that we may withstand the temptations of the devil, and with pure hearts and minds avoid ungodly pride; through the same Jesus Christ, 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 lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
