Brothers and sisters, peace to you in the name of Jesus. This coming Sunday is the third Sunday after Pentecost. The Old Testament reading and the Gospel reading report on how God chooses people to be His agents in proclaiming His word. Some people are called to specific “offices” like apostle or pastor. But all of God’s people are called to be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation, declaring the praises of the One who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Who were we before in God’s eyes? Who are we in God’s eyes now because of Jesus? St. Paul addresses those questions in the epistle reading for the day.
The service Sunday June 18th will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Four, beginning on page 203 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #571 God Loved the World so that He Gave; #567 Not What These Hands Have Done; #628 Your Table I Approach; and #724 If God Himself Be For Me .
Scripture readings for the day are Psalm 100; Exodus 19:2-8; Romans 5:6-15; and Matthew 9:35-10:8.
Psalm 100 is a psalm of thanks and praise toward God. The psalmist speaks of God as our owner, that is, He made us and called us to be His people, “sheep” of His “pasture”. Give thanks, for God remains faithful in also caring for you, body and spirit. Set aside time to thank and praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Exodus 19:2-8 is a portion of God’s word to the nation of Israel soon after He delivered them out of Egypt. God graciously calls them to be His people. He labels them His holy nation and a kingdom of priests, not because they were perfect people but because of His grace. They were set apart to act as intercessors to the neighboring nations—by their service and worship they were to demonstrate how powerful and gracious God is. Sadly, the story of Israel is instead one of disobedience. Jesus came into the world to do what ancient Israel could not. Jesus, the Light of the world, pays for disobedience, mediating peace between God and man. Through baptism and the good news of the gospel, God has called you to be one of His people as well. What will you say to others about Him?
Romans 5:6-15 is a portion of St. Paul’s letter to the congregation in Rome. In this section Paul describes how great God’s grace is, rescuing you and me and the world from sin even when we were His enemies, weakened and corrupted by sin. God shows His love for you by sending Jesus to reconcile you back to Him. Adam disobeyed God and brought sin and death into the world and to you as a result. Jesus obeyed God and died for you, bringing peace and eternal life to you as a result.
In the gospel reading, Jesus sees people hurting, so has compassion on them. He chooses twelve men to be His first disciples. They would become apostles—meaning His “sent ones”, to carry His teaching to other people. We are not apostles. They were set apart as a special group of men. But God has chosen you too to be a disciple of Jesus. Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians that you were chosen by God’s grace before the foundations of the world. We have been given the gospel and so many of God’s blessings. How should we use those blessings in a world that is so troubled?
COLLECT: Almighty and eternal God, in the Word of Your apostles and prophets You have proclaimed to us Your saving will. Grant us faith to believe Your promises that we may receive Your gift of eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please contact me if you have any prayer requests or questions about Sunday’s readings. The Lord be with you. Pastor Boster
