The Old Testament and Gospel readings for Sunday July 23 emphasize the sovereignty of God. He is a mighty judge to whom we will each answer on the Last Day. But God is also patient and merciful. He calls out to us through His word and His spokesmen, especially His Son Jesus, urging us to repent, to turn from self-centered evil ways, and to turn to Jesus and trust Him for rescue while there is still time. Be assured that the Holy Spirit is interceding for you, accomplishing the holy things we cannot do because of our human weakness.
On Sunday we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Three beginning on page 184 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns selected for the day are #794 The Lord, My God, Be Praised; #769 Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ; #629 What is this Bread; and #509 Christ is Surely Coming.
Scripture readings for the day are Psalm 119:57-64; Isaiah 44:6-8; Romans 8:18-27; and Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43.
Psalm 119 is a teaching psalm, each section of the psalm beginning with a subsequent letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In verses 57 to 64 the psalmist asks for God’s favor, and declares his commitment to Him. God’s commandments are good for us; His instruction useful for godly living. So we should gather together with all those who fear God, teaching each other God’s word and declaring God’s saving acts of love.
In Isaiah 43 God speaks through the prophet warning the people of ancient Judah of approaching judgment at the hand of the Babylonian army. Their worship life had been half-hearted, a reluctant going through the motions. They were tired of listening to God. So God was going to discipline them, and the judgment would be harsh. But for those who turned to God and listened to His words given through Moses and the prophets, there would be a restoration; something new would happen. In Chapter 44 God give the people reassurance of His power—all the false gods and idols are nothing like Him. False gods cannot help us. But God is alive, He sees us, He hears us, He cares for us, He has the power and the will to help us. And so He encourages His people to turn to Him, to trust His promises and not be afraid. For He will save believers from His condemning judgment. He does so, not by our efforts and obedience to the Law, but through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. Jesus was condemned and put to death to redeem us from death. There is no condemnation for those connected to Jesus.
In Romans Chapter 7, St. Paul considers the dilemma each of us Christians faces—the “new man” in us, the inner soul converted and influenced by the Holy Spirit, has a desire to do God’s will; but at the same time we saints redeemed by Jesus are also sinners, still giving into temptation and following desires “of the flesh”. Wherever there is a desire to do a good thing, evil desires also grab at us. We are caught in a spiritual struggle. Speaking for God, Paul urges Christians to resist sin and not give up. But more than that, in Romans 8 Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit will help us in our struggle against sin. He also reminds the Romans and us that God is patient and merciful. If the Holy Spirit lives in you (He was given to you in baptism, casting out evil spirits and taking up residence in you), then God who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal body. Paul compares us Christians to adopted children, made part of God’s family with the assurance God hears us when we call upon Him. Be aware, the Christian life is not easy. Being joined to Jesus’ benefits will also join you to His suffering. As a Christian you will not fit well into this sin-broken world. Paul comments that Creation was also affected by mankind’s fall into sin. Creation groans as original perfection has been replaced by futility and corruption. The world we are experiencing is not how God intended it to be. So Creation joins with us in awaiting the day of Christ’s return and the restoration of all that has been broken. We hope for that day. Hope does not mean wishful thinking or imagination, but rather an anticipation and looking forward with confidence to the completion of the rescue plan God has revealed in Jesus. Such hope and anticipation is difficult. There are many detours, setbacks, and false hopes that would discourage or dissuade us. But the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, strengthening our faith when we grow weak. Faith is strengthened by God’s Word, delivered in the Scripture, and through preaching, and the Sacraments.
In the Gospel lesson, Matthew 13, Jesus tells a parable. A parable uses earthly images to describe heaven and the hidden work of God. In the reading for Sunday, verses 24 to 30 and 36 to 43 Jesus tells and explains a story often called the “Parable of the Wheat and Tares” or the “Parable of the Weeds”. Heaven and the work of God can be compared to a man who plants ‘good seed’ (wheat) in his field. While he is asleep, an enemy plants bad weed seed (tares) in the same field. As the good plants come up out of the ground, so do the weeds. Servants offer to tear out the weeds. But the Master of the field declines the offer, concerned that while tearing out the weeds, the wheat would also be harmed. The Master tells the servants to wait until the day of harvest. Then the separation will occur—wheat will be gathered and preserved, but weeds will be thrown out and burned. Jesus explains the parable. Unbelievers (sons of the evil one, the devil) are growing up among Christians (sons of the kingdom, planted and nourished by the gospel of Jesus). Rather than destroying the sources of evil now, God is patiently and caringly waiting for the day of harvest/judgment. When Jesus returns to judge, unbelievers will burn under His judgment, but believing Christians will shine in the glory of God’s presence. Don’t ignore the parable. As Jesus puts it, he who has ears, let him hear. God’s judgment is coming; how will you be saved? Don’t fall for false imitations.
Collect: Gracious God, we humbly pray, rule our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may be ever mindful of Your final judgment, and by Your grace be stirred up to holy living here and be prepared to dwell with You in perfect joy hereafter; through Jesus Christ Jesus, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You, and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
I encourage you to arrange to attend church to receive God’s gifts. Let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about the Scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
