For the service tomorrow August 6, we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Three beginning on page 184 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #904 Blessed Jesus, At Your Word; #697 Awake O Sleeper; #616 Baptismal Waters Cover Me; and #573 Lord ‘Tis Not that I Did Choose Thee.
Scripture readings for the day are Psalm 136:1-4, 23-26; Isaiah 55:1-5; Romans 9:1-5; and Matthew 14:13-21.
In Psalm 136 the psalmist gives thanks to God for the mercy He has actively demonstrated toward His people. The psalm includes a list of events in the history of the nation of Israel, including creation, victory over pagan powers, and several instances of deliverance. Our God is a rescuing God, a delivering God. After each example given in the list, the people of God would respond with the refrain praising God’s “chesed” (pronounced kes’ed). This Hebrew word is used frequently in Scripture to describes God’s character. It is variously translated into English as mercy or love or goodness or loving kindness. You might notice overlap in these terms. As they describe God’s character and attitude, the terms each emphasize He is steadfast and unchanging. The mercy, love, goodness, loving kindness of God endures forever. And the words describe God’s primary actions. The loving, kind, merciful God who was active delivering His people’s lives in the past, is still active today. He is directing creation for your benefit, and He is working to deliver you from all that would harm you.
God spoke through the prophet Isaiah in the years leading up to Judah’s exile to Babylon (about 600 BC). The prophecy included warning of judgment, and urging to repent and to be faithful. In Chapter 55 of Isaiah, God refers to His Messiah, offering the people an invitation to receive His gift of deliverance. He uses the metaphors of free food and drink. God’s gift of salvation is offered free to us. The price of salvation from sin was paid by His Son Jesus who suffered and died as a substitute for each of us. By His death we are forgiven and rescued from sin and death, and set free from the devil. Why would anyone reject such a marvelous gift? God urges each of us to listen to His offer. It is a gift no money can buy. It is a gift no work of ours can earn. His covenant promise is an everlasting promise, guaranteed by the blood of Jesus, with the proof revealed through Jesus’ resurrection.
God made His promises first to the people of Israel. But who belongs to the true Israel? In Romans 9-11 St. Paul gives an answer to this question. The nation of Israel, is often considered to be the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God calls them His people. It wasn’t because they were the “best” people, or the most numerous, or the most powerful. God chose them out of His mercy. He adopted them as His own. He gave them the commandments. He taught them how to worship. From their bloodline would come the Messiah. God promised to be their God and they would be His people— If they kept His covenant. But many rebelled. Many turned away from His promises to instead follow the teachings of men. After the exile to Babylon the members of this group are frequently called the Jews. St. Paul grieves that many of his kinsmen Jews are rejecting Jesus. He goes on to explain that from God’s perspective, ‘Israel’ are not those who are related to ancient Abraham by blood. Rather ‘Israel’ are those who share the faith of Abraham, trusting God’s promises, especially of a delivering Messiah. In that way, the Church, those who trust in Jesus, they are the true Israel.
As Jesus went about his earthly ministry preaching and teaching, many people began to follow Him. Sadly, many more began to be hostile, rejecting His message of heaven. In Matthew 14, we are given a report of Jesus demonstrating His compassion and God’s divine power as He miraculously feeds over 5000 people with two fish and five loaves of bread. The God of creation is merciful. He helps people in their need. His steadfast love endures forever.
Collect: Gracious Heavenly Father, though we do not deserve Your goodness, still You provide for all of our needs of body and soul. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may acknowledge Your gifts, give thanks for all of Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; 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 Sunday’s Scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
