Brothers and sisters, greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus.
For the next couple of months, we will be using the liturgy of Divine Service One beginning on page 151 in the LSB hymnal.
The hymns chosen for Sunday August 27 are #500 Creator Spirit, by Whose Aid; #848 Lord, Whose Love through Humble Service; #623 Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray; and #854 Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, I Go.
Scripture texts are Psalm 138; Isaiah 51:1-6; Romans 11:33-12:8; and Matthew 16:13-20.
Psalm 138 is attributed as a psalm of King David. The psalm offers thanks to God for protection. From His position of authority and glory, God is still looking out for the needs of the lowly. The arrogant separate themselves from Him. Even kings who are considered powerful by earthly standards have reason to praise God for His Word and His gracious treatment of people. David takes assurance that God, motivated by His steadfast love, will accomplish His purposes for David’s life. The grace of God that David recognized, has also been extended to you. Out of fatherly love and goodness God gives “first Article” gifts of shelter and protection. Ultimately, He sends His son Jesus to protect us from our enemies of sin and death. Jesus demonstrates how much God loves you. He will not forsake you.
In Isaiah chapter 51, God speaks through the prophet to repeat His message of comfort and salvation to His people. Read verses 1-6 carefully—Several times God seems to be trying to get the peoples’ attention. Apparently, they are distracted, or misunderstanding His message. Maybe they were sleepwalking through the routines of life, unaware of the peace and joy God intends for them. So, God intersperses His message with alerts— “Listen”, “Look”, “Give attention to me”, ”Give ear to me”, “Lift up your eyes”—God is trying to get your attention as well. Are you paying attention to His words?? God does not want you to miss out on the comfort He alone provides. God has revealed His comfort to us in His Son, Jesus, who has brought the justice, salvation and redemption that was announced to Abraham and the people of Zion long ago. It is a message for people from all nations to heed, for Jesus is our rescue from sin, death, and hell.
In the epistle reading, Romans 11:33-12:8, St. Paul begins with a doxology, a hymn of praise acknowledging God’s far superior wisdom. His judgments are beyond description. As a commentary puts it, it is absurd to think we can teach God anything. And He does not owe us any favors. Instead, we should humbly recognize and appreciate that He is the source, means, and goal of life. Praise God in His glory!! Paul then gives instruction about proper response to God’s mercy. Much of the letter has described the redemption and salvation from sin that God has provided through the death of His Son, Jesus. So we should live for Jesus. Led by the Holy Spirit we shouldn’t conform to worldly standards, motivations, or goals. God has graciously given you gifts to benefit you, body and soul. Among those benefits, we Christians are brought together to be members of the same body, the Church. Instead of using those gifts for selfish purposes, Paul urges Christians to humbly and mercifully use those benefits to encourage and edify each other.
In Matthew 16 Jesus asks His disciples what people are saying about the Son of Man, His messianic title. The disciples’ answer indicates the people think Jesus is some kind of reincarnated prophet. Jesus drills down on the disciples—“Who do you say that I am?” It is relatively easy to talk about Jesus in generic terms, recounting little snippets of information we have heard from various conversations, throwing in a few anecdotes intermixed with complaints about the weather—we might call it coffeeshop talk. But what if Jesus looks you in eye, and asks, “Who do you say I am?” The answer to this question will in many ways indicate your eternity. Is Jesus merely a good teacher, a spokesman for God? Or is He your Savior? Peter gives the answer that is confirmed and praised by Jesus: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” “Christ” means ‘anointed one’. Of course the disciples do not yet fully understand that Jesus has been anointed to die, so that they might live. Nonetheless, Jesus praises this faithful confession. He then delegates to them and the Church what we refer to as the “office of the keys”, the delegated authority to forgive or bind (not forgive) the sins of others. Strangely He tells them to keep the incident quiet. The time for the revelation of the “Christ” had not yet come. In a short time He would go to Jerusalem, be put to death on a cross, and rise from the dead. In doing so He redeemed you and opened heaven to you.
Almighty God, Your Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption. Grant us courage to take up our cross daily and follow Him wherever He leads; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, 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. The Lord be with you. Pastor Boster
