Brothers and sisters, I encourage you to be in church Sunday to receive God’s forgiveness that He distributes there through the gifts of His Word and His Sacraments.
Sunday July 21 is the ninth Sunday after Pentecost. We will follow a modified version of Divine Service Setting 3 beginning on page 184 in the Lutheran Service Book. We will recite and consider the First Article of the Apostles Creed (and Luther’s meaning) located on page 322 of the service book. We will sing some hymns that are variations of portions of the liturgy. Hymns chosen for the day are #644 The Church’s One Foundation; #947 All Glory Be To God on High; #589 Speak, O Lord, Your Servant Listens; #642 O Living Bread From Heaven; and #918 Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer.
The Scripture readings highlight God’s continued compassion and care for His people. We will read Psalm 145:13b-21; Jeremiah 23:1-6; Ephesians 2:11-22; and Mark 6:30-44.
Psalm 145 is attributed to be a psalm of praise and of David. David the king of Israel gives praise to God, the King of kings. The psalm is structured as an acrostic poem, each subsequent line beginning with a corresponding letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In the verses we will read Sunday, we join with David and the myriads of others who give thanks to God for His continued compassion, providing for our needs of body and soul. God is faithful to His Word. He will uphold you. Our eyes don’t always see that gracious hand. We often experience disappointment, hardship, and suffering. Even so, God in His grace also broadcasts His word so the Holy Spirit can use it to work and sustain faith in us. So we live by faith and not by sight. Come and receive God’s gifts given in worship. Pray that God would give you faith to receive them thankfully, even when you don’t immediately see their benefit.
In Jeremiah 23, God speaks through the prophet giving warning of punishment to those priests and other leaders who have abused the people they were called to serve. They are like wicked shepherds who scatter sheep rather than gather them and care for them. Through the prophet, God also encourages those who have suffered at the hands of abusive priests and other leaders. He Himself will care for His people, so they would have no more reason to worry or fear. God foretells the coming of a branch or descendant of David, who will be called Yahweh Zedekanu, the LORD our Righteousness. The word of God is fulfilled in Jesus. He is the Good Shepherd who cares for you, His sheep, laying down His life in sacrifice for you that you would be reconciled to God, be gathered to Him, and live.
In the second chapter of his letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul is reminding Gentile Christians what a great gift God has given them. We have been saved by God’s grace, without any work or merit on our part. In the verses we will be reading, Paul uses the imagery of homecoming and family and citizenship to reinforce the change of status Jesus brings to our life. Centuries ago, God established a covenant with the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He would be their God, and they would be His people. But as God later reveals, the true Israel is not determined by blood line, or by strict obedience to any Law, but rather by faith in His promises (Romans 9:8). Do you believe God as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob did? If so, you belong to God’s family and His eternal kingdom. By the death of Jesus and the waters of baptism that connect us to Him, we Gentiles have been made members of God’s household. We were conceived and born as sinners deserving to be separated far off from God without His benefits forever. But God in His great mercy did not give us sinners what we deserve. In His grace He sent Jesus to reconcile us to Him, giving us eternal benefits we do not deserve. Through His death on the cross, Jesus has paid for your sin, breaking down all the barriers that separated you from God. The peace Jesus brings should also break down the barriers that separate us from one another. Jesus is the source of true and lasting peace, and the way to heaven. There are no separate or alternate dispensations or paths to God. Whether we are Jewish Christian or Gentile Christian we have been made one in and through Christ, with equal access to all of God’s benefits.
In the Gospel lesson from Mark 6, the evangelist reports on the story of Jesus miraculously feeding more than 5000 people with just a few fish and loaves of bread. The miracle is triggered by Jesus’ compassion for the people. They were like sheep without a shepherd, lost and wandering without direction looking for care and protection (and feeding). (Recall the reading from Jeremiah 23) When the disciples are confronted with the needs of the people, they suggested everyone leave their desolate place to go out on their own to find food. The disciples were still thinking like people of the world. They were overlooking the One with them, a great resource in time of need. In your times of need, do not forget Jesus is present and He cares for you, physically and spiritually. He feeds us with His Word. He feeds us His body and blood. With these gifts He sustains our faith. And faith holds to the promises and actions of Jesus that our eyes cannot see. Hold to Jesus. He will satisfy your need.
COLLECT: Heavenly Father, though we do not deserve Your goodness, still You provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may acknowledge your gifts, give thanks for all 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
