Greetings in the name of our Savior, Jesus. I encourage you to be in Church to receive His gifts of forgiveness this coming Sunday, August 24. Being in worship will not guarantee your salvation but I hope you recognize that His gifts benefit your soul. Neglecting God’s gifts is bad for your soul.
We will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Three beginning on page 184 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #915 Today Your Mercy Calls Us; #510 A Multitude Comes From the East and the West; #629 What is This Bread; and #813 Rejoice O Pilgrim Throng.
Scripture passages assigned to the day by the lectionary (Proper 15) are Psalm 50:1-15; Isaiah 66:18-23; Hebrews 4-24; and Luke 13:22-30. One theme common in the readings is the gathering of God’s people by Jesus on the Last Day, the Day of Judgment, when all people will have to give an account of their relationship to Jesus, their Lord and Savior.
In the closing words of Isaiah’s prophecy, God describes a day when He will gather His people from every nation and language. Several nations surrounding Judah are listed to indicate that God’s people will arrive from every direction. While this prophecy has some reference to those of Judah who would survive exile in Babylon or scattered elsewhere, it is also a foretelling of the Last Day, the Day of Judgment when God gathers Christians to live in the new heaven and new earth He will re-create. Unbelievers and those who rebel against God will spend eternity in torment (see verse 24). The cross and empty grave of Jesus are signs of God’s grace and commitment to saving sinners. The cross of Jesus is like a banner that God’s faithful people rally around. Even now we gather regularly to worship Jesus, to receive His gifts of forgiveness and respond by praising His glory.
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that until the Last Day, God will continue to discipline His people, using His word and events to guide and correct Christians so we would not be misled by the devil or the sinful desires of the flesh that still cling to us. Being made aware that discipline is good for us, we ought to encourage each other to strive for peace and to live holy lives. God’s law is frightening because it threatens punishment to sinners. God is a powerful and demanding judge. But God is also gracious. He is not taking us to Mt. Sinai (where He gave the commandments) but to Mt. Zion (another name used for Jerusalem and for heaven) where Jesus’ sacrifice has redeemed us and mediated a new promise of forgiveness.
In the gospel account, Jesus warns that those who reject Him will spend eternity suffering, separated from God. But those who trust Jesus as their God and Savior from sin will enjoy heaven living with Him like a never-ending banquet. Jesus describes some of those He will reject. His words should lead each of us to consider, Will you be one of those who are given entry into heaven? Considering those who He says are rejected, why would He let you in? Hint, all who believe in Jesus and are baptized will be saved.
Collect: O Lord, You have called us to enter Your kingdom through the narrow door. Guide us by Your Word and Spirit, and lead us now and always into the feast of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Please let me know of you have any prayer requests or questions about Sunday’s Scripture readings. God bless you. Pastor Boster
