Greetings in the name of Jesus, the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. Martin Luther began his Ninety-Five Theses by observing that the life of a Christian on earth will always be one of repentance, a result of grief over sin and the faith that turns us to Jesus. As we continue through the season of Lent, be in worship where God is giving out the gifts of forgiveness paid for by Jesus. we also have midweek services at 6:30.
I’ll begin by pointing out that next Sunday March 8 we have a time change, springing forward one hour.
During the service tomorrow March 1, we will be using the liturgy of Divine Service Four beginning on page 203 in the LSB hymnal. There will be some adjustments to the liturgy during the season of Lent.
Hymns chosen for the day are #535 How Wide the Love of Christ; #422 On My Heart Imprint Your image; #571 God Loved the World So That He Gave; #629 What is This Bread; and #543 What Wondrous Love Is This.
Scripture texts suggested by the three-year lectionary are Psalm 121; Genesis 12:1-9; Romans 4:1-8, 13-17; and John 3:1-17. Two themes that I see connecting the lessons from Genesis 12 and John 3 are God’s plan to create a people for Himself. God makes promises and His people are those who respond with faith that takes action.
Genesis 12 involves God’s call to Abra(ha)m. God instructs Abra(ha)m to his home and extended family and promises him several blessings including giving him a land and being made a great nation. Through Abra(ha)m (and his descendant) all families would be blessed. Even though he was an old man, Abra(ha)m responds in faith and follows God’s leading. At God’s direction he left his extended family and the land he knew. Later, God said He would count Abraham’s faith as righteousness.
In the epistle reading, St. Paul explains how God counted Abraham’s faith as righteousness. That is, God counts us being in a right relationship with Him, not because of the works we do, but because of trusting God’s promise of forgiveness given through Jesus, paid for by His death in the cross.
In the gospel lesson from John 3, a Pharisee named Nicodemus meets secretly with Jesus. Jesus tells him about the new life given by being born again of water and the Holy Spirit, a metaphor for baptism. God wants all people to have a change of heart, to look to Jesus on the cross and believe He has redeemed them. In doing so, they receive forgiveness and will live. Those who do not believe in Jesus will be condemned.
In this Lenten season we should ask, do I believe Jesus died for my sins? If no, why not? Do I recognize the eternal danger I am in? If yes, how should I respond?
COLLECT: O, Almighty and gracious God, You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; 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 the lessons we will be reading Sunday. I encourage you again to gather for worship. God bless you. Pastor Boster
