Friday, October 26, 2012
Luther's Words: Man Must Hear the Law First, Then the Gospel
Before receiving the comfort of forgiveness, sin must be recognized and the fear of God's wrath must be experienced through the preaching or apprehension of the Law, that man may be driven to sigh for grace and may be prepared to receive the comfort of the Gospel. Therefore one should by all means most severely admonish and drive to repentance with threats and intimidation those who as yet are without any fear of God's wrath, are secure, hard, and unbroken. That is, no Gospel but only the Law and Moses should be preached to them. On the other hand, where there are hearts in which the Law has performed its office, so that they are frightened by the knowledge of their sin, are timid and fugitive, no Law should be preached and proclaimed any more, but pure Gospel and comfort. For this is the proper office of Christ, to perform which He came and commanded the Gospel to be preached to all poor sinners and enjoined on them to believe it, that He might abolish and remove all charges, frightening, and threatening of the Law and might give the purest comfort instead.
(WLS #2286)
Thursday, October 25, 2012
GOSPEL: Matthew 22:1-14
Reading:
And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.
Commentary:
Our Lord tells us in the Gospel that all sins are now forgiven, for Jesus' sake. The preaching of this Gospel is here compared to a king who invites all to the wedding of his son. Those who were invited and made excuses represent the Jews of Jesus' day, but they are also those in our day who love the world and find no "use" for Christ. As Christians who know Christ, we also make excuses however, for we let the world interfere with our church attendance, the Means of Grace, and we always have "better" things to do. Just as bad, we call upon God only when we need Him or when He is convenient, or we can fit Him into our calendar. When we see how easily and how often we put Christ last rather than first, we should in all earnest confess these sins to God in prayer and ask forgiveness for Jesus' sake. Faith then is to dress oneself in Christ knowing Jesus is the Lord our Righteousness. Only those who believe in Him will be saved.
And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.
Commentary:
Our Lord tells us in the Gospel that all sins are now forgiven, for Jesus' sake. The preaching of this Gospel is here compared to a king who invites all to the wedding of his son. Those who were invited and made excuses represent the Jews of Jesus' day, but they are also those in our day who love the world and find no "use" for Christ. As Christians who know Christ, we also make excuses however, for we let the world interfere with our church attendance, the Means of Grace, and we always have "better" things to do. Just as bad, we call upon God only when we need Him or when He is convenient, or we can fit Him into our calendar. When we see how easily and how often we put Christ last rather than first, we should in all earnest confess these sins to God in prayer and ask forgiveness for Jesus' sake. Faith then is to dress oneself in Christ knowing Jesus is the Lord our Righteousness. Only those who believe in Him will be saved.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
EPISTLE: Ephesians 5:15-21
Reading:
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Commentary:
Knowing the certainty of our salvation in the precious redemption of Christ, the time we spend on earth becomes very precious, even a treasure which is not to be wasted. We are to be "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." To walk circumspectly is to walk exactly, diligently, perfectly according to His will. "This is love, that we walk after His commandments." "Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." While there are certainly times we slip into sadness and depression (as the saints in the Bible often did), our Lord who loves us desires we be happy in Him. The Word of God then in song or hymns, is a wonderful way to give thanks unto the Lord who has given us all. Knowing His grace, we happily submit to one another, in true service to one another. This is not in any way a burden, but rather through Christ it is our joy.
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Commentary:
Knowing the certainty of our salvation in the precious redemption of Christ, the time we spend on earth becomes very precious, even a treasure which is not to be wasted. We are to be "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." To walk circumspectly is to walk exactly, diligently, perfectly according to His will. "This is love, that we walk after His commandments." "Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." While there are certainly times we slip into sadness and depression (as the saints in the Bible often did), our Lord who loves us desires we be happy in Him. The Word of God then in song or hymns, is a wonderful way to give thanks unto the Lord who has given us all. Knowing His grace, we happily submit to one another, in true service to one another. This is not in any way a burden, but rather through Christ it is our joy.
Monday, October 22, 2012
OT: Genesis 13:8-9
Reading:
And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
Commentary:
Abraham here shows us true Christian love, by how he handles this problem with Lot. There had been strife between Abraham's servants and Lot's concerning food/pasture for their respective flocks. Since it was God's will that there always be peace between His children, loving the Lord and his brother Abraham gives Lot the choice of the land (though Abraham was more rich and powerful). Abraham would rather suffer financial loss, than lose peace with his brother. When there is strife among Christians, the selfless love of Christ should govern all our words and deeds. "If any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away." Likewise, "Charity suffereth long, and is kind;…charity vaunteth not itself, …..seeketh not her own." "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."
And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
Commentary:
Abraham here shows us true Christian love, by how he handles this problem with Lot. There had been strife between Abraham's servants and Lot's concerning food/pasture for their respective flocks. Since it was God's will that there always be peace between His children, loving the Lord and his brother Abraham gives Lot the choice of the land (though Abraham was more rich and powerful). Abraham would rather suffer financial loss, than lose peace with his brother. When there is strife among Christians, the selfless love of Christ should govern all our words and deeds. "If any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away." Likewise, "Charity suffereth long, and is kind;…charity vaunteth not itself, …..seeketh not her own." "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."
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