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Luke 23:27-43 - Lectionary for the Last Sunday of the Church Year, Cycle C

11/17/2016

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11/17/16
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

In Luke 23:27-43 Jesus is mocked all the way to his death. As he goes to the place of execution, however, he has encouraging words for those who are lamenting his sentence. The time is coming when Jesus’ followers will also be mocked, scorned, beaten, and executed, for his sake. This is a sorrowful time indeed.

Why is Jesus treated this way? It is because of sin in the world. From the first sin to the last one described in the Bible we are bent on rejecting and abusing Jesus. All sin is, in one way or another, a rejection of the person and work of God to create, sustain, and redeem his people.

Even as he is dying on the cross, see Jesus’ compassion. The criminal who confesses he is guilty and deserves to die but that Jesus is innocent receives a great promise. “You will be with me this day in paradise.” What hope do we find then? Whatever the sin, Jesus’ forgiveness is present for us. We can trust in his mercy. He has indeed done all that is necessary for our redemption.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

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Colossians 1:13-20 - Lectionary for Last Sunday of the Church Year, Cycle C

11/16/2016

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Colossians 1:13-20 - Lectionary for Last Sunday of the Church Year, Cycle C
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

In this week’s Psalm and Old Testament readings we are confronted with the serious nature of rejecting God. Those who have rejected God and His Word are going to face judgment rather than mercy in the last day. Our Epistle reading from Colossians 1:13-20 tells us very clearly what kind of Lord Jesus is. He, God the Son, is the one who rescues from darkness. He is the one who brings forgiveness.

What authority does Jesus have? The apostle tells us that Jesus is the one who is the instigator and focus of all creation. He created all things. He created them for his use. In him, all things “hold together” (v. 17). And he uses them together to reconcile all heaven and earth to God. That is Jesus’ purpose. He is the one who makes peace.

The death of Jesus, then, is not wasted. It is very purposely done by the one who created all things. He alone has the power to make his death take the place of your death and my death. He is the one who has made peace between man and God. He is the only one who can do this.  In our Psalm and in Malachi we read that it is by believing God, taking him at his word, that we are his people, under his protection. Nothing has changed. The New Testament tells us very clearly that it is as we are trusting Jesus that we find ourselves to be his chosen people.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

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Malachi 3:13-18 - Lectionary for Last Sunday of the Church Year, Cycle C

11/15/2016

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Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Our Old Testament reading for this week is from Malachi chapter three. Malachi is structured around a number of interactions between God and Israel. In each, God points out a failing of the people. They respond in disbelief. God then describes why his assessment is correct. Here the people have spoken ill of God. How have they done this? They have said that God’s commands are worthless and that they are the people who can judge rightly and should act according to their own opinion. God observes that he is patient but not ignorant of the people’s rebellion.

What is God doing? Why is he being so slow to judge? In verse 16 the people who feared God speak with one another. What are they speaking about? The Scripture does not say. However, the result speaks volumes. The LORD pays attention to what his people are saying. He has their names written in a book of those who will be treated as his treasure, even as a faithful son. Apparently through the speaking in verse 16 the people who are trusting in the LORD are making it plain.

It is through the words and deeds of others that we are often led to belief, to faith, and to the good works which follow. Why would God delay in showing judgment? Very likely to allow more to believe in his mercy and grace.

Verse 19 does point out that God’s mercy will not be shown to all. He will still show himself to be the judge of all. But, just as he always has, here he calls people to trust in him rather than in themselves. This is where our confidence lies. The God who will judge good and evil graciously calls us to believe in him so he can judge us as his precious children.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

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Psalm 46 - Lectionary for Last Sunday of the Church Year, Cycle C

11/14/2016

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Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

The end of the Church year is marked by Scriptures which refer to the end of time and the coming of the Lord. In Psalm 46, which bears a subtitle, “for the end,” we find that the Lord is the one who will protect his people forever no matter what the rest of the world might do. In the last days there will be trouble, turmoil, and destruction. The Psalmist describes it as a violent shaking. Yet through all of it the Lord’s hand can be seen. He is the dwelling place, a place of safety, for his people.

Does this mean that all will be well with all the world? Not at all. In the end, the God of all justice will stop the evildoers forever. He himself will intervene and the earth will be destroyed, all those who are bringing terror against his people will find ruin. The final question, then, is who will prove to be God’s people. Those who are trusting in him will find perfect safety. Those who oppose him will face his judgment.

Lord, have mercy upon us. May all who read this look to You and trust in your gracious protection.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

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    About Throwing Inkwells

    When Martin Luther was dealing with struggles in his life he once saw what appeared to be an angelic being. Not trusting that he was going to be informed by someone other than the God revealed in Scripture, he took the appearance to be untrustworthy and hurled his inkwell at it. The chipped place in the plaster wall is still visible at the Wartburg Castle, though apparently the ink stain on the wall has been refreshed periodically by the caretaker.

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