Category: Luke - Wittenberg Door Campus Ministry

Matthew and Luke

9/5/2023

9/5/23
Scholarly Observations

Repschinski, Boris. "Chapter Three: Matthew and Luke." in Sim, David C., and Repschinski, Boris (editors). Matthew and His Christian Contemporaries. London: T&T Clark, 2008, 50-65.

Repschinski considers that there was not only a rift between Christianity and Judaism evidenced in the Gospels, but that there were substantial differences between the kind of Christianity Matthew and Paul would have promoted (Repschinski 2008, 50). There were certainly philosophical tensions between the Jewish traditions apparent in Matthew and the form of gentile Christianity which came to predominate (Repschinski 2008, 51).

Matthew's Gospel shows a clear concern that the Gospel should be made fully known to people of all nations (Repschinski 2008, 51-52). Counter to Sim, Repschinski takes many of the negative statements against gentiles in Matthew to show a contrast with Jesus' disciples (Repschinski 2008, 53). While even the gentiles get some things right, the disciples of Jesus do far better. Repschinski illustrates this using several passages from Matthew. While Matthew portrays Jesus' mission as focused to Jews, not Gentiles, there are still Gentiles around, participating in life and receiving blessing from God and His people (Repschinski 2008, 56).

In contrast to Matthew, Luke has normally been associated with a Gentile audience. However, Repschinski observes "Gentiles do not feature prominently in the Gospel at all" (Repschinski 2008, 57). In Luke's Gospel, while Jews are criticized, Gentiles are rarely characters who show up again and again (Repschinski 2008, 59). Even in Acts, when Paul is known for having a mission to Gentiles, he proceeds to go to the synagogue first, then to the Gentiles who receive him more favorably (Repschinski 2008, 60). In the Gospel, Luke tends to portray the Samaritans favorably. They are those, not accepted as fully Jewish, who turn to Jesus in faith and obedience (Repschinski 2008, 61). In Acts 8, the mission to the Samaritans is shown as fully developed. Repschinski also sees the mission to the Samaritans almost as a prototype for all New Testament mission to Gentiles (Repschinski 2008, 63). They are not previously bound to the Law and covenants. They are set apart from Jews.

Repschinski sees a growth of differences between Jewish and Gentile Christianity, as the implications of the background of the Mosaic Law or its absence are worked out. Both the Jewish and Gentile types of Christianity grow and flourish (Repschinski 2008, 64). The writings of Matthew and Luke show different emphases and approaches to bringing the Gospel to Gentiles. Yet they both deal with similar issues. Repschinski concludes, "We can only appreciate that for the early Christians, there was more than one way in dealing with the conflict between a rich tradition and a visionary future" (Repschinski 2008, 65).

Eucharist in Luke

2/21/2023

2/21/2023
Scholarly Reflections

LaVerdiere, Eugene. "Chapter Six: Dining in the Kingdom of God: The Eucharist in Luke's Gospel." The Eucharist in the New Testament and the Early Church. Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press (Pueblo), 1996, 79-95.

LaVerdiere evaluates eucharistic themes in Luke's Gospel, which he assigns the relatively late time of about 85 A.D., similar to his estimate of the composition of Matthew (LaVerdiere 1996, 79). The account in Luke is intended to speak to a Gentile audience, unlike the account in Matthew.

LaVerdiere distinguishes between the Last Supper, as a formal communal meal, and the Eucharist, also a formal meal (LaVerdiere 1996, 79). While in the Last Supper Jesus acts as the host and nourishes his guests, in the eucharist, LaVerdiere says, "Jesus is present among us as a participant, but also as nourishment, sharing his person with us and inviting us to do the same" (LaVerdiere 1996, 80). The two meals, in LaVerdiere's view, were conflated by the New Testament authors, a phenomenon made apparent to him through the fact that when the authors of the Gospels tell about the Last Supper, they include a form of the institution narrative. LaVerdiere sees much more discontinuity between the meals than this reader does.

Luke's presentation of eucharistic elements reflects his "interest in history, in liturgical tradition, in the discourses of Jesus, and in the meaning of meals" (LaVerdiere 1996, 81) Luke's presentation is, in some elements, spread across the Gospel and Acts. For instance, there is only one miraculous feeding of a multitude in the Gospel, set in Galilee (LaVerdiere 1996, 82). In Acts, there are instances of breaking bread in Gentile contexts.

Luke's Gospel records ten meals of Jesus, as well as parables and other statements closely related to food (LaVerdiere 1996, 83). Each instance shows an aspect of Christian lfie and ministry.

LaVerdiere briefly describes the different Christian communities which he thinks led to the development of the different canonical Gospels. In the Lukan community he describes a setting in which the Gospel was proving to reach universally. This would spur them "to position themselves in relation to the entire world" (LaVerdiere 1996, 85). He describes challenges based on success as well as leaders who needed to be reminded to care for the poor.

LaVerdiere discusses the different meals with Jesus in Luke in order, showing in each one a different focus on a needed element within the Lukan community as he has envisioned it (LaVerdiere 1996, 86ff).

The Last Supper meal is presented in Luke as a Passover meal, but here the first Christian Passover (LaVerdiere 1996, 89). LaVerdiere presents a chart of the parallels between Mark, Luke, and 1 Corinthians, before describing the way Luke particularly points not only to a fellowshp meal, but to the Passover and its significance in redemption (LaVerdiere 1996, 89ff).

LaVerdiere further takes the meals with Jesus after the resurrection in Luke to have eucharistic significance. In both instances, Jesus blesses the people in light of his finished work as he breaks the bread for the people who are facing discouragement (LaVerdiere 1996, 92). The breaking of bread became the way Jesus' people entered into his passion and resurrection.

Luke 10:1-9 - Lectionary for St. Luke, Evangelist

9/30/2021

9/30/21
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 historic one-year lectionary.

In Luke 10, Jesus sends 72 people out, in pairs, to bring the good news of God's kingdom to the towns where Jesus himself would shortly go. According to the 2nd century historian Polycarp, Luke the evangelist was one of these people.

Though we don't know all the details, here's some of what we know. Jesus spoke of a plentiful harvest. In our Christian work, are there people around? They need to know of God's kingdom. We have no idea who will respond. Jesus also said the work could be difficult or dangerous. We also are like lambs among wolves. The 72 were to trust in God's provision. God raised up those who would care for them. He still does the same. Finally, Jesus sent his people to pray peace upon the places they visited. He gives his gifts through his people.

No matter who we are or where we go, Jesus can use us as messengers, preparing our generation for the coming of the Lord. He has never changed in his intent toward our neighbors.

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.

Luke 10:17-20 - Lectionary for St. Michael and All Angels

9/23/2021

9/23/21
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 historic one-year lectionary.

Where do we get something to be glad of? A life of victorious power? defeat of our foes? The ability to do mighty works of service to God and His people? All these are temptations to the followers of Jesus in Luke 10:17-20. They have just seen God working wonders through them.

Jesus then points out that he himself saw the fall of Satan, a greater sign than the disciples would ever see. He gives his disciples authority, but they are not to rejoice in that.

The source of joy for the Christian is that his name is written down in heaven. Jesus has adopted all Christians. He has given them a new name and identity. This is the source of our rejoicing. It is the way we live in eternal bliss with our Lord.

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.

Luke 22:24-30 - Lectionary for St. Bartholomew

8/19/2021

8/19/21
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 historic one-year lectionary.

As a campus pastor, I see it all the time. There's been a fundamental misunderstanding of the very nature of Christianity, growing in the West, now for over 170 years. Sadly, there have been instances in church history (relatively few and always pushed back by corrective force) to reinforce this misunderstanding. We shouldn't be surprised to find that Jesus' 12 disciples fell into the same trap and were corrected by Jesus.

What is this misunderstanding? At its core, it says that the Christian faith is like any institution created and sustained by people who want to gain in power, authority, and wealth. Especially since the revolutionary ideas of Marx were published, some forces would like to tear down Christianity because overthrow of power strucrures is a force for good. And the cultural progressives who take this point of view will seek out instances of power-hungry people within Christian history to strengthen their view that Christianity is a move for dominion and oppression.

What did Jesus tell his discipoles in Luke 22:24-30? They are not to pursue dominion, but service. He will give them a position in his eternal kingdom but for now their job is to love and serve others.

Thankfully, most of the time, and in most places, Christians have remembered their role as servants and caretakers of a fallen, crushed, and hurting world. Yet, they are often accused of, and even confess to, having mixed motives. Yes, I have mixed motives. I want to help others and I would also like to be thought well of and taken care of. I get to repent of my self-serving attitudes all the time. Meanwhile, whatever my world as a whole might say about it, I'm going to busy myself by loving and serving my neighbor.

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.

Luke 1:39-55 - Lectionary for Mary, Mother of Our Lord

8/12/2021

8/12/21
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 historic one-year lectionary.

"Why the hurry, Mary?" That's a question we should consider asking based on Luke 1:39. Mary "went with haste" to the home of Elizabeth, who was some sort of a cousin. Why was she in a hurry? Elizabeth, an older woman, was six months pregnant. We don't know of any distress. She would want help as her pregnancy advanced, but we don't know the reason for urgency.

Perhaps Mary was aware of a divine appointment. Her newly-conceived child, Jesus, who was to be the savior of all, was ready to meet John, the one who would prepare his way. The time was right. The message of the angel had given her a sense of urgency.

What is the urgency of the Gospel? We need to hear the words of life. We need to be reminded that the Lord blesses and raises up the humble. We need to hear that God's mercy is for us. We need to know the Lord's power to do all things. We need to know that our thoughts and imaginations are futile. We need to see that he provides what we need, and that his provision is good.

All this is drawn from Mary's statements in Luke 1:46-55. Elizabeth and Zechariah needed to know what kind of savior she was carrying. John, in the womb, seemed to know it all already.

The Lord is good. It's worth hurryingt ohear from him.

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.

Luke 1:39-56 - Lectionary for Visitation

7/1/2021

7/1/21
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 historic one-year lectionary.

There's a debate raging in the United States these days, as advocates for abortion on demand find their support waning, but have managed to grasp some measure of federal political control. Meanwhile, a recent decision by the Roman Catholic Council of Bishops has started the process of an official articulation of several central Christian doctrines, among them the sanctity of life, and a consideration of how to deal with public figures who claim to be Roman Catholic but deny central tenets of the Church. It has all the appearance of a huge conflagration, as the Roman Catholic Church asserts its historic views and many cultural Catholics who have long ignored those doctrines and practices are likely to be called to account.

It's all about life. Protecting the unborn is so very important because, after all, if they never have the opportunity to be born they will never be able to live a life which brings honor and delight to God and to the rest of the world. We are pledged to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Unborn children are the most vulnerable population there is.

Do they have "true personhood"? That in itself is a poorly defined concept, but we'll take it at face value for now. The assessment of Elizabeth and Mary at the visitation, as recorded in Luke 1:39-56, is that both the unborn John the Baptist, probably at about 24 weeks' gestation, and the unborn Jesus, probably at about 12 weeks' gestation, somehow recognize one another's presence, rejoice themselves, and bring delight to their mothers.

They are people. They are certainly very small people. John might have lungs that are mature enough to function, but Jesus doesn't. They both have beating hearts. They have DNA that is their own, not their mothers'. They respond to different stimuli. They wake and sleep. They move. They are growing.

What is it going to take for those voices in our culture, increasingly a culture of death, to admit that the unborn deserve protection, that they rightly receive the full scope of human rights?

Thankfully, opinion is moving in the direction of those small children. Approximately 50% of Americans consider themselves "pro life" but upwards of 85% think that abortion is not acceptable in just any and every situation.

We need to keep talking about these little children. The same practice that has snuffed out the lives of over 65 million Americans, legally, since 1973, has almost certainly ended the lives of scientists, artists, creative geniuses, beloved children, and beloved parents. Who knows how many prophets of God have been killed in this way?

Lord, have mercy. Bring us face to face with the joy of real, live children. Let us see, as did Mary, that God has done great things by bringing children into this world.

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.

Luke 1:57-80 - Lectionary for St. John the Baptist

6/17/2021

6/17/21
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 historic one-year lectionary.

We've all witnessed proud parents singing the praise of their children, even the newborn ones. It's normal and healthy. We should be pleased with who they are and their achievements, even those like opening their eyes or holding our fingers.

Zechariah is a little different. Is he a proud father? No doubt. But he is focused on how John would direct people to the Christ, who had not yet been born.

The life of the Christian is to be taken up in celebrating Jesus. It doesn't matter so much what we can do. What matters in the end is that Jesus has come to live a perfect life on our behalf and to purchase salvation for every one who believes.

John was a herald of Christ. He lived out his life as a faithful servant of the Gospel, telling all taht they could hear the true Lord and follow Him. The message never gets old. It never disappoints. Jesus is truly Lord of all.

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.

Luke 24:36-49 - Lectionary for Easter Tuesday

4/26/2021

4/26/21
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 historic one-year lectionary.

"I believe because I am persuaded."
"I am persuaded because I believe."

These two statements are not interchangeable. However, they are complementary. In our Gospel passage from Luke 24:36-49, Jesus gives his disciples persuasive evidence of his resurrection. Are they persuaded enough to believe him? It's hard to say. In verse 41 they are disbelieving because of joy. Do they really not believe? Good question.

What we do know is that in verse 45 Jesus "opened their minds to understand the Scriptures." At this point, they believed. This resulted in their being persuaded. Suddenly the facts they knew actually made sense and the picture was complete.

With this confidence - belief and persuasion - the disciples were ready to live out their Christian life as witnesses of the resurrection. Jesus shows himself as victorious over death. This includes your death and my death. There's no need to be intimidated by anything in this life.

I believe.
I am persuaded.
Thanks be to God.

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.

Luke 24:13-35 - Lectionary for Easter Monday

4/22/2021

4/22/21
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 historic one-year lectionary.

Our reading from Luke 24:13-35 shows a picture of deep sorrow. As the day of resurrection was coming to a close, some disciples who did not believe were walking to Emmaus. Perhaps this was their home, or maybe it was on the way home.

Even in a society that is used to walking, this is a pretty good walk. About seven miles doesn't happen that quickly. It will be somewhere around two hours. And these are very sad hours.

Jesus was taken, convicted, and put to death at the word of the chief priests. Hope of redemption was broken and killed on a cross. Then, to make matters worse, someone must have taken the body. It's gone. Some of the disciples reported an angelic vision. Maybe they are too disturbed and emotional.

This is a very sad walk. Yet the disciples have a companion. Unknown to them, it is Jesus, the risen Lord. He doesn't seem easy to recognize after the resurrection. But he explains the Scriptures, then appears to them in breaking bread.

The breaking of the bread in communion is one of the gifts Jesus has left for his people. He comes to us in his body and blood, given and shed for us. When we confront doubt, fear, abandonment, and grief, we can know that the same risen Lord, Jesus, is there for us in the breaking of the bread. Like those early disciples, we too can receive his presence and all his joy.

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.

Luke 22:1-23:56 - Lectionary for Wednesday in Holy Week

4/2/2021

4/2/21
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 historic one-year lectionary.

The traditional Gospel readings during Holy Week are rather long. The intention is to read the arrest, trial, and crucifixion account from each of the Gospels.

Jesus entered Jerusalem with crowds singing his praises and welcoming him as a king. Less than five days later he was arrested and tried in the night. He was then condemned to death, with crowds calling out for him, rather than Barabbas, a known criminal, to be killed. What happened in this time? Why did public opinion shift so radically?

We look specifically at Luke 23:18 and following to make it plain. The crowd around Pilate's headquarters, where he issued judgments, was demanding the freedom of Barabbas and the death of Jesus. They were ready to condemn Jesus, no matter what.

Who made up the crowd around Pilate? It was composed of priests, scribes, Pharisees, Saduccees, household and temple attendants. These were people who had been involved in the arrest and alleged trial of Jesus.

Jesus was brought to Pilate early in the morning. Influential Romans received visitors at the first hour of the day, shortly after dawn. We might think of it as a before-breakfast meeting. At that time, they would grant favors to those who came to them with pledges of faithfulness. They would receive tokens of appreciation for past favors done. Those who were in positions of authority as a judge or a governor would hear brief cases and issue judgments. The Jewish leaders brought Jesus and his charges at this early morning time for that specific purpose.

The leaders who brought Jesus were accompanied by their own attendants, making a crowd in the courtyard. These people were supporters of the high priests. They wanted Jesus dead.

We read slighly later, in verses 26 and following, that public sentiment had not changed since Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. As Jesus was sent to the place of crucifixion, a large number of people of Jerusalem, some natives and doubtless some who were just there for the Passover celebration, followed along, mourning him. They didn't want Jesus dead. He was showing himself to be a Messianic figure. They had welcomed him as the king.

In our world there are those who want Jesus dead, and there are those who want Jesus alive. Regardless of what they want, Christian testimony is clear. Jesus was killed for our sins, rested in the tomb, and rose again the third day, to eternal life. He also delivers eternal life to all who believe on him. We want to be those who would receive him as the king and ruler of all.

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.

Luke 1:26-38 - Lectionary for the Anunciation of Our Lord

3/11/2021

3/11/21
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 historic one-year lectionary.

David's son and David's Lord, born of a virgin. It seems impossible. In fact, it is impossible. Mary is troubled by the angel's address in Luke chapter 1. She doesn't think of herself as particularly favored.

God shows himself here to be exactly the kind of God who does what is impossible. He can make Mary pregnant though she remains a virgin. He can ring God the Son, who created all things through His Word, into the world at a particular time. He can be immortal God who knows all and also be an infant who doesn't know how to speak.

What is our response? As with Mary, so with us. Let it be according to God's Word. His word is good and true. He will bring it to pass, according to his redemptive love.

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.

Luke 2:22-40 - Lectionary for the Presentation of Our Lord

2/11/2021

2/11/21
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 historic one-year lectionary.

The purification rituals in Israel were quite specific. The birth of a first born male was to be confirmed with a sacrifice. This stemmed from the time of the Exodus, when the angel of death took away the first born males of Egypt. In gratitude to God for preserving his people, the Israelites would make an offering. It could be a costly one, but for those of limited means, it could be pigeons or turtledoves, creatures which were easily attracted with a handful of grain.

Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple right on schedule to give thanks to God. He had preserved His people. Yet they were met at the temple by additional signs of God's preservation. Simeon, waiting for "God's consolation," greeted Jesus as the one who saves the world. Anna, an old widow devoted to fasting and prayer, gives thanks that Jerusalem is redeemed.

What do we do with this kind of news? It is news for us as it was for Mary and Joseph. They made the sacrifice, returned to Nazareth, and carried on with life. We do the same. We know that Jesus, the life of the world, has come for us. So we live our lives, run our businesses, raise our children, and carry on with joy. He has come. All will be well.

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.

Luke 10:1-9 - Lectionary for St. Titus, Pastor and Confessor

2/4/2021

2/4/21
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 historic one-year lectionary.

In Luke 10:1-9 Jesus sends workers out to the places he is planning to go. He urges them to go with a sense of urgency and dependence on God. They bring a blessing of God's peace to their hosts and carry on the work of ministrywhere they land. Their work is to bring healing and to proclaim God's kingdom.

It's easy for us to get some sort of romantic notion about this as the typical life of the Christian, particularly the Christian worker. While there's some truth to the concept, we want to remember that these 72 people were a select few who were sent out on a rather limited basis. They weren't going to spend the rest of their lives doing this work. They were making a visit to prepare people for the arrival of Jesus.

In one way, though, this is exactly the same message that pastors and evangelists have today. We ask God's peace on a community and we pray that the Lord will bless the people. We bring healing in whatever way we can, particularly the spiritual healing that comes through the Scripture, but we also pray for people's physical and emotional healing. Our message is focused on the urgent call, "Jesus is coming soon, be ready to welcome him."

We realize in all of this that we are sent out as lambs among wolves. We purposely make no attempt to guard ourselves against the opposition of our world. We speak the truth and do good, no matter what others say of us. And our trust is not in our own ability, but in God's ability to keep us.

The central idea is that Jesus is planning to come. He is going to bring all our work to fruition. He is going to establish his kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven, and we pray that he will establish it in us as we eagerly expect him. Jesus, the soon coming Lord, is able to keep his 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.

Luke 2:21 - Lectionary for the Circumcision and Naming of Jesus

1/10/2021

1/10/21
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 historic one-year lectionary.

Our Gospel reading for the Circumcision and Naming of Jesus is extremely short, at just one verse. But what an action packed verse!

First, the date given is eight days after Jesus' birth. We recall that everything was created in six days and that God commended the seventh day as a day of rest. Work started up again on the eighth day. This is probably why God has people circumcised on the eighth day. It's time to rise up and get back to work! Here, in Luke 2, Jesus, the Son of Man, is brought out and shown to be busy about his work, even though he is still an infant.

Jesus' work is twofold. First, he is circumcised. He is counted as part of God's covenant people. He takes his role as the Son of Man. Second, he is given the name Jesus, which means "God Saves." This is the name which was appointed for him. Every time someone uses his name, there's a proclamation of God's ability to save us from sin.

God the Son is no longer a stranger to us. He has come to carry on the work of God, a work of redeeming the world, presenting us to God without sin or stain. In our lives, then, we pray the Lord would continue what he has begun, redeeming us together to be in God's presence.

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.

Luke 12:35-40 - Lectionary for Eve of the Circumcision of Christ

1/6/2021

1/6/21
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 historic one-year lectionary.

Always be vigilant! In Luke 12:35-40 Jesus tells his disciples to make no mistake. The coming of the Lord is like a thief. He cane the first time as the infant King of all, announced to shepherds, some foreign sages, and, of course, fully expected by Mary and Joseph. Yet in that coming, he was neither the kind of person expected nor in the place you would hope to find a king.

Those who needed to know about his first coming were notified. They recognized what they saw. And it's significant that someo f those who knew were plain, ordinary people and some were representatives from another people group far away. Jesus' coming is for those who would not always be included in "good society."

What of his second coming? Jesus compares it to the coming of a master who comes home at some indeterminate time. The servants are to be ready and watching. Even in the dark, they recognize the master. They will be on the lookout.

When Jesus comes back, he will be like the thief breaking into Satan's dominion, to rob it. What kind of plunder is he after? He's coming to gather all who will believe in him. He's coming to rescue us, for we have been held hostage in darkness. He's going to come and call. I want to be among those watching and waiting.

In the meantime, as with the servante metaphor, we have our marching orders. We know what we're supposed to be doing. We'll just keep at it while we wait for him to come. We are not idle. He has given us each a work to do, for the good of our world, as we await his coming. Therefore, we dig into our work, always rejoicing in the hope that he will come and find us well occupied.

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.

Luke 2:15-20 - Lectionary for Christmas Dawn

12/21/2020

12/21/20
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 historic one-year lectionary.

"Let's go see what's happening over there." Our Gospel reading from Luke 2:15-20 has all the makings of a great road trip story. The shepherds, probably not very far from Bethlehem, received an angelic message. They don't quite know what to make of it. After all, it isn't just every night that angels appear to you telling you about a Messiah. In fact, it isn't just every night that angels appear to you period.

What would you do if you heard the greatest event in all history was happening, and you were not that far from it? Would you quickly appoint somebody to cover you at work and then head over there? You'd want to know what was going on. You'd want to see it.

What did they find? A young couple and a baby. Verses 17-19 speak volumes. After they met Jesus, they told people about what the angels had said, and, we assume, what they had seen in the manger. People "wondered at what the shepherds had told them." No doubt, some of them wondered what the shepherds were thinking or how they came by such a strange idea, but others were in amazement at what God had done. Mary also kept this in her heart. She heard the message and she understood it, more and more, as time went on.

As we celebrate Christmas, may we also reflect on these amazing facts. God can be incarnate, in a perfectly human child. God can reveal his plan through the Scripture and through special signs. And he can accomplish his will. His will is for the good of all humanity, that we may be redeemed from sin and adopted as God's children, heirs of heaven, through Jesus.

That's quite a baby they found lying in the manger. God with us.

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Luke 2:1-14 - Lectionary for Christmas Midnight

12/17/2020

12/17/20
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 historic one-year lectionary.

Some people are very interested in genealogy. I don't happen to be one of those people. One of my family members, though, has been able to trace some of the lineage of my family back about four centuries. It was an impressive bit of research that she did!

This question summarizes my apparent lack of interest in my lineage. What needs to be remembered? Truly, what have my ancestors done that is worthy of note? Sure, some have doubtless been notable characters, some positive and some negative. Some of them have been good leaders in their families and communities. Some have not. Some made fortunes, others lost fortunes. Most stayed somewhere in between. The memories and the direct relevance become weaker generation by generation.

The Christian must remember, though, that God remembers all of the particulars about our family. In their own way, they are all important. But this doesn't mean we will necessarily be thinking about them.

In our Gospel reading from Luke 2:1-14, Joseph and Mary, his pregnant fiancee, went to Nazareth in order to participate in the census. They were commanded to appear due to the imperial order that a census should be completed. We know relatively little about this little family, but here are a few important pieces of information that we know.

Mary is pregnant. I already said that, and it's a very solid part of the traditional Christmas narrative. A Christmas play with a non-pregnant Mary wouldn't make any sense at all. She's going to have a baby when they are on the road. We don't know how quickly the baby comes after they arrive in Nazareth, but you don't get the idea they were there terribly long before Jesus' birth. They still seem to be in very temporary quarters.

That's another thing we know. This little family didn't seem to have the means to buy luxury. They weren't thundering around in carriages. They didn't stay with rich and powerful people who always kept a guest room for them. No doubt there was some question, at least at times, where they would end up staying.

It probably rarely crossed the mind of either Joseph or Mary that they each had a line of direct descent from King David. They would have known it, because Israel was very concerned with lineage. But really, David's kingdom was a thousand years ago. What their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents did was probably much more significant to them. David's a distant figure.

God brings the promises to David to pass through Jesus, born of Mary. He doesn't bring Jesus' birth in a place of wealth and influence. God the Son joins with our sinful humanity in a humble place. He is unassuming. But he is God with us. He is the one who will redeem sinful humanity from the curse of sin. God takes what is distant and may often be forgotten, and he makes it the present reality. His purpose in this is to break the curse of sin, once and for all. He is able to do even that, in the humble place, a seemingly obscure town, where it is His pleasure to bring peace to earth.

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.

Luke 14:1-11 - Lectionary for Trinity 17

10/1/2020

10/1/20
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 historic one-year lectionary.

In Luke 14:1-6 Jesus breaks the law. That’s all there is to it. He breaks the law. He works on the Sabbath day. It isn’t even hidden. He’s in the presence of a ruler of the Pharisees. We can safely assume there are additional leading people there as well. Jesus breaks the religious law right in front of the religious police, and he makes a pretty big deal of it.

What’s God’s attitude toward those who are suffering, those who are hurting, those who are unable to help themselves? Even on the day of rest, especially on the day of rest, Jesus gives them rest. He touches them with his healing power. He grants them forgiveness. And, yes, sometimes he heals them and tells them to go ahead and carry their bed back home, even though it’s illegal to do that on the day of rest.

The God of all mercy and grace doesn’t take any days off.

What is our attitude within the Church? Do we take the day off because we don’t feel like applying God’s Word to people? Do we take the day of rest to be a time that leaves people in bondage and need? Or do we cross land and sea to bring God’s mercy and grace to those in need?

It has been my honor over the years to assist many people, clergy and laity alike, in reconciliation, in healing of relationships, in activities and encouragement that will strengthen their ability to bring honor and glory to God. It has not always been convenient. In fact, it is rarely convenient. But it is always good.

God uses his people as instruments of reconciliation. Sometimes we have to break the laws of time management, of guarding our energy, of being involved in the events we would regularly value. We go and raise our son, our ox, or our fellow believer out of the well, even on the Sabbath day. Thanks be to God that he raises up others to do the same for us when we have become entrapped. He is the God of all mercy and grace.

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.

Luke 7:11-17 - Lectionary for Trinity 16

9/24/2020

9/24/20
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 historic one-year lectionary.

Weeping. We usually think of it as a sign of sorrow, of mourning, of desolation. I’ve spent some time living in areas of this country which we would consider “the South.” When a person has died, all the friends and relatives gather and weep together - loud, long, and sorrowful. This was the case in the Hebrew custom of the early 1st century. There would even be “professional mourners” who would add to the displays of sorrow when someone died. In a town such as Nain, large enough to have a gate, there may have been quite a number of people weeping and mourning. Here a widow, already with few societal resources, has lost her son.

Jesus’ interruption, then, would have been shocking. Let’s say simply that in all the funerals I have conducted, nobody has ever halted the procession to the graveside and taken charge of the events. Yet that’s exactly what Jesus does. He tells the mother not to weep and he stops the funeral procession.

It’s actually amazing that they didn’t keep on going, ignore him, or even attempt to restrain him or hit him. Jesus did something which was completely unacceptable in the culture. But he did it anyway.

In Jesus there is life. As we considered in Psalm 30, weeping gives way to joy. Or, in the case of some cultures, the weeping of sorrow gives way to the weeping of joy. Imagine the reunion of mother and child.

This incident is also a picture of our future. Given enough time, every last one of us will die. There will be some weeping (I hope). But there will be resurrection, and, with trust in Christ, we can look forward to a reunion with our loved ones and a blessed eternal union with our Lord Jesus. So it is right that Jesus should interrupt our lives, tell us not to weep, and show himself to be the God of resurrection. He is able to do all that is needed to bring us to our heavenly Father.

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.

Luke 17:11-19 - Lectionary for Trinity 14

9/10/2020

9/10/20
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 historic one-year lectionary.

On the border of two cultures, Jesus meets men from those two cultures - Samaria and Galilee. The men are in athe same kind of trouble, suffering from leprosy. At the time, it was an incurable disease which led to a slow and painful death after going through the course of the disease separated from society and treated like an outcast. It was a slow death in poverty. These men need help. There is no earthly help for them, so when they find Jesus, the healer they have heard of, they ask for mercy.

Jesus sends them to visit the priests. Why is this? It’s because the priests are the people God appointed in the Old Testament to look at illnesses, specifically leprosy, to see if it was spreading or if maybe it was a rash that was going away, and to put people in quarantine or release them. Jesus sends them to the proper authority.

Did you notice that he didn’t heal the men before he sent them? He just sent them. As they went they were healed. God’s healing happened to them after they had gone ahead and followed God’s will.

One of the ten, a Samaritan, not a Jew who would have recognized himself as part of God’s covenant people, came back to thank Jesus. That’s when Jesus tells the man that his faith has healed him.

When we realize God’s mercy and grace, when we walk in the truth and we see that we are all right, when we then turn to the Lord in thanksgiving, that’s when Jesus normally tells us the message we already were realizing. That’s when he tells us we are healed, we are restored, we are forgiven. When did it really happen? Jesus was healing the Samaritan man from the time he asked for healing. Jesus then proclaimed that his promise was good and complete.

Likewise with us, when we ask the Lord for his mercy, he responds by showing us that his mercy was there for us all along. This is the Lord who is able to come before us and rescue us. We normally realize it only later. But our right response is exactly that of the Samaritan. We give thanks to God for his work.

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.

Luke 10:23-37 - Lectionary for Trinity 13

9/3/2020

9/3/20
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 historic one-year lectionary.

Love God. Love and serve your neighbor. It seems this should be fairly straightforward. There’s no fuss, no muss. Jesus affirms the statement of the lawyer in Luke 10:25-28. Love God. Love and serve your neighbor.

Everything is going well until the lawyer desires to justify himself (v. 29). That’s when he runs aground. “I’m find with the idea of loving God with my whole being. But aren’t there some neighbors I can avoid loving? What’s the limit of neighborness?” Jesus, of course, points the lawyer to a person from a group toward which Jews harbored deep hostility. People sometimes speak about this in terms of racial tensions in the United States. It’s a lot worse than that. The Samaritans and Israelites had built up centuries of mistrust and were always ready to get a war started. This is a big huge identity issue.

The lawyer would not be sympathetic toward a Samaritan. Then, notice what the man in the parable does. He picks up the Samaritan, who might just die and make him ceremonially unclean and a suspect of murder. He takes the guy to an inn. He pays for lodging and care for a while.

Try explaining that to your wife. You are away on business. The trip maybe takes a few days. And she sees that you have a really big hotel bill and your other expenses are considerably higher than normal. Really? You picked up a person who had been assaulted and helped him get some rest? The next question would naturally be, “Who was she?”

This is what happens, though, when we try to justify ourselves. We want an out clause, and Jesus refuses to give us one. We are to love God with all our being and our neighbor as ourself. Period. We are asking the wrong question when we ask who our neighbor might be. The right question is what we do when we fail to love God with all our heart. The right question is how we get help when we don’t really love our neighbor.

What’s the answer to those right questions? Jesus is the right answer. He is the one who brings us forgiveness, life, and salvation, as we confess before him that we have sinned. He’s the one who puts our lives back together. He’s the one who reconciles us to God. He’s the one who justifies. We don’t need to do it ourselves. That’s good, since we can’t and won’t. Let God be God.

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.

Luke 18:9-14 - Lectionary for Trinity 11

8/20/2020

8/20/20
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 historic one-year lectionary.

Our Gospel, from Luke 18:9-14, draws a line between two attitudes, both embodied for us. The one, shown in a Pharisee, thinks he is just the kind of person God wants. And we all immediately agree that it is a good thing to be a righteous person who is upright, does works that show a holy devotion to God, and gives to the needs of church and community. We would all be glad to know this person. In fact, it must be nice that God gets to know such an upright fellow.

The other attitude, shown in the person of the tax colletor, has no good works to show. What a failure! He keeps pleading for God’s mercy, but why in the world would God want to have mercy on him? Nobody would want to know this character.

The tax collector is exactly the person God is glad to know. He cries out for what he needs. The creator of all gives him mercy.

No, we don’t want to enter into sin so God can be pleased to forgive us. But when we pray, we call out to God so He will have mercy, working according to His good pleasure. Lord, have mercy on us, and on the world you have created.

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.

Luke 19:41-48 - Lectionary for Trinity 10

8/13/2020

8/13/20
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 historic one-year lectionary.

In this week’s readings we have seen the idea that God is the savior, that he provides for his people, and that salvation is according to his plan, not according to ours. The application of this concept shows up in our Gospel passage, Luke 19:41-48. Here Jesus is weeping over Jerusalem. The city will lie in ruins and its enemies will destroy not only the city structures but the people as well. Why will this happen? Because Jerusalem refused to recognize Jesus, the one who visited them with salvation.

Is this a sign that God is weak and unable to rescue his people? Couldn’t God just bail out Jerusalem, smite the Romans, and call it finished?

God is not weak. But he doesn’t work according to our plans or our rules. He works according to his own plans and rules. Salvation is by grace through faith, not of our works. The only way Jerusalem will be rescued from her enemies is by believing that the true God, the God of the Bible, is the rescuer. The only way they will fight off the enemies is by trusting in God and waiting on Him. They can’t do it in their own strength. It is God’s plan, not ours, which will prevail.

And it makes God weep when his people depart from his ways. That’s the kind of God he is. He has given us freely a way of life, hope, and salvation, yet we have despised the gift and the giver. God reacts to this in sorrow, knowing that his mercy will be rejected and people will prefer to use their own means, means which will surely fail. Yet he allows it. God is God. His ways are not our ways. He has opened a way of life, but we reject it.

This is why we pray for ourselves, our church, our family, and our world. To walk in the way of life is not something we can do by our own strength. May God give us grace that we would not make him grieve.

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.

Luke 16:1-13 - Lectionary for Trinity 9

8/6/2020

8/6/20
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 historic one-year lectionary.

Luke 16:1-13 has often had headings applied to it by editors. Sadly, those headings, in an attempt to capture the essential idea in a brief and memorable way, normally heap abuse on the “manager” or “steward” in Jesus’ teaching. This is especially sad, since that character is a portrayal of us.

The accusation against the man is that he is not using his master’s resources effectively. If we consider this in light of God’s Commandments, it seems he is violating the 2nd Commandment by misusing the name of his master, who is a figure of God.

What is the master’s priority? He has been doing business with these people and he wants to continue doing so. He wants them to acknowledge his bill, but he apparently realizes that they are not actually able to pay the bill. Does this sound familiar? God has been working in our world, with us sinners. He is caring for our needs by using his resources. He wants us to recognize that we owe a debt to him, though we are never going to be able to satisfy the debt. We can never repay all our sin. So he holds his Son, Jesus, responsible for the full payment. Yet the debt we owe to God is something that He has commanded and that he commanded for a reason. How are we going to deal with that? We do what we are able to, as well as we can, now.

At the moment of negotiation, the steward takes on the role of Christ. He says he will take care of everything else. Leave it with him.

How do we act like the steward? We are representing God in his dealings with the world. People recognize the bill they have, their outstanding balance of righteousness. They are troubled by it. When the come to Christ’s Church, asking for help, our response is to acknowledge that they owe a debt of righteousness. They can’t pay it. We say it is taken care of by Christ’s sacrifice on their behalf. Does God let them off free? Well, in a way, he does. But in another way, we are called to live a life of what righteousness we are able, a life of repentance, a life of belief in God through Jesus. That’s what we call our world to do also.

May the Lord of all continue to work in His people for the good of the whole world.

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.