Category: Pentecost 22 C - Wittenberg Door Campus Ministry

Luke 20:27-40 - Lectionary for Pentecost 22C, Proper 27C

11/7/2019

11/7/19
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 Gospel passage from Luke 20:27-40 shows a disconnect between Jesus and the Sadducees. We deal with the same kind of disconnects in today’s society. The Scripture has a particular way of looking at the created order and how the world works by God’s providence. Our fallen world has a very different set of ideas.

The issue the Sadducees ask about is one which is timely for us as well. It’s about the ultimate nature of the marital relationship. This is an issue which has come near to pulling American society apart in the past sixty years or so. The Sadducees wanted to view marriage as an eternal relationship and to use their earthly understanding of marriage as a proof that an eternal resurrection made no sense. Our secular world in America has tried to view marriage solely as a relationship of affection, thus not a picture of the relationship of Christ and the Church, as described in Ephesians chapter five. The outcome of this re-visioning of marriage is that it is easily contracted, easily broken, and does not have the exclusive elements such as man/woman, relational fidelity, and a lifelong covenant which has been accepted in definitions of marriage throughout much of history, and which mirror the biblical relationship of Christ and the Church.

Jesus’ response to the Sadducees is that they have misunderstood the nature of eternity and so have applied a temporal construct to the eternal situation. If our earthly marriages exist in the same way for eternity as they do in time, there’s going to be a whole lot of confusion. However, if their primary goal is to depict the redeeming love of Christ for His Church and the dependence of the Church on Chirst, there’s no eternal problem. The earthly marriage will pass away when the eternal reality is ushered in.

Marriage is good. Yet the goal of all our living and dying is eternity, in which marriage will pass away. That’s the true good.

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.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, 13-17 - Lectionary for Pentecost 22C, Proper 27C

11/6/2019

2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, 13-17 - Lectionary for Pentecost 22C, Proper 27C
11/6/19
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.

Some people and groups seem determined to use the end of the world as a threat. “Are you sure you are right with God? Do you really believe? What if he were to come today? Are you read?” In 2 Thessalonians, some have been fearful. Maybe the Lord has already come to rescue His people. Maybe he left me behind. Maybe I was not trusting Christ after all! This questioning can lead to doubt and even despair.

What is the apostle’s encouragement to God’s people in Thessalonica? God’s coming will be perfectly obvious. If we are trusting in Jesus we will not miss the signs. There’s no chance of it. Some of the signs could possibly be mistaken. After all, our fallen world has plenty of distractions. But those who trust Christ will never be abandoned.

Another word of encouragement, in verses 13-14, the Thessalonians were chosen by God to be saved. God will never forget those people He chose. There is no reason to doubt.

When we find ourselves questioning salvation, wondering about the quality of our faith, repentance, or changed life, all we need to do is reflect on the identity God has given us in Christ. We who believe are His redeemed and chosen poeple. Thre is no room for doubt or fear in the gracious calling of God. He himself has chosen us. We have nothing to fear.

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.

Psalm 148 - Lectionary for Pentecost 22C, Proper 27C

11/6/2019

11/5/19
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.

Psalm 148 describes a tremendous cloud of praises to God - everywhere, from every part of creation. As part of that created order, it is the business of all humans to call out in praise to God. But why? Why are we to praise God? Over the years, several people have told me they think God here acts like a self-absorbed curmudgeon. He demands people praise him because he is great.

If we consider the claim in the last sentence, we could reasonably say it seems self-centered, except for one important element. When we examine God’s claims we find that he is indeed great, incomparably so. Why praise God? Because he is actually worthy of it. God calls for our dedication to Him because that is the right order of things.

Psalm 148 gives us another reason to praise God. In verse 14 “he has raised up a horn for his people” (ESV). This is the symbol of salvation and of forceful protection. In this verse, it is apparent that God is the savior of all His people. He has provided for our salvation. He cares for our good.

Come, let us praise the Lord, for He is good.

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.

Exodus 3:1-15 - Lectionary for Pentecost 22C, Proper 27C

11/4/2019

11/4/19
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 language of oppression and violent means to throw off oppression has become increasingly common through the 20th century and into the 21st century. Yet I think we may not all understand it in the same way the Bible would discuss it, particularly in this week’s reading from Exodus 3. Here God, speaking to Moses through a burning bush, says he has seen and heard about the trouble of his people. In Exodus 3:9 he sees “oppression.” How are the people of Israel to deal with oppression?

God does not incite the people of Israel to overthrow their oppressors, using violence or any other means. On the contrary, God himself will rescue the people from their enemies. The people will not do it. Even Moses will not do it.

In the Bible, God is the deliverer of His people. He rescues them from earthly opponents, but even more so from the tyranny of sin, death, and hell. This is no kind of battle for us to carry on. Rather, it is one conducted supernaturally by the mighty God. By Jesus’ death on our behalf, we are ushered from death to life.

This is the good news of Exodus 3. God’s people, faced with trouble, cried out to God. He saw their trouble. He remembered them and rescued them from those who oppressed them. Our Lord can undertake these jobs which we cannot. Our role is to call out to God and be ready to follow Him when He changes our world. God is the deliverer.

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 18:1-8 - Lectionary for Pentecost 22 C

10/13/2016

10/13/16
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 our Gospel reading for this week Jesus tells a parable encouraging his people to keep praying. The widow in Luke 18:1-8 comes to an unjust judge, pushing him for a favorable decision, persisting. Finally he relents and gives her a judgment. This judgment is not because he believes God. It is not because he thinks she is right. It is merely to get rid of her.

Often we hear preaching about this parable, in which the message given is that we need to keep hounding God for an answer so he will grudgingly give in and do what we want just to get rid of us.

This cannot be a right interpretation of the passage. What works better? The whole of Scripture presents the triune God as desiring the good of his people. He urges, begs, and pleads us to repentance. It is we who give in reluctantly.

God is not this way. In fact, God is precisely the way the unjust judge isn’t. He delights to hear the prayers and needs of his people. He shows us our needs and urges us to prayer so he can show his mercy and grace. He wants us to find out how kind and gracious he is.

Why should we pray? We pray because God delights in being asked to do good for 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.

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 - Lectionary for Pentecost 22 C

10/12/2016

10/12/16
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.

What’s in your Bible? One pastor and mentor I had a number of years ago would talk about the difference between a “thin Bible” and a “thick Bible.” In the “thick Bible” scenario he found that readers would trust that God had indeed spoken to all sorts of human needs. While God never says what color shoes you should wear or whether you should take the job in Montana, the Bible speaks to all sorts of human issues. How should we treat our employer? How do we view our family? What concern should we have about the planet? Should we use technology indiscriminately? What is right? What is wrong?

This “thick Bible” view of life is the one in which Paul encourages Timothy. Timothy knows the Scripture. He has been well trained in it. He knows the good power of God speaking through God’s Word. How is Timothy to live? In 2 Timothy 4:1--2 he is told very clearly what do do as a pastor. He uses God’s Word, applying it to the lives of those around him.

May God in his mercy enable all his people to use the Scripture wisely. May we be “thick Bible” 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.

Genesis 32:22-30 - Lectionary for Pentecost 22 C

10/11/2016

10/11/16
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 our Old Testament passage this week, from Genesis 32:22-30, we find Jacob gathering the courage to seek reconciliation with his brother. He has approached Esau’s territory and has information that he can expect to see his brother soon.

Presumably because of the old animosity which he remembers, Jacob fears this encounter. When he last saw his brother, his life was threatened. Jacob divides his family, his flocks, his herds, and his servants, as well as scattering his personal possessions, sending them all ahead of him. His intention is to arrive last, once he decides it is safe to arrive.

In the evening, Jacob is met by “the angel of the Lord,” who wrestles with him through the night. If we remember anything at all about angelic beings it is that they are of immense power. There is no need on the part of the angel to struggle with Jacob. If we have studied much theology at all, we realize that when the term “the” angel of the Lord is used, it is often taken to mean God the Son.

What is happening in this passage? Surely Jacob is learning that his plans will not actually prevail. He is approximately as unable to create his destiny as he thought. All the blessing, riches, and power he will ever have come from the hands of God.

Something else happens, though. At this time of divine intervention, Jacob, whose name means approximately “deceiver,” is given a name of great promise, “Israel.” While in his own ability Jacob would try to manipulate his life to meet his own desires, Israel becomes the man, the tribe, even the nation of divine promise.

What are God’s promises in Christ? They are his promises for all his people. Promises such as forgiveness, life, and salvation. These are eternal and unshakable promises. They will not be ruined no matter how we wrestle against them. In Jesus there is forgiveness, grace, and guidance.

Jacob is restored to his family. He continues in the promise made to Abraham. God is still at 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.

Psalm 121 - Lectionary for Pentecost 22 C

10/10/2016

10/10/16
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.

Our reading from Psalm 121 cries out to God for help At the outset, the Psalmist pictures a look at the mountains. This is in itself a terrifying picture to any human writer. All manner of robbers, gangsters, and terrorists are found in the mountains. They may not always be visible, but the traveler is in constant danger. Where will help be found?

Our help is not in our own goodness, our own defenses, our weaponry, our political plans, or any other earthly thing. There will always be earthly assailants who can overcome us. On the contrary, our help is in God, who made all things. He is the one who can govern all his creation. He is the one who is always attentive. He is the one who is dependable.

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.