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Matthew 9:1-8 - Lectionary for Trinity 19

10/15/2020

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10/15/20
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.

Which is easier, for Jesus to announce forgiveness of sins, or for Jesus to heal a man who is paralyzed? That’s the question in Matthew 9:1-8. Some of us will become very spiritual and say, “of course, it’s all equally easy for Jesus.” On one level that’s true. What about from the perspective of the scribes who were questioning Jesus?

It’s easier for Jesus to announce forgiveness of sins. After all, you can do it and I can do it. Words are cheap. We can announce or confess anything we want. It won’t necessarily make it true, but we can certainly confess it. For instance, right now, I can confess that I am a multi-millionaire. And I am, if you count millions of some things. Millions of water molecules in the pond? Yes. Millions of blades of grass? Yes. Millions of pennies? On a good day, yes. Millions of dollars? No.

It’s easy to say something. It’s harder to prove up. I can say that I am a fine French chef, but if you came to eat at my house, you would see that it is not so. Jesus can say the man’s sins are forgiven. What can he do to prove it? He can show that he has conquered death by rising from the dead, but he isn’t going to do it that very day. There is no visible sign that sins are forgiven. So Jesus gives a different visible sign. He heals the paralysis.

Can the scribes heal the paralyzed man? Apparently either they can’t or they are mean people who don’t want to. But Jesus, he can heal the paralyzed man. He is able to do what would seem impossible.

I’m not going to make any claims to an ability to heal the sick. But Jesus will. He can do anything he says he can. He heals the paralyzed man. Apparently we can take him at his word that the man’s sins are forgiven as well.

Jesus has the power to forgive our sins. We need to let that sink in. It isn’t just words. It is reality. He is the one who can reconcile us to God and present us, holy, before the heavenly throne. He is Lord indeed.

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 84 - Lectionary for Trinity 19

10/13/2020

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10/13/20
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.

“The LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11, ESV). We may wonder, then, whether God really means this. Why do we not have all that we could desire? Why do we have what we wish we didn’t have? This crosses my mind frequently. As a pastor, I speak with many people. In any given week, it is certain that I will hear of weakness, frailty, sickness, strife, and poverty. I also see many people who are doing fine but for whom life could certainly be more peaceful, healthy, and prosperous.

What’s going on here? First, the reflective portions of Scripture, particularly in Psalms and Proverbs, are not to be treated as historical narratives or promises. The Psalmist is overwhelmed by God’s goodness. This does not mean his life is perfect or he has everything. But it does mean he has found contentment in God’s provision. Second, it is the Lord who gets to define what is good. He has chosen that forgiveness, mercy, and grace are the chief goods in this world. It is not about money or possessions. It’s about the presence of God, living in us, for us to receive life and reconciliation with God. He has given this to all who ask.

God truly gives His people all they need, all the good stuff, for this life and for eternity. May he also give us the attitude and desire to welcome his great gifts.

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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Genesis 28:10-17 - Lectionary for Trinity 19

10/12/2020

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10/12/20
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.

Young men, wandering around, camping out, trying to find meaning or a place in life. It is a common theme, whether in the story of Three Little Pigs, of Aeneas, or of Jacob in Genesis 28. Jacob is driven to his adventure by the anger of his brother, whom Jacob had cheated and used badly. As Jacob fled, he spent the night in the wild, propping his head up on a rock which apparently was a better shape than the bare ground.

There’s a famous song about climbing Jacob’s ladder. The problem with the song is that God is the one who places the ladder, and all the traffic on the ladder is angelic. The angels come down and minister to Jacob. He doesn’t climb up to heaven. God comes down to Jacob.

What does Jacob receive? He receives the promise God gave to Abraham. He is to be great, to have a land and offspring, along with God’s blessing and presence.

We don’t approach God with our good deeds or our hopes and dreams. He approaches us. In Christ, God has given all who believe on him an eternal hope and an eternal kingdom. He adopts us into his own kingdom, where he is present. This is his message, to us along with Jacob.

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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