Category: Worship

The imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday is a sign of mortality and death. On this first day of Lent, we enter the season with an extended time of repentance and confession of sin. We reflect on Jesus’ holy Passion as we hear the account of His journey to the cross culminating in His suffering and death. We pray that our Lord might bless this time of penitence and reflection as we await His resurrection.

Jesus’ disciples were confused. They had seen Jesus perform miracles that only God could do. They watched as He fulfilled the messianic signs promised in the Old Testament. Then He started talking about being glorified, and in the same breath predicted that He would suffer and die. That’s not what they were expecting to hear. When Jesus was transfigured before three of them and they saw the fullness of His glory, the voice of the Father reminded them to “listen to Him” even though He might say some unexpected and even puzzling things. God speaks to us today in our worship, and commands us to do the same: “Listen to Him!”

Our gracious God remembers His people. When they are downtrodden, He rescues them; when humbled in their sinfulness, He forgives them. He not only lifts us up as on eagle’s wings (Old Testament reading), but using Word and Sacrament, He will resurrect us, lifting us up eternally from sin and death. Today our faith soars!

At the end of Moses’ life, to His apprehensive people God promised to send a prophet like Moses. Jesus fulfilled that prophecy in more ways than anyone expected. Today we move from confession of our weaknesses to confidence in God’s protection, thanks to the presence of Christ in Word and Sacrament.

Today’s Scriptures make us aware of God’s use of time. From eternity He planned to save us and in Jesus accomplished our salvation. He is with us in the present moment, coming through the hearing of His Word and as we receive our Lord under bread and wine. He has promised to accompany us with His Spirit through each day until we join Him in eternity. The past, present, and future are highlighted as we come together in worship this day.

The early winter darkness in the northern hemisphere provides the perfect backdrop for the candles and glow of the Christmas celebration. But as the glow of Christmas fades, the darkness is still there. The life of faith in this world is a constant struggle between the darkness of sin and the light of new life in Christ. Fortunately we are not left powerless for the struggle. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). Joined to the Lord as in a wedding we become a new person in Christ and are given the new family name: Christian. In that name we glorify God with all that we have, fully confident of His love.

In today’s Old Testament Reading, young Solomon demonstrates wisdom beyond his years when God asked, “What shall I give you?” “Give Your servant an understanding mind . . . that I may discern between good and evil,” responded Solomon. Wise as he was, Solomon still faltered—later on he welcomed other gods into the holy city, gods that ended up being her destruction. In the Gospel, we encounter another youngster, Jesus, at age twelve. He, too, is wise beyond His years, sitting in the temple, listening to the teachers, and asking questions. Unlike Solomon, He never faltered. He “increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Later on, He redeemed us through His blood, shed on the cross, and forgave our trespasses according to the riches of His grace. Rather than welcome other gods, Jesus was and is true God, come to save us. We gather today at the beginning of a new year, and we are blessed. God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing, including the blessing of the wisdom of knowing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. “Come and worship, come and worship; Worship Christ, the newborn King” (LSB 367)

Not only has the Lord come to a manger in Bethlehem, but now He has also come to His own temple in Jerusalem. The building that itself was to be a sign of God’s presence among His people now becomes the very place where Jesus is presented to the Lord. Promised for centuries, salvation has come, and all nations shall see the glory of the Lord. As Simeon beholds this glory in the face of Jesus Christ, he embraces redemption in his arms. Through the Word you will hear today, you, too, will embrace Christ and His saving work. Sing of His glory! God has come to you!

This Sunday in the Church Year is often called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” The appointed Psalm for the day is Psalm 23, which is among the most well-known psalms. The Gospel from John 10 records Jesus revealing Himself as the Good Shepherd. While fewer and fewer people are familiar with what it is like to take care of sheep, this metaphor of God’s protection and provision has become a great source of comfort and hope. God grant that you find such blessed comfort as you dwell securely here in the house of the Lord.

READINGS

To God alone be glory! All three lessons for this Fourth Sunday in Advent give us cause to glorify God. We give glory to God for the Christ who first came in the womb of the virgin at Bethlehem. We give glory to God for the Christ who continues to come to us through His Word and Sacraments, the means of grace. We give glory to God for the Christ who will come again on the Last Day. Our doxology is no generic praise and thanksgiving but the specific doxology to the Father for sending His Son with gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation. This is the mystery, once hidden, and made plain in Christ.