As we consider the two readings for today, it is clear that both of the people who originally uttered these songs are rejoicing. Our first reading is attributed to Hannah, the second to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptizer. Directly after the evening sermon, we will sing the Magnificat. This is yet another song of praise, first sung by Mary.
So, in the texts we have three Biblical figures, Hannah, Mary and Zechariah, singing songs to God and rejoicing.
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Tag: Vicar Strawn
A history of forgiveness
While the prophets of old were directing people to look forward to the Messiah, John was pointing them to the actual Messiah who had come, the Lord Jesus Christ. John was baptizing people into the forgiveness of sins, preparing them for the more excellent and real Baptism into the death of Jesus Christ. It is our baptism into Christ that will save and bring regeneration. This is why our catechumens learn to call it, along with St. Paul, “a washing of regeneration and renewal.”…
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Give thanks to Christ, the High Priest
Consider closely the words of the 10 Lepers at the beginning of our Gospel reading. “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Each of the 10 lepers seem to make a bold confession of Christ, calling Him, “Master.” They each appear to recognize that not only is Christ right to be called, “Master,” but that He could indeed heal them. They each sound like they knew who the Messiah is, that is, One who has the power to heal with but a word. ..For more, click on the title above.
The Scoffers are Many
The Beautiful Crown of the Bible
This passage from Matthew is no parable, but a description of the Final Judgement.
So, what does the text say about this judgement? Upon first hearing this story, it might seem that the judgement is based on a person’s good works. It is not.
First, when the text begins, after Christ sits on the Throne of His Glory, what does He do? He separates the people from one another as a shepherd separates sheep and goats. What happens next? He judges them. Their positions are already made clear before the judgement occurs, so you need not be afraid that you will not be counted among the sheep…For more, click on the title above.
The Lord is Our Strength
On this day of great celebration for Lutherans all over the world, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther. To the outside world, it may appear that we hold him to such a high status that we worship him or pray to him. Those who think thus fail to understand the relationship between Luther and the church body that bears his name. …For more, click on the title above
Christ has authority to forgive sins
Our text for today’s sermon comes from the Gospel reading which you heard just moments ago, these words:
“Which is easier to say, ‘your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘arise and walk?’ But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins—then He says to the paralytic, ‘rise, take up your mat, and go to your house.’ And having arisen, he went away to his house.”
Thus far our text. I will ask you the same question Christ asks the scribes in our reading. Which is easier to say? Your sins are forgiven, or arise and walk?
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The seven ‘Ones’
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Thus far our text. This text sounds familiar does it not? Even if you have never heard it before today, the things Paul says to the Church in Ephesus in our epistle reading certainly ring a bell. Indeed, before we sang the hymn of the day, we confessed the Nicene Creed. In that Creed we confess that there is one Father, one Lord, Our Savior Jesus Christ, and one Spirit. It seems that these verses could very well be an early creed of the ancient church…
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Your heavenly Father provides for His creatures
The beautiful creation that your Heavenly Father has made, He created to work beautifully together. All animals and plants should have ready access in a multitude of wondrous ways to food, shelter, water, and mates. This does not reveal the marks of steady evolution caused by mutation, but that we see such is a revelation of glorious and intelligent design of a loving Father. God cares for all creatures, from the giants of the great depths to the single-celled organisms. Our Father created the world to be teeming with life, and we can see this is clearly the case.
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You have heard what prophets and kings desired to hear
Looking back to the prophets and kings, they offered sacrifices, burnt offerings to the Lord. They did so for the forgiveness of sins. They offered the best portions of meat for a burnt offering to God the Father, and He forgave their sins.
While they had to do this, we do not. The sacrifice of Christ has covered us once and for all. When God looks at us, He sees the sacrifice of Christ, and our sins are atoned for by His Blood.
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