Sunday of Moses (OTA)

Proverb 29:3-17
3 He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king builds up the land,
but he who exacts gifts tears it down.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet.
6 An evil man is ensnared in his transgression,
but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
7 A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;
a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
8 Scoffers set a city aflame,
but the wise turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
10 Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless
and seek the life of the upright.
11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
but a wise man quietly holds it back.
12 If a ruler listens to falsehood,
all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together;
the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king faithfully judges the poor,
his throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom,
but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
he will give delight to your heart.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Pr 29:3-17). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

The Proverbs here remind us to love one another. They also remind us to take care of the poor. "The poor man and the oppressor meet together; the LORD gives light to the eyes of both." The LORD will be the judge between all people. The LORD knows whether we are doing what he has commanded us or not.

God will use the rod and his wrath to effect justice on the Earth. He will destroy the cities with scoffers. The evil man will lay traps for the righteous. But a just King will build up his city. The righteous man sings and rejoices in God his Savior. The Righteous person looks out for the needs of the Poor.

Do not bring wrath down upon your head. Love one another in your words and actions. Turn from your wicked ways and do what is right. There is a King who faithfully judges the poor and his throne is established forever. Jesus Christ Our LORD has been seated upon his throne. He is the one who judges all people with justice. He is the one who also has sacrificed himself for those who have been lead astray. Therefore, repent and believe.

Sunday of Moses (NTA)

Acts 7:35-53
35 “This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. 37 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’ 38 This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us. 39 Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, 40 saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ 41 And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. 42 But God turned away and gave them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets:
“ ‘Did you bring to me slain beasts and sacrifices,
during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?
43 You took up the tent of Moloch
and the star of your god Rephan,
the images that you made to worship;
and I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’
44 “Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen. 45 Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers. So it was until the days of David, 46 who found favor in the sight of God and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him. 48 Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says,
49 “ ‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord,
or what is the place of my rest?
50 Did not my hand make all these things?’
51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ac 7:35-53). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

God's people are still stiff-necked people. Stephen reminds us things are not much different from when Moses came down the Mountain. Stephen defends himself and those following the Apostles by saying that it is not we who reject Moses but you have rejected Moses.

After the people of Israel lost sight of Moses on the Mountain, they made a golden calf for themselves. They sacrificed to it. The people of Israel sacrificed to various idols as they turned their back on God. This stiff-necked people can not be changed. They persecuted the Prophets of God and so they do not want to listen. They even killed the Righteous One of God.

You are still stiff-necked people looking for your own ways. You turn to your own gods and idols for help in times of trouble. But God is the one who has delivered his people out of Egypt. God is the one who has redeemed from your sins. God is the one who Sent his Son Jesus Christ to die for the forgiveness of all your sins. He is the one who delivered you to righteousness. God has provided eternal life for you.

Sunday of Moses (NT)

1 John 3:11-24
11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (1 Jn 3:11-24). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Love in actions not in words. St John reminds people to follow the commandments of God. Know the commandments of God which Moses brought down to the people. But the chief important Law is to Love the Lord your God with all your heart. The Second most important Commandment is Love your neighbor as yourself.

Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer and death abides in him. When you see your neighbor in need and do nothing, death abides in you. But Love the little children of the world. Love the brothers even to the point of laying down your life for your brother.

Most people are willing to give what they consider to be extra stuff or used stuff to those in need. But St John tells them. You have stuff. They need stuff. You give them your stuff. Keep these Commandments.

Those who abide in love will have eternal life. You have eternal life in the one who loved us. The Shepherd that laid down his life for the sheep saved you from death. The Brother who died for you gives you eternal life. Abide in Christ Jesus our Lord and live.

Sunday of Moses (GA)

Matthew 24:1-2, 29-35
1 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Mt 24:1-2). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Mt 24:29-35). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Jesus warns the disciples of the end of the World. The temple will be destroyed. God will finally take his vengeance upon the world and all it's wickedness. This means all the tribes of the earth will be brought low.

Jesus tells us to learn the signs of the times. Most people see the signs of this world and move with the changes. But there are different signs to look for at the coming of the Kingdom of God. That Generation did see the Kingdom of God come to world, God established his Kingdom of Priests or his Holy Church.

But there are days of disaster coming. There are times of tribulation. These we suffer to remind us of the need for repentance. But God has gathered his chosen people to himself. He has called you out of darkness to a new life.

Sunday of Moses (CL)

Exodus 32:1-20
1 When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” 2 So Aaron said to them, “Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4 And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” 5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord.” 6 And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.
7 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. 8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’ ” 9 And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. 10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.”
11 But Moses implored the Lord his God and said, “O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, ‘With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.’ ” 14 And the Lord relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people.
15 Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets that were written on both sides; on the front and on the back they were written. 16 The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets. 17 When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, “There is a noise of war in the camp.” 18 But he said, “It is not the sound of shouting for victory, or the sound of the cry of defeat, but the sound of singing that I hear.” 19 And as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses’ anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain. 20 He took the calf that they had made and burned it with fire and ground it to powder and scattered it on the water and made the people of Israel drink it.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ex 32:1-20). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Moses gives the people heavy metal poisoning. He makes the people drink the water that is filled with their wickedness. The Lord kept Moses up on the Mountain so long that the people thought he was gone. Therefore, they desired to see the God that brought them out of Egypt. Aaron makes for them a Golden Calf out their jewelry.

This wickedness of idolatry causes God to burn with anger and Moses to burn with anger. God anger is staved by reminding him of his promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses' anger will be staved by forcing the people to drink of their wickedness and eventually going through the camp and killing people.

These will call people to repentance. They will show the wickedness of their actions. They will know that there is only one God. He is compassionate. He does turn from destroying his people. His hand is staved finally by his Son's sacrifice for the remission of all your sins.

Proper 21 (Ps) September 25th

Psalm 85:1-13
1 Lord, you were favorable to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you covered all their sin. Selah
3 You withdrew all your wrath;
you turned from your hot anger.
4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us!
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
8 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;
but let them not turn back to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
and righteousness looks down from the sky.
12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him
and make his footsteps a way.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ps 85:1-13). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Jacob was blessed by his Father. He purchased Esau's birthright with a bowl of soup. He has to flee from Esau for his life. He sees a ladder from heaven. He is promised the same promise that was given to his Father Isaac and his Grandfather Abraham. They would inherit the land of Canaan and have more offspring than imaginable.

God has restored the fortunes of Jacob. God has restored his people through his Son Jesus Christ. He has sent his people out to call other people from the Nations. God has truly restored his people from lost and condemned to raised and new life.

"Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly." God our Lord has called us out of darkness and destruction. He has brought us from death to new life. He will give us peace in everlasting Life.

Proper 21 (NTA)

Acts 1:6-11
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ac 1:6-11). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Jesus ascends the ladder back to heaven. Jacob put his head down upon a rock and sees this ladder into heaven. He sees Angels ascending and descending upon the ladder. Jesus was incarnate and humbled himself to become man. He even humbled himself to the point of dying on a cross as the sacrifice for all mankind. Christ was raised from the dead. He now returns to his Father.

Is it time for the Kingdom of Israel to be restored? It is not for us to understand. John the Baptist said the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. Jesus preached concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. Is this the Kingdom of Israel? Jesus has been crowned King. He enters Jerusalem as a King humbled and riding on a donkey. He ascends into heaven as the Lion of Judah and King.

He has restored his Kingdom but this Kingdom advances into people's hearts and minds as you go forth and preach the word to nations. Start here and move on until you reach the ends of the earth. But God still has to send his Angels down the ladder to tell the Disciples, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

Proper 21 (OTA)

Job 2:1-10
2 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 3 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” 4 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. 5 But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” 6 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.”
7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes.
9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” 10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Job 2:1-10). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

The Angels of God ascend the ladder to heaven and present themselves before God. Satan is among these Angels who presents himself before God. He has come up the ladder from wandering the earth. What was Satan doing?

Satan sees the wickedness of humanity. Satan recognizes that humans will kill and curse in order to save their own skin. People will destroy other people's lives and curse their gods in order to protect property, family and even their own flesh. Therefore, even the Lord's pride and joy in Job is misplaced.

The Lord on the other hand allows Satan to do his worst. Satan "struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head." Yet, even as Job suffers he still can tell his wife, "You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" Praise God for the good things and the evil things that happen to us.

No matter what may happen to us in this life, God has shown us the way to eternal life. He has shown us the suffering of his own Son. Do we deserve better? But God in his great mercy has given us forgiveness of sins. God has prepared a place in the Heavenly Jerusalem for you.

The Word they still shall let remain
Nor any thanks have for it;
He's by our side upon the plain
With His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life,
Goods, fame, child, and wife,
Though these all be gone,
Our victory has been won;
The Kingdom ours remaineth.

Proper 21 (G)

Matthew 9:1-8
1 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Mt 9:1-8). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Take heart your sins are forgiven. Jesus does not heal the paralytic right away. Jesus first forgives him all his sins. It is only when he is challenged by the thoughts of the Scribes that he proves his words.

Just as sin has killed us, Christ gives us new life. We are paralyzed by sin and selfish thoughts. We are trapped and bound in the Devil's Kingdom. On our own humans are unable to do anything good. Except there was one human who came to give forgiveness and redemption. Jesus Christ died for the forgiveness of our sins.

The Christ has the power to forgive sins. If you have any questions just look at what he does. It is then seen that he gives this same authority to men. Jesus sends out his disciples to forgive sins. God has called his priests to forgive sins. Therefore, know that your sins have been forgiven in Christ Jesus our Lord. "Pick up your bed and go home," or in other words Go and sin no more. Give glory to God.

Proper 21 (NT)

1 John 2:28-3:10
28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (1 Jn 2:28-3:10). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Children of God have been called out of darkness into the light. They have be made into Children of God. But the world will not recognize them. The world does not know the Children of God because they did not recognize Christ. But when he finally appears on the last day all will be revealed.

Everyone practices sin. There is only one who was without sin. Jesus Christ was without sin and he appeared to take away sins. Therefore, no one can be both apart of him and keep on sinning. The Children of God must stop sinning. They are given a Spirit of Power to live holy and perfect lives.

The Devil who rules this world leads even the little Children astray. The Son of God came into the world in order to destroy the devil. In Christ's sacrifice he took away that accusers power. He now waits for the time to come when he will return and appear in all his glory to finally cast the devil into the pit forever.

Know this there are children of God and there are children of the devil. Those who sin are children of the devil. Those forgiven of all their sins and cleansed of unrighteousness are children of God. They are born of God through water and blood. Fellow brothers and sisters in Christ know that you are forgiven.

Proper 21 (GA)

Luke 24:1-12
1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Lk 24:1-12). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Jesus told his disciples he was going to be killed and rise on the third day. The women come to a tomb in search of a dead body. Christ has arisen. Two men ask these women "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" The women share this message with the eleven apostles.

The angels come down from heaven to recall the promises God has already proclaimed to us. Some hear these things as idle tales. Some listen to the words of the Angels and women. Jesus' Resurrection is to be proclaimed to the ends of the Earth.

Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed, Alleluia. Can we say this more than once a year. Do you remember the promise given to Jacob when he was leaving home? He eventually got to see his Sons and grandchildren. But Jacob never got to see the promise fulfilled.

He never got to run back to Bethel and see the great nation. But just as we did not get to stoop down and look into the empty tomb of Jesus. We know the rest of the story. We also know the promise yet to be fulfilled when we shall arise.

Alleluia! Jesus is risen!
Trumpets resounding in glorious light!
Splendor, the Lamb, Heaven forever!
Oh, what a miracle God has in sight!
Jesus is risen and we shall arise:
Give God the glory! Alleluia!

Proper 21 (CL)

Genesis 28:10-22
10 Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! 13 And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. 14 Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
18 So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. 19 He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first. 20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, 21 so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God, 22 and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.”
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ge 28:10-22). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Again you have someone pledging a tenth of all they have to the Lord. Not a tenth of what they earn but of what they have. God has promised Jacob that he will make him into a great nation. His descendants will fill this land and be as many as a the dust of the earth.

Jacob ran away from his family for fear of his brother Esau. He has abandoned his father and mother. He headed north to Rebekah's family. He goes to sleep on this night with a rock under his head. God reveals to him a ladder with Angels going up and down upon it. God restores his Covenant with Abraham and Isaac now with Jacob.

God will protect his people no matter where they go. He will travel with us. He sends his Angels upon the earth to take care of us. God has even redeemed his people from their sins. God has given us life. He has welcomed us into his great Nation. We will share in the inheritance of his Son Jesus Christ.

Sunday of the Order of Melchizedek (Ps) September 18th

Psalm 110
1 The Lord says to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.”
2 The Lord sends forth from Zion
your mighty scepter.
Rule in the midst of your enemies!
3 Your people will offer themselves freely
on the day of your power,
in holy garments;
from the womb of the morning,
the dew of your youth will be yours.
4 The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
“You are a priest forever
after the order of Melchizedek.”
5 The Lord is at your right hand;
he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.
6 He will execute judgment among the nations,
filling them with corpses;
he will shatter chiefs
over the wide earth.
7 He will drink from the brook by the way;
therefore he will lift up his head.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ps 110:1-7). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

The Lord has sat down next to your Lord. He is seated at the Right hand of God the Father. He is our King who has received the scepter of the King. He is of the order of Melchizedek. He is the one who scatters or shatters all the kings of the earth.

He is your High Priest who sits at the right hand of our Father in heaven interceding for us at all times. He speaks to our Father reminding him of the sacrifice he made for all of us. When we turn after our own ways, Christ intercedes for us. When we lust after our own passions, Jesus intercedes for us.

God sits on his judgment seat over all of us. The Father looks to his Son who bears the marks of our salvation. The Father looks to the Holy Spirit who has sealed us for the day of redemption. The Father then over looks all our transgressions. God forgives all our sins and instructs us to share that gift with one another.

Sunday of the Order of Melchizedek (GA)

Matthew 11:25-30
25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Mt 11:25-30). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

There is no greater place to find rest than in the land of Peace (Salem). Jesus thanks his Father for hiding this from the wise. He seems to take pride in the fact that some people do not believe. The Christ seems to be proud of the fact that people do not accept him.

"No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." The only people that know the truth are those chosen by God. Only the few are revealed the truth. Jesus refers to the few earlier as children.

Jesus Christ died for the forgiveness of all our sins. He is the one who has paid the price. But only those whom God has revealed this to will believe in it. He withholds this from the wise and the learned. He calls all people to his wedding feast but only the chosen will show up.

Come to him all who are burdened by cares of this world. Come to him all who are in need. He will bring forth bread and wine for you to eat and drink. He will give you Peace and Rest in his Kingdom.

Sunday of the Order of Melchizedek (OTA)

Jeremiah 31:31-40
31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
35 Thus says the Lord,
who gives the sun for light by day
and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night,
who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—
the Lord of hosts is his name:
36 “If this fixed order departs
from before me, declares the Lord,
then shall the offspring of Israel cease
from being a nation before me forever.”
37 Thus says the Lord:
“If the heavens above can be measured,
and the foundations of the earth below can be explored,
then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel
for all that they have done,
declares the Lord.”
38 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when the city shall be rebuilt for the Lord from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate. 39 And the measuring line shall go out farther, straight to the hill Gareb, and shall then turn to Goah. 40 The whole valley of the dead bodies and the ashes, and all the fields as far as the brook Kidron, to the corner of the Horse Gate toward the east, shall be sacred to the Lord. It shall not be uprooted or overthrown anymore forever.”
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Je 31:31-40). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

There is a covenant God has made with his people that none need to be instructed. God has written it upon their hearts and minds. This is not like the Law given on Mt Sinai and the people pledged to keep it. This is something that will never pass away.

The LORD teaches us the people of Israel will be his forever. If someone explores the foundations of the Earth than Israel will no longer be God's people. If someone can stop the waves or the Sun from giving light to the Day and the Moon and Stars giving light to the night than Israel will no longer be God's people. The simple promise of being his people forever.

St John told us there is no greater promise given to us than the promise of eternal Life. Jesus feeds the people reminding us of the provission of God for his people. God is the one who has forgiven our Sins in Jesus Christ. He has established his Covenant with his people. Those people who were once far off have been brought near. God has made himself known. He has cleansed and redeemed his people.

Sunday of the Order of Melchizedek (NT)

1 John 2:15-27
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.
26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (1 Jn 2:15-27). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

St John writes to warn people about the threats of the AntiChrist. There are people who deny Jesus is the Christ. There are people who deny the Father as Creator. There are people who deny the Son is fully God and fully Man. All these people are AntiChrists. St John warns the people about these AntiChrists.

You who have been baptized and called to faith are anointed by the Holy One of Israel. You have been revealed the truth. St John writes these things so you will no longer be deceived and fall away.

The truth is that Jesus Christ has died for the forgiveness of your Sins. He has anointed you with his very blood. He has washed you clean. Now you can abide with the Father and the Son. Remain faithful to Jesus Christ and His Father your Creator.

This could also be described as remaining in the Order of Melchizedek. You have been called to be a holy Nation and a Royal Priesthood. You have been brought into the faithful priesthood to God most High and the Holy One of Israel.

Sunday of the Order of Melchizedek (G)

Matthew 15:32-39
32 Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” 33 And the disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?” 34 And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” 35 And directing the crowd to sit down on the ground, 36 he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 38 Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 And after sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Mt 15:32-39). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

These people have been with Jesus for three Days. Jesus then has compassion upon them to give them something to eat. It took him How Long to think they might be hungry? He asks the Disciples to feed them. They find 7 loaves and a few fish. Jesus Gives thanks and feeds the people.

After the Battle was over and the Victory was won, Melchizedek brought out bread and wine to feed those who have fought. After Jesus has battled with harden hearts and minds for three days without food, he gives them food to eat. All of them eat and are satisfied. There is even still leftovers.

God has created this world and provides for our needs of Body and Soul. God feeds his people with bread and wine. God also feeds his people with His Word that creates Faith and brings life everlasting. Jesus has compassion on the crowd and feeds them. Jesus has compassion upon all of us. He feeds us with bread and wine. He also feeds us with Forgiveness of sins. God gives us Life.

Sunday of the Order of Melchizedek (NTA)

Hebrews 7:1-10 (11-28)
For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.
4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. 6 But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Heb 7:1-10). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
[11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him,
“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.”
18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
20 And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:
“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
‘You are a priest forever.’ ”
22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Heb 7:11-28). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.]

The Author to the Hebrews takes an entire Chapter devoted to talking about Melchizedek the King and the Priest. He recalls no genealogy. He recalls only this small account found in Genesis 14. He tells us how Abraham gave him a tenth of the spoils. This sets the foundation for tithing a tenth of what you own/earn to God. Abraham was blessed for his righteous actions toward the King of Peace.

Melchizedek is a Priest like the Son of God. This priesthood is not like the Levitical Priesthood. They received their priesthood by the Law. Levities are made priests be their lineage. Melchizedek gives us an order more like monks. You belong to the order by something beyond just confession or lineage.

Jesus is both from the line of David and the Order of Melchizedek. He is our King and Priest of God Most High. He is the one who has blessed us and called us to also proclaim forgiveness to the nations. Jesus is the King of Peace and the one who gives Peace to the world through his Death and Resurrection.

Sunday of the Order of Melchizedek (CL)

Genesis 14:17-24
17 After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) 19 And he blessed him and said,
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
20 and blessed be God Most High,
who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”
And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. 21 And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.”
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ge 14:17-24). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

The King of Salem is the Priest of God Most High. Melchizedek is a great priest and develops his own order of priests. But there will be one who came after him that was both Priest and King again. Even Moses while the Leader of the people and a great prophet was not the High Priest (that was left to his brother Aaron).

God recalls this for Moses to teach us. Abram was blessed by God Most High. The blessing is that he will always be delivered from his enemies. But even the descendants of Abraham have enemies. Enemies battle against us and lead us into temptation. Enemies cause us hardship and difficulty.

But the Possessor of heaven and earth has the power over our enemies. The creator of all things owns all things and rules all things. He is the one who makes you great or small. He is the one who destroys the power of our Adversary. Jesus Christ has delivered us from bondage to sin. God has made you rich and given you many blessings.

Sunday of the Flood September 11th (OTA)

Genesis 7:1-5, 16-24
1 Then the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation. 2 Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and his mate, and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate, 3 and seven pairs of the birds of the heavens also, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all the earth. 4 For in seven days I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground.” 5 And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ge 7:1-5). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
16 And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him. And the Lord shut him in.
17 The flood continued forty days on the earth. The waters increased and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. 18 The waters prevailed and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the face of the waters. 19 And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered. 20 The waters prevailed above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits deep. 21 And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, livestock, beasts, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all mankind. 22 Everything on the dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died. 23 He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens. They were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark. 24 And the waters prevailed on the earth 150 days.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ge 7:16-24). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

The Flood covers the entire earth. The waters rise past the highest heights. Think about the amount of water that must have been. You would have water rushing in for forty Days to cover all the land. Covering the mountains to 15 Cubits (7.5 yards) must have taken a large amount of water. Think about all that water flowing like a river for another 150 days. How would that cut the earth?

God provided for Noah and his family. God shut them all in the ark. God had the waters lift the ark up. The ark would then float while all other animals were killed. The great rush of water even destroyed the birds of the heavens. All that was left was Noah and his family. These were the ones who were left behind.

You have been left behind. God did not leave you behind so that you could die. God left you behind so that you would repent of your sins. God left you behind so he could send his only Son Jesus Christ to die for the forgiveness of all your sins. God did all this work so you would be quiet and listen to His Voice.

Sunday of the Flood (Ps)

Psalm 104:1-15
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, you are very great!
You are clothed with splendor and majesty,
2 covering yourself with light as with a garment,
stretching out the heavens like a tent.
3 He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters;
he makes the clouds his chariot;
he rides on the wings of the wind;
4 he makes his messengers winds,
his ministers a flaming fire.
5 He set the earth on its foundations,
so that it should never be moved.
6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment;
the waters stood above the mountains.
7 At your rebuke they fled;
at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.
8 The mountains rose, the valleys sank down
to the place that you appointed for them.
9 You set a boundary that they may not pass,
so that they might not again cover the earth.
10 You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
they flow between the hills;
11 they give drink to every beast of the field;
the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell;
they sing among the branches.
13 From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.
14 You cause the grass to grow for the livestock
and plants for man to cultivate,
that he may bring forth food from the earth
15 and wine to gladden the heart of man,
oil to make his face shine
and bread to strengthen man’s heart.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ps 104:1-15). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Our God has made the water gush forth from beneath the ground. God is the one who formed every Valley and Hill. God is the one who set the boarders for the Oceans and the seas.

Humanity often time likes to think we know a lot about the world's oceans, but are continually proved wrong. We like to think we can determine the age of the earth by rock layers, but we were not there when they were laid. These layers remind us how great our God really is.

But when we listen to the word of God, we hear that we are sinful and unclean. But God has washed his creation clean. He cloths the earth with grass and trees, but those are just highlights for the blue dress of the earth. God has blessed us with the forgiveness of our sins. He brings us through death into life.

Sunday of the Flood (NTA)

1 Peter 3:8-22
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For
“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
11 let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (1 Pe 3:8-22). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

People need to turn away from their evil ways. You think this is not true. Look at the evil in your own life. Have you repaid evil for evil? Have you shown everyone sympathy and brotherly love? But every inclination of people's hearts are toward evil.

Thanks be to God who sent his only Son Jesus Christ to die for the forgiveness of all of your sins. Christ the Lord is pure and holy he treats people with compassion and respect. Jesus Christ did suffer once for the sins of all to make you clean and to set the prisoner free.

Do you need anything more than that? In the Days of Noah God was patient with humanity. He waited while the Ark was being constructed for people to turn from their wickedness. If you look really hard you can see an ark being built today as God is being patient. God then during the time of Judgment saved eight persons bringing them through water. If you look really hard today you can see people being brought through the water of Baptism. The Flood removed layers of dirt and stacked up the dead within those layers. But in Baptism we wash ourselves in the blood of Christ appealing to God.

When Christ returns, he will judge the world not with water but with Fire. Those who have washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb will be saved. Those who do not turn from their evil, the face of the Lord will be set against them.

Sunday of the Flood (NT)

1 John 2:1-14
1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
12 I am writing to you, little children,
because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, children,
because you know the Father.
14 I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God abides in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (1 Jn 2:1-14). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Jesus is the propitiation for our sins. Every inclination of his heart is compassion and righteousness. Those who know Jesus will also keep his commandments. Therefore, abide in the word of the Lord and walk as you are supposed to.

St John reminds us this is nothing new. The commandments he gives to the people is the same commandment give to all those before. Adam and Eve were designed or created for a purpose. They were to carry out that purpose. But by the time of the flood every inclination of man's heart was evil. All the world is covered with darkness and the true light was passing away.

St John talks of a time when the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. We walk in the Light of our Christ. The Light is shining in the world but the darkness has not yet been eradicated. Children know your sins are forgiven in Christ Jesus. You have overcome evil in Christ's death. You are strong as long as the word of God is in you. Christ's Light shines in your heart and mind.

Sunday of the Flood (GA)

Matthew 24:36-51
36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Mt 24:36-51). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Jesus tells us no one knows the time of His return. It will come like a thief in the Night. His illustration from the Old Testament is Noah and the Flood. All Christians need to stay aware of the fact that when the flood came it took away a lot of people. There were only 8 left.

At the time of Noah people where celebrating up until the rush of water came and killed them. In the same way we can either say Eat Drink and be Merry for tomorrow we might Die or The Kingdom of Heaven is at the Gates. John the Baptist tells us the axe is at the root of the tree. Are you prepared for his return?

There will be two men in the Field and two women grinding at the mill. One will be condemned to eternal damnation and everlasting death. One will remain to live with God in everlasting life. Thanks be to Jesus Christ that he has called us into the light. He has claimed us to be his very own. He is the only ark that can save us from this flood and death. "Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming."

Sunday of the Flood (G)

Matthew 8:28-34
28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” 32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Mt 8:28-34). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Why would someone stroll through tombs? Jesus is walking through tombs and finds two demon possessed men. Two men who are clearly dead are found among tombs. It is amazing to think of Jesus going to the dead people in order to cast out their demons.

He casts them out into the unclean animals. For Jews there is no greater unclean animal than a Pig. But the interesting connection is that these wicked animals are drowned along with demons. They run down a steep bank into the sea or waters and are killed. These demons suffer the same fate as those of the Flood.

God drowned all the wickedness of the earth in the Flood. He drowns us in our Baptism. He kills our demons. He is the one who casts them out. Jesus cast the demons out of Heaven. Jesus is the one who will also torment the demons when the time comes (apparently). Jesus is the one who will call judgment upon the earth.

You may not think so, but you have demons. You have evil spirits that lead you to do evil things. You also have your sinful nature within that needs to be killed. Jesus dies for the forgiveness of all our sins. Jesus casts out your demons and sweeps your house clean. Jesus then sends his Holy Spirit into your heart in order to dwell in the house.

Sunday of the Flood (CL)

Genesis 7:1-24
1 Then the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation. 2 Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and his mate, and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate, 3 and seven pairs of the birds of the heavens also, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all the earth. 4 For in seven days I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground.” 5 And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him.
6 Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters came upon the earth. 7 And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him went into the ark to escape the waters of the flood. 8 Of clean animals, and of animals that are not clean, and of birds, and of everything that creeps on the ground, 9 two and two, male and female, went into the ark with Noah, as God had commanded Noah. 10 And after seven days the waters of the flood came upon the earth.
11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. 12 And rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights. 13 On the very same day Noah and his sons, Shem and Ham and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them entered the ark, 14 they and every beast, according to its kind, and all the livestock according to their kinds, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, according to its kind, and every bird, according to its kind, every winged creature. 15 They went into the ark with Noah, two and two of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. 16 And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him. And the Lord shut him in.
17 The flood continued forty days on the earth. The waters increased and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. 18 The waters prevailed and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the face of the waters. 19 And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered. 20 The waters prevailed above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits deep. 21 And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, livestock, beasts, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all mankind. 22 Everything on the dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died. 23 He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens. They were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark. 24 And the waters prevailed on the earth 150 days.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ge 7:1-24). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

The great creation of God had fallen and grown wicked. Every inclination of man's heart was wicked. But God in his great wisdom and mercy had the depths of the Earth burst forth with water. (The lands burst forth as a volcano of water, separating the land creating layers of dead things all over the earth.) God saves Noah and his entire family from this destruction. God also protects the whole of his creation by calling forth pairs of every animal and creeping thing upon the earth.

God takes pairs of every living thing. God takes 7 pairs of every clean animal. God takes 4 pairs, 8 souls in all, from those men of the earth. All the rest are blotted out and killed.

At this great time when the Bible celebrates the saving of Life, it also recalls judgment and death. The wickedness of world was judged by Water. Yet, even as God would promise never to destroy the earth again by Water, he will refine it in the fires of Judgment. You will watch all the wickedness within Creation is blotted out from the earth.

God has brought forth water to cleanse his creation and wash it clean. So you shall be washed clean in the blood of the Lamb. Christ Jesus is our Ark that we may enter by his grace and survive the Day of Judgment.

Sunday of Creation (Ps) September 4th

Psalm 104:16-35
16 The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly,
the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
17 In them the birds build their nests;
the stork has her home in the fir trees.
18 The high mountains are for the wild goats;
the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers.
19 He made the moon to mark the seasons;
the sun knows its time for setting.
20 You make darkness, and it is night,
when all the beasts of the forest creep about.
21 The young lions roar for their prey,
seeking their food from God.
22 When the sun rises, they steal away
and lie down in their dens.
23 Man goes out to his work
and to his labor until the evening.
24 O Lord, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom have you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
25 Here is the sea, great and wide,
which teems with creatures innumerable,
living things both small and great.
26 There go the ships,
and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.
27 These all look to you,
to give them their food in due season.
28 When you give it to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
29 When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die
and return to their dust.
30 When you send forth your Spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the ground.
31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in his works,
32 who looks on the earth and it trembles,
who touches the mountains and they smoke!
33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to him,
for I rejoice in the Lord.
35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth,
and let the wicked be no more!
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Praise the Lord!
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ps 104:16-35). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Praise be to God our Creator. He is the Creator of all things. He is the one who sent the four rivers to water the trees of the Earth. He is the one who created all the things that creep upon the earth. He is the one who created the Leviathan to play in the seas. To him be all praise and glory forever and ever.

But the psalmist addresses the difference between the works of men and the works of God. God created the sun and the seasons. Man only works during the day. God provides food for all the beasts as well as men. Men are sinners and wicked. Men deserve to find their hands empty and fall dead.

God in his great mercy should be blessed. Man should meditate on God's Word day and night. Man's wickedness should be judged. All of them should be wiped from the face of the ground. But God sends forth his Spirit to renew life. "When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground." Therefore, "I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being."

God is the one who kills and makes alive. Christ is the one who died for the wickedness of men. He has provided atonement for the wickedness of the earth and so when he returns will restore Creation.

Sunday of Creation (OTA)

Isaiah 2:1-5
1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2 It shall come to pass in the latter days
that the mountain of the house of the Lord
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be lifted up above the hills;
and all the nations shall flow to it,
3 and many peoples shall come, and say:
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go the law,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 He shall judge between the nations,
and shall decide disputes for many peoples;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore.
5 O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk
in the light of the Lord.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Is 2:1-5). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

God tells Isaiah of a time when people will come to the highest mountain. These people will gather before God to learn from his very presence. You can just see it in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus went up on the mountain teaching the crowds who continue to gather. The 5,000 and 4,000 gather to hear Jesus speak to them well past dinner time. In Mark chapter 13 Jesus is sitting with his disciples opposite the temple and Jesus teaches them about the Day of Judgment.

God teaches these people his ways so that they will follow him. Just as Jesus calls the fisherman to follow him, and tells his disciples to take up their cross and follow him. They learn the way, the truth, and the life to be Christ Jesus himself. Therefore, the first followers of Christ were referred to as followers of the Way, then later called Christians.

But this is not just a picture of the Gospel's were Jesus comes to call people to follow him. Nor is this a picture of the Church today were we continue to call others to follow Jesus. Because there is yet another step, He shall judge between the nations. This is also God telling us he will come in Judgment. We still fight wars and nations do lift swords against one another. But there is a Day coming soon when Jesus will Judge the Nations.

Jesus Christ will return and Judge the Nations. God will teach us to beat our swords into plowshares, and our spears into pruning hooks. All the people will be one family in the Resurrection. When Jesus comes he will judge the nations and send those who do not believe to Hell. All those who believe and have been baptized will be saved. Therefore we can say, "O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD." He will be our light and walk with us in Eternal Life.

Sunday of Creation (NT)

1 John 1:1-10
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (1 Jn 1:1-10). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

"I want to walk as a child of the light.
I want to follow Jesus.
God set the stars to give light to the world.
The star of my life is Jesus.
In Him there is no darkness at all.
The night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God.
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus."

Many of us are more than happy to sing this song. We give thanks to Jesus being the Light that Shines in the darkness but forget that we are darkness. John talks about Jesus as the Light, but concludes the same paragraph with "If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." You are darkness.

God created everything Perfect in the Garden. He molded Adam out of his own likeness. He made them in the image of God. But we who are born of Adam are born sinful and unclean. Therefore, we should desire to walk in the Light of Christ. He is the one who died for the forgiveness of all our sins. Jesus becomes the little light in us to cast out all our darkness.

The Holy Spirit passes on through Moses the eyewitness of Creation. John and the other Apostles pass on the witness of Jesus' death and Resurrection. But the Church and Christians still pass on John's words, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." When we confess our sins, God will shine is light upon us.

"I'm looking for the coming of Christ.
I want to be with Jesus.
When we have run with patience the race,
We shall know the joy of Jesus.
In Him there is no darkness at all.
The night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God.
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus."