Jubilate Sunday, 2023.

Vimeo Service Link - Easter 3, 2023 - Jubilate Sunday

Jubilate, The Third Sunday after Easter, 2023

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

Bethany Lutheran Church

Springdale, Arkansas

Note - the hymn lyrics are linked to the Bethany Lutheran Hymn Blog on the hymn number; the tune is linked on the hymn's name. 

Morning Hymn #549     God Who Madest Earth and Heaven

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Make a joyful noise (Jubilate) unto God, all ye lands: sing forth the honor of His name; make His praise glorious.

Psalm. Say unto God, How terrible art Thou in Thy works: through the greatness of Thy power shall Thine enemies submit themselves unto Thee.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

Almighty God, who showest to them that be in error the light of Thy truth to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness, grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion that they may avoid those things that are contrary to their profession and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual  

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. The Lord hath sent redemption unto His people. Hallelujah!

V. It behooved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead: and thus to enter into His glory. Hallelujah!

     

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
Sermon Hymn #288      Lord Help Us Ever To Retain - Loy Translation

A Little While - Dealing with Loss  

Communion Hymn #314         Lord Jesus Christ - Jacobs

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #549        Blest Be the Tie That Binds   

  

Prayers and Announcements

• Medical care - Pastor Jim Shrader, Chris Shrader, Jim's sister. Lyne Cruz and Thea. Kermit and Maria Way. Callie is doing well.
• Pray for those suffering from emotional stress and a young couple with a sudden loss.

                

  Norma A. Boeckler Christian Art Books

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

Lord God, heavenly Father, who of Thy fatherly goodness dost suffer Thy children to come under Thy chastening rod here on earth, that we may be like unto Thine only-begotten Son in suffering and hereafter in glory: We beseech Thee, comfort us in temptations and afflictions by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may not fall into despair, but that we may continually trust in Thy Son's promise, that our trials will endure but a little while, and will then be followed by eternal joy; that we thus, in patient hope, may overcome all evil, and at last obtain eternal salvation, through the same, Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

KJV 1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

KJV John 16:16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. 17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? 18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. 19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. 23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

Luther’s Sermon on the Gospel Lesson

Luther’s Second Sermon on the Gospel Lesson

A Little While - Dealing with Loss

KJV John 16:16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.

Every so often, a Gospel lesson is listed for that Sunday, and we know it has been used for many centuries. However, that particular one is difficult to explain and unusual. Luther commented on this one being unusually wordy.

That by itself is a clue, since the New Testament is extremely concise and not wordy. This selection has a special purpose that applies to us all. The seven-fold "a little while" is emphatic and important for everyone to remember, because the warning will become a fact, and each one will need to know its meaning 

1. You will not see Me and
2. Again, you will see Me because I go to the Father. 

The Greek word for a little while is micron, a little word which we use all the time - microscope, microcosm, microwave, microchip.

As Luther observed, the disciples were always with Jesus, learning, seeing miracles, looking ahead because they had so many joys with their Teacher. When things are going well, we think of that time being without a threat or problem. We can hardly imagine anything less. 

Here Jesus begins on the negative, which the disciples cannot imagine. That is a complete puzzle so the second part is equally opaque to them.

The repetition is not simply that, but an emphasis on a very important matter for all of them. We experience it as well.

17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? 18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.

This is central to the discussion but also to the fact of Jesus being taken away in the near future. They were going to experience a sudden loss of their Master, without any ability to cope with the disaster.

It was going to be devastating enough to see Him arrested in the dark. They were all so frightened that they ran away. 

It was going to be frightening that Jesus was on trial, which is why Peter denied Jesus three times and heard the final verdict of the rooster - just as Jesus predicted.

And then, when He was tortured and carried the cross Himself, it was the final display of what the opponents could do to their Teacher. What could become of them? They were without an apparent leader and had criminal attached to all their names.

They were at their lowest, and it took time for them to recover.

20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

Jesus was preparing them for that future, devastating loss, but also for the future beyond, when they would go from feeling completely abandoned to being joyful about what was ahead - even persecution and death. 

This lesson is for all of us, often in the distant future. However, those events will come and the loss will continue for a long time. 

When our second child was born - Bethany - I was sure something was wrong with her cry, something far different from a baby's cry for food or dryness. The crying built up and we went from doctor to doctor. One gave us a tube of something for the skin. Another doctor, about the sixth, said, "No development." And that led to the famous Cleveland Clinic. We had to hear all kinds of foolish questions and taunting and shunning from almost everyone. But we also saw very rare cases, one with a quote from John 9 - "This happened for the glory of God." Bethany was soon dubbed "Angel" by every nurse in every hospital or nursing home.

We had a similar experience with Erin Joy, with a different set of characters and the Cleveland Clinic. Nurses in various places nicknamed her Joy, surprised to find out it was her middle name.

The first loss, of Bethany, flattened us completely, but it also gave us energy to see what really mattered. All the previous dreams and hopes dissolved away, but we agreed when Erin Joy came along - "We will enjoy every minute and not be dragged down by the tragedy." The sorrow was equally great when weakness took over and nothing could be done. Erin did laugh for the nurses when they unknowingly tripped over a long-standing joke about her diapers. The nurse spoke out loud, and Erin burst into laughter. As they said, "Not a common event around here."

To borrow from the Lord of the Rings, reality for everyone else become the shadowland, while the entire world of disability, long-term disorders, and strange diseases became a reality we could see. Christina became the Florence Nightingale (a Lutheran by the way) who helped out many families. I did my part in various ways. 

No one becomes an expert in devastating loss, so the loss of Christina was even more difficult than that of Bethany Joan Marie and Erin Joy. It struck harder and longer, with every pleasant part of life filled with pain, all day long, for more than a year. 

That is why this seven-fold "a little while" is so important in the Gospel of John. Although Jesus was preparing the disciples for the first part, He was emphasizing even more the second part, with the well known story of a baby boy's birth. It is not a "snap out of it story" but God's message of His great love and future blessings. Great sorrows and grief are not erased by the extreme difficulties of life, especially death.

However, the early Christian Church followed the model of the disciples, willingly facing danger, torture, and execution for the sake of the Gospel, which drove the Christian Faith into the farthest parts of the world. The only disciple who lived long was John, according to tradition, while the others were pursued and quickly executed. Those people were called martyrs, the Greek word for witness, because they witnessed their faith in Jesus Christ by accepting His torture and death. As I wrote before, the Roman citizens were appalled by Christians praying before the gladiators and wild beasts before they were killed. The Roman crowds were devastated in their own way - seeing their pagan religion overturned by helpless but strong-in-faith believers.

22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. 23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

Just as Creation and the Gospel are true, so are the Promises of Jesus Christ. So we must look beyond the burdens and grief of this time before the pearly gates to appreciate what Jesus did and died for us, enjoying His life on earth but giving up everything to complete His mission of His death, Resurrection, and Ascension.

Here is a simple command, yet ignored by so many. Do not ask Jesus anything but anything asked of His Father in His Name will be given.

Shepherd Sunday 2023

 

Bethany Lutheran Church

Springdale, Arkansas

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

Misericordias Domini – 

The Second Sunday after Easter, 2023

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

 

Bethany Lutheran Church, 

10AM Central Daylight Time

 

The Hymn #436         The Lord's My Shepherd

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord: by the word of the Lord were the heavens made. Psalm. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect 

God, who by the humiliation of Thy Son didst raise up the fallen world, grant unto Thy faithful ones perpetual gladness, and those whom Thou hast delivered from the danger of everlasting death do Thou make partakers of eternal joys; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual       

 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. Then was the Lord Jesus known of the disciples: in the breaking of bread. Hallelujah!

V. I am the Good Shepherd: and know My sheep and am known of Mine. Hallelujah!

 

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #196              I Am Content 

I AM the Good Shepherd

 

The Communion Hymn # 328          O Jesus Lamb of God Thou Art - CPE Bach

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #50              Lord Dismiss Us    

 

Prayers and Announcements

• Medical Care - Pastor James Shrader and his wife Chris, Kermit Way and his wife Maria Ellenberger Way, Callie and her mother Peggy, C., Pam in Phoenix is scheduled for very difficult surgery.
• Randy Anderson's CT scan was completely clear - great news!

 

 

Second Sunday After Easter

Lord God, heavenly Father, who of Thy fatherly goodness hast been mindful of us poor, miserable sinners, and hast given Thy beloved Son to be our shepherd, not only to nourish us by His word, but also to defend us from sin, death, and the devil: We beseech Thee, grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that, even as this Shepherd doth know us and succor us in every affliction, we also may know Him, and, trusting in Him, seek help and comfort in Him, from our hearts obey His voice, and obtain eternal salvation, through the same, Thy Son Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

 

KJV 1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

 

KJV John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

 

Three of Luther’s sermons on this text:

• Misericordias Domini. Second Sunday After Easter. John 10:11-16. Christ’s Office and Kingdom; or How Christ is the True Shepherd
• Second Sermon: Preachers, Civil Authorities, and the Knowledge of Christ
• Third Sermon: The Good Shepherd and his Sheep; or Christ’s Person, Office and Rulership

I AM the Good Shepherd

KJV John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Greek, the universal language at the time, phrases this unlike anything we have in English. It is literally "The Shepherd the Good" which means The Noble Shepherd  - or - The Shepherd above All Shepherds.

I got into a discussion about German Shepherd dogs on Facebook. The owners (or rather - the staff) were agreed that their dogs terrified strangers but were very intelligent, gentle and very protective with children. 

Jesus strikes many as terrifying because they do not know Him or believe in Him. Some people respond to Jesus by mocking His Two Natures, human and divine. They have all kinds of clever things to say, and they want to reduce the Savior to someone  not as bright as they are.

A new/old book arrived that showed me how cleverly the Bible has been defamed in the last 150 years. I have 20+ books on this topic. The author of this book pointed out how easily the new Bibles were accepted, and how many denominations had a variety of translations they used without much fuss at all. The reason is - the battle was over. The corrupt Greek texts (fraudulent Sinaiticus and corrupt Vaticanus) - mixed in with Apostolic (Traditional, Received, Byzantine) Text - were easily passed off as "scholarly, the oldest, the best, the most accurate, the earliest" Greek New Testaments.

Jesus is the Unique Shepherd, the Shepherd above all human shepherds, unlike any human shepherd. This Sunday is called Shepherd Sunday because Jesus teaches us the true nature of being the Son of God. The Bible has around 500 references to shepherds and shepherding, and they point to this very special description - The Good Shepherd. 

12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

The Good Shepherd gave up His life for His flock, those who believe in Him. Every Christian believer has a name. I was asked about this last week. I said, "The baptismal name is the one which stays with that person's soul into eternity." Question - "What about non-believers?" I said, as I often do, "I am sales, not management."

The hireling is there for the money, which we can often see, because they define their work with glory and glitter, the size of their parking lots and their endowment funds. One famous grandson wrecked his well known congregation and blamed it on his wife. No worry - he showed up later in another format, because he was and is a hireling.

The wolf, who represents all false teachers, slaughters and scatters the sheep, the first group gathering his funds for a great income, tenure, and the adoration of the foolish. The second group of wolves charge at the believers for the fun of it - destroying faith in Jesus Christ through mocking the Scriptures and boasting of their great knowledge. 

One seminary professor had his adult son read from a ridiculous book called "The Shining Stranger" - supposedly from Harvard and written about Jesus. (secret author at the time) When I pointed out how ridiculous it was, in front of the graduate class, the professor was outraged - but never mentioned the book again. This author was the "first one ever to discover this special knowledge about Jesus." I asked, "Really? Nobody had a clue about Jesus, century after century, until NOW?" Book readings stopped and nothing more was said.

13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

The hirelings do not stay to protect the flock but run away, because they have no love for the flock. That is why so many giant churches evaporate, almost overnight. In contrast, the Apostle Paul met with all kinds of threats and tumult, and was always in anguish over the constant threats of false teachers and their false doctrine.

14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

The Son of God knows each and every one of His flock, and His own know Him. In the past, when I was asked to give the sermon at a liberal (apostate) church, the believers would nod their heads in agreement and the council members would frown and fold their arms. My divisive message was about the truth of the inerrant, infallible Scriptures.

This should always be in our minds - Jesus knows us and works through the Word to keep us in the flock. The Holy Spirit, through the Word, condemns unbelief in Jesus (John 16). The Spirit through the Word (Isaiah 55)

1. Always accomplishes God's Word
2. Never returns void, empty.
3. Always prospers His purpose.

Those two passages are the bedrock of Christian life. 

• John 16 teaches that unbelief in Jesus is the foundational sin.
• Isaiah 55 teaches that God's Word always accomplishes and prospers God's Word. The verification is - "never returns empty," a double negative that forms a  100% positive. 

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

The Father-Son relationship is 100%. There is no gap in the Father's love and grace toward us, no gap in the power of Jesus the Son of God in helping us. 

When our skepticism and doubts try to take over and win the battle, we have to return to these passages - which teach faith in Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd, the Son of God. We know and trust that we could never get to the steps of the pearly gates, but the Lamb of God has exchanged His righteousness for our sins.

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

We should always remember that this little group of followers were isolated in a corner of the failing Roman Empire. The more they were hated, scattered, and killed, the more they grew. No other ancient work has a fraction of the copies of their works as we have of the New Testament. Translations were made and various publications were preserved so we have from 5 to 8 thousand copies, all proving how important the Bible was for people of all races and languages. And these Apostolic Texts agree with only a handful of exceptions (which include Sinaiticus and Vaticanus).

The missionaries were often translators, like William Tyndale, who insisted that everyone should hear the Voice of Jesus in their own language. The powerful clergy and king tried to silence him by arresting and killing him, but they found the Word of God was more powerful than the British Empire, the King, and her clergy.

The KJV is roughly 75% Tyndale's work.

Easter 1, 2023.

  

The Hymn #206:1-5        Jesus Christ My Sure Defense

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

As newborn babes: desire the sincere milk of the Word.

Hear, O My people, and I will testify unto thee: 

O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto Me.

Psalm. Sing aloud unto God, our Strength: 

make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17

The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who 

have celebrated the solemnities of the Lord’s resurrection may, by the help of Thy grace, bring forth the fruits thereof 

in our life and conversation; through the same Jesus Christ, 

Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual       

Gradual

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. Christ, our Passover, is sacrificed for us. Hallelujah!

V. The angel of the Lord descended from heaven: 

and came and rolled back the stone from the door 

and sat upon it. Hallelujah!

The Gospel               

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22     
The Sermon Hymn #206:6-10     Jesus Christ My Sure Defense

       

 The Apostles - Mirrors

Communion Hymn #207     Like the Golden Sun Ascending - Kingo

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #199       Jesus Christ Is Risen Today 

Prayers and Announcements

• Medical care - Kermit Way, Pastor Jim Shrader, Chris Shrader, Callie and her mother Peggy.
• Pray for our country as the major trials continue. And help all those suffering from economic difficulties and emotional distress.
• The Bethany Lutheran Hymnal Blog was finishing up three years ago, with many enhancements and Norma Boeckler's art since. 43,700+ views. 
• In our memories - Walter Boeckler, Carl Roper, Gary Meyer, Christina Jackson, Gladys Meyer, Lorie Howell's mother, Bethany Joan Marie, Erin Joy, and many others.

Caravaggio

KJV 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

KJV John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

First Sunday After Easter

Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank Thee, that of Thine ineffable grace, for the sake of Thy Son, Thou hast given us the holy gospel, and hast instituted the holy sacraments, that through the same we may have comfort and forgiveness of sin: We beseech Thee, grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that we may heartily believe Thy word; and through the holy sacraments day by day establish our faith, until we at last obtain salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

The Apostles - Mirrors

KJV John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

When you see a King James Version of the Bible, think of the 50 scholars who went over every word as individuals and in groups, so the best Bible could be read from the pulpits in England - eventually the world. The man who translated roughly 75% of the Old and New Testaments - William Tyndale - was burned at the stake for his heinous sin - translating the Bible into English. It was against King Henry VIII's law, and carried a death penalty.

There are two parts to the majestic simplicity of this verse. First of all, the Holy Spirit has kept the original Greek so simple that it is used to start beginning Greek lessons, easy to translate in the first week or so. The Spirit spoke through the Apostle John and drew the elements of Matthew, Mark, and Luke together with additional sermons, like the I AM sermons, and miracles like the Wedding at Canna. And yet, John is far easier to grasp in Greek and in translations than the first three Gospels.

Second, this King James Version is the product of the Age of Shakespeare (Earl of Oxford) -- the peak of the English language, not the most difficult but the clearest and most elegant. 

But we should think of this every time we look at and open a KJV, 

"William Tyndale died an excruciating death to give us this Bible. We should honor the man who gave his life for the Word of God. His name is not on Bibles - his faith is embedded in every KJV." 

Very few people could read or write at that time, so Tyndale worked to make the Bible memorable for people to remember and repeat.

This is the Day of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the same day after one week is sometimes called the Octave (counting each day). This should be remembered with awe - not with scorn - the disciples were still in hiding after the first appearance. The disciples are not objects of scorn - they are mirrors of our frailties.

The disciples used the locked room because of their fear of the Jews, even though they had already seen the risen Christ.

Luther explained this well in his sermon on this day. The disciples had enjoyed the company of Jesus, His teaching and miracles, for three years. He warned them of the cross, but their hearts were set on their future, reigning with Christ Jesus, not hearing that they would follow the Way of the Cross with Him.

All of this glory with their Teacher seemed to be taken away. How could it be any worse than arrest, beating, mocking, carrying His own cross, and additional scorn and abandonment? Jesus said Himself, quoting the Scriptures (Old Testament) - "I will strike the Shepherd and the sheep will be scattered." Zechariah 13:7.

While we look at the picture with hope, thinking of what lies ahead, at that moment all is lost anyway. They are still so crushed by the events that they are weak and helpless. General Patton would say, "Never take counsel of your fears," but that is what we often do.

20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

By showing them His wounds, Jesus proved Himself to be the risen Lord, not someone imaginary or a fake. Being glad first (KJV) the verse emphasizes the change from fear and timidity to being joyful over this event, this change of perspective.

Peace in the New Testament does not primarily mean calm or  a lack of warfare. The closest New Testament association with peace is forgiveness. Fear comes from a lack of faith or a wavering faith - how much worse can it get? The disciples could not face the future when all they saw was persecution and the removal of their Savior. 

Now the future is being laid out before the disciples. Jesus was sent as human and divine to show people the true, gracious nature of God. Now they will be sent with His teaching and the experiences they had with Jesus the Son of God. There were groups of believers here and there also, from Jesus' teaching and miracles.

22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

I have noticed a growing body of pseudo-Lutheran pastors who want to be in charge, buy and wear expensive costumes, and carry on just the way Chemnitz described the Church of Rome priests in his Examination of the Council of Trent. The pseudo-Lutherans want their own pomp and glory but disregard the teaching of the Scriptures. 

They covet the Apostolic Succession, which they do not have. They want  to "lord it over" everyone,  a neat phrase in Greek too, Matthew 18. The true Succession is doctrinal, not a professional certificate, a phony doctorate, and awesome robes.

Obedience to the Scriptures is not a whim, a hobby, or an elastic toy. 

Those who administer the Word emphasize the forgiveness received through repentance and faith, the non-forgiveness of those who have no contrition at all.

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

"Doubting Thomases" are in one song from the Rogers and Hammerstein musical, Carousel.

Some may reject the grace of God because they do not believe or insist on the proof being tangible. But faith means we trust in what is impossible because God carries out the impossible all the time.

Luther:

11. Finally, we have in St. Thomas an illustration of the power of Christ’s resurrection. We just heard how firm and even stiff-necked he was in unbelief, that although the other disciples unitedly testified that they had seen the risen Lord, yet he simply will not believe it. He appears to have been a fine and brave character who had thoroughly concluded that he would not so soon believe the others. For he had seen that the Lord only three days before was put to death on the cross and the nails driven through his hands and feet and the spear pierced his side. This picture was so indelibly and deeply impressed upon him that he simply could not in the least believe what the others told him, that Christ was risen. Therefore he promptly and defiantly says: “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” He thus utters a hyperbole, an exaggerated statement, that he will not believe his eyes alone, but will feel and grope about Christ’s body with his hands. As if he would say: No one shall persuade me to believe, but I will stand so firmly upon no, that I will not believe even if I see him, as you say you saw him. But should I believe it, then he must come so near to me, that, if it were possible, I may touch his soul and put my hands into his eyes.

12. That is to be steeped very firmly and deeply in unbelief. 

            Second Appearance, One Week Later, Sunday

26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

As Lenski and Luther wrote, Jesus commanded Thomas to do what the apostle insisted upon. We could expand that to ourselves and say, "I never thought that was possible, but God proved me wrong, even when I gave up."

Faith in God through Jesus Christ, our example and Teacher, means asking and then leaving the outcome to God. There are so many ways in which God works, often through impossible people.

I had a very clear message this week - unsigned, as usual. Our views have gone down during an emphasis on the KJV and Justification by Faith. That comes from shadow-banning, paying the tech giants to reduce someone's work on the Net by blocking access to views. I said to one person, "I don't know if that is from Lutheran synods or the Bad-Bible-Boosters. He said, "Why not both at the same time?" It still means thousands of views each month, more individuals than we could hold in this "spare room in a rented house."

29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

The beauty of this Gospel is to constantly remind the seeker, the doubter, the minister, the grieving mother and father, the minister - about faith in the Good Shepherd. The Fourth Gospel is all about believing in God the Father, God the Son, being taught by the Word through God the Holy Spirit.