Trinity 3, 2023

 

 

Bethany Lutheran Church

Springdale, Arkansas

The Third Sunday after Trinity, 2023

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

                       

The Hymn #650                Behold a Stranger 

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Turn Thee unto me and have mercy upon me: 

for I am desolate and afflicted.

Look upon mine affliction and my pain: 

and forgive all my sins.

Psalm. Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul: 

O my God, I trust in Thee, let me not be ashamed.

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

Collect

O God, the Protector of all that trust in Thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, increase and multiply upon us Thy mercy that, Thou being our Ruler and Guide, we may so pass through things temporal that we finally lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual  

Cast thy burden upon the Lord: 

and He shall sustain thee.

V. I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me: 

He hath delivered my soul in peace. 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. I will love Thee, O Lord my Strength: 

the Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer. Hallelujah!

     

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed             p. 22

The Sermon Hymn #436            The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want

       

Sheep and Shepherd

The Communion Hymn #310                  Thy Table I Approach - Loy Translation

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 #49                 Almighty God Thy Word Is Cast

In Our Prayers and Announcements

• Medical treatment - Pastor Jim Shrader, Chris Shrader, Kermit and Maria Way, Callie and Peggy, C., Lito Cruz and Family, Sarah Buck. Those with emotional issues and those with metabolic disorders.
• Happy Birthday, Jayz Antig!
• The Veterans Honor roses are in recognition of our military in the past and present.

 By Norma A. Boeckler

KJV 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

KJV Luke 15:1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.  3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Third Sunday After Trinity

Lord God, heavenly Father, we all like sheep have gone astray, having suffered ourselves to be led away from the right path by Satan and our own sinful flesh: We beseech Thee graciously to forgive us all our sins for the sake of Thy Son, Jesus Christ; and quicken our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may abide in Thy word, and in true repentance and a steadfast faith continue in Thy Church unto the end, and obtain eternal salvation, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end Amen.

Sheep and the Shepherd

KJV Luke 15:1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

Two groups of people were there. The Pharisees and scribes were farther away, murmuring among themselves about how horrible it was for Jesus to welcome the other group - tax collectors and open sinners. Not only that, He ate with those horrible people, which made Jesus one of the shunned, not righteous by works, as the scribes and Pharisees were.

Nothing much has changed and perhaps we are worse than ever before. There are all kinds of designations, which make people think they are the elite and the rest are damned. Sometimes it means the family name. Material possessions often are critical. 

The same religious denomination should help, right? Especially among Lutherans. St. Louis (LCMS) casts aspersions on Ft. Wayne (LCMS), and Ft. Wayne looks down on St. Louis. Long ago I was warned against confusing a Gettysburg (LCA) Seminary graduate with a Philadelphia (LCA) graduate. Those two finally united (ELCA) but are still at odds. Their first United president had to be fired, not because she was a Presbyterian but because she had been too hetero in the past. The women seminarians wanted to burn Ms. Latini at the stake, but that would have compromised the rules on air pollution. 

Tax collectors were hated because their own people demanded taxes that went to upkeep Roman forces in their land. The tax collectors had a lot of leverage to take as much as possible. The "open sinners" were those whose behavior was so obvious and bad that no one wanted to associate with them. 

The whole concept of the righteousness of works is very clear in this passage. The scribes and Pharisees were sinners, but they made themselves righteous by the strict observance of their own rules. They had great respect among themselves and took pride in their purity and outward obedience. 

They murmured among themselves, criticizing Jesus, in soft but disgusted tones. The three parables in a row distinguish Luke 15 as "the greatest of all the chapters in the New Testament." A better description might be - "This is where you go to understand forgiveness through Jesus Christ the Son of God."

3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

Lambs have the most beautiful personalities, innocent, fragile, rather helpless. Videos show how city people will pick up a tiny lamb and get head-slammed by the mother. Would anyone neglect a lamb, only 1% of the flock, and not go searching for him in the wilds?

It is easy to picture a lamb lost in the wild, easy prey for the predators, helpless and bleating for mom. No one would make a financial calculation when they can imagine the plight of this helpless creature. The sheep are left along so the lamb can be found and rescued.

5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

The details do not only perfectly fit the losing and the finding of the vulnerable lamb, but they also describe how the Shepherd brings back the vulnerable person to faith in Him. 

1. He carries it on his shoulders, bearing the burden to be an extra help in time of need.
2. He invites his friends and neighbors because He is so happy.
3. He rejoices and invites their rejoicing that the lost one was found.

This parable alone is very comforting because Jesus is clearly portraying Himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10) taking care of the lamb (Psalm 23).

All of us with pets know the feelings generated by their illnesses, accidents, naughtiness, and how much more we appreciate them with those events. The issue with the lost sheep is not "How did you get into this mess?" but "Jesus will carry you to safety and security."

7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Recovery of the lost sinner is expressed even more expansively with "more joy over one lost sinner found than 99 who did not need repentance."

There is also great irony in "need no repentance," because we all need to recognize the sin. This is a short parable with an endless emphasis on repentance with the help of the Savior and recovery with His continued protection. 

8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 

I just learned from a documentary that the silver penny of England in 1066 was the universal coin of Europe, because it was stable, never compromised. These pieces of silver bought a lot of goods, so losing one was not like the pennies in a jar in the kitchen - not even copper. Ten percent of cash in a brokered economy is a giant amount, like when I lost all the tickets for an upcoming vacation. Yes, I tore the house upside-down looking for them. And I perspired, I even sweated the sweat of panic with time running out for the reveal.

9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

I was so overwhelmed with joy at finding the documents that I told everyone how I found them. This little parable helps us identify with our heavenly Savior and His angels - having more joy over one repentant sinner than all the others.

This is also irony humor, because the Biblical approach is repentance or contrition - sorrow for sins, rather than shunning the obvious sinner. 

Trinity 2, 2023. Wednesday Version.

  

Bethany Lutheran Church

Springdale, Arkansas

7 PM Central 

Pastor Gregory L Jackson

The Hymn #4         God Himself is Present 

The Confession of Sins

The Absolution

The Introit p. 16

Introit

O Lord, I have trusted in Thy mercy: 

my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation.

I will sing unto the Lord: 

because He hath dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm. How long wilt Thou forget me, O Lord? 

How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?

The Gloria Patri

The Kyrie p. 17

The Gloria in Excelsis

The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

O God, the Strength of all them that put their trust in Thee, 

mercifully accept our prayers; and because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do nothing without Thee, grant us the help of Thy grace that in keeping Thy commandments we may please Thee both in will and deed; 

through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual

Gradual

I said, Lord, be merciful unto me: heal my soul, 

for I have sinned against Thee.

V. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: 

the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. Give ear to my words, O Lord: consider my meditation. Hallelujah!

The Gospel

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!

Praise be to Thee, O Christ!

The Nicene Creed p. 22

The Sermon Hymn # 376            Rock of Ages

        

Jesus Delivered the Invitation

The Communion Hymn #364   How Sweet the Sound of Jesus' Name

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 #54         God Me O Thou Great Jehovah

        

Announcements and Prayers

• Happy Father's Day! 
• Zach Engleman has returned after his trip to the Philippines.
• Our nation, built upon the sacrifices of patriots and the faith of its Founders, has a Constitution that has outlived all others.
• Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris Shrader, Dr. Lito Cruz' family, Kermit and Marie Way, Sarah Buck - diagnosis and treatment, Callie and her mother Peggy, those with emotional distress and metabolic disorders.
• Those working to protect the unborn, the weakest of the weak, the poorest of the poor.
• KJVs are being given away in super large, normal, and compact versions - for those with 1) eyesight issues, 2) men and women's prison ministry, and 3) children.

KJV 1 John 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

KJV Luke 14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

Second Sunday After Trinity

Lord God, heavenly Father, we give thanks unto Thee, that through Thy holy word Thou hast called us to Thy great supper, and we beseech Thee: Quicken our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may not hear Thy word without fruit, but that we may prepare ourselves rightly for Thy kingdom, and not suffer ourselves to be hindered by any worldly care, through Thy beloved Son. Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen. 

Jesus Delivered the Invitation

KJV Luke 14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 

People want to know more about heavenly matters, and here it is spelled out for everyone to understand. First of all, this is a parable, which means it is a narrative that delivers a message to us, using common elements of life.

Secondly, "a certain man" is God the Father, who is summoning everyone to the Great Feast,  which is everlasting life through His Son.

Thirdly, the servant (doulos - slave) is Jesus. 

KJV Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant (doulos - slave), and was made in the likeness of men:

If these elements are ignored, the meaning of the parable becomes confused. That is why Jesus taught in parables, so the casual listeners would fail to grasp the meaning, the situation we have today. Many people quote passages using bad translations and twist those words beyond recognition as well. The modern translations even erase verses from the Scriptures, watering down the message by removing two essential themes of the New Testament - faith and the divinity of Christ.

God the Father sent His Son to invite or call people into the Kingdom of the Messiah. This began with Jesus inviting the disciples and continued through the preaching (inviting) of Jesus throughout His earthly ministry. The miracles of Jesus were presented as primary because they supported the divine nature of His message - speaking with divine authority, not like the scribes and Pharisees. The miracles lead us to the Gospel Word, so we see that the One who raised the dead can also free us from sin, through faith in Him.

This parable, which seems obscure and difficult at first, is really exciting and motivating.

17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 

God sent Jesus to us to include us in that Great Feast, which begins here and continues in eternal life. "All things" are the events and narratives of the Bible, starting with Genesis 1:1. My Old Testament students admit that they are weak on that part of the Bible, and that is probably true in general.  However, that means leaving out the vast amount of divine power leading up to the New Testament, which says - for example in the Gospels - "in order to fulfill the Scriptures..." 

Creation, the establishment of Israel, the kingdoms of Saul, David, and Solomon, and the prophets all contribute to and frame the New Testament. I met the LCMS leader who bragged that he never believed in justification by faith alone and who also denied the  Messianic passages in the Psalms. What God has established can easily be chipped away by the apostates, who are well represented in this parable.

Can we see a connection between this parable and "kiss the Son, lest He be angry" in Psalm 2? Take Jesus away from Psalm 2 and there is only nonsense.

KJV Psalm 2 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,

3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

A student recently said his friend had so many problems that he went over to atheism. This parable and Psalm 2 address that issue.

18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

This might have been used as the first excuse because it is so funny. Someone has already bought some land, so now he has to look at it, as if the property will slip away, like a difficult and valuable animal. 

Luther:

13. This preaching of Christ is the great and glorious supper with which he feeds his guests and sanctifies them through his holy Baptism, and comforts and strengthens them through the Sacrament of his body and blood, that nothing may be wanting and a great plenty may be at hand and all become satisfied. Thus this supper is justly called a glorious, great supper on account of the fare and food, so costly and richly prepared that no tongue can describe it and no heart sufficiently grasp it. For it is an eternal food and an eternal drink, by partaking of which a man shall nevermore thirst nor hunger, but be forever satisfied, his thirst is quenched and he becomes joyful; and this not only for one man, but for the whole wide world, even if it were ten times wider, they would all have sufficient. For it is an inexhaustible food and an everlasting drink, as our Gospel says: He who believeth on this Lord Jesus Christ, that he was born for us of the Virgin Mary and crucified for out’ sins under Pontius Pilate, died, descended into hell, and rose again from the dead and sitteth at the right hand of God, etc.; he who believes this, eats and drinks truly from this supper. For to believe in Christ the Lord means to eat and to drink, from which the people become satisfied, fat and stout and strong, so that they are joyful forever.

This is good to remember, what Luther says, when times are difficult, disorders plague us, opponents have food fights. The parable of Lazarus reminds us too, that the person with faith in Christ is the blessed one, not the one who has no faith but enjoys endless amounts of luxuries and false friends. 

19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

If we were talking about an E-truck, that might be a good idea. In fact, those with expensive animals can be very sensitive about the animals, their values, and their place on the farm. But this is a way of reminding us that such things seem very important at the moment, but they are nothing compared to the Great Banquet. Although we can get beaten down by a thousand negative things, we are still being nurtured by the Lord of Creation. Thus we do not cherish the least important things, which are temporary, but we store up for ourselves treasures in heaven.

20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

Personal matters displace eternal values, when allowed.

Luther:

22. The third class say: The Gospel is a doctrine that will not allow covetousness, nor permit us to strive to have sufficient for our bodily needs, but commands us to risk everything, body and life, money and goods, for Christ’s sake. Therefore we will and cannot come, for we must see how we may keep our own, which God has given us. For to take a wife is not to do or undertake anything dishonorable, but to enter an honorable state, and to be at home and plan how to support yourself, which is everyone’s duty. But all this is just that by which an honest housefather commits sin, when he only thinks of this, how he may become rich, keep house well and prosper. God grant it whether it be done with or against God.

 21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

This is how the Gospel flowed into all the lands, into the Western Roman Empire, and to the Eastern or Byzantine part of the Empire, lasting until 1453 (only one small city by then).

Europe craved spices and god, and that led to North America and South America having visitors and missionaries. The original heirs of the Gospel have converted in many places, but the numbers are few. Nevertheless, the Gospel has gone everywhere and is more appreciated in the lowest parts than the highest.

Compel Them - There Is Still Room

22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

Luther:

40. This constraining, however, is necessary in preaching both repentance and forgiveness of sins; for without repentance we remain too hard and obdurate under his wrath, in our sinful nature and in the kingdom of the devil. And moreover, when the terror of divine wrath strikes us, we are again too fearful, modest and disturbed, to take this to heart and believe, that he will show us such great grace and mercy, and we are always full of anxiety that we do not belong to them, and that he will reject us because of our sins and great unworthiness. Therefore he must himself command and work that men continue and persevere evermore to constrain and urge as much as possible, both by holding forth wrath for the wicked and grace for the faithful. Wrath and repentance urge man to run and cry for grace. This is then the right way a person goes to this supper, and thus from Jews and Gentiles there will be one Christian church, and all will be called alike poor, miserable people, lame and crippled, for they accept the Gospel heartily and with joy.

Trinity 2, 2023

  

The Hymn #4         God Himself is Present 

The Confession of Sins

The Absolution

The Introit p. 16

Introit

O Lord, I have trusted in Thy mercy: 

my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation.

I will sing unto the Lord: 

because He hath dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm. How long wilt Thou forget me, O Lord? 

How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?

The Gloria Patri

The Kyrie p. 17

The Gloria in Excelsis

The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

O God, the Strength of all them that put their trust in Thee, 

mercifully accept our prayers; and because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do nothing without Thee, grant us the help of Thy grace that in keeping Thy commandments we may please Thee both in will and deed; 

through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual

Gradual

I said, Lord, be merciful unto me: heal my soul, 

for I have sinned against Thee.

V. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: 

the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. Give ear to my words, O Lord: consider my meditation. Hallelujah!

The Gospel

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!

Praise be to Thee, O Christ!

The Nicene Creed p. 22

The Sermon Hymn # 376            Rock of Ages

        

Jesus Delivered the Invitation

The Communion Hymn #364   How Sweet the Sound of Jesus' Name

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 #54         God Me O Thou Great Jehovah

        

Announcements and Prayers

• Happy Father's Day! 
• Our nation, built upon the sacrifices of patriots and the faith of its Founders, has a Constitution that has outlived all others.
• Sarah Buck is in treatment, Kermit and Maria Way, Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris Shrader, Callie and her mother Peggy, those with emotional distress and metabolic disorders.
• Those working to protect the unborn, the weakest of the weak, the poorest of the poor.
• KJVs are being given away in super large, normal, and compact versions - for those with eyesight issues, women's prison ministry, and children.

KJV 1 John 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

KJV Luke 14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

Second Sunday After Trinity

Lord God, heavenly Father, we give thanks unto Thee, that through Thy holy word Thou hast called us to Thy great supper, and we beseech Thee: Quicken our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may not hear Thy word without fruit, but that we may prepare ourselves rightly for Thy kingdom, and not suffer ourselves to be hindered by any worldly care, through Thy beloved Son. Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen. 

Jesus Delivered the Invitation

KJV Luke 14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 

People want to know more about heavenly matters, and here it is spelled out for everyone to understand. First of all, this is a parable, which means it is a narrative that delivers a message to us, using common elements of life.

Secondly, "a certain man" is God the Father, who is summoning everyone to the Great Feast,  which is everlasting life through His Son.

Thirdly, the servant (doulos - slave) is Jesus. 

KJV Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant (doulos - slave), and was made in the likeness of men:

If these elements are ignored, the meaning of the parable becomes confused. That is why Jesus taught in parables, so the casual listeners would fail to grasp the meaning, the situation we have today. Many people quote passages using bad translations and twist those words beyond recognition as well. The modern translations even erase verses from the Scriptures, watering down the message by removing two essential themes of the New Testament - faith and the divinity of Christ.

God the Father sent His Son to invite or call people into the Kingdom of the Messiah. This began with Jesus inviting the disciples and continued through the preaching (inviting) of Jesus throughout His earthly ministry. The miracles of Jesus were presented as primary because they supported the divine nature of His message - speaking with divine authority, not like the scribes and Pharisees. The miracles lead us to the Gospel Word, so we see that the One who raised the dead can also free us from sin, through faith in Him.

This parable, which seems obscure and difficult at first, is really exciting and motivating.

17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 

God sent Jesus to us to include us in that Great Feast, which begins here and continues in eternal life. "All things" are the events and narratives of the Bible, starting with Genesis 1:1. My Old Testament students admit that they are weak on that part of the Bible, and that is probably true in general.  However, that means leaving out the vast amount of divine power leading up to the New Testament, which says - for example in the Gospels - "in order to fulfill the Scriptures..." 

Creation, the establishment of Israel, the kingdoms of Saul, David, and Solomon, and the prophets all contribute to and frame the New Testament. I met the LCMS leader who bragged that he never believed in justification by faith alone and who also denied the  Messianic passages in the Psalms. What God has established can easily be chipped away by the apostates, who are well represented in this parable.

Can we see a connection between this parable and "kiss the Son, lest He be angry" in Psalm 2? Take Jesus away from Psalm 2 and there is only nonsense.

KJV Psalm 2 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,

3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

A student recently said his friend had so many problems that he went over to atheism. This parable and Psalm 2 address that issue.

18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

This might have been used as the first excuse because it is so funny. Someone has already bought some land, so now he has to look at it, as if the property will slip away, like a difficult and valuable animal. 

Luther:

13. This preaching of Christ is the great and glorious supper with which he feeds his guests and sanctifies them through his holy Baptism, and comforts and strengthens them through the Sacrament of his body and blood, that nothing may be wanting and a great plenty may be at hand and all become satisfied. Thus this supper is justly called a glorious, great supper on account of the fare and food, so costly and richly prepared that no tongue can describe it and no heart sufficiently grasp it. For it is an eternal food and an eternal drink, by partaking of which a man shall nevermore thirst nor hunger, but be forever satisfied, his thirst is quenched and he becomes joyful; and this not only for one man, but for the whole wide world, even if it were ten times wider, they would all have sufficient. For it is an inexhaustible food and an everlasting drink, as our Gospel says: He who believeth on this Lord Jesus Christ, that he was born for us of the Virgin Mary and crucified for out’ sins under Pontius Pilate, died, descended into hell, and rose again from the dead and sitteth at the right hand of God, etc.; he who believes this, eats and drinks truly from this supper. For to believe in Christ the Lord means to eat and to drink, from which the people become satisfied, fat and stout and strong, so that they are joyful forever.

This is good to remember, what Luther says, when times are difficult, disorders plague us, opponents have food fights. The parable of Lazarus reminds us too, that the person with faith in Christ is the blessed one, not the one who has no faith but enjoys endless amounts of luxuries and false friends. 

19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

If we were talking about an E-truck, that might be a good idea. In fact, those with expensive animals can be very sensitive about the animals, their values, and their place on the farm. But this is a way of reminding us that such things seem very important at the moment, but they are nothing compared to the Great Banquet. Although we can get beaten down by a thousand negative things, we are still being nurtured by the Lord of Creation. Thus we do not cherish the least important things, which are temporary, but we store up for ourselves treasures in heaven.

20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

Personal matters displace eternal values, when allowed.

Luther:

22. The third class say: The Gospel is a doctrine that will not allow covetousness, nor permit us to strive to have sufficient for our bodily needs, but commands us to risk everything, body and life, money and goods, for Christ’s sake. Therefore we will and cannot come, for we must see how we may keep our own, which God has given us. For to take a wife is not to do or undertake anything dishonorable, but to enter an honorable state, and to be at home and plan how to support yourself, which is everyone’s duty. But all this is just that by which an honest housefather commits sin, when he only thinks of this, how he may become rich, keep house well and prosper. God grant it whether it be done with or against God.

 21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

This is how the Gospel flowed into all the lands, into the Western Roman Empire, and to the Eastern or Byzantine part of the Empire, lasting until 1453 (only one small city by then).

Europe craved spices and god, and that led to North America and South America having visitors and missionaries. The original heirs of the Gospel have converted in many places, but the numbers are few. Nevertheless, the Gospel has gone everywhere and is more appreciated in the lowest parts than the highest.

Compel Them - There Is Still Room

22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

Luther:

40. This constraining, however, is necessary in preaching both repentance and forgiveness of sins; for without repentance we remain too hard and obdurate under his wrath, in our sinful nature and in the kingdom of the devil. And moreover, when the terror of divine wrath strikes us, we are again too fearful, modest and disturbed, to take this to heart and believe, that he will show us such great grace and mercy, and we are always full of anxiety that we do not belong to them, and that he will reject us because of our sins and great unworthiness. Therefore he must himself command and work that men continue and persevere evermore to constrain and urge as much as possible, both by holding forth wrath for the wicked and grace for the faithful. Wrath and repentance urge man to run and cry for grace. This is then the right way a person goes to this supper, and thus from Jews and Gentiles there will be one Christian church, and all will be called alike poor, miserable people, lame and crippled, for they accept the Gospel heartily and with joy.