be not envious of wrongdoers!
2 For they will soon fade like the grass
and wither like the green herb.” Psalm 37.1-2
Prayer for the week: Dear Father, by your gracious choosing I am indeed your child and you
are truly my Father, so I call on you now with complete confidence, through
your Son, Jesus Christ, the Lord. Amen.
Bible reading for the day: Hebrews 2.10-18
10 For it was fitting that he, for
whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should
make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he
who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one
source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers and
sisters, 12 saying,
“I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will sing your
praise.”
13 And again,
“I will put my trust in him.”
And again,
“Behold, I and the children God has given me.”
14 Since therefore the
children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same
things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the
power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver
all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong
slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he
helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore
he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he
might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to
make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For
because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who
are being tempted.
Prayer of the Day: Gracious and almighty Father, thank you that you make your power perfect
not in triumph, but through suffering… not in riding above, but in undergoing
for our rescue. And so Christ calls us brothers and sisters in every respect…
that he might be mercy and faithfulness for us and defeat the power of the
devil for us. Thank you; through the same Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.
Amen.
Hymn: follow this link to a beloved classic that
gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e8m1DUmCfI
“I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son…”
What does this mean? I believe that Jesus Christ –
true God, Son of the Father from eternity, and true man, born of the Virgin
Mary – is my Lord.
At great cost he has saved and redeemed me, a lost and
condemned person. He has freed me from sin, death, and the power of the devil –
not with silver or gold, but with his holy and precious blood and his innocent
suffering and death.
All this he has done that I may be his own, live under him
in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and
blessedness, just as he is risen from the dead and lives and rules eternally.
This is most certainly true.
(from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther)
Benediction: For the Lord takes pleasure
in his people;
he adorns the humble with salvation. Psalm 149.4
*This is now
our congregation’s 99th year in the Word. In 2025, we are reading
from Genesis to Revelation, with a few interludes along the way.
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