The Take & the Give: the Lord's Chosen Servant does both

Verse for the week: We have beheld his glory; glory as of the only Son from the Father. John 1.14

Prayer for the week: Almighty God, at the baptism of your blessed Son Jesus Christ in the Jordan you proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Make us faithful in the calling of our own baptism, that our pride may die daily and the new obedience to you would arise in us daily; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Bible reading for the day:  Isaiah 42.1-9 (After returning his chosen people from exile in Babylon, the Lord declares both what he has done for them and what he will yet do for them in Christ.)

¹  Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
    my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my Spirit upon him;
    he will bring forth justice to the nations.
² He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,
    or make it heard in the street;
³ a bruised reed he will not break,
    and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;
    he will faithfully bring forth justice.
⁴ He will not grow faint or be discouraged
    till he has established justice in the earth;
    and the coastlands wait for his law.

⁵ Thus says God, the Lord,
    who created the heavens and stretched them out,
    who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people on it
    and spirit to those who walk in it:
⁶ “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
    I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
    a light for the nations,
⁷     to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
    from the prison those who sit in darkness.
⁸ I am the Lord; that is my name;
    my glory I give to no other,
    nor my praise to carved idols.
⁹ Behold, the former things have come to pass,
    and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth
    I tell you of them.”

Prayer (based on the TRIP* method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for Christ Jesus, he is your chosen servant for our good. In him, your righteousness takes us by the hand and keeps us… and so also you give us as a light for others… that Christ may rescue his chosen ones from the prison of ourselves. You are the Lord; the glory is to you and no other. Please: keep up doing the new thing that is life for us in Christ. Amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved classic which gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otQ3cakDr-c

What is baptism?

Baptism is not merely water; it is water used according to God's command and connected with God's Word.

What is this Word of God?

It is the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in the last chapter of Matthew, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

What benefits does God give in baptism?

In baptism, God forgives sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives everlasting salvation to all who believe, as the Word and promise of God declare.

What is this Word and promise of God?

It is the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in the last chapter of Mark, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).  (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther)

Benediction: The peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.  (Philippians 4.7)

 

*The T.R.I.P. approach to prayer is based on the way Martin Luther prayed and taught others to pray.  It was later developed by Walter and Ingrid Trobisch and then adapted by Mount Carmel Ministries (Alexandria, MN).  The method is founded on scripture and easy to remember:
T: thanksgiving
R: regret (repentance)
I: intercession (asking God to take a specific action)
P: plan or purpose
Reading a biblical text and then applying this method gives one a sound, simple way to form one’s prayers...not to mention that it helps one learn how to faithfully reflect on God’s Word and talk to God.