John 17 - English Commentary on the High Priestly Prayer

John 17King James Version (KJV)

John 17 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

This chapter is called the High Priestly Prayer, because Jesus is praying to His Father. The wording is quite simple and easily memorized because of the meter and the repetition. Most of the effect is still clear in English, so this is both a prayer and an address to believers.

2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

The Father-Son relationship explains to us the complete harmony between Them, an antidote for today's Life of Jesus movement. People separate the Son from the Father, making the Savior gracious while the Father is condemning and harsh. They also pick apart the Fourth Gospel, which attacks their rationalism without mercy. This Gospel teaches faith and soars above the others - symbolized by the eagle for John.

The word for power is difficult to translate, because it really means divine power and authority in the New Testament, far beyond man's power or authority. Jesus taught with divine power, unlike the Scribes and Pharisees.

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Those who contrast the Father and the Son have not paid attention to this Gospel. Many want to adopt the popular notion that everyone is forgiven and saved, using the grace of God - but not the Word of God - as their argument.

Eternal life is faith in the Father and the One He Sent. Thus the apostles are the ones Jesus sent to teach this message. Believing is forgiveness and salvation. Unbelief is neither forgiveness nor salvation.

4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

We should not overlook "the work," which is everything the Son did up to this point. The Fourth Gospel teaches the work of Jesus clearly and uses work in the sense of our faith in Him. Our work is to trust in Him as the One Sent by God the Father.

John 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

The UOJ fanatics want to discourage people from faith, because "you are making faith a good work!" - they say with alarm. This exchange is ironic, because Jesus has many mighty works and our work is to believe in Him Whom God Sent.

Because UOJ repudiates faith, its advocates are prime examples of the righteousness of works. They never stop talking about how superior they are and how much they do - and it is only talk.

5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

The Life of Jesus hippies want to make Jesus human, that is - only human. They deny the pre-existence of the Son, which is clearly taught here. The Son had glory beside the Father in eternity, before the universe existed.

6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

Jesus teaches with great clarity that the Father gave Him this mission, this work, so everything we see and experience in the Savior is the work, the will, the actions of the Father.

9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

The plight of Christians in an unbelieving world is to suffer because of the Word, from murder and persecutions to snubbing and the exalting of the gross and abnormal. The helpful clerics want to give us practical advice, but Jesus teaches faith in Him as the answer, a bitter pill for the gurus of the day.

11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

The apostates want us to think that Jesus was praying for the World Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches, and other abominations. This does not mean one in organization and funding, but unity in faith. That is clear to anyone who speaks to a mixed group about faith in Christ. The believers nod and smile. The unbelievers (clergy and council members) cross their arms in anger and shift nervously. 

12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

This is a wonderful play on the contrast between being in the world without being of the world. The world hates what God loves, and God hates what the world loves. The "successful" clergy are materialistic and spin their message for the rich and powerful, hoping to share the crumbs of wealth and power. Whether laity or clergy, the materialistic Sons of Mammon are unbelievers. The hurts felt by the rich are their hurts, and they translate that into real punishment for believers - financial excommunication and extending the Left Foot of Fellowship. The radical Left has nothing on the Sons of Mammon, because the faux-Christians do their work on the inside and capture the rewards for it.

Nevertheless, sincere believers share the joy of Christ, because they experience and see the fruits of the Gospel, no matter what the circumstances. The Father and Son watch over them and blunt the forces of evil.

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Sanctify is a nice Latinate word, which really means "make them holy." All believers are saints, the word used in the New Testament for believers. Believing is forgiveness, and forgiveness makes us holy with the righteousness of Christ. Jesus constantly taught believing in Him and the Father because the beginning of sin is unbelief. The beginning of folly is unbelief. And the beginning of false doctrine is departing from the clear, plain utterances of the Savior.

Why are seminary enrollments in the basement - in all denominations? The lazy rationalistic professors teach unbelief, and that means spending a small fortune to learn the lessons of Mammon. The seminaries are giving brine to the thirsty and spoiled food to the hungry - no wonder the marbled halls sound so empty.

18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

Here Jesus prays for the mission of the apostles. They are sent by Him, just as He was sent by the Father. He is the Teacher and the Example. Unless one is utterly convinced of the Truth of His Word, the message will be blunted, if even muttered. Worst of all, it can be twisted inside-out and cleverly nuanced to nullify and destroy faith in the name of grace.

We are the ones Jesus is praying for - the ones converted by the Word passed down through the apostles and faithful teachers. That anyone still believes in Him today is a testimony to the power of the Word in midst of decay, apostasy, rationalism, and Thrivent-funded Reformation films.

21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

This is such a powerful message about the invisible One, Holy Christian Church. I have friends from many denominations, and there is a unity in Christian Faith that is not found in the organized, visible church. The Mammonites teach their organization while the believers teach faith in Christ. This unity through faith is a reflection of the unity in the Three Persons. Jesus is in us, and the Father is in Jesus. The Father loves those who believe in the Son.

Duerer - The Adoration of the Holy Trinity.

24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

Even the casual reader will notice the majesty of these words - You loved me before the foundation of the world. The unbelieving world rejects or corrupts the message of the Savior. His work and Word exceed the glories of the world, which He created.

Wal-Mart reveals new headquarter plans | NWADG

 "It's just a regional store."

Wal-Mart reveals new headquarter plans | NWADG:



"BENTONVILLE -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is putting together plans to build a new headquarters in Bentonville, a project that will move the company out of a building that has been home to its operations since 1971.

The new headquarters will be located on a 350-acre tract of land located on the east side of J Street between Central Avenue and Highway 102 near downtown Bentonville, according to the company.

A spokesman said Wal-Mart is in the early phases of planning and designing the project, but estimates a five to seven-year timeline for completion. An estimated cost has not yet been established.


“We’ve been here in Northwest Arkansas for over 50 years and we’re preparing now to cement the roots for the next 50-plus years,” Wal-Mart spokesman Randy Hargrove said.

Wal-Mart’s current home office operations include about 20 different buildings spread throughout Bentonville. The company said one purpose for building a new headquarters is to consolidate more of those operations on one campus to improve collaboration and efficiency. The company also said a new home will be an attractive tool to recruit future workers in a retail environment that is rapidly changing because of technology."

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Conspiracy count added for former state seator, two others in grants case. GJ - Why Is Oren's Sister Running an Online School on the Side? No Qualifications for That Position

Randy Shelton and his lawyer.

Conspiracy count added for former state senator, two others in grants case:


"FAYETTEVILLE -- The U.S. Justice Department added a conspiracy charge against former state Sen. Jon Woods and two others in a bribery scheme, according to a revised indictment released Thursday.

Woods; Oren Paris III, president of Ecclesia College in Springdale; and consultant Randell G. Shelton Jr. were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit fraud.

Woods also faces 15 counts of fraud, all relating to either wire or mail transfers of money. Paris and Shelton are named in 14 of the fraud charges. Woods is also charged with one count of money laundering in connection with the purchase of a cashier's check.

The case involves grants from the state General Improvement Fund, which is controlled by legislators. The Justice Department alleges that Paris paid Woods and former state Rep. Micah Neal of Springdale kickbacks in return for a total of $550,000 in grants from those two legislators to his college from 2013 through 2014.

Shelton is accused of using a consulting firm he owned as a way to pass along the kickbacks to Neal and Woods through consulting fees approved by Paris.

More indictments are expected against other defendants, attorneys for the defense said at a May 23 hearing before U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks. Attorneys for the government confirmed during the hearing that an investigation is ongoing. Portions of the case's record remain sealed to protect that investigation, the attorneys said and court records confirm.

Ecclesia, a private, Christian college, also received improvement fund grants from other lawmakers who are not implicated in the indictments, grant records show. In all, the college received $717,500 in improvement fund grants from 2013 through 2014.

Neal, a Republican, pleaded guilty Jan. 4 to one count of conspiracy to commit fraud, admitting that he took two kickbacks totaling $38,000 in exchange for directing General Improvement Fund grants to two nonprofits. He has not been sentenced.

Thursday's indictment replaces previous grand jury indictments against Woods, Paris and Shelton. All three defendants have entered innocent pleas and are set for trial in Fayetteville on Dec. 4. They were first indicted on March 3 with a superseding indictment filed April 18.

Paris paid Shelton's consulting company $267,000 out of college money from 2013-15, according to court documents. Shelton is described in the latest indictment as a mutual friend of Paris and Woods."

 So many unread leather-bound books! - nice props.
Oren Paris III has a bachelor's from Ecclesia College,
another bachelor's from the U. of Arkansas,
and a drive-by DMin from some online schoo.

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The Preparation of Redemption - A Summary of the Christian Faith by Henry Eyster Jacobs - Chapter 10 - Comfort for Christians

The Preparation of Redemption - A Summary of the Christian Faith by Henry Eyster Jacobs - Chapter 10 - Comfort for Christians:



"The Preparation of Redemption - A Summary of the Christian Faith by Henry Eyster Jacobs - Chapter 10
3 minute read
“God gradually prepared man for salvation, and prepared salvation for man.”

(You can find other chapters of Jacobs’ book here.)

Chapter 10 - The Preparation Of Redemption
1. When did God first reveal His purpose to redeem man?

As soon as man had fallen. In Gen. 3:15 is a promise, often called the “protevangelium” or “protogospel.” “The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head.” This refers to the ultimate victory which humanity, “the seed of the woman,” is to obtain in the constant struggle which began in Eden. Its still deeper significance gradually became apparent in succeeding prophecies, culminating in One who, while “the seed of the woman” and the true representative of the race, is also true God.

1 Cor. 15:22 — “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 47 — “The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is of heaven.”

2. What two-fold preparation at once began?

God gradually prepared man for salvation, and prepared salvation for man.

3. How was man prepared for salvation?

Through the education of many centuries, in which his knowledge of sin was deepened, his inability to aid himself was recognized, and his need of redemption from a higher source was acknowledged and devoutly longed for.

4. How was salvation prepared for man?

By the gradual revelation of the Plan of Redemption in type and ceremony and promise, until in the fullness of time (Gal. 4:4) the Son of God became incarnate.

5. State the relation of the two parts of the human race to this two-fold preparation?

The former occurred chiefly in heathenism, exhibiting the efforts of man by the exertion of his own powers to struggle upwards towards God (Acts 17:27). The entire history of the Gentile world is told in the words of Augustine: “Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our heart is restless until it rest on Thee.”

The latter occurred in Judaism (Rom. 3:1,2). Through the positive revelation, even though incomplete, there was a constant approach of God towards man, through successive stages until Christ came.

6. Are we to understand, then, that the preparation through heathenism was entirely negative, and that through Judaism entirely positive?

No. For in a less degree heathenism afforded some positive elements, in the preparation of the means through which the Gospel was to be diffused. The universal empire of Rome, the universal language, the means of communication between nations, the culture of the race, became important instrumentalities for the progress of the Gospel.

So there was also, a negative element in Judaism. When man attempted to attain righteousness before God by his fulfillment of all the prescriptions of the Law, he learned his helplessness. Rom. 3:20, “Through the law cometh the knowledge of sin.” The entire system of rites and ceremonies and sacrifices, declared as the Epistle to the Hebrews shows, the incompleteness and unsatisfactoriness of the then existing order, and pointed to what was higher and better.

7. Was there then no salvation for any who lived and died before Christ?

Yes. Where there was faith that received the assurance of God’s grace and the promise of salvation hereafter to be provided in a way not understood at the time.

“Paul cites concerning Abraham (Rom. 4:3), ‘He believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness,’ i. e., Abraham knew that God was propitious to him only on account of His promise; he assented to God’s promise and did not suffer himself to be withdrawn from it, although he saw that he was impure, and unworthy; he knew that God offers His promise on account of His own truth, and not on account of our works or merits” (Melanchthon).

For further Scriptural proof, see Chapter 11 of the Epistle to the Hebrews.

8. What ground is there for saying that the Old Testament saints had only a general promise concerning a salvation hereafter to be provided?

Eph. 3:5; Luke 10:23, 24; Heb. 1 1:40; 1 Peter 1:11."



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Classic Lutheran Books - Facebook Page - Closed Group

Classic Lutheran Books - Facebook Page.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/416191952109034/

I started a closed group on Facebook so people can keep track of the many new titles being offered by Alec Satin and others.

This group is aimed at promoting classic Lutheran books, many of them available but often overlooked. I am excluding the Synodical Conference books, because they already have their own cheerleaders in the LCMS, WELS, and ELS. Overlooked authors include such men as Schmau, Krauth, Jacobs, Reu, and Lenski. In spite of the superficial hype during the 500th Anniversary, Luther is the most ignored author of all. Others include Melanchthon, Andreae, Chytraeus, and Chemnitz.

Regular readers of this blog - real names only - are invited to participate. It is a closed group to avoid the disruptive tactics of the UOJ/Growthers, who have nothing better to do while nursing their hangovers and defending the lawsuits against them.

To beg for an invitation - write to greg.jackson.edlp@gmail.com

Disruptive people will be excluded. If you want to brawl, feel free to use my email above, and I will post your opinions. Since I went to this system, the old brawlers have disappeared. I also figure the sect presidents told their thugs to stop drawing fire upon their tender, sensitive, and vulnerable targets, especially their cherished dogmas and clumsily concealed felonies.

 A Lenski a day keeps false doctrine away.

Downsizing All ELCA Seminaries - Trinity Seminary and Capital University to Re-unite. California, Southern, and Pennsylvania Also Downsizing. LCMS, WELS, ELS Need To Downsize Their Shrunken Little Raisin Seminaries

ELDONA's St. Ignatius Seminary Is poised for rapid expansion.
If they increase enrollment to two (2) students, the school can be promoted as "doubling in size overnight."

Related - Lutherans are like the National Football League.

Trinity Seminary and Capital University to Re-unite:



"Capital and Trinity students will also be given the opportunity to pursue dual careers, such as being a pastor and a part-time nurse. Cross-registration like this has happened in the past due to Capital and Trinity’s proximity, and Olson says “a significant number of Trinity graduates have also been Capital graduates.”

The integration has also caused some pain in the Trinity community through staff reductions in the beginning stages of the project. Olson says this pain is still present, but the community is looking forward to the positive changes the integration will bring. 

“It’s about accepting pain and saying ‘we have work to do,’” Olson said. “There’s lament for what was, and colleagues that are lost, and there’s an eagerness to move forward.”  "

 "Wartburg Theological Seminary celebrates the beginning of our 164^th year with a significant boost in our incoming student class. In a time where the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is calling for leaders, we are thankful that students, and those who send them, recognize that Wartburg Seminary continues to prepare bold, compassionate, and innovative leaders. We are delighted to announce that our incoming class represents 77% growth in new degree seeking students over last year."

Comment of the week - about Wartburg's 77% increase - "Yeah, right.  Maybe whoever cooked Wartburg's stats could give WELS et al. a few pointers."

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Greek Lesson - John 17 - At 8 PM Due to Teaching English

Norma Boeckler - Fine Art America.

Lenski -

1) Chytraus calls this chapter the precatio Sunirmi Sacerdotis, the High-Priestly Prayer, and Luther says, "that he might entirely carry out his office as our only High Priest." We surely have a prayer here. The counterclaim that this chapter presents only an other solemn testimony addressed to the disciples, am final benediction for them, is contradicted at every turn. Jesus utters this prayer aloud for the simple reason that he wants his disciples to hear his communication with the Father. For his own person a silent prayer might have sufficed. To the last his interest includes the disciples. They are to see how he enters his passion as a victor and to hear with their own ears the thoughts that rise to the Father from his heart, thoughts concerning himself (v. 1-5), concerning the disciples at his side (v. 6-19), and concerning all future believers in all the world (v. 20-26). This prayer is to deepen and to intensify all that the last discourses contain. Its power is to work in the
hearts of the disciples throughout the coming days.


Parser Link

ΚΑΤΑ ΙΩΑΝΝΗΝ 171550 Stephanus New Testament (TR1550)

17 ταυτα ελαλησεν ο ιησους και επηρεν τους οφθαλμους αυτου εις τον ουρανον και ειπεν, πατερ εληλυθεν η ωρα δοξασον σου τον υιον, ινα και ο υιος σου δοξαση σε

2 καθως εδωκας αυτω εξουσιαν πασης σαρκος, ινα (παν ο δεδωκας αυτω) δωση αυτοις ζωην αιωνιον

3 αυτη δε εστιν η αιωνιος ζωη ινα γινωσκωσιν σε τον μονον αληθινον θεον και ον απεστειλας ιησουν χριστον

4 εγω σε εδοξασα επι της γης; το εργον ετελειωσα ο δεδωκας μοι ινα ποιησω

5 και νυν δοξασον με - συ πατερ - παρα σεαυτω, τη δοξη η ειχον (1st, sing) προ του τον κοσμον ειναι παρα σοι

Lenski - at thine own side

Lenski - "the glory which I had at thy side before the world was." The article with the infinitive is rare in John's writings (R. 765), only here is it found with the present infinitive (1074), only here with irpo (891) and in a temporal sense (978).

6 εφανερωσα σου το ονομα τοις ανθρωποις ους δεδωκας μοι εκ του κοσμου;  σοι ησαν και εμοι αυτους δεδωκας και τον λογον σου τετηρηκασιν

7 νυν εγνωκαν οτι παντα οσα δεδωκας μοι παρα σου εστιν

8 οτι τα ρηματα α δεδωκας μοι δεδωκα αυτοις;  και αυτοι ελαβον και εγνωσαν αληθως οτι παρα σου εξηλθον και επιστευσαν οτι συ με απεστειλας

Poetic repetition and rhyming

9 εγω περι αυτων ερωτω, ου περι του κοσμου ερωτω αλλα περι ων δεδωκας μοι οτι σοι εισιν

10 και τα εμα παντα σα εστιν και τα σα εμα, και δεδοξασμαι passive εν αυτοις

11 και ουκ ετι ειμι εν τω κοσμω και ουτοι εν τω κοσμω εισιν; και εγω προς σε ερχομαι πατερ αγιε τηρησον αυτους εν τω ονοματι σου ους δεδωκας μοι ινα ωσιν εν καθως ημεις

hen - concise

12 οτε ημην μετ αυτων εν τω κοσμω εγω ετηρουν αυτους εν τω ονοματι σου - ους δεδωκας μοι εφυλαξα - και ουδεις εξ αυτων απωλετο ει μη ο υιος της απωλειας ινα η γραφη πληρωθη

13 νυν δε προς σε ερχομαι και ταυτα λαλω εν τω κοσμω ινα εχωσιν την χαραν την εμην πεπληρωμενην εν αυτοις

my joy - fulfilled

14 εγω δεδωκα αυτοις τον λογον σου και ο κοσμος εμισησεν αυτους οτι ουκ εισιν εκ του κοσμου καθως εγω ουκ ειμι εκ του κοσμου

15 ουκ ερωτω ινα αρης αυτους εκ του κοσμου αλλ ινα τηρησης αυτους εκ του πονηρου

16 εκ του κοσμου ουκ εισιν καθως εγω εκ του κοσμου ουκ ειμι

17 αγιασον αυτους εν τη αληθεια σου ο λογος ο σος αληθεια εστιν

18 καθως εμε απεστειλας εις τον κοσμον καγω απεστειλα αυτους εις τον κοσμον

19 και υπερ αυτων εγω αγιαζω εμαυτον,  ινα και αυτοι ωσιν ηγιασμενοι εν αληθεια

20 ου περι τουτων δε ερωτω μονον αλλα και περι των πιστευσοντων δια του λογου αυτων εις εμε

21 ινα παντες εν ωσιν καθως συ πατερ εν εμοι, καγω εν σοι, ινα και αυτοι εν ημιν εν ωσιν, ινα ο κοσμος πιστευση οτι συ με απεστειλας

22 και εγω (την δοξαν ην δεδωκας μοι) δεδωκα αυτοις ινα ωσιν εν καθως ημεις εν εσμεν

23 εγω εν αυτοις και συ εν εμοι, ινα ωσιν τετελειωμενοι εις εν, και ινα γινωσκη ο κοσμος οτι συ με απεστειλας και ηγαπησας αυτους καθως εμε ηγαπησας

24 πατερ ους δεδωκας μοι θελω ινα οπου ειμι εγω κακεινοι ωσιν μετ εμου ινα θεωρωσιν την δοξαν την εμην ην εδωκας μοι οτι ηγαπησας με προ καταβολης κοσμου

25 πατερ δικαιε και ο κοσμος σε ουκ εγνω, εγω δε σε εγνων και ουτοι εγνωσαν οτι συ με απεστειλας

26 και εγνωρισα αυτοις το ονομα σου και γνωρισω ινα η αγαπη ην ηγαπησας με εν αυτοις η καγω εν αυτοις

made known

The Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity, 2017. 7 PM.Jesus Is the Good Samaritan

The Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity, 2017

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship

Bethany Lutheran Church, 7 PM Central Daylight Time

The Hymn # 281                                     The Savior Calls                

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual       

The Gospel              

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

The Sermon Hymn #657      Beautiful Savior

Jesus Is the Good Samaritan

The Communion Hymn # 308     Invited, Lord, by Boundless Grace                    

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 # 464                     Blest Be the Tie That Binds     

        

KJV Galatians 3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. 19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

KJV Luke 10:23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: 24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Click here for Luther’s Sermons on the Good Samaritan

Thirteenth Sunday After Trinity

Lord God, heavenly Father, we most heartily thank Thee that Thou hast granted us to live in this accepted time, when we may hear Thy holy gospel, know Thy fatherly will, and behold Thy Son, Jesus Christ! We pray Thee, most merciful Father: Let the light of Thy holy word remain with us, and so govern our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may never forsake Thy word, but remain steadfast in it, and finally obtain eternal salvation; 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 Is the Good Samaritan

KJV Luke 10:23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: 24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 

Nothing shows the perversity of man more than turning the Scriptures inside out. The opening of this parable should not be passed over lightly, because Jesus is admonishing the disciples and us about something of extreme importance. We are blessed to see and to hear Jesus in His own words, because many have sought for such wisdom and have not had that privilege. But such things are taken for granted and mankind scoffs at what is offered so freely.

For example, the vast majority of people have been exposed to this parable as a fantastic guilt machine for getting us to do-gooder projects. Just to show how far this goes - the Social Gospel Movement, still being quoted today takes it a few steps beyond that. Is it our job to bind the wounds - or -  to make the road to Jericho safe? That manipulative question began what we call the Social Justice Warrior crusade - our job is to legislate everything for the environment and any form of safety.

And yet, this is not a do-gooder parable at all. If we think for a minute - why would Jesus want to go back to salvation through the Law, which is what the Pharisees taught and lived? That is absurd. His preaching was - and is - to have us receive His righteousness through faith in Him. That is what this parable teaches.

But first - the introduction to the parable. 

25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 

I do not see the lawyer's question as evil, but set in the same frame that we have unless we are completely in the Gospel. "What shall I do?" The answer has mined the gold and silver from many an estate based on evil, corruption, and greed. But Jesus takes him a long way around to show that is the wrong path.

28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

Jesus is answering but without the basis that He will teach in the parable coming up. Knowing this man's nature, He said, "Do this.." which is impossible from the Law. The lawyer, caught up in the mindset of the Law, wanted a precise definition of neighbor, so he could serve the right persons and not spend time and energy on the wrong ones. Of course, that is entirely wrong, and the normal explanations of this parable show how easily one falls into that trap. It is not an accident that skandalon is used so often - the trigger of the trap. The trigger - skandalon - of the trap is righteousness through the Law, which takes people way from faith in Christ as the only righteousness.

30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 

This is an extremely long introduction for a parable. While others are simply listed in a row - like Matthew 13 - this introduction is longer than some parables, like the leven mixed into the dough.

A certain man is any person. This represents how we are without Christ. The unbelieving world glorifies what is outward and material, and that happens with Christian leaders too. One had every honor in the world. But he told someone, "My  life is meaningless. I am miserable." He was just as much that man left half-dead than someone robbed and beaten. As Luther observed, the emotions are far more painful to bear than physical injuries, where we might at least get some pity from others.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 

We should not be too shocked to have Jesus identified as a Samaritan. He was called that in the Gospel of John as the ultimate insult - you are crazy, you are Satanic, you are a Samaritan. When Jesus took away their righteousness of works and said "believe in Me," he invoked this hatred. The blind become even blinder. The hardened become even more hardened. As Luther explains in many sermons - and this one - Jesus was very harsh with them in teaching them they were utterly wrong and fallen away from the Word of God. 

As we see in the conclusion - Who is the neighbor? Answer - the one who showed mercy - Jesus. There is no mercy in the Law. If someone helps 1,000 or 10,000 without faith in Him, it is all sin. And we can see that at work, because they boast about their works. A lot of charity work is done this way. I buy a table to hear a famous person. I invite about 10 people who enjoy seeing and hearing this celebrity, whether Hollywood or political or sports. They are wealthy people flattered by getting a free meal and a chance to see this person up close. Then while we have dinner, I open up various business issues with them. Just a nibble. Later I phone and say, "Hey how do you like hearing from Joe Montana?" The answer is going to be obvious. "Why not have lunch and talk about that deal I mentioned? Is Tuesday or Friday better for you?" Meanwhile, in the society section, they list how much money was raised for charity. Everybody says, including the highly compensated celebrity, "Look at how much we raised for charity." And so the folly goes on, not that nothing good is done, but most of it is business and tainted with hypocrisy.

The Law example in the Pilgrim's Progress - a man comes up and knocks down Christian. He gets up to be knocked down again and again. "Have mercy!" The man says, "I am the Law. I have no mercy." The author read Luther's Galatians Lectures all the time, more than any other book except the Bible. 

There is no mercy, no forgiveness, without faith in Christ, who is all mercy, love, and forgiveness. He begins the work of mercy, which is the Gospel, and that instills faith and then He does all possible things to keep us in the faith, to purify our faith, and to build us up for future challenges and difficulties.

 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 

Christ comes to us in the proclamation of the Gospel. That is why we broadcast over the Net, which shocks and amuses many. I have two groups of students who have various books on Lutheran doctrine now, people all over this area who own books that discuss God's actual six-day Creation, including a doctor of medicine. 

The Gospel Word is effective, too. Some are more obnoxious than ever before in opposing Justification by Faith, but what do we expect from Pharisees. After all, Jesus' most hate-filled opponents have always been experts in religion, real scholars, but always with the wrong idea. 

The action in the parable is quite condensed, so each phrase has meaning. 

• The Samaritan comes to him.
• He dresses the wounds, pouring on oil (grace) and wine (the sharpness of the cross).
• Takes him to an inn on his own beast of burden, making it possible for additional healing and recovery.
• Cares for him at the inn - the Means of Grace.

Providing continuous care for the Christian is described here:

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

Has God provided congregations everywhere, and yet people despise faithful ministers and do not support them more than tepidly. I heard from people who say there is no traditional Lutheran church within 100 miles, even in larger cities.

The Spirit has moved people through the Word to support the spread of the Gospel and the maintenance of congregations where the promised Means of Grace are available.

Love Your Neighbor - Jesus - As Yourself

36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

The ending of this parable is like many of the insights we find in the Gospels. The context leaves us a bit bewildered until we see that all possible alternatives have been cut off. 

The do-gooder theme that so many sell to others never has fit this ending, because it concentrates on the Samaritan who is not a neighbor and shows no need. The beaten man is left out of the conclusion - he is not the neighbor in this parable. The one who showed mercy is - Jesus as the Gospel, not Moses as the Law.

Many people have experienced how quickly others are condemned by the do-gooders, the Social Justice Warriors. They have primed the youth to yell "That's racist" when nothing of the sort is said at all. That is salvation by the Law. If we can just pummel enough people with accusations, everyone will live in harmony. That is clearly not going to be the result of their Law crusades. 

So this is clearly a parable about faith in Jesus, the Samaritan, the one who shows mercy. And why love? That is the first fruit of the Gospel. We do not start our faith. The Gospel opens our heart to the mysteries of the Scriptures. As babies, some of us heard those Gospel Promises at our baptism. As adults, some heard the Gospel, knew and experienced its truth, believed in Jesus and asked for Holy Baptism. 

Either way, the Gospel produces faith, and faith in the extensive and great mercies of Christ cause us to love Him who loved us first.