There Goes the Lutheran and Papist US.AID Honeypot!

 

BREAKING: State Department officially notifies Congress of USAID closure

The State Department has officially notified Congress that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has been dissolved, and the remaining operations of the agency will be run by the State Department itself.

According to United Press International, the State Department officially told Congress that USAID was dissolving on Friday. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement, "Today, the Department of State and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) have notified Congress on their intent to undertake a reorganization that would involve realigning certain USAID functions to the Department by July 1, 2025, and discontinuing the remaining USAID functions that do not align with Administration priorities."

Rubio also noted, "Thanks to President Trump, this misguided and fiscally irresponsible era is now over. We are reorienting our foreign assistance programs to align directly with what is best for the United States and our citizens. We are continuing essential lifesaving programs and making strategic investments that strengthen our partners and our own country. This is yet another promise made and delivered to the American people."

USAID was a particular target of spending cuts and efforts from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after the Trump administration came into office. In a memo that was distributed to USAID employees, the State Department wrote that it "will seek to retire USAID's independent operation" and then see if those employees that were let go will need to be rehired.

"This transfer will significantly enhance efficiency, accountability, uniformity, and strategic impact in delivering foreign assistance programs -- allowing our nation and President to speak with one voice in foreign affairs," the memo added, per ABC News. "It will also obviate the need for USAID to continue operating as an independent establishment."

"All non-statutory positions at USAID will be eliminated," as part of the agency getting dissolved, the memo added.

This is a breaking story. Please refresh for updates.

Billions of Dollars Siphoned Off Lutheran Apostates and Roman Catholics. Oh Yes - Same Tactics

 

It's Not Just Thirty Pieces of Silver These Days, It's Billions for the Pharisee Bishops!

I do not mention Roman Catholic corruption often because I am busy enough with the Big Five Apostates - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic). So warm up some Ovaltine and consider what is happening in the Church of Rome, American division.

Quoted from Conservative Bishop Strickland:

We find also as more and more of this situation comes to light that in many cases the money received has been routed to organizations that are pro-abortion, anti-family, and indeed, anti-Catholic. And now, when our recently-elected President steps in to stop these illegal activities, many bishops verbally attack him, and yet these same bishops spoke not a word against President Biden, who claimed to be Catholic, as he supported abortion and gender ideology, both opposed to Catholic teaching. What is especially telling is the finding that the USCCB used 90% of the collected federal funds for immigration resettlement, and less than 1% for pro-life activities. Although claiming that abortion is their preeminent priority, the USCCB has never collected money for pro-life activities. For example, we find that one Texas bishop funneled millions of dollars into organizations and activities to incentivize illegal immigration while actively working to squelch pro-life activities in his diocese.

This creates a stunningly close connection among the so-called Lutheran sects - loudly bawling about losing their US.AID loot funneled through Thrivent and other leaking devices. I once tracked Schwan money to the WELS Love Shack, aimed at one room, then dispersed to many other rooms and places. At that time, the facts were free - and shocking - paralleling the enormous amounts of money given to greedy nincompoops (not just the Church Growthers). They cranked up the cost of finding out the truth so honesty lost again to the Snake Oil Salesmen.

Popessa Liz Eaton - and her right-hand man Matt the Fatt Harrison - should honor us by naming their outrage, revealing the US.AID conjob and many other variations in Luther-dumb. 

Previously posted -

ELCA

"Without these resources, 6,000 newly arrived refugees we are currently serving may face the prospect of eviction and food insecurity at a time of critical need," said Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge. "It is particularly shameful to leave newly arrived Afghan allies to fend for themselves after the tremendous sacrifices they've made in support of American interests. This is the antithesis of what it means for the United States to keep its promise of protection to the allies of America's longest war."

Federal support for resettlement nonprofits is a key driver of community integration. The sudden cessation of these services risks shifting the burden onto local communities ill-equipped to address the urgent needs that are likely to arise from this decision.

"Without this support, towns and cities across the country are poised to face greater responsibility with fewer resources to help families who have resettled here through this longstanding legal pathway," added Vignarajah.

For 85 years, Global Refuge has been a steadfast advocate for refugees, working collaboratively with federal, state, and local governments to provide life-changing services. While this stop work order limits operational capacity, it does not diminish the organization's resolve.

"We are urgently reviewing all legal and operational options to continue supporting the families we serve. We will not abandon our mission or the people who rely on us," Vignarajah emphasized.

Global Refuge urges policymakers to reverse this harmful decision and calls upon all Americans to stand in solidarity with refugee families.

"Refugees enrich our communities and contribute significantly to our economy. Upholding their dignity and ensuring their success is not just a moral imperative; it's a reflection of who we are as a nation," said Vignarajah.

Harrison is Almy-nized in Europe.

Matt the Fatt at His International Center

As many of you are aware, General Mike Flynn (retired) publicly took to task Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) and several other Lutheran social ministry agencies for receiving large federal grants for work with immigrants. That got the attention of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). I was surprised at the dollar amounts involved. The post on X accused LIRS and the other agencies bearing the name Lutheran of “money laundering.” I am writing to provide you with some facts about this complex and confusing situation.

The LCMS is a law-abiding and patriotic church body. We don’t invite or support illegal immigration. We don’t say much to or about the government. We don’t have government contracts. Not one. We leave issues of government to our 1.8 million members and 5,700 active pastors, who act in the civil realm according to their Christian consciences as good citizens. We have spoken as a body to certain issues. The Bible and reason teach us that the unborn have the God-given right to life (Luke 1:39–45). The government has no right to infringe upon religious freedom, including the free exercise of religion. “Thoughts are tax free!” said Martin Luther. All our people are trained from Sunday school and catechism class, and every Sunday sermon, to be good citizens and advocate for just laws, punishment for evildoers and mercy for those in need. Specific views on the details of how the government is involved in this are left to the individual as a citizen.

The LCMS uses legal means to fight for First Amendment rights when those rights are under attack.

***

GJ -  Thrivent, the nursing mother of ELCA-LCMS-WELS, has already published their boasting about working with the corrupt US.AID machine. Clergy love getting on the gravy train when so much of it falls into their laps, pockets, funds, trinkets, committees, and deluxe world travels.

Marvin Schwan made sure everyone knew -- the money was brandished about for every building, either with his name or a substantial sum of money. Christina and I took Herman Otten to the new St. Louis chapel, which boasted a million or so from Schwan on a special pedestal, LARGE PRINT.
     However, Marvin and his sycophant synod presidents did not mention his first wife's tragic demise - and why. Soon enough, Marvin and his second wife (who returned to Romanism) were also gone.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Laetare Lent 4 - Read Luther's Galatians Commentary!

 

Luther's Sermons - Galatians 4:21-31.
Laetare. Fourth Sunday in Lent

TEXT:

GALATIANS 4:21-31.

21. Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

22. For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewomen. 23 Howbeit the son by the handmaid is born after the flesh; but the son by the freewoman is born through promise. 24 Which things contain an allegory: for these women are two covenants; one from mount Sinai, bearing children unto bondage, which is Hagar, 25 Now this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to the Jerusalem that now is: for she is in bondage with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother. 27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; Break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: For more are the children of the desolate than of her that hath the husband. 28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, so also it is now. Howbeit what saith the scripture? Cast out the handmaid and her son; for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman. 31 Wherefore, brethren, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the freewoman.

THE CHILDREN OF PROMISE.

This lesson is amply expounded in my commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians. It is unnecessary to repeat the exposition here, for it may be found and read there. He who desires further information on the subject may read the postils on the epistle lesson for the Sunday after Christmas and that for New Year’s Day. There he will find all information. Thus will be obviated the necessity of repeating the discourse in various places.

Reformation Seminary Lecture - Part 2 of Acts 1

 

Theophilus - address changes Excellency - Luke 1:3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

KJV The Acts of the Apostles

1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Part 2 of Acts 1

12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.

13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Lent 4 - "That Andrew pointed out the lad and the loaves, and yet doubted still more than Philip, signifies the teachers who wish to make the people pious and to quiet them with God’s laws; but their conscience has no satisfaction or peace in them; but only becomes continually worse, until Christ comes with his Word of grace."

 

Laetare. Fourth Sunday in Lent. John 6:1-5. Jesus Feeds 5000 People 

12. That Andrew pointed out the lad and the loaves, and yet doubted still more than Philip, signifies the teachers who wish to make the people pious and to quiet them with God’s laws; but their conscience has no satisfaction or peace in them; but only becomes continually worse, until Christ comes with his Word of grace. He is the one, and he alone, who makes satisfaction, delivers from sin and death, gives peace and fullness of joy, and does it all of his own free will, gratuitously, against and above all hope and presumption, that we may know that the Gospel is devised and bestowed, not through our own merit, but out of pure grace.

13. Finally, you see in this Gospel that Christ, though he held Gospel poverty in the highest esteem and was not anxious about the morrow, as he teaches in Matthew 6:34, had still some provisions, as the two hundred shillings, the five loaves and the two fishes; in order that we may learn how such poverty and freedom from care consist not in having nothing at all, as the barefooted fanatics and monks profess, and yet they themselves do not hold to it; but it consists in a free heart and a poor spirit. For even Abraham and Isaac had great possessions, and yet they lived without worry and in poverty, like the best Christians do.

Learn Dress Code from the Lutheran Leaders of Apostasy

 

"Eaton’s four emphases for the ELCA are: We are church; We are Lutheran; We are church together; We are church for the sake of the world. These four emphases are fundamental to identifying who the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is."
Thrivent/US.AID

Matt Harrison wears his chasuble, etc in Europe - nota bene.
Thrivent/US.AID

Rev. Mark Schroeder may keep his Geneva gown for the high holy days -
Packers games.
And Thrivent/US.AID

You too can join a Lutheran sect and shop at Almy's.

Midweek Lenten Service - 500 References to Sheep and Shepherds in the Bible

 https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83730878526?pwd=oqtzMocqnJGtvmPJ5E1LQaKDEmMq6v.1

Tom Fisher's sheep and guard-dog.

The Hymn # 536         The Lord's My Shepherd
The Order of Vespers                                             p. 41

The Psalmody            Psalm   14                           p. 124
The Lection             John 10
  
The Sermon Hymn #179   On My Heart  

         

The Tender Nature of the Good Shepherd

      Doubtless the greatest opposition and ridicule against the Christian Faith is Jesus Himself, as the target, even though He is our Good Shepherd. One fact that we can find easily is the divine/human nature of Jesus. When He was conceived of the Virgin Mary He took on our human nature and combined it with His divine nature, which was never again changed.

     This led the opponents and the politicians to attack Him and take advantage of His humble nature, but it also teaches all of us to try to be as gentle and understanding as He was and is. He never attacked anyone but they gladly attacked Him for no reason other than their hatred and their fears. 

     We appreciate the Savior because He is the Shepherd who guides and protects us, watches over us, and nurtures us. It took about a thousand years for people to understand Psalm 23 - "The Lord is my Shepherd." I just told a student that he should go ahead with Hebrew because - for instance - that line has 4 words in Hebrew while we take 9 words in English. You can try this at home.

     Judaism held the entire Christian Faith through the Old Testament writing, so when Jesus was the sacrificial lamb in Isaiah 53, and with Isaac, and also in Psalm 22, the evidence was overwhelming. And there was so much more. Judaism became Christianity but not all the same or at once. The entire Bible has at least 500 references to sheep and shepherding, which helps us understand His role as the Shepherd and as the sheep as well. 

     Once we see the overwhelming portrayal of shepherding and sheep in God's Word, we understand how Jesus' kindness and forgiveness teaches us, to spread His Gospel and give us peace within ourselves. 

    

The Prayers and Lord’s Prayer                         p. 44

The Collect for Peace                                           p. 45

The Benediction                                                   p. 45

The Hymn #552     Abide with Me

In Our Prayers

• Pastor Jim Shrader, Chris Shrader, Sarah Buck.
• Tom Fisher is one of many farmers dealing with savage weather.
• Thursday - Reformation Seminary Lecture - Acts 1, part 2. 10 AM Central.

Ewe and lamb, Tom Fisher farm.

Luther's Condemnation of the Big Five Apostates - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic)

 

"Thus he lets us also disgrace ourselves and labor with human doctrines, that we may see and understand how necessary and precious God’s Word is and how doctrines do not help the least without God’s Word." Luther's Sermons, Lent 4

The Big Five substance is based upon ELCA, because the smaller sects are yearning to be more like their Big Angry Sister. There is not much difference. The executives who grab all the loot are more efficient if they quietly go down to the Caribbean in January and enjoy a free vacation with Thrivent. They share the same nonsense among each other because they follow the mainlines, which are even more extreme, enjoying the fruits of DEI without naming it.

WELS even has a coaching business, "training" coaches for great success and 

giving birth to more coachlings who pay to become coaches. All this is done without the Word of God because their focus is on their own fragile egos. Two coaches took laity to court for hurting their pastoral egos. The judge laughed the coachlings out of the courtroom.

Clergy training sessions deal with everything except the efficacious Word, faith in Jesus Christ, and Justification by Faith. Luther experienced the nonsense and corruption of Romanism. Now the "Lutherans" are doing their best to become priests with pretty dresses and papal scowls. I was reading some nonsense from the Ovaltines - the ALPB Online Forum. Sure enough - the author belonged to STS, Society for the Holy Trinity (in Latin). The STSians have to add their title (or shame) every time they post something near and dear to their Jesuit pope. ELDONUTs are similar, secretive and sly, the maggots of Almy.

The issue is not papal dogma or Fuller toxins, as long as they avoid the Word itself, faith in the Savior, study of the Scriptures (not the corrupted versions).

Apostasy, the life-blood of the Big Five, unites those who universally hate the actual Scriptures. They can do or say anything, as long as they avoid the core Scriptural values and embrace the corruption.

These two close friends provided a corrupt Greek New Testament for those creating the Revised Version, a disaster yes, but the corruption has continued ever since. Your sect embraces every Bible except the King James Version.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Lent 4 Laetare - "Thus he lets us also disgrace ourselves and labor with human doctrines, that we may see and understand how necessary and precious God’s Word is and how doctrines do not help the least without God’s Word."

 

Laetare. Fourth Sunday in Lent. John 6:1-5. Jesus Feeds 5000 People 

9. The two fishes are the example and witness of the patriarchs and prophets, who are also in the basket; for by them the Apostles confirm and strengthen their doctrine and the believers like St. Paul does in Romans 4:2-6, where he cites Abraham and David etc. But there are two, because the examples of the saints are full of love, which cannot be alone, as faith can, but must go out in exercise to its neighbor. Furthermore the fishes were prepared and cooked; for such examples are indeed put to death by many sufferings and martyrdoms, so that we find nothing carnal in them, and they comfort none by a false faith in his own works, but always point to faith and put to death works and their assurance.

10. The twelve baskets of fragments are all the writings and books the Apostles and Evangelists bequeathed to us; therefore they are twelve, like the Apostles, and these books are nothing but that which remains from and has been developed out of the Old Testament. The fishes are also signified by the number five (Moses’ books); as John 21:25 says: “Even the world itself would not contain the books that should be written” concerning Christ, all which nevertheless was written and proclaimed before in the Old Testament concerning Christ.

11. That Philip gives counsel as how to feed the people with his few shillings, and yet doubts, signifies human teachers, who would gladly aid the soul with their teachings; but their conscience feels it helps nothing. For the discussion Christ here holds with his disciples takes place in order that we may see and understand that it is naturally impossible to feed so many people through our own counsel, and that this sign might be the more public. Thus he lets us also disgrace ourselves and labor with human doctrines, that we may see and understand how necessary and precious God’s Word is and how doctrines do not help the least without God’s Word.

Reformation Seminary Lecture - Acts of the Apostles - Transition Luke to Acts - 10 AM Central

KJV - The Ending of Luke

Luke 24:49

49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

KJV The Acts of the Apostles

1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

How Many Purple Palace Drones Fan Out on Sunday To Serve Small Churches?

 

Faux-bishop Matt Harrison is wearing a garment selling for $1,117 or more at Almy's.

Submerged at the Purple Palace, Matt the Fatt cannot spend his precious time preaching the Word of God instead of Walther's babbling.

The only true pastors - Latin for shepherd - are those who teach the message of Christ without watering down or rejecting His Word. The Big Five Apostates - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic) - ridicule the office of pastor by plagiarizing the sources of the moment...and each other. They are politicians in the worst sense of the word - charlatans, bullies, and frauds.

The same Harrison, a nobody, once traveled to Otten's congregation to sing praises to the editor (to win votes), but mocked the pastor later - even though Matt fashioned himself a great leader.



If "conservative" Lutherans are alarmed at how fast their congregations are shrinking and dissolving, they only need to follow the Rev. Bishop Eaton's ELCA, where the gay lifestyle is promoted and most bishops are women.

ELCA drove so many normal men out of their seminaries that they had to have fresh recruitment drives - seminaries shriveled almost to nothing by their follies. The brand new president of United Lutheran Seminary (Philadelphia) was not gay enough, so they kicked her out in favor of two men in the presidential parsonage.

The money gushing into the pockets of these leaders could afford a few KJVs to study, instead of their NIV and other monstrosities. Or Luther's Sermons. 

Daily Luther Sermon Quote, Lent 4 - "This he gives to his disciples, and the disciples to the people. For Christ takes the Word out of the Scriptures; so all teachers receive it from Christ and give it to the people, by which is confirmed what Matthew 23:10 says: “For one is your master, even the Christ,” who sits in heaven, and he teaches all only through the mouth and the word of preachers by his Spirit, that is, against false teachers, who teach their own wisdom."

 

Laetare. Fourth Sunday in Lent. John 6:1-5. Jesus Feeds 5000 People 

4. Again, that he tells them so faithfully to gather up the fragments, teaches us to be frugal and to preserve and use his gifts, in order that we may not tempt God. For just as it is God’s will that we should believe when we have nothing and be assured that he will provide; so he does not desire to be tempted, nor to allow the blessings he has bestowed to be despised, or lie unused and spoil, while we expect other blessings from heaven by means of miracles. Whatever he gives, we should receive and use, and what he does not give, we should believe and expect he will bestow.

II. THE ALLEGORICAL INTERPRETATION.

5. That Christ by the miraculous feeding of the five thousand has encouraged us to partake of a spiritual food, and taught that we should seek and expect from him nourishment for the soul, is clearly proved by the whole sixth chapter of John, in which he calls himself the bread from heaven and the true food, and says: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye seek me, not because ye saw signs, but because ye ate of the loaves, and were filled. Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you.” John 6:26-27. In harmony with these words we will, explain also this evangelical history in its spiritual meaning and significance.

6. First, there was much hay or grass in the place. The Evangelist could not fail to mention that, although it appears to be unnecessary; however it signifies the Jewish people, who flourished and blossomed like the grass through their outward holiness, wisdom, honor, riches etc., as Isaiah 40:6-7, says: “All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, because the breath of Jehovah bloweth upon it; surely the people is grass.” From the Jewish people the Word of God went forth and the true food was given to us; for salvation is of the Jews, John 4:22. Now, as grass is not food for man, but for cattle; so is all the holiness of the outward Jewish righteousness nothing but food for animals, for fleshly hearts, who know and possess nothing of the Spirit.

7. The very same is taught by the people sitting on the grass; for the true saints despise outward holiness, as Paul does in Philippians 3:8, in that he counted his former righteousness to be filth and even a hindrance. Only common and hungry people receive the Word of God and are nourished by it. For here you see that neither Caiaphas nor Anna, neither the Pharisees nor the Scribes follow Christ and see Christ’s Signs; but they disregard them, they are grass and feed on grass. This miracle was also performed near the festive time of the Jewish passover; for the true Easter festival, when Christ should be offered as a sacrifice, was near, when he began to feed them with the Word of God.

8. The five loaves signify the outward, natural word formed by the voice and understood by man’s senses; for the number five signifies outward things pertaining to the five senses of man by which he lives; as also the five and five virgins illustrate in Matthew 25:1. These loaves are in the basket, that is, locked up in the Scriptures. And a lad carries them, that means the servant class and the priesthood among the Jews, who possessed the sayings of God, which were placed in their charge and entrusted to them, Romans 3:2, although they did not enjoy them. But that Christ took these into his own hands, and they were thereby blessed and increased, signifies that by Christ’s works and deeds, and not by our deeds or reason, are the Scriptures explained, rightly understood and preached.

This he gives to his disciples, and the disciples to the people. For Christ takes the Word out of the Scriptures; so all teachers receive it from Christ and give it to the people, by which is confirmed what Matthew 23:10 says: “For one is your master, even the Christ,” who sits in heaven, and he teaches all only through the mouth and the word of preachers by his Spirit, that is, against false teachers, who teach their own wisdom.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Laetare - Lent 4 - "That he now takes the five loaves and gives thanks etc., teaches that nothing is too small and insignificant for him to do for his followers, and he can indeed so bless their pittance that they have an abundance, whereas even the rich have not enough with all their riches; as Psalm 34:11 says: “They that seek Jehovah shall not want any good thing; but the rich must suffer hunger.”

 

Laetare. Fourth Sunday in Lent. John 6:1-5. Jesus Feeds 5000 People 

LAETARE. FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT


TEXT: John 6:1-15. After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they beheld the signs which he did on them that were sick. And Jesus went up into the mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. Now the passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Jesus therefore lifting up his eyes, and seeing that a great multitude cometh unto him, saith unto Philip, Whence are we to buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred shillings worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, who hath five barley loaves, and two fishes: but what are these among so many? Jesus said, Make the people sit down.

Now there was much grass in the place: So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Jesus therefore took the loaves; and having given thanks, he distributed to them that were set down; likewise also of the fishes as much as they would. And when they were filled, he saith unto his disciples, Gather up the broken pieces which remain over, that nothing be lost. So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves, which remained over unto them that had eaten. When therefore the people saw the sign which he did, they said, This is of a truth the prophet that cometh into the world.

Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again into the mountain himself alone.


I. THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND.

1. In today’s Gospel Christ gives us another lesson in faith, that we should not be over-anxious about our daily bread and our temporal existence, and stirs us up by means of a miracle; as though to say by his act what he says by his words in Matthew 6:33: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” For here we see, since the people followed Christ for the sake of God’s Word and the signs, and thus sought the Kingdom of God, he did not forsake them but richly fed them. He hereby also shows that, rather than those who seek the Kingdom of God should suffer need, the grass in the desert would become wheat, or a crumb of bread would be turned into a thousand loaves; or a morsel of bread would feed as many people and just as satisfactorily as a thousand loaves; in order that the words in Matthew 4:4 might stand firm, that “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” And to confirm these words Christ is the first to be concerned about the people, as to what they should eat, and asks Philip, before they complain or ask him; so that we may indeed let him care for us, remembering that he cares more and sooner for us than we do for ourselves.

2. Secondly, he gives an example of great love, and he does this in many ways. First, in that he lets not only the pious, who followed him because of the signs and the Word, enjoy the food; but also the slaves of appetite, who only eat and drink, and seek in him temporal honor; as follows later when they disputed with him at Capernaum about the food, and he said to them in John 6:26: “Ye seek me, not because ye saw signs, but because ye ate of the loaves,” etc., also because they desired to make him king; thus here also he lets his sun shine on the evil and the good, Matthew 5:45.

Secondly, in that he bears with the rudeness and weak faith of his disciples in such a friendly manner. For that he tests Philip, who thus comes with his reason, and Andrew speaks so childishly on the subject, all is done to bring to light the imperfections of the disciples, and on the contrary to set forth his love and dealings with them in a more beautiful and loving light, to encourage us to believe in him, and to give us an example to do likewise; as the members of our body and all God’s creatures in their relation to one another teach us. For these are full of love, so that one bears with the other, helps and preserves what God has created.

3. "That he now takes the five loaves and gives thanks etc., teaches that nothing is too small and insignificant for him to do for his followers, and he can indeed so bless their pittance that they have an abundance, whereas even the rich have not enough with all their riches; as Psalm 34:11 says: “They that seek Jehovah shall not want any good thing; but the rich must suffer hunger.” And Mary in her song of praise says: “The hungry he hath filled with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.” Luke 1:53.