ICHABOD, THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED - explores the Age of Apostasy, predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, to attack Objective Faithless Justification, Church Growth Clowns, and their ringmasters. The antidote is trusting the efficacious Word in the Means of Grace. John 16:8. Isaiah 55:8ff. Romans 10. Most readers are WELS, LCMS, ELS, or ELCA. This blog also covers the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the National Council of Churches.
10. From peace the other fruit now follows, as is taught in this Gospel.
When Christ came to the disciples and said: “Peace be unto you!” and showed them his hands and feet; then they were glad that they saw the Lord. Yes, to be sure they had to be glad, for that they saw Christ was the greatest joy the heart of man can experience. Hitherto we have been permitted to see our hands, that is, we have been taught to trust in our works; this brought no gladness. But to see Christ makes us glad. And this takes place by faith; for thus St. Paul in Romans 5:1-2 says: “Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
11. Thus we have the fruit whereby we know who are true Christians. For he who has no peace in that in which the world finds nothing but unrest, and is joyful in that which in the world is nothing but gloom and sorrow, is not yet a Christian, and does not yet believe. This truth is being also sung at this season everywhere in the hymn on the Lord’s resurrection; but hardly anybody understands it. He who composed it surely understood it aright. He does not stop at the Lord is risen, when he says: “Christ is risen from his Passion ;” as though this were sufficient, but brings it home to us and adds: Let us all rejoice in this. But how can we rejoice in it, if we have nothing of it and it is not ours? Therefore, if I am to rejoice in it, it must be mine, that I may claim it as my own property, that it may profit me. And finally he closes: Christ will be our consolation, that we can and shall have no other consolation but Christ. He wants to be it himself and he alone, that we should cling to him in every time of need; for he has conquered all for our benefit, and by his resurrection he comforts all troubled consciences and sad hearts. This the Gospel teaches concerning faith and its fruits.
12. Now follows the office of the ministry. The power of faith now develops love. For it does not yet suffice that I have the Lord so that he is mine, and that I find in him all comfort, peace and joy; but I must henceforth also do as he has done: for it follows thus in the text: “As the Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”
13. The first and highest work of love a Christian ought to do when he has become a believer, is to bring others also to believe in the way he himself came to believe. And here you notice Christ begins and institutes the office of the ministry of the external Word in every Christian; for he himself came with this office and the external Word. Let us lay hold of this, for we must admit it was spoken to us. In this way the Lord desires to say: You have now received enough from me, peace and joy, and all you should have; for your person you need nothing more. Therefore labor now and follow my example, as I have done, so do ye. My Father sent me into the world only for your sake, that I might serve you, not for my own benefit. I have finished the work, have died for you, and given you all that I am and have; remember and do ye also likewise, that henceforth ye may only serve and help everybody, otherwise ye would have nothing to do on earth. For by faith ye have enough of everything. Hence I send you into the world as my Father hath sent me; namely, that every Christian should instruct and teach his neighbor, that he may also come to Christ. By this, no power is delegated exclusively to popes and bishops, but all Christians are commanded to profess their faith publicly and also to lead others to believe.
14. Secondly, if you have exercised yourself in this highest work and taught others the right way of truth, then make up your mind to keep on and serve everybody. Then the example of your life and good works follows; not that you can thereby merit and acquire anything, seeing you have beforehand everything that is necessary to salvation. Furthermore Christ now gives a command, he breathes upon the disciples and says: “Receive ye the Holy Spirit: whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.”
Last summer in NW Arkansas was one of the worst droughts ever. People agreed that all the tap water was doing very little, since rain gives up tons of needed nitrogen for all plants and lacks the chlorine bleach we use from the faucet.
I think about soil ingredients, often easy and easy to obtain. Wood chips are almost free and cardboard boxes arrive free with Amazon and Walmart purchases. Unfortunately the cardboard incensed Charlie Sue, so she had to tear into them with the temper of a terrier.
I got into David Austin roses last summer (see disaster above) but saw them jump up this spring in the backyard garden. I wanted some bare root roses discounted, so I got some for soaking in the rain barrel. Bare root roses leave the facility almost inert, so they are slow to develop.
David Austin roses are sold with roots in a huge ball of soil - a dream, because the flowers can already be opening with their petals, fragrance, and leaves.
Queen of Sweden, Daivd Austin Rose - Yes, I have one.
5. For the fruit of faith is peace; not only that which one has outwardly, but that of which Paul speaks to the Philippians (Philippians 4:7) saying it is a peace that passeth all reason, sense and understanding. And where this peace is, one shall not and cannot judge according to reason. This we shall see still farther in our Gospel lesson.
6. First, the disciples sit there behind barred doors in great fear of the Jews, afraid to venture outside, with death staring them in the face. Outwardly they indeed have peace, no one is doing them any harm; but inwardly their hearts are troubled, and they have neither peace nor rest. Amid their fear and anguish the Lord comes, quiets their hearts and makes them glad, so that their fear is removed, not by removing the danger, but in that their hearts were no more afraid. For thereby the malice of the Jews is not taken away, nor changed; they rave and rage as before, and outwardly everything remains the same. But they are changed inwardly, receiving such boldness and joy as to declare: “We have seen the Lord.” Thus he quiets their hearts, so that they become cheerful and fearless, not caring how the Jews rage.
7. This is the true peace that satisfies and quiets the heart; not in times when no adversity is at hand, but in the midst of adversity, when outwardly there is nothing but strife before the eyes. And this is the difference between worldly and spiritual peace. Worldly peace consists in removing the outward evil that disturbs the peace; as when the enemies besiege a city there is no peace; but when they depart peace returns. Such is the case with poverty and sickness. While they afflict you, you are not contented; but when they are removed and you are rid of the distress, there is peace and rest again from without. But he who experiences this is not changed, being just as fainthearted whether the evil be present or not; only he feels it and is frightened when it is present.
8. Christian or spiritual peace, however, just turns the thing about, so that outwardly the evil remains, as enemies, sickness, poverty, sin, death and the devil. These are there and never desist, encompassing us on every side; nevertheless, within there is peace, strength and comfort in the heart, so that the heart cares for no evil, yea, is really bolder and more joyful in its presence than in its absence. Therefore it is peace which passeth and transcendeth all understanding and all the senses. For reason can not grasp any peace except worldly or external peace, for it can not reconcile itself to it nor understand how that is peace if evil is present, and it knows not how to satisfy and comfort a person; hence it thinks if the evil depart, peace departs also. When however the Spirit comes, he lets outward adversity remain, but strengthens the person, making the timid fearless, the trembling bold, changing the troubled into a quite, peaceful conscience, and such an one is bold, fearless and joyful in things by which all the world otherwise is terrified.
9. Whence does he receive this? From his faith in Christ. For if I truly believe in the Lord from the real depth of my heart, that my heart can truly say: My Lord Christ has by his resurrection conquered my need, my sin, death and all evil, and will be thus with and in me, so that body and soul shall want nothing, that I shall have all I need, and no evil shall harm me: if I believe this, it is impossible for me to be faint-hearted and timid no matter how much sin and death oppress me. For faith is ever present and says:
Does sin burden you, does death terrify you, look to Christ who died for your sake and rose again, and conquered every evil; what can harm you?
Why will you then fear? So also in case other misfortunes burden you, as sickness or poverty, turn your eyes from it, lock the door to reason and cast yourself upon Christ and cleave to him, so shall you be strengthened and comforted. If you look to Christ and believe on him, no evil that may befall you is so great that it can harm you and cause you to despair.
Therefore it is impossible for this fruit to remain outside, where faith is, so that peace does not follow.
The accursed thing appeared immediately during The ELCA 2009 Vote. Many saw it as a dire, direct warning.
KJV Acts 5 - Part One
5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, [See also Joshua 6:18]
2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
Take It Easy is a very small rose bloom with a white center. Anyone near this rose is bound to ask for a bandage. The thorns are very long, prolific, and sharp, with no safe areas to use on the stem. I warned more than one visitor to stay away from it, the prediction soon fulfilled. Finally I promised to cut it down for 2025. Did I mention how sturdy and robust it is? That was another bonus that only worked to maintain a long life for itself.
Easy Does It Rose
Easy Does It is the cousin of Take It Easy, proud members of the Easy clan. Pictured above is the Easy Does It bush, which burst into bloom in time for a wedding, having about 40 long-stemmed blooms at once. Discerning readers will notice the shadow of the photographer snapping the shot.
I think there is another Easy rose out there. Many brands have their fan clubs, and gardeners like to try out something new. I began our rose garden with 8 bare root roses for $64, shipping included, from QVC. I dug the holes first, and Sassy Sue checked out each one. Christina said, "I want to smell the roses as I open the front door," and that was fulfilled.
There is no lack of flowers on our little street. One neighbor really loves hyacinths, so I promised to increase the selection for 2026. Others get samples as various flowers show off what God has created.
TEXT: John 20:19-31. When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had said this, he showed unto them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace be unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit: whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.
And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then said he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Many other signs therefore did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written, in this book: but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name. Jesus Appears to His Disciples, or the Nature, Fruit, and Power of Faith
1. This Gospel praises the fruit of faith, and illustrates its nature and character. Among the fruits of faith are these two: peace and joy, as St.
Paul writes to the Galatians, where he mentions in order all kinds of fruit saying: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22. Thus these two fruits are also mentioned in our text. In the first place, Christ stands there among the disciples, who sit in fear and terror, and whose hearts are greatly troubled every hour expecting death; to them he comes and comforts them, saying: “Peace be unto you.” This is one fruit. In the second place there follows from this sweet word the other fruit, that they were glad when they saw the Lord. Then he further bestows upon faith power and authority over all things in heaven and on earth, and truly extols it in that he says: “As the Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” And again: “Receive ye the Holy Spirit: whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” Let us now consider each thought in order.
2. Faith, as we have often said, is of the nature, that every one appropriates to himself the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, of which we have already said enough; namely, that it is not sufficient simply to believe Christ rose from the dead, for this produces neither peace nor joy, neither power nor authority; but you must believe that he rose for your sake, for your benefit, and was not glorified for his own sake; but that he might help you and all who believe in him, and that through his resurrection sin, death and hell are vanquished and the victory given to you.
3. This is signified by Christ entering through closed doors, and standing in the midst of his disciples. For this standing denotes nothing else than that he is standing in our hearts; there he is in the midst of us, so that he is ours, as he stands there and they have him among them. And when he thus stands within our hearts, we at once hear his loving voice saying to the troubled consciences: Peace, there is no danger; your sins are forgiven and blotted out, and they shall harm you no more.
4. And this entrance the Lord made here through barred doors, going through wood and stone, and still leaving everything whole, breaking nothing, yet getting in among his disciples. This illustrates how the Lord comes into our hearts and stands in us, namely, through the office of the ministry. Therefore, since God has commanded men to preach his Word, one should in no wise despise a mortal man into whose mouth he has put his Word; lest we get the idea that every one must expect a special message from heaven, and that God should speak to him by the word of his mouth. For if he imparts faith to any one, he does it by means of the preaching of man and the external word of man.
This is going through closed doors, when he comes into the heart through the Word, not breaking nor displacing anything. For when the Word of God comes, it neither injures the conscience, nor deranges the understanding of the heart and the external senses; as the false teachers do who break all the doors and windows, breaking through like thieves, leaving nothing whole and undamaged, and perverting, falsifying and injuring all life, conscience, reason, and the senses. Christ does not do thus.
Such now is the power of the Word of God. Thus we have two parts, preaching and believing. His coming to us is preaching; his standing in our hearts is faith. For it is not sufficient that he stands before our eyes and ears; he must stand in the midst of us in our hearts, and offer and impart to us peace.
As part of ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson’s Report to Special Convention on Wednesday, she reiterating the apology shared at the 2022 ELCIC National Convention to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
“Today I apologize to the members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community for the ways we have not lived up to our commitments and to the ways we have treated you in the past and even now,” Bishop Johnson said. “With this apology I acknowledge the harms we as a church have caused and those harms we continue. We have work to do and I cling to a hope that the entire church will learn from the past and work toward a future where all generations will feel acceptance, affirmation, and celebration for the gifts they bring our church as valued children of God.”
She asked delegates to consider the current direction of the church, its synods and congregations, while also pointing to the 2025 National Convention, when a new National Bishop will be elected.
The 2025 ELCIC National Convention will take place July 10-13, 2025 at the Univerity of Manitoba in Winnipeg, MB. More information will be shared here as it is available.
At the 2025 ELCIC National Convention, delegates will elect a new bishop following 18 years of service from our current National Bishop Susan Johnson, who has indicated her desire to retire.
Who let that man be part of our Lutheran-Episcopal USA-Canada unification photo?
TEXT: Luke 24:36-47. And as they spake these things, he himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they beheld a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do questionings arise in your heart? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye behold me having. And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here anything to eat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish.
And he took it, and ate before them.
And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their mind, that they might understand the scriptures; and he said unto them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
I. CHRIST’S MANIFESTATION AFTER HIS RESURRECTION.
1. I think, beloved, you have heard enough in these days on the resurrection of Christ, what it works, why it came to pass, and what fruit it bears. But since the Lord has commanded those who preach the Gospel to be steadfast and diligent in this proclamation, we must dwell upon it ever more and more. Our Gospel shows, first, who hear of the Lord’s resurrection profitably and fruitfully, namely they that are here assembled in fear and dread be hind closed doors. To them it ought also to be preached most of all, although it must be preached to all nations, as the Lord says at the end of the Gospel of Matthew. Therefore let us learn first of all what kind of persons hear the Gospel aright.
2. The disciples are gathered there together in seclusion. They are afraid of the Jews and are, indeed, in danger of their lives; they are fearful and fainthearted and afraid of sin and death. Had they been strong and courageous, they would not thus have crept into a corner; even as afterward they were made so courageous, when the Holy Spirit came and strengthened and comforted them, that they stepped forth and preached publicly without fear. This is written for us, that we might learn that the Gospel of Christ’s resurrection comforts only the fainthearted. And who are these? They are the poor, conscience-stricken ones, whose sins lie heavily upon them, who feel their faint heart, are loth to die, and are well nigh startled by the sound of a rustling leaf. To these contrite, poor, and needy souls, the Gospel offers comfort, to them it is a sweet savor.
3. This is also learned from the nature of the Gospel, for the Gospel is a message and a testimony, which declares how the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead, that he might remove sin, death and all evil from all who believe on him. If I recognize him as such a Savior, I have heard the Gospel aright, and he has in truth revealed himself to me. If now the Gospel teaches naught but that Christ has overcome sin and death by his resurrection, then we must indeed confess that it can be of service to none save those who feel sin and death. For they who do not feel their sin, and are not dismayed, nor see their infirmities, profit not a whit by it, nor do they delight in it. And though they hear the Gospel, it has no effect upon them, except that they learn the words, and speak of what they heard. They do not treasure them in their hearts, and receive neither comfort nor joy from them.
4. Hence it were well, if the Gospel could be preached only where such fainthearted and conscience-stricken ones are found. But this can not be, and for this reason it bears so little fruit. For this they reproach us and say that we wish to preach many new things, and yet no one is better because of our doctrine. The fault is not in the Gospel, but in the hearers. They hear it, indeed, but they do not feel their own affliction and misery, nor have they ever tried to feel it, they simply go on, secure and reprobate, like dumb brutes. Hence none need marvel if the Gospel does not everywhere bring forth fruit. For beside the good hearers, of whom we have spoken, there are many others that have no regard for it at all, have neither a conscience nor a heart for it, and think neither of death nor of the salvation of souls. These must be driven by force, like asses and dumb brutes, and for this purpose the civil sword is established. Again there are some who do not despise the Gospel, but fully understand it, yet do not amend their lives, nor strive to walk in it. They carry away only the words and prate much about them, but neither deeds nor fruit follow. The third class, however, are they that taste it and use it aright so that it bears fruit in them.
5. This is then the conclusion of the matter, the Gospel is a testimony of the resurrection of Christ, which serves to comfort and refresh the poor, sorrowing, and terrified consciences. There is need that we have clearly apprehended this truth when we come to die, and also that we may provide for it in every other need. If you think: Behold, now death is approaching and staring me in the face; would that I had someone to comfort me, that I might not despair, then know that for this purpose the Gospel is good, here it belongs, here its use is blessed and salutary. As soon as a man knows and understands this, and believes the Gospel, his heart finds peace and says: If Christ, my Lord, has overcome my sin, and trodden it under foot by his resurrection, — wherefore should I fear, and of what should I be afraid?
Why should not my heart rejoice and be of good cheer? But such comfort, peace and joy of heart, are felt by none save by the small company which was before greatly dismayed and full of sorrow, and felt its infirmities.
Hence also the rude and impenitent understand neither this nor any other Gospel, for he that has not tasted the bitter cannot relish the sweet, and he that has not seen adversity does not understand happiness. For as in the world that man who neither cares nor attempts to do any thing, and endures naught, is good for nothing; so in a more eminent degree in spiritual things it is not possible that anyone should understand the Gospel except he who has such a dismayed and terrified heart.
6. From this you should learn that it is no marvel, that many who hear the Gospel do not receive it nor live according to it. Everywhere there are many who reject and persecute it, but we must let them go and grow accustomed to their work. Where the Gospel is preached, such people will surely be found; and if it were otherwise, it would not be right, for there must be many kinds of hearers. Again, many will be found, who do not persecute it and yet do not receive it, for they bear no fruit and continue to live as before. Be not worried because of this! For even though a man preach and continue in the Gospel for many years, he must still lament and say: Aye, no one will come, and all continue in their former state.
Therefore you must not let that grieve nor terrify you.
Today Charlie had to have her minimal trip to the PARK! - a grassy area at the end of the cul de sac. Yesterday she raced in circles to amuse two men who were installing new trees. She had a great time repeating that in larger, faster circles today.
The tornado warning was over and the sun was out, so we discussed sharing some Easter flowers. Charlie went next door and surprised Doggie DayCare with potted lilies from today. The yellow tulips went with Charlie across the street - another fan of flowers.
The Confession of Sins The Absolution The Introit p. 16
Introit
As newborn babes: desire the sincere milk of the Word.
Hear, O My people, and I will testify unto thee:
O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto Me.
Psalm. Sing aloud unto God, our Strength:
make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
The Gloria Patri The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Collect
Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who celebrate the solemnities of the Lord’s Pascal Feast kindled with heavenly desires; may ever thirst for the Fountain of Life, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.
The Epistle and Gradual
Gradual
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
This is the day which the Lord hath made: we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Christ , our Passover: is sacrificed for us.
Let us keep the feast: with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Hallelujah!
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 #187Christ Is Arisen
Christ is arisen, from the grave's dark prison.
We now rejoice with gladness; Christ will end all sadness. Lord have mercy.
All our hopes were ended
Had Jesus not ascended.
From the grave triumphantly.
For this, Lord Christ, we worship Thee. Lord, have mercy.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
We now rejoice with gladness
Christ will end all sadness. Lord, have mercy. Amen.
Prayers and Announcements
Medical care - Kermit Way, Pastor Jim Shrader, Chris Shrader, Doc Lito Cruz and his family, Sarah Buck.
Lilies and flowers are in memory of Randy Anderson, Walter Boeckler, Carl Roper, Gary Meyer, Christina Jackson, Gladys Meyer, Lori Howell's mother, Bethany Joan Marie, Erin Joy, and many others.
Pray for our country as major trials continue. Help all those suffering from economic difficulties and emotional distress.
The Bethany Hymnal Blog finished five years ago, with Norma Boeckler's art, ever since April 2020. 89,391 total views.
Caravaggio
KJV 1 Corinthian 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
KJV Mark 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. 2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. 3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? 4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. 5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. 8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
Easter Sunday
Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank Thee, that of Thine ineffable grace, for the sake of Thy Son, Thou hast given us the holy gospel, and hast instituted the holy sacraments, that through the same we may have comfort and forgiveness of sin: We beseech Thee, grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that we may heartily believe Thy word; and through the holy sacraments day by day establish our faith, until we at last obtain salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
Life Everlasting
KJV Mark 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
The rationalists, skeptics, doubters, and modernists love to pursue the facts in front of them, because they love to ignore and resist what is there in the text. They want to stop at Mark 16:8 so they can ignore the rest of that Gospel. Therefore, anything else gives them discontent, arguing, and denying.
This attitude begins with lack of faith, which is quite powerful in these days. Apart from trusting in all that is revealed in the entire Bible, nothing makes sense for the rationalistic mind. The women at the tomb trust, they have faith, but they do not grasp it all at once. Still they listen to the angels there and run back to tell the disciples, who nevertheless have their doubts - very much like Thomas on the first round of doubting.
The women wanted to tend to the body because that was polite and reverend, finishing what they expected to be true, showing their love for Jesus and expressing their loss. The four Gospels as a whole reveal their doubts because the reality is so great to absorb. However we say, "I can't believe it!" or "I am incredulous!" Many things happen which are described as "It's a miracle."
2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. 3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
The women were not afraid. They were up very early to pay their respects and to see Him one more time, making Him presentable, unlike the torture of the cross. They brought along the sweet spices but were too shaken to consider moving the enormous stone lid. However, they did not give up but asked, "Who will roll the stone lid aside (or perhaps flatten it on the ground?" both impossible for the ladies.)
Notice that they did not give up, only asking in faith how this could be done? How many miracles have been rejected because the individuals or congregations could not imagine something being accomplished...beyond all hope, why try? why ask in the Name of Christ? When we moved the boulder away from the Poinsettia house, it took three men and equipment to move it.
4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
The sun was just starting to rise, so the effect was dramatic. The fear that they could not do anything was being erased by the sun itself. They did not run away, as most people would do - and as the soldiers did - but continued in faith to see what had
happened. We often worry or fear or deny what is offered to us in faith, ignoring "Heaven and earth may pass away but My Word will never pass away."
5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
So many atheists and doubters miss the clear text, blinded by their own doubts. My first New Testament professors (Harvard ThD, Princeton PhD) denied the second angel and called that the proof that Jesus did not rise from the dead. "On the right side" does not deny the second angel but assumes that fact. The women were afraid because they went from mourning their beloved friend and not knowing what was next. Fear has a powerful effect on us. Even minor, unpleasant surprises can leave us weak, doubting, afraid, and eager to get away.
6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.
First the angel tells them to have faith (do not be afraid - a theme throughout the Gospels). Jesus is named, described as crucified, risen! and not in the grave but clearly revealed by the angelic Word.
The staccato phrases are filled with divine energy:
Go Tell the disciples - and Peter
He goes before you into Galilee
There you will see Him.
As He said.
8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
There was confusion also among the disciples - and fear. The door was bolted shut where they were - (like my house in Bella Vista, because a previous occupant was justifiably afraid of an in-law).
What is great and glorious comes from the Scriptures, far too much to absorb in a lifetime, but nevertheless far greater than anything generated by man. Either we have trust in the Scriptures or demean and reject the Word of God. Many have gone before us. We all think of them and their impact on us. A large-scale poll would probably offer this result - "I should have valued that person as a child of God and a follower of Jesus the Son of God." That is especially important for older relatives, even parents and grandparents. There is a commandment, not just a suggestion (but now almost erased) in the Ten Commandments:
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
