The Second Sunday after the Epiphany - 2025.

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Hymn #417                How Can I Thank Thee             

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

All the earth shall worship Thee: and shall sing unto Thee, O God.

They shall sing to Thy name: O Thou Most High.

Psalm. Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: 

sing forth the honor of His name, make His praise glorious.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth, mercifully hear the supplications of Thy people and grant us Thy peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual   

Gradual

The Lord sent His Word and healed them: 

and delivered them from their destructions.

V. Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness: 

and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His hosts. Hallelujah!

    

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
Hymn #381          I Know My Faith Is Founded

 The Marriage at Cana in Galilee

Hymn #369     All Mankind Fell in Adam's Fall             

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
Hymn #577                    God Bless Our Native Land

Prayers and Announcements

• Doctor's care - Pastor Shrader, Sarah Buck, Kermit Way, Dr. Lito Cruz, Alicia Meyer is doing better.
• President Trump will be inaugurated tomorrow.
• Chris Shrader's birthday, the same day as Pastor Jackson's mother but a few years earlier. Monday - OSU vs. Notre Dame.

KJV Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

KJV John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins [GJ -10 gallons per firkin] apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

The Marriage at Cana in Galilee

KJV John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

The first miracle of Jesus is one with many levels of meaning. It was His first miracle, included all His disciples - and His mother, and yet this took place in a little town where the unique event took place for a few people, a humble bride and groom.

The Scriptures describe what happened and include clear messages against future errors. This may be too obvious - Jesus began by blessing the institution of marriage. He did not bless or promote the distortions of men and women living separately and creating holiness for the world through isolated holy places and anti-family obsessions. More than a thousand years promoted the papacy and made the priesthood, monks, and nuns captive to orders outside of and against marriage. Luther broke that up by getting marriage, almost against his will, and promoted what God blessed from the beginning - a man and a woman united as husband and wife, raising children, a unit of the Christian Faith, blessed by Jesus Himself.

3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 

These were poor people. Wine was basic and they ran out. The parents were evidently no longer alive. Mary took the place of the bride's mother and father. I have participated in quite a few weddings - the mother of the bride is the manager. Everything must be done properly - to perfection. Not having wine was the most basic for a number of reasons. Guests would say, "It's just not done!" 

At a conservative Methodist wedding, the couple was unwrapping gifts - one was a bottle of wine. That was re-wrapped quickly and slipped back into the array of gifts.

The discussion with Jesus meant one thing only - Mary believed Jesus would take care of matters. She had seen the greatest miracles anyone could imagine - her difficult trip to Bethlehem, the shepherds coming to see the baby Jesus, the Wise Men come from the East, risking their own deaths.

4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 

Jesus did not say, "Mother" or even "Dear Woman" in John 2. His response emphasized His divinity and her human nature. In the Gospel of John, Mary was addressed as "woman" twice - at the wedding and at the cross. Jesus had John take Mary to safety, with this dialog - behold your mother, and behold your son. But He addressed Mary as "woman."

This anticipates the cult of Mary, which grew up after a debate about Mary giving birth, which became an obsession about Mary. That grew throughout many centuries and still grows today. "Mary comforts the tortured souls in Purgatory," a claim and a terrible distortion even today, in Rome and Eastern Orthodoxy.

In a few words, Mary expressed her faith in Jesus - without limits - much like the many who came to Him in His public ministry or were dragged to Him so they could be healed, even the Roman soldier who believed that a Word from Jesus would cure his servant at a distance. The woman with the terrible disorder, never healed, and yet believed she would be healed just by being touched.

6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins [GJ -10 gallons per firkin] apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

This is a widely distributed miracle which did not take place from Jesus touching or doing the work, but various people being involved. As Jesus' ministry grew, the population doubtless shared the story of the wedding - "I was there!" That could not be missed - the sudden amount of wine, the perfection of the wine, the helpers doing the work, but the Word coming from the Son of God.

9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 

The groom was dragged into this miracle because the order of wine was described by the master of the feast - so the groom an experience as well. The groom got the best wine until later.

11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

The miracle of the wine is known world-wide, but often neglected through the miracle of marriage itself. Walter Meyer emphasized that there should always be another person in the marriage - Jesus Christ. Two become one, and that leads to mutual love that transcends daily life and goes beyond the ordinary.

WELS Is a Sect - Or Cult - Where Anonymous Claims Are Posted Anonymously!

 

Anonymous said...

Wow, where does one begin with a letter like this?

First, anonymity on the part of the author of the letter, pen names like Freddy Finkelstein and sweeping generalizations like "lots of people from across the Synod" are not very convincing, especially when charges such as are contained in this letter are being made. Anonymity allows for things to be written which may not have been written if names were required. If the writer of this letter feels so passionately, then he should express his convictions along with his name and location such as accompany the memorials to the Synod Convention. Years ago, a woman in the church I served told me as we were transitioning to Christian Worship that "a lot of people in the congregation were really upset and were thinking of leaving the church." It turned out that two or three people didn't like the new hymnal mostly because they were unfamiliar with it, that only she was upset and nobody was thinking of leaving the church. This was her way of trying to bully the church to get her way. Christian people can have different views on ministry decisions. But how much credence should be given an anonymous letter making reference to blog postings with only a pen name listed as the author and vague reference to lots of people around the Synod? John, I am disappointed that you chose to put online these kinds of charges without the name of the author.

Oh no! The former WELS pastor, Rick Johnson, actually signed his jeremiad!

Detailed Summary of WELS Disaster - From Bailing Water - Not His Real Name.

 

Someone gathered a great deal of information about the ongoing WELS debacle. I have copied the link - Bailing Water - simply because WELS secrets get erased. 

New Website for Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry - Alec Satin - Lutheran Librarian

 

📅 NEW PUBLICATIONS AND UPDATES

🎉 New Website for 2025 Summary (TL/DR) The Lutheran Library website has been updated for 2025. The biggest changes you may notice are better options for browsing and finding books. Why this change? The website has been created using Hugo, an underlying language for “static” web development. Hugo continues to undergo significant changes, rendering older versions obsolete. As the number of books in the Lutheran Library has increased, the version of Hugo we have been using has grown slower and slower on the 2013 ... Read more 🎁 If You Care To Help Your encouragement always means a lot to us. If you wish to help: Send a note when you think of it. It doesn’t have to be long or fancy! Tips of any amount bring a smile to our face. If you have a recent x or t series Thinkpad you’re not using and would like to gift to us, that would be a blessing. Keep us in your prayers. Most of all, pray that these books will find their way to those who are seeking them, whoever and wherever they may be. May the Lord bless all of us in this year to ... Read more The Lutheran Liturgy by Luther Reed “Public worship… is the privilege and responsibility of the Church. It must be ordered and administered. It is not an abstraction; it is a solemn transaction. It is faith in action. Times, place, forms, and musical settings must be provided. Reverence, dignity, beauty, and efficiency can best be attained by appropriate formality. The Church has thought much about these matters.” - From the Introduction: The Mind of the Church Level of Difficulty: Intermediate: Some prior subject matter ... Read more Consolation: Discourses to the Suffering Children of God by James Alexander The whole of Divine Truth may be regarded as a comfort to Christian disciples… We help the disheartened by… setting before his mind those great everlasting truths, the acceptation of which lays the basis for joy and peace. - From the Preface" Level of Difficulty: Primer: No prior subject matter knowledge needed. Contents About the Lutheran Library Titlepage Contents Preface 1 God’s Everlasting Mercy a Source of Consolation 2 The Providence of God a Ground of Consolation 3 The Same Subject ... Read more The Augsburg Confession: A Brief Review and Interpretation by Juergen Ludwig Neve “The main stress in the book… is upon the interpretation of its text… It is prefaced by a chapter with simple talks on confessional questions… The second part… tell(s) the story of the Confession in a readable way.. The third part, with its interpretation of the articles of the Confession, forms the main part of this book… the effort has been made to write in such a way that a layman… can follow the discussions.” -from the Preface by J L Neve. Level of Difficulty: Primer: No prior subject ... Read more Life's Golden Lamp: A Treasury of Texts from the Words of Christ by Robert Offord This daily devotional is made up of short messages based on Scriptural texts. Each has been written by a different minister of the Gospel. ‘May the Lord whose words are the vital portion of the book grant that as these are read from day to day… they may not return to him void!’ - from the Preface Level of Difficulty: Primer: No prior subject matter knowledge needed. Contents About the Lutheran Library Titlepage Preface These Sayings of ... Read more

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Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Epiphany 2 Epistle - "The ecclesiasts desire to sit in high places, to receive all honor, to have their feet kissed, and will honor and respect none but themselves. Indeed, they would ultimately intercede for poor Christians, would be mediators between them and God, attaching no importance whatever to the stations in life occupied by these. They proceed as if they alone were members of Christ, and as if their relation to him could not be closer."

Luther's Sermons - Romans 12:6-16.
Second Sunday after the Epiphany

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

EACH MEMBER CONTENT WITH ITS OWN POWERS.

7. In the second place, the simile teaches that each member of the body is content with the other members, and rejoices in its powers, not being solicitous as to whether any be superior to itself. For instance, the nose is inferior in office to the eye, yet in the relation they sustain to each other the former is not envious of the latter; rather, it rejoices in the superior function the eye performs. On the other hand, the eye does not despise the nose; it rejoices in all the powers of the other members. As Paul says elsewhere (1 Corinthians 12:23): “Those parts of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor.”

Thus we see that hand and eye, regardless of their superior office, labor carefully to clothe and adorn the less honorable members. They make the best use of their own distinction to remove the dishonor and shame of the inferior members.

8. However unequal the capacities and distinction of the individual members of the body, they are equal in that they are all parts of the same body. The eye cannot claim any better right to a place in the body than the least distinguished member has. Nor can it boast greater authority over the body than any other member enjoys. And thus it does not essay to do. It grants all members equal participation in the body. Likewise, all Christians, whether strong in faith or weak, perfect or defective, share equally in Christ and are equal in Christendom. Each may appropriate the whole Christ unto himself. I may boast as much in Christ as Peter or the mother of God may boast. Nor do I envy Peter because he is a more distinguished member of the Christian Church than I. I am glad of it. On the other hand, he does not despise me for being a less honored member. I am a part of the same body to which he belongs, and I possess Christ as well as he does.

9. The self-righteous are unable to concede this equality. They must stir up sects and distinctions among Christians. Priests aspire to be better than laymen; monks better than priests; virgins than wives. The diligent, in praying and fasting, would be better than the laborer; and they who lead austere lives, more righteous than they of ordinary life. This is the work of the devil, and productive of every form of evil. Opposed to it is Christ’s doctrine in our text. Under such conditions as mentioned, faith and love are subverted. The unlearned are deluded, and led away from faith to works and orders. Inequality is everywhere. The ecclesiasts desire to sit in high places, to receive all honor, to have their feet kissed, and will honor and respect none but themselves. Indeed, they would ultimately intercede for poor Christians, would be mediators between them and God, attaching no importance whatever to the stations in life occupied by these. They proceed as if they alone were members of Christ, and as if their relation to him could not be closer. Then they presume by their works to constitute others members of Christ, being careful, however, to demand adequate financial return for the service. They are members of the devil; not of Christ.

EACH MEMBER SERVES ALL THE OTHERS.

10. In the third place, according to the simile each member of the body conducts itself an a manner to profit the others — the whole body. The eye prepares the way for hand and foot. The foot, in its carriage of the body, safeguards the eye. Each member ever cares for and serves the others.

More beautiful figures of love and good works are not to be found than those derived from the body with its members. In the members we daily bear about with us, and with which we are continually familiar, God has described the law of love in a living and forcible manner. Upon the principle there illustrated, the Christian should act, conducting himself in a way to profit not himself but others, and having a sincere interest in them.

Under such conditions, schisms and sects could not spring up among us.

Everything Except the Real Thing.The Big Five Apostates - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic)

 

They loath Justification by Faith, the Reformation, which is why they ridiculed Luther for the 500th Anniversary, to sell some cheap trash.

They call themselves "Confessional Lutherans" but they do not study or understand the basics of the Book of Concord.

They love to designate themselves as "Orthodox Lutherans," but their little puddle of dogma comes from Martin Stephan, who gave his syphilis to the young women who serviced the self-proclaimed bishop.

They claim to be "distinctly Lutheran," which means worshiping every CFW Walther, C. Peter Wagner, Donald McGavran, and Mark Jeske quote.

They are Biblical - no really! - even though they drool over the latest butchered snip and clip fiasco. 

They adore the NIV, even though many non-Lutherans fail to see any quality or accuracy in that money-maker.

The FBI Has Closed Its DEI Office

 

 

Daily Wire

The Federal Bureau of Investigation closed its Office of Diversity and Inclusion last month ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s entry into the White House.

The announcement comes as Trump and his allies have pledged to purge the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agenda from the federal government and military.

“In recent weeks, the FBI took steps to close the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), effective by December 2024,” the federal agency said in a statement to Fox News, though it did not provide any additional information as to why it made the decision to close the office.

"Scholars are divided."

***

GJ - I refused to echo the DEI fetish at the University of Phoenix. I told them I would not help them destroy the English language. Not long after, they increased their tumbling around and now have something cooking, either with or without the University of Idaho.

At almost the same time as UOP's foolishness, Augustana College in Rock Island, second cousin to the same name in Sioux Falls, went all out for DEI, even hiring a new president who was soaked and sugar-coated with DEI. Their board of directors was "blown away" by this great effort. I too dabbed tears from my eyes, but they were tears of laughter rather than blown-away-ness.

I only mention this because I fear the Boomers are too lax to object to anything. How else can one explain the downhill slide of so many basics of Western culture?

This is a reference to Planet of the Apes, where Taylor realized he had returned to the once great planet, which was blown up by DEI, weed, coke, gummies, and other improvements.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Epiphany 2 Epistle - "It is an apt and beautiful simile, one he makes use of frequently; for instance, 1 Corinthians 12:12 and Ephesians 4:16. It teaches directly and clearly the equality of all Christians; that one common faith should satisfy all; that gifts are not to be regarded as making one better, happier and more righteous than another, in the eyes of God. The latter idea is certainly erroneous, and destructive of faith, which alone avails with God."

 

Luther's Sermons - Romans 12:6-16.
Second Sunday after the Epiphany

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY


TEXT:

ROMANS 12:6-16. 6 And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; 7 or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching; 8 or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, let him do it with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another; 11 in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer; 13 communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly.

GIFTS AND WORKS OF CHRIST’S MEMBERS.

1. This lesson begins in a way that would seem to call for a portion properly belonging to the epistle for the preceding Sunday, and terminates short of its full connection. Evidently it was arranged by some unlearned and thoughtless individual, with a view simply to making convenient reading in the churches and not to its explanation to the people. It will be necessary to a clear comprehension, therefore, to note its real connections.

2. In the epistle for last Sunday, the apostle teaches that as Christians we are to renew our minds by sacrificing our bodies, thus preserving the true character of faith; that we are not to regard ourselves as good or perfect without faith, if we would avoid the rise of sects and conflicting opinions among Christians; that each is to continue firm in the measure of faith God has given him, whether it be weak or strong; that he shall use his gifts to his neighbor’s profit, and then they will not be regarded special favors by the less gifted, and the common faith will be generally prized as the highest and most precious treasure, the result being satisfaction for all men. Paul next adds the simile: “For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office: so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another.” Then follows our selection for today, the connection being, “And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us,” etc. Paul likens the various gifts to ourselves, the different members of the common body of Christ.

It is an apt and beautiful simile, one he makes use of frequently; for instance, 1 Corinthians 12:12 and Ephesians 4:16. It teaches directly and clearly the equality of all Christians; that one common faith should satisfy all; that gifts are not to be regarded as making one better, happier and more righteous than another, in the eyes of God. The latter idea is certainly erroneous, and destructive of faith, which alone avails with God.

WE ARE BORN MEMBERS OF CHRIST.

3. First, if we examine this simile, we shall find that all the members perform certain functions of the body because they are members of it; and no member has its place through its own efforts or its own merits. It was born a member, before the exercise of office was possible. It acts by virtue of being a member; it does not become a member by virtue of its action. It derives existence and all its powers from the body, regardless of its own exertions. The body, however, exercises its members as occasion requires.

The eye has not attained its place because of its power of seeing — not because it has merited its office as an organ of sight for the body. In the very beginning it derived its existence and its peculiar function of sight from the body. It cannot, therefore, boast in the slightest degree that by its independent power of seeing it has deserved its place as an eye. It has the honor and right of its position solely through its birth, not because of any effort on its part.

4. Similarly, no Christian can boast that his own efforts have made him a member of Christ, with other Christians, in the common faith. Nor can he by any work constitute himself a Christian. He performs good works by virtue of having become a Christian, in the new birth, through faith, regardless of any merit of his own. Clearly, then, good works do not make Christians, but Christians bring forth good works. The fruit does not make the tree, but the tree produces the fruit. Seeing does not make the eye, but the eye produces vision. In short, cause ever precedes effect; effect does not produce cause, but cause produces effect. How, if good works do not make a Christian, do not secure the grace of God and blot out our sins, they do not merit heaven. No one but a Christian can enjoy heaven. One cannot secure it by his works, but by being a member of Christ; an experience effected through faith in the Word of God.

5. How, then, shall we regard those who teach us to exterminate our sins, to secure grace, to merit heaven, all by our own works; who represent their ecclesiastical orders as special highways to heaven? What is their theory?

They teach, as you observe, that cause is produced by effect. Just as if mere muscular tissue that is not a tongue becomes a tongue by fluent speaking, or becomes mouth and throat by virtue of much drinking; as if running makes feet; keen hearing, an ear; smelling, a nose; nourishment at the mother’s breast, a child; suspension from the apple-tree, an apple.

Beautiful specimens, indeed, would these be — fine tongues, throats and ears, fine children, fine apples.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Epiphany 2 - "Observe, God and men proceed in contrary ways. Men set on first that which is best, afterward that which is worse. God first gives the cross and affliction, then honor and blessedness. This is because men seek to preserve the old man; on which account they instruct us to keep the Law by works, and offer promises great and sweet. But the outcome is stale, the result has a vile taste; for the longer it goes on the worse is the condition of conscience, although, being intoxicated with great promises, it does not feel its wretchedness; yet at last when the wine is digested, and the false promises gone, the wretchedness appears. But God first of all terrifies the conscience, sets on miserable wine, in fact nothing but water; then, however, he consoles us with the promises of the Gospel which endure forever."

 

Bethany Joan Marie adored her nurse Ida. 

Luther's Sermons - John 2:1-11.
THE CONSOLATION OF MARRIED PEOPLE AND THE GLORY OF THE MARRIED STATE. Second Sunday after Epiphany

31. To turn water into wine is to render the interpretation of the Law delightful. This is done as follows: Before the Gospel arrives everyone understands the Law as demanding our works, that we must fulfill it with works of our own. This interpretation begets either hardened, presumptuous dissemblers and hypocrites, harder than any pot of stone, or timid, restless consciences. There remains nothing but water in the pot, fear and dread of God’s Judgment. This is the water-interpretation, not intended for drinking, neither filling any with delight; on the contrary, there is nothing to it but washing and purification, and yet no true inner cleansing. But the Gospel explains the Law, showing that it requires more than we can render, and that it demands a person different from ourselves to fulfill it; that is, it demands Christ and brings us unto him, so that first of all by his grace we are made in true faith a different people like unto Christ, and that then we do truly good works. Thus the right interpretation and significance of the law is to lead us to the knowledge of our helplessness, to drive us from ourselves to another, namely to Christ, to seek grace and help of him.

32. Therefore, when Christ wanted to make wine he had them pour in still more water, up to the very brim. For the Gospel comes and renders the interpretation of the Law perfectly clear (as already stated), showing that what belongs to us is nothing but sin; wherefore by the law we cannot escape sinning. When now the two or three firkins hear this, namely the good hearts who have labored according to the law in good works, and are already timid at heart and troubled in conscience, this interpretation adds greatly to their fear and terror; and the water now threatens to rise above the lid and brim. Before this, while they felt disinclined and averse to what is good, they still imagined they might yet succeed by their good works; now they hear that they are altogether unfit and helpless:, and that it is impossible to gain their end by good works. That overfills the pot with water, it cannot hold more. This is to interpret the Law in the highest manner, leaving nothing but despair.

33. Then comes the consoling Gospel and turns the water into wine. For when the heart hears that Christ fulfills the law for us and takes our sin upon himself, it no longer cares that impossible things are demanded by the Law, that we must despair of rendering them, and must give up our good works. Yea, it is an excellent thing, and delectable, that the Law is so deep and high, so holy and righteous and good, and demands things so great; and it is loved and lauded for making so many and such great demands.

This is because the heart now has in Christ all that the Law demands, and it would be sorry indeed if it demanded less. Behold, thus the Law is delightful now and easy which before was disagreeable, difficult and impossible; for it lives in the heart by the Spirit. Water no longer is in the pots, it has turned to wine, it is passed to the guest, it is consumed, and has made the heart glad.

34. And these servants are all preachers of the New Testament like the apostles and their successors.

35. The drawing and passing to the guests is, to take this interpretation from the Scriptures, and to preach it to all the world, which is bidden to Christ’s marriage.

36. And these servants knew (the Evangelist tells us) whence the wine was, how it had been water. For the apostles and their successors alone understand how the law becomes delightful and pleasant through Christ, and how the Gospel by faith does not fulfill the Law by works, every thing being unchanged from what it formerly was in good works.

37. But the ruler of the feast does indeed taste that the wine is good, yet he knows not whence it is. This ruler of the feast is the old priesthood among the Jews who knew of naught but works, of whom Nicodemus was one, John 3:9; he indeed feels how fine this cause of Christ would be, but knows not how it can be, and why it is so, clinging still to works. For they who teach works cannot understand and apprehend the Gospel and the actions of faith.

38. He calleth the bridegroom and reproacheth him for setting on the good wine last, whereas every man setteth on last that which is worse. To this very day it is the surprise of the Jews that the preaching of the Gospel should have been delayed so long, coming first of all now to the Gentiles, while they are said to have been drinking the worse wine for so long a time, bearing so long the burden and heat of the day under the Law; as is set forth in another Gospel lesson. Matthew 20:12.

39. Observe, God and men proceed in contrary ways. Men set on first that which is best, afterward that which is worse. God first gives the cross and affliction, then honor and blessedness. This is because men seek to preserve the old man; on which account they instruct us to keep the Law by works, and offer promises great and sweet. But the outcome is stale, the result has a vile taste; for the longer it goes on the worse is the condition of conscience, although, being intoxicated with great promises, it does not feel its wretchedness; yet at last when the wine is digested, and the false promises gone, the wretchedness appears. But God first of all terrifies the conscience, sets on miserable wine, in fact nothing but water; then, however, he consoles us with the promises of the Gospel which endure forever.

Bethany could not sit up, but she could smile and laugh.

Bethany's blond curly hair won her the nickname "Angel" while her sister Erin was called "Joy" - her middle name and equally appropriate.