Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church - Olive Branch, MS

Exodus 26:15-27:8

Revelation 18:4-20

Acts 16:11-15

Color: Green

Old Testament: Genesis 50:15–21
Psalm: Psalm 138; antiphon: v. 8b
Epistle: Romans 8:18–23
Epistle: Romans 12:14–21
Gospel: Luke 6:36–42
Introit: Psalm 27:3–4a, 5; antiphon: vv. 1–2
Gradual: Psalm 79:9–10a
Verse: Psalm 9:4b, 9

Christ’s Mercy Is Ours to Show to Others
 
“Be merciful, even as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:36–42). The old Adam in us wants to condemn and seek vengeance. But the Lord says, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay” (Rom. 12:14–21). To condemn, to avenge yourself, is to put yourself in the place of God. It is to fail to trust that He is just. Ultimately, it is to disbelieve that Jesus suffered the full vengeance for all wrongs. Only Christ is merciful as the Father is merciful. He is the one who overcame all evil with the good of His cross, forgiving even His executioners. Jesus is our Joseph, who comforts us with words of pardon and reconciliation (Gen. 50:15–21). He is the One who does not condemn but gives life that runs over. Only through faith in Christ are we sons of the Father—being merciful, forgiving, doing good to our enemies. For in Christ we know that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Rom. 8:8–13).

Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship

Revelation 17:12-18:2

Acts 16:1-10

Color: Green

Old Testament: Micah 7:18–20
Psalm: Psalm 103:1–13; antiphon: v. 8
Epistle: 1 Timothy 1:12–17
Epistle: 1 Peter 5:6–11
Gospel: Luke 15:1–10
Gospel: Luke 15:11–32
Introit: Psalm 25:1–2a, 5b, 15, 20; antiphon: vv. 16, 18
Gradual: Psalm 55:22a, 16, 18a
Verse: Psalm 18:1–2a

Jesus Receives Sinners
 
“This man receives sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2). The Pharisees’ statement of judgment against Jesus is in fact a proclamation of Gospel truth. For our God is one who delights in mercy, who casts all our sins into the depths of the sea through the cross (Micah 7:18–20). “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15). Those who refuse to be counted as sinners also refuse Jesus who came only for sinners. Those like the older son (Luke 15:11–32), who think they are righteous of themselves, will not join in the heavenly celebration over the sinner who repents and so remain outside of the Father’s house. Let us therefore be on guard against self–righteously trusting in our own merits. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you” (1 Peter 5:6). Rejoice that Jesus receives sinners like us and that He still sits at table with us in the Holy Supper, bestowing His forgiveness and life.

Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship

Exodus 25:1-30

Revelation 17:1-11

Acts 15:23-41