Category: Church year meditation

Meditation

QUINQUAGESIMA

1 Samuel 16:1–13

or Isaiah 35:3–7

1 Corinthians 13:1–13

Luke 18:31–43

Faith Alone

The seeing are blind, while the one who is blind can see (Luke 18:31–43). Jesus tells the twelve that He is going up to Jerusalem to suffer and die and rise again, but they cannot understand or grasp what He is saying. The meaning of His words is hidden from their sight. However, as Jesus makes His way up to Jerusalem, a blind man calls out to Him for mercy. This blind man sees that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior, for he calls Him “Son of David.” Indeed, Jesus is the Lord’s anointed, the keeper of sheep (1 Sam. 16:1–13) who goes to lay down His life for the sheep. He is the incarnate love of the Father who suffers long and is kind, who is not puffed up, who never fails us (1 Cor. 13:1–13). Jesus opens the eyes of the blind (Is. 35:3–7) to see Him not according to outward appearances of lowliness, but according to His heart of mercy and compassion. Those who behold Him thus by faith follow Him to the cross through death into life. – One Year Lectionary Summaries LCMS

Prayer

Lord God, heavenly Father, who by Your Son, Jesus Christ, mercifully opened the eyes of the blind man and granted Him to see the light: we poor sinners beseech You to enlighten our hearts by Your Holy Word, that through Christ, Your Son, who died on the cross for us and made atonement for our sins, we may rightly learn to know Your gracoius help and mercy and in all troubles and trials look only to that, seeking it by faithful prayer, and so find comfort and deliverance from the devil, sin and death and obtain salvation. Amen. – Lutheran Prayer Companion

Meditation

Week of SEXAGESIMA
 Isaiah 55:10–13
2 Corinthians 11:19—12:9
Hebrews 4:9–13
Luke 8:4–15

Scripture Alone 

The Sower sows the seed of His Word (Luke 8:4–15). This Word is living and powerful (Heb. 4:9–13) to conceive new life in those who hear it. But the planting of Christ is attacked by the devil, the world, and the flesh. Satan snatches the Word away from hard hearts. The riches and pleasures of this life choke off faith. Shallow and emotional belief withers in time of temptation and trouble. But see how Christ bears this attack for us! Christ’s cross was planted in the hard and rocky soil of Golgotha. A crown of thorns was placed upon His head. Satan and His demons hellishly hounded and devoured Him. Yet, through His dying and rising again, He destroyed these enemies of ours. Jesus is Himself the Seed which fell to the ground and died in order that it might sprout forth to new life and produce much grain. In Him, the weak are strong (2 Cor. 11:19–12:9). He is the Word of the Father which does not return void (Is. 55:10–13) but yields a harvest hundredfold. – Our Year Lectionary Summary LCMS

Prayer

Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank you that You have sown Your precious Word among us by Your Son, Jesus Chist, and we beseech You by Your Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts so that we may hear that Word diligently, keep it in a good heart, and in patience bring forth fruit, that we may not pursue sin, but subdue it by Your help, and in every persecution find certain comfort in Your grace and perpetual help. Amen. – Lutheran Prayer Companion