Easter 3 – John 10:11-16 – What Makes a Good Shepherd?
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
Scripture is full of discussions, references to, and analogies about sheep and shepherds. The Jews saw themselves as a shepherding people – as we’ve been discussing in our Adult Bible Study, Abraham and his nephew Lot were shepherds, as were Abraham’s sons. His grandson Jacob, better known as Israel, moved to Egypt to take care of sheep for them during the famine because shepherding is detestable to Egyptians – apparently they needed shepherds but the work was distasteful, and they were happy to let resident aliens do it instead.
The great King David was also a shepherd before he was anointed – Scripture tells us this; we remember his refusal to wear armor or carry a great weapon to face Goliath, preferring instead a sling such as he would have used to fend off predators and bandits in the wild.
I wonder if the ancient Jews thought of shepherds the way we might think of cowboys today, in our somewhat romanticized ideas of the Old West. Men might like to think of themselves as cowboys, sleeping under the starts, protecting cattle, leading them across the great plains. I wonder if young, ancient Jewish boys got slings and pretended to fend off lions and wolves like King David once did before he was king.
The work of the ancient shepherd was lonely and dangerous. Flocks were usually kept at around a hundred sheep. The number of sheep that had to be kept, as well as the needs of a sizable herd for food and water, meant that they had to be kept near the wilderness, and would often be taken out. Good shepherds always knew where the best food and water were, and would lead the sheep there when they needed. A big part of the job was leading sheep to where they could eat and drink in safety.
Because of all the moving around required in the ordinary keeping of sheep, and because sheep seem to like to go astray anyway (as Isaiah testifies), shepherds often had to chase down strays. Good shepherds would risk their lives climbing down rocks and valleys in the wilderness to retrieve stray sheep. Good shepherds would know each of their sheep and call their sheep by name.
Sheep were one of the primary meat animals of the ancient world, and because of this and their domestication, they were very attractive prey for lions and wolves when they were out of their folds. Because of this, one of the key parts of the shepherd’s job was to defend the sheep from predators, even at the risk of his own life. That’s quite a commitment to make – sheep are easily replaceable; more would be born next Spring. Good shepherds would not allow wolves to attack and kill their sheep. Hirelings are in it for the money and aren’t willing to risk their lives for sheep.
As we look at this text, this Good Shepherd seems more and more like a hero, than just what we would call “good.” But when Scripture calls something “good,” it often means “perfect.” When God created the world, he called everything “good” not because there was something better but because it was perfect just the way it was then.
But why do we need to spend so much time with this shepherd and sheep imagery? It’s easy to focus on the shepherd side of it, but it also implies some things about us that we don’t like to hear or think about.
Sheep are not able to take care of themselves. If they could, they wouldn’t need shepherds. They would be able to roam around on their own, find food and water, and come back. We like to think that we’re smart and independent but, just like sheep, we like to do our own things. Just like sheep, we are almost ideal prey for the various things in this world that would harm or destroy us.
The fact is, that we want to do our own things. God’s Law tells us not to do something, we hear that, and we can’t think of anything else but our desire to do the things we’re told we shouldn’t do. On the other hand, God’s Law says we should do something, and we find all the reasons in the world why we can’t do that thing. In all this isolation from the pandemic, how many of us are using our extra time to learn more about God, and how many of us are trusting in Him to protect us? At the same time, how many of us are going stir-crazy and losing patience with the people we’re in quarantine with? Even if we’re doing better, by ourselves, we can never, ever do enough. We can always do more, we can always do better, and the Law is delighted to remind us of that.
If you’re like me, you might be chafing a bit at that reminder. We all need it, because we all, like sheep, have gone astray. We need a shepherd because we know that we are not, in and of ourselves, good enough. No matter how hard we try, we cannot erase the bad that we’ve done on our own; even if we could, we can’t make up for it with good deeds. Even our best deeds aren’t enough on their own. There are many voices that are telling us, “Just try harder! You can do it!”
But these are the voices of wolves. This is not the voice of Jesus. By his grace, we are his sheep – he called us to himself and made us His own in Baptism. And we know his voice and hear it. But what does the voice of Jesus say? If Jesus were an ordinary man, or maybe even an extraordinary one, he might lay out some kind of moral plan for us to follow – indeed he does have a lot to say about how we should live. But when it comes to our eternal well-being, he makes it clear that it is not now and never has been up to us. No, he takes the responsibility for defending us on himself. He says he lays his life down for us. What does that mean?
Throughout Jesus’ life, he was in mortal danger. Starting as a baby, when Herod killed the newborn boys, and various points in his ministry when crowds tried to pick up rocks to stone him, or to throw him down from high places to kill him, he had opportunities to die or give up his life. Yet he did not. His work was not yet done. As Paul says in his letter to the Galatians:
Gal 4: “4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
He came to lay his life down for us on the cross. Phil. 2:5: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Because he is truly God, he can make these promises to us. Because he is truly God, his sacrifice for us is enough. We cannot, and should not try, to add anything to it. He is the Good Shepherd, the best and perfect shepherd, because he has ensured that we have what we most need: the forgiveness of our sins. He has also given us faith to trust in him for this forgiveness, which we need as sheep need food and water.
Another of his great promises is that no one can pluck us out of his hand as the Good Shepherd. He says himself:
John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”
What more can we ask for? The Good Shepherd, who laid down his life once for our sins, is the one who now keeps and protects us. May we trust in him, as he as asked us to do, to keep us safe until we can be together with him forever.
Hymn “The strife is o’er, the battle done”“Finita iam sunt praelia”; Tr. — Francis Pott (c. 1859, alt.); Author — Unknown (1695); Tune — “Palestrina” by Giovanni P. da Palestrina (1591, ad.)
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
1 The strife is o’er, the battle done;
Now is the Victor’s triumph won;
Now be the song of praise begun.
Alleluia!
2 Death’s mightiest pow’rs have done their worst,
And Jesus hath His foes dispersed;
Let shouts of praise and joy outburst.
Alleluia!
3 On the third morn He rose again
Glorious in majesty to reign;
Oh, let us swell the joyful strain!
Alleluia!
4 He closed the yawning gates of hell;
The bars from heaven’s high portals fell.
Let hymns of praise His triumph tell.
Alleluia!
5 Lord, by the stripes which wounded Thee,
From death’s dread sting Thy servants free
That we may live and sing to Thee.
Alleluia! Amen.
Invocation
P: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. +
C: Amen.
Confession
P: Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart, and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to grant us forgiveness.
P: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
C: Who made heaven and earth.
P: I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord;
C: And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
All: Almighty God, our Maker and Redeemer, we poor sinners confess unto You, that we are by nature sinful and unclean, and that we have sinned against You by thought, word and deed. Therefore, we flee for refuge to Your infinite mercy, seeking and imploring Your grace, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
P: Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, has had mercy upon us, and has given His only-begotten Son to die for us, and for His sake forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in His Name, He gives power to become the sons of God, and has promised them His Holy Spirit. He that believes, and is baptized, shall be saved.
P: Grant this, Lord, unto us all. C: Amen.
Psalm Psalm 70To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. To bring to remembrance.
1 Make haste, O God, to de | liver me! *Make haste to help me | O Lord!
2 Let them be ashamed and confounded who | seek my life; *Let them be turned back and confused who de | sire my hurt.
3 Let them be turned back because | of their shame, *Who say, “A | ha, aha!”
4 Let all those who seek You rejoice and be | glad in You; *And let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be | magnified!”
5 But I am poor and | needy; *Make haste to | me, O God! You are my help and my | deliverer; *O Lord, do | not delay.
Glory be to the Father, and | to the Son, *and to the Holy | Spirit:
As it was in the beginning, is now and | ever shall be, *world without end. | Amen.
Kyrie
C: Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.
Gloria in Excelsis
Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sin of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord; Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Collect
P: O Jesus Christ, our good and faithful Shepherd who in love laid down Your life for the sheep, we give You thanks for the grace and mercy You have shown to us, and we ask that You feed us in the pleasant pastures of Your Word, give us to drink from the waters of salvation and, by Your Holy Spirit, grant us to hear Your voice and follow You. Deliver us from every danger of body and soul and bring us, together with all Your sheep, safely into Your everlasting kingdom. We offer up our praises to You, the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end.
C: Amen.
Catechism Lesson — Of Sin.
92. What is sin? Sin is every departure from the rule of the divine Law.
154) 1 John 3:4. Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.
93. By whom was sin brought into the world? By the devil, who first departed from God, and by man, who of his own free will suffered himself to be misled into sin.
155) 1 John 3:8. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning.
156) Rom. 5:12. Through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned….
B.H. Gen. 3:1-7. The fall of man.
Scripture Readings Ezekiel 34:11-16
11 ‘For thus says the Lord God: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. 13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,” says the Lord God. 16 “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment.”
1 Peter 2:21-25
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
John 10:7-16
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
Apostles’ Creed
All: I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the Life everlasting. Amen.
Hymn LSB #708 “Lord, Thee I Love With All My Heart” “Herzlich lieb hab’ ich dich, O Herr”; Tr. — Catherine Winkworth (1863, alt.); Author — Martin Schalling (c. 1567); Tune — Herzlich lieb hab’ ich dich, O Herr; Bernhard Schmid’s “Orgelbuch,” Strassburg, 1577.
1 Lord, Thee I love with all my heart;
I pray Thee, ne’er from me depart,
With tender mercy cheer me.
Earth has no pleasure I would share,
Yea, heav’n itself were void and bare
If Thou, Lord, wert not near me.
And should my heart for sorrow break,
My trust in Thee no one could shake.
Thou art the Portion I have sought;
Thy precious blood my soul has bought.
Lord Jesus Christ,
My God and Lord, my God and Lord,
Forsake me not! I trust Thy Word.
2 Yea, Lord, ‘twas Thy rich bounty gave
My body, soul, and all I have
In this poor life of labor.
Lord, grant that I in ev’ry place
May glorify Thy lavish grace
And serve and help my neighbor.
Let no false doctrine me beguile,
And Satan not my soul defile.
Give strength and patience unto me
To bear my cross and follow Thee.
Lord Jesus Christ,
My God and Lord, my God and Lord,
In death Thy comfort still afford.
3 Lord, let at last Thine angels come,
To Abram’s bosom bear me home,
That I may die unfearing;
And in its narrow chamber keep
My body safe in peaceful sleep
Until Thy reappearing.
And then from death awaken me
That these mine eyes with joy may see,
O Son of God, Thy glorious face,
My Savior and my Fount of grace.
Lord Jesus Christ,
My prayer attend, my prayer attend,
And I will praise Thee without end.
Amen.
Dear fellow-redeemed sinners, ransomed by the shed blood of Christ Jesus, our Savior. Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Chief Shepherd will judge undershepherds and gather His sheep
“I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,” says the Lord GOD. “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment.” Ezekiel 34:15-16 (Read Ezekiel 34)
God lays much of the blame for the fact that His people of Israel had turned away and came under His judgments upon the shepherds who should have been feeding and nourishing God’s sheep with His Word.
Had they been preaching and teaching God’s Word, admonishing and bringing back those who were erring and wandering from the fold and comforting those who were overwhelmed with guilt and the problems of life, God’s flock would not have been scattered and carried away by their enemies. Instead, those who should have been shepherds to God’s people were busy feeding themselves and taking advantage of the sheep under their care.
The same, of course, is true today in regard to the pastors who have been given a charge to shepherd God’s flock over which the Holy Spirit has made them overseers (cf. Act 20:28). Instead of shepherding the flock and using God’s Word and His Sacraments to feed and nourish the souls entrusted to their care, pastors take advantage of the sheep and seek worldly gain at the cost of those they should be nourishing. Instead of watching over the flock and protecting it from false doctrine, pastors are often the ones advancing false doctrine and erring views that destroy faith (cf. Romans 16:17-18). Instead of admonishing the erring and giving God’s comfort to the penitent and suffering, pastors say nothing against the sinful lifestyles of our day and offer false comfort to the impenitent and erring.
What does God say He will do? “I will save My flock, and they shall no longer be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them — My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken” (Ezek. 34:22-24).
God promised to send His only-begotten Son into the world, born a descendant of David, of the Virgin Mary. He would be the Good Shepherd who would gather God’s sheep from all the nations where they had been driven. He would give His life for the sheep to redeem them and restore them to God’s flock. He would feed His sheep with His Word and Sacraments and protect them from the assaults of those who seek to destroy and devour God’s flock, and He would judge the shepherds who took advantage of God’s flock and failed to be true shepherds to them.
In Isaiah 40:10-11, we read: “Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.”
In Jeremiah 23:1-4, we read: “‘Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!’ says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: ‘You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,’ says the Lord. ‘But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,’ says the Lord.”
And we heard Jesus’ words today in John 10:11-16: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”
What does this Word of God say to us today? To pastors, it is a stern warning to shepherd God’s sheep with God’s Word. It is a warning not to abuse or neglect God’s flock but to preach the whole truth revealed in the Bible and to faithfully apply God’s Word to recover the straying, to admonish the indifferent, to comfort and bind up the weak and injured and to gather the lambs to their Savior. Those who don’t fulfill their duties will be held responsible for their failures to shepherd God’s sheep, but those who do the work entrusted to them will receive a reward (cf. 1 Cor. 4:1-2).
Peter writes (1 Peter 5:2-4): “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”
And to the sheep, it is a reminder that the Good Shepherd continues to watch over our souls. He feeds and nourishes us with His Word and Sacraments. His Word reveals to us our sinfulness and comforts us with the good news of forgiveness and life through faith in Christ Jesus and His atoning sacrifice on the cross. He gave His life for us, His sheep! Cf. Isa. 53:6. With His Word, He admonishes us when we go astray, He comforts us when we repent and look to Him for pardon and peace, He encourages and comforts us when we are weighed down with guilt and overwhelmed by the troubles of this life.
His Word tells us in 1 John 1:7 — 2:2: “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”
When His called ministers are faithfully doing their duty, God commands us in Hebrews 13:17: “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”
And, of course, the ultimate goal is that we, God’s sheep, dwell with the Lord Jesus forever. The goal is that expressed in Psalm 23:6: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” And we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever if, by the gracious working of the Holy Spirit through the Word and Sacraments, we are preserved in the true faith and trust in Christ and His cross alone for pardon and for life everlasting!
“Savior, like a shepherd, lead us; much we need Your tender care. In Your pleasant pastures feed us, for our use your fold prepare. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, You have bought us; we are Yours. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, You have bought us; we are Yours.” Amen. — Lutheran Service Book, Hymn No. 711, Verse 1.
P: The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Offertory ALL: Create in me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence: and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation: and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. Amen.
General Prayer
Almighty and most merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: We give Thee thanks for all Thy goodness and tender mercies, especially for the gift of Thy dear Son, and for the revelation of Thy will and grace: and we beseech Thee so to implant Thy Word in us, that in good and honest hearts we may keep it, and bring forth fruit by patient continuance in well-doing.
Most heartily we beseech thee so to rule and govern Thy Church universal, with all its pastors and ministers, that it may be preserved in the pure doctrine of Thy saving Word, whereby faith toward Thee may be strengthened, and charity increased in us toward all mankind.
Grant also health and prosperity to all that are in authority, especially to the President [and Congress] of the United States, the Governor [and Legislature] of this Commonwealth, and to all our Judges and Magistrates; and endue them with grace to rule after Thy good pleasure, to the maintenance of righteousness, and to the hindrance and punishment of wickedness, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.
May it please Thee also to turn the hearts of our enemies and adversaries, that they may cease their enmity, and be inclined to walk with us in meekness and in peace.
All who are in trouble, want, sickness, anguish of labor, peril of death, or any other adversity, especially those who are in suffering for Thy Name and for Thy truth’s sake, comfort, O God, with Thy Holy Spirit, that they may receive and acknowledge their afflictions as the manifestation of Thy fatherly will.
And although we have deserved Thy righteous wrath and manifold punishments, yet, we entreat Thee, O most merciful Father, remember not the sins of our youth, nor our many transgressions; but out of Thine unspeakable goodness, grace and mercy, defend us from all harm and danger of body and soul. Preserve us from false and pernicious doctrine, from war and bloodshed, from plague and pestilence, from all calamity by fire and water, from hail and tempest, from failure of harvest and from famine, from anguish of heart and despair of Thy mercy, and from an evil death. And in every time of trouble, show Thyself a very present Help, the Savior of all men, and especially of them that believe.
Cause also the needful fruits of the earth to prosper, that we may enjoy them in due season. Give success to the Christian training of the young, to all lawful occupations on land and sea, and to all pure arts and useful knowledge; and crown them with Thy blessing.
(Here special Supplications, Intercessions, and Prayers may be made.)
These, and whatsoever other things Thou wouldest have us ask of Thee, O God, vouchsafe unto us for the sake of the bitter sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, Thine only Son, our Lord and Savior, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
All: Our Father, who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Benediction
P: The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
C: Amen.
Hymn “The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want” Author — Francis Rous (1850); Tune— Belmont by William Gardiner (1812)
1 The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want;
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.
2 My soul He doth restore again
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
E’en for His own name’s sake.
3 Yea, tho’ I walk in death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill;
For Thou art with me, and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.
4 My table Thou hast furnished
In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.
5 Goodness and mercy, all my life,
Shall surely follow me;
And in God’s house forevermore
My dwelling place shall be.
Amen.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-7 (Read v. 1-10)
We were dead in trespasses and sins. We were born into this world, not alive but dead — spiritually dead. We did not and could not love God our Maker with all our heart, soul and mind. We didn’t and couldn’t trust Him or seek His honor and glory. Rather, we were lovers of self and sought to use God and others for our own selfish and sinful desires. We were disobedient to God’s commandments, did not walk in His ways and were headed for eternal death and damnation.
Yet, as Christ was raised from the dead and exalted to the right hand of God the Father after He was sacrificed for us upon the cross, for our sins, so God has graciously called us to life through the Gospel and raised us up from spiritual darkness and death to life in Christ Jesus. Through the Gospel, He has assured us that through faith in Christ we are acceptable in His sight for the sake of Christ’s holy life and innocent sufferings and death in our place. He has assured us that, when we trust in Jesus, all our sins are washed away for the sake of Christ’s blood, shed for us upon the cross.
And as believers, God the Father has raised us up with Christ to sit with Him in the heavenly realms, and we will reign with Him in His eternal kingdom.
And why did He do it? “That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
Now we don’t begin to grasp the riches of God’s grace toward us in Christ Jesus, but when we are in heaven with Jesus, we will see and know how great God’s merciful kindness toward us in Christ truly is.
Dear gracious and merciful Father, thank You for the redemption You provided for us in Christ Jesus and for graciously calling us to life through the Gospel and bringing us to know and trust in Your Son as our Savior. Open our eyes that we might see and appreciate the richness of your grace toward us in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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God Loved the World So That He Gave; Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt; Author unknown; Tr. August Crull, d. 1923 (alt.); Tune: St. Crispin by George J. Elvey (1862)
1 God loved the world so that He gave
His only Son the lost to save
That all who would in Him believe
Should everlasting life receive.
2 Christ Jesus is the Ground of faith,
Who was made flesh and suffered death;
All that confide in Him alone
Are built on this chief Cornerstone.
3 God would not have the sinner die,
His Son with saving grace is nigh,
His Spirit in the Word doth teach
How man the blessed goal may reach.
4 Be of good cheer, for God’s own Son
Forgives all sins which thou hast done,
And, justified by Jesus’ blood,
Thy Baptism grants the highest good.
5 If thou be sick, if death draw near,
This truth thy troubled heart can cheer:
Christ Jesus saves my soul from death;
That is the firmest ground of faith.
You must be born again
“Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God … unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:3,5; Read John 3:1-8
When Nicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus by night, Jesus told him that, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). So also today, unless one is born again, he isn’t able to see or understand what the kingdom of God is.
When Nicodemus questioned Jesus about how a grown man could be born again, Jesus told him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:5,6).
It wasn’t enough to be a descendent of Abraham and to be a part of a strict religious sect of the Jews; a spiritual rebirth was needed. Nor is it enough today to born into a religious family or to be a member of a church denomination or organization; one must be born of God!
In John 1:10-13, we read of Jesus, the eternal Word made flesh: “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
As the Greek text makes clear, this rebirth is “of water and the Spirit” (EX UDATOSKAIPNEUMATOS); it is “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Tit. 3:5) and “the washing of water by the word” (Eph. 5:26). It is the gracious working of God’s Spirit through the water of baptism to offer and guarantee to the penitent sinner the forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation which Jesus purchased with His blood, shed upon the cross (cf. Acts 2:37-39; 22:16).
The Pharisees had rejected the counsel of God and did not repent and receive the baptism of John the Baptist for the remission of their sins (cf. Mark 1:4; Luke 7:30). Nicodemus, a pharisee, needed to acknowledge his own utter sinfulness before God and be baptized into the name of Christ Jesus for the forgiveness of his sins, and God’s Spirit would work in him a new spiritual life and make him a part of God’s eternal kingdom.
And, of course, nothing has changed today. Jesus’ Word is still true. Unless you acknowledge your utter sinfulness before God and turn to Him and receive the forgiveness of sins which Christ won for you on the cross, and which God offers and gives through the word of the Gospel and Christian Baptism, you too cannot enter into God’s eternal kingdom.
Only through faith in Jesus is there forgiveness of sins and life everlasting! Repent and be baptized in His name!
O dearest Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and have not lived according to your holy and perfect will for me. I have broken your commandments and deserve everlasting punishment in hell for my sins. Graciously forgive me and wash away my sins for the sake of your holy and precious blood, shed upon the cross for me. Amen.
Hymn “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” Samuel Medley (1775, ab.); Duke Street, John Hatton (1793)
1 I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my everlasting Head.
2 He lives triumphant from the grave,
He lives eternally to save,
He lives all-glorious in the sky,
He lives exalted there on high.
3 He lives to bless me with His love,
He lives to plead for me above,
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to help in time of need.
4 He lives to grant me rich supply,
He lives to guide me with His eye,
He lives to comfort me when faint,
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
Invocation
P: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. +
C: Amen.
Confession
P: Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart, and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to grant us forgiveness.
P: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
C: Who made heaven and earth.
P: I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord;
C: And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
All: Almighty God, our Maker and Redeemer, we poor sinners confess unto You, that we are by nature sinful and unclean, and that we have sinned against You by thought, word and deed. Therefore, we flee for refuge to Your infinite mercy, seeking and imploring Your grace, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
P: Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, has had mercy upon us, and has given His only-begotten Son to die for us, and for His sake forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in His Name, He gives power to become the sons of God, and has promised them His Holy Spirit. He that believes, and is baptized, shall be saved.
P: Grant this, Lord, unto us all.
C: Amen.
Psalm: Psalm 111
1 Praise the Lord! I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation. 2 The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them. 3 His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever. 4 He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. 5 He has given food to those who fear Him; He will ever be mindful of His covenant. 6 He has declared to His people the power of His works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. 7 The works of His hands are verity and justice; all His precepts are sure. 8 They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. 9 He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: holy and awesome is His name. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.
Gloria Patri
C: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Kyrie
C: Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.
Gloria in Excelsis
Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sin of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord; Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Collect
P: O gracious and merciful God, You sent Your only-begotten Son into the world to die on the cross and make atonement for the sins of all, and You accepted His sacrifice and raised Him up again on the third day that we might look to Him in faith and be assured of pardon and peace. By Your Holy Spirit, grant us faith to believe that He has risen from the dead and will stand upon the earth on the Last Day to raise us up and grant unto us the eternal joys of heaven; through Your dear Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end.
C: Amen.
Catechism Lesson
91. What purposes does the Law, then, serve?
Firstly, it checks, in a measure, the coarse outbursts of sin, and thereby helps to maintain outward discipline and decency in the world. (A curb.)
Secondly, and chiefly, it teaches man the due knowledge of his sin. (A mirror.)
151) Rom. 3:20. By the law is the knowledge of sin.
152) Rom. 7:7. I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”
Thirdly, it leads the regenerate to know what are truly good works. (A rule or guide.)
153) Ps. 119:9. How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
Scripture Readings Job 19:23-27
“Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! That they were engraved on a rock with an iron pen and lead, forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”
1 John 5:4-10
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. 10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.
John 20:19-31
19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I 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.” 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
Apostles’ Creed
All: I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the Life everlasting. Amen.
Hymn “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” Samuel Medley (1775, ab.); Duke Street, John Hatton (1793)
5 He lives to silence all my fears,
He lives to wipe away my tears,
He lives to calm my troubled heart,
He lives all blessings to impart.
6 He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend,
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I’ll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
7 He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.
8 He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives,
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
Amen.
The Sermon
Dear fellow-redeemed sinners, ransomed by the shed blood of Christ Jesus, our Savior. Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Do you have the confidence of Job?
“Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! That they were engraved on a rock with an iron pen and lead, forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:23-27
Do you have the confidence of Job? Do you have the confidence that — even in sickness and death — Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, is risen from the dead, ascended to the right hand of God the Father in heaven, and that He is coming again in glory to raise the living and the dead?
We confess it in our creeds every Sunday. In the Apostles’ Creed we confess: “…the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.” In the Nicene Creed, we say: “…and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.”
Thomas had doubts. When he heard that Jesus had appeared to his fellow apostles, he was not yet ready to accept the truthfulness of their testimony. The resurrection of Jesus seemed a bit unbelievable to him.
In John 20:24-25, we read: “Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ So he said to them, ‘Unless I 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.’”
But Jesus proved Himself risen from the dead and alive by appearing again His disciples and to Thomas. We read in John 20:26-29: “And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, ‘Peace to you!’ Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.’ And Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’”
And Job, enduring great suffering and expecting — even looking forward to — death, still had the confidence that, though his body would die and decay, he would, on the Last Day and with his own eyes, see his living Redeemer.
We read in Job 19:23-27: “Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! That they were engraved on a rock with an iron pen and lead, forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”
Do you have such confidence? Do you believe and take comfort — even in the face of death — in the fact that your Redeemer lives and will, on the Last Day, stand on the earth, and that you will be raised up and see Him with your own eyes.
It is as the Bible says in Revelation 1:7: “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.”
Jesus told Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).
We have not yet seen Jesus alive from the dead, but consider the evidence. St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, who questioned the whole concept of a resurrection of the dead, the words of 1 Corinthians 15:3-8: “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.”
Last week, in the Gospel of Mark (16:9-14), we heard: “Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either. Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.”
Our Gospel for today, from John 20, tells us of yet another appearance of Jesus to His apostles and Thomas in Jerusalem, and then there are the appearances in Galilee along the Sea and later at His ascension on the Mt. of Olives. And these eye-witness accounts were not clever lies or fables; the apostles and other believers suffered greatly and died holding fast to the truthfulness of their testimony regarding the crucified and risen Christ Jesus!
Of course, just believing Jesus rose from the dead and will raise up and judge all people on the Last Day is not comforting to those who remain impenitent, to those who go on in their sinful and rebellious ways and do not turn from their sins to faith in Christ Jesus, because that Day will be a day of judgment and condemnation for them. It is why “all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him” when they see Jesus coming in the clouds of glory (Rev. 1:7).
It is as Jesus said when He commissioned His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16): “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
Those who, through the hearing of God’s law, see their utter sinfulness and the just wrath of God upon themselves but look in faith to Christ Jesus and His perfect sacrifice for sins, made when He suffered and died upon the cross, are pardoned and forgiven. They will not be condemned on the day of Christ’s coming but will receive the eternal joys of heaven.
Jesus said, in John 5:24: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”
But Jesus also warned in John 8:24: “If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
What comfort can we take because Jesus did, in fact, rise from the dead?
For us who believe, it is a message of hope because death is not the end! Because Jesus was raised from the dead on that first Easter Sunday, we can be assured that we too will be raised up on the Last Day.
It is as St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming” (1 Cor. 15:23).
Or consider Peter’s words in (1 Pet. 1:3-5): “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
Or, consider the confidence of David in Psalm 17:15: “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.”
Because Jesus did not stay in the tomb, because He rose from the dead on the third day after suffering and dying on the cross to bear the just punishment and make full atonement for the sins of the world, because the tomb was empty when the women arrived to anoint the body of Jesus, because He appeared to the women, to Peter, to the two on the road to Emmaus, to the eleven in the upper room, to Thomas, and even to more than 500 people at one time — most of whom were still alive at the time of Paul’s writing (cf. 1 Cor. 15; Mark 16) — we have hope and the certainty of our resurrection on the Last Day!
Jesus said in John 14:19: “Because I live, you will live also.” Those words would mean little if Jesus did not rise from the dead. If Jesus did not rise bodily from the grave on the third day, we would still be dead in our sins and without hope, as St. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:17ff.). But Paul continued and wrote: “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor. 15:20).
Jesus was, as St. Paul wrote to the believers in Rome (Rom. 4:25): “delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.” He paid in full for our sins and was raised up, showing that we are indeed justified and forgiven when we place our faith in Him and that we too will be raised up on the Last Day to life everlasting when Christ Jesus returns!
Therefore, we can say with Job: “I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.”
Though we die and decay in the grave, our risen Savior will raise up our bodies and we will see Him who died for our sins and rose again to give us life everlasting (cf. 1 Thess. 4:13ff.; Psalm 16:11)! And, with Job, we can say, “How my heart yearns within me!” Indeed, we look forward to that day!
“I know that my Redeemer lives; what comfort this sweet sentence gives…!”
O my crucified and risen Savior, grant that I live and die in the confidence which Your resurrection gives, and raise me up on the Last Day to the eternal joys of Your kingdom. Amen.
P: The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Offertory ALL: Create in me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence: and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation: and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. Amen.
General Prayer
Almighty and most merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: We give Thee thanks for all Thy goodness and tender mercies, especially for the gift of Thy dear Son, and for the revelation of Thy will and grace: and we beseech Thee so to implant Thy Word in us, that in good and honest hearts we may keep it, and bring forth fruit by patient continuance in well-doing.
Most heartily we beseech thee so to rule and govern Thy Church universal, with all its pastors and ministers, that it may be preserved in the pure doctrine of Thy saving Word, whereby faith toward Thee may be strengthened, and charity increased in us toward all mankind.
Grant also health and prosperity to all that are in authority, especially to the President [and Congress] of the United States, the Governor [and Legislature] of this Commonwealth, and to all our Judges and Magistrates; and endue them with grace to rule after Thy good pleasure, to the maintenance of righteousness, and to the hindrance and punishment of wickedness, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.
May it please Thee also to turn the hearts of our enemies and adversaries, that they may cease their enmity, and be inclined to walk with us in meekness and in peace.
All who are in trouble, want, sickness, anguish of labor, peril of death, or any other adversity, especially those who are in suffering for Thy Name and for Thy truth’s sake, comfort, O God, with Thy Holy Spirit, that they may receive and acknowledge their afflictions as the manifestation of Thy fatherly will.
And although we have deserved Thy righteous wrath and manifold punishments, yet, we entreat Thee, O most merciful Father, remember not the sins of our youth, nor our many transgressions; but out of Thine unspeakable goodness, grace and mercy, defend us from all harm and danger of body and soul. Preserve us from false and pernicious doctrine, from war and bloodshed, from plague and pestilence, from all calamity by fire and water, from hail and tempest, from failure of harvest and from famine, from anguish of heart and despair of Thy mercy, and from an evil death. And in every time of trouble, show Thyself a very present Help, the Savior of all men, and especially of them that believe.
Cause also the needful fruits of the earth to prosper, that we may enjoy them in due season. Give success to the Christian training of the young, to all lawful occupations on land and sea, and to all pure arts and useful knowledge; and crown them with Thy blessing.
(Here special Supplications, Intercessions, and Prayers may be made.)
These, and whatsoever other things Thou wouldest have us ask of Thee, O God, vouchsafe unto us for the sake of the bitter sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, Thine only Son, our Lord and Savior, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
All: Our Father, who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Benediction
P: The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
C: Amen.
Hymn “Jesus Lives! The Vict’ry’s Won!” “Jesus lebt, mit ihm auch ich” Christian F. Gellert (1757, ab.); Tr. Frances E. Cox (1841, alt.); “Jesus, Meine Zuversicht” Johann Crüger (1656)
1 Jesus lives! The vict’ry’s won!
Death no longer can appal me;
Jesus lives! Death’s reign is done!
From the grave Christ will recall me.
Brighter scenes will then commence;
This shall be my confidence.
2 Jesus lives! To Him the throne
High o’er heav’n and earth is given.
I shall go where He is gone,
Live and reign with Him in heaven.
God is faithful. Doubtings, hence!
This shall be my confidence.
3 Jesus lives! For me He died,
Hence will I, to Jesus living,
Pure in heart and act abide,
Praise to Him and glory giving.
Freely God doth aid dispense;
This shall be my confidence.
4 Jesus lives! I know full well
Naught from me His love shall sever;
Life nor death nor powers of hell
Part me now from Christ forever.
God will be a sure Defense;
This shall be my confidence.
5 Jesus lives! and now is death
But the gate of life immortal;
This shall calm my trembling breath
When I pass its gloomy portal.
Faith shall cry, as fails each sense,
Jesus is my confidence!
Amen.