RWJ Daily: Raised with Jesus (WELS)

Contact the Podcast: [email protected] or www.raisedwithjesus.com/podcast 

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yearbook.wels.net

2021 Bible Reading Schedule: https://bit.ly/rwj2021 

All rights reserved.

Produced 2021 by Pastor Hagen

Music from Joseph McDade: https://josephmcdade.com

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Maundy Thursday – My Song Is Love Unknown

4.1.21 | Rev. Dr. Mark Paustian

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:21-24)

When we are hurting, the needs of others don’t seem to reach us.

But remember Jesus. When his mind was filled with the death of John the Baptist and he only wanted to be alone, he saw the crowd. And though he knew the trivial concerns that had brought them, they still got to him like a kick in the stomach. So he went to them, taught them, fed them, healed them.

Think of who we become when confronted with things we dread.

But remember Jesus. Hear him praying for his friends the very night before the scourge and nails, desiring for them the highest conceivable good. “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world” (John 17:24).

Then this. Think of when we are misunderstood or insulted, mistreated or wronged, and how all restraint is abandoned. We justify whatever comes into our hearts to do or say. “If people knew what I’m going through, they would not blame me.”

But remember Jesus. When he was abused, he did not lash out. Not a word left his lips of which he needed to be ashamed. Nothing vulgar or even unkind. He entrusted himself to him who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23).

There is a goodness to Jesus that we can scarcely comprehend as it is revealed in the extremity of the cruelty he suffered. There is a “love unknown.”

When Peter bids us follow in the footsteps of Christ, he certainly knows what he is doing to us. Those footprints are too far apart. We cannot keep up. To once take this seriously—to once try to follow the example Jesus left behind—is to sink beneath the ideal.

And it is Christ himself who lifts us up.

He is our example, yes. Yes, we are called to remain ever conscious of our God as the secret to how we may commend ourselves to him and suffer for doing good. But before that can even make sense—before we can ask in the right way what he would have us do—we must meet him again as Savior, as the innocent Sufferer, as the perfect Sacrifice.

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross.”

“By his wounds we are healed.”

What would Jesus have you do? He would have you be glad. You have a gentle Savior who has gone on ahead. You saw him stride straight into his death on the cross for us all. You saw him come out the other side. He is turned toward us—always toward us—smiling like the sun. “Follow me.”

Dear Father, pour your Spirit into our hearts as we meditate on your Word. Make us ever conscious of you and the gift you have made of your Son Jesus. Grant us the strength to be the imitations of him in this world as we strive to live a life of love and to honor the sacrifice he made. Let this be to your glory not ours. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Rev. Dr. Mark Paustian serves Martin Luther College as a professor of Hebrew and English.

Paul talks about marriage!  What do we learn?  

Today's Large Catechism selection is at the bottom of the show notes.

Contact the Podcast: [email protected] or www.raisedwithjesus.com/podcast 

Click here to find a nearby congregation or church home.  

yearbook.wels.net

2021 Bible Reading Schedule: https://bit.ly/rwj2021 

All rights reserved.

Produced 2021 by Pastor Hagen

Music from Joseph McDade: https://josephmcdade.com

#raisedwithjesus #lutheran #sanctification #toledome #toledo #welstoledo #jesus #bible #podcast #dailyjesus #jesusdaily #rwjpodcast #jesusfortoledo 

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The Large Catechism, 6th Commandment  (Concordia p. 382)

206 But this commandment is aimed directly at the state of marriage and gives us an opportunity to speak about it. First, understand and mark well how gloriously God honors and praises this estate. For by His commandment He both approves and guards it. He has approved it above in the Fourth Commandment, “Honor your father and your mother.” But here He has (as we said) hedged it about and protected it. 207 Therefore, He also wishes us to honor it [Hebrews 13:4] and to maintain and govern it as a divine and blessed estate because, in the first place, He has instituted it before all others. He created man and woman separately, as is clear [Genesis 1:27]. This was not for lewdness, but so that they might live together in marriage, be fruitful, bear children, and nourish and train them to honor God [Genesis 1:28; Psalm 128; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4].

208 Therefore, God has also most richly blessed this estate above all others. In addition, He has bestowed on it and wrapped up in it everything in the world, so that this estate might be well and richly provided for. Married life is, therefore, no joke or presumption. It is an excellent thing and a matter of divine seriousness. For marriage has the highest importance to God so that people are raised up who may serve the world and promote the knowledge of God, godly living, and all virtues, to fight against wickedness and the devil.

209 I have always taught that this estate should not be despised nor held in disrepute, as is done by the blind world and our false Church leaders. Marriage should be regarded as it is in God’s Word, where it is adorned and sanctified. It is not only placed on an equality with other estates, but it comes first and surpasses them all—emperor, princes, bishops, or whoever they please. For both Church and civil estates must humble themselves and all be found in this estate, as we shall hear. 210 Therefore, it is not a peculiar estate, but the most common and noblest estate that runs through all Christendom. Yes, it extends through all the world.

211 In the second place, you must know also that marriage is not only an honorable but also a necessary state. In general and in all conditions it is solemnly commanded by God that men and women, who were created for marriage, shall be found in this estate. Yet there are some exceptions (although few) whom God has especially set apart. They are not fit for the married estate. Or there are individuals whom He has released by a high, supernatural gift so that they can maintain chastity without this estate [Matthew 19:11–12]. 212 For where nature has its course—since it is given by God—it is not possible to remain chaste without marriage [1 Corinthians 7]. For flesh and blood remain flesh and blood. The natural desire and excitement have their course without delay or hindrance, as everybody sees and feels. In order, therefore, that it may be easier in some degree to avoid inchastity, God has commanded the estate of marriage. In this way everyone may have his proper portion and be satisfied with it. Yet God’s grace is also required in order that the heart may be pure.

When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” (John 19:5)

There is a section of the Athanasian Creed that reads, “It is furthermore necessary for eternal salvation truly to believe that our Lord Jesus Christ also took on human flesh.” Yes, Jesus was truly God; he was also truly a man. He was completely divine, and he was completely human. As he lived his years on this earth, he did not make full and constant use of his divine power. The apostle Paul explained it this way in his letter to the Philippian congregation: And being found in appearance as a man, [Jesus] humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!(2:8).

“Humbled.” Wow, what an understatement! God himself allowed humans to curse him and flog him and mock him and spit on him and kill him. All of this was “necessary for salvation.” Jesus had to be a human to redeem human beings. Jesus had to die—even though he had done nothing to deserve death—to be the perfect sacrifice for our sin.

Pilate said, “Here is the man!” What did they see? They saw a joke—a “fake king,” with a pretend royal robe and a bogus crown made of spikey vines. They saw a sad and lonely man who was bruised and bloodied. What did they say when they saw him? “Crucify! Crucify!” That’s how much they despised Jesus. Sadly, that’s how much they hated the very Savior sent from heaven. They couldn’t see him for who he really was.

Shamefully, humans continue to curse and mock and spit on God every time we say we don’t care about his Word. We would rather shape God to our desires than conform to his will. That is what makes the account of Jesus’ suffering and death so incredible. He endured genuine emotional and physical torture in order to bear the punishment that we deserved. A “great exchange” indeed!

The hymn “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” creates an unforgettable picture of the Holy Week scene. How vividly it captures the injustice of it all! It was the intention of the writer to present the passion in all its perverse reality—the God-man Jesus being abused by his very creation. But these poignant verses are not the account of an excessively sentimental drama. The hymn looks behind and beyond what we see. Hear the expressions of glory despite the gore. Faith grasps the necessity of what happened. Penitent sinners confess that the suffering and the cross were indeed our “rightful lot.” Then believers implore, “But take away my anguish by virtue of your own!” And, with the cross in sight, proclaim, “Who dies in faith dies well!”

Dearest Jesus, we are so very conscious of our own sin and shame. You endured suffering beyond imagination because of us. Forgive us in your mercy and strengthen us to live in faith and love. Amen.

Rev. Paul Koelpin serves Martin Luther College as a professor of history and theology.

Paul discusses lawsuits, the godly use of the body, Christian freedom, Christian love, and wisdom!  Wow!  What do we learn?  Listen today!

CORRECTION: Our church body's organization dealing with sexual sin is called "Conquerors through Christ".  Their website can be found here: https://conquerorsthroughchrist.net 

"Freedom for the Captives" is our church body's support network for those victimized & those concerned about child abuse.  Their website can be found here: https://freedomforcaptives.com 

Contact the Podcast: [email protected] or www.raisedwithjesus.com/podcast 

Contact Pastor Hagen: [email protected] or (419) 262-8280 

Click here to find a nearby congregation or church home.  

yearbook.wels.net

2021 Bible Reading Schedule: https://bit.ly/rwj2021 

All rights reserved.

Produced 2021 by Pastor Hagen

Music from Joseph McDade: https://josephmcdade.com

#raisedwithjesus #lutheran #sanctification #toledome #toledo #welstoledo #jesus #bible #podcast #dailyjesus #jesusdaily #rwjpodcast #jesusfortoledo

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. (1 Peter 3:18)

When I served in the parish in Michigan, I always felt the pressure to make the Good Friday service a somber and subdued service.

But the 1 pm Good Friday service always had 40-50 Lutheran school children bustling into the sanctuary at the last minute. In addition, many of the congregational members came from work and were scurrying into the sanctuary, often during the opening hymn. Finally, the church was often packed. One could hear the clamor of metal chairs unfolding even as I began the liturgy.

All of this commotion made our Good Friday service seem a lot more like an Easter Sunday service! Thus, I began the custom of closing the service each year with the hymn “Christ, the Life of All the Living” (CW114). That hymn is not very somber or subdued! The congregation and all the school children grew louder and sang with even more gusto as at the end of every stanza we sang, “Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, Dearest Jesus, unto thee!”

We should be subdued about the damning nature of our sin. Jesus was righteous. You and I are not righteous. Think of the harsh words you have spoken to your loved ones. Consider the times jealousy has gripped your heart. Contemplate the shameful thoughts in your mind. We should be the ones, “the curse of God enduring” forever in hell.

But Peter writes, Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous (1 Peter 3:18). Jesus was righteous, but you are unrighteous. Yet the righteous Jesus suffered the punishment you, the unrighteous, deserve. In hymn 114 we sing, “Thou, ah, thou hast taken on thee Bonds and stripes, a cruel rod; Pain and scorn were heaped upon thee, O thou sinless Son of God!” Jesus suffered your hell. Because he was God and man in one person, the Father accepted his suffering and his death as payment for your sin. The Father raised Jesus again to prove that very fact.

Do you still feel shame for past sins? Remember what the Holy Spirit has told you through Peter: Christ died for sins once for all! You are forgiven. You are righteous in God’s sight. Heaven belongs to you. You don’t need to keep beating yourself up to pay for your sin. Jesus already paid that debt. Now your heart can sing, “Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, Dearest Jesus, unto thee!”

Dear Jesus, when I feel the weight of my sin, when regret overwhelms me, help me to remember that Christ died once for all time and that I do not need to pay a debt that Jesus has already paid. Teach me instead to sing each day, “Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, Dearest Jesus, unto thee!”

Rev. Joel Thomford serves Martin Luther College as an admissions counselor.

 

Contact the Podcast: [email protected] or www.raisedwithjesus.com/podcast 

Click here to find a nearby congregation or church home.  

yearbook.wels.net

2021 Bible Reading Schedule: https://bit.ly/rwj2021 

All rights reserved.

Produced 2021 by Pastor Hagen

Music from Joseph McDade: https://josephmcdade.com

#raisedwithjesus #lutheran #sanctification #toledome #toledo #welstoledo #jesus #bible #podcast #dailyjesus #jesusdaily #rwjpodcast #jesusfortoledo

What's the relationship between law & love, confession of talk & confession of walk?  Listen today!

Contact the Podcast: [email protected] or www.raisedwithjesus.com/podcast 

Click here to find a nearby congregation or church home.  

yearbook.wels.net

2021 Bible Reading Schedule: https://bit.ly/rwj2021 

All rights reserved.

Produced 2021 by Pastor Hagen

Music from Joseph McDade: https://josephmcdade.com

#raisedwithjesus #lutheran #sanctification #toledome #toledo #welstoledo #jesus #bible #podcast #dailyjesus #jesusdaily #rwjpodcast #jesusfortoledo

"Jesus, I will ponder now" - Rev. Brian Dose.

Audio from https://mlc-wels.edu/publications/holy-week-2021-devotion-audio-music-videos/ 

Contact the Podcast: [email protected] or www.raisedwithjesus.com/podcast 

Click here to find a nearby congregation or church home.  

yearbook.wels.net

2021 Bible Reading Schedule: https://bit.ly/rwj2021 

All rights reserved.

Produced 2021 by Pastor Hagen

Music from Joseph McDade: https://josephmcdade.com

#raisedwithjesus #lutheran #sanctification #toledome #toledo #welstoledo #jesus #bible #podcast #dailyjesus #jesusdaily #rwjpodcast #jesusfortoledo

Contact the Podcast: [email protected] or www.raisedwithjesus.com/podcast 

Click here to find a nearby congregation or church home.  

yearbook.wels.net

2021 Bible Reading Schedule: https://bit.ly/rwj2021 

All rights reserved.

Produced 2021 by Pastor Hagen

Music from Joseph McDade: https://josephmcdade.com

#raisedwithjesus #lutheran #sanctification #toledome #toledo #welstoledo #jesus #bible #podcast #dailyjesus #jesusdaily #rwjpodcast #jesusfortoledo

Paul uses some strong irony to rebuke the Corinthians' love for the world's praise.  Do we fall under that rebuke?  Listen today!

Contact the Podcast: [email protected] or www.raisedwithjesus.com/podcast 

Click here to find a nearby congregation or church home.  

yearbook.wels.net

2021 Bible Reading Schedule: https://bit.ly/rwj2021 

All rights reserved.

Produced 2021 by Pastor Hagen

Music from Joseph McDade: https://josephmcdade.com

#raisedwithjesus #lutheran #sanctification #toledome #toledo #welstoledo #jesus #bible #podcast #dailyjesus #jesusdaily #rwjpodcast #jesusfortoledo