This is where Johann Arndt, the author of “Four books of true Christendom” with considerable influence in Russia (!) was born on the 27th of December 1555 – or perhaps it was in Edderitz. In the German version of Wikipedia we read more about him:
Fürst Joachim Ernst nahm die Konkordienformel von 1577 nicht an, sondern erließ 1585 eine gesonderte Bekenntnisformel. Im Jahr 1589 verlangte sein Nachfolger, Fürst Johann Georg von Anhalt, die Abschaffung des Exorzismus in der Taufe. Arndt lehnte dies ab und weigerte sich, sich dem neuen Bekenntnis zu unterwerfen. Am 10. September 1590 gab Arndt eine entsprechende Erklärung ab. Wenige Tage später wurde ihm das Amt entzogen und er wurde des Landes verwiesen. Arndt vermutete zu Recht, dass dieses Bekenntnis nur der erste Schritt zum Übertritt des Fürstentums Anhalt zum Calvinismus sein würde. 1596 führte Fürst Johann Georg den Calvinismus ein. 1590 nahm Arndt deshalb eine Pfarrstelle an der Nikolaikirche in Quedlinburg an, wo er bis 1599 blieb. Anschließend wirkte er als Pfarrer und Autor in Braunschweig (bis 1609), in Eisleben und von 1611 bis 1621 als Generalsuperintendent in Celle.
Inscription under his portrait reads: “Christ has many servants, but few followers”. That´s the German and Russian cover of his famous book: “Vier Bücher vom wahren Christentum”
The romantic Caspar David Friedrich (*5.9.1774 Greifswald +7.5.1840 Dresden) used the landscape in Ballenstedt for his famous “Gartenterrasse” (1811):
Here are some more impressions from Ballenstedt:
Ballenstedt: Go see for yourself – it´s beautiful.
So, as long as the sun shines: Safe travelling – even if it´s just virtual from home
Our Bible study is coming up and it´s all about the triune God´s passionate pursuit of His people:
I will sing to my love — a song to my lover about his vineyard. My love had a vineyard on a fertile hill. He built a hedge around it, removed its stones, and planted a vine. He built a tower in the middle of it, and constructed a winepress. He waited for it to produce edible grapes, but it produced sour ones instead.
So now, residents of Jerusalem, people of Judah, you decide between me and my vineyard! What more can I do for my vineyard beyond what I have already done? When I waited for it to produce edible grapes, why did it produce sour ones instead?
Now I will inform you what I am about to do to my vineyard: I will remove its hedge and turn it into pasture, I will break its wall and allow animals to graze there. I will make it a wasteland; no one will prune its vines or hoe its ground, and thorns and briers will grow there. I will order the clouds not to drop any rain on it.
Indeed, Israelis the vineyard of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the people of Judah are the cultivated place in which he took delight. He waited for justice, but look what he got—disobedience! He waited for fairness, but look what he got—cries for help!
Ready for church on this 1st Sunday in Lent (Invocavit). “Invocavit” means “He has called” and refers to our God´s promise: “When he calls out to me, I will answer him. I will be with him when he is in trouble; I will rescue him and bring him honor.” (Psalm 91,15) So, we come to Him this morning to call and cry to Him in all our trouble. We trust, that He will rescue us – just as He always has through Jesus Christ, His Son and our Lord and God, who rules and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit – one God – now and always. Amen.
The candles are burning. The table is set and we´re full of great expectations to celebrate our Lord´s victory of sin, death and devil. He did just that to fulfill his mission: For this purposethe Son of God was revealed: to destroythe works of the devil. (1.Joh.3,8b)
We´ll be using the Prayer provided by our sister church for this Sunday:
Almighty God, You led Your ancient people through the desert and brought them to the Promised Land. Guide the people of Your Church, that following our Savior, we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, You disdain nothing that You have made. Create in us new and contrite hearts, that lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, we would receive Your absolution with true penitence. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, because we are dust, stretch forth the right hand of Your majesty and defend us from those that rise up against Your Church. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, preserve all catechumens and their teachers, all children and their parents, and every Christian home from the assaults of the evil one. As Your Son overcame Satan in the desert by the Word of God, so also give us the victory through Christ and His Word. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, since we sojourn in the wilderness of this earth, look upon our desire for peace, and by Your mighty power defend us and our nation against all our enemies. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, send Your holy angels to protect and keep us in Your ways, that no evil may befall us. Graciously behold the needy, the sick and the troubled [especially _____________]. Satisfy us with long life, and show us Your salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, You covered the sin and shame of our first parents with animal skin and foreshadowed Your perfect sacrifice in the shedding of Your Son’s blood, by which we are cleansed and clothed. Give us the garments of repentance and faith, that we may receive Your Son’s body and blood for the forgiveness of all our sins. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, heavenly Father, inasmuch as the adversary continually afflicts us and as a roaring lion walks about, seeking to devour us: We implore You for the sake of the suffering and death of Your Son, Jesus Christ, to help us by the grace of the Holy Spirit and to strengthen our hearts by Your Word, that our enemy may not prevail over us, but that we may evermore abide in Your grace and be preserved unto everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Looking forward to the 1st Sunday in Lent: “Invocavit”, which gives us the purpose of our Lord´s going up to Jerusalem, suffering and dying on the cross:
For this purpose the Son of God was revealed: to destroy the works of the devil.
1.John 3,8b
This serious theme is introduced in the Introit for this Sunday and emphasized by its various lessons:
As for you, the one who lives in the shelter of the Most High, and resides in the protective shadow of the Sovereign One – I say this about the Lord, my shelter and my stronghold, my God in whom I trust – he will certainly rescue you from the snare of the hunter and from the destructive plague. He will shelter you with his wings; you will find safety under his wings. His faithfulness is like a shield or a protective wall. You need not fear the terrors of the night, the arrow that flies by day, the plague that stalks in the darkness, or the disease that ravages at noon. Though a thousand may fall beside you, and a multitude on your right side, it will not reach you. Certainly you will see it with your very own eyes – you will see the wicked paid back. For you have taken refuge in the Lord, my shelter, the Most High. No harm will overtake you; no illness will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you in all you do. They will lift you up in their hands, so you will not slip and fall on a stone. You will subdue a lion and a snake; you will trample underfoot a young lion and a serpent. The Lord says, “Because he is devoted to me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he is loyal to me. When he calls out to me, I will answer him.I will be with him when he is in trouble; I will rescue him and bring him honor. I will satisfy him with long life, and will let him see my salvation.
Psalm 91
The Sermon outline goes like this: The Lenten season is one of temptation, struggle and warfare, but thanks be to the triune God – the deed is done and Jesus has conquered. His victory is ours. Amen.
That conflict starts in paradise (Gn.3)
Continues in the desert – in isolation and quaratine (Mt.4)
Goes on in community, even the most holy circles (Joh.13,21-30)
It was decided in Jesus favor on Golgotha. He is the only victor + (Hebrews 4)
Thanks to Him we are free to live in the light of Easter and anticipation of His return in glory!
Thus encouraged by God´s victory and mighty promises, we sing with the Christian Church:
Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us, We tremble not, we fear no ill, They shall not overpow’r us. This world’s prince may still Scowl fierce as he will, He can harm us none, He’s judged; the deed is done; One little word can fell him.
Today´s our first Lenten service after Ash Wednesday. We´re following the propers from the local lectionary. That starts off with the first penitential Psalm:
Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger. Do not discipline me in your raging fury. Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am frail. Heal me, Lord, for my bones are shaking. I am absolutely terrified, and you, Lord—how long will this continue? Relent, Lord, rescue me! Deliver me because of your faithfulness. For no one remembers you in the realm of death. In Sheol who gives you thanks? I am exhausted as I groan. All night long I drench my bed in tears; my tears saturate the cushion beneath me. My eyes grow dim from suffering; they grow weak because of all my enemies. Turn back from me, all you who behave wickedly, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. The Lord has heard my appeal for mercy; the Lord has accepted my prayer. They will be humiliated and absolutely terrified. All my enemies will turn back and be suddenly humiliated.
Psalm 6
The Old Testament lesson is the account of the original fall (Genesis 3) and the gospel lesson is the sermon text, which supplements that of coming Sunday´s (John 13,21-30) excellently:
Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. The chief priests and the experts in the law were trying to find some way to executeJesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve. He went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers of the temple guard how he might betray Jesus, handing him over to them. They were delighted and arranged to give him money. So Judas agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus when no crowd was present.
Luke 22:1-6
The first Word of our dear Lord and God Jesus given for our meditation is His comforting prayer:
Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.
Luke 23:34a
And we pray with Claudia F. Hernaman (1838-1898) and Gilbert E. Doan (1930)
O Lord, throughout these forty days you prayed and kept the fast; inspire repentance for our sin, and free us from our past.
You strove with Satan, and you won; your faithfulness endured; lend us your nerve, your skill and trust in God’s eternal word.
Though parched and hungry, yet you prayed and fixed your mind above; so teach us to deny ourselves that we may know God’s love.
Be with us through this season, Lord, and all our earthly days, that when the final Easter dawns, we join in heaven’s praise.
Lutheran Service Book 418
And here is the German order for this Lenten Service: I Passionsandacht (19.2.2021). We use the hymnal of our sister church (SELK): Evangelisch-Lutherisches Kirchengesangbuch
Lied zum Eingang: „O Mensch, bewein Dein Sünde groß…“ (54,1)
1. Bußpsalm: Psalm 6
Lesung aus dem Alten Testament: Genesis 3
Lied des Tages: „Jesu, Deine Passion will ich jetzt bedenken…“ (67)
Lesung aus dem Evangelium nach Lukas: Lk.22:1-6
„O wir armen Sünder! Unsre Missetat…“ (57,1-4)
Martin Luthers Erklärung des 2.Artikels: „Ich glaube, dass IX, wahrhaftiger Gott… „ S.1267
Lied vor der Predigt: „Des solln wir uns trösten gegen Sünd und Tod…“ (57,5-7)
Meditation: „O Du armer Judas…“ (Hermann Bonnus 1542)
Litanei: „Kyrie eleison…“ 138
Gebet zur Passionszeit/Vater unser…
Gruß und Segen
Lied zum Ausgang: „So laßt uns nun ihm dankbar sein…“ (54,2)
The next bible study is coming up. After our Lord´s annunciation this Sunday (Estomihi), that he´s going up to Jerusalem (Lk.18,31), we on this first Sunday in Lent (Invocavit) hear what that suffering and dying is all about:
For this purpose the Son of God was revealed: to destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3,8b
The Old Testament lesson Genesis 3,1-19 (20-24), shows that this struggle started with the fall of our forebears there in paradise. They, who did not withstand the temptation of the evil one, hear the divine promise of the coming Messiah, who would finally conquer the satanic foe and restore us all to our original holy.
Now the serpent was shrewder than any of the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Is it really true that God said, ‘You must not eat from any tree of the orchard’?”The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit from the trees of the orchard; but concerning the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the orchard God said, ‘You must not eat from it, and you must not touch it, or else you will die.’”The serpent said to the woman, “Surely you will not die, for God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will open[l] and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
When the woman saw that the tree produced fruit that was good for food, was attractive to the eye, and was desirable for making one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate it. She also gave some of it to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God moving about in the orchard at the breezy time of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the orchard. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” The man replied,“I heard you moving about in the orchard, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” And the Lord God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave me, she gave me some fruit from the tree and I ate it.”So the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman replied, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.”
The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all the cattle and all the living creatures of the field! On your belly you will crawl and dust you will eat all the days of your life. And I will put hostility between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”
To the woman he said,“I will greatly increase your labor pains; with pain you will give birth to children. You will want to control your husband, but he will dominate you.”
But to Adam he said,“Because you obeyed your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you,‘You must not eat from it,’ the ground is cursed because of you; in painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, but you will eat the grain of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat food until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you will return.”
Genesis 3:1-19
This is no joyride as the Gospel notes. Forty days and nights our Lord goes without food. The devil takes advantage of this and tempts our Lord with crafty schemes – but fails dismally. Our Lord remains steadfast und faithful to His calling. The angels come and serve him. Just as they comfort him later in the hour of great affliction in the garden, the night he was betrayed.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After he fasted forty days and forty nights he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.”But he answered,“It is written, ‘Mandoes not livebybread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”Then the devil took him to the holy city, had him stand on the highest point of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you’ and ‘with their hands they will lift you up, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”Jesus said to him, “Once again it is written: ‘You are not to put the Lord your God to the test.’”Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their grandeur. And he said to him, “I will give you all these things if you throw yourself to the ground and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘You are to worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and began ministering to his needs.
Matthew 4,1-11
This struggle is not the Lord´s alone, because the fiend tackles his disciples and followers too. Some fall. Some lose faith. Some get lost. Like Judas. It´s the first part of his betrayal, that our sermon text for Sunday illustrates with the words recorded by the evangelist St. John chapter 13,21-30.
When he had said these things, Jesus was greatly distressed in spirit, and testified,“I tell you the solemn truth, one of you will betray me.” The disciples began to look at one another, worried and perplexed to know which of them he was talking about. One of his disciples, the one Jesus loved, was at the table to the right of Jesus in a place of honor. So Simon Peter gestured to this disciple to ask Jesus who it was he was referring to.Then the disciple whom Jesus loved leaned back against Jesus’ chest and asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus replied, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread after I have dipped it in the dish.” Then he dipped the piece of bread in the dish and gave it to Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son. And after Judas took the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him,“What you are about to do, do quickly.” Now none of those present at the table understood why Jesus said this to Judas. Some thought that, because Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling him to buy whatever they needed for the feast, or to give something to the poor. Judas took the piece of bread and went out immediately. Now it was night.
John 13,21-30
The Epistle reading gives us reason to rejoice and hope, and encourages us to be steadfast in the true confession too, because the victorious savior is with and for us all the way. His glorious triumph was for us and in our stead. His vicarious conquest set us free – once and for all. He is gracious and merciful, whenever we need help.
Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help
Hebrews 4,14-16
That´s why we sing boldly in all affliction:
Though hordes of devils fill the land all threat´ning to devour us, We tremble not, unmoved we stand; They cannot overpow´r us. Let this world´s tyrant rage; In battle we´ll engage. His might is doomed to fail; God´s judgment must prevail! One little word subdues him
Its Tuesday – and time for our in-house Bible study. This time around, there´s quite an exciting mix of topics in the lectionary for our contextual setting. See, coming Sunday is the last Sunday before Lent (Estomihi) – and usually its bells rings in the final stretch of exorbitant reveling of the carnival season. To add to this is the current celebration of St. Valentines Holiday as a secular love feast.
Well, this time around, we´re in quarantine and not just voluntarily due to ascetic and even celibate desires. Rather, the epidemic shut-down is taking its toll across the board. It affects the religious and profane quite differently, but both dramatically, I´m convinced. Just think about how they both respond to times of abundance and celebration, but then also to those, when we have to let go, bid farewell, fast, give up this or that, suffer loss respectively.
The bible text allocated for preaching:
“Shout loudly! Don’t be quiet! Yell as loudly as a trumpet! Confront my people with their rebellious deeds; confront Jacob’s family with their sin. They seek me day after day; they want to know my requirements, like a nation that does what is right and does not reject the law of their God. They ask me for just decrees; they want to be near God. They lament,‘Why don’t you notice when we fast? Why don’t you pay attention when we humble ourselves?’ Look, at the same time you fast, you satisfy your selfish desires, you oppress your workers. Look, your fasting is accompanied by arguments, brawls, and fistfights. Do not fast as you do today, trying to make your voice heard in heaven. Is this really the kind of fasting I want? Do I want a day when people merely humble themselves, bowing their heads like a reed and stretching out on sackcloth and ashes? Is this really what you call a fast, a day that is pleasing to the Lord? No, this is the kind of fast I want: I want you to remove the sinful chains, to tear away the ropes of the burdensome yoke, to set free the oppressed, and to break every burdensome yoke. I want you to share your food with the hungry and to provide shelter for homeless, oppressed people. When you see someone naked, clothe them! Don’t turn your back on your own flesh and blood. Then your light will shine like the sunrise; your restoration will quickly arrive; your godly behavior will go before you, and the Lord’s splendor will be your rear guard. Then you will call out, and the Lord will respond; you will cry out, and he will reply, ‘Here I am.’
Isaiah 58,1-9a
Much in line with the traditional lesson from Amos 5,21-24 it puts us on track to consider true and false fasting, good and bad sacrifice, holy and sinful loves, desires, hopes all in the framework of true faith or corrupt ideology, which runs roughshod over our fellow men, our neighbors even and those in direst need for our personal attention and help. It´s our Lord, who points us ahead and shows us the way forward as His faithful followers in Sunday´s gospel lesson according to St. Mark – bearing our cross and following Him on the narrow path, He leads us along the lines of fasting, sacrifice and giving up good and beloved things of love and life:
Then Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and experts in the law, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke openly about this. So Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But after turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but on man’s.”
Then Jesus called the crowd, along with his disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and because of the gospel will save it. For what benefit is it for a person to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his life? What can a person give in exchange for his life? For if anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Mark 8:31-38
And His apostle St. Paul summarizes the true essence of love in that celebrated section of his first letter to the Corinthians:
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I give over my body in order to boast, but do not have love, I receive no benefit.
Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. But if there are prophecies, they will be set aside; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be set aside. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, but when what is perfect comes, the partial will be set aside. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. But when I became an adult, I set aside childish ways. For now we see in a mirror indirectly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1. Corinthians 13
Following Him and His calling, we will sing and pray:
1 Let us ever walk with Jesus, Follow His example pure, Flee the world, which would deceive us And to sin our souls allure. Ever in His footsteps treading, Body here, yet soul above, Full of faith and hope and love, Let us do the Father’s bidding. Faithful Lord, abide with me; Savior, lead, I follow Thee.
2 Let us suffer here with Jesus, To His image e’er conform; Heaven’s glory soon will please us, Sunshine follow on the storm. Though we sow in tears of sorrow, We shall reap with heav’nly joy; And the fears that now annoy Shall be laughter on the morrow. Christ, I suffer here with Thee; There, oh, share Thy joy with me!
3 Let us also die with Jesus. His death from the second death, From our soul’s destruction, frees us, Quickens us with life’s glad breath. Let us mortify, while living, Flesh and blood and die to sin; And the grave that shuts us in Shall but prove the gate to heaven. Jesus, here I die to Thee There to live eternally.
4 Let us gladly live with Jesus; Since He’s risen from the dead, Death and grave must soon release us. Jesus, Thou art now our Head, We are truly Thine own members; Where Thou livest, there live we. Take and own us constantly, Faithful Friend, as Thy dear brethren. Jesus, here I live to Thee, Also there eternally.
Looking forward to Sunday. It´s the 2nd Sunday before Lent – “Sexagesimae” – and stands under the watchword from Hebrews 3:
Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks!
Hebrews 3:15
The Introit from Psalm 119, which teaches us so much about God´s Word and Teaching:
O Lord, your instructions endure; they stand secure in heaven. You demonstrate your faithfulness to all generations. You established the earth and it stood firm. Today they stand firm by your decrees, for all things are your servants. If I had not found encouragement in your law, I would have died in my sorrow. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have revived me.
Your words are sweeter in my mouth than honey! Your precepts give me discernment. Therefore I hate all deceitful actions.
Your word is a lamp to walk by, and a light to illumine my path.
Sustain me as you promised, so that I will live. Do not disappoint me.
Psalm 119:89-92.103-105.116
The Old Testament lesson is from the Prophet Isaiah and focusses us the glorious efficacy of God´s Word, so that He does, what He says:
Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds,” says the Lord, “for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior toyour deeds and my plans superior to your plans. The rain and snow fall from the sky and do not return, but instead water the earth and make it produce and yield crops, and provide seed for the planter and food for those who must eat. In the same way, the promise that I make does not return to me, having accomplished nothing. No, it is realized as I desire and is fulfilled as I intend.” Indeed you will go out with joy; you will be led along in peace.
Isaiah 55:8-12a
Yes, according to the Epistle to the Hebrews
The Word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
Hebrews 4:12-13
That is why the Augsburg Confession teaches us to confess that God´s powerful Word is an effective means for salvation and of grace:
For through the Word and Sacraments, as through instruments, the Holy Ghost is given, who works faith; where and when it pleases God, in them that hear the Gospel, to wit, that God, not for our own merits, but for Christ’s sake, justifies those who believe that they are received into grace for Christ’s sake.
Augsburg Confession Article 5
And we can rejoice, that the triune God speaks to us kindly and with gracious favor – often and most readily – like the sower, who went out to sow seed most freely and abundantly. That´s the gospel for Sunday – in the context of His admonition to better listen up:
A sower went out to sowhis seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled on, and the wild birdsdevoured it. Other seed fell on rock, and when it came up, it withered because it had no moisture. Other seed fell among the thorns, and they grew up with it and chokedit. Butother seed fell on good soil and grew, and it produced a hundred times as much grain.” As he said this, he called out, “The one who has ears to hear had better listen!”
Luke 8:4-8
We´ll be singing in German, but if we were to have an English service, I would sing both hymns by Martin H. Franzmann (1907-1976) on God´s Word – and two of my very personal favorites. The one, which paraphrases the gospel: “Preach You the Word…” (LSB 586) all six stanzas, but also the other “Thy strong Word did cleave the darkness…” (LSB 578):
Thy strong word did cleave the darkness; At thy speaking it was done. For created light we thank thee While thine ordered seasons run. Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!
Lo, on those who dwelt in darkness, Dark as night and deep as death, Broke the light of thy salvation, Breathed thine own life-giving breath. Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!
Thy strong Word bespeaks us righteous; Bright with thine own holiness, Glorious now, we press toward glory, And our lives our hope confess. Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!
From the cross thy wisdom shining Breaketh forth in conqu’ring might; From the cross forever beameth All thy bright redeeming light. Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!
Give us lips to sing thy glory, Tongues thy mercy to proclaim, Throats to shout the hope that fills us, Mouths to speak thy holy name. Alleluia! Alleluia! May the light which thou dost send Fill our songs with alleluias, Alleluias without end!
God the Father, light-creator, To thee laud and honor be. To thee, Light from Light begotten, Praise be sung eternally. Holy Spirit, light-revealer, Glory, glory be to thee. Mortals, angels, now and ever Praise the holy Trinity!
Grateful for the opportunities via the Internet. Not only meeting local pastors online, but friends and family far and wide. It´s become a welcome common room even as the market plain, church quadrangle, tea garden and public space are currently out of bounds. Of course, it is a contested area. Photobombs have been a nuisance for some time, as have loudmouths and odd balls. Homer and Cicero had their struggles with these interferences cut out. Luther complained about them too.
We saw His glory, the glory of the only begotten Son of the Father + full of grace and truth +
No small wonder, our good Lord went off into the wilds, into the dark and onto mountaintops to find some solace there, praying to the Father in perfect harmony and in holy unison with the Holy Spirit – one God now and always. Even out there in the desert, temptation was rife with Satan trying his luck and the body hungry after weeks of fasting and depravation. That´s part of the way to go. Even in this high festive season of the Epiphany, where we recall the true witness of our great God´s wonderful glory shining brightly in Jesus´ mission, we know, He is not finished yet. There´s still ways to go. Just as the burning bush was only a vantage point for Moses on his quest to free Israel from Egypt, so too the transfiguration of our Lord is but a station for Him on His way to Golgotha.
Reaching the lofty heights of His transfiguration on the holy mountain – high up in the heavens – with godly apostles and inspired prophets – it is not yet time to settle down, although it´s such a perfect spot to be. There´s still ways to go. So, the Lord points his most highly gifted disciples – those true witnesses (2.Pt.1,16-21) – back down into the valley, the lowlands, the dark and dreary swamps of misery – to get on with the godly mission as long as it is day and before the night comes, where nobody can work.
It´s still time to proclaim the Lord´s grace and mercy, His love and forgiveness, His light and salvation to those sitting in darkness and shadow of death, so that they too might join the faithful band of saved sinners (heavenly treasures in earthern vessels 2.Cor.4,6-10), who are eagerly awaiting the return of their Lord and God to judge the living and the dead, to fulfill all and return them home to the heavenly realms, that He has prepared for all those, who fear Him.
Together with the one holy Church we laud and magnify His name, who was, who is and shall be – now and always +
The Lord reigns. Let the earth be happy. Let the many coastlands rejoice. Dark clouds surround him; equity and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him; on every side it burns up his enemies. His lightning bolts light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of the whole earth. The sky declares his justice, and all the nations see his splendor. All who worship idols are ashamed, those who boast about worthless idols. All the gods bow down before him. Zion hears and rejoices, the towns of Judah are happy, because of your judgments, O Lord. For you, O Lord, are the Most High over the whole earth; you are elevated high above all gods. You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his faithful followers; he delivers them from the power of the wicked. The godly bask in the light; the morally upright experience joy. You godly ones, rejoice in the Lord. Give thanks to his holy name.
LinkedIn reminds me, that I´ve been here in Lutherstadt Wittenberg for three years already. That´s about as long as our good Lord´s public ministry lasted back in His days. For me it feels like a lifetime, but for others here, I´m still much of a stranger. No wonder, the book of Ruth resonates so strongly with me now that I worked on that last week and preached on this short story yesterday. Reminds me a lot of Job – and the prodigal son (Lk.15).
Walking a dog in Wittenberg
Well, this morning was very much like every other morning. Same procedure as always. After taking a look out of our bedroom towards Bugenhagen and his parsonage to check if there´s fresh snow, I slowly get into gear before I collect the daily paper downstairs, switch on the lights in the chapel, get the sweeping robot moving, brew coffee, open up the curtains in the bookstore and open up the front door to check out the weather above St. Mary´s two steeples. Nothing to write home about.
This morning one of my neighbors addressed me. That´s a first. Normally I greet her, when she walks her dog and try some small talk. Casual stuff. She sees the lights go on in our chapel, when she strolls around the old oak tree or walks past on the church square. We meet on “Bürgermeisterstraße”, when I´m off towards our parking lot or so. Or we just see each other from afar.
This morning was different. It was like meeting an old friend. No, that´s not quite right. It was rather like her introducing herself to a newcomer. Like always, her dog wanted to get into the house, but she held him back on the leash. This time, however, she didn´t linger on the issues of her dog, but told her story growing up in Wittenberg.
First in “Lutherstraße” and now close by in “Jüdenstraße”. Last born in a family of 10 children. That´s another story all on its own. We might get to that yet. She mostly worked shifts in the local bakery. Used to getting up early. Yes, she complained, that she just can´t sleep in – even though she has the time now.
After taking care of her aging parents for a good 20 years, she´s got her rent, which takes those two decades into account too. Now, both parents have passed away and she and her husband are left with the dog. The last years were tough, because of dementia. Her befuddled father liked to smoke, but couldn´t handle matches. They were afraid, he´d torch the place.
And so, she went on and I got to know one of my neighbors a little better – after walking by each other for three years. Standing out in the cold – it´s still freezing outside – and without coffee but feeling happy about this open door, meeting a stranger, making a new acquaintance and who knows, perhaps a new friend. It´s good to have friends – especially in this lockdown – amidst a deserted city. “Geisterstadt” as she calls it.
We know that the Lord himself is here – and abides with us, where two or three are gathered in His name – even to the end of the age. It is He, who accompanies us on the way, speaking words of wisdom, kindness, joy and consolation. Making our hearts burn with love, hope and faith – even in the coldest winter and the last days.
1 Within the Father’s house The Son has found his home, And to his temple suddenly The Lord of life has come.
2 The secret of the Lord Escapes each human eye, And faithful, pond’ring hearts await The full epiphany.
3 Lord, enter now our souls And teach us by your grace Each dim revealing of yourself With loving awe to trace.
4 Till we behold your face And know, as we are known You, Holy Spirit, Father, Son, Co-equal Three in One.
Wilhelm's space 