Herrenhuter readings for Monday, the 12th January 2015

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

Noah's Ark, Italianate mural painting, mid 16th century studiolo

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. (Gen 6:8 KJV)

But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved. (Act 15:11 KJV)

The story of Noah is remarkable. Today’s verse highlights the fact that Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. That’s how people are saved from sin, death and the devil. That’s how they get through the worst calamity. That’s the crucial difference between life and death. This divine grace chose Noah and his family, elected and called them to build the massive ark and survive the deluge together with all those animals big and small.

The godly grace is a characterized by the godly favour and mercy, which does not depend on our merit or worthiness, but rather solely on God’s willingness to forgive and cover up our iniquity, sinfulness and warped being. This grace is not so much a quality or gift shared with us, transforming and deifying us, but rather it’s God’s favour and positive inclination towards us – no longer holding our wrongful being and doing against us, but rather forgiving, covering up and absolving us from that, which would otherwise count so heavily against us and which the devil as the main accuser, but also our own conscience and the unbelieving world never tire to magnify in our evaluation of ourselves, in our hearts and souls and in our self-esteem to terrify us, shame us and tempt us to rather run and hide from the only one, who could and can and has saved us: Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who bore all our sin once and for all, so that we would be free and be at peace with God now and forever.

By this grace Noah was saved – just like all the saints of old – and we too build on this grace of Jesus Christ alone to get us through the final judgement and into the heavenly kingdom to share the eternal blessings in the presence of the triune God without end. Our Lord has shared many examples of this overriding and saving grace covering up the multitude of our sins, coping effectively with our miserable, poor and truthful status of lost and helpless creatures by forgiveness of all that can be held against us legally and by the letter of the infallible law of God and declaring us free and in God’s favour and therefore at peace amidst all tribulation and hardship. Just think of the Lost Son being restored by the grace of his Father (Lk 15); the tax collector praying: “Kyrie eleison!” (Lord have mercy on me a poor, miserable sinner!) in the temple and returning home forgiven; Zacchaeus receiving Christ into his home and thus experiencing forgiveness, life and salvation; the eunuch being baptized on the way home by St.Philipp and going his way joyfully and at peace with God etc etc.

That forgiving grace of our Lord and Saviour is the very firm foundation of our faith, hope and love. It’s the framework of our life and the sustaining force in our Christian living – now and always. Amen.

By grace I’m saved, grace free and boundless;
My soul, believe and doubt it not.
Why stagger at this word of promise?
Has Scripture ever falsehood taught?
No; then this word must true remain;
By grace you too will life obtain.

By grace God’s Son, our only Savior,
Came down to earth to bear our sin.
Was it because of your own merit
That Jesus died your soul to win?
No, it was grace, and grace alone,
That brought him from his heavenly throne.

By grace! This ground of faith is certain;
As long as God is true, it stands.
What saints have penned by inspiration,
What in his word our God commands,
Our faith in what our God has done
Depends on grace – grace through his Son.

By grace to timid hearts that tremble,
In tribulation’s furnace tried,
By grace, in spite of fear and trouble,
The Father’s heart is open wide.
Where could I help and strength secure
If grace were not my anchor sure?

By grace! On this I’ll rest when dying;
In Jesus’ promise I rejoice;
For though I know my heart’s condition,
I also know my Savior’s voice.
My heart is glad, all grief has flown
Since I am saved by grace alone.

Hymn # 351 from Lutheran Worship Author: Korneluis Heinrich Dretzel
Tune: O Dass Ich Tausend Zungen Hatte 1st Published in: 1742

Posted in Histories, Losung and Lehrtext | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Herrenhuter readings for Sunday, the 11th January 2015

Posted on January 11, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

jesus_twelve

Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth;
for the faithful fail from among the children of men. (Psalm 12,2)

 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
(Johannes 6,67-68)

Today is the 1st Sunday after Epiphany. The Orthodox Church of the East celebrated Christmas this week. I am happy that even the Moscow Times has pictures of Russians celebrating this high and holy holiday of the Christian Church commemorating the Incarnation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. There were pictures of President Putin, but also of children, families and entire congregations. What a change by the grace of God! It’s not so long ago that Russia (at that time called UDSSR – Sowjet Union – centre of bolshevik communism) was seen as the extreme bastion of atheism, godlessness and all sorts of evil. Probably quite a few of the faithful worldwide had serious doubts whether they were already past the point of no return, hopeless cases and written off. And now Christmas is celebrated not just as a commercial highlight to save a dismal year at the cashier and materialistic orgy, but as a high and holy Holiday of the Christ’s birth – he the Lord and saviour of the world. Hallelujah +

God helps and does incredible miracles and wonders even in our time and world. No doubt about that! He lives and reigns and does everything very well. We can just marvel at this and praise his holy name for he doesn’t cease to rule and reign. His goodness, mercy and love faileth never. On the contrary, whatever he has predestined and resolved, he carries out with unfailing purpose and trustworthiness. He’s true beyond fault. He is the source and goal of life. Sharing words of wisdom, truth and eternal salvation. Even today from countless pulpits throughout the world – in high and lowly places. Blessing, forgiving, vitalizing and encouraging people in the most unlikely venues, where he abides with his holy Word and most precious Sacraments. Granting peace, hope and love to people sitting in darkness and shadow of death – shedding light on their miserable existence, granting new life where people had failed again and again, were dejected and had already given up. He gives sanctuary and anchors our rocking boat even when the storms rage and the enemies are plentiful.

The Holy Spirit gathers and unites people from all corners of the world, from all spheres of society and from the most diverse and even opposing tribes and nations around Jesus Christ, in whom the trust and who has united them in himself – through efficacious Baptism and the proclamation of his holy will and vital promises. Not just kings from afar and from high and mighty thrones, but even lowly shepherds, pariahs, dalits and basarwa (outcasts, untouchables & non-people) and gathers them around his manger and around his cross and around his altar/font. They all look to him, expecting life and salvation from him, who is the Lord and God of all.

Yes, Herod doesn’t play along. Pilate stays aloof. Greeks scoff, Jews are furious, gentiles pre-occupied and atheists off-track. Many are offended at his exclusive demand: “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.” (Joh 6:53ff) Yet, still the Son of God does not put an end to it all. He doesn’t just switch off the lights and departs in peace. No, he continues to invite: “Come to me all of you, who are burdened and heavily laden. I will give you rest!” And they come from the ends of the world – Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar – John, Peter, Paul, Carl, Ivan and Khumalo – Susan, Beauty and Mafikile, Kagiso and Netshiombo – and they all worship the baby in the manger, the child in the temple, the young man baptised by St. John at the Jordan, the preacher on the Mount, the special guest at the wedding of Cana, the healer, the bread giver, the Messiah, the suffering servant, the crucified and risen Lord + Marking his words of life, trusting his gospel promises, holding on to them as the foundation and goal of their life. And because he is faithful and does, what he says, therefore we will never be put to shame, but rather come to see, what we have here believed on account of his words of life. We will see, experience and live the life everlasting, which he has already granted us through his very words of forgiveness, grace and favour. Amen.

1 How lovely shines the Morning Star!
The nations see and hail afar
The light in Judah shining.
Thou David’s Son of Jacob’s race,
My Bridegroom and my King of Grace,
For Thee my heart is pining.
Lowly, Holy,
Great and glorious, Thou victorious
Prince of graces,
Filling all the heav’nly places.

2 O highest joy by mortals won,
True Son of God and Mary’s Son,
Thou high-born King of ages!
Thou art my heart’s most beauteous Flow’r,
And Thy blest Gospel’s saving pow’r
My raptured soul engages.
Thou mine, I Thine;
Sing hosanna! Heav’nly manna
Tasting, eating,
Whilst Thy love in songs repeating.

3 Now richly to my waiting heart,
O Thou, my God, deign to impart
The grace of love undying.
In Thy blest body let me be,
E’en as the branch is in the tree,
Thy life my life supplying.
Sighing, Crying.
For the savor Of Thy favor;
Resting never,
Till I rest in Thee forever.

4 A pledge of peace from God I see
When Thy pure eyes are turned to me
To show me Thy good pleasure.
Jesus, Thy Spirit and Thy Word,
Thy body and Thy blood, afford
My soul its dearest treasure.
Keep me Kindly
In Thy favor, O my Savior!
Thou wilt cheer me;
Thy Word calls me to draw near Thee.

5 Thou, mighty Father, in Thy Son
Didst love me ere Thou hadst begun
This ancient world’s foundation.
Thy Son hath made a friend of me,
And when in spirit Him I see,
I joy in tribulation.
What bliss Is this!
He that liveth To me giveth
Life forever;
Nothing me from Him can sever.

6 Lift up the voice and strike the string.
Let all glad sounds of music ring
In God’s high praises blended.
Christ will be with me all the way,
Today, tomorrow, every day,
Till trav’ling days be ended.
Sing out, Ring out
Triumph glorious, O victorious,
Chosen nation;
Praise the God of your salvation.

7 Oh, joy to know that Thou, my Friend,
Art Lord, Beginning without end,
The First and Last, Eternal!
And Thou at length–O glorious grace!–
Wilt take me to that holy place,
The home of joys supernal.
Amen, Amen!
Come and meet me! Quickly greet me!
With deep yearning,
Lord, I look for Thy returning.

Philipp Nicolai 1556-1608

Posted in Losung and Lehrtext | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Herrenhuter readings for Saturday, the 10th January 2015

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

the_baptism_of_christ

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD. (Deu 6:4 KJV)

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (1Ti 2:5-6 KJV)

That is the one pillar of all religion and true theology from beginning to end, namely that there is but one God and that he is from eternity to eternity. This holds true for Israel and for the rest of the world and cosmos. There is none other, who created heaven and earth and deserves the name God and Lord. All else are but shadows and reflections of this one, who was there before the beginning and is all in all now and forever. Logically this is not so far off and many philosophers, religious founders and other wise men have deduced this argumentatively – even though this one God and Lord has revealed himself throughout the ages in manifold ways especially however in the glorious works of his creation.

Yet the other pillar is true too – and not easily comprehended or grasped. In reality it is only possible to believe this through the gracious workings of the Holy Spirit of the one Lord and God Father. That is the fact that when time was fulfilled God became man in Jesus Christ – there in the manger of Bethlehem. It is he, who was announced by the angels, revealed to the shepherds, worshipped and gifted by the wise men from the east, who fled before Herod, hid in Egyptian exile, was baptised in the Jordan by John the Baptist and received the authorisation from the one and only Father in heaven: “This truly is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” even as the Holy Spirit descended upon him. Jesus Christ, the son of the blessed virgin Mary, is the only begotten Son of the heavenly Father – one God of all, he is at the right hand of the Father and all authority in heaven and earth has been given to him. He rules and judges over all – justly and to the absolute glory of the Father. And still there are not three, but only one God. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not just modulations or emanations of the single deity. Rather they are three persons, but one God. Jesus Christ is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit and yet it is but he, who was born of the mother of God – not the Father and not the Holy Spirit. Rather the Father begat the Son through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit however proceeds from the Father and the Son – not another God, but one and only God of Israel and the whole world.

This very Jesus Christ is true God and true man, but just one person and the second in the holy Trinity – not less in divinity than the Father not more than the Holy Spirit, but very God of very God. It is he, who is the true mediator between us people and the heavenly Father. It is he, who is the one and only true ransom for us and our salvation. Only through him do we have access to the Father to call him our Father ourselves and the assurance of being sons and daughters with heavenly inheritance and sure aspirations of the blessed eternity in the very presence of the divine Trinity. By his gracious work of atonement on the cross – his vicarious justification and expiating sacrifice, which sufficed once and for all as it soothed the wrath of the Father and fulfilled his divine will and demands perfectly – we are at peace with God and have the sure hope of redemption that will carry us through the coming judgement as sure as Jesus Christ lives and reigns with the Father, one God now and forever. Amen.

Together with the one holy Christian Church we believe, teach and confess the Athanasian Creed:

Whoever wants to be saved must, above all, hold the catholic34 faith. Whoever does not keep it whole and inviolate will doubtless perish eternally.

This, however, is the catholic faith: that we worship one God in trinity35 and the Trinity in unity, neither confusing the persons nor dividing the substance.36

For the person of the Father is one, that of the Son another, and that of the Holy Spirit still another, but the deity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is one—equal in glory, coequal in majesty.

What the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit. The Father is uncreated; the Son is uncreated; the Holy Spirit is uncreated. The Father is unlimited; the Son is unlimited; the Holy Spirit is unlimited. The Father is eternal; the Son is eternal; the Holy Spirit is eternal—and yet there are not three eternal beings but one who is eternal, just as there are not three uncreated or unlimited beings, but one who is uncreated and unlimited. In the same way, the Father is almighty; the Son is almighty; the Holy Spirit is almighty—and yet there are not three almighty beings but one who is almighty.

Thus, the Father is God; the Son is God; the Holy Spirit is God— and yet there are not three gods but one God. Thus, the Father is Lord; the Son is Lord; the Holy Spirit is Lord—and yet there are not three lords, but one Lord. For just as we are compelled by the Christian truth to confess that each distinct person is God and Lord, so we are forbidden by the catholic religion to say there are three gods or three lords.

The Father was neither made nor created nor begotten by anyone. The Son is from the Father alone, not made or created but begotten. The Holy Spirit is from the Father and the Son, not made or created or begotten but proceeding. Therefore there is one Father, not three fathers; one Son, not three sons; one Holy Spirit, not three holy spirits. And in this Trinity none is before or after, greater or less than another, but all three persons are in themselves coeternal and coequal, so that (as has been stated above) in all things the Trinity in unity and the Unity in trinity must be worshiped. Therefore, who wants to be saved should think thus about the Trinity.

But it is necessary for eternal salvation that one also faithfully believe the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore it is the true faith that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is at once God and a human being. He is God, begotten from the substance37 of the Father before all ages,38 and a human being, born from the substance of his mother in this age. He is perfect God and a perfect human being, composed of a rational soul and human flesh.39 He is equal to the Father with respect to his divinity, less than the Father with respect to his humanity.

Although he is God and a human being, nevertheless he is not two but one Christ. However, he is one not by the changing of the divinity in the flesh but by the taking up of the humanity in God. Indeed, he is one not by a confusion of substance40 but by a unity of person. For, as the rational soul and the flesh are one human being, so God and the human being are one Christ.

He suffered for our salvation, descended into hell,41 rose from the dead, ascended into the heavens, is seated at the right hand of the Father, from where he will come to judge the living and the dead. At his coming all human beings will rise with their bodies and will give an account of their own deeds. Those who have done good things will enter into eternal life, and those who have done evil things into eternal fire.

This is the catholic faith;42 a person cannot be saved without believing this firmly and faithfully.

34 The German and traditional English translations substitute “Christian” here and throughout.  35 Or: “in three persons.”  36 substantia: divine being. 37 substantia: being. German: Natur.  38 In this sentence saeculum may be translated as “age” (time) or “world.” 39 carne: body. 40 substantia: being, natures. 41 ad inferos. See above, n. 7. 42 German: “true Christian faith.” Kolb & Wengert, Pg. 24.

And with this one holy Christian Church let us sing and confess with the old catholic hymn: Oh, Wondrous Type! Oh, Vision Fair By: Sarum, 15t cent.

Oh, wondrous type! Oh, vision fair
Of glory that the church may share,
Which Christ upon the mountain shows,
Where brighter than the sun he glows!

With Moses and Elijah nigh
The incarnate Lord holds converse high;
And from the cloud the Holy One
Bears record to the only Son.

With shining face and bright array
Christ deigns to manifest today
What glory shall be theirs above
Who joy in god with perfect love.

And faithful hearts are raised on high
By this great vision’s mystery,
For which in joyful strains we raise
The voice of prayer, the hymn of praise.

O Father, with the eternal Son
And Holy spirit ever one,
We pray you, bring us by your grace
To see your glory face to face.

Hymn # 87 from Lutheran Worship Author: English, 15th cent.
Tune: Deo Gracias 1st Published in:1495

Posted in Losung and Lehrtext | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Herrenhuter readings for Friday, the 9th January 2015

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

Albrecht-Durer-Wallpaper-The-Adoration-Of-The-Magi

Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God. (Jer 3:22 KJV)

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (Jam 4:8 KJV)

God’s invitation to his backsliding children and their positive response of returning to him reflects the pattern of our relationship with him. God’s initiative and God’s good work in us, makes it possible. Without God’s willingness to accept his backsliding children back, to welcome them back home, to forgive and to restore them, to heal and make up this story would have come to a miserable end long ago. Yet this is what God does. He is the Father waiting longingly for his lost son. It is he, who sends out his servants to go look for those fallen by the wayside, call those on highways and byways that his house might become full. It is he, who as the good shepherd goes and seeks those who can’t make their way into the fold and sanctuary. It is he, true and very God, who invites with wide open arms and friendly voice, calling to himself like a hen inviting her chicks under her protective wings.

This open invitation from God is the good tiding that we hear from the angelic hosts addressed to the shepherds on the field. God is favourably inclined towards men, forgiving their sins and iniquities and graciously inviting them to come and worship the king, receive salvation and life everlasting. It is the message of apostles and prophets of old. It is the proclamation of heaven and earth. Even the stars indicate the way – if we were but able to read and comprehend their loud and clear message, which even the wise men from the east could not fathom precisely so that they went by Jerusalem instead of directly to the manger in Bethlehem.

It is the basic message of God’s messengers even today – pastors, missionaries, evangelists, teachers and bishops: Come, taste and see the goodness of the Lord. Hear, what the Lord your God has in store for you – forgiveness, healing, justification and restoration + not retribution, debt collection and punishment. Although that’s what would have been our rightful due. Instead, he is willing to forgive, to make up and restore, heal and sanctify. Oh, how friendly and kind, merciful and gracious is our God + So they teach all that their Lord and God Jesus Christ entrusted to them. Baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Making the Church the mission outpost throughout the nations. The centre and service point, where God’s good gifts are distributed in his most holy and precious means of grace. So that throughout the world Churches are preaching, teaching, proclaiming and administering the gospel of Jesus Christ and thus creating saving faith, where and when it pleases God.

And people from all the ends of the world draw close to the Lord. They gather around his wholesome presence at the foot of the altar, pulpit and font. Returning to the baptismal grace daily with the confession of their own sinfulness and unworthiness only to be absolved by the divine authority and to depart in godly peace. Thus they are cleansed and purified. Washed, clothed with garments of righteousness and sonship. Thus they are encouraged, uplifted, vitalized and sustained by his enduring grace and loving goodness. Their sins are all forgiven, their burdens lifted, fed life and salvation and enabled to live the new lives of righteousness and holiness by his indwelling and invigorating, abiding presence. Joyfully they thank and praise the triune God for all he has done through Jesus Christ their Lord and Saviour, who together with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns now and forever.

Therefore let us return to the Lord even today. He is calling us to himself. Let us abide in him in single minded affection and dedication. He is our Lord and our God. There is no other and with him, we are well taken care of. Yes, in his presence, we thrive and flourish. It’s good for us to be in the presence of the Lord always. Amen.

Beside Thy Manger Here I Stand
by Paul Gerhardt

Beside thy manger here I stand Dear Jesus, Lord and Savior A gift of love within my hand To thank Thee for Thy favor O take my humble offering my heart, my soul, yes, everything Is Thine to keep forever.

I lay in death’s dark, gloomy night, Thou camest, Lord, to save me; Thou art the sun, whose heavenly light Life and salvation gave me. O sun, who kindled faith to shine Within this darkened heart of mine, How radiant is Thy glory!

With joy I gaze upon Thy face; Thy glory and Thy splendor Is greater than my heart can praise And songs can fitly render. O how I wish my mind would be As boundless as the deepest sea, T’would still be lost in wonder.

One thing, O Lord, I humbly pray, Deny me not this favour, That in my heart Thou day by day Wouldst dwell as mine for ever. O let me then Thy manger be; Come, Saviour, come, abide with me, Give me Thy choicest blessings.

Paul Gerhard: “Ich steh an Deiner Krippen hier…”(1607-1676)

Translated P.G. Strelan & William M. Czamanske 1910.

Posted in Losung and Lehrtext | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (Philip Nicolai)

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

chalice-host

Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern

Voll Gnad’ und Wahrheit von dem Herrn,

Die süße Wurzel Jesse!

Du Sohn David aus Jakobs Stamm,

Mein König und mein Bräutigam,

Hast mir mein Herz besessen,

Lieblich,

freundlich,

Schön und herrlich,

groß und ehrlich,

Reich von Gaben,

Hoch und sehr prächtig erhaben!

Wie schoen leuchtet der Morgenstern

 2.

 Ei meine Perl’, du werte Kron’,

Wahr’r Gottes- und Mariensohn,

Ein hochgeborner König!

Mein Herz heißt dich ein Lilium,

Dein süßes Evangelium

Ist lauter Milch und Honig.

Ei mein

Blümlein,

Hosianna,

himmlisch Manna,

Das wir essen,

Deiner kann ich nicht vergessen!

chalice 01-1

3.

 Geuss sehr tief in mein Herz hinein,

Du heller Jaspis und Rubin,

Die Flamme deiner Liebe

Und erfreu’ mich, daß ich doch bleib’

An deinem auserwählten Leib

Ein’ lebendige Rippe!

Nach dir

ist mir,

Gratiosa

coeli rosa,

Krank und glimmet

Mein Herz, durch Liebe verwundet.

 4.

 Von Gott kommt mir ein Freudenschein,

Wenn du mit deinen Äugelein

Mich freundlich tust anblicken.

O Herr Jesu, mein trautes Gut,

Dein Wort, dein Geist, dein Leib und Blut

Mich innerlich erquicken!

Nimm mich

freundlich

In dein’ Arme,

daß ich warme

Werd’ von Gnaden!

Auf dein Wort komm’ ich geladen.

Precious Blood14

5.

 Herr Gott Vater, mein starker Held,

Du hast mich ewig vor der Welt

In deinem Sohn geliebet.

Dein Sohn hat mich ihm selbst vertraut,

Er ist mein Schatz, ich bin sein’ Braut,

Sehr hoch in ihm erfreuet.

Eia,

eia,

Himmlisch Leben

wird er geben

Mir dort oben!

Ewig soll mein Herz ihn loben.

 6.

 Zwingt die Saiten in Zithara

Und laßt die süße Musika

Ganz freudenreich erschallen,

Daß ich möge mit Jesulein,

Dem wunderschönen Bräut’gam mein,

In steter Liebe wallen!

Singet,

springet,

Jubilieret,

triumphieret,

Dankt dem Herren!

Groß ist der König der Ehren!

 7.

 Wie bin ich doch so herzlich froh,

Daß mein Schatz ist das A und O.

Der Anfang und das Ende!

Er wird mich doch zu seinem Preis

Aufnehmen in das Paradeis,

Des klopf’ ich in die Hände.

Amen!

Amen!

Komm, du schöne

Freudenkrone,

Bleib nicht lange,

Deiner wart’ ich mit Verlangen!

 Philip Nicolai *1556 + 1609

 Wir danken Dir, unser Vater,  für den heiligen Weinstock deines Knechtes David, den du uns geoffenbaret hast durch Jesum, deinen Knecht. Dir sei Ehre in Ewigkeit.

Wir danken dir, unser Vater,  für das Leben und die Erkenntnis, die du uns geoffenbaret hast durch Jesum, deinen Knecht. Dir sei Ehre in Ewigkeit.

Wie dies gebrochene Brot zerstreut war auf den Bergen und zusammengebracht eins wurde, so möge deine Kirche von den Enden der Erde zusammengebracht werden in dein Reich. Denn Dein ist die Herrlichkeit und die Kraft durch Jesus Christum in Ewigkeit.

Wir danken dir, heiliger Vater, für deinen heiligen Namen, dem du eine Wohnung bereitet hast in unseren Herzen, und für die Erkenntnis und den Glauben und die Unsterblichkeit, die du uns geoffenbaret hast durch Jesum, deinen Knecht. Dir sei Ehre in Ewigkeit.

Du, allmächtiger Herrscher, hast alles erschaffen um deines Namens willen. Speise und Trank hast du den Menschen gegeben zur Nießung, dass die dir danken. Uns aber hast du begnadet mit geistlicher Speise und geistlichem Trank und ewigem Leben durch deinen Knecht. Vor allem danken wir dir, dass du so mächtig bist. Dir sei Ehre in Ewigkeit.

Gedenke, Herr, deiner Kirche, sie zu erlösen von allem Bösen und sie zu vollenden in deiner Liebe, und führe sie, die geheiligte, von den vier Winden zusammen in dein Reich, das du ihr bereitet hast. Denn dein ist die Kraft und die Herrlichkeit in Ewigkeit. Amen.

(Gesangbuch der Ev.Luth. Landeskirche Hannover S. 44 im Anhang)

Posted in Lutheran World | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lutheran Order of service in isiZulu/seTswana

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

Jesus Baptism 1The Lutheran Order of Service for the 1st Sunday after Epiphany is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon based on God’s word from the gospel of St. Matthew in the third chapter the verses 13-17 written by late Pastor and dean Isaschar Dube (Utrecht, KZN) in isiZulu (wz1509150111 Epi 1) and translated as usual seTswana (wt1509150111 Epi 1) by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN).

The readings for this 1st Sunday after Epiphany are:

  • Old Testament:       Isaiah 42:1-4 (5-9)
  • The Epistle:            Romans 12:1-3 (4-8)
  • The Gospel:            St. Matthew’s 3:13-17 (Baptism of Jesus)
  • Psalm:                    72:1-2.12.17b

The liturgical colour is green.

May you have a very blessed weekend and have time to meditate on the watchword for this week: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Rom 8:14 KJV)

A collect for this Sunday: O Lord, we beseech Thee mercifully to receive the prayers of Thy people who call upon Thee; and grant that they may perceive and know what things they outh to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same; through Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. (Lutheran Hymnal of the LC in Australia 1973)

If you are called to preach this weekend, may the triune God give you joy and strength, enthusiasm and wisdom, knowledge and insight – and the true words and pictures to preach his holy will faithfully according to his most precious revelation of his will and promises in both the Old and New Testament! However if you are not preaching, but listening – then listen as if God is talking to you + His precious gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Rom 1:16 NIV)

We thank the Lutheran Heritage Foundation for supporting the distribution of hard-copies of these orders of worship and sermons throughout Southern Africa. If you also want a copy please do not hesitate to subscribe by writing to EAWWeber@bundunet.co.za.

Posted in Lutheran Order of service | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Herrenhuter readings for Thursday, the 8th January 2015

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

Preach Christ CrucifiedGod calls his prophet Jeremiah: “Arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee.” (Jeremiah 1,17) and St. Paul writes to the Corinthians: “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord.” (2.Corinthians 4,5) 

God himself calls his apostles and prophets into his service to proclaim, whatever he tells them too. He is most concerned about their faithfulness with regards to this message so that nothing is left out, nothing is added or changed. He wants his servants to let nothing fall by the way side or make anything up. Rather he would have them speak instead and on behalf of himself so that all that is said is as firm and dependable here on earth as if God himself had spoken in heaven above. They are his very mouthpiece amongst his people, whether they want to hear or not. So that our Lord Jesus Christ concludes: “Whoever hears you, hears me and whoever rejects you, rejects me.”

In the Augsburg Confession it is written: “To obtain such (saving) faith (in Jesus Christ) God instituted the office of preaching, giving the gospel and the sacraments. Through these, as through means, he gives the Holy Spirit who produces faith, where and when he wills, in those who hear the gospel. It teaches that we have a gracious God, not through our merit but through Christ’s merit, when we so believe.” (Kolb & Wengert, Pg. 40)

To serve God’s people with preaching the pure gospel and administering the sacraments as he himself instituted them in his new and final testament is at the very centre of God’s calling of men into his pastoral service. Therefore it is taught amongst us: “According to the gospel the power of the keys or of the bishops (which is the very same thing!) is a power and command of God to preach the gospel, to forgive or retain sin, and to administer and distribute the sacraments. For Christ sent out the apostles with this command (John 20:21–23): “As the Father has sent me, so I send you. . . . Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” The same power of the keys or of the bishops is used and exercised only by teaching and preaching God’s Word and by administering the sacraments to many persons or to individuals, depending on one’s calling. Not bodily but eternal things and benefits are given in this way, such as eternal righteousness, the Holy Spirit, and eternal life. These benefits cannot be obtained except through the office of preaching and through the administration of the holy sacraments. For St. Paul says [Rom. 1:16]: “The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith.” (Apology of CA XXVIII ebd Pg.92).

In his exhortation to St.Timothy St. Paul agrees and repeats: “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach… ” (1Ti 3:1-2 KJV). This aptitude to teach is central and vital. It is the reason, why the Church trains and teaches its future pastors so diligently. For they need to know all that our Lord Jesus Christ himself has taught and entrusted to the Church. In the Church it’s not so crucial to know, what this or that celebrity propagates, yet it is absolutely crucial to know, believe, trust and confess all that the Lord himself has ordained and instituted. His will and promises are our firm foundation – all else is but sinking sand. Part of being trained and exercised in God’s holy word, students of theology need to be examined and tested to establish, whether they are up to standard and meet the expectations of the church with regards to the basic requirements and prerequisites for this precious and high calling. Furthermore the Church itself in its prominent and authorized members together with the Christian congregation calls these candidates, which are deemed suitable after deliberate training and serious examination to serve in this or that special place and amongst certain people and then they are ordained and installed into this very specific service and contextual calling to proclaim Christ and him crucified. Obviously that’s but a chiffre for the encompassing service of the pastoral office. Preaching according to the lectionary Sunday for Sunday, teaching and instructing various classes and groups weekday for weekday. Even after a lifetime of serving in the Church and faithfully handing out God’s means of grace and wonderful gifts to the needy people, the pastor will not stand empty handed, because God is gracious and merciful providing richly for all the many needs of his people through the forgiveness of sins and granting blessed salvation and life everlasting.

The high and precious calling to serve as pastor in the Church is nothing else than bringing Christ to the people. That’s what the pastor’s service is all about. That’s what he is supposed to do – day and night, 24 hours for seven days a week. That’s the good work the triune God requires from his pastors, missionaries, teachers and bishops. Not everybody is called to be pastor, missionary, teacher or bishop, but those who are have their hands full. For that’s not just a part time job or sometime hobby or something I can handle on a Sunday morning before lunch. That’s something that demands all of me and everything. The question is, whether we are willing to obey this calling of our Lord to follow him and be faithful servants – or whether we’re preoccupied and have other things on our mind and to do. It’s all or nothing really.

It needs to be pointed out, that a calling like this is a very personal thing. It’s not a general rule or job description, which is duplicable and applicable in all life situations and holding true for everyone. No – this is something very special and individual. God’s calling of his servant into his service. We are answerable to him. He sets the standards and benchmarks. He is the one, who lays out the rules and stipulates the conditions. He himself has made that clear, when he said: “Like the Father sent me, I send you…” and “My food is that I do the will of the Father and finish his work” and “Work as long as it is day” etc.

Songs of thankfulness and praise,
Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise,
manifested by the star
to the sages from afar;
branch of royal David’s stem
in thy birth at Bethlehem;
anthems be to thee addressed,
God in man made manifest.

Manifest at Jordan’s stream,
Prophet, Priest and King supreme;
and at Cana, wedding guest,
in thy Godhead manifest;
manifest in power divine,
changing water into wine;
anthems be to thee addressed,
God in man made manifest.

Manifest in making whole
palsied limbs and fainting soul;
manifest in valiant fight,
quelling all the devil’s might;
manifest in gracious will,
ever bringing good from ill;
anthems be to thee addressed,
God in man made manifest.

Sun and moon shall darkened be,
stars shall fall, the heavens shall flee;
Christ will then like lightning shine,
all will see his glorious sign;
all will then the trumpet hear,
all will see the Judge appear;
thou by all wilt be confessed,
God in man made manifest.

Grant us grace to see thee, Lord,
mirrored in thy holy Word;
may we imitate thee now,
and be pure, as pure art thou;
that we like to thee may be
at thy great Epiphany;
and may praise thee, ever blest,
God in man made manifest.

 Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1885), 1862

Posted in Losung and Lehrtext | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Herrenhuter readings for Wednesday, the 7th January 2015

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

Adoration of Magi Daniel BitsuiThe Psalmist requests: “O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.” (Psalm 51:15) and St. Peter admonishes in his first letter: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (1.Petrus 4,11)

With these words from Psalm 51 we begin the Order of Matins. We thereby confess both that it’s the Lord’s doing if we get our mouths open and we actually sing and profess his doings in creation, salvation and sanctification. The Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs of the Church help us to get this right. Singing as the angel in Bethlehem: “Glad tidings of great joy … whereof I now will say and sing” (M.Luther).

We have all reason to sing the praises of the triune God and not only at Christmas or during ordered services. From the beginning God has done all that is praiseworthy, good, meet and salutary – and we’ve got a lot of catching up to do, because you’d think, that it’s just plain polite to be grateful for what he’s  done for us and our salvation, but even over and above that, just to show his goodness and mercy. He’s not only done it, but is still doing it worldwide and letting it rain goodness over good and bad and has promised to continue to do his works of preservation, creation, sustaining, flourishing, saving, healing, sanctifying, helping, protecting, keeping, promoting, blessing, growing and and and until it’s all done and finished in eternity. From our side there’s not chance of catching up. That’s not even the purpose. Yet there is a lot of reason to be grateful without end and every day anew: For the Lord is good and his mercy endures forever. Amen! 

For it is as Luther writes in the Small Catechism: “all this is done out of pure, fatherly, and divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness of mine at all! For all of this I owe it to God to thank and praise, serve and obey him. This is most certainly true.” (Kolb & Wengert, 354) and also in the Large Catechism: “Hence, because everything we possess, and everything in heaven and on earth besides, is daily given, sustained, and protected by God, it inevitably follows that we are in duty bound to love, praise, and thank him without ceasing, and, in short, to devote all these things to his service, as he has required and enjoined in the Ten Commandments. 

Here much could be said if we were to describe how few people believe this article. We all pass over it; we hear it and recite it, but we neither see nor think about what the words command us to do. For if we believed it with our whole heart, we would also act accordingly, and not swagger about and boast and brag as if we had life, riches, power, honor, and such things of ourselves, as if we ourselves were to be feared and served. This is the way the wretched, perverse world acts, drowned in its blindness, misusing all the blessings and gifts of God solely for its own pride, greed, pleasure, and enjoyment, and never once turning to God to thank him or acknowledge him as Lord or Creator.” (Ebd 433)

Therefore let us give head to the admonition of St. Peter, who wrote for us to be faithful stewards of God’s good gifts to us: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (1.Petrus 4,11) We are to serve according to the means and grace God has provided. This is off course our responsibility and serious obligation. Yet it is very comforting to know, that the Lord does not demand more than what he has already given. I know that even with that we fall short and do wrong committing sin even in our best days, yet we should not worry that God would expect from us, what he has not made possible or granted in the first place. Only from those, whom he has given much, will he demand much, whereas from those, who are but weak, poor and small he does not expect powerful, rich and great things. That should make us grateful too and prevent us from eyeing the gifts bestowed on others covetously and full of envy and wrongful desire.

In the end it is not so much about our response as it is about the lauding and magnification of God that has happened through Jesus Christ. This glorification happened most prominently during the incarnation of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ and reached its climax in his crucifixion on Golgotha and his victorious resurrection on Easter and his most glorious ascension into heaven before Pentecost. Yet it is as Luther explains the various petitions of the “Our Father” – the glorification and praise of our God and Lord happens even without our doing and participation, yet we ask in this prayer, that our God would open our lips, hearts and beings that we too would praise and magnify his name, serving him as he would have us do amongst his most destitute and poor, so that in all and everything of our daily lives God would be thanked, praised and glorified.

That’s what the shepherds did, when they returned from seeing the little baby Jesus, but also the Kings from afar. It’s our response to his goodness and mercy, which he has showered over us richly through Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour of all nations and whom he revealed to the world in his glorious Epiphany. Amen.

“Hail, Thou Source of Every Blessing” by Basil Woodd, 1760-1831

1.Hail, Thou Source of every blessing,
Sovereign Father of mankind!
Gentiles now, Thy grace possessing,
In Thy courts admission find.
Grateful now we fall before Thee,
In Thy Church obtain a place,
Now by faith behold Thy glory,
Praise Thy truth, adore Thy grace.

2. Once far off, but now invited,
We approach Thy sacred throne;
In Thy covenant united,
Reconciled, redeemed, made one.
Now revealed to Eastern sages,
See the Star of Mercy shine;
Mystery hid in former ages,
Mystery great of love divine.

3. Hail, Thou all-inviting Savior!
Gentiles now their offerings bring;
In Thy temples seek Thy favor,
Jesus Christ, our Lord and King.
May we, body, soul, and spirit,
Live devoted to Thy praise,
Glorious realms of bliss inherit,
Grateful anthems ever raise!

The Lutheran Hymnal Hymn #129  Text: Matt. 2:11
Author: Basil Woodd, c. 1810 Tune: “O Durchbrecher“

Posted in Losung and Lehrtext | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Herrenhuter readings for Tuesday, the 6th January 2015

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

journey-of-the-magi-james-tissotI called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. (Psalm 118:5)

St. Peter writes: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. (1.Petrus 2,9)

Luther writes in his exposition of Psalm 118 (Das schoene Confitemini) about verse 5: “Here we see where this small band is. It does not move in manifest joy before the world. Anxiety is its abode. The psalmist pictures himself and his condition, namely, his many troubles. As is proper when one begins to talk about something, he is brief; he sums up all kinds of troubles and calls them “distress.” Later he will say and explain more. Thus I may say: “Oh, how much Paul suffered!” This does not yet explain his sufferings; it merely indicates in a general way that he suffered, but not what he suffered. So the psalmist indicates also the comfort and help of God generally and briefly when he says: “The Lord answered me.” As if he were saying: “I must always Suffer, but I am always comforted.” He will soon describe how this happens and wherein his comfort consists.

In Hebrew the word “distress” means “something narrow.” I surmise that the German noun for distress is also derived from an adjective meaning narrow.24 It implies fear and pain, as in a process of clamping, squeezing, and pressing. Trials and misfortunes do squeeze and press, as is indicated by the proverb: “The great wide world is too narrow for me.” In Hebrew “in a large place” is used in contrast to “distress.”25 “Distress” means tribulation and need; “in a large place” denotes consolation and help. Accordingly, this verse really says: “I called upon the Lord in my trouble; He heard me and helped me by comforting me.” Just as distress is a narrow place, which casts us down and cramps us, so God’s help is our large place, which makes us free and happy.

Note the great art and wisdom of faith. It does not run to and fro in the face of trouble. It does not cry on everybody’s shoulder, nor does it curse and scold its enemies. It does not murmur against God by asking: “Why does God do this to me? Why not to others, who are worse than I am?” Faith does not despair of the God who sends trouble. Faith does not consider Him angry or an enemy, as the flesh, the world, and the devil strongly suggest. Faith rises above all this and sees God’s fatherly heart behind His unfriendly exterior. Faith sees the sun shining through these thick, dark clouds and this gloomy weather. Faith has the courage to call with confidence to Him who smites it and looks at it with such a sour face.

That is skill above all skills. It is the work of the Holy Spirit alone and is known only by pious and true Christians. The self-righteous are ignorant of it. They prate about good works, although they have never known or performed any. Nor can they perform them, because human nature cannot acquire this skill. As soon as God touches it with a little trouble, it is frightened and filled with despair, and can only think that grace is at an end and that God has nothing but wrath toward it. The devil also adds his power and trickery, in order to drown it in doubt and despondency. The situation is aggravated by the provoking sight of God showering abundant blessings on the other three groups. Then human nature begins to think that the others have only the grace of God and none of His anger. Then the poor conscience becomes weak; it would collapse were it not for the help and comfort that come from God, through pious pastors, or by some good Christian’s counsel. Some there are who hang, drown, or stab themselves, or otherwise perish, shrivel, and wither.

Whoever can learn, let him learn. Let everyone become a falcon and soar above distress. Let everyone know most assuredly and not doubt that God does not send him this distress to destroy him, as we shall see in verse eighteen. He wants to drive him to pray, to implore, to fight, to exercise his faith, to learn another aspect of God’s person than before, to accustom himself to do battle even with the devil and with sin, and by the grace of God to be victorious. Without this experience we could never learn the meaning of faith, the Word, Spirit, grace, sin, death, or the devil. Were there only peace and no trials, we would never learn to know God Himself. In short, we could never be or remain true Christians. Trouble and distress constrain us and keep us within Christendom. Crosses and troubles, therefore, are as necessary for us as life itself, and much more necessary and useful than all the possessions and honor in the world.

We read: “I called upon the Lord.” You must learn to call. Do not sit by yourself or lie on a couch, hanging and shaking your head. Do not destroy yourself with your own thoughts by worrying. Do not strive and struggle to free yourself, and do not brood on your wretchedness, suffering, and misery. Say to yourself: “Come on, you lazy burn; down on your knees, and lift your eyes and hands toward heaven!” Read a psalm or the Our Father, call on God, and tearfully lay your troubles before Him. Mourn and pray, as this verse teaches, and also Ps. 142:2: “I pour out my complaint before Him, I tell my trouble before Him.” Likewise Ps. 141:2: “Let my prayer be counted as incense before Thee, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice!” Here you learn that praying, reciting your troubles, and lifting up your hands are sacrifices most pleasing to God. It is His desire and will that you lay your troubles before Him. He does not want you to multiply your troubles by burdening and torturing yourself. He wants you to be too weak to bear and overcome such troubles; He wants you to grow strong in Him. By His strength He is glorified in you. Out of such experiences men become real Christians. Otherwise, men are mere babblers, who prate about faith and spirit but are ignorant of what it is all about or of what they themselves are saying.

You must never doubt that God is aware of your distress and hears your prayer. You must not pray haphazardly or simply shout into the wind. Then you would mock and tempt God. It would be better not to pray at all, than to pray like the priests and monks. It is important that you learn to praise also this point in this verse: “The Lord answered me and set me free.” The psalmist declares that he prayed and cried out, and that he was certainly heard. If the devil puts it into your head that you lack the holiness, piety, and worthiness of David and for this reason cannot be sure that God will hear you, make the sign of the cross, and say to yourself: “Let those be pious and worthy who will! I know for a certainty that I am a creature of the same God who made David. And David, regardless of his holiness, has no better or greater God than I have.”

There is only one God, of saint and sinner, worthy and unworthy, great and small. Regardless of the inequalities among us, He is the one and equal God of us all, who wants to be honored, called on, and prayed to by all. Before they became holy and worthy, what did the saints and the deserving souls have that I do not possess? Did they perhaps become holy and worthy by themselves? As unworthy sinners, did they not receive it from the same God from whom I seek to receive it, as a poor, unworthy sinner? He who gave it to David has promised it also to me. He has commanded me to demand, seek, pray, and knock (Matt. 7:7). At His command and promise I kneel down, raise my eyes to heaven, and beg for comfort and help. Thereby He is honored as the true God, from whom I implore help and comfort, as a true God deserves. Thus He regards me as worthy, and He will prove Himself to be what He sees that I think He is, a true God. He will not place His divine honor and name in jeopardy for my sake. Of this I am sure. He who does not call on God or pray to Him in trouble certainly does not consider Him to be God. Nor does he give Him the divine honor which we as creatures owe Him. Much is said about this elsewhere.”26 So far Luther’s exposition.

24 See also Luther’s Works, 13, p. 7, note 6.

25 The Hebrew term is בַּמָּרְחָב.

26 Luther regularly explains the term “god” as a reference, not primarily to the sovereign power or majesty of the Almighty but to His love; see Luther’s Works, 13, p. 6, note 4.

Luther, M. (1999, c1958). Vol. 14: Luther’s works, vol. 14 : Selected Psalms III (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther’s Works (14:58). Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House.

“Hail, Thou Source of Every Blessing” by Basil Woodd, 1760-1831

1.Hail, Thou Source of every blessing,
Sovereign Father of mankind!
Gentiles now, Thy grace possessing,
In Thy courts admission find.
Grateful now we fall before Thee,
In Thy Church obtain a place,
Now by faith behold Thy glory,
Praise Thy truth, adore Thy grace.

2. Once far off, but now invited,
We approach Thy sacred throne;
In Thy covenant united,
Reconciled, redeemed, made one.
Now revealed to Eastern sages,
See the Star of Mercy shine;
Mystery hid in former ages,
Mystery great of love divine.

3. Hail, Thou all-inviting Savior!
Gentiles now their offerings bring;
In Thy temples seek Thy favor,
Jesus Christ, our Lord and King.
May we, body, soul, and spirit,
Live devoted to Thy praise,
Glorious realms of bliss inherit,
Grateful anthems ever raise!

The Lutheran Hymnal Hymn #129  Text: Matt. 2:11
Author: Basil Woodd, c. 1810
Tune: “O Durchbrecher“

Posted in Losung and Lehrtext | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Herrenhuter readings for Monday, the 5th January 2015

Posted on January 5, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

our fatherI will worship and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. (Psalm 138,2)

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (Matthew 6,9)

Dr Martin Luther writes in the Small Catechism: “What is this? Answer: It is true that God’s name is holy in itself, but we ask in this prayer that it may also become holy in and among us. How does this come about? Answer: Whenever the Word of God is taught clearly and purely and we, as God’s children, also live holy lives according to it. To this end help us, dear Father in heaven! However, whoever teaches and lives otherwise than the Word of God teaches profanes the name of God among us. Preserve us from this, heavenly Father!”

In the Large Catechism Luther continues: “This is rather obscure and not in idiomatic German. In our mother tongue we would say, “Heavenly Father, grant that your name alone may be holy.” But what is it to pray that his name may become holy? Is it not already holy? Answer: Yes, in its essence it is always holy, but our use of it is not holy. God’s name was given to us when we became Christians and were baptized, and so we are called children of God and have the sacraments, through which he incorporates us into himself with the result that everything that is God’s must serve for our use.

Thus it is a matter of grave necessity, about which we should be most concerned that God’s name receive due honor and be kept holy and sacred as the greatest treasure and most sacred thing that we have, and that, as good children, we pray that his name, which is in any case holy in heaven, may also be holy and be kept holy on earth in our midst and in all the world.

How does it become holy among us? The plainest answer that can be given is: when both our teaching and our life are godly and Christian. Because in this prayer we call God our Father, it is our duty in every way to behave as good children so that he may receive from us not shame but honor and praise.

Now, the name of God is profaned by us either in words or deeds. (For everything we do on earth may be classified as word or deed, speech or act.) In the first place, then, it is profaned when people preach, teach, and speak in the name of God anything that is false and deceptive, using his name to dress up their lies and make them acceptable; this is the worst desecration and dishonor of the divine name. Likewise, when people grossly misuse the divine name as a cover for their shame, by swearing, cursing, conjuring, etc. In the next place, it is also profaned by an openly evil life and wicked works, when those who are called Christians and God’s people are adulterers, drunkards, gluttons, jealous persons, and slanderers. Here again God’s name is necessarily being profaned and blasphemed because of us.

Just as it is a shame and a disgrace to an earthly father to have a bad, unruly child who antagonizes him in word and deed, with the result that on his account the father ends up suffering scorn and reproach, so God is dishonored if we who are called by his name and enjoy his manifold blessings fail to teach, speak, and live as upright and heavenly children, with the result that he must hear us called not children of God but children of the devil.

So you see that in this petition we pray for exactly the same thing that God demands in the Second Commandment: that his name should not be taken in vain by swearing, cursing, deceiving, etc., but used rightly to the praise and glory of God. Whoever uses God’s name for any sort of wrong profanes and desecrates this holy name, as in the past a church was said to be desecrated when a murder or other crime had been committed in it, or when a monstrance170 or relic was profaned, thus rendering unholy by misuse that which is holy in itself. This petition, then, is simple and clear if we only understand the language, namely, that to “hallow” means the same as in our idiom “to praise, extol, and honor” both in word and deed.

See, then, what a great need there is for this kind of prayer! Because we see that the world is full of sects and false teachers, all of whom wear the holy name as a cloak and warrant for their devilish doctrine, we ought constantly to shout and cry out against all who preach and believe falsely and against those who want to attack, persecute, and suppress our gospel and pure doctrine, as the bishops, tyrants, fanatics, and others do. Likewise, this petition is for ourselves who have the Word of God but are ungrateful for it and fail to live according to it as we ought. If you ask for such things from your heart, you can be sure that God is pleased. For there is nothing that he would rather hear than to have his glory and praise exalted above everything else and his Word taught in its purity, cherished and treasured.” (Quoted from Kolb & Wengert (2000). The Book of Concord : The confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (Pg. 445).

Thy name be hallowed. Help us, Lord,
In purity to keep Thy Word,
That to the glory of thy name
We walk before Thee free from blame.
Let no false doctrine us pervert;
All poor, deluded souls convert.

Hymn 458  The Lutheran Hymnal Text: Matt. 6:9 ff.
Author: Martin Luther titled: “Vater unser im Himmelreich”

Posted in Losung and Lehrtext | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment