LÖHE ON COLOSSIANS 2:15

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

HimmelfahrtAnd having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (Col 2:15 NIV)

Who would venture to describe the heavenly triumph, when Jesus Christ returned victoriously into heaven on Ascension Day? Jesus returning successfully to his Father after accomplishing his dangerous mission to gain an imperishable inheritance and kingdom not only for himself, but also for us his poor siblings according to the flesh. He came home after disarming the opposing powers and authorities making a public spectacle of them. He had taken the power of death away from the devil, had smashed hell’s portals and destroyed its mighty fortress and taken control of its most treasured keep too. He returns home – Lord of blessed salvation – the first of those risen from the dead – he, the king of life, triumphs and is celebrated by God the Father and all angels in heaven. If there is joy over one sinner coming to repentance and returning home to the Father, then just imagine the joy in heaven amongst all the heavenly hosts and elected saints when the Savior of the world, the Messiah and Christ of all, the redeemer of sinners and comforter of the distressed, returned in glory to sit at the right hand of the Father – enthroned with all authority in heaven and on earth! Who will describe the jubilation, the hymns triumphant, the Hallelujahs and Magnifications welcoming back home the beloved and only begotten Son of the Father? Since the morning stars praised our Lord, the creator of all visible and invisible there was not festive celebration like this magnificent Ascension Day of our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s the great big holiday of our Lord starting the never-ending festive season in the heavenly realms above – where his praises never cease and neither do his adoration or his worship stop either. Yet these are things, happenings and histories beyond our comprehension, words and illustrations. We can’t even imagine it really yet. It’s way beyond us. However we will get there by the grace of God when his time for us comes. Then he will carry us home too. We’ll die here and live there eternally in blessed Zion, our heavenly home prepared by our loving God and Savior Jesus Christ a long while ago already. Then our resurrected bodies will have their own ascension day following him, whose our head and who has already shown the way and will pull us home finally to be with him for ever. His joy, peace and love will abound and surround and succumb us – that he’ll be all in all.

Lord, our ruler, how glorious is your name in every land and over all seas. We bow down before your majesty and praise you for your great love, that you have shown to us in Jesus Christ. You have given your beloved Son as sacrifice for our sins. You raised him from the dead and have crowned him with praise and glory to be seated at your right hand in the heavens. Everything you have put under his feet and you have raised him as head of the congregation and Church so that he may judge in righteousness and justice. O God prepare yourself praise from the mouths of your children and let us worship your name with joyful songs of gratitude and adoration. Amen. (Agenda of the Prussian Union 1931)

See, the Lord ascends in triumph, Conqu’ring King in royal state Riding on the clouds, His chariot To His heav’nly palace gate; Hark! The choirs of angel voices Joyful alleluias sing, And the portals high are lifted To receive their heav’nly King.

Who is this that comes in glory With the trump of jubilee? Lord of battles, God of armies, He has gained the victory. He who on the cross did suffer, He who from the grave arose, He has vanquished sin and Satan; He by death has spoiled His foes.

While He lifts His hands in blessing He is parted from His friends; While their eager eyes behold Him, He upon the clouds ascends. He who walked with God and pleased Him, Preaching truth and doom to come, He, our Enoch, is translated To His everlasting home.

Now our heav’nly Aaron enters With His blood within the veil; Joshua now is come to Canaan, And the kings before Him quail. Now He plants the tribes of Israel In their promised resting place, Now our great Elijah offers Double portion of His grace.

He has raised our human nature On the clouds to God’s right hand; There we sit in heav’nly places, There with Him in glory stand. Jesus reigns, adored by angels; By our mighty Lord’s ascension We by faith behold our own. (Christopher Wordsworth 1807-1885)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for holiday of Ascension. It is found on Pg. 198 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.

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Herrenhuter readings for Thursday, the 9th May 2013

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Jesus promises the Holy SpiritI will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. (Jeremiah 32:39 NIV)

But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7 NIV)

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Lutheran Order of service in isiZulu/seTswana

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

ascension window“Jesus Christ is risen. He is risen indeed!” The Lutheran Order of Service for the high holiday of Jesus Christ’s ascension is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon on John 17,20-26 written by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD in isiZulu (wz1327130509 Umkhosi ngokukhumbula ukwenyuka kweNkosi) and seTswana (wt1327130509 moletlo wa go gopola tlhatlogo ya Morena).

I pray you have a very blessed holiday and have time to meditate on the watchword for this day from Psalm 110,1: The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” (Psa 110:1 NIV)

The liturgical colour is white and the Church continues to rejoices with Hallelujahs, the Magnificat and the Gloria in exelsis.

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.

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LÖHE ON JAMES 1:27

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

widows & orphans kaethe kollwitzReligion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27 NIV)

Even secular people regard looking after orphans and widows in their distress highly and as laudable indeed. Yet even more important is that God our Father – the eternal judge of all – recons this as pure and faultless, just as keeping oneself from being polluted by the world. Obviously this judgement of pure and faultless does not mean that this religion is without sin and that it is perfect. If in the eyes of the most holy God even his servants are not perfectly holy, pure and faultless nor the heavens spotless in his judgment, how could this human service be beyond critique? No – the apostle probably wants to make the following clear: If you are motivated by God’s holy word to serve widows and orphans with love and sacrifice, that you receive them caringly and you keep yourself free from worldly pollution then this godly work of the Holy Spirit will surely be acceptable in God’s eyes and he will cleanse these works from their adhering sinful stains by the holy blood of his Son Jesus Christ and declare your good deeds as pure and faultless in his judgement. Doesn’t this motivate you to follow this apostolic admonition to take good care of widows and orphans in their distress? Too often in this world of ours widows and orphans are treated shamefully and are discriminated like outcasts. They are put down or pushed aside. They experience no justice and have no right to fair treatment. Their poverty and lowliness is misused by the evildoers to maltreat and exploit them. You however are called by the Holy Spirit to be their advocate and helper, their father and brother, serving them with joyful sacrifice even if it costs you pleasures of this world. That is the wonderful life of Christians, which has its worth and reward in itself. It is tremendously gratifying to do the right thing and to be joyful in the assurance that you’re walking in the ways of the Lord and doing his will.

Teach me o God to do good and strive for the very best and never tire in faithfulness either. Now is the time and it is passing so quickly. Even if the good done seems small – it’s good pleasing you and that’s what counts.  

Make me aware of the big harvest for which we are sowing in hope. Whatever we do – let it be done for you and yours. Even if we don’t gain praise here, you remain gracious beyond measure! (Philipp Friedrich Hiller, 1699-1769)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Wednesday following the fifth Sunday after Easter: Rogate. It is found on Pg. 197 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.

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Herrenhuter readings for Wednesday, the 8th May 2013

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

ox and donkeyThe Lord says: “The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manger, but my people do not understand.” (Isa 1:3 NIV)

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. (Ephesians 5:17 NIV)

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On friends, visitors and strangers …

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Hours of prayer“Friends are thieves of time. And if friends are thieves of time, what shall outsiders, strangers, and those less familiar be? Nevertheless, here you will have need of great wisdom and care, lest, if you avoid too much the companionship of men, you fall into the society of evil spirits, or on the other hand, consorting too much with them, you are trampled by swine. Therefore when God calls you – when it is necessary to serve, counsel, and speak with your neighbour when his salvation or other necessity requires it – then no law nor rule, no matter what institution you may belong to, dare keep you from it. All laws, even the rule of prayer and holding services, must give place to love. But when you are not called do not force yourself upon anybody, lest you begin to desire to gain the world and then suffer detriment to your soul.” (Martin Luther quoted in Dobberstein, 277) 

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LÖHE ON JAMES 1:26

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

no-cussingIf anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. (Jam 1:26 NIV)

The apostle postulates that human life is a worship service that is to please God. It is to be conducted earnestly and in conscious faithfulness. You might consider someone, who continues in prayer and sings joyfully, is devoted to divine worship and strives to make every place into a divine sanctuary and every occasion into an hour of devotion. If however such a person has a loose tongue and can’t control his speech, then all other doings are tainted by this lack of discipline and the apostolic judgement fits right on: Such religion is worthless. Whoever practices it in this way deceives himself and others. Now how could it be different? A loose tongue doesn’t fit appropriate devotion and godly worship. It spoils everything. Therefore we should heed this apostolic admonition and if we want to adhere carefully to God’s word then we should also discipline ourselves and especially our tongue and all speech under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit. God’s thoughts and words are to purify and sanctify our thoughts and words. He even converts the  chatterer, windbag and even blatherer enabling him to master his tongue so that he is in control of his words and sayings to the glory of God and benefit of his fellow human beings. Consider this and beat your chest in contrite recognition of yourself and in joyful anticipation of what the good Lord can and will do for us and our salvation – even with regard to our tongue and speech.

Lord Jesus Christ! You are the light and the truth. Nobody can stand before you if he’s not out of your truth. Grant us an upright heart and a truthful mouth and appropriate speech. Prevent all deceit and lies and give that our thoughts, words and thoughts will be aligned to your truth. Keep our tongue from failing and grant that we will have speech and silence according to your will. Amen. (Churchbook of Würtenberg)

Take my voice and let me sing, Always, only for my King; Take my lips and let them be Filled with messages from Thee.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure store; Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee. (Frances R. Havergal, 1836-79)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Tuesday following the fifth Sunday after Easter: Rogate. It is found on Pg. 196 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.

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Herrenhuter readings for Tuesday, the 7th May 2013

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Holy-BibleDo not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  (Josua 1:8 NIV)

Jesus said: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21 NIV)

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LÖHE ON JAMES 1:23-25

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

mirrorAnyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does. (Jam 1:23-25 NIV)

That hearer of the word, who does not do what it says, did not hear as he should have heard. That is why he did not become a doer of the word. If you look into a mirror once you will receive but a fleeting memory of your image. However if you do this regularly and for some while then you will get to know your facial expression and you will remember it too. Thus it is with the word of God and his most holy gospel as well. If you look at it once only you will not get a lasting impression of the image of our Lord Jesus Christ depicted throughout Holy Scripture as its core and substance. His vicarious love and salvation will remain but a passing fancy. Therefore look and listen carefully and continually. You’ll see that the image of our most beloved Jesus Christ will become dearer and more and more adorable. It will fill you with more and more love and worship, which will again strengthen you with peace and joy. Motivated by this efficacious image you will grow in obedience to God’s will and hold him more and more precious and dear.

Beloved Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! You demand that we be not just listeners, but do what we hear too. Continue to show us, how best we can follow your precepts and do your holy will. Prepare our hearts that even difficult tasks will not put us off. Let us always remember your way here on earth and how you were obedient till the very end even unto the cross and let us continue to consider and ponder all you did for us and our salvation in your eternal kingdom. Amen.  (Churchbook of Würtenberg 1931)

Open ears and heart that we grasp your word in love and sorrow, in joy and pain never neglect it, so that we are not just listeners, but doers of your word bringing fruit a hundredfold. (David Denicke, 1603-1680)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Monday following the fifth Sunday after Easter: Rogate. It is found on Pg. 195 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.

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Herrenhuter readings for Monday, the 6th May 2013

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

bribery“Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.” (Exodus 23:8 NIV)

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. (Titus 2:11-12 NIV)

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