LÖHE ON ISAIAH 53:8

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

marys-watch-at-the-tomb-of-jesusBy oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. (Isa 53:8 NIV)

Death is overcome and life has been gained. The Lord has come to peace and his soul is amongst the blessed saints in paradise. However holy Scripture does not say anything about such joyous celebrations and exultations after the triumphant victory of Christ. He promised a blessed reunion in paradise to the robber on the cross. So it should not be doubted that Christ fulfilled this promise precisely. If however the Lord introduced that forgiven robber there, there can’t be any doubt that the rejoicing would have been overwhelming in the heavens on his arrival. Just imagine the jubilation and heavenly delight after all the sorrow, suffering and dying – yes after our Lord’s glorious harrowing of hell!

While the body is resting in the grave belonging to Joseph of Arimathia and waiting for the resurrection on the third day we too are pausing and taking a big breath. This is a wonderful peace the Lord has won for us! Sin is forgiven, death is overcome and the devil is finally bound and rendered harmless. That’s a real Sabbath’s rest for Christ’s own – the Christian Church – and who would have thought that after those dark hours starting in Gethsemane?  Thanks be to the triune God now and forever. Amen.

So rest–my Rest! Thou ever blest! Thy grave with sinners making, By Thy precious death, from sin My dead soul awaking! Here hast Thou lain, After much pain, Life of my life, reposing! Round Thee now a rock-hewn grave, Rock of Ages, closing. Breath of all breath! I know from death Thou wilt my soul awaken! Wherefore should I dread the grave, Or my faith be shaken? To me the tomb Is but a room, Where I lie down with Jesus! Who by death hath conquered death, Safely there receives us! The body dies and lies In dust, until victorious From the grave, it shall arise Beautiful and glorious! Meantime I will, My Jesus, still Deep in my bosom lay Thee, Musing on Thy death; in death Be with me, I pray Thee! (Salomon Frank 1685 translated by Richard Massi)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Saturday after Good Friday (Karsamstag). It is found on Pg. 158 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 Saturday, the 30th March 2013

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

empty cross“I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (Isaiah 57:15 NIV)

You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. (Acts 10:36 NIV)

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Lutheran Order of service in isiZulu/seTswana and English

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

IX am KreuzThe Lutheran Order of Service for Good Friday is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon written by Revered Kurt Schnackenberg (Shelly Beach LC, KwaZulu/Natal) based on the gospel of Saint Matthew chapter 27 verses 31-54 (we1320130329 Sermon_Mt27_33-50_Good Friday_2013) an translated into seTswana (wt1320130329 ka la go gopola papolo le loso lwa Morena) and isiZulu (wz1320130329 usuku lokukhumbula ukubethelwa nokufa kweNkosi) by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN).

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.

I pray you have a very blessed Good Friday and have time to meditate on the watchword by our Lord Jesus Christ recorded in the gospel of St. John in the 3rd chapter: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (Joh 3:16 NIV) The liturgical colour is purple/black, there are no decorations/elaborations.

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LÖHE ON ISAIAH 53:12

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Grablegung 1Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isa 53:12 NIV)

Amongst the millions following Jesus, there are many great, big and strong, who all fall prostrate before him into the dust as they are weak before his almighty majesty and live entirely off his grace. Not only does the light of his majesty fall into this Good Friday evening, but we also hear the tread of millions, who are now moving towards his silent and hidden grave. We hear their mourning songs as if the oceans roar so loud and global. It is already in progress this ecumenical, catholic and worldwide pilgrimage of saved sinners coming country for country, generation for generation, one age after the other to give him all the glory and to confess, that Golgotha where his cross was erected and the grave, where his body rested for just a short while, is the centre of the universe and of all history.

His soul did some hard work. Now however it rejoices in the bliss of Paradise and all those souls are following – the souls of those, whom he pardoned and forgave – the robber hanging next to him, the sinners he met on the road, who couldn’t find peace until they found him and peace within. O what rest for tired and heavy burdened souls, that have found him on his Good Friday evening.

How happy and blessed we are in life and death + and all because of the powerful salvation achieved by Jesus Christ on Good Friday there on Golgotha. He worked himself to death for us, pouring out his life unto death – for us and our salvation + He was counted amongst the robbers, criminals and violent transgressors, he carried the sins of all and prayed for the transgressors!

O silent, blessed Good Friday! O evening after a hard days work, o lovely evening star after darkness filled day! O divine rest for sinners! O hope of eternal life, o blessed end of suffering, passion and tears! Lord have mercy on us in your kingdom, grant and keep us in your great peace from which all joy grows and hope too. Have mercy on us o Lord, grant us your peace o Jesus + Amen.

This is a translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Good Friday. It is found on Pg. 157 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 Good Friday: 29th March 2013

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

daumierMy heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek.” (Psalm 27:8 NIV)

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

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LÖHE ON LUKE 22:39.44

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Jesus suffering in GethsemaneJesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him…And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. (Luk 22:39.44 NIV)

The suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ in Gethsemane transcends all our understanding, imagination and senses. We can only adore and worship him. This fear, which makes the mighty Immanuel shiver and shake, to cry and plea, to fight with death and sweat blood drops illustrates the power of sin and its terrible curse. The one and only helper chosen by God for this unique task is quaking at the enormity of this dreadful challenge. However the course of this battle and extraordinary struggle lets us look deep into the personality of our savior, which ignite love and adoration and worship in us. Thrice the Lord pleas in this awful conflict. Did you notice how the second and third quest are different from the first? Every time he bows down before the will of his Father, but the second time he goes even lower than before and in the last he’s more at peace than during the previous episodes.

Having said the third prayer, he’s shouldered the burden. Mighty and powerful he strides forth with this burden on his back. He’s overcome the temptation and is going towards his final goal. Look at him moving forward, suffering, taking up all pain and enmity, he yields entirely to his destiny, full of love for us and powerful devotion towards our salvation – working himself unto death, but already the victorious savior. This powerful concentration and dedication are a result of his union with his Father in work, thought and spirit. He rests in the divine will and draws strength and courage from this harmonious unity with the Father – to suffer all obediently to the very end and thus triumph victoriously.

O Lord, you found our rest too in that bitter night of evil. Separated from all your loved ones, you prayed for us and watched over us too. That is why I turn my all my senses and innermost heart toward Gethsemane and draw strength, courage, love and determination from your prayerful victory there +

If all the world should desert me and I’m deep down in misery alone, then let me see your image there in Gethsemane. Whatever we lack in our hearts and lives, you know and understand all our pain. You say to our troubled soul: Consider Gethsemane + (Heinrich Puchta, 1808-1858)

This is a translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Maundy Thursday. The hymn was translated more literally than poetically. Both are found on Pg. 156 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 Maundy Thursday: 28th March 2013

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

AbendmahlMy righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations. (Isa 51:5 NIV)

The Lord Jesus Christ said to his disciples: “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. (Luk 22:15 NIV)

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LÖHE ON JOHN 13:1

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

foot washingHaving loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. (Joh 13:1 NIV)

That is our attitude! In this week hatred, envy, enmity and strife die while love amongst the brethren, but also towards enemies triumphs. Whoever remembers the truly phenomenal love of Jesus for friend and foe and yet is hesitant to repent, who does not return to loving his brethren, has not realized why we sing Hosannas to the Lord and what walk he walked this week in Jerusalem. All our passions should be silenced and even perish while our old Adam is to bleed to death and we as contrite converts to the cross of our Lord cry in compassion with him and at his feet.

Yes, Lord Jesus, may the power of your suffering and death work in us capacity and worthiness to follow you and to behold your glory on the cross, your face on Easter and your glowing wounds and also to hear your eternal greetings as your address your ecclesial communion: Peace be with you +

We all join hands as we are united in your suffering. We commit ourselves to follow you forever and rely on your promise: Peace, Peace be with you always + and answer gladly “Amen!”  (Christian Renatus Graf von Zinzendorf 1727-1752)

This is a translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Wednesday after Palmsunday (6th Sunday in Lent). The hymn was translated more literally than poetically. Both are found on Pg. 155 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 27th March 2013

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Mk103545The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets. (Psalm 50:1 NIV)

See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. (Hebrew 12:25 NIV))

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LÖHE ON PHILIPPIANS 2:5

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Lamb of GodYour attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus! (Phi 2:5 NIV)

That is the proper practice of lent, the discipleship of Jesus, the nature and form that we poor sinners should follow the great, big cross bearer and carry our little cross after his huge one. Truly, dear brothers, after we have recognised the heights to which the deep suffering of Jesus leads, we might gain courage and even feel a holy longing to follow this Lord of all, who love him, and just as he did not consider his own life too much, we too should strive to be more and more like him. We have a saviour, who lived in this world for us and who also died for us and now lives eternally for us as he is praying always for us, so we too can have nothing better to do, than to live, suffer and die for others and pray for them here and there. The companions of David gathered around him shouting: “Yours we are David and we are on your side, you son of Jesse! Peace, Peace be with you Peace with your friends and God is your helper!” Let us become such companions of our saviour – and greet him similarly and follow him with even greater faithfulness!

We greet you o King of mercy! Life, joy and hope of our souls – hail be to you! We praise you, we pray to you, we acclaim and greet you – even with tears, in sorrow and this dark valley of death. Therefore o Lord Jesus Christ, you who are our advocate with the Father, look us graciously, have mercy upon us and show us the way out of this misery dark place dear and holy son of God and Mary true! (Salve regina 1543)

We greet you on the cross on high – praiseworthy lamb of God sublime with prayer, psalm and devotion. Here you are suffering greatest pain, obedient, loving without fail death by a thousand pierces. Yet my faith clearly sees in you: God’s fame and splendour glory true dwell in your body surely and that you’ve earned our praising song that you’re the Lord to whom we belong: Hail king enthroned celestial.

We follow you through death and pain, Lord you’re our saviour and our gain nothing from you will sever. You lead the narrow way ahead, your crucifixion grants free course to life for those that trust you. Oh Jesus your most loving care grants that we lack naught since you share the fruit of your death vicariously; I fear not death and can rejoice: Our Faith gains all you ever promised! Blessed are you now and forever + (Valentin Ernst Löscher 1673-1749)

This is a translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Tuesday after Palmsunday (6th Sunday in Lent). The hymn can be sung to the melody of “Ich grüße Dich am Kreuzesstamm”. Both are found on Pg. 154 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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