Lent IV
Here is the handout, from Bob and Cathy Mattson, for the Fourth Sunday in Lent.
FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
God of all mercy, by your power to heal and to forgive, graciously cleanse us from all sin and make us strong; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Gospel: Luke 15: 1- 3, 11-32
Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, "The Prodigal Son Wastes His Inheritance" (1636)
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming next to (Jesus) 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told them this parable: 11 “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later, the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out a robe – the best one — and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate, 24 for this son of mine was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
Albrecht Dürer, "The Prodigal Son Among the Pigs" (1497)
25 “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him! 31 Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead, and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
JUSTIFICATION Sunday: Luke xv. 1-10
Be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. Matthew ix. 2.
James Tissot, "The Return of the Prodigal Son" (1862)
These words indicate that in this spiritual kingdom there is, and should be, sheer forgiveness of sins. Now we must study with diligence what forgiveness of sins means. It is easily said, forgiveness of sins. Ah! if it could be won and done with words! But when it comes to the serious encounter, nothing is known of it. For it is a great thing, which I must believe and grasp with my heart, namely, that all my sins are forgiven and that through this faith I am justified before God. That is a wonderful justice and very different from the justice of judges and of the wise and prudent people in the world. For they all say that justice is to be found within man’s heart and soul as a quality wrought into it. But this Gospel teaches us that Christians righteousness in not a quality within man’s heart or soul; but we should learn that we are redeemed and made just through the forgiveness of sins.
“Sermon on St. Matthew’s Day,” [W.A. 6. 171 ff.] Taken from the book: Day by Day We Magnify Thee by Martin Luther (Page 251 )
PRAYER FROM LUTHER’S PRAYERS
O Father, it is indeed true that no one can be strong by his own power (I Sam. 2:4). How can we stand before your might if you do not yourself strengthen and comfort us? Therefore, dear Father, embrace us, accomplish your will in us, that we may be your kingdom to your praise and glory. But, dear Father, strengthen us in this life with your holy word. Give us our daily bread. Establish in our hearts your dear Son Jesus Christ who is the true bread of heaven. Sustained by him, we may gladly bear and suffer the breaking and the dying of our own will and the fulfilling of your will. Give grace to all Christendom. Send us educated pastors and preachers who will not give us the crumbs and chaff of foolish fables, but who will teach us your holy Gospel and lead us to Jesus Christ. Amen.
FROM LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM
The Apostles’ Creed, The Second Article: On Redemption
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
And is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
What is this?
I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father in eternity, and also true human being, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord. He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person. He has purchased and freed me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death. He has done all this in order that I may belong to him in eternal righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as he is risen from the dead and lives and rules in eternity. This is most certainly true.
