Exegesis of the LectionaryStudying, expounding, and interpreting the Bible readings through the Church Year

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (Rogate)

 The Lord Jesus Comforts Us with the Preaching of His Resurrection

Acts 17:16-31; 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-21; Psalm 66:8-20

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

 

Acts 17:16–31

1 Peter 3:13–22

John 14:15–21

 

The Lord Jesus Comforts Us with the Preaching of His Resurrection

 “The God who . . . gives to all mankind life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:24–25) wants all people to seek Him “that they might feel their way toward him and find him” (Acts 17:27). But in our sinful ignorance we humans turn instead to idols “formed by the art and imagination of man” (Acts 17:29). Therefore God appointed the Man of Righteousness, Jesus Christ, and “has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:31). Because He lives, we also live (John 14:19) in His forgiveness, and thus we love Him and keep His commandments (John 14:15). While the risen Lord prepares us for His Ascension, He will not leave us “as orphans” (John 14:18), but gives “another Helper,” the Holy Spirit, to be with us forever (John 14:16) through the preaching of “Jesus and the resurrection” (Acts 17:18). Because He “suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous” (1 Peter 3:18), we “regard Christ the Lord as holy” and are always “prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks” for the reason for our hope (1 Peter 3:15). Our Baptism “now saves” us “as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21).

Spend a few minutes writing / doodling you ideas of the first minutes of that next life, brother. Share with the group.

Resurrection

John 6:54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

LSB 709

1 Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice,With exultation springing,And with united heart and voiceAnd holy rapture singing,Proclaim the wonders God has done,How His right arm the vict'ry won;What price our ransom cost Him!

2 Fast bound in Satan's chains I lay;Death brooded darkly o'er me.Sin was my torment night and day;In sin my mother bore me.But daily deeper still I fell;My life became a living hell,So firmly sin possessed me.

3 My own good works all came to naught,No grace or merit gaining;Free will against God's jugment fought,

Dead to all good remaining.My fears increased till sheer despairLeft only death to be my share;The pangs of hell I suffered.

4 But God had seen my wretched stateBefore the world's foundation,And mindful of His mercies great,He planned for my salvation.He turned to me a father's heart;He did not choose the easy partBut gave His dearest treasure.

5 God said to His beloved Son:"It's time to have compassion.Then go, bright jewel of My crown,And bring to all salvation.From sin and sorrow set them free;Slay bitter death for them that theyMay live with You forever."

LSB 709

6 The Son obeyed His Father's will,Was born of virgin mother;And God's good pleasure to fulfill,He came to be my brother.His royal pow'r disguised He bore;A servant's form, like mine, He woreTo lead the devil captive.

7 To me He said: "Stay close to Me,I am your rock and castle.Your ransom I Myself will be;For you I strive and wrestle.For I am yours, and you are Mine,And where I am you may remain;The foe shall not divide us.

8 "Though he will shed My precious blood,Me of My life bereaving,All this I suffer for your good;

Be steadfast and believing.Life will from death the vict'ry win;My innocence shall bear your sin,And you are blest forever.

9 "Now to My Father I depart,From earth to heav'n ascending,And, heav'nly wisdom to impart,The Holy Spirit sending;In trouble He will comfort youAnd teach you always to be trueAnd into truth shall guide you.

10 "What I on earth have done and taught,Guide all your life and teaching;So shall the kingdom's work be wroughtAnd honored in your preaching.But watch lest foes with base alloyThe heav'nly treausre should destroy;This final word I leave you."

Prayer Activity

Use your prayer notes.

Use a verse from the bible to reflect on.

Pray for life.

P raiseR epentanceA ppreciationY ouE veryoneR esolve

For sure and certain faith to love the Lord and to keep His commandments, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For those who suffer for righteousness’ sake, that they would be delivered from fear of their enemies and honor Christ as Lord in their hearts…  For boldness to make a faithful witness to Christ, as St. Paul once did in the Areopagus, and to faithfully proclaim one divine truth in the midst of this world’s many false gods… Remembering those who have given all for our

country and laid the ultimate sacrifice on the altar of freedom; for those who have borne the burdens of deployment; for those who have faithfully served God and country; for those who now wear the cloth of our country and serve with honor, courage and commitment, that we might give thanks for their faithful service this Memorial Day… For the lonely, the destitute and the homeless, that they would trust in the Lord for their daily bread, and that the Lord would make us messengers of His mercy as we reach out to all around us in need…

Prayer Activity

Use your prayer notes.

Use a verse from the bible to reflect on.

Pray for life.

P raiseR epentanceA ppreciationY ouE veryoneR esolve

For our inner cities and those who face the challenges of urban living, that the Lord would reach down to them in grace and grant them peace, safety and security… For those who travel this holiday weekend, that they would be granted safe passage on the land, in the air and by sea…  For those who have requested our intercession, [especially ________________,] that the Lord would grant healing according to His will and hope according to His promise… 

For the right reception of the Lord’s Supper at this altar today, that those who eat and drink the Savior’s body and blood may remember Jesus’ sacrifice, proclaim His death and receive in faith the pledge of future glory…  For all who departed this life in saving faith, let us give thanks and praise, asking that we might be given our portion with them in the Kingdom… Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Group Time Meet w/teams

3-5 min per box

What are the major points of your text?

How does your topic fit the pericope theme?

How does it connect to the other texts? How is it unique?

The Lord Jesus Comforts Us with the Preaching of His Resurrection

Acts 17:16-31

English Standard Version (ESV)

Paul in Athens

16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city wasfull of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preachingJesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 For you bring somestrange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.

Paul Addresses the Areopagus

22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription,‘To

the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,[a] 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for

“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;[b]

as even some of your own poets have said,

“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’[c]

29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,31 because he has fixed a day on whichhe will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; andof this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

1 Peter 3:13-22

English Standard Version (ESV)13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.18 For Christ also suffered[a

] once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which[b] he went andproclaimed[c] to the spirits in prison,20 because[d] they formerly did not obey,when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

John 14:15-21

English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you anotherHelper,[a] to be with you forever,17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be[b] in you.18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more,

butyou will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves mewill be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

Psalm 66:8-20

English Standard Version (ESV)8 Bless our God, O peoples;    let the sound of his praise be heard,9 who has kept our soul among the living    and has not let our feet slip.10 For you, O God, have tested us;    you have tried us as silver is tried.11 You brought us into the net;    you laid a crushing burden on our backs;12 you let men ride over our heads;    we went through fire and through water;yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.13 I will come into your house with burnt offerings;    I will perform my vows to you,14 that which my lips uttered    and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.

15 I will offer to you burnt offerings of fattened animals,    with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams;I will make an offering of bulls and goats. Selah16 Come and hear, all you who fear God,    and I will tell what he has done for my soul.17 I cried to him with my mouth,    and high praise was on[a] my tongue.[b]

18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,    the Lord would not have listened.19 But truly God has listened;    he has attended to the voice of my prayer.20 Blessed be God,    because he has not rejected my prayer    or removed his steadfast love from me!

Ascension Acts 1:1-11

Eph 1:15-23

Luke 24:44-53

Psalm 47

1 Up through endless ranks of angels,cries of triumph in his ears,to his heavenly throne ascending, having vanquished all their fears,Christ looks down upon his faithful, leaving them in happy tears.

2 Death-destroying, life-restoring, 

proven equal to our need,now for us before the Fatheras our brother intercede;flesh that for our world was wounded,living, for the wounded plead!

3 To our lives of wanton wanderingsend your promised Spirit guide;through our lives of fear and failurewith your power and love abide;welcome us, as you were welcomed,to an endless Eastertide.

4 Alleluia! Alleluia!O to breathe the Spirit's grace!Alleluia! Alleluia!O to see the Father's face.Alleluia! Alleluia! O to feel the Son's embrace!

Next Week…THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Our Lord Jesus Is with Us in the Upper Room of His Church on Earth

Acts 1:12–26 Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

1 Peter 4:12–19; 5:6–11 Suffering as a Christian

John 17:1–11 The High Priestly Prayer

Psalm 68:1–10 God Shall Scatter His Enemies

 

Acts 1:12-26

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All thesewith one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.[a]

15 In those days Peter stood up amongthe brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said,16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”18 (Now this man acquired a field withthe reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong[b] he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

“‘May his camp become desolate,    and let there be no one to dwell in it’;

and

“‘Let another take his office.’

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 Andthey prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry andapostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

1 Peter 4:12-19

Suffering as a Christian

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoiceinsofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be gladwhen his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory[

a]and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?18 And

“If the righteous is scarcely saved,    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[b]

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

5:6-11

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devilprowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to hiseternal glory in Christ, will himselfrestore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

John 17:1-11

The High Priestly Prayer

17 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come;glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with youbefore the world existed.

6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everythingthat you have given me is from you.8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father,keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one,even as we are one.

Psalm 68:1-10

God Shall Scatter His Enemies

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A Song.

68 God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered;    and those who hate him shall flee before him!2 As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away;    as wax melts before fire,    so the wicked shall perish before God!3 But the righteous shall be glad;    they shall exult before God;    they shall be jubilant with joy!

4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name;    lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;his name is the LORD;    exult before him!5 Father of the fatherless andprotector of widows    is God in his holy habitation.6 God settles the solitary in a home;    he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,    but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

7 O God, when you went out before your people,    when you marched through the wilderness, Selah8 the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,    before God, the One of Sinai,    before God, the God of Israel.9 Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;    you restored your inheritance as it languished;10 your flock[a] found a dwelling in it;    in your goodness, O God, youprovided for the needy.