Likeable and Liked, or Loved and Loving

I suppose it is a given that everyone wants to be liked. Tonight I'm pondering the possibility that we much prefer to be liked than to be loved.

To be loved, in the best sense of the word, is to receive the grace of another, and to be covered with forgiveness for the daily faults and failings of life.

But if I am liked suggests that there is something likeable about me, and inherently worthwhile; which appeals to my sinful ego in a way that being loved and forgiven does not.

In truth, we live by the grace of God, by the love with which He loves us freely in Christ Jesus; not by any merit or worthiness in us, but solely by His divine goodness and mercy. Understanding that informs, also, the way I relate to my neighbors in the world; that I would not simply like the likeable fellas and gals that I encounter, but that I would love and gladly serve and cover with forgiveness the unpleasant, grumpy and irritating.

Contentment, Humility, and Patience

The idolatry of self, which is the original sin, works covetousness, pride, and restless anxiety in the heart. And these all run together into death.

But the fear, love and trust of the one true God, whereby the heart finds peace and rest in the flesh and blood of Christ, these grant contentment, humility, and patience. And by such faith, which abides in the Body of Christ our God, we live.

Hymns for Historic Holy Week

Palmarum / Sunday of the Passion
John 12:12–19 (Palmarum)
Zechariah 9:9–12
Philippians 2:5–11
Matthew 26:1—27:66

Processional Hymn
All glory, laud, and honor (LSB 442) (Catechetical in odd years)

Sequence
The royal banners forward go (LSB 455)

Hymn of the Day
A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth (LSB 438) (Catechetical even)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
O Lord, how shall I meet You (LSB 334)
The death of Jesus Christ, our Lord (LSB 634)
My song is love unknown (LSB 430)
Hosanna, loud hosanna (LSB 443)

Processional Out
Ride on, ride on in majesty (LSB 441)

Alternative Hymns
Alas! And did my Savior bleed (LSB 437)
At the name of Jesus (LSB 512)
Christ is the world’s Redeemer (LSB 539)
Christ, the Life of all the living (LSB 420)
Come, Thou precious Ransom, come (LSB 350)
Cross of Jesus, cross of sorrow (LSB 428)
Hail, Thou once despised Jesus (LSB 531)
In silent pain the eternal Son (LSB 432)
In the shattered bliss of Eden (LSB 572)
Jesus, I will ponder now (LSB 440)
Jesus, refuge of the weary (LSB 423)
No tramp of soldiers’ marching feet (LSB 444)
O Christ, our hope, our hearts’ desire (LSB 553)
O darkest woe (LSB 448)
O dearest Jesus, what law hast Thou broken (LSB 439)
O sacred head, now wounded (LSB 450)
Since our great High Priest, Christ Jesus (LSB 529)
The Head that once was crowned with thorns (LSB 532)
Upon the cross extended (LSB 453)
We sing the praise of Him who died (LSB 429)


Monday in Holy Week (Prayer Office)
Psalm 36:5–12 (antiphon: v. 9)
Isaiah 50:5–10
Hebrews 9:11–15
Matthew 26:1—27:66

Office Hymn
A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth (LSB 438) (even years)
All glory, laud, and honor (LSB 442) (odd years)

Alternative Hymns
Jesus, I will ponder now (LSB 440)
Lamb of God, pure and holy (LSB 434)
My song is love unknown (LSB 430)
O sacred head, now wounded (LSB 450)
On my heart imprint Your image (LSB 422)


Monday in Holy Week (Divine Service)
Psalm 36:5–10 (antiphon: v. 9)
Isaiah 42:1–9
1 Peter 2:21–24
John 12:1–23 (24–36)

Hymn of the Day
O sacred head, now wounded (LSB 450)

Alternative Hymns
A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth (LSB 438)
All glory, laud, and honor (LSB 442)
Christ, the Life of all the living (LSB 420)
In the cross of Christ I glory (LSB 427)
Jesus, I will ponder now (LSB 440)
Jesus, refuge of the weary (LSB 423)
Lamb of God, pure and holy (LSB 434)
My song is love unknown (LSB 430)
O dearest Jesus, what law hast Thou broken (LSB 439)
Stricken, smitten, and afflicted (LSB 451)
The royal banners forward go (LSB 455)
When aimless violence takes those we love (LSB 764)


Tuesday in Holy Week (Prayer Office)
Psalm 54 (antiphon: v. 4)
Jeremiah 11:18–20
1 Timothy 6:12–14
Mark 14:1—15:47

Office Hymn
A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth (LSB 438) (even years)
All glory, laud, and honor (LSB 442) (odd years)

Alternative Hymns
Lamb of God, pure and holy (LSB 434)
On my heart imprint Your image (LSB 422)
Rise, my soul, to watch and pray (LSB 663)
The Son of God goes forth to war (LSB 661)
Upon the cross extended (LSB 453)


Tuesday in Holy Week (Divine Service)
Psalm 71:1–14 (antiphon: v. 12)
Isaiah 49:1–7
1 Corinthians 1:18–25 (26–31)
John 12:23–50

Hymn of the Day
Upon the cross extended (LSB 453)

Alternative Hymns
A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth (LSB 438)
All glory, laud, and honor (LSB 442)
Christ, the Life of all the living (LSB 420)
Jesus, I will ponder now (LSB 440)
Jesus, refuge of the weary (LSB 423)
Let us ever walk with Jesus (LSB 685)
Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word (LSB 655)
My song is love unknown (LSB 430)
O dearest Jesus, what law hast Thou broken (LSB 439)
O sacred head, now wounded (LSB 450)
Ride on, ride on in majesty (LSB 441)
The royal banners forward go (LSB 455)


Wednesday in Holy Week (Prayer Office)
Psalm 70 (antiphon: v. 5)
Isaiah 62:11—63:7
Revelation 1:5b–7
Luke 22:1—23:56

Office Hymn
A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth (LSB 438) (even years)
All glory, laud, and honor (LSB 442) (odd years)

Alternative Hymns
Hail, Thou once despised Jesus (LSB 531)
Lamb of God, pure and holy (LSB 434)
Oh, how great is Your compassion (LSB 559)
Jesus, grant that balm and healing (LSB 421)
When I survey the wondrous cross (LSB 425)


Wednesday in Holy Week (Divine Service)
Psalm 70 (antiphon: v. 5)
Isaiah 50:4–9a
Romans 5:6–11
John 13:16–38

Hymn of the Day
Jesus, grant that balm and healing (LSB 421)

Alternative Hymns
A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth (LSB 438)
All glory, laud, and honor (LSB 442)
Christ, the Life of all the living (LSB 420)
Draw near and take the body of the Lord (LSB 637)
Jesus, I will ponder now (LSB 440)
Jesus, refuge of the weary (LSB 423)
My song is love unknown (LSB 430)
O dearest Jesus, what law hast Thou broken (LSB 439)
O sacred head, now wounded (LSB 450)
The death of Jesus Christ, our Lord (LSB 634)
Upon the cross extended (LSB 453)
Your table I approach (LSB 628)


Maundy Thursday Morning

The Litany (LSB 288–289)
Corporate Confession and Absolution (LSB 290–291)

Office Hymn
Jesus, I will ponder now (LSB 440)

Alternative Hymns
Baptismal waters cover me (LSB 616)
Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness (LSB 563)
The gifts Christ freely gives (LSB 602)


Maundy Thursday Evening (Divine Service)
Exodus 12:1–14 or Exodus 24:3–11
1 Corinthians 11:23–32
John 13:1–15 (34–35)

Processional Hymn
Now, my tongue, the myst’ry telling (LSB 630)

Hymn of the Day
O Lord, we praise Thee (LSB 617)

Offertory Hymn
A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth (LSB 438)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
The death of Jesus Christ, our Lord (LSB 634)
Wide open stand the gates (LSB 639)
Jesus Christ, our blessed Savior (LSB 627)
Father most holy, merciful and tender (LSB 504)

Alternative Hymns
All Christians who have been baptized (LSB 596)
Feed Thy children, God most holy (LSB 774)
In the shattered bliss of Eden (LSB 572)
Jesus, greatest at the table (LSB 446)
Jesus, Thy boundless love to me (LSB 683)
Let us ever walk with Jesus (LSB 685)
Lord, help us walk Your servant way (LSB 857)
My song is love unknown (LSB 430)
Once in the blest baptismal waters (LSB 598)
Where charity and love prevail (LSB 845)

Additional Lord’s Supper Hymns
Draw near and take the body of the Lord (LSB 637)
I come, O Savior, to Thy table (LSB 618)
Let all mortal flesh keep silence (LSB 621)
Lord Jesus Christ, life-giving bread (LSB 625)
Lord Jesus Christ, You have prepared (LSB 622)
O living Bread from heaven (LSB 642)
Soul, adorn yourself with gladness (LSB 636)
The infant priest was holy born (LSB 624)
Thee we adore, O hidden Savior (LSB 640)
Thy body, giv’n for me, O Savior (LSB 619)


Good Friday
Isaiah 52:13—53:12
2 Corinthians 5:14–21
John 18:1—19:42

Hymn preceding the Passion
Jesus, I will ponder now (LSB 440)

Hymn interspersed with the Reading of the Passion
O sacred head, now wounded (LSB 450)

Hymn of the Day
A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth (LSB 438)

Hymn for the Reproaches
Lamb of God, pure and holy (LSB 434)

Offertory Hymn
Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle (LSB 454)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
O darkest woe (LSB 448)
O dearest Jesus, what law hast Thou broken (LSB 439)
The death of Jesus Christ, our Lord (LSB 634)

Hymn of Departure
The royal banners forward go (LSB 455)

Alternative Hymns
Cross of Jesus, cross of sorrow (LSB 428)
Go to dark Gethsemane (LSB 436)
If Your beloved Son, O God (LSB 568)
In the shattered bliss of Eden (LSB 572)
Jesus, grant that balm and healing (LSB 421)
Jesus, I will ponder now (LSB 440)
Jesus, in Your dying woes (LSB 447)
On my heart imprint Your image (LSB 422)
Stricken, smitten, and afflicted (LSB 451)
Upon the cross extended (LSB 453)
We sing the praise of Him who died (LSB 429)
When I survey the wondrous cross (LSB 425)


Holy Saturday Morning (Simplified Matins)
Psalm 16 (antiphon: v. 10)
Daniel 6:1–24
1 Peter 3:17–22
Matthew 27:57–66

Office Hymn
Oh, what their joy and their glory must be (LSB 675)

Alternative Hymns
All Christians who have been baptized (LSB 596)
God’s own child, I gladly say it (LSB 594)
I lie, O Lord, within Your care (LSB 885)
I walk in danger all the way (LSB 716)
In God, my faithful God (LSB 745)
My song is love unknown (LSB 430)
O darkest woe (LSB 448)
O God, my faithful God (LSB 696)
Once in the blest baptismal waters (LSB 598)
Savior, when in dust to Thee (LSB 419)
This body in the grave we lay (LSB 759)
Water, blood, and Spirit crying (LSB 597)
What God ordains is always good (LSB 760)
When in the hour of deepest need (LSB 615)

Of Fathers and Sons

It occurs to me this evening that we sinners are more inclined to look for life vicariously in the works of our sons than receptively from the gifts of our fathers. But the Son of God lives entirely from His Father, and this He does also for us, who are the sons of God in Christ by His grace.

If Thou But Trust in God to Guide Thee

It's not the Hymn of the Day for the Feast of St. Joseph, but what a perfectly appropriate hymn for this festival day. It artfully confesses the quiet faith and humble obedience of that faithful son of David, the mercifully righteous husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Without a word of question or complaint, he rises to do according to the Word of the Lord. It was surely not the life that he had anticipated, looked forward to, planned and prepared for; yet, he was not dissuaded from his calling to serve his bride and her Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. What a marvelous example for us, as the Lord's saints are set before us to be. And, again, how nicely this hymn, "If Thou But Trust in God to Guide Thee" (LSB 750), articulates the example we find in St. Joseph:

If thou but trust in God to guide thee
And hope in Him through all thy ways,
He'll give thee strength, whate'er betide thee,
And bear thee through the evil days.
Who trusts in God's unchanging love
Builds on the rock that naught can move.

What can these anxious cares avail thee,
These neverceasing moans and sighs?
What can it help if thou bewail thee
O'er each dark moment as it flies?
Our cross and trials do but press
The heavier for our bitterness.

Be patient and await His leisure
In cheerful hope, with heart content
To take whate'er thy Father's pleasure
And His discerning love hath sent,
Nor doubt our inmost wants are known
To Him who chose us for His own.

God knows full well when times of gladness
Shall be the needful thing for thee.
When He has tried thy soul with sadness
And from all guile has found thee free,
He comes to thee all unaware
And makes thee own His loving care.

Nor think amid the fiery trial
That God hath cast thee off onheard,
That he whose hopes meet no denial
Must surely be of God preferred.
Time passes and much change doth bring
And sets a bound to ev'rything.

All are alike before the Highest;
'Tis easy for our God, we know,
To raise thee up, though low thou liest,
To make the rich man poor and low.
True wonders still by Him are wrought
Who setteth up and brings to naught.

Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving,
Perform thy duties faithfully,
And trust His Word; though undeserving,
Thou yet shalt find it true for thee.
God never yet forsook in need
The soul that trusted Him indeed.

Thanks be to God for His steafast, faithful servant, St. Joseph. According to his human office and vocation as a husband and father, he guarded and guided our Lord Jesus Christ in the frailities of His childhood. Not David the king, but his son, Joseph the carpenter, thus built a house for God, that we too might become children and heirs of the Most High; through Christ, our Lord.

What This World Needs

is less celibacy and more chastity.

Delaying marriage, as a general rule, especially in the case of young women, until . . . [insert goal or aspiration here] . . . has resulted in rampant fornication and a lot of lonely people.

Whereas the Holy Scriptures set forth holy matrimony as both a blessed gift of God and a remedy for lust and perversion, the world increasingly praises and supports illicit sex as good and marriage as bad. Better to marry than burn with passion, St. Paul writes; yet, many parents would prefer to have their children fornicate than get married "too early." The temptations of the flesh are taken lightly, so that parents naively suppose that their children will sail through college and the work-a-day world with nary a scratch to their body and soul. Would that it were so in far more cases than it is!

Kudos to those fathers and mothers who have assured their daughters and sons of their support, financial and otherwise, irrespective of whether they remain single or get married.

It is not necessary that every person marry or be given in marriage. But the blessed cross of celibacy is neither a common gift nor an easy vocation to bear. Those who are not married should possess their own vessel in purity and honor, and dedicate themselves to the service of Christ and His Church and their neighbors in the world. Those who are not yet "ready" to get married are even less "ready" to fornicate; there is never a good time for sin, whether in the teens or twenties, the thirties or forties, the fifties, sixties or seventies.

Of course, chastity belongs also to the married estate. Husbands and wives are to live, not as though their marriage were their god, but unto Christ in faith and love. We are neither more nor less righteous by the vocation of marriage, nor by the vocation of celibacy; but, wherever God has placed us by His grace, we are given to live according to His Word.

Thanks be to God for that one sacred and eternal marriage of Christ and His Bride, the Church, wherein He has given Himself for us, bedecked us in His righteousness, adorned us with His holiness, cleansed and healed us of every blemish, stain and wrinkle. He has not remained celibate, but He is chaste, and all that belongs to Him is ours, according to the tender mercies of our God. So do our bodies belong to Him, as members of His Body, and that is a good thing.

For Katharina's Baptism Day

Do you wish to be a Christian, a disciple of Christ Jesus? Would you follow Him, in order to be with Him where He is, both now and forever? Then you must be taught by Him and learn from Him.

Not only that, but your ongoing catechesis focuses your attention on who this Jesus is; and the big question is: What do you think of Him?

What do the people say? What is the public opinion of Jesus? He’s a preacher of the Word of God, a preacher of repentance; another prophet, and a baptizer. Yes, He is all of that; and He is more.

But still the question is put to you: Not only what you think, but who do you say that Jesus is? What do your words and actions confess concerning Him? What do you say about Jesus in your vocation as a Christian, and in your place in the world?

If your life says nothing at all about Jesus, then how shall your life be saved?

But what, then?

Who is this Jesus?

He is the Christ, the Lord’s Anointed. So you also have confessed, by the grace of God the Father, in the rite of Holy Baptism. So what does this mean for Him? And what does it mean for you?

Jesus, the Son of the living God, is anointed by the Spirit of His Father to be the Son of Man; wherefore He must suffer many things, and die, and rise again for you and your salvation. And if you are His disciple, taught by Him to carry the cross and follow Him, then you also suffer and die and rise again.

Jesus puts this to you plainly. Will you accept it, and bear it? Will He be your Lord and your God? Or will you buck and resist His Word, and would you presume to rebuke Him for His Cross?

Repent.

Get back in line behind Jesus, and follow Him. Deny yourself, take up the Cross, and follow Him. Do not set your heart and mind on your own interests, and do not walk according to the worldly wisdom of self-preservation. But give attention to the Word of God. Fear, love, and trust in Him.

This is the work of the Cross in your body and life here on earth. The Cross puts you to death, so that you may really live forever. That work of the Cross begins and remains rooted in your Baptism, and it continues all your days.

Because real life and the true God are found, not where you are prone to look (that is, within yourself), but in Christ, crucified and risen; in His Word of the Gospel, the forgiveness of all your sins; and in His holy flesh and blood. This promise is for you and for your children. Thus, not only must you be put to death to yourself, to your sin and to the world, but so also your children must be crucified, put to death and buried with Christ Jesus, if you would give them the salvation of their souls and the life everlasting.

Each of you is called to deny yourself, to take up the Cross, and to follow Jesus. But you parents, you fathers in particular, are called to catechize your children in this way of the Cross. That means teaching them the Word of Christ Jesus within your home and family, and within the household and family of the Church. It means, also, that you prioritize the Gospel of the Cross in the way you order and arrange your own life and theirs. Do not live for the acquisition of worldly goods, which perish, but let all else be bent toward the storing up of treasures in heaven, which are found only in Christ and His Gospel.

To live by faith in Him puts you and your children at odds with this adulterous and sinful generation; and it puts you at odds with yourself, within your own sinful heart.

To live according to His Word, by faith, under His Cross, is difficult and painful. It is beyond your strength, and seemingly impossible altogether. Like the promise of God to ancient Abraham and barren Sarah, and His covenant with them; which was finally fulfilled, for them and you, in the Cross of Christ.

The guarantee and certainty of this faith, by which you have peace, hope, love and joy in the midst of tribulation, suffering, setbacks and temporary disappointments, is that same Cross and Passion of Christ Himself, who is God in the flesh, and in His bodily Resurrection from death and the grave to eternal life. He has not failed, and your faith in Him shall not be disappointed.

It is because of this Lord Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, that you are reconciled to God.

Live and walk in Him, therefore; in the surety of what He has done, and in the way that He has gone. There alone is where your life is, and there is no life anywhere else.

Now, you are in and with Christ Jesus, because He has first of all established Himself for you, and He has given Himself for you. So has He also given Himself to you, and established you in Himself. That is the gift and the good work that He has granted to you (and Katharina) in the waters of Holy Baptism. That is what He gives you with His body and His blood in the Holy Communion.

Thus, it is in Christ that you now stand before God, righteous and holy, at peace, and hopeful even in the face of death. So, too, your safety and security in Christ remain sure and certain, no matter how the world may hate you and hurt you, or despise and dismiss you, or ignore you as of no consequence. No matter how your own frail heart may waver or quail in fear; as even Abraham’s heart did at times.

God’s promises to Abraham have indeed been fully accomplished, also for you, in the holy Seed of father Abraham, that is, the incarnate Son of God, Christ Jesus, conceived and born of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He is fruitful, and He multiplies His family among all the nations of the earth.

You, and all who are born again by the washing of water with the Word and Spirit of Christ, are children of Abraham by grace, through faith in the One who is both Abraham’s Son and Abraham’s Lord. So you are an heir of God’s promises to Abraham. Yes, and much more than that, you are a son of God in Christ; for He is counted to you as righteousness.

So does God your Father in heaven give life to you and to your mortal flesh, for both body and soul, by the flesh and blood of Christ Jesus. Thus, by the power of His indestructible life, you also live under His Cross and in His Resurrection. Yes, even though you die, yet shall you live.

In the Name + of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I'd Rather Be Taken Advantage Of

No one likes to be used or taken advantage of. That's true for pastors, too, but still, a pastor would much rather be taken advantage of than patronized.

Going to church is not a matter of doing the pastor a favor; at least it shouldn't be. Better to go for that reason than not at all, but that is hardly the point. I suppose it would be worse to presume that one is doing God a favor, but the pastor is speaking and acting in God's Name, so it really amounts to the same thing.

No one goes to a movie or out to eat as a favor to the manager of the establishment. No one goes to a mechanic or a doctor to do the professional a favor. We all make use of worldly goods and services, and we're even willing to pay for them, or barter for them, or whatever, because we desire to be cared for and served, or perhaps entertained, or to benefit in some way. How much more ought we to hunger for the Word and works of God, which He gives to us generously and without cost by His beloved Son.

As I said last night, it is one of the saddest ironies that man should make God's Sabbath into a burdensome and onerous task. The Lord desires to give His people joyful peace and blessed rest, but sinful man views this gift as a wearisome obligation. How quickly we count and calculate our effort and our sacrifice, while we forget our Lord's benefits.

Perhaps the pastor is personally boring or tedious. Nevertheless, the Word he preaches is the Lord's, and the works he administers are Christ's. These gracious gifts of God are not burdens upon His people, but the very fountain and source of life and salvation. Is this a chore?

To be patronized, as though people were doing the pastor a favor by coming to church, is one of the most discouraging responses to the Ministry of the Gospel. Not because it hurts the pastor's feelings (which would be missing the point in exactly the same way!), but because it reduces the Gospel to a legalistic work of man. Far better to be used and taken advantage of, that the goods and services of Christ and His Gospel might be received as the rich and pleasant benefits they are.

From Last Month (When I Had Time to Think)

Audio recordings of the little free conference that was held at Redeemer in Fort Wayne last month, on the cusp of the symposia, are now available from the Redeemer web site. Click here for links to those recordings.

Sarena Frances Wirgau

My first grandchild has been born: Sarena Frances Wirgau. Born to my daughter, DoRena, and her beloved husband, Sam, at 9:00 p.m. Weighing in at 6 lbs. 4 oz. Ostensibly "blonde" hair and blue eyes, like her Mommy. Please join us in raising a toast and offering prayers of thanksgiving.