Daily Lessons June 20-26

Daily Lectionary For June 20–26, 2010

June 20 Proverbs 22:22-23:12; John 18:15-40
June 21 Proverbs 24:1-22; John 19:1-22
June 22 Proverbs 25:1-22; John 19:23-42; Proverbs 26:1-28
June 23 Proverbs 27:1-24; John 20:1-18; Proverbs 28:1-29:27
June 24 Nativity of John the Baptist Proverbs 30:1-9, 18-33; John 20:19-31
June 25 Presentation of the AC Proverbs 31:10-31; John 21:1-25
June 26 Joshua 1:1-18; Acts 8:1-25

THE PRESENTATION OF THE AUGSBURG CONFESSION (JUNE 25)

Jesus said, “Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father in heaven” (Matt 10:26–33). To confess Christ before men is to speak the truth openly about who He is and what He has done to save us. It is to give public voice to our belief in Him who made the good confession before Pontius Pilate (1 Tim 6:11–16), and by whose cross alone we are justified and restored to the Father. It is to say in faith what He has first said to us in His holy Word, not fearing those who can destroy the body, but honoring above all Him who is the Lord of both body and soul. On this day we give thanks to God that our Lutheran forefathers confessed the truth of the Scriptures with courage and clarity. This is a holy day in which we rejoice greatly to understand the words of the Lord (Neh 8:1–12) and to share in Augsburg’s confession of the true faith. The Spirit of God grant us all continually to fight the good fight of faith until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing.


Collect: O Lord God, heavenly Father, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people, keep them steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and comfort them in all temptations, defend them against all enemies of Your Word, and bestow on Christ's Church Militant Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament: Nehemiah 8:1–2, 5–6, 9–12
Epistle: 1 Timothy 6:11b-16
Holy Gospel: Matthew 10:26–33

Loking Forward to Next Week: THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

“Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful”(Luke 6:36–42). The old Adam in us, however, wants to condemn and seek vengeance. But the Lord says, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay” (Rom 12:14–21). To condemn, to avenge yourself, is to put yourself in the place of God. It is to fail to trust that He is just. Ultimately, it is to disbelieve that Jesus suffered the full vengeance for all wrongs. Only Christ is merciful as the Father is merciful. He is the one who overcame all evil with the good of His cross, forgiving even His executioners. Jesus is our Joseph, who comforts us with words of pardon and reconciliation (Gen 50:15–21). He is the One who does not condemn but gives life that runs over. Only through faith in Christ are we sons of the Father—being merciful, forgiving, doing good to our enemies. For in Christ we know that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Rom 8:8–13).

Collect: Grant, O Lord, we implore You, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by Your governance, that Your Church may joyfully serve You in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen.

Old Testament: Genesis 50:15–21
Epistle: Romans 8:18–23
Holy Gospel: Luke 6:36–42