Peace Lutheran Church Sussex, Wisconsin

Congregation at Prayer: June 25, 2023

The Catechism: Christian Questions with Their Answers (Questions 15-16)

Download (Adobe PDF)

Catechesis Notes for the Week — Jesus’ Pastoral Care and the Ministry—The ministry of the Gospel and Sacraments is about Jesus coming to us with His Word and Spirit both personally and corporately. When the disciples questioned Jesus about fasting, He spoke to them about how He was the bridegroom sent from heaven and by the “new Gospel” of His love there is cause for great rejoicing by those who follow Him. In a Girl Is Raised and a Woman Is Healed the personal character of Jesus’ ministry is revealed. The woman’s flow of blood was dried up by the touch of His garment. Similarly, by the ordinary earthly elements of water, bread, and wine Jesus comes with healing to each of us. Jesus’ raising of the little girl not only indicates His power over death, but also His love in the comfort He brought to the little girl’s family as they were reunited in life. Two Blind Men Are Healed shows us the confession of faith in Jesus that every Christian has. They were beggars. They had nothing and were totally dependent upon Christ. He was the object of their faith, and His mercy delivered them. This personal ministry for sinners in need of God’s grace is seen in the Sending Out of the Twelve who, by Jesus’ authority, are called to demonstrate His compassion for those who are “like sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus the Good Shepherd provides His under-shepherds to care for all the sheep of His flock. This faithful pastoral care carries with it the Promise of Persecution as ministers go out on His behalf. They are called to depend upon the Lord’s provisions alone, and when they suffer persecution, they testify to Him whose persecution brought about the salvation of those to whom they preach. Confessing Christ Before Men carries the comforting promise that Jesus will confess us before His Father who is in heaven. When John the Baptist Sends Disciples to Jesus for comfort and assurance that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus directs them to His saving ministry of Word and deed whereby He fulfilled the Old Testament Scriptures. Jesus’ ministry is also celebrated this week in the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles. By the Gospel of Jesus, these two sinners were made faithful apostles of Christ, proclaiming His forgiving grace to individuals and congregations alike. CP230625