Congregation at Prayer

Catechesis Notes for the Week — The Glory of the Lord’s Saving Presence — At the heart of God’s glory throughout the Scriptures is His saving grace. In a Pillar of Cloud by Day and a Pillar of Fire by Night the Lord manifested Himself to the Children of Israel and led them through the wilderness. The glory cloud was the place of His saving presence. His glory was above the Mercy seat of the Tabernacle where the blood of atonement was sprinkled. At the Tabernacle, the Lord distributed His forgiveness and led them throughout their pilgrimage. After having received the entirety of God’s Law, Israel Departs from Sinai. They were to walk by faith as the Lord led them. Throughout their pilgrimage we see many times of fear, doubt, grumbling, and mistrust of the Lord’s goodness. Yet the glory of His grace did not depart from them. When the People of Israel Complain against the Lord, the Lord Feeds His Grumbling People with Quail. He did not forsake His flock, even though they had so often doubted the provisions of His grace. Even Aaron and Miriam Speak against Moses, but the Lord calls them to repentance and in love for His people reaffirms Moses as the foundational prophet of His glory that they might know the certainty of His care for them. The glory of God is not merely His power; it is, rather, most especially His grace and mercy for sinners. It is this glory of God that we see lifted up in Jesus upon the altar of the cross. Led by Him and the glory of His love, we are kept safe throughout our earthly pilgrimage.CP230924

Catechesis Notes for the Week — Atonement to Cover Sin — The Day of Atonement was among the most important days in the Old Testament Church Year. Atonement is payment for sin. On the Day of Atonement, the sins of the congregation were imputed to the “scapegoat” which was then driven out into the wilderness. John the Baptist connected this to Jesus who, at His Baptism, was designated the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Following this the High Priest took the blood of atonement and went into the Holy of Holies to offer the blood upon the mercy seat in payment for the sins of the people. He then went out to the congregation and sprinkled them with the blood and water of atonement for the forgiveness of their sins. This action found its fulfillment in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice upon the cross. Blood and water flowed forth from His side after He was offered up in death upon the altar of the cross. In Holy Baptism, the water and blood of Jesus covers our sin and declares us righteous. The remaining Old Testament stories for this week highlight the ministry of the Levitical priesthood which find its fulfillment in Jesus’ priesthood. By the Second Passover after Israel had left Egypt, the Old Testament worship life was established. It taught them the pervasiveness of sin, the need for the sacrifice of blood to pay for that sin, the need for a substitute to be offered up in their place, and the need for a priest who would intercede for them in the sacrifices, prayers, and teaching that they needed. Jesus is all of this for us. He is both the High Priest and the sacrifice that makes atonement for sin. He continually intercedes for us in prayer on the basis of His sacrifice. He is also our teacher who, by the preaching of His Word, instructs us throughout our earthly pilgrimage that we might faithfully live the joyful life of daily contrition and repentance.
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Catechesis Notes for the Week — The Sacred Liturgy of the Old Testament Church — Many Christians view the Old Testament Liturgy of the Tabernacle as both works righteous and unnecessary. Some consider the material in Leviticus to be boring. Unfortunately, all of these views are misguided and fail to see how this liturgy was given by God and intended to catechize the congregation of Israel for the coming of Christ. The Burnt Offering showed the priest imputing the sin of the congregation to the sacrifice by laying his hand upon the head of the animal. In the same way, the sin of the world was imputed to Jesus. The Burnt Offering was the all-encompassing sacrifice that gave the congregation access to the presence of the Lord. In Christ’s sacrifice we all have access to God. The Sin Offering was made for specific sins, some of which were known, some of which were unknown. In any case, Christ’s offering upon the cross covers all the specific sins we have committed, even those we are unaware. The Restitution Offering taught that sin not only needed to be atoned for, but also that the devastation caused by sin needed to be made right. Jesus came to pay for sin and to restore that which had been ruined by sin. The Ministry of the Priests Begins points to the ultimate priestly ministry of Jesus. He is sanctified for His service by the shedding of His own blood on our behalf and by virtue of His atoning sacrifice upon the cross, He has the authority to intercede on our behalf before the throne of grace as the Levitical priests did for the congregation of Israel. The Profane Fire of Nadab and Abihu teaches us how seriously the Lord takes His divine service. Christ’s Word is to be preached according to the Holy Scriptures and His Sacraments are to be administered faithfully according to Christ’s institution. Anything less, profanes the Lord’s divine service even today as it did in the days of Nadab and Abihu. Every sacrifice, every offering, and every ceremonial action of the Old Testament Church finds its fulfillment in Christ and His sacrifice upon the cross. How fitting then it is that Holy Cross Day should be celebrated this week in which so many of the Old Testament prophetic allusions to Christ’s sacrifice are heard.CP230910

Catechesis Notes for the Week — Labor Day and the Law — Christians have a unique perspective on work. We work, not to serve ourselves, but to serve our neighbor in love. A man works for his wife and children. An employer serves his employer and the patrons of his business. A business owner employs many workers to help provide them with a livelihood for their families and to serve the community. This is patterned after our faith in Jesus’ work for us.  It is this perspective that gives us true and abiding contentment with our lives, not in serving ourselves but in working for others. Christians are not against good works. We are in favor of good works, and we believe in them not for our salvation but for the benefit of our neighbor. As we continue to meditate upon the Ten Commandments, this perspective on work is highlighted in the positive descriptions to the Catechism’s explanations. In short, these descriptions describe what the work of love looks like. In contrast to this, the Bible Narratives for the week recount how the Israelite’s unfaithfulness at Mount Sinai in the worship of the Golden Calf included a thoroughly self-centered disposition toward others. For their salvation, the Lord renewed His covenant with them and erected the Tabernacle as the place of His saving presence so that they could be refreshed and renewed in God’s work for them.CP230903