Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ
Our watchword for this week is taken from the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, Chapter 4 verse 5, “For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as servants for Jesus’ sake,” (NRSVB). Today marks the last Sunday before the Lenten time, a time when we contemplate Jesus’ journey to the cross. Our watchword for the week focuses our attention to the nature of all proclamations of Christian faith, namely, the work of Christ on the Cross for humankind. Christ’s example of servant leadership encourages us to serve those around us with the love and humility of our Lord. Believers are the servants who, for the sake of the world, tell of Jesus’ salvation.
In the Septuagint translation (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible), as well as the Latin Vulgate, Psalm 31 is numbered Psalm 30, due to a slightly different numbering system of the Psalms in these versions. The name of this Sunday is derived from the Introit that is used in many Christian traditions, quoting from Psalm 31 verse 2, “Bow down your ear to me, deliver me speedily! Be my Rock of Refuge, a strong Fortress to save me!” In Latin “be my” can be translated as “esto mihi,” thus the name of this Sunday. It is also called Shrove Sunday or Quinquagesima Sunday, referring to fifty days before Easter. In the Lutheran tradition this Sunday’s readings focus on Christ going to Jerusalem to fulfil the words of the prophets according to Luke 18 verse 32 and Christ’s love for the world, as described by Paul in the First Epistle to the Corinthians Chapter 13. The theme of Christ’s road of suffering is introduced by Jesus’ teaching in Mark 8 verses 31 to 38 of the suffering of the Son of Man. The various cultural and ecumenical traditions of celebrating the time of Lent, Christ’s Passion and Easter have given the world a heritage of beautiful artworks, poetry, prose, music, culinary and celebratory treasures and customs. Christ came for all, near or far off; his birth, death and resurrection are celebrated across the globe by the faithful with devoted joy and thankfulness for his blessings. “The Lord will bless his people with peace,” Psalm 29, verse 11, (NKJV), is our watchword for today. This is our prayer, that God will bless his people on this day, where they celebrate “The Day of the Lord ” in various ways; together, though apart, due to the pandemic. Christ shall return “To comfort, comfort ye My people,” as is promised by the prophet Isaiah in the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 40.
Our application verse is taken from the Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, Chapter 2 verse 17, “Christ Jesus came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near,” (NRSVB). In the teachings and writings of the Apostle Paul, he made use of many quotes from the Hebrew Bible to show his listeners how the various prophecies concerning Jesus, came true. The above verse is a quote from Isaiah 57 verse 17, “Peace, peace, to him who is far off, be it Jew or Gentile, and to him who is near, says the Lord.” Through the coming of Jesus Christ a new commandment was given, the commandment of sacrificial love for the neighbour, be he friend or foe. “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you,” John 13 verse 34. Humanly it is not possible to love with love like Christ’s, but what is impossible for humans, is possible through the Holy Spirit, who proceeds by the word of God. When we have Christ’s love in our hearts we will be partakers of his peace, the peace that we have to share in the tumultuous world; the peace that transcends our understanding.
Father God, we come to you on Your Day and ask, esto mihi, Lord! Be my Rock and Refuge, save us in these times of restlessness and bring your peace and calm, Amen.