Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany (February 23, 2025

Today is the final Sunday of the Epiphany season before the Transfiguration, and it serves as a good transition from last Sunday to Transfiguration as it continues to shift our focus from the things of this world, which bear no implication for our standing before God, to seeing Jesus alone (Transfiguration) as our salvation. Each of the readings for this day plays well into the theme of not burdening ourselves with the things of this world so that we might see them all as gifts to use according to our freedom in the Gospel.

The Introit, for example, accentuates this as it encourages us to wait patiently and not fret. Do not fret over one who prospers nor over the one who does evil. Do not fret and worry over what we have or do not have, but focus, trust, delight, and commit yourself to the Lord and the freedom we have in him (Ps 37:1–5, 7). Because, you see, God does all things well for us and gives all things to us as a gift, having compassion upon us (Psalm 103:13). So we need not dwell on our gifts but on God.

Joseph lives this out in the First Reading from Genesis as he dismisses any thought or worry his brothers may have for what they did to him and instead promises to provide for them, thereby showing them love and care. In fact, Joseph does not dwell on the sins of his brothers at all, but rather sees them as God’s gracious providence, which enabled him to care for them (Gen 45:7–8).

The glory of this world and the things of this world pale in comparison with the heavenly glory that is to come in the resurrection. The Gospel brings this to conclusion as we are encouraged to use the gifts God gives freely for the good of our neighbors, especially those who, like Joseph’s brothers, could be seen as our enemies (Lk 6:27), for our ultimate good has already been accomplished in Christ.

Throughout these Sundays in Epiphany, Jesus has worked many miracles, giving many physical and bodily gifts. From his Baptism, turning water into wine, casting out demons, healing diseases, and bringing in a large catch of fish, Jesus has given many wonderful earthly gifts that are good and worthy of praise. In like manner, we are encouraged to love, bless, give away, and lend, not just to the deserving, but also to the undeserving.

Of course, if you’re going to give something away, you have to have it to give away in the first place. So we, as Christians, are to love and give more than anyone, for

We Are Loved and Given Good by God.

We are to love and give to all.

We realize that we are to love and give.

After all, everything we have is a gift, given to us from God.

God has given us many material gifts, just as he gave many gifts to those who followed him in those readings we’ve heard throughout Epiphany.

Even if we are not rich, God has given us many gifts (body, mind, family, friends, support).

Quite naturally, though, we are selective with our love and our gifts.

Our first instinct is to keep, guard, and hold onto any and every gift we are given.

Moving to Williston Tanya and I began to downsize because we realize that we have accumulated too much in our nearly 43 years of wedded bliss. I was raised by parents who grew up during the depression, and as a result was taught to hang on to everything, “because you might need it someday.”

When it comes to people, we first have to trust a person (date or be friends for a time) before loving them. Because when we love them we open ourselves up to being hurt. Family relationships are like that.

We count and measure out every dime we have and what we need to keep before thinking about giving any of it away, even when it comes to putting it into the offering plate each Sunday.

We try to judge whether someone really needs or is worthy of our love and gifts.

Instead, Jesus tells us to love and give even to our enemies.

We use strict judgment and a stingier measure with those we don’t know. We may not give to our neighbor if we think the gift will be misused (spent on drugs or alcohol).

It is even harder to give to our enemies or those we do not like or who have mistreated us. We may be willing to buy our friend lunch once or twice, but we do not likely give our lunch money to the school bully.

The fact is, however, we are no better than any other sinner when we give only to those who are worthy of our love Luke 6:32-34

Luke 6:32–34 ESV

32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.

The Interpretation of St. Luke’s Gospel Chapter 6

Lenski —

Still,

We can love and give to all because we have been loved and given good in Christ.

You are in a position to give love, for you were first given and loved by your Father who is merciful — we have been given grace upon grace!

You have been given much love and many gifts by God.

You are unworthy, yet God had mercy upon you (v 36).

God gave you, his enemy, not just another cheek, a tunic, or an amount of money, but his very own Son.

God has taken what seemed bad and made it for your good and the good of your neighbor, much as he did for Joseph in our First Reading (Gen 45:3–15).

Jesus’ horrible death is your greatest gift, that accomplishes completely everything necessary for your salvation.

This worst event and loss of the life of Jesus is your greatest benefit or credit (χάρις).

By Jesus’ cross, you have been forgiven. In Christ, God promises you forgiveness even for selfishness and judgments.

Nothing is won or lost by having more stuff. We are free of the necessity to do anything to earn eternal life or to gain anything for ourselves.

What remains in this life is not a burden or some­thing that must be done to qualify you for heaven but a gift and an opportunity to love your neighbors and show them the love you have in Christ Jesus (Introit and Ps 103:1–13).

So,

Measure who you are in Christ.

What you have or do not have does not change who you are or what you are worth in Christ.

It doesn’t matter if you live or die with nothing more to your name than the change in your pocket or if you have a million dollars. Your salvation is accomplished.

It doesn’t even matter if you live or if you die, because you have eternal life (1 Cor 15:42).

Imagine stumbling upon a hidden garden filled with beautiful flowers, vibrant colors, and refreshing scents. When we discover God’s love, it’s like stepping into that garden—an overwhelming realization that we are cherished and surrounded by His good gifts. In Ephesians 3:18, we are reminded of how wide and long, high and deep the love of Christ is. Let’s wander through this garden together and breathe it in!

In Christ, eternal goodness is given to you.

God gives us the things of this world as a gift to be gifted out of freedom, not compulsion.

The glory of these things is of one kind, but the glory that awaits us is of another (1 Cor 15:40).

The gifts of heaven and eternal life are those pressed down, shaken together, and running over into our lap (Luke 6:38), for we are measured not by what we do but by what Christ has done for us.

So give it all away or keep it all. Have it all or have nothing at all. It makes no difference. All of it is nothing more than a gift, a thing that will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. What is this world to me? It is nothing, not a thing of any value or worth, for you have been bought by the Lord of glory with his own precious blood and his innocent suffering unto death. Regardless of the things you have or don’t have, you do have the grace of God and the benefits of the cross. That is a promise from God to you.

Well, you might as well use them for the benefit of your neighbor, that he or she, too, might share in the eternal life in Christ. After all, you are most certainly loved and given good by God. Amen.

Prayer of the Church Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany 23 February 2025

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

O Lord, Your servant Joseph endured hardship and struggle, yet he believed it would come to good. Give us such tested faith, and bring all things to completion according to Your purposes in Christ, the new Adam, who has brought hope to the world. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Preserve and unite Your Church, O Lord. Bring an end to her earthly divisions, which grieve You. Give her the true unity of teaching and faith in Your Word. Bless and sustain our leaders in The American Association of Lutheran Churches and this congregation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Almighty God, Your Son, our Lord, commanded us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us and pray for those who persecute us. We implore You, by Your gracious visitation, lead our enemies to true repentance and to have the same love, be of one accord, and share one mind and heart with us and with Your whole Church. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Merciful God, give us guidance amid the changes and chances of this mortal life. Deliver us from the pangs of doubt and the paralysis of fear. Let us know our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the power of His resurrection with joy, that we may not surrender to anxiety or despair. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Righteous Lord, uphold civil authority and those responsible for the welfare of our nation, state and community. Help them steadfastly to pursue the cause of justice and protect life from beginning to natural end. Guard all first responders, and protect those who defend us here or abroad. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Heavenly Father, according to Your will grant healing to the sick and infirm those whom we hold in our heart and those listed in our bulletin. Grant them patience to endure their time of suffering, and crown their days with Your mercy. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious Lord and Shepherd, grant to our Church Council with zeal and faithfulness to perform the task of building up Your Church, bringing glory to Your saving name. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, grant Your mercy and grace to Your people in their many and various callings. Give them patience, and strengthen them in their Christian vocation of witness to the world and of service to their neighbor in Christ’s name. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, You are the maker of heaven and earth and giver of life, we thank You for all the mercies You granted to our sister, Jean Farver, during her earthly life, especially for calling herto faith in Jesus Christ. Comfort the survivors who mourn her death — especially Dave — with the hope of the glorious resurrection and a joyful reunion in heaven. Keep us mindful that we are mortal so that we will ever be prepared to die in the faith and finally receive the glory promised to all who trust in Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, heavenly Father, we confess that we are poor, miserable sinners with no good in us. Our hearts and our flesh and blood are so corrupted by sin that we are never without sinful desires in this life. Therefore, we implore You, forgive us our sins. Let Your Holy Spirit so cleanse our hearts that we would love Your Word, abide by it and, by Your grace, be saved forever; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the same Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Taught by our Lord and trusting in His promises we are bold to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven…