Preparing for Worship - August 28, 2022

The readings this week cover many topics, but we notice often a call for humility before God and with one another. In the very short Psalm, Psalm 131, David seeks to be humble before the Lord, not with a haughty heart and eyes. Though he is king, he does not focus on things “too great or marvelous for him,” but hopes in the Lord always, and calls us to do the same. A nursing child can be very fussy, but David seeks the Lord’s help to be like a “weaned child,” calmed and quieted” in his soul.

The Old Testament lesson is from Proverbs 25:2-10. Proverbs give us wise advice.  We are encouraged to be humble before a king or other “great” people and especially before God, who keeps many things “concealed” that we would never fully understand. We are better off, when there is trouble, first to deal with others, one-to-one, and care about them and not reveal their secrets in a public way, as Jesus also teaches in Matthew 18:15-18.

The Epistle lesson, Hebrews 13:1-17, also gives us much advice about living with “brotherly love” toward others, in the various situations we face in life, and with care for the needy, too. The Lord will be our “Helper” and “will not leave or forsake us.” We are to respect our spiritual leaders, and they are reminded to speak the Word of God to us and “strengthen us with God’s grace” and “watch over our souls.” Above all, we are to remember Jesus Christ, who is “the same, yesterday and today and forever,” and who suffered and died for us, that we might have our sins forgiven “through His own blood.” We “continually praise His Name,” as we await the eternal “city that is to come” in heaven.

In the Gospel lesson, Luke 14:1-14, Jesus shows mercy to a man who is ill and heals him in his time of need, even though it is the Sabbath Day. The Pharisees want to condemn Him for breaking their legalistic rules about the Sabbath, but they remain silent, knowing that they do not always follow their own rules. Jesus also taught a parable about being humble and not always pushing for a place of honor. “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” God is the one who finally humbles and exalts, in His own wisdom. Jesus teaches about doing good also to those who “cannot repay you,” like the “poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.” God calls all people to faith in Him and cares about all.