Preparing for Worship - October 6, 2024

Several of our readings this week focus on the blessings of marriage and children. A series of readings also begins from the Letter to the Hebrews, focusing on Jesus as our Prophet, Priest, and King and the need to stay close to Him.

The Old Testament lesson is from Genesis 2:18-25. We hear of the many animals and birds God had created, the harmony with them, and all creation in the perfect world God had created, as Abraham names them. God then created the perfect helper and companion for Adam from one of his ribs and instituted the gift of marriage, bringing Adam and Eve together in oneness with each other. This is the origin of the whole human race and all nations (Acts 17:26).

The Psalm is Psalm 128. It is a “song of ascent,” sung as people went up to Jerusalem. “Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways.” This is reflected in families with the blessing of a wife and children and the desire to live long enough to see “children’s children.” In His wisdom, this is not God’s plan for all, but this is the way the human race continues until Christ’s return.

The Gospel lesson is from Mark 10:2-16. Pharisees came and tried to “test” Jesus by asking what His view was about divorce and its “lawfulness.” Jewish views about what Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 24:1-4 varied. Some thought divorce was clearly wrong; others, like Rabbi Hillel, wrote that a husband could divorce his wife even for such things as letting his food burn. Jesus said that Moses wrote this because of the hardness of human hearts and human failure. Jesus took the Pharisees back to God’s original intent for marriage in Genesis 2, our Old Testament lesson. The high standard of God is the lifelong commitment of a man and woman in marriage. In this passage, we also hear again of Jesus’ love and concern for children. The disciples did not want Jesus bothered by children, but Jesus wanted the children to come to Him and be blessed, as they also could be part of the Kingdom of God. He held this high standard of the value of children and had already taught the disciples this (see Mark 9:35-37), but they failed. They had failed and sinned, but obviously, there could also be repentance and forgiveness of their sins. That is why Jesus had come into the world. He had come to “save sinners,” which we all are. (See Matthew 9:11-13 and Mark 2:16-17 and Romans 5:6-8 and 1 Timothy 1:15, etc.) He came for us to make us His children and bless us, too.

The Epistle lesson is from Hebrews 2:1-13(14-18). The Letter to the Hebrews emphasizes that God has spoken throughout the Scriptures, but “in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son” and His saving work for us (Hebrews 1:1-2). Hebrews 2 begins with a key warning. “We must pay attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it” and “neglect such a great salvation” that Christ Jesus has provided for us. The Biblical writer then quotes from numerous Scriptures that show that Jesus was and is the promised Savior, through His perfect life and “suffering of death” for us, “to make propitiation” (His atoning sacrifice) “for the sins of the people,” including us, as our great “High Priest.” We then, who “share in flesh and blood” with Him, are brought to “put our trust in Him” and continue in such faith through the “gifts of the Holy Spirit” in God’s Word and Sacraments. (Here are some of the Old Testament Scriptures quoted or referred to: Psalm 8:4-8, Psalm 22:23, Isaiah 8:17-18 and 12:2, and 2 Samuel 22:3.) Jesus is the “merciful and faithful High Priest” for us who can help us through times of suffering and temptation that we all face. Thanks be to God for the victory we have in Christ! May we stay close to Him always and “keep paying attention to what we have heard” through Him and the whole Word of God.