Theme for The Baptism of Our Lord
Our Lord's substitutionary work for us was begun already at his circumcision. It now continues as Jesus is baptized as THE sinner who bears all the sin of the world in his own body. He will carry that sin all the way to the cross for the world.
Hymn #406
Alleluia. You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased. Alleluia.
Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized in His name faithful in their calling as Your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[Verse and Collect from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission]
Hymns #404, #406, #594
Christian Questions with Their Answers*After confession and instruction in the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Our Father, and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, the pastor may ask, or Christians may ask themselves these questions:PREPARED BY DR. MARTIN LUTHER FOR THOSE WHO INTEND TO GO TO THE SACRAMENT
18. Finally, why do you wish to go to the Sacrament?
That I may learn to believe that Christ, out of great love, died for my sin, and also learn from him to love God and my neighbor.
19. What should admonish and encourage a Christian to receive the Sacrament frequently?
First, both the command and the promise of Christ the Lord. Second, his own pressing need, because of which the command, encouragement, and promise are given.
20. But what should you do if you are not aware of this need and have no hunger and thirst for the Sacrament?
To such a person no better advice can be given than this: first, he should touch his body to see if he still has flesh and blood. Then he should believe what the Scriptures say of it in Galatians 5 and Romans 7.
Second, he should look around to see whether he is still in the world, and remember that there will be no lack of sin and trouble, as the Scriptures say in John 15-16 and in 1 John 2 and 5.
Third, he will certainly have the devil also around him, who with his lying and murdering day and night will let him have no peace, within or without, as the Scriptures picture him in John 8 and 16; 1 Peter 5; Ephesians 6; and 2 Timothy 2.
Luther's Small Catechism copyright © 1986. Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission of the publisher
| Daily Readings for the Week | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Ezekiel 18:1-4,19-32 | Romans 2:17-29 |
| Monday | Ezekiel 33:1-20 | Romans 3:1-18 |
| Tuesday | Ezekiel 34:1-24 | Romans 3:19-31 |
| Wednesday | Ezekiel 36:13-28 | Romans 4:1-25 |
| Thursday | Ezekiel 36:33-37:14 | Romans 5:1-21 |
| Friday | Ezekiel 37:15-28 | Romans 6:1-23 |
| Saturday | Ezekiel 38:1-23 | Romans 7:1-20 |
Update - 11 January 2010
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