Luther for the Busy Man

THE WEEK OF TRINITY II - TUESDAY

LESSON: MATTHEW 22:1-14

“Come; for all is now ready.” Luke 14:17

The message which the servant was to convey to the invited guests to urge them to come to the banquet was: “Come; for all is now ready.” Christ died; He slaughtered sin and death in His death; He rose from the dead; the Holy Spirit was given; in short, everything that belonged to this banquet was prepared. Everything was prepared in such a way that it would cost us nothing. Through Christ, the Father assumed the whole co...

THE WEEK OF TRINITY II - MONDAY

LESSON: ISAIAH 55:1-7

“A man once gave a great banquet and invited many; and at the time for the banquet, he sent his servant.” Luke 14:16-17

Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast.” Matthew 22:1-3

This invitation was sent out in the manner described in this Gospel. The man sent out his servant...

THE WEEK OF TRINITY II - SUNDAY

LESSON: LUKE 14:16-21

“A man once gave a great banquet.” Luke 14:16

In this Gospel, as well as in the remainder of Holy Scripture, we must make an effort, to the best of our ability, to grasp the true, simple meaning of the text and to rest our heart and conscience on it. Anyone who wants to do battle with the devil must not waver to and fro or totter, but must be sure of his ground, armed with clear and certain Scripture. Otherwise, when the devil gets...

THE WEEK OF TRINITY I - SATURDAY

LESSON: HEBREWS 3:7-15

Abraham said, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them … If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” Luke 16:29, 31

In this Gospel you see how Abraham refuses to send someone from the dead to teach the living at the request of the rich man. He reminds the rich man that the living have Moses and the prophets to whom they should give heed.

In these words, we are...

THE WEEK OF TRINITY I - FRIDAY

LESSON: LUKE 12:16-21

Abraham said, “Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.” Luke 16:25

The inability of Lazarus to render bodily service to his neighbor has been more than recompensed by the rich spiritual service he has been enabled to render to others. For now, after his death, he serves the whole world with his sores, hunger, and distress. His bodily hunger feeds our spiritual hung...

THE WEEK OF TRINITY I - THURSDAY

LESSON: PHILIPPIANS 3:7-11

Without faith it is impossible to please him [God]. Hebrews 11:6

We should not form an estimate of Lazarus with his sores, poverty, and troubles only from external factors. For there are many people who suffer want and trouble without ever deriving any benefit from it. King Herod had to endure terrible sufferings, as we are reminded in the Acts of the Apostles (12:23). But his status before God did not improve thereby.

Poverty and suffering in themselves do not make men acceptable...

THE WEEK OF TRINITY I - WEDNESDAY

LESSON: MATTHEW 25:31-46

Through love be servants of one another. Galatians 5:13

One sin follows another. The rich man clothed in purple and faring sumptuously every day forgot his love towards his neighbor. He let poor Lazarus lie at his door and gave him no help. Even if he was disinclined to give Lazarus some help personally, he could still have ordered his servants to make a shed available to him where they could have done something for him.

This came about because he had...

THE WEEK OF TRINITY I - TUESDAY

LESSON: 1 TIMOTHY 6:6-10

If riches increase, set not your heart on them. Psalm 62:10

Where there is true Christian faith, rich attire and sumptuous food will never be major considerations. Christian faith does not look for earthly good, honor, pleasure, power, or anything outside of God Himself. It seeks, desires, and clings to nothing but God, who alone is the highest good.

Whether there is costly fare or little to eat, whether there is splendid attire or nothing but very simple clothing, makes very little...

THE WEEK OF TRINITY I - MONDAY

LESSON: 2 CORINTHIANS 8:8-15

“There was a rich man … who feasted sumptuously every day.” Luke 16:19

When we measure this rich man by the fruits of faith, we shall find a heart and a tree of unbelief. The Gospel reproaches him for feasting sumptuously daily and for decking himself out in costly apparel. Reason does not regard such matters as especially great sins. It could even be that a man imbued with the idea of work-righteousness would regard all this as perfectly in order, imagining that he had deserv...

THE WEEK OF TRINITY I - SUNDAY

LESSON: LUKE 16:19-31

“There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen.” Luke 16:19

We must not simply form an opinion on this rich man from his external conduct. He is dressed in sheep’s clothing, and his life outwardly glitters and seems beautiful, covering the wolf to perfection.

The Gospel does not accuse him of adultery, murder, robbery, or violation of law. It brings no charge against him with which the world or reason could find fault. He was just as hon...

THE WEEK OF TRINITY - SATURDAY

LESSON: EPHESIANS 6:13-18

Be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18

In the very first chapter of the Bible we are told, “The Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). This passage is not quite as clear as Matthew 28:19, because the Jews make it a little shaky for us when they tell us that the word for Spirit in Hebrew can also mean “wind.” David’s statement is clearer: “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all their host by the Spirit o...

THE WEEK OF TRINITY - FRIDAY

LESSON: MATTHEW 3:13-17

“This is eternal life, that they know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent.” John 17:3

You can have no more sure and certain basis for the deity of Christ than to wrap up your heart in clear passages of Scripture and, in this way, also lock up this truth in your hearts.

Scripture begins in a very gentle manner and introduces us to Christ as a man. Then it brings Him before us as the Lord of all...

THE WEEK OF TRINITY - THURSDAY

LESSON: PSALM 8

He is Lord of lords and King of kings. Revelation 17:14

In the second psalm, God says to His Son: “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage and the ends of the earth as your possession” (Psalm 2:8). Here He is clearly appointed as the King of all things because He is God’s Son. There has never been any ordinary prince or king to whom the whole world has been subjected.

In a similar way, David openly calls Him a God wh...

THE WEEK OF TRINITY - WEDNESDAY

LESSON: PSALM 145

We have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. Whosoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 1 John 4:14-15

Paul says in Romans that God promised the Gospel beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, “the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and designated Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from th...

THE WEEK OF TRINITY - TUESDAY

LESSON: EPHESIANS 1:3-14

[Jesus Christ] is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20

God has forbidden us to worship any strange gods. Now we are told in John that it is God’s will that His Son should be honored with the honor with which He Himself is honored. John reports Christ’s words to the Jews.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever he does, that the So...

THE WEEK OF TRINITY - MONDAY

LESSON: PSALM 110:1-4

He [Christ] reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature. Hebrews 1:3

The Old Testament sets forth many clear testimonies on the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. David says: “The Lord says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool.’” The “right hand” means the royal throne, and this passage indicates that David’s “Lord,” Christ, is a Lord and King over all creatures and that everything is to be subjected to Him (Psalm 110:1...

THE WEEK OF TRINITY - SUNDAY

LESSON: JOHN 3:1-15

The Word was God … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:14

The Sunday after Pentecost has come to be regarded in the Church as the festival of the Holy Trinity. The word Trinity is not found in Holy Scripture; it has been devised and invented by men. That is also why it always sounds a little cold. It would be far better if we simply said “God” in place of the “Trinity.”

This word signifies that God is threefold with respe...

THE WEEK OF PENTECOST - SATURDAY

LESSON: LUKE 24:44-49

“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:25-26

If the Holy Spirit is to live up to His name, He cannot carry out His office anywhere else but where there is no counsel or comfort available and where such counsel and comfort is necessary and also...

THE WEEK OF PENTECOST - FRIDAY

LESSON: EPHESIANS 4:25-32

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

There must always be a mixture or blending in us: we must feel both the Holy Spirit and our sin and imperfection. If there is to be improvement in us, we must resemble a sick person in the hands of a physician. Therefore, let no one conclude as follows: this person has the Holy Spirit; therefore, he or she must be quite strong; bring forth the most precious works and...

THE WEEK OF PENTECOST - THURSDAY

LESSON: ROMANS 7:13-20

Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. Romans 8:26

In connection with the Holy Spirit and His work, it is always necessary to maintain a certain reserve, so that we do not approach the Holy Spirit with an importunity that amounts to arrogance and a joyfulness that is almost levity.

Some people are so filled with the Spirit...

THE WEEK OF PENTECOST - WEDNESDAY

LESSON: PHILIPPIANS 3:12-16

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Philippians 3:12

We should learn to understand that a man who has received the Holy Spirit does not necessarily become a perfect Christian immediately, experiencing no further trouble from the Law or from sin. Nor is the Spirit’s presence always immediately evident from a spotless purity.

We do not teach that the Holy Spirit ha...

THE WEEK OF PENTECOST - TUESDAY

LESSON: MATTHEW 13:44-45

“The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name … will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26

You will know who the Holy Spirit is if you know why He was given and what His office is. He it is who applies the treasure of Christ and all that He has to us—Christ who is given to us and proclaimed to us through the Gospel. It is the office of the H...

THE WEEK OF PENTECOST - MONDAY

LESSON: EPHESIANS 2:19-22

“When the Counsellor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me.” John 15:26

In what way does the Holy Spirit change the heart and make it new? What means does He use to take hold of the heart? He does it by proclaiming and preaching the Lord Jesus Christ, as Christ Himself declares in John’s Gospel, “When the Counsellor comes, whom I shall send to you from the...

THE DAY OF PENTECOST - SUNDAY

LESSON: JOHN 14:23-31

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2

On the day of Pentecost, when the disciples of Christ were all together in one place, the Holy Spirit came upon them and filled them. Before this joyful event, they sat in deep gloom, fear, and sorrow. The Spirit gave them cloven tongues of fire, enkindled them so that they became bold, preached freely in groups, and were afraid of nothing.

THE WEEK OF ASCENSION - SATURDAY

LESSON: 1 THESSALONIANS 1:2-10

“And you also are witnesses, because you have been with me from the beginning.” John 15:27

“When you have become sure and certain through the Holy Spirit who has witnessed to you, then first and foremost you will bear witness to Me.”

This is Christ’s conviction about His disciples. He had, of course, chosen them as His apostles; they had heard His words and doctrine; they had seen His works and His life. All this would be very important to their proclamation of Christ. Bu...

THE WEEK OF ASCENSION - FRIDAY

LESSON: 1 PETER 2:7-10

“He will bear witness to me.” John 15:26

If the Holy Spirit is in your hearts, He will speak through you and make you sure and certain that the Gospel is the truth. From this conviction will also flow your witness to the Gospel.

What is the Gospel? It is the testimony concerning Christ, that He is the Son of God and the Savior, besides whom there is no other Savior.

This is also what Peter means in his first epistle when...

THE WEEK OF ASCENSION - THURSDAY

LESSON: EPHESIANS 1:15-23

“Even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father … will bear witness to me.” John 15:26

This amounts to saying: He who will comfort you is almighty and Lord over all things. What can any creature do against us when the Creator is at our side? Behold, how great is the comfort of the Holy Spirit! Let all the enemies come on in full array; if the Holy Spirit is our protector and supporter, no danger threatens us.

In his first epistle, John sa...

THE WEEK OF ASCENSION - WEDNESDAY

LESSON: ROMANS 15:13-21

“When the Counsellor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father …” John 15:26

So that we do not become despondent and lose heart, Christ here assures us that He will send us a Counsellor or Comforter, and a very unique one at that, one who is almighty. He here calls the Holy Spirit a Counsellor or Comforter.

Although our sins and the fear of death at times make us fell, timid, and rather crestfallen, the Spirit comes to us and touches our heart a...

ASCENSION WEEK 1 - TUESDAY

LESSON: MATTHEW 10:24-33

I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eye wastes away because of grief, it grows weak because of all my foes. Psalm 6:6-7

The chief requisite for a consistent confession of faith is a firm faith, and it is almost certain that the cross will follow upon a consistent confession of faith. Another experience that we will have, whether in life or in death, is that all that we have done c...

THE FIRST WEEK AFTER ASCENSION - MONDAY

LESSON: MATTHEW 16:24-28

“They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.” John 16:2

The cross is pictured here in its true colors. To lie at home sick in bed is nothing compared to this, even though it is often regarded as suffering a cross. Christ is referring here to a very special cross, that of being persecuted, with the possibility of being put to death in disgrace. Not only so, but o...

THE FIRST WEEK AFTER ASCENSION - SUNDAY

LESSON: JOHN 15:26-16:4

The genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:7

You have heard me say a great deal about faith. Now you will hear about witnessing to the faith about the cross which accompanies faith. Paul reminded the Romans that a “man believes with his heart and so is justified” (Romans 10:10).

The starting point of Christian piety is faith of the h...

ASCENSION - SATURDAY

LESSON: PSALM 47

Thou didst ascend the high mount, leading captives in thy train, and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there. Psalm 68:18

All the prophets were very careful to describe the ascension of Christ and His kingdom. As His dying and death are deeply embedded in Scripture, so also is His kingdom, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. One must understand Christ’s ascension into heaven correctly; otherwise, it is powerless and sapless.

Of what use is it to preach only tha...

ASCENSION – FRIDAY

LESSON: COLOSSIANS 3:1-4

When he ascended on high, he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men. Ephesians 4:8

Christ’s ascension is a mighty act which should bring us real comfort and assurance. Those who believe in the ascended Lord should be joyful and courageous, take confidence from this act and say, “My Lord Jesus Christ is Lord over death, the devil, sin, righteousness, body, life, enemies, and friends. Of what shall I still be afraid?”

If my enemies beset me with intentions of slaying me, my faith d...

THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD - THURSDAY

LESSON: MARK 16:14-20

Then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. Mark 16:19

We must regard the ascension of Christ as an efficacious, powerful act which is in continuous and ceaseless operation. We must not just imagine that Christ has ascended into heaven and left us here on earth to be ruled in other ways. On the contrary, He has ascended into heaven because He can achieve most and rule most e...

EASTER - WEEK 5 - WEDNESDAY

LESSON: MATTHEW 7:7-12

“If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:14

An important factor in our prayers is that we must pray to our heavenly Father in the name of Jesus. This is nothing else but to come to God with faith in Christ and to console ourselves with the confidence that He is our Mediator through whom all things are given to us.

Without such faith and confidence in Christ and His work of salvation, we would merit nothing but wrath and d...

EASTER - WEEK 5 - TUESDAY

LESSON: LUKE 19:1-6

Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. Romans 8:26

In our prayers, we must earnestly desire or wish that what we pray for should come to pass. This is what is meant by the word “ask” which Jesus uses in the Gospel. Some have described this as “the ascent of the soul to God.” The heart lifts itself up and soars up to God...

EASTER - WEEK 5 - MONDAY

LESSON: JAMES 1:5-8

“Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24

In our prayers, we should firmly believe that God’s promise to us is always sure and certain and have no doubt that He will give us what He promises. Words of promise from God always call for faith on our part. Faith is a firm, undoubted confidence in the truth of God’s promise. He who prays to God with doubts in his heart is tempting God. He has his doubts about God’s wil...

EASTER - WEEK 5 - SUNDAY

LESSON: JOHN 16:23-30

“Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name.” John 16:23

The Gospel for Rogate speaks to us about Christian prayer and what makes a prayer truly Christian.

The first thing of importance here is God’s promise. This is the real basis of Christian prayer and the source from which it derives its power. Christ here assures us that what we ask will be given to us, and He does this with...

EASTER - WEEK 4 - SATURDAY

LESSON: EPHESIANS 1:11-14

It is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has commissioned us; he has put his seal upon us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

If I am to be accounted righteous before God, it is not enough for me to do good works externally; I must do them from the bottom of my heart with delight and in love, so that I stand unafraid before sin, death, and the devil, free and joyful, with a g...

EASTER - WEEK 4 - FRIDAY

LESSON: 1 CORINTHIANS 1:26-31

“[The Holy Spirit] will convince the world … of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.” John 16:8-10

Righteousness means piety, a good and honest life before God. Jesus says here that He will convince the world of righteousness, “because I go to the Father.”

We have often stated that Christ’s resurrection did not take place for His benefit but for our sakes; hence, we should make it our very own possession. He rose from the dead and asc...