March 23, 2020 - Day 83 - JUST SAY THE WORD

(Today’s Bible readings:2 Chronicles 7:11-22; Psalm 78:1-35; Luke 7:1-17)

JUST SAY THE WORD

And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.  (Luke 7:6-10 ESV)

“But say the word, and let my servant be healed.”  These words spoken by a kind Roman centurion moved Jesus to respond: “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And the servant is healed. Faith in Jesus results in a miracle from Jesus.

“Just say the word.” When someone says these words, they are letting you know that they are there for you. In church, God comes to you with His powerful Word. In fact, the main focus in the Divine Service is God serving you with His Word and Sacraments (Baptism and the Lord’s Supper).

So, when you tune into church next Wednesday and Sunday, I hope that you will have this in mind. “Lord, just say the word.” In other words, ask the Lord to feed your soul with His Word as you hear it read, as you sing it, and as the pastor explains and proclaims it in the sermon. 

REMINDER: You can participate on St. Paul’s online worship services by clicking these Zoom links:

Wednesday Lenten Service (March 25)  https://zoom.us/j/393003396

Sunday Worship Service (March 29)   
https://zoom.us/j/177003912?pwd=QllhY1paNnJQd3p0UnRnc2hKZ0lvQT09

You can also access the previous two Zoom (online) services on Youtube.

Dear Lord, please speak to me through Your Word as I hear it “in” church and as I study the Bible during the week. Open my ears to hear of my sin and of Your plan to forgive my sins and promise me eternal life in heaven.  And Lord, please lead my community and the world through these days of the coronavirus pandemic. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pastor David Paape 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings  
Then scroll down to 2020 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!