Third S. in Lent (Oculi): Jesus Overcomes the Strong ManEx. 8:16-21; Jer. 26: 1-15; Eph. 5:1-9; Luke 11:14-28; Psalm 136:1-16;

Psalm 4

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Exegesis of the LectionaryStudying, expounding, and interpreting the Bible readings through the Church Year

Memorization Verses: Ex. 8:19  Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” Jer. 26:13 Now therefore mend your ways and your deeds, and obey the voice of the Lord your God, and the Lord will relent of the disaster that he has pronounced against you.Eph. 5:6-8  God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. 

Luke 11:20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.Psalm 136:12, 15 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,…[God] overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea.Psalm 4:3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself.

Strong

  ἰσχυρὸς

1 John 5:4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith

isxýō – properly, embodied strength that "gets into the fray" (action), i.e. engaging the resistance. For the believer, isxýō refers to the Lord strengthening them with combative, confrontive force to achieve all He gives faith for. That is, facing necessary resistance that brings what the Lord defines is success (His victory, cf. 1 Jn 5:4). Accordingly, faith (4102 /pístis) and 2480 (isxýō) are directly connected (Js 5:16).

Share a recent combat moment. How did faith overcome?

Use your prayer notes. Use a verse from the

bible to reflect on. Pray about God’s

supreme mightiness. P raise

R epentanceA ppreciationY ouE veryoneR esolve

Prayer Activity

       

…Lord, in your mercy.…Hear our prayer.1. People loved by God, let us come before our Father’s throne of grace with confidence through our Lord Jesus and, in the power of His Spirit, ask His mercy for all in need.2. Merciful Father, Your salvation is near to those who fear You. Look in kindness upon Your whole Church and pour out on Your family the gift of repentance that all Your children might be given grace continually to heed Your Word, turn from sin and find forgiveness and life in Your Son...3. Giver of salvation, remember all pastors, especially our Synod president, Matthew, and our District President _____, together with our pastor(s), deaconesses, teachers, missionaries and servants of the Church. Give them courage to speak Your saving Word fearlessly that it may do its mighty work by Your Spirit’s power...4. Kind and loving Lord, look in

mercy upon this congregation. Remove all hypocrisy from us and strengthen all our members that we may be living witnesses to Your gift of eternal life in our homes, at work and at play...5. Mighty Monarch of our days, to You we commend all who have been entrusted with authority in our land, and all who serve in our armed forces. Grant them integrity and honor in all they undertake and guide them into paths that are pleasing to You...6. Holy One, You tell us in Your Word that You do not willingly afflict the sons of men. Hear our prayers for all Your children who are suffering or in need, the lonely and afflicted, the grieving and the dying [and especially Your servants….]. Comfort troubled hearts with the promises of Your Word, surround them with Your angels to protect them in body and soul, and grant them a happy release from their afflictions according to Your will...

Use your prayer notes. Use a verse from the

bible to reflect on. Pray about God’s

supreme mightiness. P raise

R epentanceA ppreciationY ouE veryoneR esolve

Prayer Activity

…let us pray to the Lord.…Lord, have mercy.7. Faithful God, You do not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear, but in trial You always provide the way of escape for us to bear it. Remember in pity all those whose faith is put to the test, who struggle with addictions, who feel abandoned. Open the eyes of their spirit to sense You near them and let them find in Your Word and Sacrament the relief for which they beg...8. Father of our Lord Jesus, Your Son has prepared for His family a feast, that we might not grow weary in the struggle, or despair of Your mercy, but find constant renewal. Grant to all who come to the holy altar

this day repentant hearts and firm trust in the promise of the Savior, that here they will receive with His body and blood, the forgiveness of all sins and the gift of a life that death cannot take away...9. And now we also pray for...(open petitions)...10. Join these, our prayers and praises, with those of Your faithful people of every time and every place, and unite them in the ceaseless petitions of our great High Priest until He comes again in power and great glory as victorious Lord of all. Through Him, with Him and in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is Yours, almighty Father, forever and ever. Amen.

LSB 659

1 Lord of our life and God of our salvation,Star of our night and Hope of ev'ry nation:Hear and receive Your Church's supplication,Lord God Almighty.

2 See round Your ark the hungry billows curling;See how Your foes their banners are unfurling.And with great spite their fiery darts are hurling,O Lord, preserve us.

3 Lord, be our light when worldly darkness veils us;Lord, be our shield when earthly armor fails us;And in the day when hell itself assails us,Grant us Your peace, Lord:

4 Peace in our hearts, where sinful thoughts are raging,Peace in Your Church, our troubled souls assuaging,Peace when the world its endless war is waging,Peace in Your heaven.

Learning the Hebrew Alphabethttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrWEPFcyQXMhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzjHjXe-2XU

Meet w/teams3-5 min per box

What are the major points of your text? How does your topic fit the pericope

theme? How does it connect to the other texts?

How is it unique?

Group Time Jesus Overcomes the Strong Man

Exodus 8:16-21The Third Plague: Gnats16 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, so that it may become gnats in all the land of Egypt.’” 17 And they did so. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats in all the land of Egypt. 18 The magicians tried by their secret arts to produce gnats, but they could not. So there were gnats on man and beast. 19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to

them, as the Lord had said.The Fourth Plague: Flies20 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning and present yourself to Pharaoh, as he goes out to the water, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 21 Or else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants and your people, and into your houses. And the houses of the Egyptians shall be filled with swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand.

Jeremiah 26:1-15Jeremiah Threatened with Death26 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the Lord: 2 “Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship in the house of the Lord all the words that I command you to speak to them; do not hold back a word. 3 It may be they will listen, and every one turn from his evil way, that I may relent of the disaster that I intend to do to them because of their evil deeds. 4 You shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord: If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law that I have set before you, 5 and to listen to the words of my servants the prophets whom I send to you urgently, though you have not listened, 6 then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city a curse for all the nations of the earth.’”7 The priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord.8 And when Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, then the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold of him, saying, “You shall die! 9 Why have you prophesied

in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without inhabitant’?” And all the people gathered around Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.10 When the officials of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king's house to the house of the Lord and took their seat in the entry of the New Gate of the house of the Lord. 11 Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and to all the people, “This man deserves the sentence of death, because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.”12 Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people, saying, “The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard. 13 Now thereforemend your ways and your deeds, and obey the voice of the Lord your God, and the Lord will relent of the disaster that he has pronounced against you. 14 But as for me, behold, I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you. 15 Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth the Lord sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.”

Ephesians 5:1-9Walk in Love5 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let

no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),

Luke 11:14-28Jesus and Beelzebul14 Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” 16 while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven.17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 18 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 but when one stronger than he

attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.Return of an Unclean Spirit24 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.”True Blessedness27 As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” 28 But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

Psalm 136:1-16His Steadfast Love Endures Forever136 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,    for his steadfast love endures forever.2 Give thanks to the God of gods,    for his steadfast love endures forever.3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,    for his steadfast love endures forever;4 to him who alone does great wonders,    for his steadfast love endures forever;5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,    for his steadfast love endures forever;6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,    for his steadfast love endures forever;7 to him who made the great lights,    for his steadfast love endures forever;8 the sun to rule over the day,    for his steadfast love endures forever;9 the moon and stars to rule over the

night,    for his steadfast love endures forever;10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,    for his steadfast love endures forever;11 and brought Israel out from among them,    for his steadfast love endures forever;12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,    for his steadfast love endures forever;13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,    for his steadfast love endures forever;14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,    for his steadfast love endures forever;15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,    for his steadfast love endures forever;16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Psalm 4Answer Me When I CallTo the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.4 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!    You have given me relief when I was in distress.    Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?    How long will you love vain words and seek afterlies? Selah3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;    the Lord hears when I call to him.4 Be angry, and do not sin;    ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

5 Offer right sacrifices,    and put your trust in the Lord.6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?    Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”7 You have put more joy in my heart    than they have when their grain and wine abound.8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep;    for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Share Time: THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT (Oculi) Exodus 8:16–24or Jeremiah 26:1–15Ephesians 5:1–9Luke 11:14–28 Jesus Overcomes the Strong Man Jeremiah was charged with speaking evil when he spoke the Word of the Lord (Jer. 26:1–15). So also, Jesus is accused of doing evil when in fact He is doing good. He casts out a demon from a mute man so that he is able to speak (Luke 11:14–28). But some said Jesus did this by the power of Beelzebub, Satan. Like Pharaoh of old, their hearts were hard (Ex. 8:16–24). They did not recognize the finger of God, the power of the Holy Spirit at work in and through Jesus. Jesus is the Stronger Man who overcomes the strong man. He takes the devil’s armor of sin and death and destroys it from the inside out by the holy cross. He exorcizes and frees us by water and the Word. We were once darkness, but now we are light in Christ the Lord (Eph. 5:1–9). As children of light, our tongues are loosed to give thanks to Him who saved us.

Sing it!

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart

Where?

Down in my heart!

Where?

Down in my heart!

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart

Down in my heart to stay

I’ve got the love of Jesus, love of Jesus…

I’ve got the peace that passes understanding…

And if the Devil doesn't like it

He can sit on a tack!

Ouch!

Sit on a tack!

Ouch!

Sit on a tack!

And if the Devil doesn't like it

He can sit on a tack!

Ouch!

Sit on a tack to stay!

And I'm so happy

So very happy

I've got the love of Jesus in my heart

Down in my heart

And I'm so happy

So very happy

I've got the love of Jesus in my heart.

Fourth S. in Lent (Laetare): The Lord Feeds His People

Ex. 16: 2-21 Bread from HeavenOr Is. 49:8-13 The Restoration

of IsraelGal. 4:21-31 Example of Hagar

and Sarahor Acts 2:41-47 The Fellowship

of the BelieversJohn 6:1-15 Jesus Feeds the Five

ThousandPsalm 132:8-18 The Lord Has

Chosen Zion

Next Week…

Ex. 16: 2-21; Is. 49:8-13; Gal. 4:21-31; Acts 2:41-47; John 6:1-15; Psalm 132:8-18

Exodus 16:2-212 And the whole congregation of the people of Israelgrumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, 3 and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rainbread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” 6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “At evening you shall know that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you shall see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against the LORD. For what are we, that you grumble against us?” 8 And Moses said, “When theLORD gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the LORD has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the LORD.”9 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, ‘Come near before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.’” 10 And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of theLORD appeared in the cloud. 11 And the LORD said to Moses,12 “I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God.’”13 In the evening quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning dew lay around the camp. 14 And when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground. 15 When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat.16 This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Gather of it, each one of you, as much as he can eat. You shall each take anomer, according to the number of the persons that each of you has in his tent.’”  17 And the people of Israel did so. They gathered, some more, some less. 18 But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat. 19 And Moses said to them, “Let no one leave any of it over till the morning.” 20 But they did not listen to Moses. Some left part of it till the morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them. 21 Morning by morning they gathered it, each as much as he could eat; but when the sun grew hot, it melted.

Isaiah 49:8-13The Restoration of Israel8 Thus says the LORD:“In a time of favor I have answered you;    in a day of salvation I have helped you;I will keep you and give you    as a covenant to the people,to establish the land,

    to apportion the desolate heritages,9 saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’    to those who are in darkness, ‘Appear.’They shall feed along the ways;    on all bare heights shall be their pasture;10 they shall not hunger or thirst,    neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them,for he who has pity on them will lead them,    and by springs of water will guide them.11 And I will make all my mountains a road,    and my highways shall be raised up.12 Behold, these shall come from afar,    and behold, these from the north and from the west,    and these from the land of Syene.”13 Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;    break forth, O mountains, into singing!For the LORD has comforted his people    and will have compassion on his afflicted. Galatians 4:21-31Example of Hagar and Sarah21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman.23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise.24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written,“Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear;    break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!For the children of the desolate one will be more    than those of the one who has a husband.”28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit,so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.”31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.

Acts 2:41-4741 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.The Fellowship of the Believers42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together andbreaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

John 6:1-15Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand6 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.”Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeedthe Prophet who is to come into the world!”15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Psalm 132:8-18English Standard Version (ESV)8 Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place,    you and the ark of your might.9 Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,    and let your saints shout for joy.10 For the sake of your servant David,    do not turn away the face of your anointed one.11 The LORD swore to David a sure oath    from which he will not turn back:“One of the sons of your body    I will set on your throne.12 If your sons keep my covenant    and my testimonies that I shall teach them,their sons also forever    shall sit on your throne.”13 For the LORD has chosen Zion;    he has desired it for his dwelling place:14 “This is my resting place forever;    here I will dwell, for I have desired it.15 I will abundantly bless her provisions;    I will satisfy her poor with bread.16 Her priests I will clothe with salvation,    and her saints will shout for joy.17 There I will make a horn to sprout for David;    I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.18 His enemies I will clothe with shame,    but on him his crown will shine.”