Quasimodogeniti Friday - Devotions in Exile

The daily lection for Quasimodogeniti Friday:
Exodus 31:1-18     Luke 6:1-19

A couple days ago, actually this past Sunday, a part of the daily lectionary was Exodus chapter twenty. This should be memorable for us, for that is where the Lord God give His Decalogue, the 10 Commandments. One of those is highlighted in both our readings for today, it is the 3^rd Commandment. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Exodus 20:8)

I am glad you have read to this point in this devotion, I pray that my daily devotions have been a blessing to you. But today, I would like to share with you something I read again recently. It is from Rev. Martin Luther’s Large Catechism.

Luther explains this commandment with these words way in his Large Catechism:

Note, therefore, that the force and power of this commandment lies not in the resting, but in the sanctifying, so that to this day belongs a special holy exercise. For other works and occupations are not properly called holy exercises, unless the man himself be first holy. But here a work is to be done by which man is himself made holy, which is done (as we have heard) alone through God's Word. For this, then, fixed places, times, persons, and the entire external order of worship have been created and appointed, so that it may be publicly in operation.

Since, therefore, so much depends upon God's Word that without it no holy day can be sanctified, we must know that God insists upon a strict observance of this commandment, and will punish all who despise His Word and are not willing to hear and learn it, especially at the time appointed for the purpose.

Therefore not only those sin against this commandment who grossly misuse and desecrate the holy day, as those who on account of their greed or frivolity neglect to hear God's Word or lie in taverns and are dead drunk like swine; but also that other crowd, who listen to God's Word as to any other trifle, and only from custom come to preaching, and go away again, and at the end of the year know as little of it as at the beginning.  For hitherto the opinion prevailed that you had properly hallowed Sunday when you had heard a mass or the Gospel read; but no one cared for God's Word, as also no one taught it. Now, while we have God's Word, we nevertheless do not correct the abuse; we suffer ourselves to be preached to and admonished, but we listen without seriousness and care.

Know, therefore, that you must be concerned not only about hearing, but also about learning and retaining it in memory, and do not think that it is optional with you or of no great importance, but that it is God's commandment, who will require of you how you have heard, learned, and honored His Word.

Likewise those fastidious spirits are to be reproved who, when they have heard a sermon or two, find it tedious and dull, thinking that they know all that well enough, and need no more instruction. For just that is the sin which has been hitherto reckoned among mortal sins, and is called acedia, that is laziness or satiety, a malignant, dangerous plague with which the devil bewitches and deceives the hearts of many, that he may surprise us and secretly withdraw God's Word from us.

For let me tell you this, even though you know it perfectly and be already master in all things, still you are daily in the dominion of the devil, who ceases neither day nor night to steal unawares upon you, to kindle in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts against the foregoing and all the commandments. Therefore you must always have God's Word in your heart, upon your lips, and in your ears. But where the heart is idle, and the Word does not sound, he breaks in and has done the damage before we are aware. On the other hand, such is the efficacy of the Word, whenever it is seriously contemplated, heard, and used, that it is bound never to be without fruit, but always awakens new understanding, pleasure, and devoutness, and produces a pure heart and pure thoughts. For these words are not inoperative or dead, but creative, living words. And even though no other interest or necessity impel us, yet this ought to urge every one thereunto, because thereby the devil is put to Right and driven away, and, besides, this commandment is fulfilled, and [this exercise in the Word] is more pleasing to God than any work of hypocrisy, however brilliant.  (Large Catechism, paragraphs 88-102)

As you can see, it is not just one day that is to be holy, but our entire life. Suffice it to say, now realizing that you are unable to be holy on our own, you need to be made holy. That is where Christ comes into the picture and says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28). 

There was not a Sabbath that Christ didn’t keep. Jesus fulfilled every prophesy. In His own body, by virtue of His birth, life, suffering and death, Jesus fulfilled every promise of God. In His resurrection we are given a glimpse of our eternity. And in His ascension, He rules over the Kingdoms of; Power (all creation), Grace (His church on earth), and Glory (His eternal kingdom of heaven) until on the Last Day He raises us, and all the dead, and gives unto you, me, and all believers in Christ eternal rest.

Dear friends in Christ, you have not done enough to earn eternal rest, but Christ has completed it for you, so you can rest even now. I know, it is hard to do in the seeming madness of this present time, but Christ does reign, even in this time of global uncertainty – in the world you will have tribulation, but take courage (Christ) has overcome the world. (John 16:33) You do not need to carry the burden of your guilt, but can rest wholly in the forgiveness He purchased for you.

As we consider that the Sabbath was made by God for man, which is what Jesus proclaims, we can rejoice in the purpose for which He gave it to us. (Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27-18) The Sabbath is much more than a specific day devoted to doing nothing – it is all about resting in God. It is a day intended for your restoration; physically, mentally, and most importantly spiritually.

God committed the 7th day as a Sabbath rest, but man’s sinfulness corrupted that Sabbath rest, perverted it with sin. Christ came into His fallen creation. With His death, He crushed corruption and brought to an end the curse of death. It was on the first day of the week that Christ rose again from the dead, and it is on this day that the apostles began to gather together to hear the Word of Christ, and to receive His Body and Blood for forgiveness and strength.

When we gather to receive the gifts of God’s grace in Word and Meal (with 2, or 10, or 200), when we take time to read His word, meditate upon it, and pray, we are Sabbath-ing. We are resting in order to be refreshed and renewed in Christ Jesus, that we can be a blessing of holiness to a fallen world.

Take every opportunity to gather together in Christ, your Sabbath, your rest. He makes you holy. Christ keeps you unto your last day. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep you holy. Amen.

  

You shall observe the worship day

That peace may fill your home and pray,

And put aside the work you do,

So that God may work in you.” Have mercy, Lord. Amen.

(LSB #581 & TLH #287 - vs. 4)