Let Us Go
And the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, 19 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace. 20 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Peoples shall yet come, even the inhabitants of many cities. 21 The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the LORD and to seek the LORD of hosts; I myself am going.’ 22 Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD. 23 Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’ ” Zechariah 8:18-23
Fasting is fine outward training, Luther says in the Small Catechism, but that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” The people of God are defined by his work to create faith in their hearts. That faith draws them to the Word preached and the Sacraments given. That faith draws them together as a people of God. One of the many blessings of being a Christian is the consolation of the brethren. Our faith reaches out to bear the burdens of our neighbors, to love by denying ourselves, and giving out of the gifts that God has given. The people gathered in old times in Jerusalem because that is where God promised to be. Now he promises to be where his Son is. Where is that? That is where the Word is preached in its purity and the Sacraments are administered according to the command of Jesus. Many peoples from many lands will rejoice with the church because of this Word. In your times of sorrow, you have his Word. In your times of rejoicing you have this Word. Your confidence and your joy are complete in the promises that are kept in Jesus. God is with you. Tell everyone you meet. God is with you and he is risen from the dead. Let us go to the house of the Lord and rejoice in his Word.
Fasting is fine outward training, Luther says in the Small Catechism, but that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” The people of God are defined by his work to create faith in their hearts. That faith draws them to the Word preached and the Sacraments given. That faith draws them together as a people of God. One of the many blessings of being a Christian is the consolation of the brethren. Our faith reaches out to bear the burdens of our neighbors, to love by denying ourselves, and giving out of the gifts that God has given. The people gathered in old times in Jerusalem because that is where God promised to be. Now he promises to be where his Son is. Where is that? That is where the Word is preached in its purity and the Sacraments are administered according to the command of Jesus. Many peoples from many lands will rejoice with the church because of this Word. In your times of sorrow, you have his Word. In your times of rejoicing you have this Word. Your confidence and your joy are complete in the promises that are kept in Jesus. God is with you. Tell everyone you meet. God is with you and he is risen from the dead. Let us go to the house of the Lord and rejoice in his Word.
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