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

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

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

Memorization Verses: Ex. 16:4 Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you.Is. 49:10 they shall not hunger or thirst.Gal. 4:31 we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.Acts 2:46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, [the believers] received their food with glad and generous hearts.

John 6:11  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.Psalm 132:15 I will abundantly bless her provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread.

Feed My Sheep

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John 6:9 "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?“35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Five loaves become twelve baskets—that is, the five books of Moses find their goal and fulfillment in Christ, whose people continue steadfastly in the doctrine and fellowship of the twelve apostles, and in the breaking and receiving of the bread of life, which is the body of Christ together with His precious blood, and in the prayers.

•How is God providing for your body and soul right now?•How does your cup overflow to others?

Use your prayer notes. Use a verse from the

bible to reflect on. Pray about God’s

provision. 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. Kind and gracious Father, we are not worthy to be called Your children, and yet in love You have embraced us, named us Your own, and made us, by Your beloved Son, co-heirs of all things. Remember all Your baptized children and stir up in them a desire for a life of communion with You...3. Holy One, Your Son sends forth His messengers of reconciliation into all the world. Keep all those in the Office of the Holy Ministry faithful in their preaching and administration of the Sacraments so that Your Church may be built up and strengthened...

4. Father of glory, kindly regard this family of Your people, that we might give a hearty welcome to all fellow sinners and assure them that they are wanted and loved in Your house...5. Loving Lord, there is no sin that Your Son did not carry to death, no one for whom His sacrifice was not offered. Call those who have wandered from their baptismal birthright home to You and renew them by Your Spirit...6. Mighty King, Your Word commands us to pray for all those in authority. Remember in mercy our president, Congress and justices, and all who make, administer and judge our laws. Grant them to serve with integrity and wisdom. Into Your keeping we also commend all serving in our armed forces...

Use your prayer notes. Use a verse from the

bible to reflect on. Pray about God’s

provision. P raise

R epentanceA ppreciationY ouE veryoneR esolve

Prayer Activity

…let us pray to the Lord.…Lord, have mercy.7. God our Healer, look with kindness on those who are taking treatments, those suffering from chronic illness or recovering from accidents, those who mourn and all for whom our prayers are desired [especially_______________]. May Your Son ever be their joy in sorrow; their health in sickness and their life in death...8. Bountiful Giver, Your Son has provided a feast for Your family where they taste Your love in the gift of His body and His blood. Give us penitent hearts to receive this most holy Eucharist in firm faith, for our salvation and to our abundant blessing...9. Great I Am, You are the life

that never ends and the source of all that is. Receive our thanks and praise for the victory over death and the grave, which Your Son won for us. With joy we remember those who have departed this life in His faith and friendship. Bring us with them to share the joys of Your eternal home...10. Join 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 743

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 The Lord Feeds His People

Exodus 16:2-212 And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled 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 rain bread 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 the Lord 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 the Lord 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 and breaking 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 indeed the 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 132:8-188 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.”

Share Time: FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT (Laetare) Exodus 16:2–21or Isaiah 49:8–13Galatians 4:21–31or Acts 2:41–47John 6:1–15 The Lord Feeds His People The Lord provided bread from heaven for His people in the wilderness (Ex. 16:2–21). Now He who is Himself the living bread from heaven miraculously provides bread for the five thousand (John 6:1–15). This takes place near the time of the Passover, after a great multitude had followed Jesus across the sea, and when He went up on a mountain. Seen in this way, Jesus is our new and greater Moses, who releases us from the bondage of Mount Sinai and makes us free children of the promise (Gal. 4:21–31). Five loaves become twelve baskets—that is, the five books of Moses find their goal and fulfillment in Christ, whose people continue steadfastly in the doctrine and fellowship of the twelve apostles, and in the breaking and receiving of the bread of life, which is the body of Christ together with His precious blood, and in the prayers (Acts 2:41–47). So it is that God’s people “shall not hunger or thirst” (Is. 49:8–13). For He abundantly provides for us in both body and soul.

Sing it!

Five Loaves and Two Fishes(Tune: Ten Little Indians) lyrics written and contributed by Sharon Broome

One little boy shared his lunchOne little boy shared his lunchOne little boy shared his lunchAnd Jesus fed five thousand 

Five little loaves and two little fishesFive little loaves and two little fishesFive little loaves and two little fishesJesus fed five thousand. 

Took the food, prayed, and broke itTook the food, prayed, and broke itTook the food, prayed, and broke it

Then passed it to the apostles. 

Each one ate until he was fullEach one ate until he was fullEach one ate until he was fullAnd there were still leftovers. 

Twelve basketfuls were left overTwelve basketfuls were left overTwelve basketfuls were left overAfter each had eaten.

Fifth S. in Lent (Judica) Jesus Is Our RedemptionGen. 22:1-14 The Sacrifice of

IsaacHeb. 9:11-15 Redemption

Through the Blood of ChristJohn 8:42-59 Before Abraham

Was, I AMPsalm 43 Send Out Your Light

and Truth

Next Week…

Gen. 22:1-14; Heb. 9:11-15; John 8:42-59; Psalm 43

Genesis 22:1-14The Sacrifice of Isaac22 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering andlaid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said,“God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the LORDcalled to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORDit shall be provided.” 

Hebrews 9:11-15Redemption Through the Blood of Christ11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For ifthe blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so thatthose who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

John 8:42-5942 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

Before Abraham Was, I Am48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered,“I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will

never see death.”52 The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?”54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing.It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 55 But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

Psalm 43Send Out Your Light and Your Truth43 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause    against an ungodly people,from the deceitful and unjust man    deliver me!2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge;    why have you rejected me?Why do I go about mourning    because of the oppression of the enemy?3 Send out your light and your truth;    let them lead me;let them bring me to your holy hill    and to your dwelling!4 Then I will go to the altar of God,    to God my exceeding joy,and I will praise you with the lyre,    O God, my God.5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,    and why are you in turmoil within me?Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,    my salvation and my God.