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

THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTEROur Lord Jesus Is with Us in the Upper Room of His

Church on Earth

Acts 1:12-26; 1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11; John 17:1-11; Psalm 68:1-10

THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

 

Acts 1:12–26

1 Peter 4:12–19; 5:6–11

John 17:1–11

 

Our Lord Jesus Is with Us in the Upper Room of His Church on Earth

 On the night when He was betrayed, our Lord Jesus prayed for His Apostles and His Church on earth. “The hour” had come when the Father would glorify His Son by the Cross (John 17:1). Through the shedding of His blood, He would bring forgiveness for the sins of the world, and in His Resurrection and Ascension He would unite all Christians with the Father “that they may be one” with God (John 17:11). He manifested His Name to the Apostles and gave them the words of the Father to speak in His Name. The apostolic witness of His Cross and Resurrection (Acts 1:21–22) gathers disciples together “with one accord” into the one Body of Christ (Acts 1:14). “Devoting themselves to prayer,” they wait upon the Lord in “the upper room” (Acts 1:13–14), the place of His Holy Supper. Strengthened by the Gospel, Christians bear the Cross of Christ in patience and peace, rejoicing to share in His suffering, in order that they “may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:13).

Christians are one With one accord Devoting

ourselves to prayer

Rejoicing and glad

How are we visibility and invisibility doing / not doing this as sinners / saints?

The Church For where God built a church, there the Devil would also build a chapel.Martin Luther

LSB 539

1 Christ is the world’s Redeemer,The lover of the pure,The fount of heav'nly wisdom,Our trust and hope secure,The armor of His soldiers,The Lord of earth and sky;Our health while we are living,Our life when we shall die.

2 Christ has our host surroundedWith clouds of martyrs bright,Who wave their palms in triumphAnd fire us for the fight.This Christ the cross ascendedTo save a world undone,And, suff'ring for the sinful,Our full redemption won.

3 Down in the realms of darkness

He strode in victory,And at the hour appointedHe rose triumphantly.And now, to heav'n ascended,He sits upon the throneWhence He had ne'er departed,His Father's and His own.

4 Glory to God the Father,The unbegotten One;All honor be to Jesus,His sole begotten Son,And to the Holy Spirit--The perfect Trinity.Let all the worlds give answer:Amen! So let it be.

LSB 709

6 The Son obeyed His Father's will,Was born of virgin mother;And God's good pleasure to fulfill,He came to be my brother.His royal pow'r disguised He bore;A servant's form, like mine, He woreTo lead the devil captive.

7 To me He said: "Stay close to Me,I am your rock and castle.Your ransom I Myself will be;For you I strive and wrestle.For I am yours, and you are Mine,And where I am you may remain;The foe shall not divide us.

8 "Though he will shed My precious blood,Me of My life bereaving,All this I suffer for your good;

Be steadfast and believing.Life will from death the vict'ry win;My innocence shall bear your sin,And you are blest forever.

9 "Now to My Father I depart,From earth to heav'n ascending,And, heav'nly wisdom to impart,The Holy Spirit sending;In trouble He will comfort youAnd teach you always to be trueAnd into truth shall guide you.

10 "What I on earth have done and taught,Guide all your life and teaching;So shall the kingdom's work be wroughtAnd honored in your preaching.But watch lest foes with base alloyThe heav'nly treausre should destroy;This final word I leave you."

Prayer Activity

Use your prayer notes.

Use a verse from the bible to reflect on.

Pray for unity.

P raiseR epentanceA ppreciationY ouE veryoneR esolve

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. Brief silence Risen Lord Jesus, as You guided the apostles to choose Matthias, we praise You for blessing us with pastors who faithfully proclaim Your Word and rightly administer the Sacraments. Uphold congregations without pastors and congregations who are calling pastors. Provide them with faithful and loving undershepherds, that they may continue to gladly receive the gifts that You give through Word and Sacrament. Strengthen pastors who struggle without a congregation, reaffirm them in their vocation, assure them of Your presence and provide for their needs according to Your will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear

our prayer.  Ascended Lord Jesus, You rule and reign at God’s right hand. Your rule extends into this world through the authority that You have granted to its leaders. Let their rule reflect Yours, that we may live peaceable lives, free to worship You without fear, and be moved to love and serve our neighbors…  Triumphant Lord Jesus, You send the Holy Spirit and bring Your Church alive. Grant us passion for the lost. Empower us to speak the Word that convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. As we boldly speak Your name, send Your Spirit to call unbelievers by the Gospel, enlighten and sanctify them in the true faith, that in knowing Your Father as the only true God, they would receive eternal life through You…

Prayer Activity

Use your prayer notes.

Use a verse from the bible to reflect on.

Pray for unity.

P raiseR epentanceA ppreciationY ouE veryoneR esolve

Exalted Lord Jesus, bless the work of our missionaries. Bring forth Your harvest from the seeds that they sow. Support them and all who endure fiery trials for Your name. As they shine the light of the Gospel into the hostile darkness where the devil prowls unsatisfied, guard them as those who bear Your cross. Let them rejoice that in tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril or sword, they share in Your very suffering…  Glorified Lord Jesus, You have saved us by Your grace. We pray for those who are sick, those who are distressed, those whose hearts are heavy, those whose lives are burdened, those who mourn and all who have requested our

prayers [especially ________________ ]. Grant them healing in accordance with Your will, strength and mercy according to their needs, and Your peace that passes understanding…OTHER PETITIONS Omnipotent Lord Jesus, as You come to us in Your true body and blood, restore, confirm, strengthen and establish us in the faith. Forgive our sins, and guard our souls as we await the day when we will join in Your eternal wedding feast on that mountain where You swallow up death forever…  Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves and all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Group Time Meet w/teams

3-5 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?

Our Lord Jesus Is with Us in the Upper Room of His Church on Earth

Acts 1:12-26Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All thesewith one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.[a]

15 In those days Peter stood up amongthe brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said,16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”18 (Now this man acquired a field withthe reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong[b] he burst open in the middle and all his bowels

gushed out.19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,“‘May his camp become desolate,    and let there be no one to dwell in it’;and“‘Let another take his office.’21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 Andthey prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry andapostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

1 Peter 4:12-19Suffering as a Christian12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoiceinsofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be gladwhen his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory[a]and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?18 And“If the righteous is scarcely saved,    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[b]

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.5:6-116 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devilprowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to hiseternal glory in Christ, will himselfrestore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

John 17:1-11

The High Priestly Prayer

17 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come;glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with youbefore the world existed.6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me

out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everythingthat you have given me is from you.8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father,keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one,even as we are one.

Psalm 68:1-10

God Shall Scatter His Enemies

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A Song.

68 God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered;    and those who hate him shall flee before him!2 As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away;    as wax melts before fire,    so the wicked shall perish before God!3 But the righteous shall be glad;    they shall exult before God;    they shall be jubilant with joy!4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name;    lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;his name is the LORD;    exult before him!5 Father of the fatherless

andprotector of widows    is God in his holy habitation.6 God settles the solitary in a home;    he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,    but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.7 O God, when you went out before your people,    when you marched through the wilderness, Selah8 the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,    before God, the One of Sinai,    before God, the God of Israel.9 Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;    you restored your inheritance as it languished;10 your flock[a] found a dwelling in it;    in your goodness, O God, youprovided for the needy.

Next Week…THE DAY OF PENTECOST

The Risen Lord Jesus Pours Out the Holy Spirit

Numbers 11:24–30 Elders Appointed to Aid Moses

Acts 2:1–21 The Coming of the Holy Spirit & Peter’s Pentecost Sermon

John 7:37–39 Rivers of Living Water

Psalm 25:1-15 Teach Me Your Paths

Numbers 11:24-30

24 So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD. And he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tent. 25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it.

26 Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. 27 And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” 29 But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” 30 And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.

Acts 2:1-21

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

2 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested[a

] on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and

Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

Peter's Sermon at Pentecost

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose,since it is only the third hour of the day.[b] 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,    and your young men shall see visions,    and your old men shall dream dreams;18 even on my male servants[c] and female servants    in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above    and signs on the earth below,    blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;20 the sun shall be turned to darkness    and the moon to blood,    before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

John 7:37-39

Rivers of Living Water

37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as[a] the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Nowthis he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given,because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Psalm 25:1-15

Teach Me Your Paths

[a] Of David.

25 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.2 O my God, in you I trust;    let me not be put to shame;    let not my enemies exult over me.3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;    they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD;    teach me your paths.5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,    for you are the God of my salvation;    for you I wait all the day long.

6 Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love,    for they have been from of old.7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;    according to your steadfast love remember me,    for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!

8 Good and upright is the LORD;    therefore he instructs sinners in the way.9 He leads the humble in what is right,    and teaches the humble his way.10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,    for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

11 For your name's sake, O LORD,    pardon my guilt, for it is great.12 Who is the man who fears the LORD?    Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.13 His soul shall abide in well-being,    and his offspring shall inherit the land.14 The friendship[b] of the LORD is for those who fear him,    and he makes known to them his covenant.15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD,    for he will pluck my feet out of the net.