Lectio Concordia

The Strength of His Might – Friday

Preparing for Palm Sunday

Series: Lectio Concordia

April 11, 2025 By Rev. Mark Ryman

• Online jigsaw puzzle of today's reading • Index

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• Collect: I thank you, Father, that when I was powerless to effect any change in myself, you sent your only Son, so that in the weakness and curse of his cross he might become strength over sin in me, and the blessing of life forever. Amen.

• Psalm 73:21–28

• Matthew 11:25–30

• You have from God both the command and the promise of the Lord Jesus Christ. On your part, you have your own distress hanging about your neck. God’s command, invitation, and promise are given because of your distress, and ought to impel you. For Christ himself says, “But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” He means those who are weary and heavy-laden with their sins, with the fear of death, temptations of the flesh, and of the devil. So if you are burdened and feel your weakness, go joyfully to this Sacrament and obtain refreshment, consolation, and strength. If you would wait until you are rid of such burdens, that you might then come to the Sacrament pure and worthy, you must stay away forever. For in that case, Christ pronounces sentence and says, If you are pure and godly, you have no need of me, and I, in turn, have no need of you. Therefore, the unworthy are only hose who neither feel their weakness nor wish to be considered sinners. [The Large Catechism, Sacrament of the Altar]

• “Eternal Father, Strong To Save,” William Whiting Tune

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm does bind the restless wave,
Who bids the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Savior, whose almighty word
The winds and waves submissive heard,
Who walked upon the foaming deep,
And calm amid the rage did sleep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Holy Spirit, who did brood
Upon the waters dark and rude,
And bid their angry tumult cease,
And give for wild confusion peace;
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of love and pow’r,
Your children shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire, and foe,
Protect them where-so-e’er they go;
Thus, evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

• Benediction: May you not die, but live to enter the gates of the heavenly kingdom through the righteousness of Christ Jesus who has become your strength and salvation. Amen.

• Memory Verse: Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41

• Memory Verse Aid: WAP TYMNEIT. TSIIW, BTFIW. (M2641)