The Wednesday after Jubilate Sunday
Posted on May 14, 2025 by under
Scripture: Isaiah 66:10-14 (NKJV)
66:10 “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all you who love her; Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn for her;
11 “That you may feed and be satisfied with the consolation of her bosom, that you may drink deeply and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.”
12 For thus says the Lord:
“Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream. Then you shall feed; On her sides shall you be carried, and be dandled on her knees.
13 “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; And you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”
14 When you see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like grass; The hand of the Lord shall be known to His servants, and His indignation to His enemies.
Devotion
Today’s lesson presents us with a picture of the Christian Church. She is described as a mother who lovingly cares for her children. She feeds and satisfies them at her breasts; she consoles them at her bosom; she carries them on her sides; she dandles them on her knees. So also, in the fellowship of the Church, God feeds us with His Word and the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper; He consoles us with the forgiveness of sins; He carries us by His doctrine over the troubles of this life; He dandles us with joy and peace that flows like a river. Given this wonderful picture, we should desire to remain and live in this Christian Church. We should seek to dwell among believers and gather around God’s Word and His Sacraments. There, our mother will nurture us. “In Jerusalem,” we shall be comforted.
Those who think they do not need the Church are depriving themselves of their mother. They are leaving behind their food, their consolation, and their doctrine. God promises to give peace and comfort “in Jerusalem.” Therefore let us not forsake the Word of God and the gathering together of the saints. Rather, rejoice and be glad with Jerusalem, “that you may drink deeply and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.”
Collect: Almighty God, Who showest to them that be in error the light of Thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness: Grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s Religion that they may eschew those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
