ZACHARY'S NOTES

Stanza 1 // God’s Word comes in the flesh to those who are bound to the ways of the earth to give a promise that will “pierce the darkness” - even to those who would reject Jesus Christ.

Stanza 2 // This promise is not new, but one of mercy God consistently gave to those who were both “blind and willful” - much as described in this weekend’s Gospel reading. Christ continually seeks those who do not want Him - even those who killed Him - that we might know the mercy of Almighty God.

Stanza 3 // God’s Word and promise is not only relevant in his hometown, and though unwelcomed by sinful hearts, God’s compassion is seen in the face of Christ, which extends through all ages that we might know the Lord’s unfair justice and abounding grace.

Stanza 4 // As this weekend’s reading concludes, so this hymn also ends with a call of sending to “every land and race” that “myriad tongues” may celebrate the gift of God in Jesus Christ.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

ELW 507 - O God of Light - ATKINSON

ELW 509 - God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage - EIN FESTE BURG

ELW 513 - Listen, God is Calling - NENO LAKE MUNGU

ELW 514 - O Word of God Incarnate - MUNICH

ELW 517 - Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word - ERHALT UNS, HERR

ELW 519 - Open Your Ears, O Faithful People - YISRAEL V’ORAITA

ELW 575 - In Christ Called to Baptize - ST. DENIO

ELW 579 - Lord, You Give the Great Commission - ABBOT’S LEIGH

ELW 675 - O Christ, Our Light, O Radiance True - O JESU CHRISTE, WAHRES LICHT

ELW 737 - He Comes to Us as One Unknown - REPTON

LBW 230 - Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word - ERHALT UNS, HERR

LBW 231 - O Word of God Incarnate - MUNICH

LBW 239 - God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage - EIN FESTE BURG

LBW 380 - O Christ, Our Light, O Radiance True - O JESU CHRISTE, WAHRES LICHT

LSB 523 - O Word of God Incarnate - MUNICH

LSB 582/582a - God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage - REUTER // EIN FESTE BURG [alternate]

LSB 655 - Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word - ERHALT UNS, HERR

LSB 833 - Listen, God is Calling - NENO LAKE MUNGU

LSB 836/836a - O God of Light - ATKINSON

LSB 839 - O Christ, Our True and Only Light - O JESU CHRISTE, WAHRES LICHT

RH 70 - God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage - EIN FESTE BURG

RH 71 - Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word - ERHALT UNS, HERR

RH 266 - From Greelnad’s Icy Mountains - MISSIONARY HYMN