Chesterton Quote about Original Sin

"Certain new theologians dispute original sin, which is the only part of Christian theology which can really be proved. . . . They . . . deny human sin, which they can see in the street. The strongest saints and the strongest skeptics alike took positive evil as the starting-point of their argument. If it be true (as it certainly is) that a man can feel exquisite happiness in skinning a cat, then the religious philosopher can only draw one of two deductions. He must either deny the existence of God, as all atheists do; or he must deny the present union between God and man, as all Christians do. The new theologians seem to think it is a highly rationalistic solution to deny the cat." ---G. K. Chesterton

Raised to Eat

Luke 8:52-55 (ESV)

52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat.

In Jesus we are raised,
and raised so we may eat:
to fellowship, to live with Him,
until in heav'n we meet.

Diseases of the Soul

Psalm 103:3 (ESV)

3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,

The parallelism of Hebrew poetry is helpful to our understanding. In this verse "iniquity" in line one is compared to "diseases" in line two. Parallelism keeps us from reading "diseases" too literally, since it is being used synonymously with "iniquity." What is in view in the second line of this verse is not physical healing, but the healing of our souls.

Our souls need healing, and our bodily diseases are a sign of the soul's need of healing. Forgiveness is the first step in the healing process of our souls, and it is a continual step, but our souls even as Christians, are in need of further healing from various spiritual diseases. George Horne (1730-1792), in his commentary on this verse recognizes this truth, when he writes:

"The body experiences the melancholy consequences of Adam's offence, and is subject to many infirmities; but the soul is subject to as many. What is pride, but lunacy; what is lust, but a leprosy; what is sloth, but a dead palsy? Perhaps there are spiritual maladies similar to all bodily ones."

An Eschatological/Communion Hymn

I wanted to write one more hymn based on Luke 8:40-56 that caught the eschatological dimension to the text.  This is what I came up with and here is a tune to go with it if you want to sing it (ST. ETHELWALD):

Our Lord will soon return

to wake us from our sleep.

And when His wedding feast arrives,

His supper will we keep.

What joy we then will have,

when we receive that meal.

Our Lord and Savior will return,

and we'll be wholly healed.

For death will be removed,

and scornful men depart.

And Jesus will be all in all,

our portion and our part.

Until then trust the Lord,

and look to Jesus' pow'r.

He gives you life through Word and meal

to keep you 'til that hour.

Jesus: the True Physician

I wrote these lyrics based on Luke 8:40-56. The repeated opening line alludes to the phrase in verse 43: "though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone." I believe "physician" in verse 43 is symbolic of other religious and spiritual options.

Jesus Christ Our True Physician

Suggested tune: REGENT SQUARE (http://www.opc.org/hymn.html?hymn_id=225).  Meter: 878787.  Based on Luke 8:40-56.  Words: William Weber, 2015.

v. 1

Jesus Christ our true physician,

He alone will never fail.

Other remedies will falter,

only Jesus' pow'r prevails.

Come to Jesus, come believing,

for the touch of faith avails.

v. 2

Jesus Christ our true physician,

He alone can cleanse from sin.

See his cleansing life a fountain,

life for all who come to Him.

Come to Jesus, come believing,

His desire to save from sin.

v. 3

Jesus Christ our true physician,

He alone can save from death.

For God's holy law accuses,

and we face a dire threat.

Come to Jesus, come believing,

for the Lord has paid our debt.

v. 4

Jesus Christ our true physician,

"Do not fear but just believe."

See His kind desire to save us,

and to make us family.

Come to Jesus, come believing,

for He wants to give you peace.

New Hymn Lyrics for Luke 8:42b-48

Luke 8:42b-48

As Jesus went, the people pressed around him.  And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone.  She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased.   And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!”  But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.”  And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed.  And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

O The Touch of Jesus

Suggested tune: WEM IN LEIDGENSTAGEN. Meter: 6565. Based on Luke 8:42b-48.  Words: William Weber, 2015.

O the touch of Jesus,

healing life it gives.

Faith takes hold of Jesus,

such will truly live.

Jesus has all power,

all authority.

All who come believing,

will depart with peace.

Fall before the Savior,

worship Him as Lord.

Tell what He's done for you,

how He has restored.

Then stay near to Jesus,

through His Word and meal.

Let His words instruct you,

and His Supper heal.

Jesus, You are risen,

bodily You dwell.

Food and drink please give us,

this will keep us well.

Raise our hearts to Jesus,

Father, hear our prayer.

By the Spirit lift us,

grant us healing there.

New Hymn Based on Luke 8:26-39

Luke 8:26-39English Standard Version (ESV)

26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” 29 For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.) 30 Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. 32 Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank intothe lake and drowned.

34 When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country.35 Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 36 And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. 37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. 38 The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

O Christ Our Sovereign King

Suggested tune:  O GOTT, DU FROMMER GOTT (http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/online/aTLH_Hymns8.htm click on O God, forsake me not, 402).  Meter: 67676666.  Based on Luke 8:26-39.  Words: William Weber, 2015.  (after sermon, Christ's return, Christ as judge, Christology, Christ as Lord, Christ's glory, the devil, spiritual sight, sanctification, love for God/Christ, Christ's authority)

v. 1

O Christ our sov'reign King,

no one resists Your power.

All demons bow at once,

afraid of that last hour.

For You will come to judge,

and every eye will see

the Lamb once crucified

is heaven's glorious King.

v. 2

O Christ our sov'reign King,

the wise will truly fear You.

Your words bring life and light,

the wise will truly hear You.

We seek Your favor, Lord,

Your face we long to see,

Your beauty on that day,

when You return as King.

v. 3

O Christ our sov'reign King,

this world is in rebellion.

Deceived by Satan's lies,

how dark is his dominion.

Our hearts apart from grace,

are blind and cannot see

Your grace and glory, Lord,

our Savior and our King.

v. 4

O Christ our sov'reign King,

our shame O would You cover;

and free our hearts from lust,

so love may be recovered.

Your life is lived in love,

Your breath within us breathe,

that we may live in You,

and live in love our King.

v. 5

O Christ our sov'reign King,

O help us to think rightly.

Our hearts and minds transform,

Your light reflecting brightly.

Your presence is our good,

Your Word our food and drink,

we give ourselves to You,

our Lord and sov'reign King.