Color: Purple\r\rOld Testament: Jeremiah 26:8–15\rPsalm: Psalm 4; antiphon: v. 8\rEpistle: Philippians 3:17—4:1\rGospel: Luke 13:31–35\rIntroit: Psalm 74:1–3; antiphon: Psalm 69:9\rGradual: Hebrews 12:2\rVerse: Luke 13:35\r\rJesus Rescues Us from Death and Brings Us into Heaven\r \rThe prophet Jeremiah faithfully preached “all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people” (Jer. 26:8). He called the people to repentance, lest the Lord’s judgment come upon them. The violence that Jeremiah suffered for this preaching foreshadowed the cross and Passion of Christ Jesus, who suffered the judgment of God for the redemption of all people. For Jesus “comes in the name of the Lord” (Luke 13:35) in order to lay down His life for the sins of the world. Earthly Jerusalem was blind to His gracious visitation, and it put Him to death like the prophets before Him. Yet, His sacrifice upon the cross became the cornerstone of the new Jerusalem, His Church. He visits us today in mercy with His preaching of forgiveness, to gather us to Himself within that holy city, “as a hen gathers her brood under her wings” (Luke 13:34), for “our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20). \r\rLectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship