Higher Things

Reflections

Pentecost-Trinity 4 June 8, 2014-July 19, 2014

2014 Reflections Pentecost through Trinity 4

June 8-June 21 Reflections were written by Rev. Clint Poppe, the pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Nebraska. June 22-July 19 Reflections were written by Rev. Mark Buetow, the pastor of Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Du Quoin, Illinois. Pastor Buetow is also the Deputy Executive of Higher Things. 2014 Reflections Editorial Staff: Rev. Mark Buetow (Editor) Mrs. Katie Hill (Assistant Editor/Layout Design) Mrs. Lu Fischer (Copy Editor) Mrs. Kay Maiwald (Copy Editor) Mr. Stan Lemon (Technology Executive) Mr. Jon Kohlmeier (Webmaster) Rev. Aaron Fenker (Audio Editor) ©2014 Higher Things, Inc.

A Simple Form for Reflection Adapted from Luther’s Small Catechism As soon as you get out of bed in the morning or before bed, you should bless yourself with the sign of the Holy Cross and say:

“In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Pray the Psalm for the week. The Holy Gospel is then read. Read the Reflection for the Day. Pray the Apostle’s Creed

“I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.”

Then, kneeling or standing, say the creed and pray the Lord’s Prayer. If you wish, you may then pray this little prayer as well: In the Morning:

“I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.”

In the Evening:

“I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.”

After that, with joy go about your work and perhaps say the Ten Commandments or sing a hymn. At night, go to sleep immediately with joy.

Pentecost June 8, 2014 Today's Reading: John 14:23-31 Daily Lectionary: Numbers 21:10-35; Luke 21:20-38 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:23-26) Love and obey. It’s really pretty simple isn’t it? Jesus teaches us that if we want to follow Him, all we need to do is love Him and obey His Word. Make Jesus the number one thing in your life and get rid of all your “idols” that command your love and time. So, what’s the problem? Don’t you want to love God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength? Don’t you want to love your neighbor as yourself? I thought you were baptized? Don’t you call yourself a Christian? You had better try harder. Love and obey! Sadly, some people think that’s what Christianity is all about. They’ve been taught and believe that following Jesus is about what you do for God. “Clean up your act!” “Be a better person!” “Love God and follow His Word!” And they point to the Words of Jesus (like the ones above) to try to prove their point. There is only One who could truly love and obey, and it isn’t you. The Father loved you and sent His Son to redeem you from sin, death, and the devil. Jesus Christ loved you and obeyed the will of His Father and was crushed for your sin and the sin of the world on Calvary’s cross. The Holy Spirit, the Helper, who loved you by calling you to faith in Jesus and washing you clean in Holy Baptism, will remind you of these things. What things? You are a new creation, made in the image of the Triune God. With the Holy Spirit living and dwelling in you and Christ’s Body and Blood pumping in your veins, you have new life. This new life freely and willingly wants to, gets to, love God and hear His Word. The love and obedience of Jesus sets you free! O God our merciful Father, who taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending to them the light of Your Holy Spirit, bring us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy comfort; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who with You and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for Pentecost)

Monday of the Week of Pentecost June 9, 2014 Today's Reading: Genesis 11:1-9 Daily Lectionary: Numbers 22:1-20; Luke 22:1-23 So the LORD dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth. (Genesis 11:8-9)

If you have ever taken a foreign language class, you know how difficult it can be to learn a language other than the one you grew up with. The words are hard to form with your mouth and tongue. The sounds are strange and at times silly. It doesn’t come easily and doesn’t sound natural, as any teacher will be quick to point out. If only everyone in the world spoke the same language!

But you weren’t born with the ability to speak. It takes long hours and hard work and many years of experience to master even your “native” tongue. And even then we have years and years of study to master and perfect it. Throw in a few accents and idioms and it’s really confusing! At least we know who to blame for this language mess, right? In Genesis 11 we read of a time when everyone on the entire earth spoke the same language. But some people built a tower trying to climb to God and so God destroyed their fancy tower and confused their languages so they would never do it again. God then named the place Babel. Neat story, but what does this have to do with Pentecost? Pentecost and the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit that day is the Tower of Babel reversed. Out of the mass confusion of voices and languages, God's voice is loud and clear. The Spirit testifies that there is only one voice that saves; the It-Is-Finished, He-Is-Risen, Word-made-Flesh Jesus. That Word makes sense in a world of uncertainty. That Word forgives and saves you. That Word was implanted in you when you were baptized. That Word gives you forgiveness, life, and salvation as you eat and drink His crucified and risen flesh and blood. Today there are thousands of languages and dialects spoken throughout the world. But in any language, there is only One Word that saves: Jesus Christ for you! In You, with graces seven-fold, We God’s almighty hand behold While You with tongues of fire proclaim To all the world His holy name. (Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest, LSB 499:3)

Tuesday of the Week of Pentecost June 10, 2014 Today's Reading: Acts 2:1-21 Daily Lectionary: Numbers 22:21-23:3; Luke 22:24-46 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” (Acts 2:5-11)

No doubt about it, this is a big miracle! Humble and uneducated Galileans suddenly speaking fluently in languages they had never studied. People “from every nation under heaven” were able to hear the disciples speaking to them in their native tongue. No communication gap, no magician’s trick, no language translator software: This is God at work.

How did God do it? Did the disciples retain their ability to speak in foreign languages after the day of Pentecost or was it a one-time event? Can this be replicated today? If I pray long and hard enough will God give me this gift? How easy it is to focus on the wrong thing in any miracle and especially one like this. The miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost was not for the purpose of putting language teachers out of business or to make the disciples instant celebrities. It was so that the people could hear “The mighty works of God.”

God has provided for you the same way. He has given you a pastor to speak to you in your native language. Don’t look for a tongue of fire over his head, but be sure and certain, God has sent him to you and for you, has filled him with the Holy Spirit, and even given him the message to speak. He is to proclaim to you the same mighty works of God: God’s mighty work of creation, perfect and holy, broken by sin; God’s mighty work of salvation in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, for you; God’s mighty work of sanctification as the Holy Spirit calls you to faith and keeps you in the faith through the hands and mouth of your pastor delivering the mighty works of God to you. No doubt about it, this is a big miracle! From Your own mouth comes forth a word; Your shepherd speaks, but You are heard; through him Your hand now stretches out, Forgiving sin, destroying doubt. (Baptismal Waters Cover Me, LSB 616:4)

St. Barnabas June 11, 2014 Today's Reading: Acts 11:19-30; 13:1-3 Daily Lectionary: Numbers 23:4-28; Luke 22:47-71 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:1-3)

Today we remember the life of Barnabas, pastor and missionary, son of consolation, companion of the Apostle Paul. Barnabas was consecrated or “set apart” for special service by the Holy Spirit. He was ordained (laying on of hands) and sent off for the service to which the Holy Spirit had called him. Today we remember and celebrate the call of St. Barnabas. Not because as a pastor he is somehow above or better than other Christians; we celebrate because he was faithful. Our God is a God of order and he calls some to be preachers and all to be hearers. He gives the Word of God to pastors to preach and teach and requires them to be faithful to that Word, all for the sake of the hearer. God cares about your soul, so He gives you a pastor to bring His Word to you. God even gives your pastor power—not some hocus pocus type of power, but a special and unique power. Your pastor is not given the power to make arrests (like the police) or to levy taxes (like the government) or to tell you the time of curfew (like your parents) or to make you do your homework (like your teachers). Your pastor has been given the three-fold power of the Office of the Keys: Preach the Word; Administer the Sacraments; Forgive and Retain Sins. This power doesn’t look like much to the world, but it is the life-giving and life-changing work for which the Holy Spirit has called and set apart your pastor. It is easy to have unrealistic expectations for a pastor. He is often judged by his personality or his ability to bring in dollars and fill pews. Pray that your pastor would be faithful to his calling to shepherd the sheep entrusted to him by bringing God’s Word to you in its truth and purity. Jesus crucified and risen for you! That’s what we remember and celebrate today. We know how hard, O Lord, the task Your servant bade us undertake: To preach the Word and never ask What prideful profit it may make. (Preach You the Word, LSB 586:2)

Thursday of the Week of Pentecost June 12, 2014 Daily Lectionary: Numbers 24:1-25; Luke 23:1-25 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)

What is Baptism? That’s a question a lot of folks are asking these days, and the answers can be very confusing. Some answer that Baptism is an act of obedience that the believer must perform. Others say that Baptism is like a “get out of jail free” card and that it is impossible for anyone who is baptized to fall from faith. Some even claim that Baptism is nothing, or worse, a hindrance to true faith. So, what is Baptism? The word “baptize” simply means to wash or apply water, but the Baptism that Jesus institutes in Matthew 28 is not just plain water, it is water included in God’s command and combined with God’s Word. Baptism is water and the Word—not just any word, but the living Word of God. We confess this in the Nicene Creed, “I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins.” Most Christian churches agree on who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Jesus Christ, true man and true God, lived a perfect life for you, died the death you deserve, and rose victorious over the grave for you. This is salvation achieved. Where the differences become glaring is on how this salvation achieved by Christ gets to you, the sinner. For many, Baptism becomes the decision or choice you make to bring yourself to God. You must somehow ascend to God and claim this salvation. God clearly teaches that this is impossible, since we are spiritually dead. Baptism is not something we do for God but just the opposite. Baptism is pure gift. At the font God delivers Good Friday and Easter to you--one Baptism for the remission of sins. Here God places His Name on you and robes you in the righteousness of Christ. Here God fills you with His Holy Spirit and adopts you into His family Here, in your Baptism, God gives you the gift of faith. What is Baptism? It is Water connected to God’s Word of promise: the delivery of God’s deliverance to you! The gifts flow from the font Where He calls us His own; New life He gives that makes Us His and His alone. Here He forgives our sins With water and His Word; The triune God Himself Gives power to call Him Lord. (The Gifts Christ Freely Gives, LSB 602:2)

Friday of the Week of Pentecost June 13, 2014 Today's Reading: Joel 3:1-5 Daily Lectionary: Numbers 27:12-23; Luke 23:26-56 “What are you to me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Are you paying me back for something? If you are paying me back, I will return your payment on your own head swiftly and speedily. (Joel 3:4)

The words of our reading from Joel 3 should cause us to pause and reflect; they should strike fear in our hearts. God takes His Word seriously and He is THE Righteous Judge. In a perfect world, a perfect judge would only punish the guilty and the innocent would always go free. We don’t live in a perfect world, but God is indeed a perfect Judge.

We often know that our words and actions have hurt and offended others. We see the pain and suffering that we have caused, by what we have done and by what we have failed to do. What we fail to realize is that when we sin, we sin first and foremost against God. Our thoughtless words, our selfish actions, our angry or lust-filled thoughts not only sin against ourselves and our neighbor, but sin directly against God. We can’t tamper with the evidence or beg for a mistrial; He is the Righteous Judge.

But our Righteous Judge is also merciful and gracious. In His mercy, He doesn’t give us what we deserve because of our sins. In His perfect courtroom the guilty are always punished so He takes the guilt and punishment we deserve, and places it squarely on His only begotten Son, Jesus. Bearing our sin, Jesus is declared guilty and sentenced to death. Given His righteousness, we are declared innocent and set free. The great exchange is complete.

When we act as if our sin is no big deal, we mock the sacrifice that Christ made on our behalf. When we treat the forgiveness of sins lightly, we act as if the suffering and death of God’s Son is nothing. These words and actions should cause us to pause and reflect; they should strike fear in our hearts.

Our sins are great and a great offense against God. Our Savior is greater than all our sin. It is finished and He is risen, for you. Your soul in griefs unbounded, Your head with thorns surrounded, You died to ransom me. The cross for me enduring, The crown for me securing, You healed my wounds and set me free. (Upon the Cross Extended, LSB 453:5)

Saturday of the Week of Pentecost June 14, 2014 Daily Lectionary: Numbers 32:1-6,16-27; Luke 24:1-27 Blessed be the Holy Trinity and the Undivided Unity: Let us give glory to Him For He has shown mercy unto us. (Introit for Holy Trinity)

Tomorrow we remember and celebrate Trinity Sunday, the only Sunday in the church year specifically devoted to a doctrine: the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. One God in three separate and distinct persons; three persons in One God. Triune. Three in one. Our God, the God of the Bible, is the Three-in-One God. You can’t understand it because it defies reason and logic. You can only believe it in faith. It is a mystery.

There’s a big difference between a secret and a mystery. Once you hear a secret, it’s no longer a secret. Not so with a mystery. When you hear a mystery it remains a mystery and it can be more deeply and fully appreciated over time. It’s a mystery why my wife loves me. It defies reason and logic. But it is true and I marvel at this great mystery even if I will never fully understand it.

In the Divine Service tomorrow, there is a very good chance that you will be confessing the Athanasian Creed. It’s very long and most churches only use it occasionally in the public worship service, generally on Trinity Sunday. This Creed helps to explain the unexplainable; it helps us to unfold and appreciate the mystery of the Holy Trinity.

The most important aspect of the Holy Trinity is no mystery or secret, but clearly revealed in God’s Word. The Father creates and preserves all things. When His perfect creation was ruined by sin, He sent His Son into the world to fulfill the Law, suffer and die in our place, rise from the dead and ascend into heaven victorious over sin, death and the devil. The Father and the Son send the Holy Spirit to call us and keep us in the one true faith. Everything the Holy Trinity does, He does for us and for our salvation.

Blessed be the Holy Trinity and the Undivided Unity. Let us give glory to Him For he has shown mercy unto us. Praise the God of all creation; Praise the Father’s boundless love. Praise the Lamb; our expiation, Priest and King enthroned above. Praise the Spirit of salvation, Him by whom our spirits live. Undivided adoration To the great Jehovah give. (Lord, 'Tis Not That I Did Choose Thee, LSB 573:3)

Holy Trinity June 15, 2014 Today's Reading: John 3:1-17 Daily Lectionary: Numbers 35:9-30; Luke 24:28-53 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:1-3)

There it is, right there in God’s Word: “born again.” That phrase has been so abused and misused that many Lutherans despise the phrase and refuse to use it. For some the phrase has become synonymous with decision theology, charismatic gifts, or multiple baptisms. Properly understood it is a wonderful phrase, but that’s the key: properly understood. Nicodemus was confused by the phrase at first, until Jesus explained it to him. He thought Jesus meant that he had to physically enter his mother’s womb and be born again. How foolish! Jesus explains that to be born again means to be born “from above” by water and the Spirit. To be born again is to be baptized. Nicodemus, a great teacher, was still confused: “How can these things be?” The Gospel is not something that we can figure out or discover; it must be revealed to us. Jesus points the great teacher back to a famous section of Scripture: the poisonous snakes in Numbers 21. The people had disobeyed God and God in His righteous judgment had sent snakes and the people were dying a slow painful death. They cried out to God for mercy—that He would take the snakes away. God told Moses to make a snake of bronze and put it high on a pole. He was to tell the people to look at the fake snake and live. Sounds crazy, but when the promise of God is attached to something, it is powerful indeed. Jesus then reveals to Nicodemus, and us, the real power and beauty of the Gospel, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17) In the water, in the Word, In His promise be assured: Those who are baptized and believe Shall be born again. (Father Welcomes, LSB 605:2)

Monday of the Week of Trinity June 16, 2014 Today's Reading: Isaiah 6:1-7 Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 16:1-24; John 16:1-16 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. (Isaiah 6:1)

You may have heard or even remember the turmoil and mass confusion following the 2000 presidential election. People went to bed assuming that the election had been settled and woke up the next morning hearing that the race was too close to call. For weeks no one knew who had won, who the next President of the United States would be. There were accusations and hanging chads, panic and near riots.

That gives you a bit of a picture of the political situation described in Isaiah 6. King Uzziah was dead. Who would succeed him on the throne? Would there be a “Game of Thrones”-type mad scramble of fighting and scheming and warfare? Would the economy collapse in the midst of all this uncertainty? Who was in charge? Was anyone really in control?

Just then God gave the Prophet Isaiah a vision. The king was dead but the throne was not empty. The Lord God Himself was sitting on the throne and in complete control. It was just the reminder that Isaiah needed. It is just the reminder that we need, too.

At times our lives seem to be spinning out of control. Work, school, family, relationships are all very fragile and the slightest change can at times bring about confusion and despair. We want to be in charge, in control, we want what we want and we want it now. Who is in charge? Is anyone really in control?

Isaiah’s vision is for you. In any and every situation and circumstance, God is in complete control. Read Revelation 4 and 5 and see Who is sitting on the throne, right now! God gave Isaiah the vision and then sent an angel to forgive his sin of not fearing, loving, and trusting God above all things.

That same forgiveness is yours through the bloody death and glorious resurrection of Jesus. Forgiven and secure, cling now to the promises of God for you. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” “I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” “Be still, and know that I am God.” Let me be Thine forever, My faithful God and Lord; Let me forsake Thee never Nor wander from Thy Word. Lord, do not let me waver, But give me steadfastness, And for such grace forever Thy holy name I’ll bless. (Let Me Be Thine Forever, LSB 689:1)

Tuesday of the Week of Trinity June 17, 2014 Today's Reading: Romans 11:33-36 Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 17:1-28; John 16:17-33 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” (Romans 11:35)

“One good turn deserves another.” “The wheels need to be greased before they work and the squeaky wheel gets the grease.” “Tit for tat.” “Quid pro quo.” “You owe me and it’s payback time.” These are all things that we have learned in life, in the “school of hard knocks.” Life is hard and “if you don’t take care of number one (yourself) who will?”

Sadly, we think that we need to deal with God the same way. We think that somehow God owes us for all that we do for Him. For all the time spent in church and Bible study and prayer, we want to remind God of all we’ve done for Him when we want something important or an answer to a particular prayer. We compare ourselves to others and we look pretty good. Hey God, I’m better than he or she is, so take notice and give me what I want. After all, You owe me.

God doesn’t work that way. He can’t be manipulated or coerced. He is perfectly just and shows no prejudice of any kind. All that we have and all that we are, are gifts from Him. And in response to all this, we grumble and complain and somehow think God owes us.

In the world, this type of response would result in getting fired, breaking up, or getting suspended. Remember, God doesn’t work the way the world does. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us! For all our grumbling and complaining, manipulating and back room deals and for our lack of faith and lack of appreciation for all God has given us, Christ takes the hit. He is the spotless Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He takes away your sins and puts them as far as the east is from the west. He is not holding anything back. He has given you everything and more, even the very life of His Son. With a love like that, how can He withhold from you any truly good gift?

In joyous response to all He has done for us, we give Him our humble thanks and praise.

What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD, I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people. I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the LORD, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 116:12-14, 17-19)

Wednesday of the Week of Trinity June 18, 2014 Today's Reading: Catechism: Baptism Part 2 Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 20:5-25; John 17:1-26 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16)

Different churches have different definitions for what a sacrament is. The word sacrament literally means mystery. Lutherans believe that for something to be considered a sacrament it must be instituted by God, there must be visible means (something we can see, feel, touch) connected to the invisible means of God’s Word, and it has to bring, seal, or convey the forgiveness of sins. Baptism fits this definition (along with the Lord’s Supper and Absolution). Baptism actually does something.

This is a completely foreign concept for many Christians today. They have been taught and believe that Baptism is something we do for God—an act of obedience that proves our faith is real. Because of that belief, they believe that Baptism is only for believers and certainly not for infants.

If Baptism does indeed do something, what does it do? What benefits does Baptism give? It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare. What are these words and promises of God? Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Mark, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

Baptism is a gift. Through this gift, God delivers all the benefits of Christ, His perfect life, His all-sufficient death, His glorious resurrection and ascension, to us and for us at the baptismal font. Here we receive Christ by faith, which is also a gift, and are adopted into God’s family. Here God fills us with His Holy Spirit.

What do you do with a gift? If it’s a gift you like, you use it and enjoy it, right? The same is true for the gift of Holy Baptism. Live in it, remember it, return to it daily. Give thanks to our Gift-Giving God for washing us clean and making us His children. God’s own child I gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ! He, because I could not pay it, Gave my full redemption price. Do I need earth’s treasures many? I have one worth more than any That brought me salvation free Lasting to eternity. (God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It, LSB 594:1)

Thursday of the Week of Trinity June 19, 2014 Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 22:1-21; John 18:1-14 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend. (Proverbs 22:1, 11)

Facebook. Twitter. Instant messaging. Cell phone. Texting. The list could go on and on couldn’t it? This is how we communicate now and the words and pictures fly fast and furious. Sometimes they are serious. Sometimes they are funny. Sometimes they communicate much-needed information. Sometimes they hurt and cut and bite and sting. We know we should be more careful with our words but things happen so fast and are so easily misunderstood that often, too often, we wish we could take back our words.

God has given us the gift of a good reputation. It is a precious and very fragile thing. In the same way that we want people to guard and protect our good name, God calls us to guard and protect our neighbor’s good name. This gift of a good name is so precious that God gives us the 8th Commandment to protect it.

Before you type or text, think twice. Don’t assume the worst but put the best construction on everything and explain everything in the kindest possible way. If you question whether or not you should post something, don’t post it. If a conflict comes up, don’t rely on electronic media. Go to the person one-on-one and seek reconciliation.

Reconciliation. That’s why Jesus came to us. He didn’t send us a text or post it on Facebook, He took on flesh and blood and made His dwelling among us. For every thoughtless word, for every gossiping post, for every time we hurt and cut people with our words, Christ Jesus suffered. He was mocked and ridiculed on our behalf. He allowed His name to be dragged through the mud to make a name for us. He died the death we deserve and from the Cross spoke directly to us, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”

Give thanks today for the gift of a good name. Work hard to protect the name and reputation of others. Remember, God has put His Name on you in your Baptism; thanks be to God! Keep me from saying words That later need recalling; Guard me lest idle speech May from my lips be falling; But when within my place I must and ought to speak, Then to my words give grace Lest I offend the weak. (O God, My Faithful God, LSB 696:3)

Friday of the Week of Trinity June 20, 2014 Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 22:22-23:12; John 18:15-40 Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven. (Proverbs 23:4-5) What would you do if you won the Powerball? It’s fun to dream about the possibilities isn’t it? Never having to work or study again. Fancy homes, cars, boats, and stuff too numerous to imagine; life would be a permanent vacation! A few years ago a pastor was asking a large group of kids at the congregation’s VBS closing what they wanted to be when they grew up. One said a doctor and one said an astronaut, but there was one answer that caught everyone off guard. A little boy, no more than 7 or 8 proudly said, “I want to be rich!” Everyone laughed, but much of it was nervous laughter. He said out loud what many, including parents, were thinking. The temptation to acquire wealth, by any means, is very real. Nowhere in the Bible does God say that money is evil. In fact, money is very necessary as we live and function in the world. There are bills to pay. We need money to buy food and shelter and transportation and education. We are limited in our options because of how much money we have. Often we think that if we just had more money, all of our problems would disappear. The Bible does not say that money is evil. It says that the LOVE of money is the root of all sorts of evil. As Christians, we are called to be good stewards—good managers—of the gifts that God has graciously given us. All that we have and all that we are, are gifts from God. Humanly speaking, some have more and some have less, but all of our abilities, talents and treasures are gifts from God. Many who have lots of “stuff” are simply miserable because they don’t have the One Thing needful: Christ. Christ has bled and died for our obsession with “stuff,” as well as for our sinful stewardship of His gifts. Repent! Return to the baptismal waters daily, where He kills your Old Adam and evil lusts. The new life He brings in the waters of Holy Baptism is real and yours—ready and willing not to live for yourself alone, but for the One who redeemed you not with gold or silver, but with His holy Blood. One thing’s needful; Lord this treasure Teach me highly to regard. All else, though it first give pleasure, Is a yoke that presses hard! Beneath it the heart is still fretting and striving, No true, lasting happiness ever deriving. This one thing is needful; all others are vain—I count all but loss that I Christ may obtain! (One Thing's Needful, LSB 536:1)

Saturday of the Week of Trinity June 21, 2014 Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 24:1-22; John 19:1-22 How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me. (Psalm 13:1, 5-6 from the Introit for Trinity 1)

It’s okay to admit it: Sometimes we feel forgotten and abandoned by God. Problems at school or work never seem to get resolved. Relationships with parents or friends or family members or neighbors or classmates seem to be getting worse instead of better. There is the sadness or loneliness or grief that you just can’t shake and those thoughts and actions that you know are wrong but you just can’t break the habit. You pray to God for help and strength but nothing happens and nothing changes. How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?

Tomorrow in worship, you will sing or speak a portion of Psalm 13 in the Introit. In these words you will be reminded that Christianity is not some “pie-in-the-sky-when-I-die” kind of philosophy or religion. It is very real and addresses the real problems that real people have and experience in the real world, a world full of sin and the terrible consequences of sin.

In John 16, Jesus teaches us clearly that in the world we will have problems and tribulations. Tribulations are like problems on steroids: really big problems. He doesn’t promise that all your problems will go away. What He does promise is that He has come to bring peace, and the proof that His Word of promise is real is the fact that He has overcome the world.

How has He done this? He has endured and conquered every temptation, for you. He has suffered the reality of betrayal and loneliness and unjust suffering, for you. He was forsaken by His Father as He hung bleeding and dying on Calvary’s cross, so you would never be forsaken by God. He promises that He will never leave you nor forsake you, and His promise is sealed with His victory over death and the grave. Although He has Ascended, He is with you in His Word and Holy Supper. Suffering is real. Christ knows what you are going through and He is with you. Trust in His steadfast love. Rejoice, even in the midst of suffering. Forgiveness, life and salvation are yours! My God desires the soul’s salvation; My soul He, too, desires to save. Therefore with Christian resignation All earthly troubles I will brave. His will be done eternally: What pleases God, that pleases me. (I Leave All Things to God's Direction, LSB 719:3)

The First Sunday after Trinity June 22, 2014 Today's Reading: Luke 16:19-31 Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 25:1-22; John 19:23-42 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’” (Luke 16:31) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus told Thomas a week after Easter, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Sometimes we think if we could see for ourselves we would believe. And there's part of us that just wishes Jesus would have shown Himself after His resurrection to His enemies so they would believe. But faith doesn't come by seeing; it comes by hearing. The enemies of Jesus have rejected His Word and so it doesn't even matter if He rose from the dead. They won't believe. Unbelief is like that. It puts conditions and qualifications and requirements on God. I'll believe, but only if God proves Himself to me. If He helps me pass this test. Or makes this guy ask me out. Or keeps me from getting in trouble. If God does what I want, then He can have my faith and trust. Lazarus believed in Jesus. That's why he went to Abraham's bosom when he died. But what proof did Lazarus have? He was a beggar, starving, and died alone and forgotten. But He had Jesus. The same Holy Spirit who gave Lazarus faith that trusted in God's goodness is the same Holy Spirit who has given you that faith in your baptism and through His Word. Your Baptism is the proof that Jesus is alive, as is your pastor forgiving your sins and delivering the Body and Blood of Jesus. He loves you and cares for you and forgives you and will give you everlasting life. And these are without any strings or conditions or requirements. The same God we demand do things our way, saves us by doing things His way. Cross. Empty tomb. Font. Word. Altar. The Good News is that Jesus gives us His Word. For those who reject it, it means nothing. That's sad. But to you has been given the Word and faith which trusts Jesus through that Word. That means you have the “bosom of Abraham” when you die, that is, eternal life with Jesus. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. O God, the Strength of all those who put their trust in You, mercifully accept our prayers; and because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing, grant us the help of Your grace that in keeping Your commandments we may please You both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen. (Collect for Trinity 1)

Monday of the First Week after Trinity June 23, 2014 Today's Reading: Genesis 15:1-6 Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 27:1-24; John 20:1-18 And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. (Genesis 15:6) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Abraham had faith. What is faith? It is being on the receiving end of God's promises. Yahweh made a promise to Abraham. Abraham said, “Amen.” In fact, the very Hebrew word “faith” is from the same root as the word “Amen.” “Amen” says, “Your Word is true. I believe. It's for me.” If you go on to read about Abraham, it doesn't seem like he actually had that much faith or trust in God. He was promised a son but went about it all wrong, having a child by his slave woman. Nevertheless, a son was born according to Yahweh's promise. That was Isaac. Abraham is a good example of what faith is all about. Faith is believing and trusting in Christ's Word and promise. But the Word and promise are not dependent on how “strong” our faith is or “how much” faith we have. Faith just receives what Jesus has for us. It doesn't make it happen. Sometimes when we talk about faith, we slip into talking about it in a way that makes it sound like God only does things when we have enough faith. Repent! Watch out for the Old Adam trying to make faith about him and not about God's promises. Beware of the devil trying to convince you that faith is about “how much” you believe and how “sincere” you are. Nothing but doubt there! The faith that the Holy Spirit gave Abraham and that He gives you says, “Christ has made His promises. I believe and trust them. They are what save me. His death is for me. He rose for me. His Word declares that now my sins are forgiven. Truth! Amen!” Faith is given to us when the Holy Spirit works through Christ's Word and promises. Faith is given to us by water and Word at the font. Our parents and sponsors said “Amen” for us. Jesus forgives us our sins by absolution and preaching. We say, “Amen!' Jesus gives us His Body and Blood. Again, we say, “Amen!” Jesus' promises don't depend on our faith. But faith receives them and trusts them because Jesus Himself has given them. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. By grace! This ground of faith is certain; As long as God is true, it stands. What saints have penned by inspiration, What in His Word our God commands, Our faith in what our God has done Depends on grace—grace through His Son. (By Grace I'm Saved, LSB 566:4)

The Nativity of St. John the Baptist June 24, 2014 Today's Reading: Luke 1:57-80 Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 30:1-9,18-33; John 20:19-31 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins (Luke 1:76-77) In the Name + of Jesus. John the Baptizer was born for a special purpose: to prepare the way of the Lord and announce the coming of the Savior. He was going to give the “knowledge of salvation” to God's people (the Jews) through the “forgiveness of their sins.” Sure enough, when John was grown up, he was preaching and baptizing for the forgiveness of sins in the Jordan River. (Mark 1:4) The preaching of John is not different than preaching today. We hear, first of all, that we need a Savior. We are sinners. People don't like that word. They don't want to hear that word applied to themselves. “Pastor, why do we have to talk so much about sin?” The simple fact is that the Law and commandments of God declare that we are dead in our trespasses and sins; we are enemies of God; we are under the curse and condemnation of our unbelief and sin. We hear that we need a Savior so that the Holy Spirit will work in us a desire for that Savior! The next part of preaching is that we HAVE a Savior: Jesus—the Lamb of God who was baptized in the Jordan by John and who came to “visit and redeem” His people. John the preacher declares that God Himself has shown up in this world to bring forgiveness of sin to all people. Likewise, our preachers today declare this same thing. God has shown up. In the flesh. On the cross. Empty tomb. At the font. Altar. Preacher and pulpit. There He is! Jesus, forgiving sins. John lived and preached and died, pointing ahead to what Jesus would do. The apostles and preachers ever since have pointed to what Jesus has done and accomplished. And by all of these preachers, Jesus delivers the forgiveness of sins so that we are prepared to meet Him when He comes the final time in glory on the clouds of heaven. We'll be ready! John's preaching has made us so. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. We praise You for the Baptist, Forerunner of the Word, Our true Elijah, making A highway for the Lord. The last and greatest prophet, He saw the dawning ray Of light that grows in splendor Until the perfect day. (By All Your Saints in Warfare, LSB 518:18)

Wednesday of the First Week after Trinity June 25, 2014 Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 31:10-31; John 21:1-25 How can water do such great things? Certainly not just water, but the Word of God in and with the water does these things, along with faith which trusts this Word of God in the water. For without God's Word, the water is plain water and no Baptism. But with the Word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a life-giving water, rich in grace, and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul says in Titus, chapter three: "He saved us by the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying." (Titus 3:5-8; The Small Catechism, Baptism, Part 3) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. How can water do such great things? Well, it's not the water. It's the Word of God in the water. Lots of people will argue, “Baptism doesn't forgive sins. It doesn't save you. It's just a symbol. It's an act of obedience.” When you hear those things, you need to remember that what they're really saying is, “God's Word isn't true. Everything it says about Baptism doesn't mean what it says.” And that's just wrong! We don't extol and rejoice in and get excited about Holy Baptism because it's something we have done to impress God or show Him we can follow directions. We rejoice in Baptism because it is God's own work in us. It is something HE does. If He attaches HIS Word to the water, then we don't go around saying it doesn't do anything! No, we shout and cry out what a wonderful and saving and amazing gift it truly is! And it's not because it's somehow magic water. It's because Jesus has spoken His Word and attached His promise to that water. It's HIS Word which makes it the wonderful washing that St. Paul describes. It is His Word which makes it the saving bath that delivers His Calvary cross-accomplished salvation to us. And, as Paul declares, that is indeed a trustworthy saying. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. O Christian, firmly hold this gift And give God thanks forever! It gives the power to uplift In all that you endeavor. When nothing else revives your soul, Your Baptism stands to make you whole And then in death completes you. (All Christians Who Have Been Baptized, LSB 596:5)

Thursday of the First Week After Trinity June 26, 2014 Today's Reading: 1 John 4:16-21 Daily Lectionary: Joshua 1:1-18; Acts 8:1-25 We love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Do you love God? What Christian would say “no?” Of course we love God. We're SUPPOSED to love God. But that person over there? We don't love them. They did that thing that hurt us. Hurt our feelings. Messed up our life. Got on my nerves. Embarrassed me. Sinned against me. They're not getting my forgiveness! Well, then you don't love God, do you? Don't be fooled. You can't say you love God if you hate other people. And don't try to pretend you don't hate but just “don't like” someone. If you want nothing to do with them, you hate them. If you refuse to help or forgive them, you hate them. Time for some repentance! Time to recognize that the hate we show to those around us is a reflection of the hatred we have of God. But there's Good News. We love because He first loved us. Even when we hated God, He became man to save you. He took on flesh to be like you. To take your sins. To suffer and die for you. To pay the price for you. To become a curse for you. To love you. And that loving you that Jesus does, works in you a true love of God and your neighbor. That love of Christ, put upon you in Baptism and fed to you in the Supper, works in you a genuine love for God and for others. So let's try this again. Do you love God? According to the Law: nope. Nor your neighbor. But according to the Gospel, according to Jesus, absolutely you love God and your neighbor. You can't not love them because it is Christ living in you and loving them in and through you. So throw away all the unloving things you do to your neighbor. Those just show you don't love God. Be absolved! Receive Christ's Supper. And see how the Spirit works in you to love others and in this way love God. As you are in Christ, this is true and perfectly so. It can't be otherwise, for He loved you first and, therefore, you love Him. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. O grant that nothing in my soul May dwell but Thy pure love alone; Oh, may Thy love possess me whole, My joy, my treasure, and my crown! All coldness from my heart remove My ev'ry act, word, thought be love. (Jesus, They Boundless Love to Me, LSB 683:2)

Friday of the First Week after Trinity June 27, 2014 Daily Lectionary: Joshua 2:1-24; Acts 8:26-40 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. (Acts 8:35) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Philip starts with the words of Isaiah, “He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,” and ends up baptizing this Ethiopian eunuch. In between, he taught the eunuch how this passage of Isaiah was about Jesus. He told the eunuch who Jesus was, the Son of God in the flesh, who had come to suffer for sinners and save them. He told the eunuch how Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead for him. He explained and taught how that salvation is delivered to us through the means of Holy Baptism in which the Holy Spirit gives us a new birth from above. He got all that from a few verses of Isaiah? Yes, because the whole Old Testament is about Jesus. But he couldn't work it out for himself. Philip asked if he understood what he was reading but his reply was clear: “How can I unless someone guides me?” The Lord didn't leave the eunuch to figure out what the Bible was about on his own. He sent him a preacher to preach and teach and explain how it was all about Jesus. And it's not just that it was ABOUT Jesus. Philip taught the man that it was Jesus for him. Just as it's Jesus for you. Jesus born for you. Lived, suffered, crucified and died for you. Jesus risen for you. Jesus at the font and altar for you. Jesus from the pulpit and Scriptures for you. Jesus in His Word for you. That's not always immediately obvious. Therefore Jesus sends us pastors to preach to us. To deliver it. To give it to us. The Lord doesn't leave this Ethiopian man in any doubt but makes sure He hears the Good News of Jesus and is saved by water and the Word. He won't leave you doubting either, but by the same means, Water and Word, makes you His own and saves you. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. The Gospel shows the Father's grace, Who sent His Son to save our race, Proclaims how Jesus lived and died That we might thus be justified. (The Gospel Shows the Father's Grace, LSB 580:1)

Saturday of the First Week after Trinity June 28, 2014 Daily Lectionary: Joshua 3:1-17; Acts 9:1-22 He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me. (Psalm 18:19 from the Introit for Trinity 2) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. God delights in you. He smiles upon you. His face lights up to behold you, His beloved child. Why? Because God the Father delights in Jesus. Remember Jesus at the Jordan River? “ This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!” Remember Jesus at the Transfiguration? “This is my beloved Son! Hear Him!” Remember Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane? “ Not my will but yours be done, Father.” Recall Jesus on the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And a little later: “Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit!” Jesus always trusted in the Father. Even when the Father sent Him to become sin and thus save sinners. From forever, eternally, as long as God has existed, the Father has been the Father and the Son, the beloved Son in whom the Father delights. Because Jesus did all this, and because He has put it upon you in Baptism and through His Word, you, too, are God's beloved child. You are one in whom Yahweh delights with an everlasting love. Because of Jesus, His Father is also your Father and His face lights up when He looks at you. Tomorrow in the Divine Service, you'll be reminded of all this again. It's a good reminder. In this world, your parents get disappointed in you. Friends like you one day and ignore you the next. Your boss may be breathing down your neck. Your girlfriend or boyfriend may break up with you. There is a lot of stuff every day in your life that has to make you wonder whether God is happy with you. His gifts in sermon and Supper say, “Absolutely.” These are the kinds of gifts of which we say and sing, “He delivered me because He delighted in me,” because He delights in you in Christ. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. Because the sinless Savior died, My sinful soul is counted free; For God, the just, is satisfied To look on Him and pardon me. (Before the Throne of God Above, LSB 574:4)

St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles June 29, 2014 Today's Reading: Matthew 16:13-19 Daily Lectionary: Joshua 4:1-24; Acts 9:23-43 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” We often hear those words to mean that no attacks of the devil can destroy Christ's church. That's certainly true. But this is the other way around. The devil's kingdom can't withstand the assaults of the church! Jesus declared from the cross, “It is finished!” Then He descended into hell after His death to deliver the world's greatest ever “Neener, neener, neener!” to the devil. He declared and announced His victory over sin and death to the king of sin and death. Satan's power is done. And the Gospel goes forth into the world, starting with the apostles. Peter and Paul are ordained and sent by Christ Himself to preach the Good News that Jesus died and rose for sinners. The preaching of this Good News is an assault on Satan's kingdom. Wherever that Gospel was preached, the Spirit was there, creating faith. Men and women turned from their false gods, their pagan religions, and their lives of desperate sin, and trusted in Jesus who had died and risen. Satan was driven back. He keeps thinking he is winning, though, because when you were born, you were born in sin. Another one for hell, the evil one thinks. But at your Baptism, the Lord kicks down the doors of the devil's house and snatches you back. This all began with Peter and Paul and the other apostles. It continues as Jesus, in every generation, ordains and calls men to preach His Word and save sinners. They preach and the Holy Spirit, armed with that Word, goes kicking down doors and rescuing sinners with forgiveness, life and salvation. Peter and Paul and all the rest of the preachers are nothing in and of themselves. But armed with Christ's Word, they are the way by which the gates of hell are toppled and the prisoners set free from the curse of sin and death. That's you. You've been set free. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. We praise You for Saint Peter; We praise You for St. Paul; They taught both Jew and Gentile That Christ is all in all. To cross and sword they yielded And saw Your kingdom come; O God, these two apostles Reached life through martyrdom. (By All Your Saints in Warfare, LSB 518:19)

Monday of the Second Week after Trinity June 30, 2014 Today's Reading: Luke 14:15-24 Daily Lectionary: Joshua 5:1-6:5; Acts 10:1-17 For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.'” (Luke 15:24) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. “How could a good God send someone to hell?” “Why does God punish people?” “Are you telling me people will be in hell because they never heard of Jesus?” These are just some of the objections people have to the idea that there will be those who are cast away from God forever. But let's make something clear. The people in the story today weren't at the wedding feast because they didn't want to be there. The Lord invited them. He sent His messengers to bring them. They refused to go. They despised the invitation and gift. And in the end, they got what they wanted: they were left out of the party. But let's see just what kind of king this is. What sort of Lord? He throws a feast! A party! A banquet. Everyone is welcome. You are welcome. He has brought you in from the highways and byways in the water and Word of the font. He has sat you down at the banquet, His Supper, and made you a part of His kingdom. It's all a “dress rehearsal,” you could say, for the unending wedding feast and celebration that begins on the day that Jesus comes back. On Calvary, Jesus was alone. The world turned its back. So did His Father in heaven. Jesus. Alone. Condemned. So you'll never be left behind. Never forsaken. Never abandoned. You are in at the eternal party. You receive all that He gives you in Word and water and Body and Blood. The invitation and your place are set. The only way to not be at that feast is to throw the invitation in God's face and declare, “I'm not coming!” But why would you? He has brought you in and made you His own. He has prepared the feast by His death and resurrection. He has washed you up for dinner in Baptism. He sets His food before you in His Supper. You're all ready. Come and enjoy the feast forever! In the Name of Jesus. Amen. O Lord, who never fails to help and govern those whom You bring up in Your steadfast fear and love, make us to have a perpetual fear and love of Your holy name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for Trinity 2)

Tuesday of the Second Week after Trinity July 1, 2014 Today's Reading: Proverbs 9:1-10 Daily Lectionary: Joshua 6:6-27; Acts 10:18-33 Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding (Proverbs 9:6) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. These words from Proverbs are a call to repentance. Christ has done all things for all of our salvation. It is finished. It is a done deal. It is yours. But your Old Adam would turn you from Christ's gifts. The devil would send you away from Jesus. It would be foolish not to live in His grace and forgiveness. It would be foolish not to want what Christ has already accomplished and prepared for you. So just repent! Turn from your sin! Forsake foolishness! It sounds so easy. It would be, if sin weren't so fun! If we didn't so easily forget and ignore what God has done for us! If it were up to us, we would continue to embrace foolishness and ignorance and reject God's gifts. But Jesus forsook foolishness. He obeyed His Father. He lived by the Word and wisdom of God. He walked in the way of understanding. For Jesus, that was the way of suffering and death for sinners. For Jesus, foolishness and hatred found Him and killed Him. Our foolishness. Our sins. But then He forsook death. Left it behind. Lived again. Still lives. And He is the “Way” of understanding for you. His perfect life and forsaking of foolishness counts for you. In fact, it so counts for you that it overcomes and defeats and forgives your foolishness and your spiral into death. And by that same Holy Spirit, who turns you from your sins, He teaches you to truly forsake and turn away from foolishness in your life. Christ lives in you and He lives to forsake foolishness in you. He lives to be for you the way of understanding. It's a way that is traveled with water and Word and Supper. It would be nice if we could just choose to be wise, instead of foolish. But since we cannot, Jesus can. And does. And that is for you. He is the way of life and wisdom and understanding. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high, O Truth unchanged unchanging, O Light of our dark sky: We praise You for the radiance That from the hallowed page, A lantern to our footsteps, Shines on from age to age. (O Word of God Incarnate, LSB 523:1)

The Visitation July 2, 2014 Today's Reading: Luke 1:39-56 Daily Lectionary: Joshua 7:1-26; Acts 10:34-48 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:41) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It's hard to imagine the excitement, worry, amazement, fear, and joy that Mary and Elizabeth felt about the things that were unfolding. Elizabeth, who was old and couldn't have kids, was pregnant with John the Baptist. Mary, who hadn't even been married or been with a man, was carrying Jesus. Their words seem to have some semblance that they believe the Lord is working out His plans and fulfilling His promises He made in the Old Testament. Why does John leap in Elizabeth's womb? Why is she filled with the Holy Spirit? Because wherever the Word is, there the Holy Spirit is. Jesus is the Word-made-flesh, so of course the Holy Spirit is there. There is joy because these two women are realizing that God keeps His promises. The Promise goes all the way back to Eve: a child born to crush the serpent's head. Neither of these women can even begin to imagine how it will all play out. Neither probably dares to think their sons will die horribly, beheaded by a maniacal king and crucified like a common criminal. But John is how the Father prepares people for His Son. And Jesus is how the Father saves us from our sins. The festival of the Visitation is not just a reminder that God keeps His promises, but that He can do so in ways we don't expect. A barren woman conceives. A virgin bears a child. There is a picture here for us that in our own lives, God will create faith in us like He puts the Word in Mary's womb, by His Holy Spirit. The Lord takes us sinners, who would seem to have no hope of anything but death and condemnation, and He frees us from our sins by His birth, life, death and resurrection. Then by His Word and water and Spirit He gives us a new birth. He fills us with His Holy Spirit by Word and Body and Blood and we then join the ages-old crowd of saints who are rejoicing that God fulfills and keeps His promises. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. God said to His beloved Son, “It's time to have compassion. Then go, bright jewel of My crown, And bring to all salvation. From sin and sorrow set them free; Slay bitter death for them that they May live with You forever.” (Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice, LSB 556:5)

Thursday of the Second Week after Trinity July 3, 2014 Daily Lectionary: Joshua 8:1-28; Acts 11:1-18 What does such baptizing with water indicate? It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever. Where is this written? St. Paul writes in Romans chapter six: "We were therefore buried with Him through Baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (Romans 6:4; The Small Catechism, Baptism Part 4) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. This Catechism question on Baptism is the “practical” one. How do you use your Baptism? What good is it when it happened so long ago? Baptism is the promise that Jesus has made to you by His Word and Spirit along with the water. It's the promise that you have been sprinkled with His blood which takes away sins. It is the promise that the water that flowed from His pierced side when He died for the world on Calvary has flowed to you at the font. This means that when your Old Adam, your sinful nature, the sinful you gets out of hand, you can drown him! Shove him under the water until he quits moving. That's done by “contrition and repentance,” which is just a fancy way of saying you're sorry for your sins and know that your Baptism has forgiven them. You see, when your sins are forgiven, there is no chain with which the devil can hang onto you. He's got no evidence against you. He can't accuse you. The Law can't condemn you. And from that watery death and resurrection comes the new you, the “new man” in Christ—the you that loves God's Word and delights to do His will and love others. In Baptism, you really are innocent and righteous forever. And when these two conflict? When Old Adam tells New Man, “Come at me, bro!” Well, the sign of the holy cross and the reminder of your Baptism is the reminder of that promise that Jesus has made to you. What He did for you is yours. And that wins out over sin and judgment. And it will keep winning out all the way until the Last Day and your final victory forever. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. So use it well! You are made new—In Christ a new creation! As faithful Christians, live and do Within your own vocation, Until that day when you possess His glorious robe of righteousness Bestowed on you forever! (All Christians Who Have Been Baptized, LSB 596:6)

Friday of the Second Week after Trinity July 4, 2014 Today's Reading: 1 John 3:13-18 Daily Lectionary: Joshua 10:1-25; Acts 11:19-30 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We can be really good about saying what is right. But about doing what is right? That's a bit tougher. We know we should help our neighbor in need, but it's probably a bit harder to actually fork over some cash or buy something for them. But consider an even harder task. It's easy to say we should love others and forgive them but it's impossible to do. Do you? Do you let it go when others sin against you or do you hold on to it? Do you keep a record of everything they've done or said to hurt you? Or do you wipe it from your mind? Anytime we are told we should love others, it's a double-edged sword. That really is genuine instruction from the apostle to do so. But we also know the minute we hear that we're supposed to do it, we realize we haven't done it. This is why St. John tells us to love in deed and “truth.” This is the same John who recorded Jesus' words that He is the “Truth.” So this means to love others in Jesus. How does that happen? When we live our lives simultaneously as saints and sinners, we live in Christ in this way: Whatever we have done or not done that is sin, is covered. Forgiven. Wiped out. Forgotten by God. Whatever we do that is a truly good work and that glorifies God and shows love for our neighbor, that is a good work in God's sight because we are perfect in Jesus. To put it another way, to love in deed and truth is to live as those who are baptized, loving others and doing whatever they need done because it is really Christ who lives in us. It's similar to how Jesus did His saving. He didn't just talk about the love of God. He demonstrated it by His death and resurrection. Just so, we don't just talk about forgiveness. We have really received it by Baptism, Absolution, and Supper. So we genuinely give it to others. And that's the Spirit's work in us. For He calls us to repentance for our sins and stirs up in us those holy desires to love and serve others. And that's Jesus living in you. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. Help us that we Thy saving Word In faithful hearts may treasure; Let e'er that Bread of Life afford New grace in richest measure. O make us die to ev'ry sin, Each day create new life within, That fruits of faith may flourish. (O Holy Spirit, Grant Us Grace, LSB 693:2)

Saturday of the Second Week after Trinity July 5, 2014 Daily Lectionary: Joshua 23:1-16; Acts 12:1-25 Look on my affliction and my pain, And forgive all my sins. (Psalm 25:18 from the Introit for Trinity 3) In the Name of Jesus. Amen. What are you bringing to church this week? Bad grades? Broken friendships? Sadness over sickness or death? Fights with your parents? A breakup? The teasing and hatred of the world because you believe in Jesus? Whatever it is, shout out with the psalmist for God to look upon your messy life and forgive your sins. Some of your burdens are because of your own sins. It's the baggage and consequences that your actions have brought. Some of it sticks to you from other people's sins. It doesn't really matter. We cry out to God for forgiveness. We need to know that the messes we've made and the things we've done and the people we've hurt have all been covered by the blood of Jesus. And if you think about it, the Divine Service is a rapid-fire answer to that prayer! “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” That baptismal reminder says your sins were washed away! “I forgive you all your sins...” So your pastor stands as Christ's own herald, announcing the King's decree that you have indeed been pardoned! “Grace, mercy and peace to you...” Again, your pastor, this time preaching and telling you what Jesus has done for you by His cross and empty tomb so that your sins are forgiven. “The Body of Christ given for you...The Blood of Christ, shed for you.” Those words are yet another promise of Jesus that He has heard and answered the prayer of these words. Your sins are forgiven. All that you have done has been pardoned. Bring your messes, your sins, your baggage and consequences tomorrow. The Lord will free you of that burden by answering your prayer for forgiveness. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. And so we come, O God, today And all our woes before You lay; For sorely tried, cast down we stand, Perplexed by fears on ev'ry hand. (When in the Hour of Deepest Need, LSB 615:4)

The Third Sunday after Trinity July 6, 2014 Today's Reading: Luke 15:1-10 Daily Lectionary: Joshua 24:1-31; Acts 13:1-12 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Ponder that statement for a minute. The Pharisees and scribes COMPLAINED that Jesus was eating with sinners. What would any self-respecting rabbi be doing hanging out with a bunch of sinners? Well, that's why He came: to save sinners who wander off like sheep or roll away and disappear like a coin. Many Christians seem to think that the purpose of the church and Jesus is to get people to behave. So we pretend we behave like we're supposed to and we act like those who don't behave are extra naughty and undeserving of God's love. After all, the way the Pharisees think, God likes the people who try to be good. Jesus didn't come for good people. He's not the Savior of those who, well, don't need a Savior. He didn't show up for those who have their lives together and have managed to figure out God's Law and how to keep it outwardly. Jesus came for sinners. How does a lost sheep get found? The shepherd has to go find it and save it. How does a lost coin get located? The woman has to sweep and search everywhere for it. So Jesus comes into this world to seek and save sinners.

When Jesus says there is joy in heaven over a sinner who repents, He doesn't mean “a sinner who got their life turned around and on track.” He means a sinner whom He has saved. A sinner for whom He died and rose. A sinner He baptized. Absolved. Fed. Jesus doesn't do us any good if we're good people. He does us every good if we're sinners. Don't love God? Don't love your neighbor? Can't figure out how to fix your life and stop making a mess of things? Can't figure out why you want to do better but keep messing up? Then Jesus is for you. Nothing but grace and mercy and the love of God in Jesus there. Jesus receives and eats with sinners. Sounds just like the Divine Service where He receives you and gives you a feast. Because you're a sinner. And so He saves you. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. O God, the Protector of all that trust in You, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, increase and multiply upon us Your mercy that, You being our Ruler and Guide, we may so pass through things temporal that we finally lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen. (Collect for Trinity 3)

Monday of the Third Week after Trinity July 7, 2014 Today's Reading: Micah 7:18-20 Daily Lectionary: Judges 2:6-23; Acts 13:13-41 Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? (Micah 7:18) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. God is not like people. People remember other people's sins and faults. Of course, we don't want anyone to remember the things WE'VE done. But we're all too quick to throw back in someone's face that mistake or sin they committed. And we hold on to the sins of others. We bear grudges. Silent treatment. Unfriending. Blocking. Because we remember. We don't pardon. We prosecute. We don't forgive, we demand pay back. We don't forget, we remember and keep it as ammo in the next fight. And that's why God isn't like any of us. He pardons iniquity. He passes over transgression. That means He doesn't pay attention to our sins. He acts as if we haven't done them. And that's because of what Jesus did. He took our sins, all of them, and bled for them on the cross and left them buried in the grave when He rose the third day. God passes over your sins because He didn't pass over Jesus but let His wrath and anger and judgment loose against sin. Everything that God forgets you have done, He has laid upon Jesus. Every sin of yours that God overlooks, He overlooks because He's focused it upon Jesus. It's like opposites. He pardons your iniquity. He judges His Son for it. He passes over your sins. He lands His hammer blows of wrath upon Jesus. It is because of Jesus that your sins are passed over. Without Him, God would remember every detail. But because Jesus has paid for your sins, they're forgiven. The gifts of Christ, Baptism, Absolution, the Word and Holy Communion, are over and over reminders that this is how God the Father deals with you. They are His promises that, for the sake of His crucified and risen Son, He will never dwell on or linger over your sins. They are pardoned. You are set free in peace. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. Here our true Paschal Lamb we see, Whom God so freely gave us; He died on the accursed tree—So strong His love—to save us. See, His blood now marks our door; Faith points to it; death passes o'er, And Satan cannot harm us. Alleluia! (Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands, LSB 458:5)

Tuesday of the Third Week after Trinity July 8, 2014 Today's Reading: 1 Peter 5:6-11 Daily Lectionary: Judges 3:7-31; Acts 13:42-52 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The devil is out to get you. Like a lion hunting for prey, he seeks to devour you. He will roar with lies about God's Word and then, when you are in the midst of doubt, he will devour you with despair and unbelief. This is why we pray in the Lord's Prayer, “deliver us from evil!” But did you know there is a bigger lion? A stronger lion? A lion that devours the satanic cat? That is the “Lion of Judah.” That's Jesus. There's a reason Aslan in the Chronicles of Narnia is a lion! The bigger, greater Lion is the Son of God whose death and resurrection devour the devil and his roaring and lies. After Good Friday and Easter, the devil's really got nothing left but the whiny mew of a kitten. But leave Jesus, the Lion of Judah, behind, and the devil will come for you. He will seek you out. Track and hunt you and take you down. He can't do that as long as the Lion of Judah is by your side. And since Jesus has promised never to leave you or forsake you, you're pretty safe! Beware, however, of that devilish lion. Beware of false teaching that doesn't point to and deliver Jesus crucified and risen for you. Beware of teaching and churches where Baptism is said to be just a symbol or empty rite. Beware of the idea that your pastor doesn't forgive sins. Watch out for the lie that the bread and wine are only bread and wine and not also the Body and Blood of Jesus. For where doubt is cast on Jesus' words, you can be sure it's the devil as a lion trying to find people to eat. But the Lion of Judah is stronger than the roaring lion. He died and rose. The roar of His Word goes around the world wherever His church is gathered. The mark upon you in Holy Baptism, the pronouncement of Absolution, and the Lion-who-is-also-a-Lamb's Body and Blood in His Supper are all gifts, which send the devil running with his tail between his legs so there's no way he can devour you. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. Jesus came, this word fulfilling, Trampled Satan, death defied; Bore the brunt of our temptation, On the wretched tree He died. Yet to life was raised victorious; By His life our life supplied. (Christ, the Lord of Hosts Unshaken, LSB 521:4)

Wednesday of the Third Week after Trinity July 9, 2014 Daily Lectionary: Judges 4:1-24; Acts 14:1-18 What is confession? Confession has two parts. First, that we confess our sins, and second, that we receive absolution, that is, forgiveness, from the pastor as from God Himself, not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven. (The Small Catechism, Confession and the Office of the Keys, Part 1) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Most often we confess our sins using the words of the “general” confession in the Divine Service. Sometimes, when particular sins bother us, we may go to the pastor to confess them and be absolved. Sometimes, in the course of talking to us, our pastor may point out that we have confessed and therefore need to hear absolution. In all those cases, your pastor is doing his job of forgiving sinners. That's why God put him here to take care of you! When you hear the phrase “pastoral care,” it's more than just giving “advice” or “guidance.” Your pastor is a herald who has been sent by the King to make a proclamation: “Hear ye, hear ye! Your crimes are pardoned. Your trespasses are wiped out. Your record is expunged! Your sins are forgiven.” This is very different from what happens in most churches. In fact, many of your Christian friends would probably say, “But only God can forgive sins.” True, but He does it through the words of your pastor. How else would you know? We are not left by God to wonder or to just imagine that He says it. He gives us a real live person, a flesh and blood pastor with a voice, to tell us what Jesus says. “I forgive you all your sins.” The Catechism, in teaching us what confession and absolution are, give us the basis for this question: “Do you believe that my forgiveness is God's forgiveness?” We answer with a resounding, “Yes!” Indeed, Jesus' death on the cross and His resurrection are the reason our sins are forgiven. But we need to have that forgiveness given to us. Absolution is one of the ways Jesus delivers that gift to us in a real, audible way. There can be no doubt. When your pastor has forgiven you, Jesus Himself has! In the Name of Jesus. Amen. The words which absolution give Are His who died that we might live; The minister whom Christ has sent Is but His humble instrument. (“As Surely as I Live,” God Said, LSB 614:5)

Thursday of the Third Week after Trinity July 10, 2014 Today's Reading: Luke 15:11-32 Daily Lectionary: Judges 6:1-24; Acts 14:19-15:5 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. (Luke 15:29) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Some people characterize the Christian religion this way: “So, a person could just live a horrible life and then at the very end they just repent and they're saved? That's not fair.” The fact that any sinner can be saved by Jesus, even at the last moment of a wasted life (see: thief on the cross) is what really makes some people upset. What they really don't like is that a grace like that, which saves us despite our sins, means that all their efforts and good works don't count. And who wants their good life not to be worth anything? God's grace in Christ is scandalous. It's NOT fair. It's undeserved. It says that no matter what we've done, it has been forgiven by the death of Jesus on Calvary. It says there are no conditions or qualifications to receive it. It's already yours. Baptism makes it yours officially and Absolution and the Supper deliver what Jesus has for you over and over. It's scary to believe in this sort of Savior. If we're saved despite our sins and from them, well then aren't people just going to do whatever they want? Why would they? To be saved is to have the Holy Spirit living in us and working in us to live a new life. But people get nervous when they don't have control of their salvation and spiritual lives. The older son was mad because HE never lived a wasted life like his worthless brother. And that's when the father reminds him that he's always been his son. But so has the younger brother. That's just it. The Father isn't your Father because you have behaved or not. He's not your Father only because you came back and tried to do better. He's your Father because He's given you the new birth at the font. You are His own dear family and He loves you. Whether your life has been “average” or “good” or “awful,” it doesn't matter. God loves you in and through Jesus Christ. He is your God and you will always be His beloved child. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. Children of the heav'nly Father Safely in His bosom gather; Nestling bird nor star in heaven Such a refuge e'er was given. (Children of the Heavenly Father, LSB 725:1)

Friday of the Third Week after Trinity July 11, 2014 Today's Reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Daily Lectionary: Judges 6:25-40; Acts 15:6-21 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Recall King Manasseh, who filled Jerusalem with the blood of people he killed; the thief on the cross; Saul the Pharisee who persecuted and killed Christians. The Bible is full of awful, terrible people who have done unspeakable things, and whom God has brought by repentance and faith into His kingdom. People like to ask, “What about Hitler? What about this or that evil person or serial killer or whatever? How can they be saved?” The same way even you are saved: by grace, through faith, for the sake of Jesus Christ who died and rose for you and them and the whole world. Why do we wonder if really horrible people can be saved? Mainly it's because we don't believe (1) that WE are really that bad and (2) that God's grace is really so all-encompassing and forgiving. True, there are many who reject God's grace and perish. But that is their own fault, not God's. Jesus really did die for the sins of the whole world. For every sinner. If you honestly examine your life according to the Ten Commandments, there really is no way to conclude that you are better than any of those other people you think don't deserve God's love. You're right. They don't! And neither do you. No one does. But God loved the world in this way, that He send His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life, because God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn the world, but to save it. God's grace in Christ really does seem too good to be true. Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection can't possibly be for everyone. But to prove that they are, and to prove they are for you, Jesus gave us Baptism and a pastor to absolve us and a Supper to feed us. Those gifts are the real and visible and audible promises that He really has forgiven you all your sins and that He will give you everlasting life. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. Chief of sinners though I be, Jesus shed His blood for me, Died that I might live on high, Lives that I might never die. As the branch is to the vine, I am His, and He is mine. (Chief of Sinners Though I Be, LSB 611:1)

Saturday of the Third Week after Trinity July 12, 2014 Daily Lectionary: Judges 7:1-23; Galatians 1:1-24 The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1 from the Introit for Trinity 4) In the Name of Jesus. Amen. The psalmist pulls no punches. Jesus is Yahweh, true God. He made heaven and earth. He fulfilled His promises. He died for our sins. He rose from the dead. What is there to possibly be afraid of? Plenty! Fear of the future. Fear of suffering and sickness. Fear of parents getting divorced. Fear of being rejected or breaking up. Fear of losing your friends. Fear of figuring out what to do with your life. Fear of school. Fear of the dark. Lots of fears. But which one of those things or anything that you are afraid of is greater than Jesus? The answer, of course, is nothing. Jesus could have been afraid. He had to carry the sins of the world. He had to know His suffering was coming. It made Him sweat blood—He was so troubled. But He trusted in His Father. Even in the darkness of Good Friday, Jesus knew His Father was going to save Him. Raise Him from the dead. And now that He has risen, what is there for you to fear? Even death can't hurt you. It's temporary: just until Jesus comes again and it has to let go. Sickness, sorrow, pain, suffering, and all the rest? Oh, they're bad. But there is nothing that has not been overcome and taken care of by Jesus. Tomorrow you will go to the Divine Service, coming into church from a world that has all sorts of scary things. But in the Service, you have Christ's Word and gifts to remind you that He has overcome the world. And if Jesus has overcome all things, then so have you in Him. There is nothing to be afraid of because Jesus has taken care of everything. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. In God, my faithful God, I trust when dark my road; Great woes may overtake me, Yet He will not forsake me My troubles He can alter; His hand lets nothing falter. (In God, My Faithful God, LSB 745:1)

The Fourth Sunday after Trinity July 13, 2014 Today's Reading: Luke 6:36-42 Daily Lectionary: Judges 13:1-25; Galatians 2:1-21 Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6:37) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Judging and condemning others are symptoms, not causes. When Jesus says, “Judge not, and you shall not be judged,” He doesn't mean to say, “If you judge, you will be judged.” In other words, your judging is not the CAUSE of your judgment. It's the symptom that you have rejected God's judgment of “not guilty.” Still not clear? Let's try this question: Why would someone judge another person or condemn them? Why would a person hold someone else's sins against them? The answer is that they don't believe God's judgment about them and the whole world. The judgment of the Law of God is that the world is condemned, cursed in sin. But that judgment has fallen upon Jesus and killed Him on Calvary. His resurrection is the proof and promise that this judgment has passed from you to Him and you are no longer cursed. No more sentence for you. No more “guilty” verdict on your record. But those who judge others, those who condemn others, don't believe this. When you want the person who has failed to get the full consequences, you are really saying, “I don't believe that God has set me free from judgment, so I have to hold this person to their sins, too.” But Jesus has set aside your sins. He has taken away your judgment. The only judgment, the only verdict from God to you is, “Not guilty. Forgiven.” And when God Himself doesn't hold anything against you, then you can't hold anything against anyone else. Even your handling forgiving of others badly is forgiven. To live in the forgiveness of sins is to confess and believe that Jesus has taken away your sins. And that same forgiveness, given in your baptism and His Supper, flows from you to others, freeing them from your judgment and condemnation. And thus the “symptom” of your being in Jesus, is that others are forgiven by you, too. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. Grant, O Lord, we implore You, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by Your governance, that Your Church may joyfully serve You in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for Trinity 4)

Monday of the Fourth Week after Trinity July 14, 2014 Today's Reading: Genesis 50:15-21 Daily Lectionary: Judges 14:1-20; Galatians 3:1-22 “Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:21) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The story of Joseph meeting his brothers after all they had done to him and the years that had passed is one of the most justice-filled revenge stories ever. Except there's no “justice” as we think of it. And there's no revenge. Joseph is in a position to really let his brothers have it. He could punish them for all they did to him. But he doesn't. He forgives. When Peter preached on Pentecost, he told his hearers, “YOU killed Jesus!” Then what? Jesus could have really let them have it. But instead Peter tells them, “So be repented and baptized for the forgiveness of sins.” If anyone could justly condemn us for what we did to Him, it's Jesus. But Jesus doesn't condemn. He forgives. When Jesus forgives, He acts like you have not done the sin. He says the sin is His. He did it. And He paid the price. He was punished on the cross on Good Friday. That's because Jesus forgives. He removes the curse by becoming the curse. He takes away your sins by becoming your sins. God worked everything out for Joseph. It seemed miserable at the time, but its purpose was so Joseph could forgive his brothers and provide for his family. His forgiving them was a crucial part of that plan. Even more so, God the Father works out all the sufferings and humiliation and death of Jesus to save us from our sins. He takes all that happened and makes it about your forgiveness. Your being set free. Your being the one for whom He did all this. Joseph forgave his brothers. They knew it because he didn't smite them but gave them gifts of food and land and a home. Jesus forgives you. You know this because of Baptism, Absolution and His Supper. These are the gifts that say His forgiveness is yours. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. Since Christ has full atonement made And brought to us salvation, Each Christian therefore may be glad And build on this foundation. Your grace alone dear Lord I plead, Your death is now my life indeed, For You have paid my ransom. (Salvation Unto Us Has Come, LSB 555:6)

Tuesday of the Fourth Week after Trinity July 15, 2014 Today's Reading: Romans 8:18-23 Daily Lectionary: Judges 15:1-16:3; Galatians 3:23-4:11 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:23) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Sin wrecked everything. It still messes everything up. The beauty of nature is marred by disasters. The wonder of the human body is twisted by disease and sickness. The community of human beings is smashed to pieces by selfishness and violence. Sin wrecks everything. But God has promised to make it all right. Where Jesus is, sin must yield and even nature itself testifies that He is its Master. Water turns into wine. Storms are stilled. The dead are raised. Then Good Friday, when sin is paid for and Easter, when death is defeated. Jesus is the beginning of the End which is the beginning of life everlasting. And that renewal is yours, too, in Him. It begins with your Baptism in which a new creation comes from the font by water and the Word. It is grown by Absolution and preaching and the Supper. And it will be completed and fulfilled on the Day when Jesus comes back and raises you from the dead. Until then, we suffer. Creation groans. Sin messes everything up. But that's just the leftover consequences. It's all been taken care of by Jesus. His death and resurrection; Baptism and Supper are His promise that He won't leave you to be killed off by a random, heartless universe. These are His promises that when heaven and earth pass away, you will live forever with Him, having been raised from the dead to die no more. The Spirit, given by Christ's Word, teaches us that there are better things to come and in fact they have already begun to happen. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. Thine the glory in the night No more dying only light Thine the river Thine the tree Then the Lamb eternally Then the holy holy holy Celebration jubilee Thine the splendor Thine the brightness only Thee only Thee. (Thine the Amen, Thine the Praise, LSB 680:5)

Wednesday of the Fourth Week after Trinity July 16, 2014 Daily Lectionary: Judges 16:4-30; Galatians 4:12-31 What sins should we confess? Before God we should plead guilty of all sins, even those we are not aware of, as we do in the Lord's Prayer; but before the pastor we should confess only those sins which we know and feel in our hearts. (The Small Catechism, Confession and the Keys Part 2) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Often when we speak about “private confession” or talk about confession and Absolution with our pastor, we object or others may say, “But I can just confess to God. I don't need to go to the pastor.” A good response to that is, “Well how do you know you're forgiven?” Absolution from the mouth of your pastor is given as a sure and certain way for you to know that God holds none of your sins against you. But going to confession isn't about trying to remember every sin. To our pastor, we confess only those sins which bother us, which plague us. The ones where we hear that we are forgiven in church but doubt and worry still nag at us. When God saved us from our sins, He didn't do it by trying to get us to look up to heaven and imagine that maybe our transgressions had been put away. He came to us. In the flesh. Visible. Physical. To suffer and die and rise. He really took on and became our sins. He really rose from the dead. So when it comes to your forgiveness, when it comes to you knowing that it's for real, He gives you a real flesh and blood pastor with a voice to tell you. And He doesn't give you that pastor to try to scrape out all your sins and figure out all the ways you messed up. He gives you that pastor so that when you are troubled by that particular sin, which just doesn't seem to let up or stop bothering you—when you are troubled by THAT sin—your pastor is there to hear it and declare that you are forgiven. Which sins should you confess? The ones that bother you. But you hear the Absolution which says ALL your sins are forgiven. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. O from our sins, Lord, turn Your face; Absolve us through Your boundless grace. Be with us in our anguish still; Free us at last from ev'ry ill. (When in the Hour of Deepest Need, LSB 615:5)

Thursday of the Fourth Week after Trinity July 17, 2014 Today's Reading: Romans 12:14-21 Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 1:1-20; Galatians 5:1-26 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It's hard, very hard, to overcome evil with good. When someone gossips about you, you are eager to spread some juicy news to hurt them back. When someone insults you, it is hard to keep from insulting them back. When someone hurts you, it is hard to forgive and let it go. When we are sinned against, it is hard, even impossible to return goodness for evil, forgiveness for sins. Actually, it's pretty much impossible. For us, but not for Jesus. He overcomes evil with good. In fact, He has taken His whole being—hated, mocked, handed over and crucified—and turned it into good. All the evil done to Jesus happened so that God would overcome it with good. That death, horrible as it was, happened in order to take away your sins. His resurrection happened to show that His death really worked. God turns evil into good. He takes evil and uses it for good. The most evil thing ever was killing God. And He used it to save the world. Now He gives you that forgiveness at the font, the altar and from the pulpit. And it is with that forgiveness that you overcome evil with good. When someone hurts you, you forgive them. When they sin against you, you forgive them. No strings attached. No conditions or qualifications. No certain amount of “sorry” before you tell them they are forgiven. And the surprising thing? The same Spirit who works in you to soften your heart when you are forgiven, promises to work in your enemies as well by that same forgiveness. And even if you can't see it, that doesn't mean the Lord isn't working out good from it. Jesus is not just an example of overcoming evil with good. He IS overcoming evil with good. And having Him, you, too, overcome evil with good. With Jesus! In the Name of Jesus. Amen. Help us that we Thy saving Word In faithful hearts may treasure; Le e'er that Bread of Life afford New grace in richest measure. O make us die to ev'ry sin, Each day create new life within, That fruits of faith may flourish. (O Holy Spirit, Grant Us Grace, LSB 693:2)

Friday of the Fourth Week after Trinity July 18, 2014 Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 1:21-2:17; Galatians 6:1-18 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Christian life is centered in the forgiveness of sins. We live toward God as Christians by receiving His forgiveness in His Word and gifts. We live toward others by forgiving them. Clearly we sin against each other all the time. People do things and sin against you. You sin against others. We could hold grudges. We could say to such a person, “You're dead to me.” When someone messes up, we could point it out, laugh at it, tell others, and ruin their reputation. Or we can help them. Forgive them. Help them straighten out whatever they messed up. Help them deal with the fallout their sin has brought. God loves you. He loves you by forgiving your sins. He loves you by giving His life on Calvary for you. He loves you by rising from the dead. He loves you by bearing your burdens—carrying your sins and sticking them to the cross. He loves you by taking your burden of sin and getting rid of it for you. Then, through you, He loves others that same way. Through you, He bears their burdens and forgives them. This doesn't happen because you want it to. It doesn't happen because you will it to happen. It happens because Christ lives in you by virtue of the water and the Word, because you have been absolved, because His Body and Blood are in you. When those around you sin, help them. Forgive them. Carry them. Lift them up. Bear their burdens. Comfort them. Remind them of what Jesus has done for them. What our neighbor needs when he or she messes up is not a rebuke, but forgiveness and the helping out of their sin. That's Jesus' gift to them through you. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. Lord, let me win my foes With kindly words and actions, And let me find good friends For counsel and correction. Help me, as You have taught, To love both great and small And by Your Spirit's might To live in peace with all. (O God, My Faithful God, LSB 696:4)

Saturday of the Fourth Week after Trinity July 19, 2014 Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 2:18-36; Acts 15:22-41 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me (Psalm 27:12 from the Introit for Trinity 5) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Reputation. It's easy to lose. A few posts to social media and you can really make the world think badly of a person. Maybe you've done that to someone. Maybe it's happened to you. It happened to Jesus. They lied in order to get Him convicted and killed. What does the world think about you? Does it hate you? Do others speak well of you? In the end, what matters is what God says about you. And He says you are holy, perfect and forgiven on account of Jesus. Because of Calvary, because of the cross, God can say nothing about you but good things. Forgiveness things. Jesus things. It's all there in your Baptism. You are the Lord's. Absolution and the Supper say as much too. You are the Lord's. You belong to Him. There is nothing that can spoil your reputation before God because it's not based on your behavior but what Jesus says about you. Tomorrow in church, after a week of the world saying all kinds of things about you, you'll hear again what the Lord says about you. You'll hear His forgiveness, life and salvation preached in Jesus. You'll hear that you are His beloved child in Christ. And you'll look around and realize He says it about all those other people, too. The ones you were convinced were this or that, the ones you trash-talked about. They are His, too, because of Jesus. The false witnesses couldn't keep Jesus down for the testimony of the Father is that His Son has paid for sin and is raised from the dead. Just so, no one can say anything against you. Well, they can say it but what matters is what God says. And His Word says you are perfectly His. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. Jesus, in Your dying woes, Even while Your lifeblood flows, Craving pardon for your foes: Hear us, holy Jesus. (Jesus, in Your Dying Woes, LSB 447:1)

Martin Luther’s Morning and Evening Prayers taken from the Small Catechism of Dr. Martin Luther

Unless otherwise noted, Biblical quotations are from the NKJV.

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