January 10, 2025

Today's Reading: Romans 2:28-29

Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 19-32; Ezekiel 19:1-24:27; Romans 2:17-29

“For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.” (Romans 2:28-29)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Jesus Christ came to fulfill the Law and thereby redeem all peoples, Jew and Gentile alike. This was plain enough to the early church from the Holy Scriptures, the teachings of the Apostles, and the very words of Jesus Himself.

But the Christ came “first for the Jew, then for the Gentile” (Romans 1:16). So did Gentile converts first need to become Jews in order to become Christians? Did they need to learn all 613 Mitzvot? Adopt Second Temple-style worship, dress, and cultural norms? Did Baptism truly impart new life and freedom from sin, or merely bring one into a new legal covenant? The Law was the teacher of God’s chosen people for centuries; it demanded outward righteousness. What part did it play now?

Some in the church abused the Law, lording worldly power over Gentile converts. The true Lord, however, charged us not to lord power over the other members of His body (Matthew 20:25-28). The church of Christ is not some cultural country club; it is truly catholic (universal). The Christian is called by the Holy Spirit, enlightened, sanctified, and kept in the true faith through the gospel. In other words, we are Christians not because of our own outward works or cultural heritage but because of the inner workings of Christ in our hearts.

St. Paul makes this abundantly clear in his letter to the Romans. While many of God’s people considered themselves generally upright and to have made proper atonement for their sins, the fact remained: all failed to uphold His Law in their hearts. All except one: Jesus Christ. He has fulfilled the Law, accomplishing what no sinful human being ever could through circumcision nor any other outward work. For this, He received no praise from men. Instead, He was crucified–given as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of all people. Praise be to God for the salvation accomplished by Him! Salvation is now for all who trust in Him. It is yours, not through works, but by faith! “No temple now, no gift of price, No priestly round of sacrifice, Retain their ancient pow’rs. As shadows fade before the sun The day of sacrifice is done, The day of grace is ours.” (LSB 530:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O God, You made known Your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles. Lead us, who know You by faith, to enjoy in heaven the fullness of Your divine presence; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect L11, adapted)

-Rev. Donald Stein, pastor of Saint Andrew Lutheran Church in Rockton, IL.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

January 9, 2025

Today's Reading: Catechism: The Third Commandment

Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 3:12-27; Ezekiel 4:1-11:25; Romans 2:1-16

The Third Commandment: Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

“What makes you so special?” That question could be taken as Law or Gospel, depending on the context. Both are helpful to us as we reflect on the Law of God laid down in the Third Commandment and the Gospel promise He offers apart from it.

“What makes you so special?” an honest friend asked a young church worker. After years of schooling and moving and sacrificing for others, the young church worker was convinced that a getaway weekend was deserved. So it was planned, miles away from any church. “After all,” they explained to their friend, “the Sabbath is not a literal ‘day’ for the Christian who finds his Sabbath in Jesus.”

While true, this attitude betrayed a dangerous misunderstanding of Christian freedom. One Sunday away from church may not break a believer’s faith, but intentionally spurning the Word of God will lead to rejection of the faith received at Baptism; this is most certainly true. There are no exceptions; no one is so special as to be immune from the Law. There is no vacation from God nor rest apart from Him. There is no portion of one’s life that can be kept for oneself. All things belong to the Lord, who commands us to worship Him. The words of Ezekiel are a warning to us: “Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?”

So the honest friend asked: “What makes you so special?” The words were like a shot through the heart, as the Law so often is. The young church worker knew they had despised God’s Word. They repented and found a place to worship, even on vacation.

Brothers and sisters in Christ: gladly hear and learn the Word of God. Come to worship as regularly as you can. This is in keeping with God’s good Law; it is His good and gracious desire for you to hear His Word, that it may convict you of your sin and bring you to repentance. As the Holy Spirit works within your heart, you will hear the same Word of God, but it will take on a new and glorious meaning– for the Law has been fulfilled in Jesus!

True Sabbath rest is His free Gift to you! “What makes you so special?” now has an answer: Jesus! In His Word, He declares you so special that He forgives your sin!

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O Lord, we are men of half faith, of cloven faith, half given to You, half saved up for ourselves. Forgive us, Lord. Teach us, O Lord. Teach us to walk as Your Son walked on earth through ministry to death, through death to life and glory at Your right hand. Through Him we pray. Amen. (adapted from a prayer “To Live by the Word of God” by Martin Franzmann, in “Pray for Joy,” CPH: St. Louis, MO, 1970)

-Rev. Donald Stein, pastor of Saint Andrew Lutheran Church in Rockton, IL.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

January 8, 2025

Today's Reading: 1 Kings 3:4-15

Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 2:1-3:11; Romans 1:18-32

“And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem… and made a feast for all his servants.” (1 Kings 3:15)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Did you get what you wanted for Christmas? Was your wishlist fulfilled? Or did you perhaps get a gift for someone else? Was it just what they hoped for? It is a good tradition to give and receive gifts at the birth of our Lord since He has given Himself as a gift to us. It is only through His holy Incarnation, precious death, fulfilling resurrection, and glorious ascension that we are gifted the forgiveness of sins and blessed with life in His name. Praise be to God for this indescribable Gift!

A ‘Christmas gift’ of sorts came about 950 years early for Solomon. The LORD invited him to ask for a gift. All Solomon needed to do was name his desire, and it would be given to him. Can you imagine? Solomon had the ability to get what he had always wanted and to fulfill his wishlist.

Yet Solomon did not ask for something for himself– not primarily, anyway. No, Solomon asked for “a wise and discerning mind,” or as some might translate, “heart.” Motivated by love for the LORD and His people, Solomon asked for what was necessary to carry out his vocation as a servant-king. He even provided a feast for his servants– not for his fellow kings or for lesser nobility, but for his servants! Solomon’s servant-leadership foreshadows the work of the King of kings in serving His people. Our Lord sets a great Feast before us. His own Body and Blood draws us together and strengthens us for service in His kingdom, which has no end.

We may not be kings, but we have been made daughters and sons of the King of kings. We gain His inheritance and are blessed with advancing His kingdom through our various vocations and callings. Like Solomon, we are called not to use our gifts for ourselves but for others. This is in keeping with God’s will. We are capable of serving others with our gifts because God first gave to us. He has clothed us in His own righteousness. Truly, truly, not even Solomon in all his earthly splendor was arrayed as you are now! As you thank God for your many gifts this Christmas, recall the most precious of all: Jesus Christ. You have, indeed, received what you wanted for Christmas! Your wishlist truly has been fulfilled! Share that Gift.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O Lord, through the Incarnation of Your Son, You have given an inestimable gift: the restoration of our human nature. Grant us, as Your servant Solomon, discerning hearts to pursue what is good, true, and beautiful in our vocations; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

-Rev. Donald Stein, pastor of Saint Andrew Lutheran Church in Rockton, IL.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.