May 12, 2025

Today's Reading: Acts 20:17-35

Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 9:1-24; Luke 9:18-36

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Jesus speaks to His lamb through the Apostle Paul: My dear lamb, I am your Good Shepherd. I will keep you safe. I do this through the under-shepherds I send to help you and all the other lambs in the church.

Today, you hear the words of one of the shepherds I called and sent, the Apostle Paul. I sent him to Ephesus, where he taught the people for three years, giving them my grace through the Word and Sacraments. 

Listen carefully to the warning Paul gave my flock in Ephesus: Fierce wolves will come, attacking the flock, even from within the church. They will say twisted things that I did not teach them.

You need to understand that Satan will always spread lies. So listen to My Word. Hear the good pastors who teach what I said, what Paul and the other Apostles said, what Moses and the Prophets said. Listen to what’s in the Catechism, which is faithful to My Word.

Stay close to me and to the people I send to you who speak what the Holy Spirit inspired in the Bible. Regularly come to receive the Gifts I give you in the Word and the Sacraments. This is how I protect you and keep you safe.

Jesus’ lamb responds to Him: Thank You, Good Shepherd, for staying with me. St. Paul said that you obtained me and all the rest of Your flock by shedding your blood on the cross. You wash me clean from my sins by that blood, and now I am safe in You.

Dear Jesus, thank you for the people you send to care for me— my parents and family, my pastor and teachers, and all the other lambs in Your flock. Please forgive me for the times I forget Your Word or wander from You. Thank you for being patient and merciful to me. Train me in Your ways and give me work to do so that I can help keep your lambs safe from the next group of wolves that will come.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word; Curb those who by deceit or sword would wrest the kingdom from your Son and bring to naught all He has done. (LSB 655:2)

- Rev. Jeffrey Horn, pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Escondido, CA.

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

Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God’s people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.