January 27, 2025

Today's Reading: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

Daily Lectionary: Zechariah 4:1-5:11; Romans 15:14-33

For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:9b-10)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The people wept as they heard the words of the Law because it paints a picture of how things are supposed to be. It paints a picture of good. And we aren’t good. The consequences of being not good are…well…not good. Sin breaks stuff. You hurt the people around you. The law points it out, even when you’d rather not look. It threatens punishment. God’s allowed to be angry when you hurt His kids. He’s even allowed to be angry when you hurt yourself. The law is a black-and-white picture. There’s no room for shades of grey, either, from best intentions or blame. The people heard how far from good they were.  

But something strange happens. The people who deserve to be sent away in wrath, condemned to eat of the damnation they sow, are instead sent to eat the best portions of meat and drink sweet wine. They’re to share the Gift they don’t deserve with anyone and everyone around them. Sinners receive something unfair. Love. Because even though, in our sins, we are not good, God still is. We hear His word and in faith even come to see that the law paints a picture of Jesus, who fulfilled it, and in mercy, forgives us who do not. Because even though, in His righteousness, Christ is good, He dies on the cross bearing the weight of the wrath over every sin. It’s unfair, but it’s love. Jesus died for you. Your sins are forgiven. The day where He hands out forgiveness is holy. Go to church on that day. Eat and drink a measure of God’s mercy in Communion. And rejoice. We who ought to shed a lot more tears over our confrontation with the law are only measured by the gospel. Christ’s death on the cross paints a picture of you. You’re worthy of love. Jesus says so, then invites you to take and eat.  

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

God’s Word is our great heritage And shall be ours forever; To spread its light from age to age Shall be our chief endeavor. Through life it guides our way, In death it is our stay. Lord, grant, while worlds endure, We keep its teachings pure Throughout all generations. (LSB 582)

-Rev. Harrison Goodman, content executive for Higher Things.

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.