July 17, 2023

Today's Reading: Isaiah 55:10-13

Daily Lectionary: Joshua 4:1-24, 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. You’ve all seen rain and snow fall down from the sky.  You’ve also probably studied the natural water cycle in science class as well.  In our reading from Isaiah we can easily picture the Word of God like rain or snow, falling down to water things and produce good crops.  Isaiah is not just simply speaking about the Bible's falling from heaven like rain and watering the earth and returning to God.  Our passage today is not a simple object lesson for how we should view the Bible. John 1:14 speaks of the Word becoming fleshing and dwelling among us; “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”  Hebrews says “ the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  Jesus is the one who is living and active among us.  He is the one who “came down from heaven and became incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary”.  

This is more than rain or snow, this is Jesus coming to serve you with His precious body and blood given up for the life of the world.  But even then this Word must be preached, taught and heard.  As Romans says “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”(Romans 10)

The Word is preached by your pastor who is the called and ordained servant of the Word, Jesus Christ.  The pastor’s proclamation is meant  to convict us of our sins and confirm in us His blessed absolution where you are forgiven and given the flourishing fruits of the cross in you.  Jesus is the rain of heaven who waters the earth with the life giving waters of Baptism. He is the snow whose blood covers the scarlet of our sins (Is. 1:18). He is the one who gives us the blessed bread of his flesh to eat in Eucharist, and he does not return to the Father fruitless.  Jesus returns to the Father with you, cleansed, spotless, fruitful and alive. The Bible is the voice of God, every single page speaks of Jesus, His promise, death and resurrection all showered upon you. 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 655:1)

-Pastor Kent Schaaf is Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.