November 13, 2023

Today's Reading: Amos 5:18-24

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 28:1-22, Matthew 18:1-20

But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (Amos 5:24)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Justice is a big buzzword in our society today. Our world says we must have justice for whatever we are passionate about. Many Christians today  emphasize the Christian faith needs to be all about justice for everybody else.  Justice is why the church exists today. But what does that justice and righteousness look like?  

Amos’ message is harsh, it bites, it thrusts the Law of God’s sword into our hearts. We do not love God, or our neighbor, as ourselves. We, like the people of Amos’ time, have given God cheap lip service. We have felt that we have offered proper worship to Him and that we have done well in His sight. This leads us to ignore the needs of mercy and forgiveness that our neighbors desperately need from you.  

Confess your sins, confess you don’t know what you’re doing before God, or that you can know true justice and righteousness on your own.  But also give thanks to God through our Lord Jesus Christ. God’s justice and His righteousness flow out of the pierced side of Jesus for your forgiveness. Strengthened and washed by the blood of Jesus, you now receive God’s undeserved justice and righteousness. As Christ now lives in you, you know justice, you know  true righteousness, you know, true love, and mercy for your neighbor, in need all because of Jesus.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Today Your mercy calls us To wash away our sin. However great our trespass, Whatever we have been,

However long from mercy Our hearts have turned away, Your precious blood can wash us And make us clean today.  (LSB 915:1)

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

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

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.