Reflections

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 20:24-42; 1 Corinthians 1:1-25

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It isn't easy to be a Christian. People are openly hostile toward us. This is nothing new, as we see in 1 Corinthians. Paul writes: "The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing." The root Greek word here is moros, from which we derive the English word, "moron." This is what many in Paul's day thought of Christians, especially the Greeks and Jews! "But we preach Christ-crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles." For Jews, the idea of a crucified Messiah was an utter contradiction. They thought the Messiah would be a powerful leader like Moses or David. They couldn't understand how an executed criminal could be the promised Messiah. Likewise, Gentiles thought it pure folly, for they loved philosophy and great learning and were also impressed with power.

The hostile reaction to our crucified Lord, both then and now, shouldn't surprise us. We know that we couldn't believe it either, were it not for the working of the Holy Spirit. As the catechism says, "I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength, believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel…"

The Word of God not only says things, it does things. The Law accuses us of sin, brings about shame and remorse, and leads us to turn to God for help. Then the Word of the Cross, the Gospel, comes as the greatest news: that God Himself has put our sin on Jesus, who willingly endured our punishment so we can be forgiven. While some think it folly, Christians know it has the power to save: "It pleased God through the ‘folly' of what we preach to save those who believe." This "foolish" preaching of a slain Savior has been the central message of the Christian Church from the beginning.

We should not get angry with those who think we are fools, for it is only on account of God's grace that we are not exactly like them. Certainly we shouldn't water down the message of our crucified Jesus to try and make it more attractive. Instead, the answer is to keep doing what faithful Christians have always done: to simply rely on the Word of the Cross, the message of Christ crucified. For to those who are being saved, it is the power of God. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Word eternal, throned on high, Word that brought to life creation, Word that came from heav'n to die, Crucified for our salvation, Saving Word, the world restoring, Speak to us, Your love outpouring. ("Word of God, Come Down on Earth" LSB 545, st.2)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 20:1-23; Acts 28:16-31

And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. (Acts 28:24)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Why doesn't everyone respond the same way to the Gospel? In Acts 28 we see a mixed response to Paul's mission work among some Jewish leaders in Rome. They had heard about Christians and how this ‘sect' was being spoken against everywhere, but they were willing to let Paul make the case. This is commendable! Paul faced opposition at other times when he was shut down and violently persecuted. But these Jewish leaders at Rome were willing to talk with a fellow Jew about the Kingdom of God and decide if what he said was true.

All day Paul expounded from the Scriptures, "testifying to the Kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus." In the end, some were convinced and some weren't. Paul then cited the prophet Isaiah's stern warning about dull hearts, blind eyes, and deaf ears that refuse to repent and be healed. (Acts 28:26-27) This book that tells us how the Word of God spread closes with a story of how some believed and some did not.

Like Paul, we should be well versed in Scripture so we can testify to what Jesus has done, but we should not get discouraged when people do not believe. Paul was the greatest missionary and theologian of all time and he didn't convert every person who heard him. Even the people who listened to Jesus and witnessed His miracles did not all become disciples. In fact, many rejected Him and violently opposed Him.

It is a frustrating thing to have the lifesaving medicine in your hands only to have the dying person tell you, "Nah, I don't want it," or even worse, "Get that stuff away from me!" You know they need it, but you can't force it down their throats. You can only keep offering, and pray that the person will be open to receiving. God Himself can bring these changes in people. His Word can soften hard hearts.

God has called you to believe and has brought you to faith. You have been born again and your sins are forgiven in Jesus. While you and all believers, the angels in heaven, and God Himself long for more people to come into the kingdom, let us be grateful that God in His grace has called, gathered, and enlightened us. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord of harvest, great and kind, Rouse to action heart and mind; Let the gath'ring nations all See Your light and heed Your call. ("Spread the Reign of God the Lord" LSB 830, st.6)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero

Today's Reading: The Small Catechism: Baptism

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 19:1-24; Acts 28:1-15

How can water do such great things? (The Small Catechism: Baptism, pt. 3)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Plain water. Not mineral water, spring water, or even water from the Jordan River. We are talking about plain water—but not water alone.

Human beings have a tendency to make too much of the ceremony or the physical element in the Sacraments. In the Middle Ages, instead of eating the communion bread, people would sometimes try to sneak a piece of it into their pockets so they could have Jesus with them like a magic charm all week long! People can be very superstitious and miss the point of things.

But the big deal in Baptism is not the water, it's the Word of God! "Without God's word the water is plain water and no Baptism. Our faith is not in water but in Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, who died for our justification and rose again from the dead that we might have life in His Name. Why then put such an emphasis on Baptism? Because Jesus, our Savior, gave us Holy Baptism and through it He generously pours out the Holy Spirit. Through Baptism, He makes us children of God and heirs of the heavenly kingdom.

There may come a time when your sins accuse you and you begin to wonder, "How do I know I am a Christian?" If you look to your own life for assurance, you will be left wanting. Instead, look to Christ on the Cross and remember your Baptism. He has washed you and saved you through this washing of rebirth. You are not declared righteous before God because of your exemplary life; on the contrary, you have been justified by God's kindness and mercy toward you. By grace, He has made you an heir of heaven and given you the hope of everlasting life. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

God's own child, I gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ! He, because I could not pay it, Gave my full redemption price. Do I need earth's treasures many? I have one worth more than any That brought me salvation free Lasting to eternity!

Sin disturb my soul no longer; I am baptized into Christ! I have comfort even stronger: Jesus' cleansing sacrifice. Should a guilty conscience seize me Since my Baptism did release me In a dear forgiving flood, Sprinkling me with Jesus' blood? ("God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It" LSB 594, st.1-2)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero

Today's Reading: Acts 20:27-38

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 18:10-30; Acts 27:27-44

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. Have you ever been to the ordination of a new pastor? When a pastor is put into the Office, he is surrounded by other pastors who lay hands on him and speak words of blessing (Acts 6:6, 1 Timothy 4:14). When I participate, I speak Acts 20:28, because this little verse has a lot to say about pastors, the Church, and the Lord.

First, it says that pastors have accountability for themselves and their congregation. Like a shepherd who is on the lookout for wolves and wandering sheep, the pastor is to watch over the congregation with a careful eye, but also train this eye on his own life to avoid becoming Satan's prey.

Next, we read that God Himself makes and calls pastors to care for the Church through the Holy Spirit. Notice who the Church belongs to: it is the "Church of God." Every pastor must remember that the church he serves is not his church, but God's. This only makes sense, because the next thing we learn here is that God Himself purchased His Church with His own blood. The blood that Jesus shed on the Cross for His Church was the very blood of God. What a mystery! How can Almighty God shed blood and die? Yet that is exactly what God was doing in Christ.

You are a part of this Church, bought and paid for by God Himself! All your sins are covered by the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7). There is now, therefore, no condemnation for you (Romans 8:1). God has given a pastor to watch over you, care for you, and remind you of who you are in Christ. As Paul said, "I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27). That means a faithful pastor won't just tell you things you like to hear, but will talk about all the things in God's Word. The Law and the Gospel. The threats and the promises. He will sound the warning when the wolves are close at hand or when you wander off, and He will speak words of peace and comfort, assurance and blessing, This is what God Himself has called him to do. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Anoint them prophets, men who are intent To be Your witnesses in word and deed, Their hearts aflame, their lips made eloquent, Their eyes awake to ev'ry human need. ("God of the Prophets, Bless the Prophets' Sons" LSB 682, st.2)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero

Today's Reading: Jeremiah 23:16-29

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 17:48-18:9; Acts 27:9-26

Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:16)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Sometimes people speak carelessly in order to sound pious. Have you known Christians who confidently say, "God has put it on my heart," or, "God revealed it to me…"? This way of talking is problematic. Unless you are referencing the Bible, speaking this way can be used to justify sin.

Today's passage speaks of lying prophets who claimed to have dreams from God. Instead of calling people to repent, these impostors were telling people whatever they wanted to hear. These false prophets affirmed the sins of denying God's Word and stubbornly following one's own ideas, telling the people everything would be fine (Jeremiah 23:17).

Nothing has changed. Some still deny God's Word and convince themselves that God has revealed to them His approval. Others, seeking to live contrary to God's Word, will find a religious official to give them the permission they seek. Sex outside of marriage? Just as long as you are in love and use protection. Abortion? A sad necessity, but a woman's right. Homosexuality? It can't be wrong if God made you that way. Find almost any sin and some false prophet will justify it for you.

It was into this sort of setting that God sent Jeremiah. He called out the false prophets saying, "How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart…?" But God said, "… let him who has my word speak my word faithfully." We, too, should speak God's Word faithfully and above all, keep listening to it. When spoken faithfully, God's Word can burn up and consume the sin that so easily entangles us.

By staying in God's Word we will be kept in the one true faith and led to the Savior. Jesus promised as much, saying, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish." In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Restrain, O Lord, the human pride That seeks to thrust Your truth aside Or with some man-made thoughts or things Would dim the words Your Spirit sings. ("Lord Jesus Christ, with Us Abide" LSB 585, st.5)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero

Today's Reading: Matthew 7:15-23

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 17:20-47; Acts 26:24-27:8

"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Our Lord warns us that there will be false teachers to be wary of. Christians want to do this, but we don't always recognize false prophets and false prophets don't advertise that they are false! As Christ said, they come in sheep's clothing, though inwardly they are vicious wolves. He says there is a way to know the difference between the false and the true: "You will know them by their fruit."

But some false prophets will even preach Christ and perform miracles in His Name. Surprisingly, some of these hypocrites won't even know they are hypocrites! Jesus says they will be confused at the Last Day, saying, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your Name, and cast out demons in your Name, and do many mighty works in your Name?" It makes us wonder if we can tell them by their actions after all. This makes it sound as though we are sitting ducks, or sheep anyway! Fortunately, Christ provides the solution to this problem in the very next verses. He said, "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock" (Matthew 7:24-25).

Christ promises that He will not leave us all alone in the fight against evil. He promises that whoever hears His words and puts them into practice is going to be okay. He guarantees that we will face tough times, but if we remain in His Word, we will not be overcome by them. He is the Good Shepherd and He will fight to keep us safe. He has already laid down His life for the sheep only to take it up again by rising from the dead.

This gracious act has won salvation for us and we receive this salvation through faith. Christ also gives us His Word to save us, with the promise that like sheep who hear the voice of the shepherd, our faith will be kept strong by hearing His Word again and again and following where He leads us. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord take my hand and lead me Upon life's way; Direct, protect, and feed me From day to day. Without Your grace and favor I go astray; So take my hand, O Savior, And lead the way. ("Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me" LSB 722, st.1)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero

Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 8 (Psalm 48:1, 3, 11, 14; antiphon: v. 9-10)

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 17:1-19; Acts 26:1-23

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised… (From the Introit for the Eighth Sunday after Trinity)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. I once heard an atheist make the snide remark, "Your God must have a low self-esteem, as much as He needs you to praise Him!" That misunderstanding reduces praise of God to cheap flattery. The Lord God does not require anything from us. When the Lord's saints in heaven and on earth praise Him, it is not because He needs us to, but because we need to praise Him! We can't help ourselves.

Let's say you lost your phone and couldn't afford a new one. When your friend Gabriel heard, he decided to upgrade to a brand new phone so he could give you the one he was using. What would you do? Of course, you would thank Gabriel and tell him how much you appreciate his kindness. Thanksgiving is a very important kind of praise. But you would probably go beyond that. Anytime someone noticed your phone you would be quick to tell them how your good friend Gabriel gave it to you.

In the same way we might praise a good friend, praising God is recognizing Him for who He is and what He has done. It is telling the truth about Him and extolling His goodness, not in an attempt to flatter Him, but as a sincere expression of our gratitude. We want others to know how blessed they are by God, so we extol His virtues with our praise, so they join our adoration of the God we love and who loves us.

God's steadfast love for us deserves our highest praise. He loves sinners, the weak, all those who fall short and are in need of forgiveness. His steadfast love was made manifest in the person of Jesus Christ, who took on our sins and died for them on the Cross. This compels us praise God because we are forever grateful and will sing our songs of praise now and in heaven. We also praise the Lord and extol what He has done so others might know of His enduring love and join in the never-ending song. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

As I pray, dear Jesus, hear me; Let Your words in me take root. May Your Spirit e'er be near me –That I bear abundant fruit. May I daily sing Your praise, From my heart glad anthems raise, Till my highest praise is given In the endless joy of heaven ("Speak, O Lord, Your Servant Listens," LSB 589, st.4)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero

Today's Reading: Romans 6:19-23

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 16:1-23; Acts 25:13-27

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Freedom! It sounds and feels so sweet! Freedom means getting to do whatever we want with no one telling us what to do, right? That's how many think of freedom. "Just wait until I get out of the house!" It all sounds good until you get to experience that unfettered freedom for the first time and realize the costs that come with freedom.

Some learn about these consequences when going off to college for the first time. They stay up all night playing video games, watching movies, surfing the web, or hanging out with friends. Maybe they sleep in and miss a class or two. Others experiment with forbidden fruits: porn, booze, sex, drugs. Mercifully, most young adults learn some hard lessons and figure out how to manage their freedom and the responsibility that comes with it. But sometimes this unharnessed freedom results in bitter consequences. When that happens, they realize their newfound freedom only ended up in a kind of slavery.

Some of the Romans used to live like this: "You once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness… But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed?" Paul answers his own question, "The end of those things is death." Christians do not and cannot use their freedom to do whatever selfish and irresponsible thing they want, for they have been set free from sin and now are slaves (or servants) of righteousness.

Christians have been set free already. It isn't that we might be set free from sin if we are good enough. No, no one is good enough, not even one. (Romans 3:10) The exception is the only one from heaven, Jesus Christ. Christ has already won our freedom from sin by shedding His blood and dying for our sins on the Cross, and paying a ransom for our freedom. He has set us free so we can live forever. True freedom isn't "doing whatever you want." Rather, it is living sanctified lives under the forgiveness of Christ Jesus, knowing you are free to serve the living God without fear. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Praise the Lord, His reign commences, Reign of life and liberty- Pascal Lamb, for our offenses, Slain and raised to set us free! Evermore Bow before Christ, the Lord of Life adore! ("All the Earth with Joy Is Sounding" LSB 462, st.4)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero

Today's Reading: The Small Catechism: Baptism

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 15:10-35; Acts 24:24-25:12

[Baptism] works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe. . . (The Small Catechism: Baptism, pt. 2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. You probably have Christian friends who belong to a church that doesn't baptize infants. While these fellow Christians have much in common with us, like a high regard for Scripture and the belief that we are saved by grace, they are very far from us and from the historic teaching of the Church, and indeed, from Scripture itself on the matter of the Sacraments. What's more, these differences can get pretty heated. Those who deny God's gift of Baptism to little children may question whether your Baptism really counts, if you were baptized as a child. They may even try and tell you that you need to be baptized for real. It comes to down to a question of what Baptism is and does. Is Baptism my promise to God, or God's promise to me? If Baptism is some kind of law, or something I must do for God, then we should wait until a child is old enough to understand what he or she is doing. But if Holy Baptism is of the Gospel, then it is a gift from God and we dare not withhold it from children.

Lutherans understand that Baptism is pure Gospel. It is God's gift and promise to us. As Luther states in the catechism, "It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare." This is not merely Martin Luther's opinion, it is what the Bible teaches. Baptism forgives sins (Acts 2:38, 22:16). It clothes us with Christ's righteousness (Galatians 3:27). It unites us to Christ and to His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5, Colossians 2:11-12). Baptism sanctifies, making us holy (1 Peter 3:21, Titus 3:5-8, Ephesians 5:26). The action is all from God to us. He is active and we are passive.

There is no reason at all to question whether your Baptism counts. You have received from God a wonderful blessing. Through Holy Baptism you have been rescued from death and the devil and united to Christ and His resurrection. Don't question, but rather, rejoice in your Baptism and trust the One who gave it to you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

All Christians who have been baptized, Who know the God of heaven, And in whose daily life is prized – The name of Christ once given: Consider now what God has done, The gifts He gives to everyone – Baptized into Christ Jesus! ("All Christians Who Have Been Baptized" LSB 596, st.1)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 14:47-15:9; Acts 24:1-23

"Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them…" (1 Samuel 15:3)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Today's reading (1 Samuel 15) is a hard text. Samuel commands King Saul to destroy the Amalekites, to kill "both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey." There are other places, too, in which God commands the Israelites to do the same to the Canaanites. How are we to make sense of this?

Atheists and critics wonder about these things, too, and use these passages as attacks, claiming the God of the Bible commanded genocide or ethnic cleansing. It's easy to just turn the page when you read something like this, and I think a lot of people do. But while we cannot possibly comprehend the mind of God, there are some things that can help us think this through.

These commands are limited to a specific time and place. They are not open-ended directions to destroy people of certain tribes or races. In fact, when the Israelites tried to act out against their enemies without God's blessing, they were defeated (1 Samuel 4). Only God can sanction this kind of action and only He can understand why it is necessary.

We know that God curbs evil. The Lord even sent other nations to attack and destroy the people of Israel when their wickedness rose to a certain level. We are talking true wickedness—even child sacrifice! In other words, had you lived in the midst of such evil, you would have prayed for God to stop it.

That doesn't answer every question, but perhaps it helps answer some. Some things in Scripture which we cannot understand, but there are many things we cannot misunderstand Chief among them is God's love for us in Christ. God is a God of justice who metes out punishment on the wicked, but He also takes punishment on Himself even though He doesn't deserve it. That, too, is a great mystery. He loves us that much. Incredible! Who can understand the mind of God? In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning providence - Faith sees a smiling face. Blind unbelief is sure to err - And scan His work in vain; God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain. ("God Moves in a Mysterious Way" LSB 765. st.2, 4)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero