Reflections

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 13:1-18; Acts 23:12-35

When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. (Acts 23:12)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Ever feel like people are out to get you? Maybe you have been bullied or had a friend betray you. Maybe someone told lies about you or posted awful things about you on social media. As difficult as that was, it doesn't compare to what Paul went through.

Paul was a hated man. As we read in Acts 23, 40 men made an oath not to eat or drink until they killed him. By their actions, you might think those men were outlaws, part of some terrorist cell or a street gang. But they were nothing of the sort. They were religious zealots, ultra-conservatives, wild-eyed fundamentalists convinced they were doing God's will.

One of the greatest evils in the world is religion gone bad, for when someone does evil in the name of religion, they actually believe they are doing good and will justify anything. The Jews who killed Jesus and the Jews plotting to kill Paul had wandered so far from God that in their minds they could justify murder, counter to the Fifth Commandment, in order to quiet a dissenting voice. These plotters were not merely a rogue faction, but they were working with the consent of the authorities (Acts 23:14).

Mercifully, God rescued Paul at this time. Paul's nephew caught wind of the plot and alerted the Roman authorities, who swept in with a small army to rescue this one imprisoned preacher. Some 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen whisked Paul away in the middle of the night (Acts 23:23).

What was Paul's great crime? He was trying to make Jesus known to his fellow Jews. As a Jew who had once persecuted Christians, he wanted Jews to know that the Messiah had come and fulfilled the Law perfectly and then offered Himself up as an atoning sacrifice not only for Jews, but for every sinner on the planet, including you!

Christians still proclaim that Gospel message to this day and rejoice in it. We join with Paul and countless others in living in the hope and assurance of the death and resurrection of Jesus. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

In chains for Christ! His pris'ners love to sing, For slaves and free rejoice to praise our King; What though the Church on earth still suffers wrong? The cross of Christ remains our pilgrim song. ("The Saints in Christ Are One in Every Place" LSB 838, st.2)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero

Today's Reading: Genesis 2:7-17

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 12:1-25; Acts 22:30-23:11

Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. (Genesis 2:7)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Do you have questions about science and the Bible? Most thoughtful people do, especially when it comes to the issue of creation and what it means to be human. Christians affirm what Scripture teaches: that God spoke the world into existence and willed everything into being. The other side contends that everything in this universe just happened by random chance and came about as a result of an accident. This is ultimately what the science and faith debate is about: Is there purpose or meaning to this life and everything in it, or is the universe just a bunch of random, meaningless chaos? Is man a special creation of God, made in His image and endowed with the gifts of reason and a soul? Or are human beings just highly evolved animals destined for extinction like every other species?

Christians may disagree about how literally to take certain parts of Genesis, but regarding the central issue of meaning and purpose, there is no debate. Here Scripture's teaching couldn't be clearer: God deliberately (on purpose) created man by breathing life into him (Genesis 2:7). He did so separately from the animals (Genesis 1:26) because man is not like the animals. Man is an image-bearer of his Maker. Every single human is of inestimable worth. We are so valuable, that when this first command (Genesis 2:17) was disobeyed and our first parents fell into sin, God wouldn't let them be lost forever. God would send His one and only Son to ransom sinners and give everlasting life to all who trust in Him.

Some of you will be headed off to college soon. You will likely encounter the atheistic worldview, if you haven't already. Some teachers you encounter will even tell you that if you take the Bible seriously and believe in a Creator, you have no hope of being any kind of credible scientist. Don't believe it for a second. Some of the greatest scientists in history were Christians and many Christians continue to work in the sciences. Our lives have meaning because we are created and redeemed children of our Heavenly Father. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. Amen. (The Apostles Creed)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero

Today's Reading: Mark 8:1-9

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 10:1-27; Acts 22:17-29

[Jesus said], "I have compassion …" (Mark 8:2a)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Why does Jesus do the things He does? What moves Him? John wrote that Jesus was "full of grace" (John 1:14). Grace is God's unmerited favor, His unearned love for His creatures. He doesn't bless those who deserve it, but His blessings are given to those He loves, to those who need them.

Mark records in our text that Jesus saw the crowds and said, "I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat." Compassion: This is why Jesus blesses. This is grace, His unmerited favor. This is love in action. He sees people in need and provides for them. At this time and place He miraculously provided food for their bodies. He provided more than enough, so that everyone ate and was satisfied and there was plenty leftover.

At other times Jesus provided for people by healing diseases or restoring sight and hearing. Many times He cast out demons. A few times He even raised loved ones from the dead. Jesus has tremendous power because He is the Son of God and He has come to use this power to help those in need.

Man's greatest need is forgiveness and reconciliation to God. He is holy, but we are sinful and fallen, not what we were supposed to be. Jesus came to take on this greatest need and provide more than enough. He takes on our filth and makes us clean.

Sometimes a certain sin can haunt you. Maybe you have done something for which you are truly ashamed. The devil loves to throw it in your face and get you to doubt whether you can really be forgiven. Always remember: Jesus is full of compassion. He provides us with assurance, too, by giving His forgiveness through the Word of the Gospel, in the water of Holy Baptism, and at the altar. There, too, He gives you bread to eat that is His very Body. Eat and be satisfied! Your sins are forgiven! His grace is sufficient. In fact, it is more than enough! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O God, whose never-failing providence orders all things both in heaven and earth, we humbly implore You to put away from us all hurtful things and to give us those things that are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Collect for the Seventh Sunday after Trinity)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero

Today's Reading: Mark 10:35-45

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 9:1-27; Acts 21:37-22:16

Whoever would be great among you must be your servant. (Mark 10:43)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It's an astonishing statement, that in order to be great, you must be a servant. We don't understand. All of our lives are spent in constant pursuit of personal achievement. We're taught that we need to really try to be something. Goals are set and achieved. Awards are won. Recognitions and prizes are handed out. We think that we've become great if we have made a name for ourselves and climbed to the top of the pyramid.

The disciples obviously thought that Jesus was destined for something big. They thought that He would be the one to restore peace to Israel by leading a political movement. They wanted in on the glory! They wanted their friend Jesus to remember them when He sits on the throne! Maybe a cabinet position would get thrown their way. They think like we do. Greatness and glory are things to be achieved by winning all sorts of contests.

But they know not what they ask. They cannot bear the burden that Jesus will bear. He is indeed great, but not because He has achieved popular support or fame. He is great, because He has become the servant of all. He has borne the sin of the world upon His shoulders, and taken it all to the cross and grave. The sin of the world was nailed to the cross in the death of Christ (Colossians 2:14). This is true greatness. He suffered everything for us, ultimately serving us by giving us His very life, pouring it into us in Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist. He has become great by serving us greatly, and in so doing, has given us to share with Him in His glory, His death and resurrection. You are great in Him! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Praise we Him, whose love divine Gives His sacred blood for wine, Gives His body for the feast, Christ the victim, Christ the priest. Alleluia! ("At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing" LSB 633, st.4)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 8:1-22; Acts 21:15-36

He even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place. (Acts 21:28)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The early days of the Church were lived in the shadow of the temple. It wasn't immediately apparent that we shouldn't keep going there. The Jerusalem church went to the temple daily in the days after Pentecost. It was truly a house of prayer for all people. The rhythm of Sabbath Saturday and the Lord's Resurrection Day of Sunday was kept. Paul could find no reason why everyone shouldn't be going to the temple. The dividing wall of hostility had been broken down in Christ! (Ephesians 2:14) There was no longer any distinction between Jew and Gentile, slave or free, male or female. All are one in Christ!

It is an amazing thing that there aren't different Sacraments for different people. The water of Baptism is poured onto every head, whether rich or poor, man or woman. All are brought to Christ. The words of forgiveness spoken to sinners do not change based on who has confessed and what their place in life might be. You don't get extra forgiveness if you give more money to the church. All are forgiven in Christ. The Holy Supper is not given with better bread and wine to those who have more money. All are rich at the Lord's altar!

Paul actually believed all of these things, and brought a man from Ephesus into the temple. He escorted a Gentile into a place where he was forbidden, and ended up facing a long journey, trial, imprisonment, and eventually death, for believing in the reconciling work of Jesus Christ. Yet even then in his sufferings, Paul continued to proclaim the great works of Christ. Friends, we cannot lose, for Christ has given us the victory. There is nothing to fear. Not even death will hold us down. All things work for your good. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

In Christ now meet both east and west; In Him meet south and north. All Christian souls are one in Him Throughout the whole wide earth.("In Christ There Is No East or West" LSB 653, st.5)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero

Today's Reading: The Small Catechism: Baptism

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 6:19-7:17; Acts 19:1-22

Baptism is not just plain water… (The Small Catechism: Baptism, pt. 1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Any church with a prominent baptismal font invites the question, "Is that holy water?" I've been asked this any number of times. There are two answers: yes and no. The water in the baptismal font that is used to unite sinners with Jesus comes from a tap in the back room at church. There is nothing holy or special about the plumbing. The faucet is not even gold plated. At my church, the bowl which holds the water in the font is obviously an old mixing bowl that came from someone's kitchen. Holy? Hardly. No, the water isn't blessed or holy. It is plain water.

But it is not just plain water! It is water and Word together that make a Holy Baptism! What makes it holy? The holy Word of God makes this water holy, for the sinners who are brought to this water are made holy here. There is nothing special about this water, but when it is brought together with the Word of the Lord, something very special happens. A new man arises from the font, buried and made alive in Christ.

When our Lord Himself came into this world and was baptized in the Jordan River, He made all water holy. The very water in the river was dignified by the Lord's Baptism, the Word made flesh, dwelling among us. Some people make a big deal about being baptized with water from the Jordan River. That river kept flowing that day, and the water has spread through all the earth. The water in your shower is as holy as the water in the font. Now, all things are holy, set aside for the Lord's purposes. You are holy, living in a holy world, with a holy people, because you have a holy Lord. Rejoice! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Merciful Father, through Holy Baptism You called us to be Your own possession. Grant that our lives may evidence the working of Your Holy Spirit in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, according to the image of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen!

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero

Today's Reading: John 20:1-2, 10-18

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 5:1-6:3, 10-16; Acts 18:1-11, 23-28

Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord!" (John 20:18)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Happy Easter! This really doesn't say everything we need to say, does it? Easter conjures up images of rabbits delivering eggs to children who then have to search and retrieve them. While these can certainly be Christian images, they don't quite capture the joy that Mary has. Happy Easter? How about this: "I have seen the Lord!" Try it out! Say it out loud!

No one believed her, and who could blame them? Men don't rise from the dead, especially not after dying like Jesus died. Crucifixion leaves no doubt about a man's fate. There's no recovery after being nailed to a cross and left to die. She'd been there when Jesus was taken down and carefully laid in His borrowed tomb. There's a reason He didn't buy one for Himself though: He wasn't going to use it for very long.

Imagine the tomb salesman, perplexed that Jesus said He would simply borrow one because He'd only need it for three days. Jesus' resurrection doesn't really make sense to anyone. It runs against everything we know about how the world works, because we live in a world that is fueled by death. We keep enough weapons around to make sure no one tries anything. We keep peace with the threat of death. Jesus does the exact opposite. He gives peace by defeating death! It is hard to believe, isn't it?

Thank God for Mary Magdalene, who first ran shouting, "I have seen the Lord!" And then the disciples, too, who came to believe and proclaim as well, "I have seen the Lord!" We, then, stand at the end of a long line of those who continue to exclaim, "I have seen the Lord!" Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, Your Son, Jesus Christ, restored Mary Magdalene to health and called her to be the first witness of His resurrection. Heal us from all our infirmities, and call us to know You in the power of Your Son's unending life; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for St. Mary Magdalene)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero

Today's Reading: Romans 6:3-11

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 4:1-22; Acts 16:23-40

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (Romans 6:3)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Do you not know? Paul assumes that the baptized Christian faithful know what has happened to them. In Holy Baptism, you are united with Christ in His death and resurrection. They are literally given to you through water and Word. Cyril of Jerusalem preached a collection of sermons to the newly baptized in which he repeatedly told the people what had happened to them. Why? Because it is easy to forget!

How quickly we forget what has happened at the font! Yet it is a reality which underpins our entire existence. You were crucified with Christ! You were put to death with Jesus! Gazing upon the crucifix, we behold not only our dying Lord, but our own death. Time folds in upon itself, and we are there with Him, and He is here with you. So then, when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, it is not only His victory over death, but yours also. You are alive!

You are dead to sin, and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Paul uses no conditional terms here. There's no negotiation. He doesn't ask you if you really meant it or if you really believe it. This is your new reality. You have died in Holy Baptism, and are now living a new life in Holy Baptism. All of your life is lived from the font, from the water and the Word. You are alive, even if you forget that you are alive!

Now that you know that you've died to sin, what will you do? How will we live our new lives in which death is defeated and life has come? What does life look like for the one who has walked with Jesus through death and the grave? We live without the fear of death, walking in the joy of new life! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

There is nothing worth comparing to this lifelong comfort sure! Open eyed my grave is staring; even there I'll sleep secure. Though my flesh awaits its raising, still my soul continues praising: I am baptized into Christ; I'm a child of paradise! ("God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It" LSB 594, st.5)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero

Today's Reading: Exodus 20:1-17

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 3:1-21; Acts 16:1-22

I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. (Exodus 20:2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Ten Commandments are beautiful. They were given to the people of Israel, who had been liberated from slavery in Egypt and were being led through the wilderness into a land flowing with milk and honey, full of towns and habitations that they hadn't built but would be given. They were taken from nothing and were being given everything. They were taken out of death and put in to life.

What does life look like for liberated slaves who are being given everything? The Lord knows what is best for them. When they come into the land that the Lord is giving them, this is what they should do and how they should live. In short, they should love God and love their neighbors, and everything will be beautiful and lovely.

We sometimes trick ourselves into believing that things are accidentally bad, that somehow things just ended up like they are and we didn't have anything to do with it. It is not that we don't know what to do. We know exactly what we should be doing. World peace? Harmony? Unity? We've had the formula for goodness for thousands of years!

The only problem is that we can't and won't keep the rules. We are tempted and fooled into thinking that there is something better out there for us.

The people of Israel couldn't fulfill the commandments, and neither can we. No one can. It is only in Christ that we see the beauty of perfection shining forth (Psalm 50:2). He is the picture of goodness, who keeps these beautiful commandments for us. He is the truly liberated One, who leads a host of captives (Ephesians 4:8) into a new world of love, perfection, and holiness, fully realized in the life to come. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

These are the holy Ten Commands God gave to us by Moses' hands When high on Sinai's mount he stood, receiving them for our good. Have mercy, Lord!

Our works cannot salvation gain; They merit only endless pain. Forgive us, Lord! To Christ we flee, Who pleads for us endlessly, Have mercy Lord! ("These Are The Holy Ten Commands" LSB 581, st.1, 12)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero

Today's Reading: Matthew 5:17-26

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 2:18-36; Acts 15:22-41

Everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, "You fool!" will be liable to the hell of fire. (Matthew 5:22)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It is a grave mistake to think that we can just do whatever we want because we'll be forgiven. Is there any serious Christian who actually thinks that they can give in to the passions and desires of their flesh and still claim citizenship in the kingdom of heaven? We are not antinomians, people who claim that the old laws no longer apply to Christians.

In fact, it is exactly the opposite. The Law applies to you more than it ever did to anyone else. You thought it was enough just not to kill someone, but Jesus says that you have already murdered if you even insult someone! That seems a bit harsh doesn't it? Your mere words can be the same as murder! Perhaps you've been the subject of murderous words already?

Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can never hurt you? No one actually believes that. Words kill. You know what power they carry.

Maybe Jesus was right.

Jesus does not let you off of the hook. He does not accept your excuses, nor is He looking for them! He doesn't want to hear your halfway apologies for what you've done. He really does want you to be reconciled to your brothers. But who is able to put aside their anger and insults? Not me.

Jesus desires that all people would be reconciled to one another. In His death and resurrection, Jesus reconciled and restored all the world to God the Father, canceling all of the debt and pain which we had by being nailed to the Cross (Colossians 2:14). In this same death and resurrection, Jesus also reconciled us to one another, because we would not and could not do it on our own. Be reconciled to one another, for the sake of Jesus Christ, who has gifted us with this glorious peace! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord of all power and might, author and giver of all good things, graft into our hearts the love of Your great name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of Your great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the Sixth Sunday after Trinity)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero