Reflections

Today's Reading: Isaiah 55:1-9

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

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. These words of Isaiah are often quoted when something disastrous happens that we were not expecting. As if We would never cause an earthquake or a baby to die, but things like this happen, so we often think God has something else up His sleeve.

But these words of the prophet mean much more than just "God does stuff we don't understand." They mean that His whole way of dealing with us is just unthinkable and unfathomable because He doesn't give us what we deserve.

When bad things happen, the Old Adam can only conclude that God is out to get us. Pay us back. Punish us. What the Old Adam doesn't understand is that everything that happens is given by God to drive us to Christ, who saves us without any of our own effort or merit or worthiness.

God's ways are not our ways because He brings us into His kingdom without our deserving it or working for it. God's ways are not our ways because He gives up His own Son into suffering and death to save us while we are still sinners. God's ways are not our ways because He gives us what is Christ's and gives Jesus what is ours. God's ways are not our ways because He raised Jesus from the dead. His ways are not our ways because He gives us life when we think we only have death in store for us. His ways are not our ways because He uses water and words and bread and wine to save and forgive us.

Indeed, the Lord's ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. Our ways and thoughts turn to how we can impress God or avoid Him. But His ways and thoughts are all about saving you and giving you everlasting life. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O Jesus Christ, my Lord, So meek in deed and word, You suffered death to save us Because Your love would have us Be heirs of heav'nly gladness When ends this life of sadness. ("In God, my Faithful God" LSB 745, st. 4)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Matthew 22:1-14

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 27:1-26; Matthew 17:14-27

So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. (Matthew 22:10)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Being good doesn't get you into the Kingdom of God. Being bad doesn't keep you out. Jesus is teaching us that being brought to His wedding feast, being dragged in, is God's work, through His servants—His pastors who preach the Gospel.

The man gets thrown out because he refuses to wear the customary wedding garment that was freely provided by the host. He doesn't want to live as one who is baptized. Maybe he thinks he's good enough to be there without a wedding garment. Maybe he just doesn't want to be there at all and doesn't care. Either way, it's not the host's fault the man has to be kicked out, it's the man's own fault. He is "speechless." He has no confession. He can't say, "I'm here because of your grace in inviting me and dragging me in."

Jesus brought you into the wedding feast. He didn't bring you because you are good. He won't throw you out because you are bad. His death on Calvary assures your place. His resurrection means it's a wedding bash and not a funeral supper. He has washed and clothed you for the party in the waters of Baptism. He's the main course in the feast of His Body and Blood.

There are two kinds of people who will be thrown out to the place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. First, there are those who didn't want to come in the first place. They are the ones who hear the Good News that Jesus is their Savior and say, "No thanks. Don't need Him. I've got better things to do." Second, there are those who are brought in but throw off their wedding garments, despise their Baptism and then have nothing to say when asked. That's on them. They've thrown it away by unbelief.

But you have been brought in. You have been clothed. You are ready to enjoy the feast because the Lord has made you a part of His party. Jesus has brought you to an everlasting celebration of life and salvation. Party on in the Name + of Jesus! Amen.

Grant, we implore You, merciful Lord, to Your faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins and serve You with a quiet mind; 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 20th Sunday after Trinity)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Introit for the 20th Sunday after Trinity

(Psalm 48:1, 9-11; antiphon: Liturgical Text)

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 25:17-26:19; Matthew 17:1-13

We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness, In the midst of Your temple. (From the Introit for the 20th Sunday after Trinity)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In the Lord's house, we think of lots of things besides His lovingkindness. In church, while we are singing and hearing the Word of God read and proclaimed, we often think about where we are going to eat after church. We think of the homework we have to do later. We think about that fight we had with someone. We think about that noisy kid a few pews up. We think about nothing at all. It seems that as soon as we're ready to hear God's Word, our sinful flesh tries to think about almost anything else.

And while your mind is wandering? The promises of Jesus are declared. Proclaimed. They are preached into your ears. It is by those promises that the Holy Spirit grabs hold of you and keeps you in the one, true faith, in His Christian Church.

The lovingkindness of God is that He doesn't kick us out when we aren't paying attention. Rather, He continues to deliver His mercy through His Word and gifts. He continues to proclaim Christ crucified for sinners. For you. He continues to absolve and feed sinners even when they haven't heard every word of the sermon.

Repent! Repent of not paying attention. Repent of letting your mind wander. Repent of finding things to think about and pay attention to other than the Word of God you are hearing. Repent and believe the Good News that the Word Christ is speaking to you is really Good News—a Word that saves sinners. For there, in the Divine Service of Jesus' Gifts, His lovingkindness is at work drawing your ears, heart, and mind back to His good gifts—always back to His gifts and your standing as a dear child of God for Jesus' sake. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

I thank Thee, Jesus, Sun from heaven, Whose radiance hath brought light to me; I thank Thee, who has richly given All that could make me glad and free; I thank Thee that my soul is healed By what Thy lips revealed. ("Thee Will I Love, My Strength, My Tower" LSB 693, st. 3)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Acts 15:12-22

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 24:10-25:10; Matthew 16:13-28

But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." (Matthew 13:57)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. James, called the "brother" of Jesus, is the author of the epistle that bears his name. He was, as church tradition holds, stoned by the Jewish leaders of Jerusalem.

James was not hated because he was misunderstood. He was hated and put to death because he preached Christ. As long as there are people in the world who think they are good enough NOT to need a Savior, they will prove to God how pious they are by getting rid of the people who teach the true Word of God.

We shouldn't be surprised. Jesus said this would happen. Rather than some easy life full of material comforts, Jesus actually promises that His disciples will have persecution and suffering.

It's no different than what happened to Jesus. James died for the same reason Jesus did. Those who think they were "righteous" got rid of Jesus because He ruined their religion by calling them to repent of trying to save themselves and to trust in Him.

In Holy Baptism you were united to Jesus Christ who was crucified and raised for you. His resurrection is your certain hope that even if the world were to kill you, like it did James, it is not the end. On the Last Day, the Lord will raise you from the dead and give you everlasting life.

The enemies of Jesus figure that killing Jesus' followers will rid the world of them. But the Gospel continues to be preached, the Spirit continues to call and convert sinners, and Christians continue to die in the hope and assurance that they will be raised from the dead.

Persecution and evil can't defeat Jesus and His Church. The world can take the lives of His beloved sheep, but that's not the end of them. In the end, on the Last Day, the Lord will return and we shall have everlasting life. James knew this. And it is Jesus' promise for all those He has made His own through faith in His blood. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

We sing of James, Christ's brother, Who at Jerusalem Told how God loved the Gentiles And, in Christ, welcomed them.

Rejoicing in salvation May we too, by God's grace,

Extend Christ's invitation To all the human race.

("By All Your Saints in Warfare" LSB 518, st. 27)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 21:1-23; Matthew 16:1-12

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the Sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the Earth. (Matthew 12:39-40)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. "Sign. Sign. Everywhere a sign" (Five Man Electrical Band). The old song remains true except in the opposite way for the scribes and Pharisees. They wanted to see a sign from Jesus, but the time for signs as signals that Jesus is the Messiah had come to an end and it was time for the Messiah to do what He came to earth to do: die and be raised again. Christ looks to the people asking for a sign and says, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah." One more. The ultimate sign. Three days in the belly of the Earth. This is no mere sign, but is the final showing. It is the redemption of all mankind. It is also our future.

We often wish for signs of God's presence and work in our lives. We sometimes challenge God to prove His existence to us through a sign or to give us something tangible to indicate which way we should go on a major decision. Ultimately, we can rely on His promises as revealed in His Word and in His Gifts to us, no matter what the future may hold.

In Holy Baptism, with actual water, we are baptized into the death and resurrection of Christ. We are taken with Him into the belly of the earth and are raised again with Him to new life. In His Supper we can touch and taste the bread and wine that are His Body and Blood, given and shed for us. This is no mere sign or symbol; this is our very eternal life given to us and shed on the Cross for us so that we could be washed clean and be called children of God. 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. 4)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Small Catechism: Table of Duties, Civil Government

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 20:1-20; Matthew 15:21-39

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrong-doer. (Romans 13:1–4)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christians are duty-bound to submit to the authorities placed over us. In the civil realm and the Church, our authorities are a protection and guide for us. Yes, we may look around today and wonder what in the world is going on with our political system and what is happening to our countries. "I mean, can't we all just get along?"

This is where the Christian is to be wise and discerning. With our eyes we see a world that seems upside down, but that doesn't mean it has stopped being God's world. God still rules this fallen world, and we are to obey those placed over us. However, we also need to pay attention to our consciences and trust the Lord when the authorities ask us to do something contrary to God's Word. There are times we must let Scripture bind us regardless of the outcome to our bodies and freedoms. As Christ says, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's" (Mark 12:17). Still we are assured that regardless of what happens to us in this world, our Baptism has sealed us to God through Christ, and He will be with us. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,

Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown;

O sacred Head, what glory, what bliss till now was Thine!

Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call Thee mine. ("O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" LSB 449, st. 1)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Ephesians 4:22-28

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 19:1-20; Matthew 15:1-20

...that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Okay, the Old Man has got to go. Your Old man's conduct and behavior are terrible. Your ignoring God's Word, treating His Name like a cuss word, dishonoring your parents, killing others with your words and thoughts, your lust and desires for what isn't holy marriage, your taking what doesn't belong to you, your trash-talking others, your discontent with all that God has given you: It all. Must. Go.

Then the New Man will get busy! The New Man lives in true righteousness and holiness. The New Man has not even a speck of sin in him and wants to do nothing but glorify God and serve others. The New Man wants to live joyfully as a member of the Body of Christ and happily carries out his vocations and callings, whatever they may be.

So how do you get from one to the other? The truth is, as long as you're in this life, you are both. And so this work of putting off the Old Man and putting on the New Man is not for you to do in an epic display of self-discipline and willpower. It's the Spirit's work to do in you by delivering to you exactly what you need.

To the Old Man, the Spirit delivers the death-dealing, crucifying, killing Law to crush the Old Adam, to drown and put him to death. And to the New Man He delivers the Good News of forgiveness for the sake of Jesus, who was crucified and risen for you. To the New Man is given the promises over and over of Baptism, Absolution, and Jesus' Body and Blood. It is by this daily putting down of the Old Man and the daily renewing of the promises to the New Man that the Holy Spirit is actually working in you to put off that old conduct and live in righteousness and holiness.

In Jesus, you can't be anything other than a dead Old Man and an active and alive New Man. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Fruitful trees, the Spirit's sowing, May we ripen and increase, Fruit to life eternal growing, Rich in love and joy and peace. ("Fruitful Trees, the Spirit's Sowing" LSB 691, st. 1)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Genesis 28:10-17

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 18:1-22; Matthew 14:22-36

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you." (Genesis 28:15)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Most people operate with the idea that God is full of demands. Do this. Don't do that. Rules. Regulations. Watch your behavior. But if you read the Bible, you'll see that God is all about making promises to people who haven't really earned or deserved what He has to give them.

Jacob was a liar and deceiver. He stole his brother's birthright and blessing. But Yahweh came to him, showed him Jesus (the ladder between heaven and earth) and promised to bless him with land and descendants and the future Savior from his family line.

Jesus does the same thing. He makes promises, one after the other. "Come to me, you who are weary." "My Father will give you whatever you ask in my Name." "I will give my life for many." "I am with you always." Promises. Jesus gives us His Word, and His Word is full of forgiveness, life and salvation.

His death on the Cross is a promise. It's a promise that thieves and sinners will be with Him in paradise. His resurrection is a promise that He has overcome sin and death.

Baptism is a promise that your sins are forgiven and you are a child of God. Absolution is a promise that your sins are forgiven and there is a "not guilty" judgment entered for you. The preaching of Jesus is a promise that all that He has done is done for you. The Lord's Supper is a promise that Jesus will live in you and you in Him and He will raise you on the Last Day.

We make and break promises, and experience promises made and broken by others. But God is all about making promises and keeping them, and not horrible, deadly, bad promises, but good, loving, merciful, and forgiving promises of putting away your sins and giving you life beyond this life—an everlasting life with Him. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Who trusts in God A strong abode In heav'n and earth possesses; Who looks in love To Christ above, No fear that heart oppresses. In You alone, Dear Lord, we own Sweet hope and consolation, Our shield from foes, Our balm for woes, Our great and sure salvation. ("Who Trusts in God a Strong Abode" LSB 714, st. 1)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Luke 10:1-9

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 17:1-20; Matthew 14:1-21

After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. (Luke 10:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. What's in the Gospels? We call Luke an "evangelist" because he wrote one of the four Gospels. In that Gospel, he gives a careful account of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, and tells of many things Jesus said and did. When the apostles went to the ends of the earth preaching Christ, they were preaching what Luke would later put in his Gospel.

The pastoral Office and the Scriptures go hand in hand. Preachers preach what is in the Bible. The Bible is what the preachers preach. And that's repentance and the forgiveness of sins in Jesus' Name, the Jesus who suffered and rose again for sinners (Luke 24:46-47).

Jesus sent preachers to all the places He was about to go. So your preacher also goes where Jesus is about to go. You hear the sermon and then Jesus arrives, there on the altar in His Body and Blood. Your pastor absolves and preaches Christ to you, and that same Christ will arrive on the Last Day to raise you from the dead. Your pastor, like the apostles and the seventy sent by Jesus, is a herald, proclaiming the arrival of the King of Kings to bestow forgiveness and mercy upon His people.

Luke's Gospel (written to a man named Theophilus) was written, as Luke himself explains, in order that there would be a record of the things that were being preached in the Church. One of the great themes that runs throughout Luke's Gospel is that of the Savior of sinners. Luke records the parable of the lost sheep and coin and the prodigal son. He tells of the Pharisee and the tax collector and the unjust steward. Luke's Gospel is full of stories in which Jesus demonstrates that He came, not for the righteous people, but for sinners.

We give thanks to God for Luke, who checked the facts and wrote them down in his Gospel so that we could hear it preached and read it and know the sort of God we have: One who saves sinners. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

For that belov'd physician All praise, whose Gospel shows The Healer of the nations, The one who shares our woes. Your wine and oil, O Savior, Upon our spirits pour, And with true balm of Gilead Anoint us evermore. ("By All Your Saints in Warfare" LSB 518, st. 26)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Introit for St. Luke, Evangelist

(Psalm 92:1-5; antiphon: Luke 24:46-47)

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 15:19-16:22; Matthew 13:44-58

"..and repentance toward (εἰς) the forgiveness of sins would be preached in His Name to all nations." (Luke 24.46-47)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It was necessary for the Christ to suffer, die, and rise again on the Third Day. Jesus did Good Friday and Easter for you and me! That's the good news that saves! But that Gospelly good work of Jesus does no good unless it is put into your ears. What was achieved on the Cross needs to be delivered to you and me!

For the delivery of His saving work, Jesus sends His men like your pastor to preach in His Name. He doesn't just preach that you need to change and leave your sins through repentance. Nor does Jesus send His men to preach only the Gospel of forgiveness. No, Jesus sends His men to preach specifically "repentance towards the forgiveness of sins."

Jesus died. You need to die, too. That's repentance! Leave your old way of living, all the itches that you scratch, all the times you live for yourself over and against others, all the doubts. If you would be saved, that filth has to be buried in the tomb where Jesus was buried for you. Thus, your pastor is sent to repent you and to call you out of your sins.

Jesus rose again on the Third Day. You rose with Him in the water and the Word. Your sins can't chain you down to the prison of sin and death anymore! You've skipped out of the tomb alive with the risen Lord Jesus! You are right now as free from your sins as Jesus is free. He's not in that tomb of death and so you aren't either! That's the Gospel that your pastor has been called to preach into your ears.

God doesn't just want you to change for change's sake or to be a better person. Please change and be better for others! Jesus knows that those changes won't save you. He preaches the Law to you to kill you so that He can then preach the Good News to you. He puts into your ears repentance toward the forgiveness of sins in His Name. You need both repentance and faith!

It was necessary for Christ to suffer, to die, and to rise again on the Third Day, but your Lord didn't just stop in Jerusalem after winning your salvation! He makes sure that your pastor is sent to where you are to deliver that repentance and forgiveness to you in the Word. Be repented! Be forgiven! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch