Reflections

October 3, 2023

Today's Reading: Philippians 2:1-18

Daily Lectionary: 2 Chronicles 34:1-4, 8-11, 14-33, Colossians 2:8-23

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus... (Philippians 2:4,5)

In the Name of Jesus, Amen. There is only one God, the Holy Spirit. This Spirit is one with the Father and the Son. When you were baptized the Spirit of God was poured out upon you. The Holy Spirit dwells in you. By baptism you were made one with God; Christ in you, and you in Christ. Your life is in Him and He lives and reigns in you. What joyful oneness and unity you have with God who delights in YOU. 

I am sure you know that your congregation is not perfect. Perhaps you have seen members argue or even yell at each other. Maybe your pastor lost his temper and said something that shouldn’t have been said. The people of Israel and their leaders were much like our congregations. Now, as then, God’s people sinfully grumble and argue in ways that are not right and God pleasing. This ought not be. Sinful pride and self-centeredness can tear congregations apart. The devil works hard to cause conceit and selfish ambition in God’s people in order to destroy Christian fellowship and unity. Satan does not want peace and joy in Christ among and in God’s people.

Do you have the mind of Christ? Do you think like Jesus? Do you desire what God desires? That is, do you love God above all things and your neighbor as yourself? Do you love Jesus? Do you believe He died for you? To have the mind of Christ is to love God and your neighbor, that is, especially and most importantly, your brothers and sisters in Christ in your congregation. This is not easy to do as sinners. 

You are one with God in Christ. This is a great mystery. It is equally true that all your brothers and sisters in your congregation share the same oneness with Jesus as you do. Jesus is the perfect brother that put Himself last for you and for them. In Him was no selfish ambition or conceit. He loves you and them and considers us all of far more worth than His own life. He gave His life for you and them. What joy! The same Spirit of life dwells in all of God’s people in your congregation. This is hard to remember and to put into practice. But through God’s Word, prayer and the Holy Spirit we can live in great joy, peace and unity in our congregations!  In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! 

 “May they be secure who love you! 

Peace be within your walls

 and security within your towers!” 

For my brothers and companions’ sake, 

 I will say, “Peace be within you!” 

For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, 

 I will seek your good.  (Psalm 122:6-9)

-Pastor Preston Paul is pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Almena, WI.

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.

October 2, 2023

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32

Daily Lectionary: 2 Chronicles 33:1-25, Colossians 1:24-2:7

For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live. (Ezekiel 18:32)

In the name of Jesus, Amen. It’s not my fault! I didn’t do anything wrong! Why do I have to pay the price for what someone else did? This is what the people of Israel meant when they quoted the proverb: “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge?” It was passing the blame onto their ancestors for their suffering, playing the victim card. 

The people of Israel suffered great affliction. Yes, the sins of their fathers didn’t help.  But neither did they in their own sin and unbelief.  We too would cry out to God and complain, blaming others and God as they did. Christians daily do all of the above, cry out, complain and blame God. It is okay to cry out to God and complain, but not to blame him. Such prayer is very good when it is done in faith, love and trust in God. Our crying out and complaining get muddled with our sinful hearts and minds. And God sometimes, through His Word, speaks sternly and directly to us in our sin as a loving father, as He did for the people of Israel. 

Our prayers often are self-centered. God sorts that all out, our sin and faith that is, through His Word and Holy Spirit. That is one purpose of prayer; getting things sorted and cleared-up in our hearts and minds.  So, we pray “with all boldness and confidence…as dear children ask their dear father.” God doesn’t mind the “why me” prayers at all. Because he hears and answers according to His good, right and merciful will. It is good to ask God why and seek the answers in prayer and His Word.

All people, including those who have caused suffering in our lives, will be held accountable before God and judged. We cannot fully know now the reason for affliction that God permits. But we do know that He uses suffering for the purpose of saving sinners. God is always about giving life over death in Jesus. Through suffering, His Word, prayer and the Holy Spirit, God turns us from our human thinking and ignorance. He draws us to Himself so that we can see clearly that Jesus suffered and died in our place. We will stand fully alive before God on the last day as forgiven and cherished sons and daughters with Jesus. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Turn to me and be gracious to me, 

  for I am lonely and afflicted. 

The troubles of my heart are enlarged; 

   bring me out of my distresses. 

Consider my affliction and my trouble, 

   and forgive all my sins.  (Psalm 25:16-18)

-Pastor Preston Paul is pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Almena, WI.

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.

October 1, 2023

Today's Reading: Matthew 21:23-32

Daily Lectionary: 2 Chronicles 32:1-22, Colossians 1:1-23

For John came to you in the way of righteousness…the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. (Matthew 21:32a)

In the name of Jesus, Amen. Authority is the right to do or say something within your vocations. Humans have no true authority unless it is given to them. All authority in heaven and earth belongs to God. God was not given dominion and power over heaven and earth; it is His by right as God and Creator. Authority is God’s alone to give. Parents have authority to parent from God. Pastor’s have authority from God through the Christian congregation. 

The chief priests and elders of the people taught that all authority comes from God. So, they questioned Jesus, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” We cannot look into their hearts like Jesus, but their question was also motivated by pride and jealousy. The religious leaders often acted as if their authority was their own not from God. 

John the Baptist’s authority to say and do what he did, as the forerunner of Jesus, was from God. God’s Word bestowed to John the divine right to preach and baptize. Jesus’ question to the chief priests and elders was to call them to repentance and to search the scriptures about John and Himself. Sadly, instead of searching the authoritative scriptures they discussed Jesus’ question among themselves. In themselves they would not discover the truth of John’s baptism, that it was from God, nor see and believe that Jesus was God in the flesh.

The son who repented (changed his mind) is the one who did the father’s will. The chief priests and the elders prided themselves in doing God’s will in their words and works. However, they refused the work of faith, believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world. Faith is God’s work within us. Repentance is also God’s work within us. Faith and repentance are the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. 

John preached the righteousness of Jesus; that Jesus would take our sins and give His life in our place. John called sinners to repentance and faith in Jesus. Sinners who gladly heard this preaching and were baptized were made sons of the kingdom of God!

Through the authority of God’s Word and Baptism, faith and repentance have been worked in you. The kingdom of God is yours! You are the first son with Jesus. Through Him you have done the Father’s will. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Create in me a clean heart, O God   

   and renew a right spirit within me. 

Restore to me the joy of your salvation   

  and uphold me with a willing spirit. (Psalm 51:10, 12)

-Pastor Preston Paul is pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Almena, WI.

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.

September 30, 2023

Today's Reading: Introit to Pentecost 18: Psalm 147:1-5; antiphon Psalm 147:6

Daily Lectionary: 2 Chronicles 31:1-21, Philippians 4:1-23

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When we lived in Corpus Christi, one of our unique experiences was learning what happens when a category 5 hurricane blows through the area. Corpus Christi itself didn’t receive as much water damage from Harvey as Houston or as much wind damage as a dozen towns that were just up the coast from us. But for the next two years, our congregation was a base camp for volunteers from all around the country—they came to help tear out water damage, repair sheetrock,  install flooring—they even replaced a few roofs! 

We had almost a thousand volunteers who came and stayed at our church. I led devotions each morning for the volunteers before they went to work. One of the verses that became a “theme verse” for us was Psalm 147:3, that God heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. I came to love this verse because of all the broken-hearted folks I met along the way. Some folks had lost everything in the storm, and I certainly had no words on my own that would have fixed anything. But God did. I’ll never forget the looks on some of the homeowners’ faces when our teams showed up to help. When we got there, they looked hopeless, like the task in front of them was more than they’d ever be able to handle. But these folks who showed up to help…showed up. And when they came, they didn’t expect any thanks or recognition. 

One homeowner couldn’t stop thanking a volunteer to the point that the volunteer was having a hard time getting his work done. He almost didn’t know how to respond…You’re welcome, don’t mention it, it’s my pleasure—he tried everything…until it dawned on him. This thanks shouldn’t have been directed toward him at all. “Could I pray with you?” he asked. In his prayer, he asked God to draw near to his new friend. He thanked God that He had brought this group to this house on this day. And He asked God to continue to show the folks in that area His mercy through the work that was being done to rebuild what had been broken by the storm. Some of the acts of God described in Psalm 147 are incredible, like determining the number of the stars…others may seem less impressive, like lifting up the humble…but for the one who has been lifted up, it’s the greatest thing they could ever ask of God. In  the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Voices raised to You we offer; tune them, God, for songs of praise. Hearts and hands we bring in tribute for Your gifts through all our days. Alleluia! Alleluia! Triune God, to You we sing! How can any praise we offer measure all the thanks we owe? Take our hearts and hands and voices–Gifts of love we can bestow. Alleluia! Alleluia! Triune God, to You we sing! Amen. (LSB 795:1)

-Pastor Dustin Beck is pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Corpus Christi, Texas.

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.

September 29, 2023

Today's Reading: Matthew 18:1-11

Daily Lectionary: 2 Chronicles 29:1-24, Philippians 3:1-21

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When I was younger (like, during the 1900s), there was this movie that came out called Angels in the Outfield. I don’t remember all of the details of the movie, but I do remember thinking, even as a kid, how unusual the premise was that there would be angels whose ministry was to help a Major League Baseball team win. (Also, I think that may technically be cheating.) Helping sports teams is NOT what God created angels to do. Angels show up here and there throughout scripture; sometimes, we see them singing praises to God; other times, they deliver God’s messages (the Greek word for “angel” means “messenger”); in a few places, we hear about angel battles…and in Matthew 18, our text today, Jesus talks about little children and “their” angels who always see the face of Jesus’ Father in heaven. “Their” angels? That’s exactly what it says! 

This is reminiscent of Psalm 91, when God promises to “command His angels, concerning YOU to guard you in all your ways.” God’s angels are certainly messengers; they delight in praising God day and night; they fight and do battle when called upon to do so; but they also protect you—likely, many times when you don’t even know it! In the same way that our churches don’t pray to saints, we don’t pray to angels. But Luther, in his Small Catechism, suggests that angels should at least be on our mind. In his morning and evening prayers, Luther concludes with these words: “Let your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.” God has promised that His angels will be with us, working behind the scenes to frustrate the plans of the devil wherever he would snatch the certainty we have in Christ. As we said in yesterday’s devotion on Revelation 12, Michael led God’s angels in battle against the devil; casting him out of heaven. Christ, by His blood and death, resurrection and ascension into heaven, has conquered…and your angel who sees God’s face, watches over you now and always! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Everlasting God, You have ordained and constituted the service of angels and men in a wonderful order. Mercifully grant that, as You holy angels always serve and worship You in heaven, so by Your appointment they may also help and defend us here on earth; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

-Pastor Dustin Beck is pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Corpus Christi, Texas.

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.

September 28, 2023

Today's Reading: Revelation 12:7-12

Daily Lectionary: 2 Kings 9:1-13, 10:18-29, Philippians 2:12-30

And they conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”(Revelation 12:11)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When was the last time you read the book of Revelation? I teach Religion at a Lutheran High School, and this past Spring, our final unit was on Revelation. There were a few students who were nervous about that part of the class. I’ll tell you what I told them. In Revelation, Jesus wins. In fact, by His death and resurrection, He already has. There are scary things that will happen between His ascension and return, but those will happen whether or not you read Revelation. And if you study Revelation, you’ll see the beautiful comfort that Jesus revealed to John, so that he could share it with the church who faced persecution in the late first century.

That being said, look at today’s text! There’s a battle. All out warfare in which an angel named Michael commands an army of angels to fight against the dragon, that ancient serpent, called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the world. And the good guys win. But then, we’re re-introduced to a theme that showed up near the beginning of Revelation: conquering. That was the title Jesus used to describe the faithful in chapters 2-3, the letters to the seven churches. In each letter, the “one who conquers” would receive some share in Jesus’ life. But what is conquering? It doesn’t necessarily mean living a successful, wealth-filled, happy life right here and now. Remember that Revelation was written to the church as she patiently endured persecution at the hands of the Romans. According to Revelation 12:11, conquering has very little to do with winning, at least in the way we usually think about winning. Instead, God’s people conquer and overcome the devil by the blood of the Lamb—by Jesus’ blood that covers every sin the devil could have hurled at them—and by the words of their testimony. That word, “testimony,” is the same Greek word we translate “martyr.” You and I are more than conquerors through Him Who loves us and gave Himself for us—even if we are called to testify of His love by the shedding of our blood. If suffering—or even death—is the worst that we may suffer, Christ is still risen, and our lives are in Him. Death (and the devil) have nothing over us! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Long on earth the battle rages, since the serpent’s first deceit; twisted God’s command to Adam, made forbidden fruit look sweet. Then the curse of God was spoken: “You’ll lie crushed beneath His feet!” Jesus came, this word fulfilling, trampled Satan, death defied; bore the brunt of our temptations, on the wretched tree He died. Yet to life was raised victorious; by His life our life supplied. Amen (LSB 521:3-4)

-Pastor Dustin Beck is pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Corpus Christi, Texas.

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.

September 27, 2023

Today's Reading: Luther’s Small Catechism, The Lord’s Prayer: Seventh Petition

Daily Lectionary: 2 Kings 6:1-23, Philippians 1:21-2:11

The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. (Psalm 121:7-8)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. As we’ve walked together through the Lord’s Prayer, it has become more and more clear to me that each petition of the prayer Jesus taught us could offer more instruction than we could hope to learn in a lifetime—and the final petition is no exception. “Deliver us from evil” is all-encompassing. It’s praying “with a broad brush.” It’s bundling up everything that might afflict us in this life—sickness, temptation, persecution, doubt, plague, drought, hatred, flood, depression, death—maybe you’re thinking of something I haven’t listed…When God delivers us from evil, He delivers us from ALL of these. He rescues us from everything that can assault the body or soul. 

Our Father delights to hear us offer up these words because this deliverance is found solely in the cross of Christ. At the cross, we see the epitome of what evil can do. In Adam and Eve’s rebellion, they essentially told God that they wanted to be like Him—not in the image-bearing sense that He created them, but on their own terms. The full-blown rejection of God was complete when mankind nailed God’s Son to the cross. As Jesus’ hands and feet were nailed to the cross, it seemed as if God’s Kingdom would never come. As they mocked and shamed Him where He hung, the evil will of man was done. Now, the Bread of Life Himself knew hunger and thirst, and instead of daily bread, His lips touched sponge and bitter wine. He cried out, “Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing,” as He met God’s righteous wrath and was Himself forsaken. On one side there hung another, not led into temptation—not mocking, not cursing. “Remember me,” was his plea—a child of paradise Christ named him. When we look at the cross of Christ, we see evil outpoured. But He went willingly. He drank the cup of judgment that we might take the cup of Salvation. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He meant it. Evil is finished, you’ve been delivered from it. Believe it. Cling to it. Until your “last hour comes,” when we ask God to “give us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this valley of sorrow to Himself in heaven.” In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty, everlasting God, Your Son has assured forgiveness of sins and deliverance from eternal death. Strengthen us by Your Holy Spirit that our faith in Christ may increase daily and that we may hold fast to the hope that on the Last Day we shall be raised in glory to eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

-Pastor Dustin Beck is pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Corpus Christi, Texas.

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.

September 26, 2023

Today's Reading: Philippians 1:12-14, 19-30

Daily Lectionary: 2 Kings 5:9-27, Philippians 1:1-20

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Paul’s faith amazes me. I wish I could say that I’d have his attitude if I found myself in his circumstances in the book of Philippians, but I don’t have that kind of confidence in myself. Paul was in prison when he wrote Philippians. Even so, the tone of Philippians is one of joy in every circumstance. The content of the letter is, at least in part, a thank you letter for their support of his ministry and for the Church at large. In our text today, he reports back to them that his imprisonment has actually served to advance the Gospel, even into the household of Caesar. And as Christians heard about Paul’s boldness to preach to his persecutors, they themselves became more bold to preach! But even in the midst of his seemingly unwavering faith, Paul admits that he’s torn. He knows that it is far better for him if he should be killed for the name of Jesus so that he could join his Lord in heaven…but there’s still work to be done. He knew that Jesus had appointed him to the task of being His apostle to the Gentiles, and Jesus would preserve his life until his work was finished. 

At the top, I know I made it sound like I don’t have the same confidence “in myself” that Paul seemed to have. But if you really look at our text, you’ll see that Paul’s confidence was never in himself. In Philippians 3, Paul says that he has every reason to have confidence in the works of his flesh…but he counts them all as garbage when he compares them with the “surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus [his] Lord.” (Philippians 3:8) The beautiful good news for you and for me is that we have the very same confidence that Paul did. It’s not in our own faithfulness! It’s not in our own righteousness! It’s in Christ! You have been baptized in Christ’s name; and you are united to Him. His perfect obedience is now yours. In His death, you died to sin. He is risen! So are you. The life you now live, you live it by faith in the Son of God Who loved you and gave Himself for you! (Galatians 2:20) So, right now, you can have bold confidence to say, “to live is Christ.” And whenever your death should come, you’ll know the joyful “gain” that is heaven!  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord, it belongs not to my care whether I die or live; to love and serve Thee is my share, and this Thy grace must give. If life be long, I will be glad that I may long obey; if short, yet why should I be sad to soar to endless day? Amen. (LSB 757:1-2)

-Pastor Dustin Beck is pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Corpus Christi, Texas.

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.

September 25, 2023

Today's Reading: Isaiah 55:6-9

Daily Lectionary: 2 Kings 4:38-5:8, Ephesians 6:1-24

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Have you ever sought a second opinion? Usually, that’s something that happens in a medical context. A doctor might suspect a particular illness or recommend a course of treatment. If the patient doesn’t like the doctor’s diagnosis/recommendation, he or she may choose to seek a second opinion from another doctor. There are times when it makes good sense to get a second opinion on something. But whose opinion should you trust? In matters that are even greater than life and death–and by that, I mean matters of eternal life–you should go to the One whose opinion actually matters…God Himself. 

In today’s text, there’s an invitation to “Seek the LORD while He may be found” and to “call upon Him while He is near.” People are to seek the LORD in order that we might see His ways, how they are holy and upright (unlike ours), and so that we may repent of our wicked ways and thoughts. The LORD will have compassion; He will pardon! The problem is one of perspective. It’s all too easy for us to lose perspective on what God has called good and evil. We tend to live in the moment; scratching every sinful “itch.” We try to justify our own sins by pointing out that they aren’t that bad…but what we’re really demonstrating is that we see things differently than God. He has a perfect perspective. From His vantage point over all things in creation, He can truly say that, “as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” So the question boils down to this: whose opinion are you going to trust? There’s an added urgency to these words…When should we seek the LORD? While He may be found! When should we call upon Him? While He is near! 

As this was yesterday’s Old Testament lesson in worship, it makes sense for us to think of it in light of the Gospel lesson from Matthew 20. There is a time when God is calling us into His field to labor…and a time when the laborers’ wages will be doled out. There is a way in which God will generously give His laborers the fruits of their faith. But beware the temptation to grumble when God forgives the wicked and the unrighteous…and remember that God’s thoughts and His ways are higher and better than ours–for it is in His ways and thoughts that YOU are saved! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The will of God is always best and shall be done forever; and they who trust in Him are blest; He will forsake them never. He helps indeed in time of need; He chastens with forbearing. They who depend on God, their friend, shall not be left despairing. Amen. (LSB 758:1)

-Pastor Dustin Beck is pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Corpus Christi, Texas.

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.

September 24, 2023

Today's Reading: Matthew 20:1-16

Daily Lectionary: 2 Kings 4:8-22, 32-37, Ephesians 5:15-33

“So the last will be first, and the first last.” (Matthew 20:16)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. This parable of Jesus, sometimes called the “Laborers in the Vineyard,” can be misapplied in two ways. The first is addressed in the parable itself. For longtime Christians, the actions of the master attack our idea of fairness. How could this master be so cruel to the workers who labored throughout the heat of the day?! Wouldn’t it have made sense for him to double their pay? If a day’s wage was what they were going to receive for their day’s work, shouldn’t the ones who worked an hour receive a fraction of that? The master’s kind words to the tired, grumbling servants are instructive for us: “Friend, I am doing you no wrong.” When we, like the disgruntled workers, look at the affairs of others, we play the comparison game: “What do they have that I don’t?” “What opportunities have they been given that I haven’t?” “Why them…and not me?” But the master comes into clear focus when he points back to his generosity toward the dissatisfied worker. “Didn’t we agree you’d work for a denarius? Take what belongs to you, go!...do you begrudge my generosity?” It’s as if he’s saying, “This is enough for you.” The idea of daily wages reminds me of the Fourth Petition, concerning daily bread. Remember Israel, wandering through the wilderness for forty years? God gave them daily bread. If they were greedy and took more than they needed in a day, it rotted overnight. God supplies our needs. 

The second misapplication of the parable is the temptation toward sloth, effectively saying, “If the reward is the same whether I’m there all day or just the final hour, why would I ever show up early?” Or, to put it another way, “Why should I spend a lifetime being a Christian, when I’ll be just as saved with a deathbed conversion?” It’s important to remember that none of us knows when our day will end–so we shouldn’t plan for things that aren’t promised…

But there’s another dangerous omission in this flawed attitude: the workers don’t decide when they start working–the master does. He goes out, seeks them, and calls them into His service. He goes out all day long, gathering more and more to work in his field, but also to enjoy His rich generosity! You didn’t choose to work in the Lord’s field, you were called! This parable invites us to see less of our own desires and jealous comparisons with others–and to fix our eyes on the generosity of the Master, our Lord Jesus Christ. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord God, heavenly Father, since we cannot stand before you relying on anything we have done, help us trust in Your abiding grace and live according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

-Pastor Dustin Beck is pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Corpus Christi, Texas.

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.