Reflections

Today's Reading  Introit: Psalm 130:5–8; antiphon: Isaiah 64:1

Daily Lectionary:Isaiah 33:1-24; Revelation 5:1-14

Shower O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout. I, Yahweh, am creating it. (Isaiah 45:8)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  There was a day, a long time ago, when your pastor and I, the writer of this reflection, learned Hebrew.  Your pastor and I also learned Church history. Both are very important for preaching, teaching, and writing devotions; but what about you?  All this talk about the heavens raining and righteousness coming down?  Salvation and righteousness bearing fruit and so on and so forth?  What does it mean?

Jerome, one of the church fathers, wrote a long time ago that the Introit for the 4th Sunday of Advent (Isaiah 45:8) was better translated as: “let the earth open up and bring forth a Savior.”  Jerome wrote that this Introit was “a prayer to the Holy Spirit to come down like dew upon the Virgin Mary so that she would conceive and bear the Savior of the Nations”; the Righteous One; Jesus Christ our Lord.  

What’s even better though is that all this righteousness, which needs to be showered down on us because we were conceived and born in sin, because we are unrighteous, comes to us as the rains come to water the ground.  Just as we can’t cause the clouds to form up, Just as we can’t tell the rain where to fall, the salvation that this Jesus wins, the righteousness He imparts bears fruit. God gives growth, God gives comfort, God sends the abundant rains of His own Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, to be poured out abundantly here in His creation, for His people, for you and me.  The final part, let the earth cause them to sprout; what a joy this is, because this God of ours takes heed, takes care to come to us, His people, not because we’re righteous or lovely, but to MAKE us righteous and lovely. That's what this Father of yours did; that’s what this Christ Child did for us. He came to us, in this dry and barren land, took on our flesh and our sin to put it to death with Him that new, abundant, and overflowing streams of life-giving water would flow over you in baptism “I, Yahweh, am creating it” He’s done it FOR YOU. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.  Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to Thee O Israel.  (LSB 357 O Come, O Come Emmanuel St. 1)

-Pastor Adam DeGroot is Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Harrison Goodman.

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.

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 32:1-20; Revelation 4:1-11

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. So which is it?  Was, Is, or Is to come?  It’s the 16th of December 2022, a Friday, one more day of School before the weekend, perhaps you have a date tonight, or tomorrow?  Perhaps there are preparations you’re making for the upcoming Christmas break. We’re a NOW kind of people, TikTok and YouTube keep us up to speed about what’s happening NOW and that’s about all that really matters; you’re teenagers, youth; in the prime of your lives. Just what is St. John up to citing the old-timey Prophet Isaiah with words about what was, is, and is to come?  

This citation St. John uses from the book of Revelation covers two parts of the was, is, and is to come Phrase.  Isaiah the prophet spoke and wrote in a time that he’d have called contemporary If TikTok had existed He’d have written the same thing. Isaiah wrote about what was to be, Immanuel, the King, the Savior, the one born of a virgin would be born and die. Isaiah wasn’t a future teller, he was just a guy that the Almighty chose to write down what was going to happen. St. John then, somewhere in around the year 90 AD, wrote that the one Isaiah wrote about was now enthroned in heaven, glorified and reigning as the Lord of the heavens and the earth, reigning as the one who said definitively before He died “It is finished.”  St. John sees a day that not even we have seen yet.  So that covers the Was and Will be part, so what about the Is part?  

That’s today, Friday the 16th of December. The Holy One that Isaiah was told would come; has come; It’s finished; salvation is accomplished, delivered to you and me by water and the Word. The Holy One who John saw enthroned is surrounded by the saints, the elders, and so on; not angels, but real people. John saw Jesus but He also saw you, you who’ll head out for school and work today, who’ll head into this weekend guarded and protected by the Holy One who goes before you, who fights for you, who’ll feed you with His own word and body and blood in the Divine Service soon, very soon.  He who was with His people, He who’s sitting enthroned already in the heavens is the Holy One who’s with you today, tomorrow, and forever.  Jesus who was, Is here now and will be forever.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Make ye straight what long was crooked; make the rougher places plain.  Let your hearts be true and humble, as befits His Holy reign.  For the glory of the Lord now o’er earth is shed abroad, and all flesh shall see the token that His word is never broken. (LSB 347: Comfort, Comfort Ye My People: St. 4)

-Pastor Adam DeGroot is Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Harrison Goodman.

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.

Daily Lectionary:Isaiah 30:27-31:9; Revelation 3:1-22

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. (Revelation 3:19)

Advent is about wrath and mercy, repentance, and faith so St. John reveals in the book of Revelation… sort of puts things into perspective as we make preparation for the nativity of our Lord.  

Advent prepares us and makes us ready; not in the sense of getting our bags packed or checking off the shopping lists for friends and family. In Advent, God reproves and saves, disciplines, and loves us.  Advent reveals both the Alien work of God and His Proper work.

So what’s the alien work of God?  Alien doesn’t have anything to do with little green men. Hear in Revelation 3, “I reprove and discipline”. In some translations of the Bible, the word chastise is used.   Reprove, discipline, and chastise… Yikes!  But chastisement isn’t God making fun of us, far from it; Our Triune God loves us in that, He points out where we have faltered, failed, and fallen short; He allows and even sends natural punishments to reprove (turn us/ He repents us). This is the alien work of God, the reproving, the chastisement that causes us to cry out in our sin and desperation for Emmanuel, the Savior of sinners from sin and death.  He’s Emmanuel in a very alien (strange or peculiar) way to reprove us, to turn us, to repent us. That’s right. God turns us, opens our eyes, unbinds our shackled tongues, and opens our stopped-up deaf ears in order that we would see the great need for His proper work for us. 

His proper work?  Becoming sin for us, bleeding and dying to save us, fulfilling all the law for us, facing down the fulness of the Father’s wrath for us. We’d see none of this, see no need at all of His love, mercy made known in His bloody death unless we were first reproved and chastised to see that of ourselves we are lost and condemned.  Having seen that we are lost and condemned, Christ comes to bleed and die in order to make us alive in Him. 

What this Lord and God of ours does, He does for those He loves. He loves you. Sometimes it seems a bit strange, a little alien, but rest assured that even the pointing out of your sins, your shortcomings, and the many and varying places that you’ve come up short over the last week or year are for reproof; to put the old Adam in each and every one of us to death. Reproof hurts, chastisement and discipline are unpleasant; it’s alien, a foreign concept, but fully part of how God loves you, wholly part of His work for you; to turn you to see Who Jesus is and how He properly comes to you. Your Jesus is Emmanuel (God with us), God as a Man, and a baby man at that!  Meek, lowly and humble to save, to buy us back, and to mark us as ones purchased and won from sin, death, and the devil.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

He comes the broken heart to bind, The bleeding soul to cure, and with the treasures of his grace to enrich the humble poor. (LSB 349 Hark the Glad Sound St. 3)

-Pastor Adam DeGroot is Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Harrison Goodman.

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.

Today's Reading: Table of Duties: Civil Government

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 30:15-26; Revelation 2:1-29

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil (Rom. 13:1-4).

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. One of the great comforts of Jesus becoming Incarnate man is that Jesus knows about life here in this fallen world.  You’re not the only ones who have lived under the rule of earthly kings and princes; Your Lord Jesus did too.  Our Table of Duties from the Small Catechism teaches what our life looks like in this fallen world.  We, the baptized, are instructed about Civil Governance not just so we can live, breathe and have our being when they do their job well. We’re to be subject to governing authorities even and especially when the people who bear the sword of the Law of God aren’t Christian, even when they act in ways that are contrary to the very word of God. 

God cares so much about order, safety and care for all people that He appoints servants to bear the sword of wrath, the sword of Justice and civil punishment for varying violations of the 10 commands; it’s good to have order, it’s good that the wicked are punished for crimes and we are given the promise that God ordains this sword for order, for good and not in vain.  

Out of Chaos, darkness and nothingness God said “Let there be light…” and there was; evening and morning the first day.  There God appointed Adam as steward, caretaker of the creation, Adam named animals, called them by the names that have stuck since then.  But the reading gets sorta strange when we see that God the Father appoints ministers, that is, avengers to execute wrath on those who practice evil.  This passage in the table of duties isn’t talking about your pastor, or even a vigilante Christian who seeks to impose morals and virtues across the land. No, the table of duties reminds us that God has appointed authorities, by His good and gracious will, to maintain order here in the land we sojourn through.  Ministers, persons given authority by God to punish criminals, law breakers and the like.  This ought to be.  But what do we owe to those men and women God has appointed for our good; yes, even when they act out of line… gulp!

Why do we owe them honor?  Simply put, Our Gracious God has placed them over us to execute their charges for our good. Yes, there will be tyrants and despots and we pray the Lord will be merciful to them when they abdicate their calling. We should pray for our President, Congress, Governors and Mayors, Police and School Boards that their ears would be opened to hear the gracious care of our Lord. We pray that they be given strength and integrity to govern us in a way that is good and right in the sight of God; we owe them honor not because THEY are good, but because our Lord and God is good and He has graciously given them to us as a defense, for our safety and good.  In the Name of Jesus, amen. 

Lord, keep this nation under Your care.  Bless the leaders of our land that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to the other nations of the earth.  Grant that we may choose trustworthy leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare and serve You faithfully in our generation; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

-Pastor Adam DeGroot is Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico..

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Harrison Goodman.

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.

Today's Reading: James 5:7-11

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 29:15-30:14; Revelation 1:1-20

… behold, the Judge is standing at the door. (James 5:9b)

In the name of Jesus, amen. Yikes!!!  This text sounds a little too scary for Advent; but here we are 12 days from Christmas; maybe we “aughta” temper the strong judgey language… Nah…. Instead, let's dig in a little deeper as to who the judge is and at which door He stands.  What else is Advent than the 1st coming of our Lord, the breaking in, the deluge, and the life-giving flood of Jesus' blood that covers the sins of all the world?  The Judge is standing at the door, 12 days now away from breaking down the door, the curtain, the wall, and the chasm that had separated us from God.  

Here’s where you’re saying “Wait just a minute, you’re telling me a precious little baby is the Judge!?  This precious little child is standing at the door looking to bust it all to pieces and break into the prison of this fallen world, to breathe our poisoned air and dwell with us in our sin, death and filth?  C’mon…. 

That’s precisely what St. James writes: He writes about farmers waiting for the precious fruits of the earth, he writes about waiting for early and late rains, and behold, here in the dark doldrums of winter, the stark bitter coldness, the ever darker days of December we prepare again to celebrate the birth of the Judge, the birth of the Just One, the Justifier. The wait is over, the fields are ripe, into the darkness and dwindling light comes the light of the world, Jesus the Judge.  But notice dear saints of God how He comes to you; lowly, a baby, not pounding down the door but instead breaking into a Silent Night; barely a whisper, a murmur or even one in Bethlehem who will notice that the Judge is on earth, past the door, dwelling with us as OUR SAVIOR, come to judge us not by what we have done or failed to do; but to judge us according to what He has done FOR US!

This is His first Advent; the Savior comes meek and mild, lowly, our Judge, our Savior comes as a child. Surely we can see how He is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love?  But this Judge Jesus is steadfast in His meekness; this Savior comes willingly to bear your sin, to suffer and die, to bleed His own blood to save you.  Yes, the Judge is at the door, but this Judge has come to willingly be judged for you. The Innocent One became your sin, died as the guilty one in your place, and has bestowed to you by simple water and word His own righteousness, innocence and blessedness; yes He’s at the door to tell you today, tomorrow and forever; you’ve been judged already; judged innocent, forgiven for the sake of Christ Jesus. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

O Savior, rend the heavens wide; come down, come down with mighty stride; unlock the gates, the doors break down; unbar the way to heaven's crown. (LSB 355 O Savior, Rend the Heavens wide. St. 1)

-Pastor Adam DeGroot is Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Harrison Goodman.

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.

Today's Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10

Daily Lectionary:Isaiah 29:1-14; Jude 1-25

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 35:10 ESV)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Isaiah the prophet writes of the desert; a wasteland, dry and barren with burning sand.  But a vivid and accurate picture of the desert isn’t the only thing Isaiah writes about; He writes about the people who are weak, with feeble knees, anxious hearts, and blind eyes; Isaiah writes of bodies that are lame and tongues that are mute.  Isaiah gets it, and knows what life is like, not just in the real desert of his homeland, but writes of the world we live in and the desert that IT really is.  More than that; Isaiah writes that here in this wilderness of sin we are prisoners.

Many of us don’t know much about having to scavenge for food or about having to walk for miles to find water but we Christians, in our day, certainly do know something about the arid, hot, and angry winds that still blow in this land that we sojourn through.  Friends who backbite, gossip, hatred online, bullies and the strain that goes with confessing Christ Crucified. The weakness, feeble knees, anxious hearts, blind eyes, bodies that are lame, and tongues that are mute are not just a thing of the past. They’re real today; really real for you and for me.

Our text from Isaiah 35:10 is a definitive conclusion; a promise for you and me of gladness and joy.  Before that conclusion though Isaiah reminds us that there is comfort, strengthening, and compassion even in the midst of the wilderness wandering.  He… that is, Jesus comes to you just as He did for Isaiah and all those who know the sting of the wilderness.  He comes to abide with you, comfort you, and still your anxious hearts. Jesus comes to save you from sin, death, and the Devil, but also to save you from despair, anxiousness and fear today; to save you from hunger and thirst and to save you from, and comfort you in, your wilderness wandering.  What about this saving that Jesus does?  Isaiah says Jesus pays a ransom, that is, Jesus buys you back (the fancy theological word is redeems) at a great price, both because of Who Jesus is and because of how much He loves to love you; your life ransomed (bought back) by Jesus blood. Jesus comes smack dab into the middle of this desert wilderness of ours to give you joy, for today. But even better than that; Isaiah says this joy Jesus gives is everlasting, never-ending, forever and ever joy that will replace sorrow and sighing.  The whole desert will rejoice with joy and singing; like water breaking forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert, the burning sands become a pool; it’s all around us, as close as the Divine Service, the waters of baptism, the body and blood that He still gives and the word He puts right into your ears.  

 In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Yea her sins our God will pardon, blotting out each dark misdeed; all that well deserved His anger He no more will see or heed.  She hath suffered many a day now her griefs have passed away; God will change her pining sadness into ever-springing gladness. LSB 347 Comfort, Comfort Ye my people (St. 2)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Harrison Goodman.

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.

-Pastor Adam DeGroot is Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico..

Today's Reading: Matthew 11:2-15

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 28:14-29; 1 John 5:1-21

Go and tell John what you hear and see… (Matthew 11:4)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. John the Baptizer was done for, imprisoned for rightly calling out Herod Antipas for His marriage to Herodias. John the Baptizer had a good run… I guess that’s one way to look at it.

Yet Jesus, true God and fully man, knew both the tormenting agony John the Baptizer was going through and what would soon become of John. Jesus, God with us, sent comfort to John in Prison, not in the form of a file baked into a cake or a kind card. Jesus, the Word in flesh, sent Himself… Go and tell John of me… tell Him what you hear and see.  But this seems like such small consolation, doesn’t it?

Jesus sends comfort in the midst of imprisonment, peace in the midst of impending death, and a gentle reminder that all that John himself had spoken and done in the Name of Jesus was not in vain… Tell Him what you hear and see… meaning; Tell Him that the One John jumped in the womb of his mother over, and sends peace that passes through prison walls.  Tell John that the repentance he preached on the banks of the Jordan River and to Herod Antipas was not in vain… tell Him that though He will lose his head and die at the request of Herodias; tell Him that nothing in all creation will be able to separate Him from the love, mercy, peace, and forgiveness that Christ Jesus freely gives; tell Him that the sins of the whole world, washed onto Jesus in the Jordan River are going with Jesus to be put to death on the cross, tell John that though He dies, yet He will live as His Jesus will live as the firstborn from the dead.

Those blinded by fear will be soothed, comforted, and protected by Christ the light Who overcomes all darkness.  The lame, the deaf, lepers, the blind, and even the beheaded, will live again, forever.  Lepers, yes, sinners are cleansed, those who are deaf will hear the word that gives life and the poor.  Yes, even poor imprisoned John, even in the face of death, has the good news Jesus put into them.  Blessed are you John, blessed are you dear saints of God who have the Good news preached to you.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Collect for Advent 3)

--Pastor Adam DeGroot is Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico..

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Harrison Goodman.

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.

Today's Reading: Introit: Psalm 71:14–18; antiphon: Philippians 4:4

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 26:20-27:13; 1 John 4:1-21

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.” (Introit for Advent 3)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Back in my seminary days, there was a sainted professor who, upon entering the classroom, would ask, “Are we rejoicing in the Lord, brothers?” We see in the antiphon words of St. Paul to the Philippians: “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4) He then would tell us that if we were not rejoicing in the Lord, then we didn’t need to be there, for there is never a time where we should not be rejoicing in the Lord.

Because of God what God has done for us in Jesus, we should constantly be rejoicing. By His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus has won for us everlasting life. We should want to shout that from the rooftops, that Christ has forgiven me and given me eternal life, just as it says in the Introit: “My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge” (Psalm 71:15). This is something that Jesus has done, not only for me but all of creation. 

We should always be in a state of rejoicing for what God has done for us, but our sinfulness doesn’t always want to rejoice. I didn’t get the promotion I was seeking. I didn’t pass the chemistry test. My loved one just died; how could God do that to me? There are many things that happen in our lives that are not worth rejoicing about, but there are even more things that are worth rejoicing. Even if I didn’t get the promotion, I still have forgiveness by Jesus’ death on the cross. Even if I didn’t pass my chemistry test, I still have God’s name on me, marking me as His beloved child. Even though my loved one has died, they are now resting in the loving arms of their Savior, Jesus Christ.

There is much for us to rejoice in this life, but nothing more important than the life we have received in Christ Jesus, for Jesus is the cause of our rejoicing, both in this life and the life everlasting. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Rejoice, O pilgrim throng! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing; Your festal banner wave on high, The cross of Christ your king. Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing! (Rejoice, O Pilgrim Throng, LSB 813:1)

- Pastor Jared Tucher serves the dual-parish of St. John – Farmer’s Retreat in Dillsboro and St. Paul, Cross Plains, Indiana.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

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.

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 26:1-19; 1 John 3:1-24

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” (1 John 3:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. What’s in a name? It identifies you. It tells you where you came from and to whom you belong. My last name harkens back to my Italian heritage. But my last name doesn’t define who I am, though I do have a name that does just that: child of God.

Above all other names, all other titles I might have, none is greater than being called a child of God. With that title, it declares that I belong to God, that I have God’s name placed upon me. In Holy Baptism, God places His name upon you, forever marking you as one who belongs to Him. It means that I am God’s. Because I am God’s, I can’t help but sing, “God’s own child, I gladly say it, I am baptized in Christ!” (LSB 594:1)

It is not only one thing to be called a child of God but we should also live our lives as children of God. It means live like you are baptized because you are baptized. It means live as one who is forgiven for Christ’s sake because you are forgiven. It means to live as one for whom Christ has died. But know this: not only are you a child of God but so are others. It means that they are also the ones for whom Christ has died. This is as John writes: “For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another” (1 John 3:11). 

Great love has been shown to you by God through Jesus. Jesus comes and lays down His life so that you may have eternal life. Just as Christ has laid down His life for us, so we should be willing to lay down our lives for our neighbor: “By this, we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. (1 John 3:16) It is as Luther says, that we “help and support him in every physical need” (5th Commandment).

While God could condemn us and rightly should, He shows His great mercy in Jesus. Though we are not deserving, God sees fit to forgive us our sins out of love, so that we may be united to God once again. This is done for us by Jesus as He lays down His life so that we may take up eternal life. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord God, heavenly Father, out of great love for Your creation, You have sent Jesus into creation to restore and unite man to You once again. Help us to show love to our neighbor, that we may help and support them in every need. In Jesus’ name, amen.

- Pastor Jared Tucher serves the dual-parish of St. John – Farmer’s Retreat in Dillsboro and St. Paul, Cross Plains, Indiana.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

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.

Today's Reading: Romans 15:4-13

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 24:14-25:12; 1 John 2:15-29

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Apostle Paul wrote 13 letters in the New Testament, directed mainly to churches. One such letter was to the Church at Rome. This church was in a rather unique situation. Rome was a great city of commerce. This brought with it a large amount of foot traffic. While this could be an advantage to the Church, this also proved to be a disadvantage as well, for this brought with it an influx of pagan non-believers. 

With this pagan influence, it was very easy for the Romans to forget who they were, blood-bought and redeemed children of God. They needed a gentle reminder of who they were, much like we need the same reminder today. And so Paul reminds them to return to their roots, that is, return to God’s Word and what it means for them. There in God’s Word, they would be reminded of the promise God made to them and what it meant for their daily life, for there they would find their hope.

What was written in former days was God’s promise of salvation, not just for His people in the Old Testament, not just for the Church at Rome, but for all people everywhere. God’s instruction was for them to remain faithful to Him, just as He promised He would remain faithful to them. 

Ultimately, what was written in former days was the promise of the Messiah. This is what God intended for His people, then and now. He intended to be with them forever. Due to sin, that was no longer a possibility. That is why He made the promise of a Savior so that the relationship between God and man would be restored to what it should be. 

It is through that Word of God, the promise He made so long ago and recorded in Holy Scripture, that we find our hope. Our hope isn’t found in ourselves or in the things of this world but in Jesus. At times, the Romans forgot where their hope was to be found. We too can forget that as well. That is why this season of Advent is so important for us, to help us prepare to receive Jesus as our salvation, for it is in Jesus do we have our hope, both now and forevermore. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Blessed Lord, You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning. Grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and take them to heart that, by the patience and comfort of Your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; 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 Word)

- Pastor Jared Tucher serves the dual-parish of St. John – Farmer’s Retreat in Dillsboro and St. Paul, Cross Plains, Indiana.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

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.