Reflections

Today's Reading: Matthew 22:34-46

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 4:1-20; Matthew 7:13-29

Which is the great commandment in the Law? (Matthew 22:36)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Pharisees often tried to trick Jesus by asking Him questions that don't have good answers. Ask your dad which one of his children is his favorite. There's no good answer. So which commandment is the great one? Are there any of the Lord's commandments that are lesser or greater than another?

We all have a little Pharisee in us. We all try to get around the Lord's Word here or there. You might think that this sin might not be too bad because it isn't one of the BIG sins. Right? Can you covet so long as you don't steal? Can you look, but not actually commit adultery? Can you just hate someone and speak against them without murdering them? That is a very dangerous game.

Good news, though. Jesus doesn't play that game. He refuses to rank the commandments. Instead, He sums up the whole entire Law in two concepts: Love God and love your neighbor. That is all. You cannot itemize and rank your sins. You either love God and your neighbor or you don't.

It is not as if Jesus came to die for the little forgivable sins, but not for the big bad ones. He came to deal with all of your sins, whether you think they are small or great. The truth is that all sin is committed for the same reason: that we do not fear, love, and trust in God above all things. We let our idolatries run our lives, and so we commit all kinds of sins against God and our neighbors, precisely because God is not put first.

So, when you find yourself asking whether or not one sin is worse than another, remember the Pharisees. Don't do that. Do not play that game. It leads to death. Repent of every last one of your sins, and see that Christ has died for every single one of them. All of the Law and prophets depend on this, for these all look forward to their fulfillment in Christ. He has come to forgive all sins, even the little ones. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O God, because without You we are not able to please You, mercifully grant that Your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; 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 18th Sunday after Trinity)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Introit for the 18th Week after Trinity

(Psalm 122:1, 6, 8-9; antiphon: Liturgical Text)

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 3:1-29; Matthew 7:1-12

Hear the prayer of Your servants, according to the blessing of Aaron upon your people. (From the Introit for the 18th Sunday after Trinity)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Apocrypha is a collection of books written during the time between the Old and New Testaments. The number of books varies according to the particular publisher, but there are usually 15 to 20 in these collections. Martin Luther's landmark German translation of the Bible included the Apocrypha in its traditional "in between" place. Lutherans used these books until American publishers left them out of their English Bibles. These books aren't considered Holy Scripture, but they're useful. They have some pretty cool stories in them. You can read about a dragon being blown up with a bomb in Bel and the Dragon. You might even sing the beautiful Song of the Three Young Children during the Easter Vigil, which is the song that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego sang in the fiery furnace.

The Apocrypha is used mainly in Introits or Graduals in today's Lutheran services. They're usually marked as "liturgical texts." Today's Introit uses one of these from Ecclesiasticus 36. This is a book of wisdom from a man named Jesus ben Sirach. It's really good. You should read it.

For instance, this text today beckons the Lord to hear our prayers according to the blessing of Aaron. You've heard the Aaronic Blessing. It is given to you at the end of every Divine Service. "The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you. The Lord lift His favor upon you and give you peace!" This comes from Numbers 6:24-26, when the Lord gave Aaron instructions on how to place His Name upon the people of Israel. Ecclesiasticus then prays that the Lord would see and hear us as people who bear the Name of the Lord.

It is the Name of the Lord, tattooed upon you in this blessing, and in Holy Baptism, by which you are seen as righteous and holy. He has put His Name on you! This is why we begin and end everything in the Name of Jesus. The Lord looks with favor on those who bear His Name, which includes you, His beloved baptized saints. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

You spirits and souls of the righteous, bless the Lord; you pure and humble of heart, bless the Lord; let us bless the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. ("All You Works of the Lord " LSB 931, v.11)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 2:16-37; Matthew 6:16-34

Do not be anxious about tomorrow. (Matthew 6:34)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. What do Deuteronomy and the Sermon on the Mount have to do with one another? On the surface, it looks like these are very different writings. Our reading from Deuteronomy promises that the Israelites will defeat their enemies, while Jesus preaches that we should not be anxious because the Lord cares for us more than anything in all creation. Throughout history there have been various heresies which have claimed that the Old and New Testaments even have a different god, because so many things in them seem so unrelated, and even opposed to one another. Could the warlike God of the Exodus be related at all to the peaceful Jesus?

It may be surprising, but these two readings are telling God's people the same thing: Don't worry, because the Lord is on your side. The Israelites are, yet again, face to face with enemies, and the Lord instructs them to have no fear because He goes before and after them. He fights for them. In the Matthew reading, Jesus speaks to people faced with different enemies, but enemies nonetheless.

We are anxious and worried about all sorts of things. Money. Food. Homework. Degrees. Moab. Sihon, the King of Hesbon. Well, maybe not those last two. But you get the picture. God's people are always confronted with enemies. You will always be face to face with enemies of all sorts that seek to rob you of your peace. The Israelites were delivered from the hands of their enemies. They even triumphed over them!

You are given victory over your enemies as well. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ have given you peace which passes all understanding. Death and sin will have no power over you. Be strong in the Lord. Do not fear what comes tomorrow, for the Lord is on your side.

You are Israel, taken out of slavery to sin and death, brought through the Red Sea of Holy Baptism, and fed in the wilderness with the Word of God, and even with His miraculous meal, the Lord's Supper. He fights for you, so you may live in peace. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Faint not nor fear, His arms are near; He changes not who hold you dear; only believe, and you will see that Christ is all eternally. ("Fight the Good Fight" LSB 664, st.4)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Small Catechism: Sacrament of the Altar, part 1

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 1:37-2:15; Matthew 6:1-15

It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Small Catechism: Sacrament of the Altar)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Sacrament of the Altar has many different aspects and dimensions and we speak of it using an assortment of names which all reflect these varied purposes. We can never exhaust this great gift which the Lord has left to us to receive, proclaiming His death until He comes again. Every single word we can say about this gift pales in comparison to this main thing: It is the true Body and Blood of Jesus.

This is why it is called the Sacrament of the Altar. It is, of course, sometimes called the Lord's Table, which is fine, but to refer to it specifically as it relates to the altar confesses a certain thing: that this is the true Body and Blood of Jesus. An altar is a particular kind of table upon which a sacrificial victim is placed. An altar holds a body. This is the true Body of Jesus upon the altar in your church.

This Body gives life. Other food that sustains our earthly life lasts a day or two. Eating the flesh of a cow, chicken, or plants of the earth will keep you alive for a while, but you'll have to eat again tomorrow. The life of the cow is given to you so that you would stay alive. Life really is in the blood.

Unlike steaks or hamburgers, delicious as they may be, the Body and Blood of Jesus gives life that does not expire. His life is given to you in this Sacrament which is distributed from an altar. This life is eternal, for Christ is eternal. He is raised from the dead, and in the eating and drinking of His Body and Blood, you, too, are given eternal life, which means that you, too, will be raised from the dead. This is the gift that can only be given in the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, and it is given to you. No representation will do. You need the real thing, because you need real life. Yes, this crucified and risen Jesus Christ, is given to you, bodily, in this Sacrament, that you would rise when He returns. And He will return, but until then, we will continue to rejoice and receive this precious gift of life. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Thy body given for me, O Savior, Thy blood which Thou for me didst shed, these are my life and strength forever, by them my hungry soul is fed. Lord, may Thy body and Thy blood, be for my soul the highest good! ("Thy Body, Given for Me, O Savior" LSB 619, st.1)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Luke 10:17-20

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 1:19-36; Matthew 5:21-48

Nothing shall hurt you. (Luke 10:19)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus had earlier sent 72 disciples to go out and prepare His way. They were to go with very few supplies, announce the peace of God, and rely on the generosity of strangers for their wellbeing. This sort of thing seems fairly impossible before it happens, but is amazing when it does.

The 72 returned, extremely excited and amazed by what had happened to them. Not only were their physical needs taken care of, but demons were also cast out in the Name of Jesus. They'd seen more than they thought was even possible. Perhaps the angels fought on their side?

Jesus, of course, knew what the 72 would find on their missionary journey. He'd authorized them to stomp serpents and scorpions, and even the power of the enemy, and nothing would hurt them! Nothing! They were given authority over the devil, the world, and their own sinful flesh. And yet, Jesus tells them that this is not all about flashy exorcisms and healings. There's more to the Christian life than the immediately apparent miracles. The more important thing was for them to rejoice that their names are written in heaven.

We live in a time where it seems that the snakes, scorpions, and the power of the devil are on the rise. Do we still have authority over these things? Most certainly, yes, we do. Demons have been cast from your life through the Word of the Lord. As you are splashed in Holy Baptism, the serpents and scorpions have quickly scattered from your path.

And even more than this, your names have been written in heaven. Rejoice! The Revelation talks about the Book of Life which is held in heaven. Those whose names are written in this book are brought into the eternal city of God. Have you ever tried to board an airplane when your name is not on the list? You can't do it. The same goes for these names written in heaven. Because your name is there, you belong there. Whatever amazing miracles you witness throughout your life, rejoice first that your name is written in heaven. You belong with Christ Jesus, and ultimately nothing will hurt you, not even death. Rejoice! 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 Your holy angels always serve and worship You in heaven, so by Your appointment they may also help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for St. Michael and All Angels)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 1:1-18; Matthew 5:1-20

Bearing with one another in love… (Ephesians 4:2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. You are not alone. We are all in this together. These are not empty platitudes or meaningless slogans. This is the truth. We confess together that we believe in one holy, Christian/catholic, and apostolic Church. There are not many churches, but one, because there is one Lord, one faith, and one Baptism. This is the way it has always been and always will be.

People sometimes mistakenly say that they were baptized Lutheran or Methodist. There is no unique Lutheran Baptism, because there is only one Baptism into Jesus Christ and His Body, the Church. This is why you do not need to be rebaptized if you move to a different town and join another congregation. Not only don't you have to be rebaptized, but you will find a family waiting for you. You will find a congregation of people who bear with one another in love. You will find people who will bear your burdens and love you.

You can find a similar sort of unity in many places. Sometimes people pursue this unity and fellowship in sports or other activities. For instance, we find affinity with people who are fans of the same sports teams, or even just the same sport. Rugby fans have a natural fellowship based on a game that has been around since 1823. But when was the last time you found people who loved one another because of their love of fox tossing, chariot racing, or club swinging? Those sports have all vanished, but used to be very popular. We have something better and more permanent in Christ.

The Church has been in existence since the beginning of time. By finding your unity within the Church of Christ, you are being established for eternity. Sports are good, but there will be a day when hockey and football are as popular as jousting is today. In fact, the unity which we pursue in other things is a product of the way that the Lord has designed us to love one another. Yet, it is a pale reflection of the unity we find in the Church.

The Church is forever because Christ is forever. We bear with one another in this Church, through good and bad, wins and losses, ups and downs, and whatever life will throw at us. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Elect from every nation, yet one o'er all the earth; her charter of salvation; one Lord, one faith, one birth. One holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food, and to one hope she presses with every grace endued. ("The Church's One Foundation" LSB 644, st.2)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Proverbs 25:6-14

Daily Lectionary: Malachi 3:6-4:6; Matthew 4:12-25

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. (Proverbs 25:11)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. A word fitly spoken, depending on the price of gold and the size of your apple, is worth somewhere around $10,000. The average person uses about 7,000 words in a day. If these were all fitly spoken, you'd be raking in $70,000,000 a day. What makes such words so valuable?

Fitly spoken words are so valuable because, like gold, they are rare. Unfortunately, I let my words run to and fro without much concern about whom they reach or what they do. "Sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me" just isn't true. Words can hurt, and even kill. Hurtful, slanderous, and murderous words are everywhere. Certainly they have come to you as well. You've also unleashed your own unfitly spoken words, too.

Yet, the good words do come. Words of blessing and benediction flow from the mouth of the Lord, given through the Church, and your pastor. These words are worth more than their weight. They are worth everything. Hold onto them. Remember them. Speak them. These words are given to you in abundance, but sometimes are silenced and drowned by the carelessly spoken words which surround you. These valuable words will give you life. Remember, the Lord spoke creation into existence by a Word, and by a Word, He gives you life.

The Lord's words do what they say. When the Lord says that you are forgiven, this means that you are forgiven. When the Lord places His Name upon you in Holy Baptism, this means that you are His. When the Lord says "This is my Body which is given for you," that means that He really is given, all for you.

Talk is cheap and our words seem to carry little value. It is the Lord's words that are so valuable, which is why the Lord's words spoken through the Church are treasured above all things. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord, Who has spoken creation into existence, Who speaks to us even today; guard our tongues against slanderous and hurtful words. Speak into us a love for Your words, which are more precious than silver and gold. Give us ears to receive Your glorious life giving words, which alone are spoken fitly. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Your incarnate Word, Amen.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Luke 14:1-11

Daily Lectionary: Malachi 2:1-3:5; Matthew 4:1-11

Friend, move up higher. (Luke 14:10)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Sometimes Jesus teaches us things that don't seem to have any immediate practical application. For instance, just a few verses before this parable of the wedding feast, He teaches that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed which grows and gives a place for birds to rest. This is nice, but sometimes, He gives practical advice about how to live your life. I can tell you that this parable is applicable because this exact thing has happened to me.

A friend had given a banquet and I sat at the head of the table. I began to eat, and within minutes, was asked to move. It was very embarrassing. I began, with shame, to take my place at a seat of lower status. If I'd just seated myself at any other place, I wouldn't have had this shameful experience. Don't sit at the highest place. Just don't. It wasn't fun.

It isn't only about where you sit at a banquet, though. It's also about how you live your life in general. Don't go around thinking that you are the best of the best and deserve more than other people, and certainly don't act like you're worth more than others. The truth is that we are all sinners, and I'm the worst of them. Start there, and you can only be asked to move higher.

Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who are humbled will be exalted. This is a major theme of Luke's Gospel. The rich go away empty-handed and the poor have everything given to them. In Christ, the hungry are filled with good things. His ultimate humiliation on the Cross results in the most glorious exaltation of His resurrection.

You don't need to think that you are better than anyone else. That won't get you anywhere, and it also isn't true. But you also need to know that the Lord reaches down to those who are in the low places to lift them up. He has reached His hand down to you, and speaks to you as if He is already a friend. In your Baptism, you've been lifted up as His friend. Friend, move up higher. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O Lord and Master of my life, take from me a spirit of despondency, sloth, love of money, and idle talk. But give to me, your servant, a spirit of sober-mindedness, humility, patience, and love. Yes, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother, since you are blessed to the ages. Amen. (Collect for the 17th Sunday after Trinity)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Introit for the 17th Sunday after Trinity

(Psalm 119:1-2, 5-6; antiphon: vs.124, 137)

Daily Lectionary: Malachi 1:1-14; Matthew 3:1-17

Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love and teach me your statutes. (From the Introit for the 17th Sunday after Trinity)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Lord deals with you according to His steadfast love. This is love that does not fade or falter. This love does not depend on your condition or how you are feeling. The truth is that we might feel good about the Lord one day, and doubtful the next. Our plea then, is that He would deal with us according to His steadfast love, because ours just won't do the trick.

Martin Luther, in his 1518 Heidelberg Disputation, wrote that "the love of God does not find, but creates, that which is pleasing to it." The love that humans have for one another is usually based on some sort of quality that the other person has, and these can wax and wane over our lifetimes, causing our love for one another to increase or decrease. People sometimes fall out of love due to a change in another person.

Are you fearful that the Lord might stop loving you if you can't keep up with His demands? The Lord's steadfast love does hold onto you because you have done enough good, but because you are enough in Christ Jesus. He did not find you and measure whether or not you fit the bill. He found you and loves you just as you are. He has created you, and He loves that which He creates. Isn't it great to be a creature?

Paul speaks of this in Titus 3:5, that "He saved us not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit." This is how the Lord has chosen to deal with you! He has come to you and loved you, and will not stop. There was nothing particularly loveable about you, other than you are you. You are His creation. Still not sure? He's baptized you, too, just in case you were wondering if His love might be for everyone else rather than for you. This love is most certainly for you, and is how He has chosen to deal with you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord, Your mercy will not leave me; ever will Your truth abide. Then in You I will confide. Since Your Word cannot deceive me, my salvation is to me safe and sure eternally. ("Oh, How Great Is Your Compassion" LSB 559, st.4)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Daily Lectionary: Nehemiah 9:22-38; 1 Timothy 6:3-21

They ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in your great goodness. Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against you. (Nehemiah 9:25-26)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Nehemiah is a record of the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the Israelites' exile to Babylon. They rebuild the city and her walls, but also restore faithful worship. As part of this worship and restoration, they confess their sins against the Lord. This chapter of Nehemiah is a very good confession.

They recount all the mighty works of the Lord, which were then met with disobedience and rebellion. This is how you should confess your sins, too. Remember what the Lord has done for you, and how you rebelled against Him. He has given you all that you need, and yet you have gone looking for satisfaction elsewhere. There's no room for half confessions of things that aren't really sinful. The Lord wants to hear your honest confession. You are a sinner. The Lord forgives sins. You can be honest and open about your confession, as much as the returned exiles in Jerusalem were.

The Lord is not out to ruin your fun with His Law. The Ten Commandments are actually good for your life, and if you followed them, you'd be happy. Our problem is that we think we've got something better. Did you ever notice that there are even two commandments against coveting? That means that the Lord really wants you to be happy with what He's given you!

And yet, we rebel. We walk away from Him every day. We turn away from Him. We are Israelites ready for exile. That is good news, for the Lord never abandons His people. He will not abandon you. Turn back to Him. Repent and be restored. His Law is good. He is good. There really is nothing better out there than what He has given you.

Your life will be better if you keep His rules. And when you do not keep them, He is always waiting to forgive you, for He never stops loving you. Give it a try. Make a good confession to the Lord who loves you and has given everything for you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

To those who help in Christ have found and would in works of love abound it shows what deeds are His delight and should be done as good and right. ("The Law of God Is Good and Wise" LSB 579, st.3)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch