Reflections

Today's Reading: Luke 22: 24-30

Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 5:1-16; 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:17

"Let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves." (Luke 22:26)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Today the Church remembers St. Bartholomew, one of the twelve apostles. Legends abound about him, but little is known for certain, even his name!

Matthew, Mark, and Luke’s Gospels all mention Bartholomew, often in connection with Philip. But no Bartholomew is mentioned among the apostles in John’s Gospel. There, we encounter Nathaniel in connection with Philip (John 1:43-51). The thinking goes that Nathaniel, which means "gift of God," was this man’s first name, while Bartholomew, which means "Son of Tolmai," was his title or family name.

When we move beyond Bartholomew’s name and into his life, the information is even more difficult to sort out. Some stories have been written about this saint, saying that he traveled as far as India and took the Gospel to a group in Bombay. Another tradition has it that he and Thaddeus brought the Gospel to the kingdom of Armenia. These two are recognized as the patron saints of Armenia. That legend also makes the well-known claim that Bartholomew was skinned alive and beheaded, something which has been portrayed by many artists over the centuries. Yet another legend states that Bartholomew went to Ethiopia. We just don’t know.

What is the reason for all these legends surrounding St. Bartholomew and the rest of the Lord’s apostles? It is likely because people have wanted to invent an association between their group and someone famous. They wanted to believe that someone who knew Jesus personally and was one of His insiders, also had some kind of connection with them. People still do this today. If you have a friend who has ever met a celebrity or a famous or powerful person of some kind, they have likely told you (and everyone else they know) all about it!

Jesus wanted His chosen twelve to know that power and glory were not what they were to be looking for. Instead, He taught that the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven are those who appear to be least on earth, for they are servants.

We may feel like the least important person on earth, but through our Baptism into Christ, we are exalted and made perfect before God. That makes us free to be a servant to others as we rejoice in this truth that remains. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord, help us walk Your servant way wherever love may lead And, bending low, forgetting self, Each serve the other’s need. ("Lord, Help Us Walk Your Servant Way" LSB 857, st.1)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Isaiah 29:17-24

Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 3:1-15; 2 Corinthians 1:1-22

"Is it not yet a very little while. . ." (Isaiah 29:17)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. One of the great themes of the Bible is something called the Great Reversal. This idea is that one day a great transformation will take place: The low will be lifted up while the mighty and proud will be brought down. Mary’s song, the Magnificat that we sing in church, is a great example of this. So is this passage at the end of Isaiah 29.

The prophet here speaks to what God has in mind to do for His people in a "very little while." The deaf shall hear. The blind shall see. "The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel." If all of this sounds familiar, it is because Jesus defined His own ministry in these terms (Matthew 11:5).

What’s more, the enemies of God’s people will come to nothing and there will be no more scoffers among His faithful. No more jaded and sarcastic "believers" who roll their eyes and doubt God’s promises. Only sincere and devout followers of God. In addition, the usual failings of those who make false claims about their enemies and deny justice to the righteous will be cut off. Their power will be taken away.

But what about the lifting up of God’s people? How will they be changed? They will not be ashamed, but because of God’s working among them, the children of God will rightly praise Him. "They will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob [Jesus] and will stand in the awe of the God of Israel." Even those who have wandered off from the fold will repent and listen again to God. All of this sounds amazing! We can’t wait for this transformation to take place. But when will it finally happen? How long, O Lord?

This great transformation began in the ministry of Jesus. His work of healing and restoring and encouraging showed what God has in mind to do. The removal of sickness and sorrow was a foreshadowing of what is to come. Even now, the Holy Spirit continues His work of changing hearts and leading people to a right faith in God. In this fallen world we catch glimpses of wrongs being righted and God’s people rightly praising. But ultimately, the Great Reversal will not be fully realized until the old has passed away and Christ comes again and makes all things new.

Jesus’ work has already ensured that this will happen. His sacrificial death for our sins and His mighty resurrection from the dead assures us of the victory. The conclusion is certain. It’s going to happen. Just a little while. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Come, Lord Jesus, quickly! Many of us are waiting. Not one of us will be disappointed. Amen.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Mark 7:31-37

Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 2:1-27; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

"He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak." (Mark 7:37)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. I had a friend who was born with severe hearing loss. He was totally deaf in one ear and had extremely limited hearing in the other. His first language was sign language. In his teenage years he received a powerful hearing aid that would allow him to barely hear. It was a miracle that opened up a new world for him, and yet, communication with him was still difficult.

I didn’t realize how difficult it is for the deaf. I certainly didn’t when I was a teen. So please understand, the deaf miss out on more than just hearing your favorite music. They miss out on a lot of communication with people, even in their own families. As a result, I think some deaf people feel cut off and alienated, and this is in a time when modern technology and sign language exists. No such language or technology existed in Jesus’ day. I can only imagine that back then, the deaf felt like total outsiders, unable to communicate. But Jesus communicated with them.

Because of His great compassion and love for others, it was Jesus’ joy to help those in need, including those who could not hear. In Mark 7, Jesus restored the gift of hearing and speech to someone who never heard a word before and would have been unable to speak on his own, but for the working of God. That is what this miracle showed, namely, that Jesus was the Son of God. He was the one the prophets had talked about, the one God promised to send who would restore sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf. This is also why the people who witnessed this miracle were "astonished beyond measure." They knew they were in the presence of the Messiah.

Whether you are deaf or can hear quite well, since you are a Christian, God has given you the ability to hear Him. Like a shepherd who leads His flock with the sound of His voice, the Lord Jesus speaks to His Church through His holy Word. Whether you literally hear the Word or read it on the page, Christ guides and leads you. He leads you to Himself. To safety, eternally, in the Kingdom. One day, you, too, along with all His saints, will be astonished and amazed when you are perfectly restored and all your sins removed. You will not be cut off from God or from any other believer again, but you will unite in praise of the One who redeemed you and restored God’s holy and perfect image in you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The gifts are there each day The holy Word is read; God’s children listen, hear, receive, and they are fed. ("The Gifts Christ Freely Gives" LSB 602, st.4a)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Introit for the 12th Sunday after Trinity (Psalm 70:2b, 4a, 5b; antiphon: vs.1-2a)

Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 1:1-4, 15-35; 1 Corinthians 12:14-31

You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay! (From the Introit for the 12th Sunday after Trinity)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Psalm 70 expresses a prayer that sooner or later, every believer in God has prayed, namely: Help! It is the most basic and often the most sincere and heartfelt prayer.

David had his sworn enemies, both foreign and domestic. He had conquered rivals within Israel and many kings and armies from other nations as well. The number of men slain by him and the armies he led was easily in the tens of thousands. As a result, there were a lot of people out to get him. People who, as he put it, "delighted in my hurt" (Psalm 70:2).

Some might think that a man like King David wouldn’t need any help taking care of his enemies. Remember how quickly he dispatched Goliath? But David seemed to understand that whatever success he had in battle was only a gift from God.

When people tried talking him out of fighting Goliath, he told them, "The Lord. . .will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:37). During the pre-battle trash-talking, David told Goliath, "This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down" (1 Samuel 17:45-46). David didn’t trust in his own strength, but in all his battles, He relied on God, his help and deliverer.

You probably haven’t had anyone actually plot to kill you, and hopefully, you never will! Yet, you can still relate to the need to be rescued from your enemies. Have you had kids put you down in order to build themselves up? Have they said unkind things against you and posted it online for all to see? Teenagers can be cruel and downright vicious. While going through these situations is no fun, take heart, and cry out to God for help.

In fact, the Lord God Almighty has already delivered you from your greatest enemies: sin and death. Jesus, the Son of David, fought Satan and defeated him. He gave Himself up for you on the Cross, and His victory over the grave in His resurrection is complete and final. Now all who are in Him are delivered and will be forever. Therefore rejoice and be glad in Him and say evermore, "God is great!" (Psalm 70:4) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Seek Him alone Who did atone, Who did your souls deliver. O seek Him first, All you who thirst For grace that fails you never. In ev’ry need Seek Him indeed; To every heart He will impart His blessings without measure. ("Seek Where You May to Find a Way" LSB 557, st.3)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Daily Lectionary: 2 Samuel 12:1-25; 1 Corinthians 12:1-13

Now concerning spiritual gifts. . . (1 Corinthians 12:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Miracles? Prophecy? Healing? Tongues? Really? Paul wrote about this subject a number of times. It seems he had to clear up a lot of confusion. His point in this passage is simple. He wants his readers to know that all Christians have gifts but not all have the same gifts. The Holy Spirit, "apportions to each one individually as he wills" (1 Corinthians 12:11). Like the parts of a body, each part has a different purpose, but all parts function together for the good of the body. So it is with spiritual gifts and the Church: "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good" (1 Corinthians 12:7).

In the earliest days of the Church, in order to help the spread of the Gospel, the Holy Spirit gave spectacular gifts to the apostles that are not often seen today. You can read all about this in the book of Acts. Some Christians today still claim to speak in tongues and perform miraculous healings. Maybe they can. After all, the Spirit gives as He will. Yet, it is also true that there are a number of frauds and deceivers out there who pretend to have spiritual gifts in order to make money. Jesus even warned against believing in false christs and false prophets performing great signs and wonders (Matthew 24:24).

God has certainly given you your gifts and abilities; what are they for? How can you use them to serve your fellow Christians and your neighbors wherever you go? These are good questions for you to ask throughout your life and especially as you finish up school or head out of your childhood home for more school at a university. How can you take what God has given you and use it for good and in service to the Church, your family, and everyone you will interact with for the rest of your life?

I don’t know what unique gifts God has given you, but I do know that if you are a Christian, you already have the greatest gift of the Spirit. You confess Christ as Lord, which no one can do apart from the work of the Holy Spirit. You have been given faith in Jesus. Along with that faith comes the blessings of forgiveness, salvation, hope, and life without end. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The gifts Christ freely gives He gives to you and me To be His Church, His bride, His chosen, saved and free! Saints blest with these rich gifts Are children who proclaim That they were won by Christ And cling to His strong name. ("The Gifts Christ Freely Gives" LSB 602, st.1)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-10

Daily Lectionary: 2 Samuel 11:1-27; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved. (1 Corinthians 15:1-2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. I imagine that in Paul’s day, if some pagan asked him, "Why are you still following that Jesus guy? Wasn’t he killed as a common criminal?" his response would be, "Because He didn’t stay dead!" The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of the Christian faith. Without it, there wouldn’t be any Gospel to proclaim and there wouldn’t be any Christians, as Paul himself says in 1 Corinthians 15:14.

Jesus paid for the sins of the world with His innocent death on the Cross and then in glorious victory, triumphed over death and the grave by rising from the dead. This is the very heart of the Christian Gospel and Paul says this Gospel which Christians receive, and in which they stand, is also saving them.

1 Corinthians 15 is Paul’s great chapter on Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. He starts off by stating he "delivered" what he "received." This means that when he learned what God had done for the world in Jesus, he couldn’t keep it to himself. He had to make this news known. But it also means that he was passing on a tradition.

The opening words should sound similar to the Nicene Creed: "And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures." Scholars believe verses 3-7 are an early Christian creed that Paul may have received and passed on to the Corinthians when he was their pastor. The phrase "in accordance with the Scriptures" is repeated, meaning, "Jesus died and rose again, just as it was foretold by the prophets." He also goes on to provide a list of witnesses of the resurrection.

Jesus’ resurrection was not something just a few people claimed to have seen. It was not something "done in a corner" (Acts 26:26). Such a miraculous and world-changing event needed witnesses and as Paul explains, hundreds of people had seen the resurrected Christ. You have also received this Gospel and by it you are saved. Hold fast to the Good News that according to the Scriptures, Christ died and rose for you and for your salvation and by His grace, He has brought you to believe and will give you eternal life in His kingdom.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Christ, the Alpha and Omega, Christ, the firstborn from the dead, Christ, the life and resurrection, Christ, the Church’s glorious head: Praise and thanks and adoration And unending worship be To the Father and the Spirit And to You eternally. ("Christ, the Word of God Incarnate" LSB 540, st.6)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Small Catechism: Baptism, part 1

Daily Lectionary: 2 Samuel 7:18-20; 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:16

What is Baptism? (Small Catechism: Baptism)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. How do you answer this question? Luther’s answer is a good start: "Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s word." But let’s be a bit broader.

What is a baptism? Simply put, baptism is a ceremonial washing. Christian Baptism is the kind of washing Christians do as Jesus commanded us. Before Jesus instituted Christian Baptism, there were different kinds of religious washings, some commanded by God in the Old Testament. For example, someone with a skin disease needed to wash their clothes, shave their hair, and bathe before they could be clean and return to the community (Leviticus 14:8-9). John’s baptizing in the Jordan River is another kind of ceremonial washing. This one was a baptism of repentance to prepare sinners to receive Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

What is Christian Baptism? Just before ascending into heaven, Jesus commanded His disciples to "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you and surely I will be with you always even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). To this day, we follow His command and baptize in this Name, trusting His promise to always be with us. We also keep baptizing and teaching together. A Christian is not only baptized, or only taught, but a true Christian disciple of Jesus is made through baptizing and teaching.

Let’s offer another kind of answer to our question, "What is Baptism?" It is a precious gift, a great comfort, and a profound mystery as God works through it to make me His own. It assures me that for Jesus’ sake, my sins are washed away and I have been united with Christ and made an heir of His kingdom. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

God’s own child, I gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ! He, because I could not pay it, Gave my full redemption price. Do I need earth’s treasures many? I have one worth more than any That brought me salvation free Lasting to eternity! ("God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It" LSB 594, st.1)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Genesis 4:1-15

Daily Lectionary: 2 Samuel 7:1-17; 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:22

So Cain was very angry. (Genesis 4:5)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We’ve all been angry and we know we will be again. But also know this: When you are angry, "sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you but you must rule over it" (Genesis 4:7).

Cain, the first murderer, killed his own brother in anger. The details are missing. Some suggest Cain did not know what he was doing, but simply let his anger go unchecked and before he knew it, his brother was dead.

In the emotional state of anger, we are vulnerable and easily tempted. But as God said to Cain: The anger is against you and you must rule over it. That is why it is important for us to know what is really worth getting upset about and what you should and should not do when you are angry. A lot of anger is completely unjustified. We let some things bother us way too much. Perhaps when you feel yourself getting angry you can stop and ask, "Why am I so upset? Is this really worth it?"

Cain’s anger was brought on by envy. His brother brought a better sacrifice and the recognition Cain wanted went to his brother. We can relate whenever the thing we were hoping for went to someone else. These things are disappointing, but not worthy of rage. But without God’s help, we cannot rule over sin. With the aid of the Holy Spirit, we can struggle against sin and rule over it. Not perfectly. Not every time. But, Lord willing, we can rule over it long before our actions lead to horrible and irreversible consequences.

Some things are worthy of anger. Even Jesus was angry, though it was tempered by compassion (Mark 3:5). The Bible tells us God’s wrath is stirred up over sin. It has to be. Yet this is the glorious mystery of the Gospel: God punishes our sin by sending Jesus to pay our debt with the result that God’s wrath does not remain on us sinners. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. (Romans 5:8-9)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Luke 18:9-14

Daily Lectionary: 2 Samuel 6:1-19; 1 Corinthians 9:1-23

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:14)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector illustrates the principle found throughout the Bible: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (Proverbs 29:23, Matthew 18:1-4, Luke 1:52, 14:11, James 4:6,10, 1 Peter 5:5-6).

Jesus presents two characters we easily recognize: the ultra-conservative, far right religious type and the extortionist. As Jesus begins the story, most people would assume He would hold up the religious Pharisee and condemn the greedy tax collector. But Jesus does the opposite. He describes a Pharisee who only wants to tell God how good he is and a publican who knows and feels his guilt. The contrite sinner is justified, while the arrogant prude is not.

As religiously serious people (you’re reading a devotion after all!), we easily relate to the Pharisees. While their religious adherence was exemplary in many ways, they could be self-righteous and unloving. This particular Pharisee’s problem was spiritual pride, thinking himself so good that he didn’t need God’s grace. The tax collector, on the other hand, knew his sin and knew he needed God’s mercy.

The tax collector was an outcast of society. So imagine someone today who is like him. The drug user? That creepy guy who’s really into porn? The girl who sleeps around? The kids struggling with their gender identity or sexual orientation? You get the picture. Substitute them for tax collector and you get the modern version of the story. The point is, even those who have made terrible choices and have a life full of obvious sins can humble themselves before God and receive His grace. But those who are spiritually proud will not receive the Savior, because they do not understand that they need saving.

Whether our lives more closely resemble the Pharisee or the tax collector, we get in trouble when we think too highly of ourselves. As Luke explains: We dare not trust in ourselves and treat others with contempt. The goal is to trust in Jesus (not in ourselves) and treat others with love and mercy, because in Jesus, God has so loved us. Sinners who look to Jesus are justified--and not just the really religious sinners, but even the really bad ones, too. God’s grace really is that amazing. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen

Chief of sinners though I be, Jesus shed His blood for me. Died that I might live on high, Lives that I might never die. As the branch is to the vine, I am His and He is mine. ("Chief of Sinners Though I Be" LSB 611, st.1)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Luke 1:39-55

Daily Lectionary: 2 Samuel 5:1-25; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:46)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Yesterday we considered what it means to magnify the Lord and today we see the best known example of it. When Mary, the Mother of our Lord, met with Elizabeth, her cousin, and they shared with each other what God was doing for them, Mary’s praise erupted. In words we all know and have probably sung many times, she said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. . ."

Today is the feast of St. Mary, Mother of our Lord. It may strike some as strange that Lutherans would acknowledge a festival to the Virgin Mother, Isn’t devotion to Mary more of a Roman Catholic thing? They even address prayers to Mary using some of the words of this passage: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!"

The fact is, Roman Catholics over-emphasize Mary. They have made too big a deal of her role in the salvation of man. Sadly, she has become for some a distraction and an idol. This has resulted in many Protestants going too far in the other direction, so that they would never want to recognize a festival for St. Mary.

When God sent His Son to take on human flesh and save mankind, He chose this woman to bear and raise Him. We also know that Mary was a devout follower of Jesus. Unlike so many disciples, she did not abandon Jesus when He was crucified, but she stayed until the end (John 19:26-27). She also was among the first believers after His resurrection (Acts 1:14).

For all Mary’s faithfulness and the way God used her in His plan of salvation, we should remember her and honor her. And the way to do that best, is not by praying to her--God forbid! She herself would not want any such thing. However, we can join her in her praises of God and we often do whenever we sing her song.

In the Magnificat, we join with Mary in praising God, and rejoicing in "my Savior." It is not a song about Mary, but it is about our gracious God who lifts up the humble and has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation. It is about a God who keeps His promises and fulfills His Word. It is a song we can join in singing to make great the praise of our God. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Remember, Lord of life and grace, How once, to save our fallen race, You put our human vesture on And came to us as Mary’s son. Alleluia! ("O Savior of Our Fallen Race" LSB 403, st.3)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch