Reflections

October 19, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 18:1-8

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

“[Jesus said,] ‘Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on Earth?’” (Luke 18:8)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Jesus is giving you the Gift of prayer by presenting to you a judge who is so ridiculously bad that no reasonable person would waste time asking a favor of this judge. This judge neither fears God nor respects any man. He couldn’t care less about protecting the innocent, caring only for his own convenience and well-being—an unrighteous judge.

Pray, says Jesus, like an emptied widow petitioning this judge until the judge finally gives up and says, “I’ll give her justice, so that she will not beat me down with her continual coming.” (Luke 18:7)

Is Jesus calling his own Father an unrighteous judge? That, of course, is not the point of comparison. In the parable’s last verse, Jesus presses the point He is making for us: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on Earth.” (Luke 18:8) 

We live either by faith or by the Law. We’re justified by faith or by works of the Law. As Paul reminds us, no one is justified by the Law (Romans 3:19-20); rather, the sinner is justified by faith (Romans 5:1-2).

The Pharisees and Teachers of the Law taught how to come before God with something to give him and how to live by the Law. Jesus rescues us from their school of Law, standing us before His Father in his own righteousness. Since the Law always accuses, anyone arguing their righteousness by the Law already stands condemned! So, how do we stand before the Father? Come to the Judge as a sinner, as an emptied-out widow. Stand before the Judge expecting a thoroughly ridiculous judgment: that the one who has nothing, who deserves nothing, that one God declares most blessed of all. 

Stand before your Lord holding nothing but the Gospel promise. Faith clings to the promise. Faith can’t help but pray. After all, the person justifying himself by the Law doesn’t need to pray. Why pray if you’re sanctifying yourself by your own works? You’re already in good shape, so there is no need for pleading. But knowing that no person can justify himself, we can finally see that the one who lives by the Law dies by the Law. 

So life comes as Gift! The sinner, standing before God with no righteousness earned, now lives by faith in the righteousness of Christ Jesus, faith in the promise, faith that Jesus justifies the sinner by the Word of grace. And faith prays. 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty and eternal Lord, You command us to pray, and You promise to hear and answer us. Give us Your Holy Spirit, then He can lead and reign in our hearts in everything. Then we can live in true faith, trusting in You. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Rev. Warren Graff, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, NM.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Harrison Goodman is the Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things.

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

October 18, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 10:1-9

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

“Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.” (Luke 10:9-12)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

God’s promises remain the same, regardless of whether people hear them or not, whether they receive them or not, whether they reject them or not, whether they martyr the disciple or not.

For the towns that rejected these promises, the promises are still there. They just don’t get any part of them. They have heard, they have seen, and they have said “no thanks.” But they probably were not that polite about it. And notice that after the rejection, the acclamation that “the kingdom of God has come near to you” is the same. They don’t get to push away God’s kingdom because they did not like it. The promises are still there. The promises just speak against that town now. 

This was St. Luke’s lot. As one of those sent by Jesus, he would see this firsthand, not just in this account but in his whole life. Some would receive the word with joy, being overjoyed and happy that the kingdom of God had come near to them. Others would not, and this is what led to the end of Luke’s life. He is traditionally thought to have been martyred by being crucified or hanged on an olive tree. 

But you, dear Christian, can rejoice, for the Kingdom of God has come near to you. This is not in condemnation, where the dust of the feet of the 72 speaks against you. This is in consolation, where the words of your pastor (indeed, the words of Christ) testify for you that you are forgiven and redeemed, and that truly, God’s kingdom has come near to you.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, our Father, Your blessed Son called Luke the physician to be an evangelist and physician of the soul. Grant that the healing medicine of the Gospel and the Sacraments may put to flight the diseases of our souls that with willing hearts we may ever love and serve You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Rev. Jonathan Lackey, Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

October 17, 2025

Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 19 - Psalm 74:18-19, 21, 20a, 22a; antiphon: Psalm 74:2a

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

“Remember this, O LORD, how the enemy scoffs, and a foolish people reviles your name. Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild beasts; do not forget the life of your poor forever. Have regard for the covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence. Let not the downtrodden turn back in shame; let the poor and needy praise your name. Arise, O God, defend your cause; remember how the foolish scoff at you all the day! Do not forget the clamor of your foes, the uproar of those who rise against you, which goes up continually!” (Psalm 74:18-22)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

This is what we are dealing with. This is why we should not get too comfortable in the world. At its best, that world tolerates us Christians. It likes us (sometimes) because we can be “good for society.” At least, that’s how it's sometimes said. But other times, we get lectured about how we Christians are indeed very bad for society, so bad that they need to be removed from the conversation altogether. Hang out in some dark internet places and you’ll hear that one. 

Regardless of whether we Christians are tolerated or reviled, the answer is not to curry favor with the world. The answer is not to seek to wade in and adopt the ways of the scoffing enemy, the foolish people, and the habits of the wild beasts. Because that's not where life lies. Down that way, only death. 

Instead, we get the privilege of calling upon the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of Angel armies. When the world makes and promptly breaks its covenant, we have a God who remembers His covenant with His people. We have a God who hears our prayers and whose ears behold our cries, all for the sake of Jesus. The world can do its worst. But you are forgiven, you are freed, you are a child of God. Nothing can change that.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Though hordes of devils fill the land All threat’ning to devour us, We tremble not, unmoved we stand; They cannot overpow’r us. Let this world’s tyrant rage; In battle we’ll engage. His might is doomed to fail; God’s judgment must prevail! One little word subdues him. (LSB 657:3)

Rev. Jonathan Lackey, Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

October 16, 2025

Today's Reading: Catechism: Table of Duties - Of Citizens

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 14:1-2, 22-23, 14:28-15:15; Matthew 13:24-43

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.” (1 Timothy 2:1-3)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

How often do you pray for the leaders of your country? And I mean really pray for them. Even if you don’t like them. Even if you (or your parents) did not vote for them? 

I can hear it now… “Pr. Lackey, I don’t want to pray for them because they are evil and doing wrong!” (I have heard people say this!) 

Here is the deal: Everyone needs our prayers. All the time. The high and the low, the sick and the healthy, those inside the church and those outside of it. Those in power and those not in power. St. Paul here gives us a specific reason why we should pray for those in power. It is so that “we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” Because chaos and war are ugly and provide a ripe environment for sin to grow and fester. Because some people will destroy their faith when the times get hard. You think it doesn’t make a difference, but it does. So, we are duty-bound as Christians to pray for those in authority. This isn’t just the government either. It’s all authorities in your life—fathers, mothers, police officers, judges, governors, presidents, vice presidents. Oh, and a spot of prayer for your pastor wouldn’t go amiss either. 

But remember: prayer is a Gift! The fact that we have the ear of the Lord of all Creation, the one true God, is great news. He hears us—all of us—for the sake of Jesus. So pray joyously, knowing that your prayers will be heard. All for the peace that passes all understanding.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word; Curb those who by deceit or sword Would wrest the kingdom from Your Son And bring to naught all He has done. Lord Jesus Christ, Your pow’r make known, For You are Lord of lords alone; Defend Your holy Church that we May sing Your praise eternally. O Comforter of priceless worth, Send peace and unity on earth; Support us in our final strife And lead us out of death to life. (LSB 655)

Rev. Jonathan Lackey, Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

October 15, 2025

Today's Reading: Matthew 13:1-23

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 13:1-18; Matthew 13:1-23

“And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:3-9)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

This can feel like one of those “Sunday School” stories that you’ve heard a million times before. And maybe you have. Maybe when you were little, your Sunday School teacher taught you this, and she had you color a picture or maybe even gave you a little bag of seeds. Hopefully, those seeds did not end up like most of the seeds in the story. Nevertheless, this parable has great significance for our lives as Christians. The sower (Christ) sows the word of God. If you’ve ever seen the work of a sower, especially as it is traditionally done, the sower's sowing is… very haphazard. He takes a bag of seeds, slings them by his side, then takes a handful of them and just… chucks them as he walks. The seeds get everywhere, exactly like Jesus says. Far contrast to the cornfield in front of my house, where the seed machine probably has a count of every kernel they put in the ground. I like Jesus’s way better. 

But these seeds do not all meet the same fate. That’s part of business when the seeds are evenly covering everything. Some of them have no soil to grow in, so they become food. Some whither and die because of persecution. But others, others absolutely blossom. They are kept in growth by the care and tending of God. They are kept alive by the giver of growth. Your faith is kept alive by the giver of faith. You have ears to hear, and you have heard. And the word does not return void! The sower waters your faith with the preaching of the Gospel, and feeds it by giving you His own Body and Blood. Thanks be to God.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The sower sows; his reckless love Scatters abroad the goodly seed, Intent alone that all may have The wholesome loaves that all men need. Though some be snatched and some be scorched And some be choked and matted flat, The sower sows; his heart cries out, “Oh, what of that, and what of that?” Of all his scattered plenteousness One-fourth waves ripe on hill and flat, And bears a harvest hundredfold: “Ah, what of that, Lord, what of that!” (LSB 586:3-5)

Rev. Jonathan Lackey, Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

October 14, 2025

Today's Reading: 2 Timothy 2:1-13

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 12:13-32; Matthew 12:38-50

“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.” (2 Timothy 2:8-13)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

It is very possible, even likely, that suffering will come your way because of your faith. Now, it may not look like it did for St. Paul. There is a high probability that you will not be locked up in prison for your faith or eventually martyred as he was. But… you may have (and probably already have) some tense moments. Turning down an invitation to do something because it’s happening on Sunday morning, right smack dab in the middle of Divine Service time. Witnessing to a friend or classmate when pressed that, no, this is what Christians believe about _____, and you might have had to find another table at which to eat lunch. 

Big or small, earth-shattering or just kind of annoying, all Christians are going to suffer for their faith in some way. St. Paul knew this full well, and so he was very careful to pass on to Timothy that this would be the case.

But what is the point, really? Why should we even bother with it? Why should we even care? St. Paul tells us, beloved in the LORD. This matters for the state of your soul, this matters for the forgiveness of sins, this matters for eternal life. You have already died with Jesus in the waters of Baptism, and so you are raised with him to live too. It doesn’t matter what the world says about it or you.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Let us gladly die with Jesus. Since by death He conquered death, He will free us from destruction, Give to us immortal breath. Let us mortify all passion That would lead us into sin; And the grave that shuts us in Shall but prove the gate to heaven. Jesus, here with You I die, There to live with You on high. (LSB 685:3)

Rev. Jonathan Lackey, Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

October 13, 2025

Today's Reading: Ruth 1:1-19a

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 11:26-12:12; Matthew 12:22-37

“And she said, ‘See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.’ But Ruth said, ‘Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.’ And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.” (Ruth 1:15-18)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Ruth could have just gone. It would have been easy for her to do so. It’s usually easier to go with the flow and do what is expected. Ruth could have just gone back to her sister-in-law, back to her people, and back to her gods. 

But there is the sticking point… “back to her gods.” That’s the worst part. Ruth knows that she cannot do that. She sees that Naomi’s God is… well, actually God. Capital “G” God vs lower case “g” god. Ruth here is not just choosing between Naomi and her family. She is choosing between life and death. She chooses correctly. 

It’s also interesting where they end up after our reading. They go to Bethlehem! There, they meet Boaz, always considered to be a type of Christ in the Old Testament (a type is someone who points forward to Christ). Ruth chooses life (or, more accurately, she is chosen by God) and is called into the people of God. Sound familiar? It should! It’s exactly what happens to us. The Holy Spirit creates faith in us to bring us out of Moab, out of the land of the little “g” gods of idols, of sin, of death, and into Bethlehem, the house of bread, that is the church, where someone better than Boaz, Christ himself, feeds us the very bread of life.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Faithful God, You promised to preserve Your people and save Your inheritance, using unlikely and unexpected vessels in extending the genealogy that would bring about the birth of Your blessed Son. Give us the loyalty of Ruth and her trust in the one true God, that we, too, might honor You through our submission and respect and be counted among Your chosen people, by the grace of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and the Holy Spirit, who reign together with You, now and forever.

Rev. Jonathan Lackey, Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

October 12, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 17:11-19

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 11:1-25; Matthew 12:1-21

“When he saw them he said to them, 'Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, ‘Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ And he said to him, ‘Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.’” (Luke 17:14-19)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Jesus is not really a “you scratch my back and I scratch yours” kind of guy. Too often, we are tempted to imagine salvation as some kind of contract or transaction. I once heard someone say, “When the praise goes up, the blessings start coming down.” Yeah… not how that works. We especially see that this is not the case here in our Gospel reading for today. Because Jesus does what he normally does. He heals someone with a terrible affliction. He does this all the time. He casts out demons, sometimes a lot of demons from one person. He heals the lame to walk about. The blind have their eyes opened. The deaf have their ears unstopped. Those who are mute can speak again. Especially notable is His healing of lepers. Leprosy was a social, physical, and religious death sentence. If you contracted leprosy, you were cast out of society, and you were also considered “unclean.” So, for Jesus to have mercy upon these people is very kind indeed. 

Jesus does the same thing to you every Sunday. You, dear listener, in all likelihood do not have leprosy. But you do have something worse: sin. Jesus responds to our weekly (and daily!) cries for mercy with boundless compassion, acting through your pastor to forgive your sins with the words of Absolution and the Sacrament of the Altar. 

But notice what happens after. Nine of the lepers take the healing and take off, not one word of thank you. And do you notice… they were still healed. Jesus doesn’t afflict them with their leprosy again because he doesn’t get a thank you. For that, we can be thankful because we are never as thankful as we ought to be. We are forgiven of sins we don’t even know about. But Jesus is faithful. He keeps his promises. Thanks be to God.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, You show mercy to Your people in all their troubles. Grant us always to recognize Your goodness, give thanks for Your compassion, and praise Your holy name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Rev. Jonathan Lackey, Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

October 11, 2025

Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 18 - Psalm 34:2-4, 17; antiphon: Psalm 48:1a

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 9:23-10:22; Matthew 11:20-30

“My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:2-4)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Here is a fun little exercise. What are you proud of? What do you boast in? What’s on your t-shirt when you walk out of your house? What’s on that baseball cap you wear all the time? Stickers on your car? Maybe a sports team, a particular brand, a school you attended (or hope to). Or maybe you’re really, really good at something. Maybe you can just absolutely sink a three-pointer, or you are convinced that your grilled cheese is the best, crispiest, gooiest grilled cheese with just the right balance of butter, cheese, and bread. 

It’s good to take stock of these things eventually, and I am not telling you to stop being proud of these things. Your college football team is great fun, I am sure, and I know my grilled cheeses are always to my taste at least. It would be silly to make those things the base of your salvation, but you would be surprised what people do make their boast in. Eternally, I mean. It’s the really cool, high-up, attractive, and shiny things that people really like to put their fear, love, and trust in. Things like their works. Or their vocations. Or how well they do their vocations. Things that make us look really good, really pious, really on fire for what God has given us. To be sure, your vocation is a good thing, and you should strive to carry it out faithfully. Your neighbor really, really needs your good works. But it is not on those that you are saved. Your salvation, your soul's boast? It is all the Lord. It is all his doing. It is all what Christ has done for you. How He has saved you. How Jesus has paid the price for everything you do, yes, even when you get a little too into… well, you. In your Baptism, He washes you. In the Lord’s Supper, God himself feeds you. Every. Single. Week. Now that's really something to boast about.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Here we have a firm foundation, Here the refuge of the lost: Christ, the Rock of our salvation, Is the name of which we boast; Lamb of God, for sinners wounded, Sacrifice to cancel guilt! None shall ever be confounded Who on Him their hope have built. (LSB 451:4)

Rev. Jonathan Lackey, Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

October 10, 2025

Today's Reading: Matthew 11:1-19

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 9:1-22; Matthew 11:1-19

“Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 11:11-15)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

I love reading about John the Baptist. John the Baptist is so delightfully strange that it really catches my eye each time, no matter how many times I have read this section of St. Matthew’s gospel. Here is a man who has lived basically all his adult life on the fringes of society. He eats bugs, he dresses in a camel pelt (remember, delightfully weird), and he just blows up the Pharisees. What a job! Best of all, Jesus says that none born of woman is greater than John the Baptist!

Hold up, what? 

Now that always confuses me to no end. What does that mean? Is Jesus just hyping up his friend and cousin, John the Baptist? Could be, but the operative thing (and what matters most for you, beloved in the Lord) is the next sentence. “Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (v. 11) That means me, that means you, that means everyone! We are greater than John the Baptist, not because John is bad in any way, but because Jesus is the greatest, and he gives that greatness to us in his death and resurrection! 

This is even better news because of what comes right after. The Kingdom of heaven has suffered violence and will continue to until Christ returns. You may never suffer one iota for Christ, or you may lose your life, probably somewhere in between. But regardless, you cannot be taken out of the kingdom of heaven because you were given the ears to hear, and you have heard.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

When all the world was cursed By Moses’ condemnation, Saint John the Baptist came With words of consolation. With true forerunner’s zeal The greater One he named, And Him, as yet unknown, As Savior he proclaimed. (LSB 346:1)

Rev. Jonathan Lackey, Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.