Reflections

December 14, 2024

Today's Reading: Introit for Advent 3 - Psalm 146:5-8; antiphon: Philippians 4:4

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

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Modern Advent wreaths have four blue candles. Each Sunday in Advent, another candle is lit, reminding us that Jesus, “the true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” (John 1:9). Traditionally, Advent wreaths had three violet candles and one rose candle. The rose, or pink-colored, candle was lit on the third Sunday in Advent. Why pink? Why that Sunday? Because of the introit for that Sunday which is known as Gaudete Sunday.

The first word of the introit for this Sunday is “Rejoice” (which, in Latin, is Gaudete.) This word of gladness marks a change in tone from the rest of the season, which is a more somber time of repentance and preparation for the Lord’s return in judgment. The main part of the introit is Psalm 146, but the antiphonal verse with the opening line is from Philippians 4. In that passage, St. Paul also has the end of days in mind, writing, “The Lord is at hand.” But he is not writing about this as a warning to the people but rather as a comfort. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil. 4:6)

Like everyone else, Christians get anxious and worry about the future. (We shouldn’t, but we do.) When anxiety comes, prayer, in which we make our requests known to God, is a welcome relief. So is recalling your blessings. Yes, even in the midst of worrying over what may be ahead, it is still possible and very beneficial to look back and recall what the Lord has done. This is what the Psalmist does in Psalm 146. He recalls that the Lord is the author of all creation, and He remains forever faithful. He remembers various ways in which God helps those in need and lifts up the humble. 

If you ever need help recalling how blessed you are, just read the Psalms. You will find that they are filled with praises to God for what He has done. But chief among our blessings is the forgiveness won for us by Jesus. His Gift of forgiveness sets us free from sin and the guilt and shame that comes with it. His work of salvation gives hope that whatever the future holds, the end is certain. In the end, all who are in Him will be raised and lifted up forever in His everlasting kingdom. 

With this end in mind, you can truly “Rejoice in the Lord always,” no matter your present circumstances. And when you do, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The Saints, who here in patience Their cross and suff’rings bore, Shall live and reign forever When sorrow is no more. Around the throne of glory The Lamb they shall behold; In triumph cast before Him Their diadems of gold. (LSB 515:3)

-Rev. Joel Shaltanis, pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Plano, TX.

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

What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

December 13, 2024

Today's Reading: Revelation 1:1-20

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

“To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood…” (Revelation 1:5b)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. A man in my congregation was a renowned high school basketball coach and the son of a Lutheran pastor. He had a collection of wise sayings, and one of my favorites was this: “There are some things in the Bible I can’t understand, but there are many things I can’t misunderstand.” That’s a great saying to keep in mind when reading the last book of the Bible.

The book of Revelation is notoriously difficult to interpret. Bible scholars and churchmen throughout the ages disagree on what every last symbol or image refers to. That can be frustrating when you really want to know what every word means. But even though some details elude us, there are many things you “can’t misunderstand.”

For example, in the first chapter, it is clear that John was given a prophecy from God, and all who read it and take it to heart will be blessed. It is also unmistakably clear that John is living with the expectation that Christ’s return in glory is imminent, and he wants Christians to be prepared for that day. He also wants them to know how great and glorious our Lord Jesus is, and this is perhaps the best part of this book, namely, what it tells us about Jesus. 

In this introduction, we learn that Jesus is the firstborn of the dead, the ruler of the kings on earth. He loves us, He has set us free from our sins by His blood, and at His coming, every eye will see Him. He is eternal and almighty, the Alpha and Omega, who was and is and is to come. And John’s description of Jesus’ appearance is striking! He is powerful, glorious, and terrifying. No wonder John fell at his feet as though dead when he saw Him.

In the four gospels, we read of the great mercy that Jesus shows and demonstrates to those desperately in need, while in Revelation, Jesus is described as an all-powerful judge. But the two are one and the same. The Almighty and eternal Son of Man is the one who loves us and humbled Himself for us. The timeless one without beginning or end entered into time and was born of the Virgin Mary. No one less than the King of Heaven came down and died for us to free us from our sins. The All-Powerful judge who holds the keys of Death and Hades is, for us, a suffering servant who opens heaven to all who believe.

I may not fully understand a number of things about the Lord Jesus Christ, but when it comes to His love for us, I cannot misunderstand. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Ev’ry eye shall now behold Him Robed in glorious majesty; Those who set at naught and sold Him, Pierced and nailed Him to the tree, Deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing, Shall their true Messiah see. (LSB 336:2)

-Rev. Joel Shaltanis, pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Plano, TX.

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

What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

December 12, 2024

Today's Reading: Catechism: Table of Duties - To Everyone

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

“The commandments … are summed up in this one rule: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Romans 13:9)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Luther’s Table of Duties concludes with a general instruction of what every Christian owes everyone else, and the answer is not surprising: we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. Along the same lines, Luther also cites a passage reminding us that one way we express our love for others is by praying for them. 

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” It’s amazing how many ethical dilemmas can be resolved by appealing to this simple direction. If you find yourself in a situation where you don’t know what to do, just ask yourself: If I were in their shoes, how would I want to be treated? 

So, for example, if you have acted badly, would you want people to be patient with you and give you another chance? Then, you should be patient with your neighbor who has acted badly and give him another chance. If you were truly in need and asked someone for help, would you want them to help you? Then you should help the person who is asking you.

This is simple enough to understand. The hard part isn’t knowing how your neighbor would want to be treated but actually putting love into action and treating them that way. It’s easier to do if your neighbor is a friend and someone you love. After all, we genuinely want to see our friends do well. But how do you love as yourself the person you just met, or the person you know and don’t like? How do you act for the good of someone who isn’t interested in your own good?

In every situation, but especially when you are dealing with someone who is ‘tough to love,’ it is good to remember that you are loved with an incredible and undeserved love. Our Lord Jesus didn’t lay down His life for you because you deserved it; rather, He served you this way because He loves you. That’s remarkable because we know we aren’t always so loveable. All of us are selfish and naturally put ourselves first. We have all treated others badly and hurt them. If God only dealt with us on the basis of how we have dealt with others, we would be in big trouble. But our Father in Heaven deals with us in love, and He sent Jesus to save us because He loves us. Jesus, in His great compassion, saw our need and went willingly to the cross in order to help us with what we needed most: forgiveness of sins and a new and everlasting life in His name.

With His love in our hearts, we can begin to be less selfish and learn to love others as ourselves and as He has first loved us. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Love in Christ is strong and living, Binding faithful hearts in one; Love in Christ is true and giving, May His will in us be done. (LSB 706:1)

-Rev. Joel Shaltanis, pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Plano, TX.

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

What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

December 11, 2024

Today's Reading: 1 John 5:1-21

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 28:14-29; 1 John 5:1-21; 2 John 1-13, 3 John 1-15

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In the closing words of St. John’s first epistle, he makes it clear why he has written: he wants all who believe in Jesus to know they have eternal life. What great words of encouragement! He also assures Christians that eternal life through Jesus is the Gift of God and that all who believe have been born of God. The action is from Him to us. Salvation is not something we accomplish or deserve. God gives it freely because He wants us to share in the eternal life won for us by Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of the world. Alleluia!

With bold and beautiful words, John says: “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” While every Christian happily agrees with the first part of that statement, a lot of people chafe at the second part. “Too exclusive,” they say. “That might offend people.” Indeed, it will. It always has.

A lot of people today don’t like this kind of talk. It bothers them to think that some people will not have life. “How can John say that people who do not have Jesus do not have life? What fault is it of theirs that they don’t know Jesus?” They would accuse Christians of being intolerant. But John is not writing to offend; he is merely stating a fact.

Think of it this way (and this analogy is not original): Suppose the building you are in is engulfed in flames, and your life is in imminent danger. Fortunately, you know the way to the front door, so you call out to everyone else, “Follow me! I know how to get out of here.” To this, someone responds, “You go ahead; I’m going out the back door.” But you just came from that way, and you know that no one can get out the back. So you insist, “Please! We don’t have much time. We’ve got to make it to the front!” 

In that situation, you are not insisting on your way because you are arrogant; you are insisting because you know the other people are in trouble and you want to help. 

Jesus is the only way to the Father. By God’s grace, you have Him as your Savior. By man’s stubbornness, some resist Him and insist on another way even though God wants them to be saved. Those who resist need our prayers and our loving concern. They do not need an unclear message that says one way is as good as another. Jesus is still the only way. Thank God we have been given life in Him. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

You are the way, the truth, the life; Grant us that way to know, That truth to keep, that life to win Whose joys eternal flow. (LSB 526:4)

-Rev. Joel Shaltanis, pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Plano, TX.

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

What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

December 10, 2024 

Today's Reading: Philippians 1:2-11

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

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. During the season of Advent, we remember both that Christ once came in humility and that He will come again in glory. In our text, St. Paul has in mind Christ’s return in glory, which he calls “the day of Jesus Christ.” Paul is thinking about his life and the lives of the Philippians in terms of the Last Day, and he is praying for them and encouraging them to remain faithful until that day when all people must give an account. 

The Day of Judgment is a frightening concept for many people, but not for Paul. In fact, Paul speaks with great confidence about the faith and salvation of the Philippians, writing: “I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Paul can speak with such certainty because his confidence is not in the people and their ability to save themselves but in our Lord, who began faith in them and continues that faith in them. What Paul does in this single sentence is dispel a false belief that many Christians have. 

Too many Christians think (and worry!) as though Christ and His work of dying and rising only makes salvation possible for us. You see, in addition to what Christ has done, they think there is still work we must do in order to get to heaven. But that is not what the Bible says. Jesus does not merely start something that we have to finish; salvation is God’s work from beginning to completion.

God the Father sent His Son into the world. Christ offered Himself up as an atoning sacrifice so our sins are not counted against us. It is only through faith in Jesus that anyone can be saved. But this faith is also God’s work. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, who calls, gathers, and enlightens His people by breathing new life in us and causing us to trust in Christ for salvation. By the working of the Holy Spirit, we are united with Christ, and He keeps us in the one true faith until the Last Day.

Wherever the Good News of Jesus is proclaimed in truth, and The Sacraments are administered according to Christ’s instruction, there you find the Spirit at work among the people of God. There, you find people abiding in Christ and He in them. There, you find people being kept safe by the working of the Spirit until the day of Jesus Christ. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

So, when next He comes in glory And the world is wrapped in fear, He will shield us with His mercy And with words of love draw near. (LSB 345:4)

-Rev. Joel Shaltanis, pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Plano, TX.

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

What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

December 9, 2024

Today's Reading: Malachi 3:1-7b

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

“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me…” (Malachi 3:1a)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The prophet Malachi holds a special place in the history of salvation: he was the last to prophesy in the Old Testament period. After God spoke through Malachi, the voice of the prophets was silent for nearly 400 years, until John the Baptist.

Through Malachi, God revealed His plan to send John the Baptist, saying, “Behold, I will send my messenger and he will prepare the way before me.” Look closely, and you will see how this text shows that Jesus is truly God. The prophet says the messenger will not come before Jesus, but before me, which identifies Jesus with the one inspiring these words, namely, the Lord Almighty. 

Malachi also reveals the coming of a second messenger, “‘And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, he is coming,’ says the Lord of hosts.” This second messenger is identified as the Lord Himself. He is called “The Messenger of the Covenant,” and He will go to the Lord’s temple. “The Messenger of the Covenant” is none other than Jesus Christ.

Malachi describes Jesus’ work as a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. John the Baptist also spoke of Him this way: He would baptize with fire and the Holy Spirit, separate the wheat from the chaff, and burn up those who did not produce fruit. Jesus worked this way because His job was to purify sinners. He worked like a launderer’s soap because He washed away the sins of sinners.

God would be justified in doing more to sinners than simply refining and washing them; He would be perfectly justified if He chose to destroy them. But the Lord is gracious. He does not delight in the death of the wicked but rather that they turn from their ways and live. (Ezekiel 18:23) In the same way, He prefers to refine His people rather than destroy them.

Christ is still refining His Church. His Word still confronts us and bids us to repent and rid ourselves of harmful sins that would destroy us. Sometimes, He even allows us to go through painful and difficult situations—not to harm us but to help us by cleaning us up and burning off some impurities.

Christ is truly God, and He has purchased you with His own precious blood. He has paid for all your sins. He loves you and desires only your good. He intends for you to spend eternity with Him. None of that changes no matter what you are going through, but it’s especially good to keep those things in mind when times are tough. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

When through fiery trials your pathway will lie, My grace, all-sufficient, will be your supply. The flames will not hurt you; I only design Your dross to consume and your gold to refine. (LSB 728:4)

-Rev. Joel Shaltanis, pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Plano, TX.

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

What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

December 8, 2024

Today's Reading: Luke 3:1-14 (15-20)

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 24:14-25:12; Obadiah 1-21; 1 John 2:15-29

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. (Luke 3:4b)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. You’ve probably heard this before, but it won’t hurt to hear it again: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us…” Simply put, if we can’t admit we are sinners, we aren’t being honest. Sadly, that describes a lot of people.

It’s easy to make excuses for sin as if the things you do or fail to do aren’t really your fault. It’s easy to compare yourself to someone really bad and say: I’m so much better than them! But God isn’t fooled, and He isn’t interested in arrogant, dishonest people who deny their sins. Rather, He wants genuine sinners who are sick of their sins and want to do better. These are the ones He can help, and indeed, He does more than help; He forgives them, saves them, and gives them life without end.

In Jesus’ day, there were many in Israel who denied that they were sinners. They thought that because they were children of Abraham, sin wasn’t a problem. Some of the most religious people of all (the Pharisees) were so impressed with themselves that they could only see the sins of others. Jesus had a hard time with people like this, not because He was unwilling to bless them, but because they had no use for Him. And here is the simple truth: until you admit you are a sinner, you won’t have much use for a savior from sin. 

In order to prepare people to receive the one and only savior from sin, God sent the forerunner to tell people the truth. He would tell people they needed to repent. John was the one who fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy about the voice of one crying in the wilderness. He prepared the way of the Lord by urging people to receive a Baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He called a lot of people sinners, and with colorful images, he reminded them of the consequences of sin: “The axe is already at the root of the trees and every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire!”

John’s goal was not just to scare people but to alert them to the reality that we all need a savior. John also pointed to the Savior Jesus, saying, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

John the Baptist reminds us that we won’t really get Jesus until we see how badly we need Him. But once you are convinced of your need, you’ll never want to be without Him. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry Announces that the Lord is nigh; Awake and hearken, for he brings Glad tidings of the King of Kings! (LSB 344:1)

-Rev. Joel Shaltanis, pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Plano, TX.

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

What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

December 7, 2024

Today's Reading: Introit for Advent 2 - Psalm 81:8, 10-11, 13; antiphon: Luke 3:4b

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 24:1-13; 1 John 1:1-2:14

“Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” (Psalm 81:10)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

December 7th is a day that will live in infamy. So said President Roosevelt referring to the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, but long before that, December 7th was acknowledged by Christians as the feast day of Saint Ambrose.

Ambrose of Milan (340-397), a popular bishop and gifted theologian, is called the “Father of Western Hymnody” because he wrote liturgies and hymns. His most popular is “Savior of the Nations, Come.” Martin Luther translated this hymn into German in the 1520s, and it has been sung by Lutherans ever since. It has also been called the Advent hymn par excellence. 

God’s people have always sung praises to Him. It’s simply not enough to speak His praises, but our God’s amazing grace and mercy necessitates that we must sing. In Old Testament times, the hymns believers sang were the Psalms. The importance of the Psalms and our hymns is not that they have a catchy melody (though it’s nice when they do!) rather, the main thing is what they say. What do they teach us? How do they honor Jesus Christ and direct our thoughts toward Him and how He has rescued us from sin? 

The Introit for the second Sunday in Advent is from Psalm 81. The antiphon recalls John the Baptist’s role in preparing people to receive the Lord. He is the forerunner crying out and urging people to repent of crooked ways. The Psalm verses urge God’s people to listen to the Lord and lament that they did not listen and submit to Him.

Many voices compete for our attention and keep us from listening to God. For example, as I write this reflection, I have been interrupted by text messages six times! It is difficult to find uninterrupted time to listen to the Lord. That is why we must be intentional about it.

You are reading a devotion that invites you to listen and reflect upon God’s Word. –That’s a great start! You also have the opportunity to listen to the Word each week in worship. Also consider this: how much of the hymnody and liturgy do you really listen to? It’s easy to get stuck on ‘auto-pilot’ and just go through the motions without any consideration of the words that are coming out of your mouth! (Don’t ask me how I know.) 

Most of our liturgy is straight out of Scripture, and our hymns are likewise founded in the Word of God. For that reason alone, we do well to pay attention to the words we say and sing in worship. Psalm 81 records God saying to His people: “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” That’s what happens when we listen to God’s Word and respond to Him with our songs of praise that are based on His revealed Word.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Savior of the nations, come, Virgin’s Son, make here Your home! Marvel now, O heav’n and earth, That the Lord chose such a birth. (332:1)

-Rev. Joel Shaltanis, pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Plano, TX.

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

What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

December 6, 2024

Today's Reading: 2 Peter 3:1-18

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 14:1-23, 2 Peter 3:1-18

What sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness? (2 Peter 3:11)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Someone once said, “Live each day as though Christ died yesterday, rose today, and is coming back tomorrow.” A version of this quote is attributed to Martin Luther, but the same sentiment was already expressed in 2 Peter 3.

Peter mentions that people are scoffing at Christians, specifically, for their claims that Christ would return and judge the world. Early Christians spoke about the return of Christ as though it was certain to happen at any moment. 2,000 years later, we do not live with the same urgency, so to keep from being complacent, we remind ourselves during Advent and as often as we confess the creeds, that He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead.

St. Peter assures his readers that the end is imminent. After all, what is time to the Lord? To the eternal and timeless God, a day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as a day. By that logic, it’s only been a couple of days since Christ died, rose, and ascended into heaven!

Still, why hasn’t the Lord returned? What is He waiting for? Peter explains that the Lord is not slow; He is gracious, patiently giving time for more to repent and not perish. Nevertheless, when He comes, it will be sudden and unexpected, like a thief, and then the earth and the heavenly bodies will be destroyed, and the works done on them will be exposed. 

In light of this inevitable judgment, St. Peter asks: “What sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness?” The answer is that Christians are to hope in the promise of Christ and await the new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells. That is, in light of Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection victory, and His promise to raise us up on the Last Day, we are to be hopeful, looking forward to His return.

The problems on this earth and the lack of righteousness are not just a problem for scoffers, it is our problem as well. None of us could withstand the coming judgment apart from Christ. So, thanks be to God that Christ has conquered sin and death for us! He has promised forgiveness and salvation to all who believe. On account of His cross and empty tomb, we can look ahead to a time and place “in which righteousness dwells.” 

One day Christians will live in perfect peace with God and one another. When Christ comes again and makes all things new, then, at last, we will be what we were created to be: holy and righteous, without spot or blemish. Until then, we can practice holiness and godliness and “…grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

May Christ our intercessor be And through His blood and merit Read from His book that we are free With all who life inherit. Then we shall see Him face to face, With all His saints in that blest place Which He has purchased for us. (LSB 508:6)

-Rev. Joel Shaltanis, pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Plano, TX.

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

What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

December 5, 2024 

Today's Reading: Catechism: Table of Duties - To Widows (1 Timothy 5:5-6)

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 11:1-12:6; 2 Peter 2:1-22

“She … has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers…” (1 Timothy 5:5)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

In America, we talk a lot about rights and what everyone is owed. Rarely do we talk about our responsibilities and what we owe others, but that is what Luther’s Table of Duties is. It is a list of Scripture passages that remind Christians in various callings of their responsibilities. 

The passage Luther provides for widows is 1 Timothy 5:5-6. These words are not so much a command, but a description. St. Paul says a “true widow” who is all alone without a family to care for her, sets her hope in God and prays night and day. Alternatively, one who lives for pleasure is not really alive but dead. So what does this imply for widows? They are to be the hope-filled and praying kind, and not the self-indulgent kind. Everyone, not only widows, can learn from St. Paul’s words. 

‘Widow’ is not a vocation one chooses, but is something a woman (young or old) becomes against her will. You may not have lost a spouse, but all of us have felt abandoned and have found ourselves in unpleasant and difficult situations that we did not choose. For example, when your best friend moved away, your parents divorced, or a dear loved one died. In such desperate and difficult times, it is easy to feel sorry for yourself and indulge in selfish behavior. Drugs, alcohol, and pleasures of the flesh only dull the pain and distract you for a while. But in reality, Paul says that kind of living isn’t living at all, but rather it is headed for death.

Instead of self-pity and indulgence the Christian who finds herself in a painful and unchosen situation does far better to reach out to God in prayer. God doesn’t grant our every desire in prayer as if we are His master and He only exists to serve us. No! He is our Lord and we are His servants. But He is a loving Lord and He hears us when we pray and He cares. He knows how cruel and unfair this life can be, and He isn’t content to let it be that way forever. Our Lord Jesus cares so much that He willingly endured painful cruelty and innocent suffering and death in order to set us free from it all. Eventually, this world will end and a perfect one will take its place. There, in the Kingdom, God will wipe every tear from our eyes. 

The self-indulgent life may thrill you for a time, but it may also keep you from the new life God has already provided for you. Far better is the way of lasting peace that is to be found in hope-filled and continual prayer.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Through long grief-darkened days help us, dear Lord, to trust Your grace for courage to endure, to rest our souls in Your supporting love, and find our hope within Your mercy sure. (LSB 764:5)

-Rev. Joel Shaltanis, pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Plano, TX.

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

What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.