October 28, 2024

Today's Reading: John 15:12-16, 17-21

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 30:1-20; Matthew 19:1-15

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. (John 15:18)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Why did the world hate the apostles Simon and Jude? Their names are tied together on the church calendar today because, according to tradition, they were both martyred on the same day. Why did the world hate them to death? Because they were faithful to Jesus’ doctrine. That’s why. 

Simon and Jude both taught that God’s salvation does not depend on sinners choosing Jesus but on Jesus choosing them. They taught that God does not love us because we love Him. We love God because God first loved us. Faithful to their Friend’s doctrine, Simon and Jude both taught that we are not saved by the help of grace; we are saved by grace itself. That’s a huge difference. 

Had Simon and Jude taught that God only did His part in our salvation by voting “yes,” and the devil did his part by voting “no,” but now we must do our part and cast the deciding vote– the world would have loved them. Their Jesus would not condemn the world’s works. He would reward them.  

Simon and Jude were Jesus’ friends because Jesus Himself is the Friend of sinners. And as friends of the Friend of sinners, Simon and Jude did what Jesus commanded them. They weren’t going to hide “this little gospel light of mine.” They would remain faithful to the Jesus God sent for us.

That Jesus went to the cross for you to cancel your vote. You are saved by that Jesus. That Jesus comes to you every day in your Baptism to keep calling you His friend. You are saved by that Jesus. That Jesus comes to you in the pardon you hear from your fellow friends in Christ and from your pastor. You are saved by that Jesus. That Jesus comes to you at Holy Communion to say to you, “I choose you. I still call you friend. I forgive you all your sins. And the only vote my Father ever listens to now is Mine.”

Thank God for Simon and Jude. For in their being chosen by Jesus, they have taught us God loves and chooses poor, miserable sinners just like us. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Almighty God, You chose Your servants Simon and Jude to be numbered among the glorious company of the apostles. As they were faithful and zealous in their mission, so may we, with ardent devotion, make known the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

-Rev. Bradley Drew, pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Metairie, LA.

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

Spend time reading and meditating on God’s Word throughout the Church Year with the Enduring Grace Journal. Includes scripture readings, prayers, prompts, and space for journaling. The Church Year Journal, Enduring Grace, now available from Concordia Publishing House.