June 7, 2023

Today's Reading: Table of Duties, Luther’s Small Catechism: The Close of the Commandments

Daily Lectionary: Song of Solomon 4:1-5:1, John 5:30-47 

What does God say about all these commandments? He says, “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of their fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me,  but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep my commandments”.  (The Close of the Commandments)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  Have you ever wondered why God gives us commandments? If so, you’re not alone. Many have wondered that same thing. Some have answered that question by saying that the commandments are given for us like a stairway to heaven so that we can climb our way into God’s grace and favor. Some have said the commandments are like the pirate code in Pirates of the Caribbean, they’re more like guidelines really. Some try to take God’s commandments and soften them like Mary Poppins and her spoonful of sugar. 

It doesn’t take too long to realize that these ways of thinking about God’s commandments fall short, just like we do in keeping them. God’s commandments aren’t given as a ladder, but as a mirror and a hammer to show us our sin and crush our sinful flesh. God’s commandments aren’t suggestions or guidelines we can do away with on a whim; this leads to thinking that God’s Law has nothing to say to us, when in fact it is given to show us our sin and our need for Jesus our Savior. God’s commandments aren’t meant to be sugar-coated either; they show us that we have failed to love the Lord our God with all our heart and soul and mind, and love our neighbor as ourselves. 

Psalm 119:32 puts it this way, “I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!” When we come to the close of the Ten Commandments in the Small Catechism, we quickly realize that we have not kept these commands, and that if we have done anything in accordance with them, it was all by God’s grace. And yet, God’s commands also help us to see our need for a savior. The commandments we have not kept, Jesus has kept for us perfectly. That is why in the close of the commandments, God’s punishment for our sin is outweighed by His love which lasts a thousand generations, the Scripture’s way of saying his love is everlasting. Where we have failed and falter at keeping God’s commands, Jesus has kept every one of them for you in His everlasting love. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O holy and most merciful God, You have taught us the way of Your commandments. We implore You to pour out Your grace into our hearts. Cause it to bear fruit in us that, being ever mindful of Your mercies and Your laws, we may always be directed to Your will and daily increase in love toward You and one another; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

-Pastor Samuel Schuldheisz is Pastor at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Milton, WA

Audio Reflections Speaker: Jonathan Lackey is an LCMS seminarian.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.