January 8, 2026

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

Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 2:1-3:11; Romans 1:18-32

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

I urge…that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone. (1 Timothy 2:1)” (Small Catechism, Table of Duties, To Everyone)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Do you want to fulfill God’s Law perfectly? It isn’t difficult. Jesus said to one of the Pharisees who questioned him about the Law that loving God with every fiber of your being and loving your neighbor as yourself is how you keep God’s Law. Easy-peasy, right? Just love God and your neighbors perfectly, and you have it all sorted out! 

Except it isn’t that easy, is it? St. Paul tells Timothy that we should pray for everyone. Since all of Holy Scripture applies to all of us, those prayers for everyone are part of loving God perfectly, because He has given us those neighbors for whom we should pray. Even the neighbors we don’t necessarily like or even want to pray for. Oops.

No matter how much you try, you will never be able to be perfect or keep God’s Law perfectly; it is impossible because of sin. You just can’t do it. But that doesn’t mean you give up on it, either. For the command has been given to us to love and pray for our neighbors, regardless of our ability (or even desire!) to do it properly.

And that is actually the comforting part of these commands of God. Even though He knows you can’t do it perfectly, He still gives you the opportunity. Just like learning a new skill or a new sport, God sends His Holy Spirit to teach, guide, and coach you in the way you should go. He puts all kinds of neighbors in your life so that you can learn how to love them and how to care for them with your words, actions, prayers, and more.

He has recreated you in your Baptism as His own child. He continues to speak to you and teach you through His Word and your pastor’s sermons and Bible classes. He forgives you in confession and Absolution. And he forgives, sustains, and strengthens you in the Lord’s Supper, too.

All of these things He does for you, even though you so often fail spectacularly at keeping His Commandments and loving your neighbors. So take heart and go boldly out into this world and love your neighbors as best you can, pray for them, and give thanks for their presence in your life, knowing that when you do fail, the Blood of Christ covers even those sins.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Called by worship to Your service, Forth in Your dear name we go, To the child, the youth the aged, Love in living deeds to show; Hope and health, goodwill and comfort, Counsel aid, and peace we give, That Your servants, Lord, in freedom May Your mercy know and live. (LSB 848:4)

Author: Rev. Duane Bamsch, pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Wichita Falls, TX.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.

Work through the first ten chapters of Matthew and learn more about who Jesus is. As you move through this study, you’ll ponder the theological, practical, and historical considerations of the text. With ample room for personal notes, this study will have you feeling confident in your understanding of Matthew’s Gospel. Matthew 1:1-11:1 of the new Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series is available now.