May 16, 2023

Today's Reading: 1 Peter 3:13-22

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 9:1-23; Luke 16:1-18

“Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy” (1 Peter 3:14-15)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Alleluia! Christ is risen! Imagine what it was like for Noah, those 120 years he was building the ark. People around him were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage. Meanwhile Noah was preparing for the upcoming destruction of the world. If we find it hard to be the only Christian we know at school or work, can you fathom what it was like to be one of the few on earth who feared God? Yet, Noah persevered.

See, Noah had hope in a world to come, which those who ridiculed him didn’t have. They were occupied with this present life. The Nephilim were interested in being powerful and feared. The sons of God who were marrying the unbelieving daughters of men were grounded by their family ties to this present life (see Genesis 6:1-4). But Noah, who had found favor in God’s eyes, also had hope that went beyond this present and wicked life.

We also can expect to be ridiculed by those who are perishing. The unbelieving around us say that this life is all you can hope for. They say follow your desires, and don’t let anyone tell you they’re wrong. When we deny that, they will call us names, pass us by in employment, or worse. Yet, they can really do no lasting harm.

Like Noah, we have found favor in the eyes of the Lord. In Holy Baptism, He has looked at us in His Son: “This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” We hope in this heavenly Word, and in the promise of “the resurrection of the body and the life of the world to come” (Nicene Creed).

As we still live among the unbelieving, we bear testimony to our God, who desires the salvation of all mankind. This world is passing away, and our gentle and respectful lives bear witness to that. Even if stubborn unbelievers cause us suffering, we let go of whatever we lose and pray to our God: “Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I will sing for joy.” (Psalm. 63:3, 7; LSB 286)

There is plenty of room in the ark of the Church. We pray that the Lord would grant repentance to our family, friends, and neighbors who are of the world. The end of the world is coming. The end of each of our lives is coming, and then comes judgment. God grant repentance that we might live before Him with a good conscience!  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

To forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers and to turn their hearts…and graciously to hear our prayers: We implore you to hear us, good Lord. (Litany, LSB 288)

- Pastor Michael A. Miller is Pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR.

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.