Reflections

Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost


Listen Later

October 20, 2024 


Today's Reading: Mark 10:23-31

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


It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:25-27)


In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. You may have sung the hymn “What is the Word to Me” before. I used to think it was a question. It’s a statement of faith. “What is the word to me With all its vaunted pleasure When You, and You alone, Lord Jesus, are my treasure!” (LSB 730:1) 

 

Truth is, it is easier to believe in God’s love when you have what the world calls “treasure”– when you have money and everyone else loves you, or when you are getting “A’s” in everything and are always knocking it out of the park. But what about those times when you are not? What about those times when you are poor, and it seems like no one likes you? When you are not getting good grades and are always failing at everything? What about those times when all you see are your sins, and you can’t find any reason at all to believe in God’s love? What then?

 

Jesus. That’s what then. Jesus on the cross for you. Jesus in your Baptism for you. Jesus in holy Absolution for you. Jesus in the sermon and in the Word for you. Jesus in the Supper for you. Jesus is how God calls you treasure, His treasure. This Jesus is how God saves you from all your sins. This Jesus is how God comes to you and declares you righteous in His sight and as His dear child. 

 

If this salvation depended on you, it wouldn’t be possible. Thank God His salvation does not depend on us at all. It depends on Jesus. Jesus only. Jesus always. Jesus period. Not everyone else loving you, but God loving you. Not you saving the day, but God saving the day for you. Not in anyone having what the world calls treasure, but in God having what He calls treasure– you. 

 

Jesus not only makes this salvation possible; He makes it yours. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.


O God, Your divine wisdom sets in order all things in heaven and on earth. Put away from us all things hurtful and give us those things that are beneficial for us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, 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.


In Embracing Your Lutheran Identity, Author Gene Edward Veith Jr. will guide readers through that heritage, starting with the Early Church and moving through the Reformation to Lutheranism today. Readers will learn about key people in the history of Lutheranism, from two teenagers who were the first martyrs of the Reformation, through the Saxon immigrants who left everything behind so they could practice Lutheranism freely, to the Lutherans who have stood strong for the faith in our own day.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

ReflectionsBy Higher Things, Inc.

  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5

4.5

8 ratings


More shows like Reflections

View all
Issues, Etc. by Lutheran Public Radio

Issues, Etc.

1,828 Listeners

Breakpoint by Colson Center

Breakpoint

3,004 Listeners

The Briefing with Albert Mohler by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

The Briefing with Albert Mohler

8,192 Listeners

The World and Everything In It by WORLD Radio

The World and Everything In It

6,984 Listeners

Hillsdale Dialogues by Hillsdale College

Hillsdale Dialogues

2,034 Listeners

40 Minutes In The Old Testament by 1517 Podcasts

40 Minutes In The Old Testament

994 Listeners

Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard’s Podcast by Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard’s Podcast

42 Listeners

Thinking Fellows by 1517 Podcasts

Thinking Fellows

823 Listeners

30 Minutes In The New Testament by 1517 Podcasts

30 Minutes In The New Testament

727 Listeners

Morning Prayer Sermonette from KFUO Radio by KFUO Radio

Morning Prayer Sermonette from KFUO Radio

31 Listeners

Christian History Almanac by 1517 Podcasts

Christian History Almanac

423 Listeners

The Word of the Lord Endures Forever by Lutheran Public Radio

The Word of the Lord Endures Forever

813 Listeners

Verdict with Ted Cruz by Premiere Networks

Verdict with Ted Cruz

44,092 Listeners

Parenting with Ginger Hubbard by Ginger Hubbard

Parenting with Ginger Hubbard

1,235 Listeners

The Uncultured Saints by Higher Things, Inc.

The Uncultured Saints

6 Listeners

As Lutheran As It Gets by Higher Things, Inc.

As Lutheran As It Gets

4 Listeners

There and Back Again by Higher Things, Inc.

There and Back Again

2 Listeners

The Drive to School Podcast by Higher Things, Inc.

The Drive to School Podcast

8 Listeners

HT Shorts by Higher Things

HT Shorts

1 Listeners

Black & Blue by Higher Things, Inc.

Black & Blue

0 Listeners