March 22,  2023

Today's Reading:  Luther’s Small Catechism – Ten Commandments: Second Commandment

Daily Lectionary: Gen 44:1-18, 32-34, Mark 12:28-44

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Ask ten strangers what they think about Christianity. They’ll tell you. You’ll hear some heartbreaking stuff. You’ll hear about a hateful God who despises the sinners who don’t sin like the rest of us. You’ll hear about a deadbeat God who abandoned His kids to a world of suffering.  Worse, you might just hear about a perfect God, who reserves Himself for the ones who earn His love.  The Almighty who answers the prayers of the popular kids who get strangers to pray for them or the rich kids who give money to church.  This is what happens when we break the Second Commandment.  

The Second Commandment isn’t chiefly about what bad words you say when you stub your toe. Those are still bad, but worse still is when we teach falsely about who our God is.  When we attach lies to His name. It’s called false doctrine. It matters. Millions of people know the name Jesus. They just think He’s a liar.  When we attach God’s favor to our works, it’s a sin. When we teach about a far away God, it’s a great evil. Every single time, the cross is diminished. The mercy won there for you and for all the world there is hidden behind lies. God calls us not to misuse His name.  

God doesn’t give you His name only to tell you not to use it. Don’t misuse it. He wants you to have it.  Pray. Praise. Give thanks. Remember who your God is. Remember what He’s done for you. For all. Pray as if it were true. Praise Him for never being far off, but always being in the midst of suffering to bear it Himself upon the cross. Give thanks that He would not save only the wealthy or the popular, but the least of these, the sinners. Us. The Second Commandment matters because it’s actually worth knowing you have a God who loves you. You have a God who won’t stand back from your misery or from your sin. He wants you to use that name. Call upon me in your day of trouble, and I will rescue you”, says your God.  “Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  That’s worth remembering rightly. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

“Do not My holy name disgrace, Do not My Word of truth debase. Praise only that as good and true Which I Myself say and do.” Have mercy, Lord! (These are the Holy Ten Commands, LSB 581:3)

- Pastor Harrison Goodman is Content Executive for Higher Things.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.

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.