August 30, 2026

Today's Reading: Luke 10:23-37

Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 12:20-13:5, 33-34; 1 Kings 14:1-16:28; 2 Corinthians 8:1-24

“But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’” (Luke 10:29)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

It shouldn’t take a man half-dead and lying beside the road to show someone that he is self-righteous. Since self-righteousness does not fear, love, or trust in God above all things, self-righteousness is clearly a sin against the First Commandment. It doesn’t matter that self-righteousness is natural to fallen mankind. It is still against God’s Law. Therefore, one only needs the Law like a giant spotlight to show a self-righteous man this sin. It shouldn’t take a story.

Yet Jesus shows the teacher of the law his self-righteousness by the parable of the Good Samaritan. Using a realistic example of a man in dire medical need and the most unlikely of saviors, Jesus leads the teacher to admit that the hated Samaritan was more of a neighbor than the respected Jewish religious leaders. It would be normal for a Jewish teacher of the Law to also reject Samaritans. But Jesus shows the teacher that such a despised man is more merciful than the teacher of the Law was. Therefore, the teacher of the law has nothing by which he can justify himself. His works are not good enough. And yours are not, either.

The good news is that there is an even more unlikely savior for you. This unlikely savior is a crucified man. A man who everyone thought had been a child out of wedlock. A man whom people hated and wanted to kill. A man sentenced to death. But Jesus was not just a mere man. He is true God in the flesh, and the only Savior of sinners. Hence, He rose and is now on a mission to rescue fallen sinners.

Like the Good Samaritan, Jesus shows mercy when the Jewish leaders could not. And like the fallen dying man, Jesus helps you. You are dying by your sins, dead in sin, and yet alive in body. So Jesus finds you by His grace. He binds your spiritual wounds by His Word of forgiving Absolution. He pours in the oil of the Holy Spirit, that anointed you at your Baptism. He pours in the wine of His blood shed for you and given in Communion. He carries you and leads you in His mercy. And He brings you to your church like the inn in the parable, entrusting your care to your pastor, who is like the innkeeper. All this He does out of grace and love, without any merit or worthiness in you. God be praised.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, give us an increase of faith, hope, and charity; and that we may obtain what You have promised, make us love what You have commanded; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Rev. Robert Mayes, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and Zion St. John Lutheran Church, Beemer and Wisner, NE.

August 29, 2026

Today's Reading: Mark 6:14-29

Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 11:42-12:19; 2 Corinthians 7:1-16

“King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, ‘John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.’ But others said, ‘He is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.’ For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.” (Mark 6:14–29)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

John the Baptist was the last of the prophets of old. He was the forerunner of Christ with the command of making straight the way of the Lord. John was the new Elijah, and John was not afraid to speak truth to power. John told Herod that it was unlawful for him to have his brother’s wife, and this speaking of Law was what made Herod imprison him. But John was a righteous and holy man, which made Herod fear him. Herod was perplexed by John, but still heard what he said gladly. John continued preaching God’s word and preparing His way until the day he died. His death shows that even the greatest born of women (Matthew 11:11) is not enough to save himself. He died like every other prophet who came before him. It was going to take someone outside of himself to save him from his sins. John knew this, which is why he proclaimed that he must decrease so that He may increase. He knew his cousin was the Son of God who had been foretold from the beginning. This horse-hair-covered, locust and honey-eating wilderness man was the second greatest prophet. He is the second greatest, behind our Lord, the one who lives and reigns for all eternity. John knows that he is not the Christ, and the faith he carried to his death by beheading is the same faith that we hold to this very day.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, You gave Your servant John the Baptist to be the forerunner of Your Son, Jesus Christ, in both his preaching of repentance and his innocent death. Grant that we, who have died and risen with Christ in Holy Baptism, may daily repent of our sins, patiently suffer for the sake of the truth, and fearlessly bear witness to His victory over death; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Jonah Clausen, seminary student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.

August 28, 2026

Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 13 - Psalm 74:1-2, 19b, 21b; antiphon: Psalm 74:20a, 21a, 22a, 23a

Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 11:1-26; 2 Corinthians 6:1-18

Have regard for the covenant, [O Lord]; let not the downtrodden turn back in shame. Arise, O God, defend your cause; do not forget the clamor of your foes. (Psalm 74:20a, 21a, 22a, 23a)

O God, why do you cast us off forever? Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture? Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage! Remember Mount Zion, where you have dwelt. Do not forget the life of your poor forever. Let the poor and needy praise your name. (Psalm 74:1-2, 19b, 21b)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

This Psalm entreats God to remember His promises to Israel. This was a desperate cry because Israel had been taken into the Babylonian captivity, where it seemed like God had forsaken them. They had been forcefully taken out of their homeland and were made slaves. The Psalmist draws us back to the Exodus, where God originally redeemed the Israelites to be the tribe of God’s heritage. The Psalm calls back to how God made a covenant with the Israelites and how He continued to forgive them and had defended them. This Psalm we still pray today. We hold God to His promises that He made to our ancestral heritage, to Israel, which we are grafted into. But the congregation that God purchased of old, He has bought back through the holy, precious blood of the Son of God. The innocent sufferings and death of Jesus make it so that we can be His own and live under him in his kingdom with everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. Christ has redeemed the tribe of His heritage and, through Baptism, has made that heritage ours. Through Baptism, we are brought into the family of God, not as slaves, but as inheriting heirs. Through Baptism, we receive the Good Gifts of God and are washed clean to be in the pasture of God’s hand.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

God the Good Shepherd, you have always gathered your people to yourself. Continue to search for the lost sheep of the world and keep those in your pasture from wandering. Guard your flock from the wolves that seek to snatch us away and bring us safely to eat by still waters. Through Jesus Christ, your son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.

Jonah Clausen, seminary student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.

August 27, 2026

Today's Reading: Catechism: What is the Sacrament of the Altar?

Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 9:1-9; 10:1-13; 2 Corinthians 5:1-21

It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and to drink. (Luther’s Small Catechism- Sacrament of the Altar)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

What is the Sacrament of the Altar? As Luther wrote, it is the true Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and to drink. This confesses a multitude of things in a concise sentence. It says what it is, why it is, and who it is for. Firstly, it is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We confess that Jesus was true man and true God. True man because God does not have blood, and true God because otherwise the Body and Blood can not be present at every altar. We still confess that the Body and Blood are under the bread and wine. This retains that the bread and wine are still present and are not removed at any point. It also confesses that the Body and Blood are truly present. This meal does what it says because it was instituted by Christ Himself. The Word of God is where the promises come from, and the words of Christ are efficacious; they do what they say. Therefore, we hold to the promises of God that when Christ says that “This is my body and this is my blood,” we believe that it is truly his Body and Blood. Finally, it is for us Christians to eat and to drink. We do this for the forgiveness of sins. But we do not do it alone; it is in community that we go to Communion. We partake in the only flesh and blood that can save us from our sins because it is only through Christ's sacrifice that we are justified before God.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Not all the blood of beasts On Jewish altars slain Could give the guilty conscience peace Or wash away the stain. But Christ, the heav'nly Lamb, Takes all our sins away; A sacrifice of nobler name And richer blood than they. My faith would lay its hand On that dear head of Thine, While as a penitent I stand, And there confess my sin. My soul looks back to see The burden Thou didst bear When hanging on the cursed tree; I know my guilt was there. Believing, we rejoice To see the curse remove; We bless the Lamb with cheerful voice And sing His bleeding love. (LSB 431:1-5)

Jonah Clausen, seminary student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.

August 26, 2026

Today's Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:4-11 or Romans 10:9-17

Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 8:22-30, 46-63; 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

“because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?’ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:9–17)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

This is the sweet Gospel proclamation. Saint Paul’s writing to the Romans is a comfort to them that these are the promises made to God’s people. The first half is all comfort and teaches all the Good Gifts that God has given to his people. There is no difference between Jew and Greek, it does not matter if you became a Christian early or late, for the same Lord is Lord of all and bestows his riches on all who call on Him. God gives lavishly to all his children because he loves them. He loves you because you are His child, not from what you have done, but from what He has done for you. He has called you by the Gospel, enlightening you with His Gifts, and sanctified the whole church on earth. Your conversion was through means; God works through His creation to bring people to faith. That is the reason for the second half of this reading. Now that we know how good God is, we share it with others. God’s infinite goodness is enough to share. So we proclaim the Gospel and what God has done for us, so that the kingdom would be expanded and all may be saved. We are saved through faith, which is a Gift of God, and that is the faith we share.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Salvation unto us has come By God's free grace and favor; Good works cannot avert our doom, They help and save us never. Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone, Who did for all the world atone; He is our one Redeemer. (LSB 555:1)

Jonah Clausen, seminary student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.

August 25, 2026

Today's Reading: Isaiah 29:17-24

Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 7:51-8:21; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18

“Is it not yet a very little while until Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be regarded as a forest? In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel. For the ruthless shall come to nothing and the scoffer cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off, who by a word make a man out to be an offender, and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and with an empty plea turn aside him who is in the right. Therefore thus says the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: ‘Jacob shall no more be ashamed, no more shall his face grow pale. For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name; they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. And those who go astray in spirit will come to understanding, and those who murmur will accept instruction.’” (Isaiah 29:17–24)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

We live in the midst of a fruitful Lebanon. The First day of the Lord has come, and the prophet Isaiah spoke the words of God that would come to pass. The Gospel for this week was opening the ears of the deaf man. That man was healed, and he heard the words of Christ; he heard the Word of God speaking to him. We can also look at other places in Jesus’ ministry and see him fulfilling this prophecy. Between putting down scoffers to the meek obtaining fresh joy, Jesus does it all. However, all of those miracles pale in comparison to the fulfillment of verses 22-24. This is where the effects of Jesus’ mission on earth come to pass.Christ comes and sanctifies Jacob. Jesus’ unblemished life, death, and resurrection take the shame of Jacob away. When Jacob sees his children, the work of God’s hands, in his midst, they will sanctify God’s name. Because of Jesus’s work of salvation, not only are we made righteous before God, but God’s name is sanctified as well. Yahweh dwells with his people and brings his people back to Himself. The relationship has been restored between God and man. Christ is the fulfillment of the prophets and is the fulfillment of the first prophecy made to Eve in the Garden. Jesus is the one to crush the head of the serpent forever. We live in the victory of Christ until he comes again to bring us to be with him for all eternity.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Anoint them prophets, men who are intent. To be Your witnesses in word and deed, their hearts aflame, their lips made eloquent. Their eyes awake to every human need. (LSB 682:2)

Jonah Clausen, seminary student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.

August 24, 2026

Today's Reading: Luke 22:24-30 or John 1:43-51

Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 5:1-18; 1 Kings 6:1-7:50; 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:17

“A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.’” (Luke 22:24–28)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Is it greater to serve or to be served? Throughout the world, the answer is obvious: it is better to be served. Kings exercise lordship, and it's good to be the king. But the King of Kings has a different answer. He is the King who says, “the first shall be last” and “Blessed are the Poor.” He is the one who came down from the heavens to serve. The eternal Son took on flesh and dwelt among us, not as a conqueror but as a servant. This continues to be a comfort to us because our God is the one who gave his life on the cross to cleanse us from our sins and did not stop there. Our God continues to sanctify his people, and He has created Good Works for us to do as fellow servants and Children of God. However, God has not stopped serving us. He continues to serve us every Sunday when the saints on earth gather together to receive the Word and Sacrament from our pastors. God’s work began for us and continues to be for us as our generous King gives freely to his people for all eternity. Jesus shows that the greater one is the one who serves. If God Himself serves us, we, as His people, continue to serve our neighbor.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, Your Son, Jesus Christ, chose Bartholomew to be an apostle to preach the blessed Gospel. Grant that Your Church may love what he believed and preach what he taught; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Jonah Clausen, seminary student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.

August 23, 2026

Today's Reading: Mark 7:31-37

Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 3:1-15; 1 Kings 3:16-4:34; 2 Corinthians 1:1-22

“And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, ‘Ephphatha,’ that is, ‘Be opened.’ And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it.” (Mark 7:33-36)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Our God works through means. Jesus could have only said “Ephphatha,” and the blind and deaf man would have been healed. But our God puts His holy spit into the mouth of the man before He commands him to be opened. God is not afraid to get down and dirty with His creation. He not only commands this man’s ears to be opened and his tongue to be released, but this man was spiritually opened and released. While only his ears were opened and his tongue was loosed, Jesus also opened this man's eyes to see his savior. On his own, he was spiritually blind, but through God’s working, he confesses the goodness of Jesus. In a similar way, we too were spiritually deaf and mute. We could not hear the Word or confess our Lord until the Holy Spirit opened our ears to the Word of God and loosed our tongues to confess with saints all over the world. We can join the proclamation of the healed man and zealously proclaim what God has done for us. We are opened by Christ’s salvific work to proclaim His life, death, and resurrection. God puts His words into our mouths when we proclaim the truths of the Bible. Just as the healed man spreads the Word, God uses you as one of His means to bring more people into His kingdom.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty and merciful God, by Your Gift alone, Your faithful people render true and laudable service. Help us steadfastly to live in this life according to Your promises and finally attain Your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Jonah Clausen, seminary student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.