June 30, 2026

Today's Reading: Genesis 50:15-21

Daily Lectionary: Joshua 5:1-6:5; Acts 10:1-17

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Joseph’s brothers had a lot of specks in their eyes. They had gone for two decades without seeing him, after their tempers grew short that dreadful day. Nine of them wanted to kill him outright. Reuben persuaded a change of plan, and they threw him down a dry cistern. (Everyone else thought they were leaving him to die of hunger and thirst; only Reuben had a plan to return after everyone’s tempers calmed down.) Then the plan changed again, and they sold Joseph into slavery. That was the last they saw of him for 20 years.

Of course, it had gotten worse. Joseph was treated well and completely trusted by his master, only to have the master’s wife falsely accuse him of attempted rape. Off to prison he went. By the time Joseph was brought before Pharaoh to interpret his dreams, Joseph had been a slave or imprisoned for 13 years. Isolation. Cut off from his family, homeland, and language. Loss of freedom. Joseph suffered much, and humanly speaking, had a lot to be angry about.

Yet none of the brothers knew or understood the work and timing of God. The Lord was giving Joseph these experiences and placing him in locations that would lead to the saving of lives. Not just his and his family’s, but the lives of thousands upon thousands in and around Egypt. Entire peoples were given life and delivered from death through the innocent suffering of Joseph.

You would think that after 17 years of living together in the land of Egypt, everyone would be relaxed and trusting at last. But the brothers were fearful that Joseph would come and judge them for all those specks when their father Jacob died. They came before him like beggars, ready to be his servants.

The Lord has mercy. In His mercy, He gave Joseph wisdom and understanding to see that the evil deeds done against him were actually setting a plan in motion that would save entire nations. None of them would be alive if it weren’t for their past transgressions. As God had forgiven them, so also Joseph had forgiven. I’m sure he even saw the log in his own eye about the arrogance and in-your-face reporting of his boyhood dreams. In truth, we are all beggars. Joseph knew this. He was forgiven. And that forgiveness spilled over to those around him, understanding that God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

For Your Son has suffered for me, Giv’n Himself to rescue me, Died to save me and restore me, Reconciled and set me free, Jesus’ cross alone can vanquish These dark fears and soothe this anguish. (LSB 608:3)

Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.

June 29, 2026

Today's Reading: Matthew 16:13-19

Daily Lectionary: Joshua 4:1-24; Acts 9:23-43

“And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Peter and Paul. The “Prince of the Apostles” and the “Apostle to the Gentiles.” They both are great movers and shakers in the first generation of the New Testament Church—heroes of the faith. And we remember them with appreciation and thanksgiving, sometimes in our stained glass windows, or even with statues flanking the Risen Christ on some altars. It is good to remember them and give thanks.

But is it the wisdom and skill of Simon and Saul? Did Simon Peter pass some exam with flying colors, giving Jesus the right answer? Did Saul of Tarsus suddenly realize he was wrong on the Road to Damascus, and shout, “My bad!” as he made up his own mind to start a new life? Here is a hint: even with the greatest saints, they could “not by [their] own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ [their] Lord, or come to Him.”

The Father in heaven gave His Spirit to these men, that they might come to faith in Christ, and be great apostles to build the foundation of the Church.

These two had a great many things in common. Peter raised Dorcas from the dead; Paul raised Eutychus. Peter was released from jail in Jerusalem by an angel; Paul by an angel in Philippi. Both preach to thousands, both Jew and Gentile, around the Roman Empire. And then, the last thing they shared in common: they both were martyred in Rome during Nero’s persecution of Christians. Paul, as a Roman citizen, was given a swift, less torturous death by beheading. Peter, as merely a subject of the Empire, was crucified.

Ah! But there is yet another thing in common. These two saints now rest from their labors, asleep in Jesus. And they are awaiting the Resurrection at the Last Day. The Resurrection foreshadowed in the empty tomb, and revealed to Peter in the Upper Room and at breakfast on the beach. The Resurrection was revealed to Paul when he was “knocked off his high horse” and saw and heard the Risen Christ on the Road to Damascus.

The Gospel of this Resurrection is revealed to you, too. Through the Word of God delivered by these two saints (and so many others!), you have been blessed and are being prepared for the Resurrection.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

We praise You for Saint Peter; We praise You for Saint Paul; They taught both Jew and Gentile That Christ is all in all. To cross and sword they yielded And saw Your kingdom come; O God, these two apostles Reached life through martyrdom. (LSB 518:19)

Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.

June 28, 2026

Today's Reading: Luke 6:36-42

Daily Lectionary: Joshua 3:1-17; Acts 9:1-22

“…first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.” (Luke 6:36)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

If you have flown, you have heard the spiel. In the event that the oxygen masks are activated, put your own mask on first, then assist others. What?! For a Christian, that seems so backwards. Think of others first. Parents want to think of their children first. You want to care for your friend or loved one traveling with you.

Why do the airlines give this instruction? Time is crucial. If you pass out from a lack of oxygen while helping someone else first, you both are in danger. However, if you secured your own mask, you can then continue to help them, and more may be rescued.

Jesus’ words in today’s reading are addressing a less noble moment, though. You know how it is—the urge to roll your eyes and tell everyone when that really annoying kid in class messed up. A certain lady at church is gossiping, and you SO want to call her out on it. You visit a different church on vacation, and you spend the whole service mentally judging every movement and choice that the pastor did wrong.

Now, in this passage, Jesus isn’t saying to avoid calling sin “sin.” He doesn’t mean that you look the other way and pretend everything is great. But He IS saying to look at yourself first. Be convicted of your own sin, and repent. You are not superior to your fellow sinners. You are no better than those who annoy you; you are a fellow poor, miserable sinner.

When you do speak God’s Word to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye, it is done with compassion and out of your own repentance. Words of Law are spoken with authentic love for them as children of God who are to be made aware of their sins, and encouraged and loved as fellow forgiven saints.

Our Lord gives His Law to peaceably order society, make us all aware of our sin, and lead us to repentance. And He governs His Church by His saving Gospel, which rescues us from all the logs in our eyes and specks in our neighbors’.

So put on that oxygen mask of God’s Word, receiving that Gospel that rescued you from sin and death. He may place others to then be helped by you. Or He may simply use the silent witness of your life, like the quiet gestures of the flight attendant, giving you that “spiel.”

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O Lord, grant that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by Your governance that Your Church may joyfully serve You in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.

June 27, 2026

Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 4 - Psalm 27:3-4a, 5; antiphon: Psalm 27:1-2

Daily Lectionary: Joshua 2:1-24; Acts 8:26-40

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

In the beginning, God said, “Let there be light.” Out of the nothingness and darkness, God spoke, and light was created. And God said it was good. John’s gospel opens with “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God…the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1, 5) The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? All this talk of light. Why? Because there is darkness in this life. There is suffering and hardship. And there are things we fear. On our own, we are left hurting and broken with no hope and no lasting help.

Sin breaks stuff. The world is broken, and so are we. The suffering we endure in this life, often as a consequence of our own sin, is persistent and heavy, and overpowering. The devil seeks to devour us. The world seeks to destroy us. Our sinful nature hates God and would call evil everything He has called good. The sinful flesh has reason to fear the darkness and shadow.

But God is not afraid of the dark. God’s solution to this darkness and evil, and brokenness is not to turn His back on us. He does not leave us in the dark. He sends light and life. He sends Jesus. Jesus, the light no darkness can overcome. Jesus, who died that sinners might live eternally. Jesus, Who rose that we might also rise in Him to newness of life. There is much to fear, but you, dear child of God, need not fear. The Lord of life and death calls you His own. You have been given life and light, forgiveness and salvation, freely. You have been given the Gift of dwelling in the house of your God all the days of your life, now and in eternity. Though an army encamps against her, Jesus will not forsake His Bride, the Church, and that includes you. When you find yourself in the valley of the shadow of death, remember these words: Jesus is my light and salvation, Jesus is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Jesus comes in joy and sorrow, shares alike out hopes and fears; Jesus comes whate’er befalls us, cheers our hearts and dries our tears; Alleluia! Alleluia! Comforts us in failing years. (LSB 353:4)

Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.

June 26, 2026

Today's Reading: Acts 8:1-25

Daily Lectionary: Joshua 1:1-18; Acts 8:1-25

“Now when Simon [the magician] saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 8:18–19)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Simon the magician likes a spectacle. He profited from the deeds and signs he performed. The people called him “the power of God that is called Great.” It seemed, outwardly, he possessed great power. When the disciples came, preaching the Good News of Jesus, Simon the magician and many others believed and were baptized, having been amazed by signs and wonders. To magic Simon, this was power! Peter and John came to lay on hands, that the people might receive the Holy Spirit, and it was then that Simon came with money to purchase this power. Peter rebukes him harshly, warning of destruction for Simon if he does not repent. Simon believed he could buy the gifts of God with money. Simon then asks Peter to intercede with the Lord on his behalf. But the truth is clear: God and His gifts cannot be bought.

The sinful flesh and world seek power and will take it by whatever means necessary. We see this in the account of Simon the magician, but we see it in ourselves as well. We want power over others; we want control. Simon’s desire to literally buy power is the most obvious depiction of our inner desire to be God and use that authority our way.

Thanks be to God, His ways are not our ways! Instead of having to pay anything to receive God, He gives Himself freely to sinners who believe. We should repent when we seek to wield the love of God as a means to our own ends. God’s power cannot be bought. His love cannot be taken by force. It is only given, and this is Good News to you and me. Instead of withholding life and salvation or His own Spirit from sinners who misuse it, God, in His mercy, pours out Himself that sinners may be forgiven and the dead and dying may live. Jesus paid the price, in His death and resurrection, so we may be given life-saving grace, free of charge. Simon mistook the power of God as a tool for him to wield. He was wrong. The power of God is freely given to forgive sinners. It cannot be bought and does not need to be. It is yours, dear Christian, that you may have life in Christ now and always.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

What costly sacrifice to cover human sin! Who but Christ Jesus had the right to enter in? His blood, that sprinkled price, so we might be assured that our inheritance in light has been secured. (LSB 564:4)

Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.

June 25, 2026

Today's Reading: Catechism: The Lord's Prayer - 6th Petition

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 31:10-31; John 21:1-25

And lead us not into temptation.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Prayer is chiefly for comfort. It is not a way to barter with God for what we want, like a cosmic vending machine. It is a Gift our Heavenly Father gives to us to be a balm in a hurting world. When we pray the words Jesus gave us, they are meant to remind us of God’s many promises. The words, “lead us not into temptation,” are not merely a request. They are a repeating back of God’s promise, but not because He’s forgotten you. God does not need a reminder, but you and I do. Praying the same words day after day is to remind you, dear Christian, that God has already promised and granted these things. He sees you, knows you, and hears you. So pray the Lord’s Prayer, not because it is the only way to get God’s attention, but because He gave us prayer that we might cling to the promises therein, as dear children go to their dear father for comfort.

The Sixth Petition is about our ongoing struggle with sin—sin we have inherited from Adam and Eve. The truth is, we cannot evade temptation because of our sinful nature. Apart from God, we are naked and vulnerable to the assaults of the devil, the world, and our own flesh. Without the Lord, we fail each and every time. So as God’s people, we flee to Him for protection. Luther’s explanation is clear: God tempts no one. But He doesn’t simply watch us blindly stumble in the dark, either. Instead, God gives us guard and protection: Christ Jesus. Jesus was tempted just as you and I are, but He did not falter. Having kept the law perfectly, He suffered, died, and rose from the dead to impart His perfection to you. In Baptism, you were washed clean and were given robes of righteousness. So when you are tempted, you lean on Jesus and His saving work. And when you fall into temptation, you may receive the forgiveness won for you and freely given to sinners. We pray that God leads us not into temptation but rather to the great victory that is ours in Christ, our Lord, because He has already promised to do so. And there is our comfort.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Transcendent Comfort in our every need, help us neither scorn nor death to heed that we may not falter nor courage fail us when the foe shall taunt and assail us. Lord, have mercy! (LSB 768:3)

Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.

June 24, 2026

Today's Reading: Luke 1:57-80

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 30:1-9, 18-33; John 20:19-31

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people” (Luke 1:68)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Everything John the Baptist did pointed to the Messiah. His father, Zechariah, prophesied John “would go before the Lord, to prepare His way to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins.” John preached in the wilderness, calling the people to repentance. He prepared them for the Gospel. He directly pointed to Jesus as “the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world” when Christ came to be baptized. John, even in his doubts, when he sent his disciples to Jesus, bore witness to Christ. Jesus tells John’s disciples to tell him, “the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them” (Matthew 11:5). John did not point perfectly, but he pointed to Jesus. And finally, in his martyrdom, John pointed to Christ as he preached the truth to unlistening ears. John the Baptist pointed to Christ - that's the job of a hypeman.

What’s worth hyping up that much, though? Zechariah’s words at his son’s birth say it clearly: God visited His people and redeemed them. The Second Person of the Trinity took on human flesh (even at John’s birth, Jesus was already in Mary's womb) and not only visited God’s people but dwelt among them. And while He dwelt among us as Immanuel, he suffered and died that He might purchase, or redeem, us with His precious blood. This was the promise God made first to Adam and Eve in the Garden and reminded His people over and over again. The Messiah is coming. God even added that one would come to prepare the way for the Messiah to clue in the people that their Redeemer was coming soon. John gave a Baptism of water only, prefiguring the Baptism of the Holy Spirit to come. He, as a faithful way pointer, directed the hurting towards their Redeemer and Lord.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

To Jordan came the Christ, our Lord, to do His Father’s pleasure; Baptized by John, the Father’s Word was given us to treasure. This heav’nly washing now shall be a cleansing from transgression and by His blood and agony release from death’s oppression. A new life now awaits us. (LSB 406:1)

Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.

June 23, 2026

Today's Reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 or 1 Peter 5:6-11

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 27:1-24; Prov 28:1-29:27; John 20:1-18

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. (1 Timothy 1:15)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

St. Paul is not looking for sympathy. When he says he is foremost or chief of sinners, he is not self-deprecating. He is not looking for Timothy to say, “Oh, Paul, no, you aren’t that bad. There are worse people than you. Don’t talk about yourself that way.” By no means! St. Paul is not looking for sympathy. Paul is not telling Timothy he is the chief of sinners to boast in himself. In fact, Paul's claim that he is the chief of sinners says more about Jesus than it does about Paul. Paul is proclaiming the gospel. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners - even him, who persecuted Jesus and His church.

God sought to be reconciled with His fallen creation. He sent His only son, Jesus, to do the reconciling. Jesus Christ did not wait until sinners worked hard enough to save themselves. He did not wait until they proved themselves worth saving. God stepped in because we can’t save ourselves. And in this, St. Paul boasts and declares it trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.

This gospel is for you as much as it was for St. Paul or Timothy or anyone else. When your conscience is burdened by the knowledge of your sinful condition, take heart. Jesus came into the world to save sinners. When all seems lost and you have failed in your vocations, take heart. Jesus came into the world to save sinners. When death draws near, and you come face to face with your own frailty, take heart. Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He came into the world to save you.

Jesus took on our frail human flesh to redeem our inability to fulfill God’s commands. Jesus fulfilled the law of God perfectly, that we might be restored. He died and rose, that sinners might die and rise as well, in Holy Baptism. He came into the world to forgive you of your sins and to rescue you from the power of death and the devil. It is trustworthy and worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, to save you.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Sin, disturb my soul no longer; I am baptized into Christ! I have comfort even stronger: Jesus’ cleansing sacrifice. Should a guilty conscience seize me since my Baptism did release me in a dear forgiving flood, sprinkling me with Jesus’ blood? (LSB 594:2)

Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.