September 4, 2026

Today's Reading: Ephesians 4:1-24

Daily Lectionary: 2 Kings 2:1-18; Ephesians 4:1-24

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

These are some of the most misunderstood words in Holy Scripture. The question is, who does the work of ministry? Is it the apostles, prophets, etc.? Or is it all the saints? In recent years, many churches, pastors and even denominations have said that it is the saints who do the work of ministry. That means all the people are ministers, every believer a minister, every believer a missionary, and so it goes. Pastors simply are CEOs to get the people to do ministry acts.

But this is not the original Lutheran teaching. The original Lutheran teaching is that Ephesians 4:11-12 refers to apostles, prophets, etc., namely those men who held the Office of the Holy Ministry as God’s pastors. And these men in the Office of the Holy Ministry alone do the work of the ministry. Not all Christians are ministers (see also 1 Corinthians 12:29). This original Lutheran teaching is found in one of the writings of the Lutheran Confessions of 1580. One place comments on Ephesians 4:8-12, saying: “And [Paul] enumerates among the gifts specially belonging to the Church pastors and teachers, and adds that such are given for the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” (Treatise 67, Triglot pg. 523). Faithful Lutherans throughout the centuries have pledged to teach no other teaching except that which comes from Scripture and is confessed by these Confessions.

Why does it matter who does the works of the ministry? The answer involves the doctrine on which the Church stands or falls, justification. We are right with God not by our works, but on account of Jesus Christ, who was crucified for our sins and is risen from the dead. Therefore, the highest worship of Jesus is faith in Him. Faith receives. Faith is like the hand that holds onto the gift of forgiveness in the Word and the Sacraments. Therefore at worship, the most important thing is that faith receives, not that faith gives. It is muddle-headed to offer up our works—even religious works—as the highest worship. So faith is content to receive, and shuns doing.

At the same time, it is not wrong to confess your Christian faith in your circle. It is great for all Christians - lay people, youths, parents, and pastors, to confess your faith to men as God gives opportunity. Technically this is not the ministry, and you are not under any command of God that you must. It is a fruit of faith, and you are free to do this in your calling, wherever and whenever God gives you opportunity. May you confess boldly in such times.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O Lord, grant us to know Your Word and not be misled. Amen.

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

September 3, 2026

Today's Reading: Catechism: What is the benefit of this eating and drinking?

Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 19:1-21; 1 Kings 20:1-22:53; Ephesians 3:1-21

“What is the benefit of this eating and drinking? These words, ‘Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,’ show us that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.” (Small Catechism VI.2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

God has a powerful Word. When there was nothing, God spoke, and a whole world came into being. When God sent Word by His prophets, what they predicted came true. God brought about what seemed impossible at the time—the most unlikely thing to happen—and yet God did it. When God commanded a fish to both swallow Jonah and to be the first submarine in human history, carrying Jonah to Nineveh, the fish did it. When God’s Son made man spoke, His Word was also powerful. Storms were stilled. Lepers were cleansed. The deaf heard. The blind saw. Dead people became living again.

So it is no surprise that the words “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins” also are powerful. In the Lord’s Supper, these words place God’s own forgiveness in the body and blood of Jesus which is in and with the bread. All who take the Sacrament eat the body and drink the blood of Jesus. But only those who take it in faith in these words receive forgiveness there. God’s Word puts this forgiving body and blood in the bread and wine. Faith receives forgiveness from there.

And an even greater gift is that this forgiveness is not alone. It comes with other gifts of God as well, brought by His powerful Word. For life and salvation also are companions of forgiveness. It’s as if they were friends who cannot be separated. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation. What kind of life? Life before God. Renewed life by the forgiveness of sins that Jesus’ death won and that the Sacrament seals to you. And eternal life too! The Lord’s Supper is the medicine of immortality, the true fruit of the tree of life, that all who eat of it and also have faith in these words find this life that God gives. Here, salvation is received as well. Forgiveness is the word spoken by God on the last day to His believers. And the Sacrament brings that end-time forgiveness and salvation to His believers now as the first taste of heaven.

So come when your pastor offers the Sacrament, and come spiritually hungry. You will be fed, because the powerful Word of God makes this food to be equally as powerful.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

“For Your consoling Supper, Lord, Be praised throughout all ages! Preserve it, for in ev’ry place The world against it rages. Grant that this sacrament may be A blessed comfort unto me When living and when dying.” (LSB 622:8)

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

September 2, 2026

Today's Reading: 1 Kings 18:20-40

Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 18:20-40; Ephesians 2:1-22

“Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.” (1 Kings 40:38)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Take that, false prophets of Baal. You, who outnumbered Elijah 450 to 1, still lost. What a wimpy god you cried out to to show his so-called power. It didn’t matter how you cried out loudly for him to hear. It didn’t matter how much you limped (though it was funny for the faithful to see, we’ll grant you). It didn’t matter how much of your own blood you stupidly shed when you cut yourselves. Wouldn’t you know, false gods always demand the blood of their followers. But it didn’t work. Your sacrifice that looked oh-so-nice on that altar that morning was untouched by any divine being. The meat just sat there and stank, drawing who knows how many flies.

That’s because the real God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The God of the Israelites, who is also known as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—this is the God of your downfall, O prophets of Baal. This is the God who hides Himself so that no one by his earthly human wisdom will ever find him. You guys sure couldn’t. God hid Himself so well that it seemed like Elijah was the only believer left. Yet God’s weakness is greater than all your power, all your political influence, all your earthly advantages. So it is that God may hide Himself even now. Maybe He is making those who hate Him think He is weak and powerless, yet He plans to overturn them when their strength is at its strongest.

The true God poured out His sacred fire on an offering drenched in water. Here, He proves that what is impossible for man is no sweat to the God who made all things from nothing. Oh, so no one can make a wet sacrifice burn? Pour some more water on. God’s got this. After all, this sacrifice is also like the sacrifice that would save sinners: Jesus’ death on the cross! This is the ultimate sacrifice of God, the one that fulfills all other sacrifices—even this sacrifice of Elijah. Elijah’s sacrifice was drenched in water and yet still burned completely when God sent the fire. And Jesus also was drenched in water—drenched at the Jordan River when He was baptized. But this watered-down sacrifice still faced the fire of God’s anger at the cross, that your sins would be atoned for and your salvation secured. Your false god Baal can do nothing, O prophets. And at the end, you tragically see what following a false god gives - that is, only death. Meanwhile, the God of Elijah gives life.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word and faith until our end. Amen.

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

September 1, 2026

Today's Reading: Galatians 3:15-22

Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 18:1-19; Ephesians 1:1-23

“If the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.” (Galatians 3:18)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Abraham is perhaps more like a Christian than an Israelite. Technically, there was no way Abraham could be an Israelite. Israelites were descendants of Jacob, who was later named ‘Israel.’ Jacob was Abraham’s grandson. So there was no possible way Abraham could ever be Jacob’s descendant. Abraham could never look back in his family history and find his grandson as his ancestor. So technically, Abraham was not an Israelite at all.

He is called a patriarch, one of the founding fathers of the Scripture and its teaching. In the New Testament, the Jewish teachers pointed to Abraham as the father of their religion of following the Law. These Jewish teachers who did not believe in Jesus as God’s Son, and therefore could not believe the Gospel, pointed to Abraham as their theological founder. It’s as if they said, “Look at Abraham who obeyed God, and thus God loved him. Therefore, you also need to obey God by following the Law completely, so that God might love you, too.”

Therefore, in many ways, Abraham stands as the father not of the Jewish religion, but of the Christian religion! Abraham is not the founder of any works-righteous religion, as Paul showed. Rather, Abraham stands as one of the best Old Testament examples of faith in Christ. God gave Abraham an inheritance —the land of Israel— by a promise. This land would belong to Abraham and to his offspring. And Abraham believed this promise God made. Abraham believed God when He promised that this old man would have a son through Sarah, and that in this promised son, all nations of the world would be blessed. And it was only by this faith that Abraham was right with God.

Who is this promised son of Abraham? It is not merely Isaac, though he was one, too. The real promised son of Abraham is Jesus (see Matthew 1:1). Jesus is the one Abraham believed in and was redeemed by. Trusting in Jesus makes one right with God, apart from one's works. Just as Abraham was right with God, not because of what he had done or how he had obeyed, but rather, simply by trusting God’s Word and promises. Now God’s promises of eternal life and salvation are centered on Jesus. Now Christ, who died for sinners and rose again, proclaims forgiveness for sinners. Be like Abraham. Believe those promises, and you are right with God.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Heavenly Father, reassure me that I am right with you, not based on my inability to follow the Law, but simply because I trust your promises of forgiveness and salvation in Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

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

August 31, 2026

Today's Reading: 2 Chronicles 28:8-15

Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 16:29-17:24; 2 Corinthians 10:1-13:14; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

“You shall not bring the captives in here, for you propose to bring upon us guilt against the Lord in addition to our present sins and guilt. For our guilt is already great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.” (2 Chronicles 28:13)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

After King Solomon, the Israelites split into two separate kingdoms in a civil war. For centuries, two nations existed among God’s chosen people. Israel in the north was often idolatrous and sinful. Judah in the south began in the faith and ended up idolatrous. Because there were two nations and the Word and teaching of God were not central all the time, sadly, the people of God fought against each other.

Christians should see this time in Israel’s history as a warning. Throughout the New Testament, we also hear God’s Word teaching us to be long-suffering and patient with our brothers. We are taught not to let the sun go down on our anger. Indeed, we must also be careful to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

It is sometimes hard, though. Like Judah in the Old Testament, sometimes we make a great effort at the beginning, but do not follow through. We hold onto anger unjustly and are happy to see our enemies fall. We are impatient, demanding, and will suffer little if we can help it. As for the unity of the Spirit, sadly, this is sometimes the least of our concerns.

Our Lord warns us against continuing in self-centered behavior. Let us not add sins to sin, or guilt upon existing guilt. Rather, as our Lord Jesus calls us to repent and believe in the Gospel, let us do so. If some bitterness is lodged in your heart now, let it go. Call on God to take it away. Trust in the Lord of life who does not call you to outrage, but to faith in Him and reflecting His peace among others. Lean on Him alone who loved you and gave Himself for you. And then, with the same compassion Jesus has shown you, show that to your neighbors. And especially those of the same household of the faith. Offer to rake the leaves of homebound members of your congregation. Volunteer to babysit your pastor’s kids. Be willing to sing in your church’s small choir. In such ways, you show that you are the Lord’s, and His love shows through you.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Hope of the world, who by Thy cross didst save us From death and dark despair, from sin and guilt, We render back the love Thy mercy gave us; Take Thou our lives and use them as Thou wilt. (LSB 690:4)

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

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.