Daily Reflections From Higher Things®

Daily Lectionary: Joshua 6:6-27; Acts 10:18-33 What does this mean? God tempts no one. We pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. Although we are attacked by these things, we pray that we may finally overcome them and win the victory. (The Small Catechism: The Lord's Prayer, Sixth Petition) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. God tempts no one. God is not tempted by evil. God doesn't create unbelief or cause sin. That doesn't mean that God won't permit you to experience spiritual conflict with the powers of evil. Indeed, by transferring you into His Kingdom, God makes you the enemy of the kingdom of darkness. As soon as you renounce the devil at the baptismal font, you become his target. As soon as you confess that Jesus is Lord, the world will hate you, just as it hates Jesus. As soon as the Spirit enters your heart, causing you to trust Jesus and love

Today's Reading: Micah 7:18-20 Daily Lectionary: Joshua 5:1-6:5; Acts 10:1-17 You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:19) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When things get lost at sea, they tend to stay lost. The sea is big and it is deep. The water is full of currents, moving things around. There are great chasms and canyons in the ocean that are pitch black – so dark, in fact, that God gave some fish their own little lights to navigate in the dark! Sometimes the Bible pictures God's keeping a record in a book – a record of every person and every deed committed by each person. The Bible describes God's opening the books on the Day of Judgment. This is some heavy Law. God noticed your sins. He will remember them. He recorded them, after all. What would happen if God took that book and tossed it into the sea? What would happen if your sins were not recorded forever, but were thrown into the deepest, darkest part of the ocean? There can be no condemnation if there are no sins. There can

Today's Reading: Matthew 16:13-20 Daily Lectionary: Joshua 4:1-24; Acts 9:23-43 "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 16:18-19) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Rome thinks that Peter is superior to the other apostles – that he is the head of the Church and representative of Christ. Rome thinks that Jesus gave a special office to Peter with special authority. The Pope stands in that office, and some believe there can be no Church without a pope. They use our text from Matthew 16 to prove their assertions. "Jesus said that He will build the Church on Peter and that Church – the one built on Peter – shall stand forever. In our text, Peter is speaking on behalf of the apostles. His confession is their confession. Thus, whatever Jesus says to Peter He says to the Twelve. As Paul says in Ephesians 2:19-20, God is building His Church, not on Peter, but on the confessi

Today's Reading: Luke 15:1-10 Daily Lectionary: Joshua 3:1-17; Acts 9:1-22 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:2) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Pharisees and scribes resented Jesus for treating everyone the same way. Jesus ate with the righteous Pharisees and scribes, and then He ate with sinners. He made no distinctions between them. Jesus is only imitating His Father. God is like a shepherd who pursues his lost sheep, or like a woman who searches for her lost coin. If a shepherd celebrates when he finds his lost sheep, and if a woman celebrates when she finds her money, then won't God celebrate when a sinner repents? Certainly people are more important than sheep and coins. Jesus describes God as a father who celebrates when His younger, rebellious son returns to Him. This story is similar to the previous two stories, but there is a significant difference. In this story, there is an elder son, who never left his father and rese

Today's Reading: Introit for the Third Sunday after Trinity (Psalm 25:1-2a, 5b, 15, 20; antiphon: v. 16, 18) Daily Lectionary: Joshua 2:1-24; Acts 8:26-40 My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. (From the Introit for the Third Sunday after Trinity) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Have you ever seen a wild animal trapped, perhaps in a net or a cage? Or maybe you've seen an animal that was wrapped up in some litter? I've watched several videos of wild animals that were caught and of some compassionate humans attempting to release them. The wild animal never takes his eyes off the humans. The animal is afraid and he fears the humans. He thinks that they are dangerous. So the animal snarls, barks, and bites. Have you seen a domesticated animal that was trapped? They've learned to trust humans, especially their masters. They trust the one who feeds them and cuddles them. When they are trapped, they look toward humans, but for a different reason. Their eyes are filled with fear,

Daily Lectionary: Joshua 1:1-18; Acts 8:1-25 "Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you." (Joshua 1:5) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Moses was so important to the Israelites. He was their prophet, speaking the Word of the Lord to them. He was God's agent of redemption, who confronted Pharaoh and led them out of Egypt. He was their intercessor, praying for the people of Israel after they had broken the covenant. He ruled over them and guided them to the Promised Land. Then Moses died. Who would replace him? Moses knew that he would need a replacement. In Deuteronomy he said, "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from among your brothers – it is to him you shall listen" (Deuteronomy 18:15). At first Joshua replaced Moses. God told him, "Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you." Just as Moses sent spies into the Promised Land, so did Joshua. Just as God split the Red Sea for Moses, He split the Jordan River for Joshua. The Angel of the Lord appeared to Moses

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 31:10-31; John 21:1-25 We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look at our sins, or deny our prayer because of them. We are neither worthy of the things for which we pray, nor have we deserved them, but we ask that He would give them all to us by grace, for we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment. So we too will sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us. (The Small Catechism: The Lord's Prayer, Sixth Petition) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. According to Luther, the Christian life consists of two parts: faith in the Lord and love toward the neighbor. Both parts are expressed by this petition. Christians pray for forgiveness because they are sinners. They pray for forgiveness every day, even until their dying day, because they commit sins every single day. Some people think that we are justified by the works we perform before our conversion and others think that we are justified by the works we perform after our conver

Today's Reading: Luke 1:57-80 Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 30:1-9, 18-33; John 20:1-18 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. (Luke 1:68-69) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Most fathers probably feel like singing the moment their first child is born. Zechariah couldn't contain himself. I mean, who can blame him? He couldn't say a word for nine months, and the birth of your child is pretty exciting. Interestingly, when he starts to sing, he doesn't begin his song by thanking God for his child or by marveling at his son. In fact, he doesn't mention the child until verse 76! Zechariah knows what's most important. He sings about how God has visited His people and redeemed them. He sings about a Horn of Salvation, a mighty King from the line of David. Really, this song is all about Jesus. The whole Bible is about Jesus. Our worship and hymns should be all about Jesus. John is significant because

Today's Reading: 1 John 3:13-18 Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 27:1-24; John 20:1-18 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. (1 John 3:14) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We are saved by God's love and not by our love. We don't love God so that He might love us. We don't love our neighbor hoping to merit eternal life. Thank God, for whose love is perfect enough to save himself? God has shown us His love through His Son, who laid down His life for us (1 John 3:16). This is a freely-given love. For the sake of Christ, God forgives our sins. "He is the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 2:2). We will live forever, because we have faith in Him. Faith alone saves. Love follows faith. Faith in Christ produces love. If you know the love of God found in Christ, you will love God in return. You will also love your fellow Christians. Love is not a cause of our salvation, but it is a sign of our salvation. How do you know that your faith is

Today's Reading: Proverbs 9:1-10 Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 25:1-22; John 19:23-42 Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. (Proverbs 9:5) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Lady Wisdom invites everyone to commune with her, to sit at her table and eat with her. She wants to correct and reprove us. She wants to give us instruction, the first lesson being the fear of the Lord. She promises blessing and life, warning us that the way of folly leads to death. Many Jewish rabbis identified wisdom with the Law. Indeed, the Law is good and wise. The Law instructs us, teaching us what it means to fear the Lord. The Law promises blessing and life...to those who obey. The apostles took the characteristics of Lady Wisdom and applied them to Jesus. For example, just as Proverbs claims that God created everything through wisdom (Proverbs 3:19), the apostles claim that God created everything through Jesus. According to the Gospel, Jesus gives an unconditional blessing and He is the only way to life. He do

Today's Reading: Luke 14:15-24 Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 24:1-22; John 19:1-22 Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet. (Luke 14:23-24) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Our Lord is determined to throw a party – a party that will last forever. He paid for the whole thing: the food and the wine, the music, the games, etc. There will be no entrance fee. Jesus' blood covered the entire cost! The Lord sends out heralds with an invitation: "Come, for everything is now ready!" Indeed, every Sunday, the appetizers are set out for the guests. The Body and Blood of Christ are laid out on the table, a foretaste of the Feast that can begin at any moment. Every Sunday the party favors are distributed: the forgiveness of sins, the presence of the Spirit, joy, peace, and life in abundance! Some people will be party-poopers. They will offer all kinds of excuses to not come to the Divine Service. Th

Today's Reading: Introit for Second Sunday after Trinity (Psalm 18:1-2a, 27, 30a, 49; antiphon: v. 18b-19) Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 22:22-23:12; John 18:15-20 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer. (From the Introit for the Second Sunday after Trinity) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Much of the Bible is poetry, full of metaphors and images. Such language can speak to the heart better than literal prose and dogmatic formulas. The Lord is your rock. When I think of a rock, I think of something sturdy, strong, and stable. Recently, I smashed open geodes with my daughter. Even with our hammers, it took a lot of effort to crack them open. My brothers and sisters, you are built on Jesus. Thus, you are on firm ground. This Rock makes you secure and stable. Your Lord isn't just a rock. He is a mighty fortress. You don't merely have rock beneath your feet. You have rock all around you – impenetrable walls protecting you. You have been baptized into Christ. Since you are in Christ, the devil, the wo

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 22:1-21; John 18:1-14 When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. (John 18:6) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When Judas, the band of soldiers, and officials sent by the priests and the Pharisees said that they were looking for Jesus, Jesus replied, "I am he." Perhaps this was merely an admission that He is Jesus, or perhaps Jesus is saying the divine name – I AM (Exodus 3:14). Either way, what happens next is amusing. Immediately, the band of soldiers and the Jewish officials fell backwards, right to the ground. Jesus knocked over His enemies with a mere word. They did stand back up, probably shaking a bit. They did arrest Jesus. However, John recorded this amusing detail, so that you might know that Jesus went with these men willingly. Jesus is the true God, the Almighty. Nobody can force Jesus to do anything against His will. Indeed, He really could have come off the Cross, if He wanted to. That's the point. He wanted to go with these men. He cho

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 20:5-25; John 17:1-26 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (John 17:3) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We know what the Christian's hope and destiny is—eternal life! But what is eternal life? Naturally, we think that eternal life is life without end; it is living forever. Some people think that eternal life means the body must die and then the soul can live forever in heaven. Others know about the resurrection of all flesh. They think that eternal life means that Jesus will resurrect the body and that our bodies will live forever. Still, that definition is not quite satisfactory. Jesus tells us that eternal life is not merely living forever, but is the full knowledge of God and Jesus. In other words, we truly live only if we have a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The psalmist says that his hope is to dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6 and 27:4). Yes, that means living forever, but it

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 17:1-28; John 16:17-33 "What does this mean? God certainly gives daily bread to everyone without our prayers, even to all evil people, but we pray in this petition that God would lead us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving." (The Small Catechism: The Lord's Prayer, Fourth Petition) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Why do we pray for daily bread? Because God is the Creator. He makes all material things. Because food, drink, house, clothing, money, and other possessions are good. God said so Himself (Genesis 1). Because God loves us and wants to give us good things. Since you were baptized, you are God’s child. If evil fathers give good gifts to their children, won't your good Father give you even more? (Matthew 7:11) That being said, we should remember to ask for daily bread. Our Lord tells us to pray for what we need for today. God doesn’t guarantee that we will have a super-abundance of wealth—and that’s probably not a bad thing. Food, clothes, money, a

Today’s Reading: 1 John 4:16-21 Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 16:1-24; John 16:1-16 There is no fear in love, because perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. (1 John 4:18) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. As a father, I am trying to teach my children to not fear policemen. "They are here to help you," I say. I want them to run to the police if they are in danger. Still, I must admit, even we as adults sometimes fear policemen, especially if we know that we are doing something illegal. We fear the police because they can punish us. And most police officers don’t know me, and so they don’t love me. If they were to arrest me or give me a ticket, they would lose no sleep over it. The same is true of judges. When you go to court, the judge is pretty intimidating. He doesn’t know you or love you. And he has the authority to punish you. Do you think of God as a policeman or a judge? Are you afraid of Him? Are you afraid that He is going to punis

Today’s Reading: Genesis 15:1-6 Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 15:1-29; John 15:12-27 And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:6) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In our text from Genesis, we see Abram experiencing both doubt and faith. At first, Abram doubted God’s promise, because he had no children. He assumes that Eliezer, his servant, will be his heir. Then, after God makes another promise, Abram believes. Doubt is the opposite of faith, but the two often coexist in the same person. Although doubt and faith are in conflict with each other, they battle within the same person’s heart. We see this in the Gospel of Mark, when a man says to Jesus, "I believe; help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24). Does your faith outweigh your doubt, or is it the other way around? Do you have a little, weak faith? In a sense, it doesn’t matter. The size of your faith does not save you. The size of your Savior is far more important. Faith saves you because it clings to Christ. Faith doesn’t save be

Today’s Reading: Luke 16:19-31 Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 14:1-27; John 15:1-11 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. (Luke 16:22-23) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus tells a story about a rich man and a poor man. Which of these men was rich and which was poor? In a sense, the answer is obvious. The man who ate large meals, wore fine clothes, and lived in a house was the rich man. Lazarus was the poor man. He had no food, no clothes, and no home. On the other hand, the rich man was not as rich as he first appeared. He owned nothing that lasts. He lost everything the moment he died. In hell he couldn’t even find a drop of water to cool his tongue. Lazarus appeared poor, but he was actually quite rich. He possessed treasure kept in heaven, an inheritance that is imperishable. He belonged to God's family. Thus, after Lazarus died, he enj

Today’s Reading: Introit for the First Sunday after Trinity (Psalm 13:1-4; antiphon: vs. 5-6) Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 13:1-25; John 14:18-31 O Lord, I have trusted in your steadfast love. How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? (From the Introit for the First Sunday after Trinity) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. There is a beautiful contrast here between the tone of the body of the Introit and the antiphon. In the antiphon, the verse that introduces and concludes the Introit, we say that we have trusted in God's steadfast love and that we will celebrate His salvation. In the Introit itself, we complain, "How long, O Lord? How long will you forget me and hide yourself from me? How long will my enemies prevail over me?" We live by faith, not by sight. Often it doesn't appear that God is giving us His undivided attention. Often we feel like the world is winning and that the grave is the end. We must trust in God's steadfast love when we cannot easily see His love in our daily experiences. Where we can

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 10:1-23; John 14:1-17 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother. (Proverbs 10:1) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The book of Proverbs describes active righteousness in great detail. This verse tells us that the wise and the righteous will bring joy to their parents, but the foolish and the wicked will cause their parents great grief. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10). Those who fear the Lord listen to His voice. Indeed, the Lord’s voice, His Word, creates godly fear—humility, contrition, and a desire for the Lord's favor. Wise parents will take the proverb to heart and bring their children to the Divine Service, where they can hear the voice of the Lord. Likewise, they will gather their family for daily devotions and teach the Small Catechism to their children while they are young. Active righteousness is important, but there is another kind of righteousness. You see, we cannot hope to make our heavenly Father glad