January 13, 2009 - Tuesday of the First Week after Epiphany

Today's Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 36:13-28; Romans 4:1-25

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty. (1 Corinthians 1:27)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Water? What good is water? You can drink it. Bathe in it. Swim in it. Cook with it. But how can water forgive your sins? This week we have been celebrating the Baptism of our Lord because it points us to our Baptism. Isn't it just like the Lord to take something like water, add His Word to it and splash it on us to forgive our sins and give us eternal life!

The Lord's funny that way! He doesn't do things the way we would do them. He doesn't use the things we would. Instead, He comes and is born of a poor Virgin in a barn. He splashes in the water with the other sinners, as if He Himself were one, even though He's the Son of God! He gets nailed to a Cross, a most miserable,bitter, painful and shameful death. He rises from the dead and instead of announcing it to the church authorities, He just shows up to His disciples.

Speaking of His disciples, He sends those faithless men out into the world to bring the message of His salvation. Now, He calls frail and sinful men to do the same thing. He uses water to wash away sins. He uses that preacher’s voice to forgive sins. He takes bread and wine and with them gives us His body and blood for forgiveness, life and salvation. If you stop and think about it, our Lord really doesn't do things the way we would do them. He doesn't do things the way the world would expect.

And that's what saves us! The foolish things of this world are the means of our salvation. No pride in ourselves. No doing religion the way we would arrange it. Our Lord comes in His way, using the things He wants for us. And in doing so, He has saved you from your sins and made you His own. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

All glory to the One Who lavishes such love; The triune God in love Assures our life above. His means of grace for us Are gifts He loves to give; All thanks and praise for His Great love by which we live! (LSB 602:6)

Questions or comments regarding the Reflections may be sent to the Rev. Mark Buetow, Reflections Editor, reflections@higherthings.org.

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