Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 5:1-25; 1 Peter 2:1-12
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Do you know the difference between good and evil? What’s the definition of good? What’s the definition of evil? Who decided what is good and what is evil? Those are important questions in our world today. The difference between good and evil is defined by who is asking the question. We tend to come up with a definition that fits our wants and needs in a particular moment; what is deemed good today may be deemed evil tomorrow and vice versa.
That’s the kind of response you would expect from a world vantage point. But what about from a godly vantage point? What does God say is good? What does God say is evil? How do you reconcile the two?
In our sinful and fallen world, we have defined good and evil with definitions that are acceptable to us. However, what is acceptable to us does not always mean it is acceptable to God. That’s where we differ from God. God has a clear definition of what good and evil are and are not.
During the time of Noah, man had become so evil that God was sorry that He had created man. Man clearly called evil good and paid the price for it. God destroyed creation for its sinfulness. However, Genesis records, “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.” (Genesis 6:8)
What Noah did exactly to find favor in the eyes of God is not said. Despite all the evil that creation had done, God found favor in Noah. Despite all the evil that creation continues to do to this day, God has found favor in another. God finds favor in Jesus. Jesus keeps the Law. Jesus does not sin. There is no evil to be found in Jesus. In turn, God finds favor in you. God finds favor in you because you are clothed with Christ’s righteousness. God finds favor in you because you have been forgiven all of your sins for Christ’s sake.
What was once declared to be good and very good quickly turned to evil and the effects were devastating. Through Jesus, evil has been turned to good once again, and thanks be to God, that applies to us. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Almighty and eternal God, according to Your strict judgment You condemned the unbelieving world through the flood, yet according to Your great mercy You preserved believing Noah and his family, eight souls in all. Grant that we may be kept safe and secure in the holy ark of the Christian Church, so that with all believers in Your promise, we would be declared worthy of eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. (Collect for Noah)
-Pastor Jared Tucher serves the dual-parish of St. John – Farmer’s Retreat in Dillsboro and St. Paul, Cross Plains, Indiana.
Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Harrison Goodman
Study Christ’s words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.
