November 5, 2023

Today’s Reading: Matthew 23:1-12

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 17:1-20, Matthew 14:1-21

“And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.” (Matthew 23:9)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. These verses either read like a threat to authority or an excuse to ignore it.  Maybe because the whole “unity in Christ” bit would be a lot easier if we weren’t told what to do by people who screw up.  So we get vaguely punk rock about it and try to ignore the fact that the very voice that told Moses the 4th commandment was to honor your mother and father is now telling us to ignore all that. 

Still, it sounds good.  If nobody can tell anyone else what to do, nobody is above or below anyone else. Unity.  After all, real unity always happens when everyone just does what they want on their own anyway. Understand what it all means.  Best case scenario, this is just another chance to turn inward. You’re all you’ve got and the best thing God would ever give you is an excuse to ignore what you don’t like and be on your own. And when you look in the mirror and pretend never even a hint of doubt that you might be wrong, that you might be not good enough, that you might actually be a sinner like the one true Father says, then what? At least it’s all equal in the pit? 

But what if God actually loved us enough to want to help sinners? It sounds like a nice enough concept until you see who He sent to help you. Other sinners. Parents and teachers.  The real miracle is that their sin won’t stop God from working through them.  Even in the mess their sin makes.  Call no one father, but know your Father in Heaven loves you so much He would give you one anyway, then work through him, even if he’s wrong sometimes. God is still stronger. 

Real unity doesn’t come at the expense of casting off anyone given to you who happens to be a sinner. Real unity comes from the cross where Christ does away with our Sin.  Christ, who promises to work good through sinners who continue to sin. Real unity comes from Baptism. From a God who calls you His own child no matter who you are or what you’ve done, then gives you others to love and be loved by, then even promises to work through all of you. None of us will do it perfectly. All of us will receive forgiveness. This is where we speak in unity. Our Father who art in heaven. And He is. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Merciful and gracious Lord, You cause Your Word to be proclaimed in every generation. Stir up our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may receive this proclamation with humility and finally be exalted at the coming of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

– Pastor Harrison Goodman is content executive for Higher Things.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

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.