Today’s Reading: Small Catechism: Table of Duties, To Children

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 43:1-24; Revelation 9:13-10:11

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),”that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” (Ephesians 6:1-3)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Have you ever thought about why your parents want you to obey them?  Yes, on a very small level it’s because they are tired of hounding you and reminding you again and again to do the things they ask. But there is a much, much, bigger reason. Your parents want you to obey them because there is a promise from God waiting there for you. 

God has given you so many gifts. He has made you His own child in the waters of Holy Baptism. He has forgiven you at the cost of His own dear Son Jesus, who died on the Cross for all the times you have rolled your eyes or talked back to Mom or Dad. He has promised to guide you by His Law, so you see your salvation in Jesus alone. 

God has given you parents who are a good and precious gift to you. Your parents have a very important role to fill. God has put them in your life to stand in His place. They are not to be God but to teach you and love you like God does.

Your parents are standing in for God to help you do your first vocation, your first job; that of their son or daughter. Just as you “fear, love and trust in God above all things,” you are also to love and listen, honor, and obey your parents. 

They are there to show you the love of God by bringing you to the Divine Service, where God gives us His good and precious Gifts and where we hear His promises preached. 

When that early Sunday morning wake-up call comes, it is because your parents want the best for you, because they want God’s Gifts given to you. They want you to see how God provides life for you, health for you, daily bread for you. They bring you to youth group and confirmation class in order to ground you in an unchanging promise that will carry you through when your world is rocked because of your sin and the brokenness of others. 

Even though you might not agree with your parents, they are a gift from God to you, to teach and shape you. They want you to receive God’s eternal gifts. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

“You are to honor and obey Your father, mother, ev’ry day, Serve them each way that comes to hand; You’ll then live long in the land.” Have mercy, Lord! (“These Are the Holy Ten Commands” LSB 581, st.5)

–Rev. Randy Sturzenbecher is pastor of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church, Black Hawk, SD. He is also the vice president of Higher Things.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch