April 11, 2024
Today’s Reading: The Lord’s Prayer – Introduction
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 25:1-22, Exodus 25:23-30:38, Luke 5:17-39
Our Father, who art in heaven. What does this mean? With these words God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear father.
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We usually know Luke 15:11-32 as the parable of the Prodigal Son. But the person in the story who acts the least like we think he should is the father. The father in that story gives a reckless son his inheritance early, knowing he will squander it. The father should be stern and teach his son a lesson about respect when he finally returns. But instead he sacrifices his dignity to go running to him, sacrifices his property in order to fully restore the son to inheritance rights, and throws a feast for his son to let all his neighbors know that he will not let his son be shamed. Such actions cost a lot, both in money, and in social standing. But the father was willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of his son.
This is how God the Father treats us. Our sin is an open rebellion against Him. And yet, instead of leaving us to die in our sin, the Father sacrifices His Son Jesus in order to save us. No price was too high, no shame too great, no loss too much when it came to saving us. God was willing to get His hands dirty in order to get us out of the dirt of our sin. He let that sin fall upon Him, rather than let us die forever with it upon ourselves. That’s what love does. And God loves us. Even while we were still sinners, God loves us.
Therefore we pray to God as children go and ask their own fathers for what they need. We might have a really good Dad that God gave us, we might have a Dad that isn’t so good. But our Lord is the perfect Father. The example for all fathers to follow. So we go and ask Him for what He has promised. And, like the crazy father in the parable, He plans to say yes to all of it. Every promise He has made. His name, His kingdom, His will, daily bread, forgiveness, deliverance, all of it. He wants us to call upon Him and ask for it. And He will give it. That’s a promise. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
– Pastor Eli Davis is pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, Oregon.
Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.
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