Pr. DFD : October 2026

Friday, October 23, 2026

October 24 – Saturday prior to Reformation

[1]

Psalm 46: 8-11 - Our reading is the inspiration for tomorrow’s sermon hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”

The Psalmist says, “God is our refuge and strength”

The careful structure of the stanza is itself a poetic hedge against chaos:

God is our refuge and strength

The earth changes

God is in the midst of the city, which therefore shall not be moved

The nations are in an uproar

God is our refuge

The most enduring symbol of the Lutheran Reformation is the seal that Luther himself designed to represent his theology. By the early 1520s, this seal begins to appear on the title page of Luther’s works.

Here is how Luther himself explained its meaning:

First, there is a black cross in a heart that remains its natural color. This is to remind me that it is faith in the Crucified One that saves us. Anyone who believes from the heart will be justified (Romans 10:10). It is a black cross, which mortifies and causes pain, but it leaves the heart its natural color. It doesn’t destroy nature, that is to say, it does not kill us but keeps us alive, for the just shall live by faith in the Crucified One (Romans 1:17). The heart should stand in the middle of a white rose. This is to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace—it puts the believer into a white, joyous rose. Faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). This is why the rose must be white, not red. White is the color of the spirits and angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12). This rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that a joyful spirit and faith is a beginning of heavenly, future joy, which begins now, but is grasped in hope, not yet fully revealed. Around the field of blue is a golden ring to symbolize that blessedness in heaven lasts forever and has no end. Heavenly blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and better than any possessions, just as gold is the most valuable and precious metal.[2]

[2] (From: Letter from Martin Luther to Lazarus Spengler, July 8, 1530 [WA Br 5:445]; tr. P. T. McCain)

Thursday, October 22, 2026

October 23 – Friday prior to Reformation

[1]

Psalm 46: 1-7 - This Psalm is appointed for Reformation Sunday. The key verse is verse 7. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

The words of this Psalm have been a great source of comfort and strength for many of God’s people. They have been read on the deathbed of a dying Christian. They have been prayed on the battle field and in a hospital ward.

The Lord of hosts is with us (compare this with 2 Chronicles 15:2; 2 Chronicles 20:17; Isaiah 8:8, 10). This is the ground of assurance. Our God, Jehovah, is "the Lord of hosts" - one who has countless angels at his command (2 Kings 6:16, 17; Psalm 68:17; Matthew 26:53). And he is "with us" - on our side, ready to help. The God of Jacob is our Refuge; i.e. our covenant God, the God who entered into covenant with our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

We are safe in God. His people will find safety when they trust in Him. The fear of the mountains or city suddenly crumbling into the sea as the result of a nuclear blast haunts many people today. But the psalmist says that even if the world ends, we don’t need to fear. God is our refuge in any circumstance (v. 7).

What do I do when a crisis strikes in my life? Do I try to work through it myself? Do I go to some person that I know? Or do I just turn it over to the Lord Jesus?

Always remember that God is your refuge and my strength. He is the Lord of hosts. He is always with you.

Collect for Psalm 46: Lord God, our refuge and strength, when the restless powers of this world and the waters of hell rise up against Your Holy City, watch over it and keep it safe. By the river that flows form the throne of the Lamb, purify this New Jerusalem as Your chosen dwelling for You are with us, our stronghold now and forever.[2]

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

October 22– Thursday prior to Reformation

[1]

John 8:31-36 – In the Gospel for this Sunday, we learn that God sent Jesus into the world to set men free from sin. When Pilate asked Jesus what truth was, He gave no answer. In this passage Jesus defines the truth. It is in His word, for He spoke God’s Word. As long as we hold to the word of Jesus, we will be His disciples and will know the truth. It is not a truth of science, politics, or economics. It is religious truth personified and spoken by Christ. It is the truth of God and life.

Truth for man is so elusive that many, like Pilate, wonder what truth is. There is widespread skepticism. What is proclaimed as truth today is not what it was yesterday. Who knows what it will be tomorrow?

In addition, there are various kinds of truth: scientific, political, and spiritual. In this passage, Jesus is dealing with spiritual truth concerning God and life.

The truth of Christ frees. It does not mean necessarily societal liberation or political independence. These may follow. It is freedom in and of religion. Truth frees us from false religious beliefs, superstitions, and practices. Christ’s truth frees us from the Law. Christ frees us from the bondage of sin by His death on the cross and His glorious resurrection on Easter. Out of his spiritual freedom come other freedoms. If we are free before and in God our Father, we will be content to help and serve our neighbor.

What truth is — Jesus says, “If you continue in my word” (v. 31). Truth is the word of Christ; He is the truth. Though it has only two letters, it is a big word. Jesus says we will know the truth and be free “if” we continue in His word. It is possible to lose the word of Jesus through negligence or unconcern. We can fall from the truth and lose our religious freedom if we ever sever ourselves from the Word.

What this truth does — “The truth will make you free” (v. 32). When Pilate asked Jesus what truth was, he gave no answer. In this passage Jesus defines the truth. It is in His word, for He spoke God’s Word. As long as we hold to the word of Jesus, we will be His disciples and will know the truth. It is not a truth of science, politics, or economics. It is religious truth personified and spoken by Christ. It is the truth of God and life.

In the midst of life we are in death

From whom can we seek help?

From You alone, O Lord,

Who by our sins are justly angered.

Lord, You know the secrets of our hearts,

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and merciful Savior,

O worthy and eternal Judge

Do not let the pains of death turn us away from You at our last hour

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and merciful Savior,

Deliver us not into the bitterness of eternal death.[2]

October 21– Wednesday prior to Reformation

Romans 3:19-28 - In our Epistle lesson for this week, Paul explains the central teaching of the Bible—that God justifies the sinner by grace through faith for Jesus’ sake. The word “Justified” is an important word. The word is associated with a court. The judge acquits the guilty one. He is exonerated and allowed to go free. It is not that he was innocent, but the judge accounted him as innocent because of the penalty paid by another, Christ. The sinner is not righteous, but he is accounted or considered righteous for Jesus’ sake.

The righteousness of God is not the popular understanding of goodness, perfection, or justice. In the scriptures, righteousness means right-relatedness to God. This understanding of the word gave Luther his liberation and insight into the Gospel. It is not a word to fear or to cringe at the wrath of God. It means God’s goodness is approaching in good will to offer us reconciliation and peace. By grace we experience the righteousness of God by being rightly related to him through faith.

God passed over sins previously committed. This was demonstrated in the Passover event in the Old Testament. When the Lord saw the blood splattered on the doorpost, He bypassed that house and spared those who remained inside. They were safe because of the mark. What He did in Egypt he does in your life.

God’s mark was placed on you on the day you were baptized. You received the sign of a cross upon your forehead and upon your heart as a sign that you have been redeemed by Christ the crucified. Whenever you make the sign of the cross {as a devotional aid} you are reminding yourself of this reality. Because of the cross – your sins are forgiven. The Father has passed them over.

Likewise, Christ’s sacrifice for sin is a sacrifice that satisfies and angry and offended God. What good news. “There is therefore now, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Christ Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen [1]

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

October 20– Tuesday prior to Reformation

Jeremiah 31:31-34 - In our Old Testament lesson, God promises a new covenant of forgiveness. Here is a corrective to Ecclesiastes, which says there is nothing new. God makes a new covenant. Note that man has nothing to do with it. God has the idea and He proposes the new covenant. This is evidence of God’s grace in giving His people another chance to be His people. What is new about it? It is new in that the covenant will be made with the individual rather than with the nation as a whole. It is new in that each will instinctively know God rather than learning of God through teaching.

God calls Himself a husband of His people. It infers a marriage between God and His people. This is the meaning of covenant. It is a personal connection between God and His people. Like a marriage, they belong to each other and enjoy a oneness in love and loyalty. It is expressed in God’s words, “I will be their God and they will be my people.” Sin breaks the marriage relationship for sin is disloyalty to God. Thus, it was necessary to have a new covenant.

In the scriptures knowledge is more than cognition, as one would know a fact. To know God is to enter an association with Him in a covenant. Thus, one cannot be taught to know God. It is an act of commitment and an entering into union with God. Thus, everyone will instinctively know God

For blessing on the Word – Lord God, bless Your Word wherever it is proclaimed. Make it a word of power and peace to convert those not yet Your own and to confirm those who have come to saving faith. May Your Word pass from the ear to the heart, from the heart to the lip, and from the lip to the life that, as You have promised, Your Word may achieve the purpose for which You send it; through Jesus Christ, my Lord.[1]

Monday, October 19, 2026

October 19 – Monday prior to Reformation

[1]

Psalm 34:1-2, 11, 22 - The Antiphon for the Introit for this coming Reformation Sunday is from Psalm 119:46: “I will speak of Your testimonies before Kings, [O Lord] and shall not be put to shame.”

On June 25, 1530, in the city of Augsburg, Germany, a group of Lutheran princes presented a confession of their faith, composed by the theologian Philip Melanchthon, Luther’s right-hand man–they presented their confession to Emperor Charles V. That document, called the Augsburg Confession, summarizes what our Lutheran churches believe, teach, and confess, on the basis of Holy Scripture.

To confess the faith is to say back to God what he has first revealed to us in his word. It is to declare to one another and before the whole world what we believe and teach on the basis of God’s word. To confess the faith is to declare the truth over against all errors. It is to speak fearlessly and courageously what we know to be true, whether that truth happens to be popular or not. Thus confessing the faith can be a very daring and even dangerous thing to do.[2]

Yet we do not confess our faith in a vacuum, nor do we speak alone. We are simply using the very words the Lord has given us. They are his words to give. We also speak what we have learned to be true in faith. St. Paul writing to young Timothy gives these encouraging words, “But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them. From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” -2 Timothy 3:14-15 And in this same letter Paul also reminds his young student in the faith, “Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” – 2 Timothy 1:13

Using the explanation to the Apostles’ Creed you can confess and share your faith in a simple yet winsome way.

In whom do you believe? “I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord,”

What has He done? “Who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil;”

How did He do this? “Not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death,”

Why did He do this? “That I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity.”

May the Lord grant us each the courage to live and confess the faith in a winsome way daily.

Prayer for Psalm 34: Lord, graciously hear us, for we seek you alone. Calm our bodies and minds with the peace which passes understanding and make us radiate with joy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.[3]

[2] https://stmatthewbt.org/2017/06/24/confessing-the-faith-with-the-augsburg-confessors-psalm-11946/

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Reformation Observed notes

Revelation 14:6–7
Psalm 46
Romans 3:19–28
John 8:31–36 or Matthew 11:12–19

The Son of God Has Set Us Free from Sin and Death by His Grace

“Wisdom is justified by her deeds” (Matthew 11:19), and the true Wisdom of God, Christ Jesus, the incarnate Son, has justified us by His deeds. He prepares His way by the preaching of repentance, but He has suffered the violence of the Law and voluntarily handed Himself over to violent men, that we might eat and drink with Him in His Kingdom and “remain in the house forever” (John 8:35). He is “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 11:18–19), and He has rescued us by His grace from the slavery of sin and death.

By the proclamation of His eternal Gospel “to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people” (Revelation 14:6), “the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law” (Romans 3:21), “that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26).

And by the hearing of that Gospel of Christ Jesus, “whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith” (Romans 3:25), “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32).

Collect for Reformation Sunday: Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

"O God, Your infinite love restores to the right way those who err, seeks the scattered, and preserves those whom You have gathered. Of Your tender mercy pour out on Your faithful people the grace of unity that, all schisms being ended, Your flock may be gathered to the true Shepherd of Your Church and may serve You in all faithfulness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen"

Matthew 11:12-19

Context John is in prison, world attacking the kingdom of the heavens,

Matthew 11:12

ἀπὸ δὲ τῶν ἡμερῶν Ἰωάννου τοῦ βαπτιστοῦ ἕως ἄρτι ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν βιάζεται, καὶ βιασταὶ ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν.

From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,[a] and the violent take it by force.

a Or has been coming violently

“From the time of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of the heavens suffered violence.” The kingdom - Makes its way advancing with violent force. And violent men have seized it. How does it come. Not by what we think, through violence done to him. Forcibly treated can be taken middle or passive. The kingdom suffers violence. It has been violently attacked by violent men, the flesh, and Satan.

Matthew 11:13

πάντες γὰρ οἱ προφῆται καὶ ὁ νόμος ἕως Ἰωάννου ἐπροφήτευσαν·

For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John,

“For all the prophets and the Law prophecies until John.”

Matthew 11:14

καὶ εἰ θέλετε δέξασθαι, αὐτός ἐστιν Ἠλίας ὁ μέλλων ἔρχεσθαι.

and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.

“And if you want to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.”

When you hear John you hear all of the prophets, it comes to its finger John and the head Christ.

Matthew 11:15

ὁ ἔχων [a]ὦτα ἀκουέτω.

He who has ears to hear,[b] let him hear.

b. Some manuscripts omit to hear

“He who has ears to hear let him hear.”

Hear what he just said, listen to what he will say. Avoid the theology of glory. NOT BY DOING BUT BY RECEIVING this is a passive thing.

How does the Christian suffer today? We still suffer violence by the big three although not seen.

Matthew 11:16

Τίνι δὲ ὁμοιώσω τὴν γενεὰν ταύτην; ὁμοία ἐστὶν παιδίοις [b]καθημένοις ἐν ταῖς ἀγοραῖς ἃ προσφωνοῦντα τοῖς ἑτέροις

“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,"

“To what will I liken this generation? It is like two small children.”

Matthew 11:17

[c]λέγουσιν· Ηὐλήσαμεν ὑμῖν καὶ οὐκ ὠρχήσασθε· [d]ἐθρηνήσαμεν καὶ οὐκ ἐκόψασθε·

‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

“We played flute for you and you did not dance. We sang a dirge you did not mourn!”

Matthew 11:18

ἦλθεν γὰρ Ἰωάννης μήτε ἐσθίων μήτε πίνων, καὶ λέγουσιν· Δαιμόνιον ἔχει·

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’

“John came neither eating or drinking he had a demon.”

Matthew 11:19

ἦλθεν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐσθίων καὶ πίνων, καὶ λέγουσιν· Ἰδοὺ ἄνθρωπος φάγος καὶ οἰνοπότης, τελωνῶν φίλος καὶ ἁμαρτωλῶν. καὶ ἐδικαιώθη ἡ σοφία ἀπὸ τῶν [e]ἔργων αὐτῆς.

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”[c]

c. Some manuscripts children (compare Luke 7:35)

“The Son of man came and you said he's a glutton and wine drinker a lover of tax collectors and sinners.”

When law was preached you did not repent when gospel preached you did not receive it.

Repent = contrition and faith.

But wisdom is proven by actions. JESUS is this wisdom of God.

John 8:31-36- speaks of the freedom we find in the Truth of Jesus Christ. All of us were born into slavery-the slavery of sin. But Christ has set us free from our bondage by His atoning sacrifice. The One who declares, 'I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life' tells us here that the Truth shall set us free. The Truth has set us free: the Truth which embodied in Christ Jesus and the Truth which He declares to us in His Word. We are free, indeed!

John 8:31

Ἔλεγεν οὖν ὁ Ἰησοῦς πρὸς τοὺς πεπιστευκότας αὐτῷ Ἰουδαίους· Ἐὰν ὑμεῖς μείνητε ἐν τῷ λόγῳ τῷ ἐμῷ, ἀληθῶς μαθηταί μού ἐστε,

Jesus began to say to those Jews who had believed in Him if you hold to my teachings you are really my disciples.

Who makes up the crowd? This is the simil both sinner/Saint

John 8:32

καὶ γνώσεσθε τὴν ἀλήθειαν, καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια ἐλευθερώσει ὑμᾶς.

Then you will know the truth and the truth will free you.

What is "freedom"? To know is to perceive it in a believing way. A deeper kind of knowing the truth. Not the weak knowing of Adam/Eve. They knew evil but did not have intimate understanding of evil. This knowing is to possess Jesus.

John 8:33

ἀπεκρίθησαν [a]πρὸς αὐτόν· Σπέρμα Ἀβραάμ ἐσμεν καὶ οὐδενὶ δεδουλεύκαμεν πώποτε· πῶς σὺ λέγεις ὅτι Ἐλεύθεροι γενήσεσθε;

They answered to him, we are the sperm of Abraham how can you say you shall be made free?

Irony they are children of the promise while he is the promise. See John, "do not presume to say we have Abraham as our Father,"

John 8:34

Ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι πᾶς ὁ ποιῶν τὴν ἁμαρτίαν δοῦλός ἐστιν τῆς ἁμαρτίας·

Jesus said, I say to you ALL the ones who do sin are each individually slaved OF sin.

SEE Romans 6 Jesus changes from external to internal slavery.

John 8:35

ὁ δὲ δοῦλος οὐ μένει ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα· [b]ὁ υἱὸς μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

A slave has no permanent place in the family. But a son belongs to it forever.

"Into the age" you remain in the house by being a son. See Galatians 3:26-29

John 8:36

ἐὰν οὖν ὁ υἱὸς ὑμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃ, ὄντως ἐλεύθεροι ἔσεσθε.

So if the Son sets you free you will be free indeed.

This freedom comes at a price. The price of Christ's blood. That freedom is forgiveness.

____________

Luther’s Seal © Higher Things

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas Higher Things

Saturday, October 17, 2026

October 17 – Saturday prior to Pentecost 21 (Proper 24)

Psalm 145:1 -Our reading is the inspiration for tomorrow’s sermon hymn; “Before the Lord We Bow” an appropriate hymn for this week’s theme “Nations under God.” In this hymn we praise God who rules the world and is boundless in power and love. Truly we serve a God who governs the affairs of men who will judge the world with righteousness and equity. Having read these lessons here are a few points to ponder. Is it a true statement that the Lord has already judged the world? If so when and how? When Christ returns in glory what will be the sentence rendered?

This hymn written by Francis Scott Key, best known for “The Star-Spangled Banner” has made its way unto scores of hymnals. Stanza one reads as follows:

Before You, Lord, we bow,

Our God who reigns above

And rules the world below,

Boundless in pow’r and love.

Our thanks we bring

In joy and praise,

Our hearts we raise

To You, our King!

A prayer for our nation: Almighty God, You have given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember Your generosity and constantly do Your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action. Grant that we, who came from many nations with many different languages, may become a united people. Support us in defending our liberties, and give those to whom we have entrusted the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, may our hearts be thankful, and in troubled times do not let our trust in You fail;[1]

Friday, October 16, 2026

October 16 – Friday prior to Pentecost 21 (Proper 24)

– Matthew 22:15-22 - Religious leaders attempt to trap Jesus by asking him whether taxes should be paid to Rome. The religious leaders came to Jesus with a trick question that no matter how he answers, he is in trouble.

Pharisees and Herodians come to him with the question whether taxes should be paid to the Roman government. The Pharisees would say, “No”; the Herodians would answer, “Yes.” If Jesus said one should not pay taxes, he could be arrested as a subversive and revolutionary. If Jesus said one should, he would be in trouble with the patriotic Jews who hated Roman dominance. Jesus recognized that the inquirers were hypocrites and that they came to find occasion to have him arrested. His answer caused his enemies to marvel at his answer: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

We have a tendency to put state and church into water-tight compartments. We separate church and state to the extent Christians often surrender the state to politicians and devote their time and talent to the church. A Christian needs to understand and act in the light of the fact that he is a citizen of two kingdoms, with responsibilities to each.

Jesus used a coin to answer the question of paying taxes to Rome. On the coin was the image of Caesar and his inscription as the supreme and divine being. What belongs to Caesar should be given to Caesar says Jesus. The coin of commitment to Caesar requires our payment of taxes, our service and obedience to the laws of justice.

The coin of commitment to Christ, the king of kings requires of tithes and offerings, our service and obedience to the law of love. As Jesus used this method of as a suffering servant to effect change so we too follow in His wake.

A prayer for guidance; Heavenly Father, in whom we live and move and have our being, we humbly pray You so to guide and govern us by Your Word and Spirit that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget You but remember that we are ever walking in Your sight; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. [1]

Thursday, October 15, 2026

October 15, Thursday prior to Pentecost 21 (Proper 24)

– 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5a -In our Epistle lesson for this week Paul greets the Thessalonians and thanks God for their faithful service of faith and love. This is the first of a series of readings from the book written by the Apostle Paul.

With respect to the Gospel lesson for the week – The Thessalonians render to God what God deserves. As for the Old Testament lesson; as Cyrus was chosen, God chose the church of Thessalonica. (Vs. 4) 1 Thessalonians is Paul’s earliest letter from Corinth ca. 50 A.D. He was writing to a Gentile congregation. Accordingly, he refers to their turn from idols to God, to their deliverance from sin through the cross and resurrection, and to their hope for Jesus’ return. In these opening verses, Paul thanks God for their faith, love, and hope. They prove that God has chosen them through the gospel which he preached. Moreover, they imitated the example of Paul and thus they became examples to the other churches.

The fruit mentioned above indicates that the Thessalonian Christians were chosen by God to be His people. How did these people become people of faith, hope and love? Paul says it was the power of the Word which be brought. The gospel was proclaimed in a dynamic way, not only in word but in power and with conviction.

In short, Paul in his introductory remarks thanks God for these Christians in Thessalonica. Do we today every think of thanking God constantly in our prayers for the church? There is good reason to thank God for the church today. Take time this day to thank God for the church because of her work of faith her labor of love and her endurance in hope.

Lord we pray that Your grace may always precede and follow us that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen [1]

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

October 14 – Wednesday prior to Pentecost 21 (Proper 24)

Isaiah 45:1-7 -In our Old Testament lesson a pagan ruler, Cyrus, is chosen by God as His instrument. The Lord uses a nation to fulfill His purposes in this world. In God’s hands lies the destiny of nations. The Old Testament reading and the New Testament reading for this coming week are closely connected. From His cross, as the Lord’s anointed, Jesus reigns as the true Caesar over all nations “from the rising of the sun and from the west” (Isaiah 45:6). The Lord once called and anointed Cyrus “to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings” (Isaiah 45:1). Now by the preaching of the Gospel, “in power and in the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 1:5), foreigners from all over the world are “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” (1 Thessalonians 1:9–10)

Isaiah's good news might be paraphrased thus: "Whom would you rather have in charge of even the dark realities of the real world: gods created by human hands and human culture (including those we create today), or the God who loves you and who will give himself to you and for you in whatever way it takes to set you free?" Isaiah (and the Old Testament world) will not resort to atheism to explain the hard realities ("Stuff Happens!"), but neither will he yield to a simplistic formula of "If it happened, God did it."

There is only one God, but that God works through the forces of creation and through the agency of human beings (like Cyrus). Because they are real, both God's natural world and God's human world might revert to the chaos God seeks to overcome though God's continual work of liberation, but liberation and redemption remain always God's "purpose." Sometimes getting to God's goal will entail "woe" and "darkness" (not least, the woe and darkness of Good Friday) but "weal" and "light" remain the goal (not least, the light of Easter's dawn).

This coming Sunday when the Gospel reading includes the "render unto Caesar" line (Matthew 22:21), our text reminds us that God has worked and will work through "Caesar" (or Cyrus). Whether or however we talk about God's "two kingdoms," that can never mean there is one "kingdom" where God rules (church) and one that God leaves to Caesar (politics).

Cyrus is a remarkably active divine agent in our text. He is called to be the means of God's deliverance. But Isaiah refuses to allow him to be merely a pawn. Cyrus, too--though he did not know God (45:4)--was meant to come to know that he was called by God (45:3).[1]

[1] http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1003

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

October 13 – Tuesday prior to Pentecost 21 (Proper 24)

Psalm 96:1-9 - This Psalm is appointed for next week. The key verse is verse 7b “Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.”

In the context of the entire psalm, we are to recognize and to declare the glory and strength that belong to God in all His being. When we give unto the LORD these things, we do not give or attribute things to Him that He did not have before. We recognize things as they really are, because God is full of glory and strength.

The meaning of the Hebrew word for worship is to prostrate oneself, not to praise God for his attributes, which is what the English word worship means. But here we must note that although the meaning of the Hebrew word differs from the English word, the Hebrew understanding of worship nevertheless also involves giving God praise for his attributes. That is what is being said here. Here the nations of the world are told to give God glory.

Fall colors should be at their peak, the climax of seeing the vast creation in all of its beauty and splendor. The creation speaks of the majesty of the Creator. Today, ascribe the to the Lord the glory that is seen in the majesty of His creative hand.

Collect for Psalm 96: Lord Jesus, the incarnate Word, when you consented to dwell with us, the heavens were glad and the earth rejoiced. In hope and love we await your return. Help us to proclaim your glory to those who do not know you, until the whole earth sings a new song to you and the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen[1]

Monday, October 12, 2026

October 12 – Monday prior to Pentecost 21 (Proper 24)

Psalm 121:1-4, 7-8 - The Antiphon for this coming Sunday is from Vs. 5 of Psalm 121; “The Lord watches over you- the Lord is Your shade at your right hand.” Under the theme “Nations under God” this Sunday’s readings deal with God and the world.

God rules the world. His glory is manifest among the nations. The Antiphon reminds us that the Lord is watching. How does that make one feel? We seek after Him who grants us grace which is found in the second half of the phrase “He is Your shade at your right hand.”

The LORD is your keeper.

The LORD created both the heavens and the earth. He created the sun and the moon. He is sovereign over the sun and the moon and will guard you, his faithful pilgrim exposed to these created elements, as you make your way to the Celestial City; the city of God, heaven.

The LORD will keep you. Don’t be afraid. He will keep you strong in joy, keep your eyes focused on him, will keep you devoted to him, keep you loving him, and keep you persevering in him. He is the keeper and guardian of your soul.

The promise of being kept by the LORD is echoed in John 17 when Jesus prayed for you in his high priestly prayer to the Father, “All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me.”

In John 10, Jesus also declared, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” The LORD is your keeper. Don’t be afraid.

Collect for Psalm 121: Lord Jesus Christ, You have prepared a quiet place for us in you Father’s eternal home. Watch over our welfare on this perilous journey, shade us from the burning heat of day, and keep our lives free of evil now and forever. [1]

Sunday, October 11, 2026

Proper 24 (Pentecost 21)

Proper 24 Series A
Isaiah 45:1–7
1 Thessalonians 1:1–10
Matthew 22:15–22

We Are Recreated in the Image of God by the Cross of Christ

Collect for Proper 24: O God, the protector of all who trust in You, have mercy on us that with You as our ruler and guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Plotting against Jesus, the Pharisees attempted “to entangle him in his words” by asking about the payment of taxes to Caesar (Matthew 22:15). The Lord pointed to coins required for the tax, and He answered that we should “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). But if coins bearing the image of Caesar should be rendered to him, then man — who is made in the image of God — must be rendered to the Lord. That tax is paid for us by the Lord Jesus, the image of God in the flesh, by His self-offering on the cross. And from His cross, as the Lord’s anointed, He reigns as the true Caesar over all nations “from the rising of the sun and from the west” (Isaiah 45:6).

The Lord once called and anointed Cyrus “to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings” (Isaiah 45:1). Now by the preaching of the Gospel, “in power and in the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 1:5), foreigners from all over the world are “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9–10).

Matthew 22:15-22

The Image
Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege

And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” (Matthew 22:20, NKJV)

When Jewish leaders questioned Jesus as to whether one should pay Roman taxes, He asked for a coin. They showed him a denarius and he promptly asked them whose image was stamped into the coin. After they answered that it was Caesar’s image, Jesus said to give to Caesar that which is Caesar’s and give to God that which is God’s. Jesus demonstrated wisdom beyond that of Solomon, thus shutting down the questioning of the Pharisees.

Bear with me now and consider an illustration from our text. Though some translations fail to translate the Greek word as “image”, yet that is precisely the word used in this account when Jesus asks, “Whose image and inscription is this?” “Image” is a word used in Scripture to convey great depth of meaning. It was the word used to describe that perfect humanity possessed by Adam when the world still had its pristine purity. Adam was made in the image of God. When Adam then sinned, the image was lost. One could look at every human being on the planet from Adam onward and find no one demonstrating possession of the image of God.

But now there stands in front of the Pharisees the man who once again possesses the image of God. Jesus has God’s image from two perspectives: First He is the eternal Son of God, having been stamped with the Father’s image from eternity. Second He is the man who when one sees Him living as a man, one beholds the perfect man, the man without sin, the man whose will perfectly aligns with God’s will. Beholding Jesus one beholds the New Adam who, like the first Adam, is in the image of God.

Jesus is like the perfect coin, stamped with the image of God, and the inscription beneath the image declares, “This my beloved Son.” Now we can hear the voice of the Father commanding, “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and unto God that which is God’s.” The “coin”, Jesus Christ, will make the payment. Jesus is both the spender and the coin, even as He is both priest and sacrifice.

After a trial handled by the Roman ruler named Pontius Pilate, the people cried out, “Crucify Him.” They were in effect saying, “Make Him pay the price of claiming to be a king who competes with Caesar.” Indeed, “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s.” The coin is to be spent; Jesus must die by the hand of Caesar, He must be crucified under Roman law.

Being in God’s image as both God and man, this Jesus is without sin, perfectly obedient to His heavenly Father. But now the Father makes Him who knew no sin to be sin for us. This Second Adam is being commanded to pay the price of mankind’s sins. He is being told by His Father to render unto God that which is God’s. So the Son obeys. This coin perfectly stamped with the image of God is spent to pay for mankind’s sins.

Now this perfect coin, because He willingly rendered unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and unto God that which is God’s, has paid the price of our redemption. And what is the result? We become the righteousness of God in Him, for He rises from the dead for our justification. Or to state it differently, in Christ we have the image of God restored. Now in our Baptism God has declared us again to be in His image, and the inscription upon us says, “This is my beloved son.” This is Christ’s blood-bought gift for us.

Paying Taxes to Caesar

Matthew 22:15

Τότε πορευθέντες οἱ Φαρισαῖοι συμβούλιον ἔλαβον ὅπως αὐτὸν παγιδεύσωσιν ἐν λόγῳ.

Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words.

Matthew 22:16

καὶ ἀποστέλλουσιν αὐτῷ τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτῶν μετὰ τῶν Ἡρῳδιανῶν [a]λέγοντες· Διδάσκαλε, οἴδαμεν ὅτι ἀληθὴς εἶ καὶ τὴν ὁδὸν τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ διδάσκεις, καὶ οὐ μέλει σοι περὶ οὐδενός, οὐ γὰρ βλέπεις εἰς πρόσωπον ἀνθρώπων

And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.[a]

a. Matthew 22:16 Greek for you do not look at people's faces

Matthew 22:17

εἰπὸν οὖν ἡμῖν τί σοι δοκεῖ· ἔξεστιν δοῦναι κῆνσον Καίσαρι ἢ οὔ;

Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

Matthew 22:18

γνοὺς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς τὴν πονηρίαν αὐτῶν εἶπεν· Τί με πειράζετε, ὑποκριταί;

But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?

Matthew 22:19

ἐπιδείξατέ μοι τὸ νόμισμα τοῦ κήνσου. οἱ δὲ προσήνεγκαν αὐτῷ δηνάριον.

Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius.[b]

b. Matthew 22:19 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer

Matthew 22:20

καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Τίνος ἡ εἰκὼν αὕτη καὶ ἡ ἐπιγραφή;

And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”

Matthew 22:21

λέγουσιν [b]αὐτῷ· Καίσαρος. τότε λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ἀπόδοτε οὖν τὰ Καίσαρος Καίσαρι καὶ τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ τῷ θεῷ.

They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.”

Matthew 22:22

καὶ ἀκούσαντες ἐθαύμασαν, καὶ ἀφέντες αὐτὸν ἀπῆλθαν.

When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.

Sources:

Friday, October 23, 2026

Thursday, October 22, 2026

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Monday, October 19, 2026

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Revelation 14:6–7Psalm 46Romans 3:19–28 John 8:31–36 or Matthew 11:12–19

Saturday, October 17, 2026

Friday, October 16, 2026

Thursday, October 15, 2026

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Monday, October 12, 2026

Sunday, October 11, 2026

Proper 24 Series A Isaiah 45:1–71 Thessalonians 1:1–10Matthew 22:15–22

The ImageRev. Dr. Daniel J Brege

Revelation 14:6–7
Psalm 46
Romans 3:19–28
John 8:31–36 or Matthew 11:12–19

Proper 24 Series A
Isaiah 45:1–7
1 Thessalonians 1:1–10
Matthew 22:15–22

The Image
Rev. Dr. Daniel J Brege