Proper 19 (Pentecost 16)

 

Pentecost 16 - Proper 19 Series A

Genesis 50:15–21
Romans 14:1–12
Matthew 18:21–35

Forgiving as the Lord Forgives Us

In settling His accounts with us, our Lord acts not with anger, but with compassion. He does not imprison us as we deserve, but He forgives all our debts and releases us (Matthew 18:23–27). Therefore, our Lord bids each of us to have “mercy on your fellow servant” and “forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18:33,35). By the Lord’s forgiveness of our sins, we are free to forgive those who sin against us, because He has been handed over to the jailers in our stead, and He has paid our entire debt with His lifeblood. Whether we live or die, we “are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:8). Since we all will “stand before the judgment seat of God,” we are not to despise our brother (Romans 14:10), but gladly forgive him. By the grace of God, our brother also “will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand” (Romans 14:4). Though we daily sin against each other, the Lord intends “to bring it about that many people should be kept alive” (Genesis 50:20). Jesus speaks kindly by His Gospel and promises: “I will provide for you and your little ones.” (Genesis 50:21).

O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, hear the devout prayers of Your Church, especially in times of persecution, and grant that what we ask in faith we may obtain; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 

Matthew 18:21–35

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Matthew 18.21 
Τότε προσελθὼν αὐτῷ ὁ Πέτρος εἶπεν· Κύριε, ποσάκις ἁμαρτήσει εἰς ἐμὲ ὁ ἀδελφός μου καὶ ἀφήσω αὐτῷ; ἕως ἑπτάκις;
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 

Matthew 18.22 
λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Οὐ λέγω σοι ἕως ἑπτάκις ἀλλὰ ἕως ἑβδομηκοντάκις ἑπτά.
Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Matthew 18.23 
Διὰ τοῦτο ὡμοιώθη ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν ἀνθρώπῳ βασιλεῖ ὃς ἠθέλησεν συνᾶραι λόγον μετὰ τῶν δούλων αὐτοῦ· 
“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.[a] 

Matthew 18.24 
ἀρξαμένου δὲ αὐτοῦ συναίρειν προσηνέχθη αὐτῷ εἷς ὀφειλέτης μυρίων ταλάντων.
When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.[b] 

Matthew 18.25 
μὴ ἔχοντος δὲ αὐτοῦ ἀποδοῦναι ἐκέλευσεν αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος πραθῆναι καὶ τὴν γυναῖκα καὶ τὰ τέκνα καὶ πάντα ὅσα  ἔχει καὶ ἀποδοθῆναι.
And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 

Matthew 18.26 
πεσὼν οὖν ὁ δοῦλος προσεκύνει αὐτῷ λέγων· Μακροθύμησον ἐπ’ἐμοί, καὶ πάντα ἀποδώσω σοι.
So the servant[c] fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 

Matthew 18.27 
σπλαγχνισθεὶς δὲ ὁ κύριος τοῦ δούλου ἐκείνου ἀπέλυσεν αὐτόν, καὶ τὸ δάνειον ἀφῆκεν αὐτῷ.
And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 

Matthew 18.28 
ἐξελθὼν δὲ ὁ δοῦλος ἐκεῖνος εὗρεν ἕνα τῶν συνδούλων αὐτοῦ ὃς ὤφειλεν αὐτῷ ἑκατὸν δηνάρια, καὶ κρατήσας αὐτὸν ἔπνιγεν λέγων· Ἀπόδος εἴ τι ὀφείλεις.
But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii,[d] and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 

Matthew 18.29 
πεσὼν οὖν ὁ σύνδουλος αὐτοῦ παρεκάλει αὐτὸν λέγων· Μακροθύμησον ἐπ’ ἐμοί, καὶ ἀποδώσω σοι. 
So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 

Matthew 18.30 
ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἤθελεν, ἀλλὰ ἀπελθὼν ἔβαλεν αὐτὸν εἰς φυλακὴν ἕως οὗ ἀποδῷ τὸ ὀφειλόμενον.
He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 

Matthew 18.31 
ἰδόντες οὖν οἱ σύνδουλοι αὐτοῦ τὰ γενόμενα ἐλυπήθησαν σφόδρα, καὶ ἐλθόντες διεσάφησαν τῷ κυρίῳ ἑαυτῶν πάντα τὰ γενόμενα. 
When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 

Matthew 18.32 
τότε προσκαλεσάμενος αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ λέγει αὐτῷ· Δοῦλε πονηρέ, πᾶσαν τὴν ὀφειλὴν ἐκείνην ἀφῆκά σοι, ἐπεὶ παρεκάλεσάς με· 
Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 

Matthew 18.33 
οὐκ ἔδει καὶ σὲ ἐλεῆσαι τὸν σύνδουλόν σου, ὡς κἀγὼ σὲ ἠλέησα; 
And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 

Matthew 18.34 
καὶ ὀργισθεὶς ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ παρέδωκεν αὐτὸν τοῖς βασανισταῖς ἕως οὗ ἀποδῷ πᾶν τὸ ὀφειλόμενον.
And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,[e] until he should pay all his debt. 

Matthew 18.35 
Οὕτως καὶ ὁ πατήρ μου ὁ οὐράνιος ποιήσει ὑμῖν ἐὰν μὴ ἀφῆτε ἕκαστος τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν καρδιῶν ὑμῶν.
So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Footnotes:

Matthew 18:23 Or bondservants; also verses 28, 31
Matthew 18:24 A talent was a monetary unit worth about twenty years' wages for a laborer
Matthew 18:26 Or bondservant; also verses 27, 28, 29, 32, 33
Matthew 18:28 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer
Matthew 18:34 Greek torturers

Sources:

ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

Romans 13: 1-10 reflection

It would be helpful for us to know the context and the circumstances surrounding Paul’s address to the Romans. Paul is addressing a congregation of Jewish Christians. A group of people committed to a new Messiah who found themselves living in the capital city of the Empire. Jewish Christians had recently returned to the Empire’s capital after having been exiled by Emperor Claudius. (See Acts 18:2)

According to the Roman historian Tacitus, this exile took place because the Jews were constantly fighting about ‘Christos’ – a reference to the ongoing conflict between Jewish Christians (such as Paul, Aquila and Priscilla) and traditional Orthodox Jews. Who refused to believe in this Messiah Jesus.

When Paul wrote these words, the state was not persecuting Christians…yet.

Claudius was followed by his 17-year-old stepson Nero.[1] Paul appealed to the Emperor Nero.[2] (See Acts 25:11) And was subsequently acquitted after a hearing before the emperor.[3] [4]

Nero later became a brutal psychopath. Blaming Christians for the Great Fire of Rome.[5]  Sending many of them to their death. Both Paul and Peter were executed by Nero shortly after the outbreak of the Romano-Jewish War, [6] when anti-Jewish frenzy was at its height.

As Paul addresses these Christians. He talks to them pastorally. Concerning the ways in which they should live. To be sure. They were conflicted. The former Emperor had sent many of them into exile. Now that they have returned back to Rome. The conflict concerning Jesus was still present. There was now a new Emperor. Yet many of the Roman people thought him compulsive and corrupt.

Until Jesus comes, we will be "pilgrims and stranger" in this world. Like those believers in Rome. We are surrounded by an alien culture. That needs to hear about Jesus. That needs to see His truth lived out by those who claim to know Him. Consequently we submit to those who are masters over us.

Paul begins this section with a command. A divine directive.  “Each must be subject to the governing authorities.” v.1 Paul makes it very simple for us. To resist the State is to resist God. To obey governmental officials is to obey God. Paul is on the side of law and order. We obey the laws of the State for good order and for sake of a good conscious.

It is assumed that governmental officials are trustworthy ministers of justice for all. According to this view, the State is an order of God’s creation. It is God’s way of executing justice and restraining evil. Thus, government officials are ministers of God carrying out justice in society by punishing evildoers. This gives Christians a new insight into their attitude and response to government and its laws. To disobey the laws of the State is to disobey God who will bring judgment upon offenders. Imagine the change in the crime rate if this truth would be accepted by the majority in modern society.

Yet Paul does not insist on blind obedience. At all costs. As was experienced under Nazism. If and when a government is corrupt and persecutes people, it is because evil powers have taken over and must be resisted. The Lord reminds us to honor those over us as His representatives. However, if one of these demands something which God forbids or forbids something which God demands, we must obey God.

When the early apostles were brought before the Ruling Council for preaching Christ Luke reminds us, “And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:27-29)  

And you may have to suffer. Paul has already mentioned this, “…but we also rejoice in our sufferings…”  (See Romans 5:3-10) When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were ordered to pay homage to the king, they replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.

If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3: 16-18)

These Hebrew boys were never promised that the Lord would spare them. They knew God was able to intervene. Yet it was not given to them that deliverance would come. It did not matter.  They were willing to suffer and face even death if the Lord would not adjudicate their situation.

Presently we are living in a safe haven. We are free under the law to practice our faith. But that freedom is never certain. Thus we pray, in the words of the hymn, “Give Thy Church, Lord, to see, Days of peace and unity.” [7]

Yet we do not follow the law for the sake of “following the rules.” There is something more powerful than the mere observing of the laws which motivates us.

Love compels us. V. 8 –You are to be free of all debt except the debt of love. The one thing we have over our fellowman is love. For love is the performance of the law. If you truly love your fellowman, you will not hurt him, steal from him, lie to him or covet what he has. If we truly loved God, we would willingly obey God’s laws. Love is the answer to our delinquency, crime and moral corruption. The big problem is, where can we get such love? How can we get people to love each other? We must first experience God’s love for us before we can truly love each other.

To be a Christian is to live under the sign of Him who came from heaven down to earth, to live under the sign of His cross and resurrection, and thus to wait hopefully, patiently, on this earth, by making it a better place - and to challenge the world, - through one’s vocation and the church to do the same.” – Gerhard Forde (Where God Meets Man)

Years ago. The National Park Service used to encourage visitors to, "leave them cleaner than they found them." Seek to promote the culture of grace in this world. To leave it better. Then you found it! To that end. Help us dear Lord.  
Words – 1,200
Passive Sentences – 12%
Readability – 71%
Reading Level –6.4

 

---

[1] in 54AD

[2] in 57AD

[3] in 62AD

[4] From Barns notes – “The name Augustus Σεβαστός Sebastos properly denotes "what is venerable, or worthy of honor and reverence." It was first applied to Caesar Octavianus, who was the Roman emperor in the time when our Savior was born, and who is usually nailed Augustus Caesar. But the title continued to be used of his successors in office, as denoting the veneration or reverence which was due to the rank of emperor.

[5] in 64AD

[6] in 66AD

[7] O Lord, We Praise Thee, stanza three Lutheran Service Book © 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

– Romans 13:1-10 The obligation to exhort citizens to obey

 

Governmental leaders, God’s servants, are to be obeyed and respected

Trusting politicians to defend the Christian faith is like trusting Caesar to get the early Christians really good seats at the arena...

Caesar always knew how to handle an insurrection; but he was befuddled by a church that continued to pray for him even as he sent them to their martyrdom – Michael Horton (The Gospel Driven Life)

Within the context, namely a letter written to a group (or groups) of people committed to a new Messiah who are living in the capital of the Empire. Jewish Christians, recently returned to the Empire’s capital (after having been exiled by Emperor Claudius) against becoming involved in any {95} Palestinian-Jewish nationalist fervor.

The State Be Served – Romans 13:1-10

For various reasons, today some are saying, We have lost respect for top governmental officials. Because some have been involved in various scandals. Some do their best to cheat the state of taxes. Many Americans have lost confidence and trust in the government’s credibility. On the other hand, Paul teaches that the state is to be served because it is of God, send by God for the good order of society and its authority comes from God.  There is a sense of responsibility Christians have to the state. How must this be discharged?

Paul begins this section with a command. A divine directive.  “Each must be subject to the governing authorities.” v.1 To resist the state is to resist God. To obey governmental officials is to obey God. Paul is on the side of law and order. This could lead to blind obedience as was experienced in Nazism.

When Paul wrote these words, the state was not persecuting Christians…yet. It would be the Roman Emperor Claudius who expelled all the Jews from Rome.  Acts 18:2 According to the Roman historian Tacitus, this was because the Jews were always fighting about ‘Christos’ – a reference to the ongoing conflict between Jewish Christians (such as Paul, Aquila and Priscilla) and traditional Orthodox Jews.

Claudius was followed by his 17-year-old stepson Nero in 54AD. Paul appealed to the Emperor Nero in 57AD (see Acts 25:11) and was subsequently acquitted after a hearing before the emperor in c.62AD. [1] Nero later became a brutal psychopath, blaming Christians for the Great Fire of Rome in 64AD and sending many of them to their death in the amphitheater. Both Paul and Peter were executed by Nero shortly after the outbreak of the Romano-Jewish War in 66AD, when anti-Jewish frenzy was at its height.

It is assumed that governmental officials are trustworthy ministers of justice for all. According to this view, the state is an order of God’s creation. It is God’s way of executing justice and restraining evil. This, government officials are ministers of God carrying out justice in society by punishing evildoers. This gives Christians a new insight into their attitude and response to government and its laws. To disobey the laws of the state is to disobey God who will bring judgment upon offenders. Imagine the change in the crime rate if this truth would be accepted by the majority in modern society. If and when a government is corrupt and persecutes people, it is because evil powers have taken over and must be resisted.

The Christian can serve the state.

1.     By showing respect of governmental officials as ministers of God. Vv. 2, 7

A.    Whether they know it or not they are God’s servants chosen by Him.

B.     To keep order and a rule of law.

2.     Pay your taxes. V. 6

A.    Pay what is you owe.

B.     Render what you are able.

1.     Taxes

2.     Revenue

3.     Honor

4.     Respect

3.     Obey the laws out of love – Vv. 8-10

A.    For conscience’s sake – V. 5

B.     Love motivates obedience. Love: V. 8 – According to Paul we are to be free of all debt except the debt of love. If this were practiced, what would happen to our economy which is based largely on debt – personal, corporate, and federal? The one thing we have over our fellowman is love, for love is the performance of the law. If you truly love your fellowman, you will not hurt him, steal from him, lie to him or covet what he has. If we truly loved God, we would willingly obey God’s laws. Love is the answer to our delinquency, crime and moral corruption. The big problem is, where can we get such love? How can we get people to love each other? We must first experience God’s love for us before we can truly love each other.

Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas

---

[1] From Barns notes – “The name Augustus Σεβαστός Sebastos properly denotes "what is venerable, or worthy of honor and reverence." It was first applied to Caesar Octavianus, who was the Roman emperor in the time when our Saviour was born, and who is usually nailed Augustus Caesar. But the title continued to be used of his successors in office, as denoting the veneration or reverence which was due to the rank of emperor.

September 5 -Saturday prior to Pentecost 15 (Proper 18)

 

Hymn 373, By Grace I’m Saved, Grace Free and Boundless is our hymn of the week—How is it that we have been set free from the bondage of sin, to live a life pleasing to God, with love toward our neighbor? Only by the grace of God. Our salvation is a free gift; our works could never begin to secure our salvation. But, through the love of God poured out upon us in the person of His Son, Jesus, He has made us His own. Tomorrow’s chief hymn is a jubilant recounting of the goodness of God in graciously providing for our salvation.

Yes, there is something more lasting, more powerful, and greater than your sin. It is the love and compassion Jesus has for us sinners. While each of us were lost and steeped in sin, God our Father had a plan, a plan which was in place way before the dawn of time.

What God did not become. He could not save. And so, Christ came into the world as one of us. To save us. Jesus came into the world. To be counted with sinners. To save sinners.

At the right time, God our heavenly Father would send His only Son. Jesus would enter into our world, breaking into time and space. He came to be your substitute. He would live the perfect life for you. He would die the death that you deserve.

And there, at a cross, He would trade your sin, your misery, your guilt and shame to exchange it for His perfection. And work out what you and I could never, ever do!

Yes, Jesus has done for you better than what you could ever do for yourself. When settling the issue with sin, Jesus acts alone. He dealt with the issues of your brokenness Himself. Period. With no help from anyone. The Father sends His own Son to the cross. Jesus bore your sin. He carried it alone. – To the cross of Calvary. There He died for you.

There He wins salvation for the entire world. And on the third day. He rose from the dead to prove to you that this freedom, this forgiveness, this new life, has been credited to you.

God is completely responsible for your salvation. From front to back! You don’t one-day wake up and decide to follow Jesus – Rather, He plants the seed of faith in your heart in Holy Baptism by the power of His Holy Spirit.

He then nourishes that faith by giving you His eternal Word, which is able to make you wise unto salvation. This is what St. Paul reminds us when he tells us “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.” - Ephesians 2:8-9

Help me Lord Jesus!

Lift High the Cross copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

September 4, —Friday prior to Pentecost 15 – (Proper 18)

Matthew 18:1-20— True greatness is not self-sufficient strength, but humility like that of a little child. The greatness of child-like faith receives all good things as gracious gifts from our Father in heaven. Apart from such faith, “you will never enter the kingdom of heaven,” but whoever is humbled like a little child will be “the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3–4). Though in our sin we deserve to be “drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18:6), we have instead been drowned (“buried”) with Christ in Baptism and then raised to the new, humble life of a child of God.

Since we have been reconciled to God through Christ Jesus, the Christian life is one that strives for reconciliation with our fellow man. If our brother sins against us, we will try to restore him privately.

Jesus says “you” in verse 15. Who is “you?”  You may be an individual Christian or “you” may refer to a gathering of Christians namely the Church. It is worthy to note that this passage does not deal with the one who sinned but with the victim of sin. 

He who is sinned against is to take the initiative to get the matter settled. One who thinks the guilty one ought to settle accounts, but the sinner may not consider himself to be in the wrong.  The victim is to show the sinner what harm he has done, and an understanding needs to be reached that the Christian fellowship may not be disrupted by personal tensions. 

Reconciliation takes effort and sometimes struggles. You need to ask yourself is there a rift between myself and someone else? What is the cause of this tension? Am I culpable? Am I willing to take the first step towards reconciliation? If it is to be will it be me?

In your prayers today read through Psalm 130. May this prayer guide you throughout the day.

Prayer for Psalm 130: God of might and compassion, you sent your Word into the world as a watchman to announce the dawn of salvation. Do not leave us in the depths of our sins, but listen to your Church pleading for the fullness of your redeeming grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.   

Prayer for Psalm 130, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church Vol.II American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, © 1995 Delhi, NY  Image: copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things 

September 3— Thursday prior to Pentecost 15 – (Proper 18)

 Romans 13:1-10— In this coming week’s epistle lesson St. Paul teaches civil governments have been given their authority by God. Thus, the Christian submits himself to that rule which God has established, and exhorts others to do the same.

St. Paul also tells us how we are to live with our fellow man: letting love for the neighbor guide all our actions and dealings. This love is not of ourselves, but flows from Christ, who first loved us.

Paul lists three reasons why the Roman Christians are to submit to the authorities. These arguments which Paul points out apply to us today.

First, no authority exists except from God, and all authorities that exist have been instituted by God (13:1b).

Second, rulers are not a terror to good conduct but rather to bad behavior. (13:3a). The state has the right and the duty to punish those who break the law.  

Third, the authority/ruler is God’s servant in three ways:

1. For the citizen’s good. Civic leaders are civil servants. They rule on our behalf for our benefit. So that we can be free to our primary task as Christians to gossip the gospel.

2. To execute wrath on the wrongdoer. If there are no reprisals there will be lawlessness which is never good.

3. By being busy with “this very thing,” that is, collecting taxes. (13:4a, 4c, 6b). Yes, it cost money to pave the roads, provide infrastructure, and a better way of life.

In less than two months we will hold a national mid-term election.  Paul’s teachings remind us that while we remain citizens of heaven we still operate on this earth in the civilian world. As we live in society we act as model citizens.

We live in a divided country and there will be strong debate over the direction of our country in these months leading to our next election. We can have strong opinions and points of view.  Paul’s directive gives us the framework from which we are to proceed.

For our Country: 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. Make us who came from many nations with many different languages a united people. Defend our liberties, and give those whom we have entrusted with the authority of government the spirit of wisdom that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful; and in troubled times do not let our trust in You fail; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

For Responsible Citizenship:  Lord keep this nation under Your care. Bless the leaders of our land that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to the other nations of the earth. Help us provide trustworthy leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare, and thus serve You faithfully in our generation to the honor of Your holy name.

 

Image of the American flag copyright © Google images

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 20006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis   

September 2 — Wednesday prior to Pentecost 15 – (Proper 18)

 Ezekiel 33:7-9—The Lord told Ezekiel that He would restore Jerusalem, yet this did not remove Ezekiel’s obligation to warn sinners to turn from their wicked ways and repent. Likewise, we who live in the post-resurrection time, when Christ has restored mankind by His death and resurrection, have an obligation to warn sinners to turn from their wicked ways and repent, that they may partake of fellowship with God.

Ezekiel is summoned as a watchman and the watchman's task is to announce impending danger. God's intention is not for God's people to die. While the house of Israel is surely threatened with death, God offers repentance and assurance that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. To choose to live is to choose to turn back from evil. This verb, "to turn" is used repeatedly in this passage as a reminder of the physical understanding of repentance. 

The last Sunday in October we will celebrate Reformation. Everyone is familiar with Luther nailing the 95 theses on the castle door in Wittenberg. The first theses reads, “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ``Repent'' (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.” Luther was not acting out of arrogance. There was no “holier than thou” attitude with him. In humility he realized we all need to turn to the Lord seeking mercy, clemency, grace. 

The entire Christian life is that of repentance; turning from sin and trusting in the good news that Jesus saves sinners. The gospel is for every day and every moment. Repentance is to be the Christian’s continual focus.

Almost 30 years later, on February 16, 1546, Luther’s last words, written on a piece of scrap paper, echoed the theme of his first thesis: “We are beggars! This is true.”

From his first thesis to last words, Luther lived at the foot of the cross, where our rebellious condition meets with the beauty of God’s lavish grace in the gospel—a gospel deep enough to cover all the little and massive flaws of a beggar like Luther and beggars like you and me.

Grant, merciful Lord, to Your people pardon and peace that they may be cleansed from all their sins and serve You with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Prayer from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Luther’s Seal copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things