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November 11, 2026 Today's Reading: Jeremiah 23:21-40 Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 23:21-40; Matthew 25:31-46 “Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord?” (Jeremiah 23:28) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The cry of “Peace, peace” arose in Jerusalem, but there was no peace for the widow, the orphan, or the poor, for they were neglected by their kinsman. The slogan “the Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord” was said as if they could worship false gods in the Temple itself instead of repenting of their sins and returning to the Lord who warned them of their destruction. These words of the ruling officials and the priests were straw, not wheat. Straw, while it is growing, looks a bit like wheat, but in the end, it isn’t even a close substitute. If you were to try to harvest some straw seeds and grind them up to make flour, you’d end up with pretty lousy bread. Staw is no more like wheat than cubic zirconia is like diamond, and you can’t exchange straw for wheat any more than you can exchange salt for sugar.  The words “Peace, peace” and “the Temple of the Lord” were “straw”. They entrenched the people in their sins instead of turning them from their sin to God. In the end, the kings stood condemned; they would be cut off, and the Righteous Branch would be raised up to rule in their place. The priests stood condemned; they would be cast out, and the Good Shepherd would gather His people. The prophets stood condemned; the dreams they shared were from the imagination of their own hearts, but one day the Word made flesh would share the word faithfully. What are the “straw” words that you hear? In addition to your flesh and the devil, who cries “Peace, peace” or “the Temple of the Lord,” so that you would persist in your sin? Who wants you to be consumed by the desires of the flesh? Flee from them. Come hear faithful pastors who give you Jesus. They assure you that Jesus is God’s Son who was crucified for your sins and raised for your justification. Jesus is the grain of wheat who fell into the ground to bear much fruit in you. (John 12:24) Jesus is the true bread from heaven who gives life to you and the world. (John 6:33) Jesus gives you His body under bread and blood under wine to forgive you.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Heavenly Father, Your name is holy in itself. Let Your Name be kept holy amongst us also as Your word is taught in its truth and purity. Give us Your Holy Spirit and strengthen us that we may lead holy lives according to Your word, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen (First Petition of the Lord’s Prayer, Meaning) Rev. Jeremy Swem, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, MI. Scholar and author A. Andrew Das bridges the gap between Bible commentary and daily devotional in this innovative exploration of Luke's Gospel. Through a creative narrative device—a dinner conversation with the physician and Gospel writer Luke himself— you will discover the radical message that turned the ancient world upside down.

November 10, 2026 Today's Reading: Philippians 3:17-21 Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 23:1-20; Matthew 25:14-30 “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” (Philippians 3:17) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. There is an eight-year-old who imitates his older brothers. He wants to be like them, so he acts like them, though sometimes he does it to annoy them.  Some say that imitation is inauthentic, so instead, strive to be the true you. Yet following that advice, we may just end up imitating them. Would Solomon use this as an example of the saying, "There is nothing new under the sun"? Paul doesn’t take issue with imitation. He directs us to imitate him by keeping an eye on those who walk like him in Philippi. Paul’s walking involves forgetting the things that are past (our failures and our sins) and looking forward to that which is to come (the resurrection of the body and the life which is to come), for the world and all things in it are passing away, but there is a day coming when all things will be made new.  Not everyone walks this way. There are some, even ones who were once in the church, that have become enslaved to the desires of the flesh. “Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.” (Philippians 3:19) It is easy to fall into this type of imitation because we allow our eyes to be fixed on passing away things: phones, social media, the next event, task, or project instead of forever things given by Jesus. We are conformed to be citizens of this world when we should, by the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word, be transformed by the renewal of our minds. (Romans 12:2) So God says to us today, “Turn your eyes here and look at My Son.” Look at Jesus, who died for you yet did not see corruption in the grave. Look at Jesus, who rose for you and brought life and immortality to light. Look at Jesus, who showed His glorious body as proof to the apostles and you of the victory He has given you in your Baptism. Look at Jesus, who promises He will come again to transform your lowly body to be like His glorious body. Now it is a humble body, one that is corrupted by sin and so often drawn to things that pass away, but when Jesus comes again, whether we are living or in the grave, He will make our bodies like His glorious body. We will be free from the corruption of sin and never desire to sin again.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us for the times when we have allowed ourselves to be ruled by the desires of our flesh. Turn our eyes from the things that are passing away and fix them on You as we continue to strain forward to what lies ahead. Amen.  Rev. Jeremy Swem, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, MI. Scholar and author A. Andrew Das bridges the gap between Bible commentary and daily devotional in this innovative exploration of Luke's Gospel. Through a creative narrative device—a dinner conversation with the physician and Gospel writer Luke himself— you will discover the radical message that turned the ancient world upside down.

November 9, 2026 Today's Reading: Proverbs 8:11-22 Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 22:1-23; Matthew 25:1-13 “[Wisdom said,] ‘Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.” (Proverbs 8:17-18) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. What is wisdom, and where does it come from? When answering these questions, we may think about advice given by the world or from the experience of others that helps us make the right decisions when picking out classes, making and keeping friends, or planning a course for the future. Solomon, the writer of Proverbs, knew quite a bit about wisdom. At the beginning of his rule, God said he could ask for anything. Solomon requested an understanding heart that he would be able to “discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9). The Lord granted him a wise and discerning heart so that no king before or after him should compare.  In Solomon, we have an example that we should pray for wisdom, knowing God will answer and give us more than what the world expects- the ability to make decisions that will serve us well in life. The wisdom God gives enables us to rightly distinguish between good and evil. In addition to this, we should ask for the strength to choose the good and reject the evil. Solomon was wise, but the writer of 1 Kings notes, “Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and did not wholly follow the Lord, as David his father had done.” (1 Kings 11:6) Solomon, following the wisdom of the world, became rather foolish as he worshiped the gods of the Sidonians and Ammonites.  While that was the case, in Proverbs 8, Solomon reveals something of critical importance for our understanding of true Wisdom. Initially, it appears that Wisdom is only being personified, as if Solomon is using a figure of speech to make it seem that Wisdom can speak and give counsel, insight, riches, and honor. But digging a bit deeper, we see that Wisdom is the Second Person of the Trinity, the Son of God. He is the Righteous One who has enduring wealth. The fruit of His death, resurrection, and ascension is finer than gold or choice silver. True Wisdom is not just discerning good and evil but knowing Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of the Father, who has given us His righteousness in holy Baptism and has assured us that we are inheritors of the Heavenly Kingdom and have eternal life.  Now, when you think about wisdom, move beyond the advice of the world, or experience, or Solomon, to Christ. Ponder His life, death, resurrection, and ascension, and all the Gifts He gives to you from above. To know Him is to be truly wise. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. O Come, Thou Wisdom from on high, Who ord’rest all things mightily; To us the path of knowledge show, And teach us in her ways to go. (LSB 357:2) Rev. Jeremy Swem, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, MI. Scholar and author A. Andrew Das bridges the gap between Bible commentary and daily devotional in this innovative exploration of Luke's Gospel. Through a creative narrative device—a dinner conversation with the physician and Gospel writer Luke himself— you will discover the radical message that turned the ancient world upside down.

November 8, 2026 Today's Reading: Matthew 22:15-22 Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 20:1-18; Matthew 24:29-51 “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21)  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It is said that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. So the Pharisees (who despised Herod, the Herodians, and the Romans) teamed up with their enemy (the Herodians) to trap Jesus. “Tell us what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (Matthew 22:17)  Jesus appeared to be between a rock and a hard place. He can be an enemy of the Pharisees by saying it is lawful or an enemy of the Herodians by saying it is not lawful.  Jesus was not willing to be trapped; that will happen later. Jesus said, “Show me the coin for the tax.” (Matthew 22:19) Surprisingly, someone in the temple had an unclean coin to present.  Jesus asked, “Whose image and inscription is this?” (Matthew 22:20). Now the tables were turned; instead of asking the questions, they must answer Jesus, so they responded that the coin bore the emperor’s image. Then Jesus said, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21)  Those who sought to trap Jesus were now entangled in His words. Jesus will not be formed into an image made by man. He wouldn’t allow Himself to be shaped like a piece of playdough into a Pharisee or Herodian, no matter how high the pressure got. They should have given up, but so should we. God is not to be formed into our image and likeness so that He has our political positions, our “modern” thinking, or our fleshly desires. Pay your taxes, Pharisees- render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and worship God and serve Him only- render to God the things that are God’s. Jesus entangles to release. He who is the image of the invisible God took on the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of man to destroy the true enemy, Satan. (Colossians 1:15, Philippians 2:7) He offered Himself up to Caesar’s judgment, where He was found innocent yet sentenced as guilty. He offered Himself up to the Father, where He endured the sentence of the guilty yet was proven innocent, having risen from the dead. And He did it all for the sake of those who were His enemies in their trespasses and sins- Pharisees, Herodians, us. Thanks be to God, we have been released, we are no longer His enemies but His friends, and one day He shall restore His image and likeness to us. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. O Lord, absolve Your people from their offenses that from the bonds of our sins, which by reason of our frailty we have brought upon ourselves, we may be delivered by Your bountiful goodness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Collect for Trinity 23) Rev. Jeremy Swem, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, MI. Scholar and author A. Andrew Das bridges the gap between Bible commentary and daily devotional in this innovative exploration of Luke's Gospel. Through a creative narrative device—a dinner conversation with the physician and Gospel writer Luke himself— you will discover the radical message that turned the ancient world upside down.

November 7, 2026 Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 23 - Psalm 85:1, 7, 9, 11; antiphon: Jeremiah 29:11a, 12 Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 11:1-23; Jeremiah 12:1-19:15; Matthew 24:1-28 “Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.” (Psalm 85:7) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It’s interesting to me that the Introit for tomorrow’s Divine Service skips this; “Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints…” (Psalm 85:8). The truth is that the Lord has shown us His steadfast love in the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Christ. But that was about 2,000 years ago, and today we can’t actually lay eyes on Him, so we must “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Therefore, we walk by hearing, for “faith comes by hearing” (Romans 10:17). The knowledge that Christ is Lord, and in Him is our salvation, we have by hearing in faith.  We have heard He speaks peace to His people throughout the world. How does He do that? Your pastor is God’s representative, when he speaks peace, absolving His saints, it is the Lord Jesus you are hearing. Hearing the voice of the Lord in His Word is marvelous. In that hearing, steadfast love has been shown, salvation has been given, but we still haven’t seen it. Peter makes this clear: “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9). So we rejoice that God the Father has spoken to us, and in speaking, He has shown us his steadfast love and granted us His salvation. This is the Gospel which the Father promised through the prophets. And this speaking, this showing of His salvation, this proclamation of the Gospel, He accomplished by the ministry of the apostles. He continues to deliver the Good News of salvation in the preaching of His Gospel in truth and purity through the Office of the  Holy Ministry he has given the Church.  Still, we haven’t seen it…or have we? If you want to see that salvation delivered to you, go to where the Lord has promised His presence is to be found. Be gathered with His people in the Divine Service. Go to the table the Lord has prepared for you, even in the presence of the enemy (Psalm 23:5). There you will hear Him speak, “This is my body, this is my blood, given and shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins.” There you “taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8).  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heav’n to earth come down! Fix in us Thy humble dwelling, all Thy faithful mercies crown. Jesus, Thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love Thou art; Visit us with Thy salvation, enter ev’ry trembling heart. (LSB 700:1) Scholar and author A. Andrew Das bridges the gap between Bible commentary and daily devotional in this innovative exploration of Luke's Gospel. Through a creative narrative device—a dinner conversation with the physician and Gospel writer Luke himself— you will discover the radical message that turned the ancient world upside down. Rev. Jason Schockman, associate pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc, WI.

November 6, 2026 Today's Reading: Matthew 23:13-39 Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 8:18-9:12; Matthew 23:13-39 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!” (Matthew 23:37) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. What a picture Jesus paints for what he does for us. The Lord here emphasizes his good will toward us, gladly gathering us in love like a mother hen. Outside the nest, when little chickens sense danger, they run to their mother hen, trusting that she is there to cover and protect them. The mother hen spreads her wings over her chicks to protect them and, in fact, places herself between her chicks and any perceived danger. She is willing to put herself in harm's way first to protect her babies. That is Christ to whom our faith clings. Faith does not rely upon itself, but holds to Christ, and takes refuge under His righteousness. Faith lets Christ’s righteousness be its shield and protection, just like the little chicken never trusts in its own efforts, but takes refuge under the body and wings of the hen. This image also appears in Luther’s description of what he calls imputed righteousness, in which God sees us through Christ and credits Christ’s perfect righteousness to us, despite the fact that we remain sinners. In Luther’s Commentary on Galatians 3:6, he writes, “On account of this faith in Christ God does not see the sin that still remains in me. For so long as I go on living in the flesh, there is certainly sin in me. But meanwhile Christ protects me under the shadow of His wings and spreads over me the wide heaven of the forgiveness of sins, under which I live in safety.” Under Christ’s righteousness, we creep and crouch and stoop and stumble through this life. Yet faith believes that we will be sustained not by our faith, not for our sake, but for the sake of Christ and His righteousness under which we take refuge. This is how the Psalmist says it, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress my God, in whom I trust’...He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge.” (Psalm 91:1-2,4) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. He comes with rescue speedy to those who suffer wrong, to help the poor and needy and bid the weak be strong; to give them songs for sighing, their darkness turn to light, whose souls, condemned and dying, were precious in His sight. (LSB 398:2) Rev. Jason Schockman, associate pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc, WI. Scholar and author A. Andrew Das bridges the gap between Bible commentary and daily devotional in this innovative exploration of Luke's Gospel. Through a creative narrative device—a dinner conversation with the physician and Gospel writer Luke himself— you will discover the radical message that turned the ancient world upside down.

November 5, 2026 Today's Reading: Catechism: Table of Duties: To Husbands Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 7:1-29; Matthew 23:1-12 “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. These are important instructions, not just for husbands but for all men, young men included. You are surrounded by women. First, your mother. Perhaps you’ve got sisters, and maybe even friends who are girls. There ought to be a difference, gentleman, between the abrupt video game chatter on mission in Call of Duty or Fortnite, and the respectful vocabulary you choose to use with the women around you.  Yes, the God of all creation made us male and female on purpose. Generally speaking, women are typically smaller in size and weaker in strength. That’s not a bad thing, so long as you males recognize that size and strength are not an excuse to be unkind (and it doesn’t matter if those women are bigger and stronger than you). Each one of them is a Gift that God has given, and one for whom Christ died. Remember to treat them as such. Which actually makes this word to husbands really important for us all to remember. All the people we interact with, whether they are female or male, Christ died for them. The ones you like and the ones you don't like. This is where Peter's advice to husbands about not hindering prayers comes into play for all of us. Is it easy to pray for the people that you're frustrated with? When you really don't understand someone, do you take the time to pray for them? How quick are we to remember that not only did Christ die for them, but it was God who created them in the first place? By the grace that was poured out on you in your Baptism, you can show respect for God's handiwork. In the forgiveness of Christ, we can endeavor each day to show respect for God's will, by which He created us male and female, to be husband and wife, to complement each other. For in Christ we are each, male or female, heirs of the grace of life. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Heavenly Father, it is Your gracious will that Your children on earth live together in harmony and peace. Teach us to examine our hearts that we may recognize our own inclinations toward sin. Help us, by Your Word and Spirit, and grant us a steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, a cheerful hope in Your mercy, and a sincere love for you and one another; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Rev. Jason Schockman, associate pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc, WI. Scholar and author A. Andrew Das bridges the gap between Bible commentary and daily devotional in this innovative exploration of Luke's Gospel. Through a creative narrative device—a dinner conversation with the physician and Gospel writer Luke himself— you will discover the radical message that turned the ancient world upside down.

November 4, 2026 Today's Reading: Philippians 1:3-11 Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 5:1-19; Matthew 22:23-46 “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-11) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When Paul prays that the love of the saints in Philippi would abound, he’s not talking about some generic “love is love” kinda love. He is specific. The love they have is the love that comes through Jesus Christ. It is His love that is given with which we love others, “we love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). His is a love that is first demonstrated by Christ on the cross even “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). In Christ, God has demonstrated that He has “loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3). Then He gives that love to you in a very specific, very tangible way, His Body and Blood are given and shed for you. We have all kinds of continuously created counterfeit and corrupted kinds of “love” in this world. Paul’s prayer is that you would not only know the specificity of the love of Christ for you, which is the cause of your salvation, but that in both quantity (“more and more”) and quality (“with knowledge and all discernment”) you would grow in the love of Christ. Abounding in this love is lived out in daily repentance, remembering your Baptism into the death and resurrection of the One who has truly loved you. Not because you’ve earned it, not because you deserve it, but because He freely gives it. And that love which caused our salvation has an effect. It draws us to what is excellent and pure. The love of Christ fills us with the fruit of righteousness. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in you because you are loved by God. So we thank God that he sent his Son and demonstrated a love that is not like a Hallmark movie or simply syrupy and self-indulgent. No, Christ's love we can depend on, and we can depend on God's Word to show us what love is. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  Lord God, we thank You that You have taught us what You would have us believe and do. Help us by Your Holy Spirit, for the sake of Jesus Christ, to hold fast Your Word in hearts that You have cleansed that thereby we may be made strong in faith and perfect in holiness and be comforted in life and death; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Rev. Jason Schockman, associate pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc, WI. Scholar and author A. Andrew Das bridges the gap between Bible commentary and daily devotional in this innovative exploration of Luke's Gospel. Through a creative narrative device—a dinner conversation with the physician and Gospel writer Luke himself— you will discover the radical message that turned the ancient world upside down.

November 3, 2026 Today's Reading: Micah 6:6-8 Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 3:6-4:2; Matthew 22:1-22 “He has told you, O man, what is good;” (Micah 6:8) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. God has told you. He has spoken clearly in His Word. We can read the text of the Scripture, and by the wisdom we find there, discern what is good. But don’t go reading the B.I.B.L.E. like a set of Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. That’s not the point. You won’t find in its pages all the good things we have to do to be ready to live with God for eternity.  Instead, He has told us all the good that He has done for you. All the Old Testament prophets that pointed to the promises fulfilled by the Prince of Peace. The perfect life lived for you by the only human who could possibly do it because He is at the same time God and Man. The innocent death of the Lamb of God that satisfied God’s holy justice and demonstrated His steadfast love for you. Jesus has justified you, made you before God to stand ‘just-as-if-I’d-never sinned’. That is the Good News He has told you! Trust that Word of the Gospel. Christ’s death and resurrection are what you are baptized into. The water of your Baptism was God by His word of command and promise, uniting you with the Lord of Life. He has told you what is good…and it’s not about you. O MAN! His good is totally FOR YOU, but the good is about Jesus. His justice. His kindness. What the Lord requires of you is exactly what He has already given you, life by faith in Jesus. And the reason He gives it to you is for the sake of those around you. Luther puts it this way,  “God requires no good works from us for Himself; He wants everything to yield to the use and welfare (good) of our neighbor. The glory of such works is enough for God. Faith is the beginning of justification, as all Scripture reveals. Being justified by faith, we neither can nor should offer anything to God other than the sacrifice of praise; that is, that we bear witness with our preaching of the grace we have received, that we magnify God, that we preach His glory, and do this preaching through the Gospel. These are the ‘fruits of our lips,’ Hos. 14:2. Then let us show mercy to our neighbor” (AE 18:261). And keep listening to the Gospel, which the Lord in Christ has told you is good FOR YOU! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Called by worship to Your service, forth in Your dear name we go, to the child, the youth, the aged, Love in living deeds to show; Hope and health, goodwill and comfort, counsel, aid, and peace we give, that Your servants, Lord, in freedom may Your mercy know and live. (LSB 848:4) Rev. Jason Schockman, associate pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc, WI. Scholar and author A. Andrew Das bridges the gap between Bible commentary and daily devotional in this innovative exploration of Luke's Gospel. Through a creative narrative device—a dinner conversation with the physician and Gospel writer Luke himself— you will discover the radical message that turned the ancient world upside down.

November 2, 2026 Today's Reading: Matthew 18:21-35 Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 1:1-19; Matthew 21:23-46 “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?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus must not be talking literal math here, because that would only make 490 times someone should be forgiven. If the tallies started when this 49-year-old pastor was born, and Jesus IS talking literally…YIKES! I mean, just do the math. If I’ve sinned ONLY 10 times a year, does that mean I’ve used up the forgiveness I’m supposed to receive? Clearly, that is not how God forgives.  But the question the disciples ask isn’t about how God forgives but about how we are to forgive the one who sins against us. Again, Jesus must not be talking literal math here. I’ve been married for 26 years. If Jesus is really telling us to count up the times we’ve forgiven our closest neighbor, then my wife only has to forgive me about 19 times a year, and let me tell you, I’ve used it all up! What Jesus is after in answer to Peter’s question is illustrated by the parable that follows of the “king who wished to settle accounts with his servants” (Matthew 18:23). The king in the parable is God, who has forgiven us far more than we could even imagine. Not 490 times but every time, every sin, covered in the precious cleansing blood of the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). That makes you the servant who was ten thousand talents in debt to the king, and your friend the one who owed you a hundred denarii. When your friend sins against you, rather than focusing on the weight of their words or the breadth of their betrayal, this parable calls you to first consider the abundant mercy of God toward you and recognize that your Holy Heavenly Father has forgiven you far more than He is calling you to forgive your friend…the comparison isn’t even close.  So bring your sins to Jesus, and those sins committed against you to Jesus, and weigh them all in the limitless scale of His forgiving love for you. He can handle it, even when you can’t. Jesus has already washed your crimson stain of sin in your Baptism into His death and resurrection. Let His forgiveness be the forgiveness you share. Remember who you are, a fully forgiven child of God. Which means you don’t need the strength to manufacture forgiveness; you already have it.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. I lay my sins on Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God; He bears them all and frees us from the accursed load. I bring my guilt to Jesus to wash my crimson stains clean in His blood most precious till not a spot remains. (LSB 606:1) Rev. Jason Schockman, associate pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc, WI. Scholar and author A. Andrew Das bridges the gap between Bible commentary and daily devotional in this innovative exploration of Luke's Gospel. Through a creative narrative device—a dinner conversation with the physician and Gospel writer Luke himself— you will discover the radical message that turned the ancient world upside down.

November 1, 2026 Today's Reading: Matthew 5:1-12 Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Matthew 21:1-22 “And [Jesus] opened his mouth and taught them, saying: ... ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied…’” (Matthew 5:2,6) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Being satisfied sounds great, but when does that happen? Even when you’ve had a great meal, you’ll get hungry again. You did well on the test you prepared for, but another one’s coming. You trained hard, ran well, and the team had a record finish, but there’s another Cross-Country invitational next week. The music you’ve been rehearsing for months reached its resounding crescendo at last week’s fall concert, and now the work begins to prepare for the next performance. Those are just some of the outward things that, even in their accomplishment, leave us wanting more.  What about the friendships, or lack thereof, that always leave you wondering if you’re enough. How about when you don’t think you can actually put in words what you’re feeling, or are afraid that if you did, no one would stick around. What are we really hungering for? What will satisfy that thirst for belonging?  The real truth is that there is only one in whom we will be satisfied- Jesus. Although you may know the joyful truth and healing balm of the Gospel, sinners still sin in thought, word, and deed. That sin in our world, even in our own sinful flesh, breaks stuff. In fact, sin breaks us too. If we are looking to be satisfied by our accomplishments or the opinion of others, we will be left with the “many who say, ‘who will show us some good?’” (Psalm 4:6) But that same Psalm continues, “Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!” Jesus may well have said in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for ME, for they shall be satisfied.” In Christ we find our most satisfying “highest good,” and He promises to be present as He delivers His body for our hunger and His blood for our thirst. So we gather with all the Saints where Jesus is, bringing all the sin-brokenness of our soul and declare the promise as we receive Him, “Thou, Bread of Life, alone art able to satisfy and make me whole: Lord, may Thy body and Thy blood be for my soul the highest good!” (LSB 618:1). In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Almighty and everlasting God, You knit together Your faithful people of all times and places into one holy Communion, the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that, together with them, we may come to the unspeakable joys You have prepared for those who love You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Rev. Jason Schockman, associate pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc, WI. Scholar and author A. Andrew Das bridges the gap between Bible commentary and daily devotional in this innovative exploration of Luke's Gospel. Through a creative narrative device—a dinner conversation with the physician and Gospel writer Luke himself— you will discover the radical message that turned the ancient world upside down.

October 31, 2026 Today's Reading: John 8:31-36 or Matthew 11:12-19 Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 32:28-52; Deuteronomy 33:1-29; Matthew 20:17-34 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. On October 31, 1517, a monk named Martin Luther nailed 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg. He wasn’t trying to start a revolution. He was trying to have a debate about indulgences - pieces of paper people could buy to reduce their time in purgatory. The church taught that you could purchase forgiveness and that salvation was something you could earn or buy your way into. Luther said, “Wait a minute, that’s not what the Bible says.” The more Luther studied Scripture, the clearer it became: we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. We are not saved by our works. We are not saved by our efforts. We are not saved by our money. We are not saved by anything we do. Salvation is a Gift, given freely by God because of what Jesus has done. This was revolutionary because it meant freedom. Freedom from the burden of trying to earn God’s favor. Freedom from the fear that you haven't done enough. Freedom from wondering if God really loves you. “If the on sets you free, you will be free indeed.” That’s what the Reformation recovered - the truth that Jesus has already done everything necessary for your salvation. But freedom doesn’t mean you can just do whatever you want. Jesus also says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Real freedom comes from knowing the truth and being set free by it. The truth is that you’re a sinner who deserves death. The truth is that Jesus died in your place and rose again. The truth is that by faith in Him, you’re forgiven, declared righteous, and adopted as God’s child. That truth sets you free. The Reformation wasn’t about Martin Luther being some kind of hero. It was about recovering the Gospel that had been buried under layers of human tradition and false teaching. Luther didn’t invent anything new - he simply pointed people back to what Scripture had always said. Salvation is by grace alone. Faith is a Gift from God. Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. The Bible is the final authority. These truths are just as important today as they were 500 years ago. You still need to hear that you’re saved by grace, not by works. You still need to be pointed to Jesus, not to yourself. You still need the freedom that comes from knowing your sins are forgiven because of what Christ has done, not because of what you have done. So today, we give thanks for the Reformation. But more than that, we give thanks for the Gospel it recovered - the good news that the Son has set you free, and you are free indeed. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Almighty God, gracious Lord, pour out your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and comfort them in all temptation, defend them against all enemies of Your Word, and bestow on the 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. Rev. Dr. Thomas Brown, pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish, SD.

October 30, 2026 Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 22 - Psalm 130:1-2, 7-8; antiphon: Psalm 130:3-4 Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 31:30-32:27; Matthew 20:1-16 “If You, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.” (Psalm 103:3-4) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. “Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD!” That’s how Psalm 130 begins. The depths. Not the shallows, not the comfortable middle ground, but the depths - the place where you’re in over your head, where the water is closing in, where you can’t save yourself. Maybe you know what that feels like. The guilt of something you’ve done that you can’t undo. The shame of falling into the same sin again. The fear that God is keeping score and you’re losing badly. The depths are where you go when you realize you can’t fix yourself, when all your excuses run out, when you’re finally honest about how much you need help. The psalmist asks the question we’re all afraid to ask: “If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” If God kept a record of our sins, if He tallied up every wrong thought, every selfish word, every broken promise, every moment of pride or lust or hatred - who could stand before Him? The answer is obvious: nobody. Not one person. We’d all be condemned. But then comes the word that changes everything: “But with you there is forgiveness.” Not because we’ve earned it. Not because our good deeds outweigh our bad ones. Not because we’ve finally gotten our act together. But because with God there is forgiveness. It’s who He is. It’s what He does. And you know where we find this forgiveness: at the cross. Jesus went into the depths for you - into the depths of suffering, the depths of God’s wrath against sin, the depths of death itself. He took your iniquities upon Himself so that God wouldn’t mark them against you. He stood in your place so that you could stand before God forgiven, clean, and righteous. That’s why the psalm says, “that you may be feared.” The fear of the LORD isn’t terror; it’s awe, reverence, and trust. When you realize that the God who has every right to condemn you has instead forgiven you, when you understand that the depths you deserved were suffered by Jesus in your place, you can’t help but fall to your knees in wonder. “O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.” That’s the promise. It’s not just a little redemption, not barely enough to squeak by, but plentiful redemption. It’s more than enough. It's overflowing, abundant. It’s for you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. “From depths of woe I cry to Thee, in trial and tribulation; Bend down Thy gracious ear to me, Lord, hear my supplication. If Thou rememb’rest every sin, who then could heaven ever win or stand before thy presence? Though great our sins, yet greater still is God’s abundant favor; His hand of mercy never will abandon us, nor waver. Our shepherd good and true is He, who will at last His Israel free from all their sin and sorrow.” LSB 607:1, 5) Rev. Dr. Thomas Brown, pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish, SD. Where are you looking for meaning? In Lift Your Eyes: How to Live Outside Yourself author Joshua Pfeiffer charts a compelling path outward: upward to God in faith and gratitude, outward to our neighbors in love and service, and forward in joyful anticipation of resurrection.

October 29, 2026 Today's Reading: Catechism: Table of duties: of citizens Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 31:1-29; Matthew 19:16-30 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Nobody likes being told what to do. We don’t like speed limits, curfews, or dress codes. We especially don’t like it when the people making the rules seem corrupt, incompetent, or just plain wrong. So when St. Paul tells us to be subject to governing authorities, our first instinct is to push back. But notice what Paul says: governing authorities exist because God instituted them. That doesn’t mean every law is good or every ruler is righteous. It means God has established government itself as a gift to restrain evil and maintain order in a fallen world. Without government, we’d have chaos - everyone doing what is right in their own eyes, the strong oppressing the weak, no justice, no protection, no peace. This is part of what it means to live in the world as a Christian. You have two citizenships. You’re a citizen of heaven, baptized into Christ, and your ultimate allegiance belongs to Him. But you’re also a citizen of whatever earthly country you live in, and God calls you to honor that citizenship, too. Pay your taxes. Obey the law. Respect those in authority. Pray for your leaders, even the ones you didn’t (or wouldn’t) vote for. But what if the government commands something that contradicts God’s Word? Then you obey God rather than men, as the apostles did when authorities told them to stop preaching about Jesus. There are times when civil disobedience is necessary. But those times are the exception, not the rule. Most of the time, being a good Christian means being a good citizen - not because the government is perfect, but because God has placed you under its authority for your good and the good of your neighbor. Here’s the thing: Jesus didn’t come to overthrow earthly governments. He came to save sinners. His kingdom is not of this world. That means you don’t put your hope in elections, politicians, or policies. Earthly governments can’t save you. Only Jesus can. So yes, be a good citizen. Vote, pay taxes, obey the law, serve your community. But remember where your true citizenship lies: You belong to Christ. He’s the King who reigns forever, the Lord who will never fail you. Earthly governments come and go, but his kingdom has no end. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Almighty God, You have established governing authorities for the good of Your creation. Grant us wisdom to honor those in authority, courage to obey You above all, and faith to trust that our true citizenship is in heaven; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Rev. Dr. Thomas Brown, pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish, SD. Where are you looking for meaning? In Lift Your Eyes: How to Live Outside Yourself author Joshua Pfeiffer charts a compelling path outward: upward to God in faith and gratitude, outward to our neighbors in love and service, and forward in joyful anticipation of resurrection.

October 28, 2026 Today's Reading: John 15:(12-16) 17-21 Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 30:1-20; Matthew 19:1-15 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Simon the Zealot and Jude, son of James, are two of the Twelve apostles about whom we know very little. They don’t have dramatic conversion stories like Paul. They didn’t walk on water like Peter or lean on Jesus’ chest like John. Jude wrote one short letter, and Simon didn’t even get that. In many ways, they’re the forgotten apostles. But Jesus didn’t forget them. He chose them, called them by name, and sent them out to preach the Gospel. And according to tradition, both were martyred for that Gospel. The world hated them because the world first hated Jesus. Jesus warns His disciples about this in today’s reading. “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” This isn’t meant to discourage you. It’s meant to prepare you for reality. Following Jesus doesn’t guarantee popularity, success, or comfort. The world hated Jesus because He exposed its sin and proclaimed a kingdom not of this world. The world hates Christians for the same reason. When you confess that Jesus is the only way to the Father, the world calls you intolerant. When you hold to God’s Word, the world calls you backwards. But here’s what matters: Jesus chose you out of the world. You didn’t choose Him; He chose you. He called you by name in your Baptism and made you His own. He’s given you His World, His forgiveness, His Body and Blood. He’s promised that nothing can separate you from His love. Simon and Jude weren’t famous apostles, but they were faithful. They preached Christ crucified and risen. They endured suffering for His name. And now they’re with Him in Paradise, wearing the white robes of the martyrs. You may never be famous for your faith. But if you’re baptized into Christ, you’re just as much His chosen disciple as Simon and Jude were. And His promise to them is His promise to you: “In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Almighty God, You chose Your servants Simon the Zealot and Jude to be numbered among the glorious company of the apostles. Grant that Your Church may always be taught and guided by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one god, now and forever. Amen. Rev. Dr. Thomas Brown, pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish, SD. Where are you looking for meaning? In Lift Your Eyes: How to Live Outside Yourself author Joshua Pfeiffer charts a compelling path outward: upward to God in faith and gratitude, outward to our neighbors in love and service, and forward in joyful anticipation of resurrection.