October 8, 2025

Today's Reading: Deuteronomy 7:1-19

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 7:1-19; Matthew 10:1-23

“For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. (Deuteronomy 7:6)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

What does it mean to be “holy to the LORD?” In the rest of our Deuteronomy reading, we see the LORD giving specific instructions to the people of Israel to destroy all the religious items of the people whose land they are about to inhabit. Breaking down altars, chopping down pillars, dashing idols into pieces… sounds fun… but why? What does that have to do with being “holy to the LORD?”

The truth is, you cannot serve two masters. Israel should have learned this lesson long ago. The golden calf incident, right after their deliverance from Egypt, should have been the beginning and end of this idolatrous streak. But if you read the rest of the Old Testament, this is not he case. The people of Israel CONSTANTLY struggle with idolatry, chasing after the power of other nations by worshipping their gods. Because that’s what it's all about. It’s about getting what you want. Baal can make it rain… or so his followers say. Other gods can grant you children, at least that's what their devotees claim.

But these mute idols are just that… mute idols. They are powerless images that, at best, mean you’re directing your worship towards a bit of wood and stone, and at worst, a demon in disguise. Either one is bad. But there is good news, beloved in the Lord! God has called you, yes, little old you, out of the darkness and into his marvelous light! Through the might of His Son Jesus, He has conquered all idols, calling all his people throughout time back to him to be a people holy to the Lord. In the flock of God… that’s holy to the Lord. You are holy to the Lord.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Let us also live with Jesus. He has risen from the dead That to life we may awaken. Jesus, You are now our head. We are Your own living members; Where You live, there we shall be In Your presence constantly, Living there with You forever. Jesus, let me faithful be, Life eternal grant to me. (LSB 685:4)

Rev. Jonathan Lackey, Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.