December 3, 2025

Today's Reading: Romans 13:(8-10) 11-14

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 9:8-10:11; 1 Peter 5:1-14

“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:11-12)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Perhaps you remember the story of Paul Revere, the Boston silversmith who warned the American revolutionaries that, “The British are coming! The British are coming!” If you don’t remember Paul Revere, you might remember that student in your elementary classroom who stood in the doorway when the teacher left the room. As the rest of the class got up to their shenanigans, the lookout would loudly whisper, “Shhh! The teacher’s coming back!”

Holy Scripture doesn’t need Paul Revere or the classroom lookout because the Holy Spirit inspired St. Paul to write that it’s time to wake from sleep. There is no time for sleepiness, laziness, or shenanigans for God’s people. The Lord’s salvation is near at hand, and Christ is returning soon. Live like Jesus is coming in glory soon! Live as one of the Christians who is forgiven by Jesus and for whom Jesus died.

It’s hard to live in a constant state of readiness. Have you ever had a class at school where your teacher warned you that you could have a pop quiz at any time? It was really stressful, wasn’t it? Or if you have a job, you know how nerve-wracking it can be when your boss watches your normal tasks and then asks to have a private chat.

You are covered by the grace of Christ. That doesn’t mean that you can let your guard down or live in a spiritually lazy way. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith. (Hebrews 12:2) Live out your faith because you are a beloved child of God. Jesus is coming back. Yet, your life of faith isn’t something you need to do because you are afraid of God, but because that is who God has made you to be. While it can be hard to remain dedicated to the loving service that God has called you to do, don’t grow weary. Don’t give up. Don’t stop serving and loving your neighbors. After all, God put those people in your life for you to love. He has also called you to love Him with all your heart, all your mind, and all your soul. As hard as it is, simply do that until the day that Jesus returns in glory.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

As we worship, grant us vision, Till Your love’s revealing light In its height and depth and greatness, Dawns upon our quickened sight, Making known the needs and burdens Your compassion bids us bear, Stirring us to tireless striving, Your abundant life to share. (LSB 848:3)

Author: Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.

Work through the first ten chapters of Matthew and learn more about who Jesus is. As you move through this study, you’ll ponder the theological, practical, and historical considerations of the text. With ample room for personal notes, this study will have you feeling confident in your understanding of Matthew’s Gospel. Matthew 1:1-11:1 of the new Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series is available now.

December 2, 2025

Today's Reading: Jeremiah 23:5-8

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 8:9-9:7; 1 Peter 4:1-19

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’” (Jeremiah 23:5-6)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

These days, there aren’t very many kings in the world. Sure, there’s a King of Great Britain and the British Commonwealth, but where else are there kings? Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Monaco, and Morocco are some current monarchies as well, for your trivia background information. Still, “kings” sound foreign to most people today. But the Lord’s promise through Jeremiah is more than talking about a monarchial form of government, but the establishment of the “once-for-all-ruler-over-all-things.” This is not a promise about another monarch or king in the world, but the ultimate ruler over all things.

The righteous Branch of David is not just another ruler. He is the be-all, end-all ruler. All authority in heaven and on earth is given to Him. (Matthew 28:18) He is before all things; in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:17) In him we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28) There is no one like Jesus Christ, the righteous Branch. The justice and righteousness that He brings are no mere human ideal, but the very justice and righteousness of God.

Jesus has come. The Lord is our righteousness. Jesus, the righteous Branch, has made you righteous by His grace. In a human court, a judge will declare an accused person “not guilty” if there isn’t enough evidence to convict them of a crime. Notice, though, that there is a big difference between “not guilty” and “innocent.” Someone who didn’t commit a crime isn’t guilty of that crime, but they aren’t innocent. But when Jesus, the ruler and judge of all things, comes, He is our righteousness. Jesus doesn’t declare you “not guilty” nor “innocent” but rather “righteous.” By the grace of God that covers you, Jesus says that, because of His grace, you are just the way you are supposed to be. He has claimed you as His own. That’s the only authority that matters. Live as a subject in God’s Kingdom, because “The Lord is Our Righteousness” (that is, Jesus Christ) is your King.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lo, how a rose e’er blooming From tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse’s lineage coming As prophets long have sung, It came, a flow’ret bright, Amid the cold of winter, When half-spent was the night. (LSB 359:1)

Author: Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.

Work through the first ten chapters of Matthew and learn more about who Jesus is. As you move through this study, you’ll ponder the theological, practical, and historical considerations of the text. With ample room for personal notes, this study will have you feeling confident in your understanding of Matthew’s Gospel. Matthew 1:1-11:1 of the new Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series is available now.

December 1, 2025

Today's Reading: Matthew 21:1-9

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 7:10-8:8; 1 Peter 3:1-22

“And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, 'Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!’” (Matthew 21:9)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Wait, how did a Holy Week reading break into December? Palm Sunday happened the week of Good Friday and Easter, not four weeks before Christmas. Maybe the Bible-reading calendar (the lectionary) goofed up! Don’t worry. This is not a mistake. At the beginning of this new Church year, we are supposed to hear about Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem as King, about Jesus' appearance as Savior, and recognize Jesus’ presence not only in Jerusalem but with the whole Church. That day, Jesus entered on a humble donkey to the shouts of the crowds. During this season of Advent, we also look at how Jesus was born and laid in a manger at Christmas, and how Jesus will come again in glory on the Last Day.

What those events all have in common is that Jesus is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. In Jerusalem, the crowds shouted the Hebrew word “Hosanna!” which means “Save us now!” Psalm 118:25 teaches us to pray like this, and it continues to be the prayer of Christ’s Church today.

In Advent, in Holy Week, and for every day throughout the year, you need Jesus. You need a Savior. The world threatens you, the Devil attacks you, and your own sinful flesh and mind try to get you to doubt God. You fall into sin; no matter how hard you try, you cannot live perfectly. By yourself, you are a lost cause. You can’t do what God has called you to do in His Law. That’s why He has come. He has come to save you. The Lord of all, present in the manger. The One who humbly rode a donkey into Jerusalem as an answer to prayer. The One who was subject to death, even death on a cross, for your forgiveness. The One who rose from death to give you the promise of everlasting life with Him. Jesus has come to save you.

Keep praying! Keep singing with the crowds, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Save us now, Lord!” Confess your faith in Jesus, your Savior. He has come to rescue you from sin and every evil. Rejoice, because He is the Savior you need, and He will never leave you nor forsake you.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

“Hosanna in the highest!” That ancient song we sing; For Christ is our Redeemer, The Lord of heav’n our King. Oh, may we ever praise Him With heart and life and voice And in His blissful presence Eternally rejoice!” (LSB 443:3)

Author: Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.

Work through the first ten chapters of Matthew and learn more about who Jesus is. As you move through this study, you’ll ponder the theological, practical, and historical considerations of the text. With ample room for personal notes, this study will have you feeling confident in your understanding of Matthew’s Gospel. Matthew 1:1-11:1 of the new Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series is available now.