Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 8:1-20; Matthew 10:24-42

"What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:27-28)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In our text, Christ lovingly invites us not to fear. How strange this is to our ears since we tend to internalize fear and anxiety. It is almost as if we should say to Jesus, "Well, that's easy for you to say, you're Jesus." Then again, maybe that's the point. To claim that the body doesn't matter as much as the soul is to detest the creation of each and thus the creator. However, very few people would look at it that way.

While we are alive, we are willing to go through anything to minimize the pain that the body feels. After we die, people gather around the casket and offer words that seem helpful, but often refer to the body as a "vessel" or "shell." Yet Christ tells us that we should not fear the sword and pain. Nothing can destroy our relationship with our Father, who is in heaven. Thus, we do not need to worry those "who kill the body but cannot kill the soul" but "rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." The worst thing for a Christian to imagine is that God has abandoned them. Here, in these words, we find the opposite. Christ tells us not to fear the pain and death of the flesh but fear the one who can take your soul into death. With Christ, there is only life after His death. And for us, we have life for all eternity. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies
Heav'n's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
("Abide With Me" LSB 878, st. 6)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch