Today's Reading: Small Catechism: Table of Duties, Hearers
Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 12:13-32; Matthew 12:38-50

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Wow! What a great example of preaching and pastoral proclamation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ we have in Matthew 12! It reads, "Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, 'Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.' But he answered them, 'An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.'"

This typological/Christological sermon should and must be preached at every sermon by a faithful pastor. Your pastor should preach the cross of Golgatha, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to his people. With a message of such importance, it is only necessary that we as hearers be instructed to respect and uphold the Office of the Holy Ministry

We hold high the Office and the man who bears that Office. But why? Isn't he a man just like the rest of us? Martin Luther explains it to us perfectly in his explanation to the Third Commandment. He states: We should fear and love God that we may not despise preaching and His Word but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it. In the holding of the preached Word as sacred, we come to appreciate the pastor and the authority he has over us because of the Gospel that He speaks. Thanks be to God that His Word comes to us through holy, yet sinful men. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

"You shall observe the worship day
That peace may fill your home, and pray,
And put aside the work you do,
So that God may work in you."
Have mercy, Lord!
("These Are the Holy Ten Commands" LSB 581, st. 4)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch