Jesus

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Trinity 22 2011 – Matthew 18:21-35

23. October 2011
Trinity 22
Matthew 18:21-35

Each day we pray: forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. We pray in this petition from the Lord’s Prayer that our Father in heaven would not look to our sins, or deny our prayer because of them. We are neither worthy of the things for which we pray, nor have we deserved them, but we ask that He would give them all to us by grace, for we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment. So we too will sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us (SC, Lord’s Prayer, Fifth Petition).

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 

Forgiving each other does not come easy. Children heckle and hate each other. Husband and wife grumble and gripe. Congregations moan and backtalk. Pastors whine and protest among themselves. All these we would rather than do than simply forgive and be forgiven.

To make matters worse, we daily sin much. For God’s part, we deserve nothing but punishment, but are forgiven out of pure grace. So, we should forgive continuously, despite the perennial sin of our neighbor. But we don’t like it.

No, we don’t like it one bit. We’d rather tell off our brother or worse yet send our fist to his jaw, rather than forgive. We’d rather give our spouse the silent treatment or yell and scream, rather than forgive. We’d rather complain about our pastor, the conduct of the service, the length of the sermon, the flavor of the wine, or simply gripe, rather forgive him. We pastors go off to our conferences, bitch and moan about this congregational issue, this synodical bureaucrat, or this errant brother, rather than forgive.

Forgiveness is the harder path. In order to forgive, you must approach each other, declare wrongdoing, apologize truthfully, and declare forgiveness sincerely. This is true brotherly reconciliation. And its hard. You have to sacrifice your ego and pride, be willing to admit wrongdoing, and call sin what it is. Only then is forgiveness received and true. That’s why St. Peter asked Jesus the question: “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

Its such a hard thing to do, that even Peter wanted a means of escape. He wanted to avoid this godly duty and instead give into his hatred and backbiting. Yet, we learn from Jesus’ parable that such an attitude is not only wrong, but it is damning. If you are unwilling to forgive your brother to the utter depths of his sin, then so also your Heavenly Father will withhold forgiveness from you.

22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 

When Jesus comes again to judge the living and the dead, this will be the scene. The Father reigns as the king upon the throne in heaven, while Jesus sits at his right hand. All will be called to settle accounts with him, and those who have done good will enter into eternal life and those who have done evil into the hell of fire. You and I will be asked to account for our life.

If we are completely honest, we know that the debt for our sin is far too great to pay. Everything we have will be deservedly repossessed, even our very life. We might be tempted to be so bold to ask the LORD to have patience with us while we try to make up the deficit, to fall down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ This is a false and misleading dream, that we our sins could redeem.

We know and believe that it is only Christ’s sacrificial blood that atones for our sins. We cannot merit any grace towards heaven, either from our work here or our work in the life to come. Nor could we ever pay the penalty for our sin, for we daily sin much and deserve nothing but punishment.

But the Father sent his Son to die for us, to be our passover lamb, to set us free from the bonds of sin. He lavishly pours out this grace, proclaiming it in the Gospel, washing you in Baptism, declaring you forgiven in Absolution, and feeding you with the body and blood of forgiveness in the Sacrament. We daily sin much and God daily forgives us much.

This servant had been forgiven more than he could ever repay. Such forgiveness is life-changing. It changes thought and deed, word and heart. When God so abundantly forgiveness your innumerable sins, your guilt is released, your heart cleansed, your mind made charitable, and your words fitly spoken. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in you, renewing you and sanctifying you in the one true faith. Indeed, when your sins so bother you, run to Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith. Run to him and be forgiven, over and over. We daily sin much, to be sure, but Christ forgives all the more. Thanks be to God.

Yet, St. Peter’s question deserves a strong rebuke from the Lord: 28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

You might be tempted to think that forgiveness of sins is all about your relationship to God. Not so! God has forgiven you in Jesus not only to insure your heavenly future but that you would be a beacon of His grace for others. He wants others to experience a taste of His forgiveness in your life.

St. Peter’s question, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? betrays his own understanding of humanity. After he betrays his LORD three times on Good Friday, he won’t be so naive. Christ will look upon him and Peter will know the deep darkness that is his sin. Your LORD’s forgiveness is greater still. Jesus will absolve and commission St. Peter three times after he rises from the dead.

So it is for you. Do not think that you are beyond saving. Do not think your debt is too great to be absolved. When he says, “I forgive you your trespasses,” receive this voice of Christ declaring all forgiven. When Jesus the Master  is moved with compassion for you his servant, releases you, and forgives you the debt, receive this with thanksgiving. When Christ gives you his very body and blood, receive Him joyfully for the forgiveness of every sin.

Heed the warning of the parable. Do not make a mockery of the forgiveness that Christ so graciously gives you. Acknowledge your sin and be forgiven. But don’t let it stop there. Let this forgiveness move your heart to forgive others. Do not be like that wicked servant who could not forgive the minuscule debt of his brother, despite the Master forgiving abundantly.

God has forgiven you beyond all telling. Go and reconcile with your brother. If you hate him for what he has done, declare to him that you have forgiven him his error. If he admits his fault, this forgiveness will unburden his conscience. If he will not acknowledge his fault, so be it, you are free.

If you are holding some secret resentment for your spouse, declare your sin to her. If she is truly Christian, she will declare this sin pardoned, and receive you as forgiven, healing the one-flesh union. Reconcile with each other, declaring the sin and forgiving it, just as your LORD declares your sin and forgives it forever.

If you are bitter over something I have done as your pastor, do not let the sun go down on your anger. This anger sitting within your conscience will putrefy and fester, growing like a cancer. So also, God grant me the strength to reconcile with you, when I would rather grumble and weep to brothers than approach you. Let us reconcile and forgive each other.

There’s no point in keeping our sins or the sins of others secret. Let us bring them to the light, exposing them to the forgiving Word of Christ. Let us receive forgiveness in Christ and let this forgiveness rule our hearts and minds. Let your every thought, word, and deed be forgiving love. Then, we can boldly stand before the King, reconciled and reconciling. We pray: Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

In Name of the Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Rev. Christopher R. Gillespie
Grace Lutheran Church
Dyer, Indiana

Trinity 21
 2011 – John 4:46-54


16. October 2011
Trinity 21
John 4:46-54

St. John the Evangelist records three expressions of faith in the official nobleman of today’s Gospel. First, the official comes to Jesus after hearing “that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, and he went to Him and asked Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.” This is the first expression of the official’s faith by coming to Jesus for healing for his son.

Second, after Jesus tested him and received the good confession, the man demanded in yet stronger faith: Sir, come down before my child dies. Jesus spoke these words: “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. Once again, the man expressed his faith, this time hearing and trusting in the Word of Jesus.

Third, after recognizing the healing promised by Jesus at the seventh hour of 1 pm,  the official confessed all the more boldly what he had received. This time he himself believed, and all his household.

From these three expressions, we see how Jesus takes our weak faith that is barely a glowing ember and tends it by His Word of promise until it is a glowing flame, in order that the household and the world will see. It begins with simple faith: a belief that Jesus is the source of God’s gifts. Then Jesus will take the hungry heart of faith challenges it with trial and quickens it by the Word and Spirit. The believer who once sought only benefits in Jesus Christ now finds his every hope in Jesus. This living faith burns hot and bright until it cannot be contained and shines forth to household and neighbor.

This is precisely how God works, most evident in the precious Gospel. After hearing one sermon, likely second-hand, and witnessing one miracle at the wedding at Cana, the certain nobleman and official for King Herod seeks after Christ. Every earthly solution for his son’s sickness had availed him nothing. Now, he must act in faith. Having heard of Christ and his benefits and feeling need that cannot be met by the gifts of this world, he seeks after the bread of life come down from heaven. His faith is weak, for he demands that Jesus must “come down and heal his son.” We know such a demand of the Lord of the universe is utterly unnecessary. Like the centurion, we know that for Jesus, speak the Word only and my servant will be healed.

Therefore, Jesus knows this man’s faith is weak. But rather than stoke it with platitudes or a journey to this man’s house, He instead rebukes him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” No doubt, the man’s heart was set on miracles from Christ. But his faith needed suffering, a cross, to kindle it into a flame. Isaiah says, “A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench” (Isaiah 42:3). Surely such a rebuke would destroy this man and cause him to despair?

Our instinct is wrong. Jesus doesn’t want faith that weakly holds onto him as long as things go well. He wants a faith that is firmly grounded on Him and in His Word. He sends suffering, trials, and crosses your way not to snuff out the flickering flame but to cause it to burn bright. The Lutherans used to call this anfechtung. God sends trials our way, allows the devils to haunt us, and even permits Satan to torment us, just like Job.

This seems utterly stupid. God the Father is out of his mind. Or so it would seem, if not for Jesus. When the going gets rough, the rough get going… in faith in Christ. When you suffer under crosses that try your faith, run to the cross of Christ. When your lives seem beaten and broken, run to the one who was beaten and broken for you. When it seems your blood is being spilled all day long, run to the Divine Service, where Christ’s blood is poured out for you and in you. We have a reason to hope.

… Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).

When the light of faith wanes, the Father applies a cross to us, to kindle it, brighter and brighter. We don’t need to look far to see that this is how God acts, whether in our own lives, the lives of this church, the lives of the apostles, or the lives of the patriarchs. When the faithfulness of God’s people wanes, he burdens them with trials, exile, destructing, and even great suffering and death.

By means of our crosses, He means to teach us about how dark reality is apart from Him. Our flesh and blood hates Him and and His Word. Our reason opposes faith in that which is not seen. Our heart is full of dark evil and malice. Our desires are for wickedness all the day long.

When we fail to trust in our LORD completely for redemption, when we fail to call upon Him in every trial and need, when we act as though we don’t need a gracious God in our worship, our work, or our play, that’s when we allow the darkness in. Our flesh wants it and loves the dark. Our loving Father even allows us to suffer it. He wants us to know the darkness, to despair of it, and to turn to Him (Ephesians 4:18).

Jesus is the light who shines into darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it. He is the voice of creation, begotten of the Father from eternity, spoken to create life, the universe, and everything where there was once nothing (Genesis 1:1ff). Just as then, it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 4:6).

Weakness of faith is nothing for Jesus. That’s why weak faith is no barrier to fellowship. St. Paul even stipulated that the church in Rome Receive one who is weak in the faith (Romans 14:1). Why? Because no one becomes a Christian, instantly burning bright. First, the witness and their need compels them to seek Christ where He is found. Then, He kindles this flame with His Word and trials. Faith must rely upon Jesus, even in the midst of the worst of times. Only then does faith give hope and hope give way to trust. Faith does not trust feelings or thoughts or even the eyes. Faith trusts the ears which receive the Word of salvation.

Those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death have seen a great light. The darkened vision of our lives and our future are a result of sin. Clarity comes from light and the light is Christ. Clarity comes by faith through the hearing of the WORD.

Consider the Word of the sacraments. In Holy Baptism., you see plain water but the Word attached to the water makes it a washing of rebirth in the Holy Spirit. In Holy Absolution, you see only a man dressed in silly robes but the Word of promise is that his voice declares forgiveness as from God himself. In the Holy Supper, you see mere bread and wine but the Word of Promise declares: This is my body… this is My blood… for the forgiveness of sins.

Our LORD keeps his promises. We have heard them. Our hope is in them. Our trust remains on Jesus until our dying day. Don’t let go of the promise and until you receive the blessing. It is true, the LORD visits His people with chastisement and discipline, crushing your ego and your will until you utterly despair of yourself. It is also true, the LORD visits His people with mercy and grace, founded in Jesus, testified in the Word, and believed in Holy Spirit-inspired faith.

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:5-7).

Build upon this foundation. Trust not your eyes but trust your ears. Diligently hear the Word, meditate upon it day and night, apply it to your daily life, and let it bring you the joy it promises. This light shines into even the darkest place, kindling your smoldering wick into a bright burning flame. The Word calls you to repentance and grants you faith, transforming you from death to life, from darkness to the brilliance of the Son of God.

Your sorrow has been turned into joy. The good work of faith has been given to you in Baptism, renewed in Absolution, and strengthened in the blessed Communion. Be like the nobleman, the official of Herod. Having heard the Word of Good News, confess with your mouth, believe both you and your household. Do not wait to feel the joy. Hear, know, believe, and trust that peace with God is once more made for you.

Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:1-4).

Persevere in God’s gracious promise, so that whether you live or die. Hold tight to him and never let go. God has justified you and will save you.Even when he sends trial, he will help you in every need, never leaving you or forsaking you, but stoking you still small flame until it burns bright in him.

Jesus said: You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16).

In Name of the Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Rev. Christopher R. Gillespie
Grace Lutheran Church
Dyer, Indiana

Trinity 9 2011 – “The Unjust Steward” – Luke 16:1-9

21. August 2011
Trinity 9
Luke 16:1-9

For the faithful Christian, there is a proper use of the wealth given to us by our Father. We have been given all that we need to support this body and life. Not only do we have clothing, shoes, home, land, and animals, we also have automobiles for transportation, farm equipment to make the toil of the land a little easier, cell phones and internet to communicate with the world, wells and city water for easy relief from thirst, air conditioning to beat the heat, and more. While we could live without some of these things, they have been given to us by our Father for our benefit, out of his goodness, and mercy.

The Gospel parable of the Unjust Steward is not about the gifts given to benefit our life. The parable is concerned with simply money, but mammon, that is, the greed for that which is more than the basic needs of the body. In other words, money in a derogatory sense, the idol that is worshiped, craved, and greedily sought.

As a parent, I spend a great deal of time distinguishing for my children the difference between what we need and what we want. How often we are convinced that we have only what we need! We are convinced have no mammon. The parable is spoken by Jesus because he knows we have been given more than we need. Jesus knows there is a great danger of greed, squander, or ill-gotten gain with this God-given surplus.

This is the sin of the Steward. He also said to His disciples:  “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. 2 So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’ 

The steward of the parable wasted his master’s property and got caught. Instead of being satisfied with his wages, he consumes his master’s wealth. He squandered it just as the Prodigal Son had squandered his own inheritance. He is a reckless caretaker of his master’s wealth. Those who care for another’s property should use it to benefit the owner.  His actions make the mammon unrighteous.

The proper use of God’s gifts is more than simply being thankful. We sing “We give Thee but Thine own, What-e’er the gift may be; All that we have is Thine alone, A trust, O Lord, from Thee.” Certainly it is our duty to thank and praise, serve and obey him. Also, in service to God, we also use this wealth to the benefit of those neighbors around us. Where God gives, he gives in excess. God gives this excess so that you may give to others in public confession of His work for you.

The challenge of a surplus is discerning its best use. Extra wealth doesn’t take long to burn a hole in your pocket. It is no surprise that the steward could squander away the rich man’s wealth. Wasteful spending is all around us, not just with our own finances but in business and in government. Many are lacking the wisdom to spend mammon appropriately and for the most benefit.

The steward, after hearing of his pending job loss for wasting the possessions, calls in the debt of his former master’s debtors to gain some positive reputation with them. Not only had the steward squandered his master’s assets, now he was giving away even more… changing the bills of debtors.

3 “Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’ 

5 “So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’

We shouldn’t place all the blame on the steward. Likely the debtors collaborated with him, knowing they were next to give an account before the rich man. The sons of this age are interested in self gain, saving face, and all this through dishonesty and waste. Their sinful actions make the mammon unrighteous. There’s plenty of sin to go around.

So, then, why does Jesus say: So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. 9 “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.”

Does Jesus advocate following the example of the dishonesty of the steward? No, the dishonest manager is commended for his shrewdness, not for his dishonesty. Shrewdness is having a sharp sense of judgment. He is commended for his quick thinking in working with the debtors to win their favor. Although the sons of this generation are dishonest, unjust, wasteful, and greedy, they act with quick judgment with the mammon they have. They use this wealth shrewdly for the benefit of making friends. They serve their mammon with faithfulness and devotion, using it in service to the worldly kingdom.

If the sons of this age act shrewdly with dishonest, unrighteous, dirty money… how much more should the sons of light act shrewdly with the wealth of this world! The sons of this age believe mammon is their own, to do with as they please. The sons of light are in the Father’s graces. The sons of light know that the surplus they have is a gift from God and to be used for God’s purpose.

And so Christ says to his disciples “I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth…” We use this worldly wealth for the benefit of those around us. “Making friends” is benefiting those in need and endearing ourselves to them. The wealth of this world is made unrighteous by corruption, evil, greed… sin. In the hands of the sons of light, mammon is made good by God, to be used wisely for his purposes.

Jesus continues: 10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? 

The parable is not just about temporal blessings, those that benefit the body. It is given as an example of how we ought to treat the treasures of the church, the Holy Gospel. We have been given the stewardship of the Gospel, the best of gifts.

Some act recklessly with this gift, showing little concern for its integrity. They suggest that we need to dress up this message, smooth out the rough edges, and package it in simple sayings. These marketing gurus sell the Gospel short of its message by reducing Jesus merely to a Mr. Nice Guy who gave good advice. Offensive messages such as describing man as a sinner in need of forgiveness are removed. In the process, these gurus destroy the need for Christ’s death and resurrection. The justification of the sinner is sidelined in the interest of a cheaper Gospel of righteous living and meaningful life.

In contrast, God wisely gave us means of His Word, His Baptism, and His Supper to speak the whole truth of His Gospel. We should not listen to the marketing gurus and discount His Gospel by stepping back from the whole ministry He has given us. Reducing the Gospel to merely words without its proper teaching and means of grace makes us no different from any of the cults around us.

Messages of moral teaching can be found by listening to Mohammed, Buddha, or Joseph Smith. There we hear the same message of life change that these marketing gurus suggest. Those who could benefit from the truth of forgiveness of sins and life eternal are instead left to “price shop” not just to Christian churches but the cults for the morality that best fits their perceived needs. We are poor stewards of the Gospel and act without wisdom if we alter the Gospel and waste its gift of salvation.

God provides the mammon of this world out of the same goodness and mercy as his gift justification of the sinner,. We receive the earthy excess in view of His justification of us. All good gifts come through Jesus Christ our Lord, who died for our sin.

How should we use these earthly gifts? Jesus says, “And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.”  How can these friends won through mammon welcome us into these eternal dwellings, that is, heaven? Is Jesus suggesting that we should use the wealth of this world to gain entrance into heaven as has been falsely taught by the church of Rome or the ascetics of the wilderness who gave away everything and escaped to the wilderness? Are those of heaven who were fed, clothed, or sheltered by us in this world going to welcome us into heaven by virtue of these works?

No, these works merit us nothing towards heaven. Had it not been for Christ’s death and resurrection, these works would be no different from the unrighteous sons of this age. Indeed, there would be no sons of light if the true light of the world, Christ, had not come into the world. “Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you… While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” (Jn 12:35-36) To be a sons of light is to be separate from this world, distinct from the outer darkness, distinct from the unrighteous sons of this age.

As a son of light, your use of mammon is not unrighteous like the steward. Your mammon is made righteous by God. Those born of Christ produce fruit in keeping with their faith. As we learned last week, a good tree produces good fruit. Christians, freed from the curse of sin by Christ give freely of the wealth given to them. Their conscience is not burdened by identity, status, who is their friend, or how to get ahead in business… as with the sons of this age. Rather the Christian is free to act as God’s benefactor for the good of the neighbor. The wealth used in faith is purified by God. It is used for his purpose and in his wisdom. It is made righteous.

When we are welcomed into the eternal dwellings by these friends, they will thank us for demonstrating our faith to them by clothing them, feeding them, or housing them. They will remark how Christ was proclaimed in our lives. We will not enter on account of these deeds, but we will be joined by the faithful throng whose lives saw and heard faith which was not dead but alive… a faith given in baptism but proved by good fruits. They will give thanks to God for the confession of the gospel of Christ expressed not just in words but in deeds.

The life made right with God at the cross is lived in this grace. The grace of God comes to us in His Word and Sacrament where the Holy Spirit makes us new, retooling us for righteous use of his gifts. The steward squandered his master’s wealth and yet shrewdly used what little capital he had left to gain some friends. How much more can we be faithful stewards of his gifts and gain not just friends here on earth but by God’s grace,  friends into eternity.

In Name of the Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Rev. Christopher R. Gillespie
Grace Lutheran Church
Dyer, Indiana