Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Exodus 9:20–21

Click for jigsaw puzzle.

• Image  • Index of posts

  Click for audio of today's lesson.

From the Word: 20 The one among the servants of Pharaoh who revered the word of the Lord made his servants and his livestock flee into the houses. 21 And the one who had no regard for the word of the Lord left his servants and his livestock in the field. (Exodus 9:20–21)

From the Confessions: The Small Catechism, Holy Communion

How can bodily eating and drinking produce such great benefits?

It is not the eating and drinking alone, but also the words that accompany it, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” These words, together with the eating and drinking, are the chief thing in the Sacrament, and those who believe them have what they say and declare, namely, the forgiveness of sins.

Pulling It Together: Be sure you do not get caught out in the field with your cattle. God’s forgiveness is abundantly available—even to pharaohs, even to sinners. Just come in from the storm. This is a helpful way to think of the Sacrament. We have no problem thinking of Baptism in this way, for we are often heard to remind each other, “Remember your baptism.” In doing so, we call each other back in to the house of God. The Sacrament of the Altar is also a home-calling. Those who revere his word and fear his wrath will come in from the field of death to eat and drink at the table of grace and life. Those who have no regard for the word of the Lord, stay in the open field of their sin. Meanwhile, unseen in the spiritual backdrop, hail and rain thunder down upon them.

Remember the mercy and grace of God. Come in from the field of your sins.

Prayer: O Lord, give me a greater regard for your word. Amen.

Receive these daily Sola Devotions by email. Write mryman@solapublishing.com with "Subscribe" as your subject. To unsubscribe, send an email to the same address with "Unsubscribe" as your subject.

Living Faith, a Believer's Guide to Growing in Christ is a discipleship resource based on Martin Luther’s Small Catechism. This 12-part Bible study by Pastor Brack East is designed to help individuals grow more deeply into a living faith in Jesus, while interacting with other believers in a life-to-life setting of three or four people. Such settings around the Word of God have proven to be part of the workshop of the Holy Spirit, and Luther’s Small Catechism has stood the test of time as a reliable guide to growing in faith. 


Share this post


Click Here For Content Archives