Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Luke 11:27–28

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From the Word: 27 As he was saying these things, a certain woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts upon which you nursed.” 28 But he said, “Blessed rather are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” (Luke 11:27–28)

From the ConfessionsThe Large Catechism, The Ten Commandments

The Fourth Commandment

Honor your father and your mother, (that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.)

In this manner, we would have had godly children, properly taught, reared in true blessedness, and kept at home in obedience to their parents and in their service. People would have had blessing and joy from the spectacle. However, it was not tolerated for God’s commandment to be taught with care and diligence. It was neglected and trampled underfoot so that a child could not take it to heart. Meanwhile they gaped at the plans we devised, without once giving honor to God.

Pulling It Together: How ironic that we consider the Fourth Commandment while reading today’s gospel lesson. A woman in the crowd seeks to honor the mother of Jesus, and Jesus improves upon her blessing in a way that some might think dishonors Mary. He does her no dishonor but carries the blessing to the top, to his Father in heaven, whose name is to be hallowed among us. Truly, it is those who have been taught his Word and obeyed it who will be a blessing, not only to their heavenly Father but, to their earthly parents too.

Prayer: Help me, Father, to listen to you today. Amen.

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I Am Who I Am is a six-week study that explores what it means to “not take the name of the LORD your God in vain” (Exod 20:7), while at the same time trusting the promise in Christ that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21).

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