Monday in the 3rd Week of Pentecost
“Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Romans 10:11-13)
In the Name of Christ. Amen. What makes you special? Who you are? Where you are from? Is it your ethnic background? Or the fact that you are a Lutheran?
None of that makes you special – at least, not in God’s eyes. There is nothing about you that makes you special, but there is something about you that makes you special.
Your Baptism makes you special. Your faith in Christ makes you special. St. Paul says there is “no distinction between Jew or Greek.” There’s no difference between Christians of differing backgrounds. There is one God and one Lord who saves us all.
It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are from. If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for your sins, and that He came to life again to lead the way to eternal life in heaven, then you are truly His. You are special. You are saved.
That’s the only way it happens. St. Paul says “faith comes from hearing the word of Christ.” We can’t call on Him who we don’t know, but when you come to know Him, you can’t unknow Him.
The Word of Christ plants faith that takes root, is watered by Baptism, grows throughout your life, is fed by His Body and Blood, and is fertilized by more of that saving Word until the day comes when we stand with all those who have gone before – those made special by that same Word, regardless of their background or circumstances. Saved. Alive. For all eternity. Amen.
The Higher Things site provided part of verse six of this hymn, but this is yet another hymn that I remember singing and that I love, so here is the whole thing:
"All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" by Edward Perronet, 1726-1792 Text From: THE HANDBOOK TO THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942)
1. All hail the power of Jesus' name! Let angels prostrate fall; Bring forth the royal diadem And crown Him Lord of all. 2. Crown Him, ye martyrs of our God, Who from His altar call; Extol the Stem of Jesse's rod And crown Him Lord of all. 3. Ye seed of Israel's chosen race, Ye ransomed from the Fall, Hail Him who saves you by His grace And crown Him Lord of all. 4. Hail Him, ye heirs of David's line, Whom David Lord did call, The God incarnate, Man divine, And crown Him Lord of all. 5. Sinners, whose love can ne'er forget The wormwood and the gall, Go, spread your trophies at His feet And crown Him Lord of all. 6. Let every kindred, every tribe, On this terrestrial ball To Him all majesty ascribe And crown Him Lord of all. 7. Oh, that with yonder sacred throng We at His feet may fall! We'll join the everlasting song And crown Him Lord of all.Daily Readings
Ecclesiastes 2:1-15 Galatians 1:1-17 Matthew 13:44-52