The Second Sunday after Christmas, January 5, 2025

The Second Sunday after Christmas, January 5, 2025

“For it is time for judgment to begin, starting with the house of God. And if it starts with us, what will be the fate of those who are disobedient to the gospel of God?” (1 Pe. 4:17). Peter asks two questions regarding judgment. He asserts that judgment begins with the house of God. This would be the church, the ecclesia (the assembly) of the New Testament, or perhaps you might call it the kingdom of God in this sin-broken world. Peter’s first question has to do with faith—that is, obedience “to the gospel of God.” If those with faith in that gospel come under judgment, how hard will it be on those without faith… without obedience to the gospel of God? The second question contrasts the righteous with the ungodly sinners. Since faith is the only thing that makes us righteous, this question, too, implies that ungodly sinners are without faith. The line dividing faith from no faith is three-fold. It runs between those assembled as the church and the unassembled remainder of the world. It runs between those assembled, separating the merely “gathered” from those of the true church. It runs within each person of those assembled, for faith contends with doubt throughout the days of our baptism. The believers themselves stand under judgment for their lack of faith and live alone by God’s continued work of salvation. So, Peter concludes this thought with an exhortation for the suffering to trust in a faithful God (vs. 19).

Prayers from those who would want to see the visible results of their faith rather than wait in trust upon a faithful God…

Father, you possess the world entire. So grasp us in the faith of Christ that even as we suffer, we still trust in you. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Father, you possess the world entire. So open our eyes as we suffer that we might see in those afflictions our being joined to Jesus Christ in his sufferings. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Father, you possess the world entire. As we are joined to Jesus Christ in his sufferings grant that union to be a blessing in the vocations of our daily lives. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Father, you possess the world entire. Let this blessing extend to the various vocations within the Institute of Lutheran Theology so that those who suffer for it may be fruitful in their labors. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Father, you possess the world entire. As we await the passing away of this old creation, let us trust in you such that we endure these days of waiting with faith and hope. For Jesus’ sake. Amen