September 29, 2024

Today's Reading: Luke 10:17-20

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 1:19-36; Matthew 5:21-48

“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’” (Luke 10:19-20)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Did you know that as believers, you have nothing to fear from Satan and his army of fallen angels? That is what Satan and, indeed, all demons are: fallen angels. Did you know that when you were clothed with Christ in Baptism, Satan lost any power or claim that he had on you? Did you know that because you have been marked as a child of God, demons actually fear you? This is not a matter of Christians being especially intimidating in a manly or warrior-like fashion. Indeed, Satan and his minions retain a special fear of women, for it was through a woman that God promised to bring forth the savior.

Power and authority over demons– that is a pretty exciting thing, and it’s a reality for Christians. This needs to be kept in mind in the face of popular Christian fiction that depicts believers as helpless pawns in some ongoing cosmic battle between God’s angels and Satan’s angels. Not to spoil anyone’s reading for entertainment, but the battle is over. It’s not ongoing. As Revelation 12 reminds us, war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. This does not describe some future battle that we need to pick sides for but speaks of a past battle, one that is already over. Satan and God should never be seen as equals caught up in a struggle that we somehow can tip one way or the other. Satan needs to be seen for what he is defeated and cast down from heaven and trying to take anyone down with him that he can.

As exciting as this is, power over Satan and his fallen angels isn’t even the main thing. This is not why we gather for worship on a Sunday. We do not gather to celebrate our authority over Satan and his demons; we do not gather to impress each other with new and painful wrestling holds with which to torture them, although that might make for a popular youth activity. We gather, as always, to receive the forgiveness of sins that Christ won for us on the cross. We gather to receive God’s Gifts. We gather for the strengthening of faith. We gather because Jesus has called us. We gather because our names have been written in heaven. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Everlasting God, You have ordained and constituted the service of angels and men in a wonderful order. Mercifully grant that, as Your holy angels always serve and worship You in heaven, so by Your appointment they may also help and defend us here on earth; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

-Rev. Grant Knepper, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church Modesto, California.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

In Embracing Your Lutheran Identity, Author Gene Edward Veith Jr. will guide readers through that heritage, starting with the Early Church and moving through the Reformation to Lutheranism today. Readers will learn about key people in the history of Lutheranism, from two teenagers who were the first martyrs of the Reformation, through the Saxon immigrants who left everything behind so they could practice Lutheranism freely, to the Lutherans who have stood strong for the faith in our own day.