5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
Matthew 8:5–13
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Only Say the Word
The centurion appealed to him. Jesus would have gone. He prayed to the Lord of life because he knew his promises and he clung to his Word. This is what faith does to you and me. It remembers the promises and it clings to God's Word and it insists that he do the things he promises. Not one of us is worthy to have the Lord come under our roof. We are not worthy that he should redeem us and save us. However, Jesus has said the Word. You have been healed. Your sins are forgiven by the blood of his cross. This is the Lord of Life that empties his life for the salvation of Gentile the world over. He dies so that you can live. He lives to live with you and to justify you before God. The Word of God did this. This Word is performative and it has accomplished your salvation for him.

8 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”
Matthew 8:1–4
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The Touch That Makes Clean
The leper’s condition left him ceremonially unclean, isolated from others, and unable to restore himself. Yet he came to Jesus in faith, trusting that the Lord possessed both the authority and the compassion to make him clean. Our sin is far worse than any outward disease. It renders us unclean before God, and no amount of human effort can cleanse our hearts or reconcile us to our Creator. Yet Christ does what we cannot. He does not turn away from sinners. He draws near to cleanse, forgive, and restore. At the cross, Jesus took upon Himself the uncleanness of our sin. The Holy One was numbered among transgressors, bearing our guilt and suffering sin’s wages in our place. His blood cleanses us, not because we deserve His mercy, but because He willingly gave Himself for us. The same gracious Lord still comes to us through His Word and Sacraments, delivering the forgiveness He won at Calvary. When guilt weighs heavily upon you, do not despair of Christ’s willingness. Look to His cross. There you see His love for sinners, and there you find the cleansing your soul needs.

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
Matthew 7:28–29
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The Authority of Christ
Jesus does not teach like the scribes. His words carry an authority that no human wisdom can possess. He does not merely offer advice for better living or provide another interpretation of God’s Law. He speaks as the Son of God, whose Word reveals both our sin and our salvation. When Christ’s Law exposes our pride, our self-righteousness crumbles. We cannot stand before God on the strength of our obedience. Yet the same Lord who speaks with divine authority also speaks words of forgiveness, life, and salvation. His authority is revealed most clearly at the cross, where He bears the judgment our sins deserve and reconciles us to the Father. The crowds marveled at Jesus’ teaching because His authority was unlike anything they had heard. Dear Christian, your faith rests not on human opinions, religious achievements, or the shifting wisdom of the world, but on Christ and His authoritative Word. Through that Word, the crucified and risen Savior still comes to you, declaring you forgiven and beloved for His sake. His promises do not fail, because He is the Lord who conquered sin, death, and the devil.

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Matthew 7:24–27
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Built on the Rock
Storms reveal the strength of a foundation. Jesus teaches that hearing His Word is not enough; His Word is to be believed and lived. The foolish builder hears but does not act, while the wise builder builds upon the rock. The difference is not merely hearing, but hearing Jesus’ words and putting them into practice. Yet our confidence rests not in the strength of our obedience, but in Christ, our sure foundation. Our works cannot withstand the storm of God's judgment. Only Jesus, crucified and risen for sinners, can. At the cross, He bore the judgment our sins deserve, and through His resurrection, He gives us life that cannot be shaken. Therefore, hear Christ's Word, trust His promises, and walk in His commandments. When trials come, stand firm, not in yourself, but in Him.

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Matthew 7:21–23
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Known by Christ, Not by Our Works
“Lord, Lord” is not a confession of faith merely because it passes through our lips. Jesus warns that outward appearances, impressive deeds, and even religious accomplishments cannot establish a saving relationship with Him. This warning strikes at our sinful nature, which constantly seeks assurance in personal achievements rather than God’s gracious promises. Even our religious works cannot silence the Law’s accusation or earn God’s favor. Where, then, is our confidence? Not in what we have done for Jesus, but in what Jesus has done for us. At the cross, Christ bore our sins and secured our salvation. Through faith, we receive His forgiveness and stand before the Father, clothed in Christ’s righteousness. Dear Christian, your hope rests not in your works, but in the Savior who knows you and claims you as His own.

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
Matthew 7:15–20
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Known by Their Fruits
Jesus warns His Church against false prophets, who come in appealing disguises but lead souls away from the truth. Their words may sound religious, their promises comforting, and their outward lives impressive. Yet appearances do not reveal what lies within. The fruit of a teacher’s ministry must be examined in light of God’s Word. We do not judge teaching by popularity, charisma, or worldly success, but by whether it faithfully confesses Christ and His saving work. This warning also calls us to repentance. Our own fruits often reveal sinful hearts in need of mercy. We cannot make ourselves good trees through our works. Only Christ can rescue us from sin and make us His own. At the cross, Jesus bore the judgment our sins deserved. Rooted in His forgiveness, we receive life that bears fruits of faith, love, and service to our neighbor. Lord, keep us in Your truth.

12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Matthew 7:12–14
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The Narrow Way of Christ
Jesus teaches us to treat others as we would have them treat us. Yet this commandment exposes our sin. We are quick to demand patience, kindness, and forgiveness from others, while withholding these very things from our neighbors. God's Law leaves no room for self-righteousness. It reveals our need for a Savior. The narrow way is not a path we walk to earn God's favor. Our salvation rests not in our goodness, but in Christ's mercy. Yet Christ has walked this way before us. He bore the cross, suffered for our sins, and conquered death. He Himself is the Way, and through faith in Him, we receive the life His death and resurrection have won for us. Freed by His grace, we love our neighbors, bearing their burdens and forgiving as we have been forgiven. The narrow way is walked in repentance and faith, sustained by Christ's Word and Sacraments.

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:7–11
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The Father's Good Gifts
Prayer is not an attempt to persuade a reluctant God to care for us. It is the joyful privilege of children approaching their heavenly Father, who knows our needs and delights in giving good gifts. Jesus teaches us to pray with confidence, trusting not in the strength of our faith or the eloquence of our words, but in the goodness of our Father. Yet our sinful hearts often mistake God's goodness. We ask for what harms us, seek what cannot satisfy, and grow impatient when His answers differ from our expectations. Here, Christ directs us away from ourselves and toward the Father's gracious heart. At the cross, we see that goodness most clearly. The Father did not withhold His beloved Son but gave Him into death for our salvation. Risen Christ assures us that our prayers are heard. Even when answers tarry, we rest in His mercy, receiving every gift through Christ, our Savior.

16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:16–18
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Fasting is part of the Christian life. Martin Luther said, "Fasting is fine outward training..." The thing is, fasting does not make us more holy. Fasting teaches us that we are weak and need a Savior. Therefore we do not fast like the world fasts. We hide our work to discipline ourselves and point ourselves to the cross of Jesus. Jesus gives up all things for you and me. He empties himself, picks up his cross, and offers his life to have you as his own. Your Father in heaven loves you. He applies the treasures of Jesus' work to you. The Christian has moments when he fasts because he mourns and then that fasting and mourning turns to joy and dancing in the presence of God's gifts for us in the divine service. 

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10       Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11       Give us this day our daily bread,
12       and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13       And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:7–15
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Pray This Way
The way you pray is different. You pray like children of the heavenly Father. The Lord invites you to believe that he is your true Father and that you are his true children. He promises to hear your prayers and grant his kingdom even on earth when his name is invoked. Our prayers remind us of the promises that this great God has made. He promises to take care of you in every need. At the center of our prayers is the cross. This cross of Jesus changes everything about our relationships and conversations. We forgive like he forgives. Forgiveness is our identification and our connection. As he forgave, we are no longer bound up in the chains of sins committed against you. The Lord's Prayer reminds us that we are made to be like Jesus, delivered from all evil. 

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:5–6
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When You Pray
Prayer is the language of faith. We pray because we believe that God is our true Father and that we are his true children. We do not act like the unbelievers who do not pray because of their faith. We do not pray like the hypocrites. Our prayers are an outpouring of our faith and our love for God. What he first put there, we speak back to him. Like a farmer who has sown a seed, so is the Word of God in the soil of our hearts. That seed has grown into a marvelous plant that has climbed up the cross of Jesus and grabbed ahold of our Savior. Your faith will not let him go. It cannot help but speak to him...not to be seen and to receive accolades by men, but to speak to our Father as true Children. This is a Baptismal relationship. You are adopted into a family and given all the rights and privileges of being the Son of God. You speak and he listens. 

6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:1–4
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Before Others
The reward for you in waiting in heaven. Your flesh would have you enjoy something fleeting while you are here. The devil tries to convince you to enjoy the moment, get the accolades, and revel in the popularity. But that is not the way for you and me. We do not practice our righteousness before men in order to be seen by them. We practice our righteousness because Christ is in us and we are living out our lives as his people. The reward is not realized here. Here we trust no one. Here we live in love and fight with the Word of God upon our lips. We love, not to get a reward, but because we have the Holy Spirit in our heart and Jesus in our midst. Here, we love because Jesus died before all men and drew all men to himself. Here, we love because Jesus rose again and justified us before the Father. Your heavenly Father has been reconciled to you and he sees you. He knows you. 

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:43–48
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Love That Reflects the Father
Jesus’ command to love our enemies exposes how far our sinful hearts fall short of God’s holy will. We naturally love those who love us, while keeping our distance from those who hurt, oppose, or despise us. Yet the Father shows kindness even to the undeserving, giving His gifts to both the righteous and the wicked. This command does not mean approving of evil or pretending that sin does not matter. Rather, Christian love seeks the good of the neighbor, even the enemy, and brings that person before God in prayer. The call to be “perfect” leaves no room for boasting in our own righteousness. Instead, it drives us to Christ. For we have not loved our enemies as we should. Yet Christ loved us while we were still sinners and bore our hatred and rebellion upon the cross. There He won forgiveness for enemies like us. Having received such mercy, we are freed to show mercy to others.

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Matthew 5:38–42
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Overcoming Evil with Good
Jesus does not teach His disciples to live by the world’s rule of retaliation. The sinner naturally wants to get even, defend his honor, and make sure that no one gets the upper hand. Yet Christ calls His people to a different way: willingly bearing personal wrongs and responding to evil with generous love. This does not mean that civil authority should abandon justice or that Christians must permit genuine harm to continue unchecked. Rather, Jesus addresses the Christian’s personal desire for revenge and calls us to entrust our cause to God. Such love is impossible by our own strength. Look to Christ. He endured false accusations, mockery, violence, and an unjust sentence without retaliating. At the cross, He bore the sins of those who crucified Him, and our sins as well. There, He answered our rebellion not with vengeance, but with mercy. Because Christ has forgiven us, we are freed from the burden of getting even. His cross gives us the strength to love even when love costs us something.

33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.
Matthew 5:33–37
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Let Your Word Be True
Our Lord Jesus teaches us that our words matter. We are tempted to manipulate the truth, exaggerate our promises, or use impressive words to make ourselves more believable. But such speech reveals the sinful heart. God does not merely hear the words we speak in church; He hears every word spoken at home, at work, and in conversation with our neighbor. The Christian therefore seeks to speak truthfully and simply. Our “yes” should mean yes, and our “no” should mean no. We do not need elaborate promises to make ourselves trustworthy. The Second Commandment reminds us that God’s name is not to be used for lying or deception. Yet our speech often fails this standard. Thanks be to God that our salvation does not depend upon the perfection of our words. Christ, who always spoke the truth, bore our sinful words to the cross. There He died for our lies and empty promises and gives us His righteousness. In Him, we are forgiven and taught to speak truthfully in love.

31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Matthew 5:31–32
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Faithfulness in a Faithless World
Marriage is not merely a human arrangement that can be discarded when it becomes difficult. Jesus teaches that marriage is a gift established by God, and therefore divorce is never something to treat casually. God’s intention is for husband and wife to remain faithful to one another. Jesus exposes the sinful heart that looks for a legal way around God’s good design. Yet this Law also reveals something deeper: we have all failed to love our neighbors as we ought. Even those who have kept their marriage vows perfectly in outward appearance cannot claim righteousness before God. Our hope, therefore, is not found in our record of faithfulness, but in Christ’s faithfulness for us. At the cross, Jesus remained faithful to His unfaithful people, bearing our sin and shame. His blood brings forgiveness to sinners and restores what sin has broken. In Christ, repent, believe, and rejoice in His steadfast love.

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
Matthew 5:27–30
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Guarding the Heart
Jesus teaches us that the Sixth Commandment reaches deeper than outward actions. Sin begins in the heart, where desire can turn a person created in God’s image into an object for our own gratification. His severe language about removing whatever causes us to sin emphasizes that we should take temptation seriously and flee from it rather than nourish it. Yet this command exposes more than the sins we can see. It exposes the sinful heart we cannot cleanse by our own efforts. We need more than better habits; we need a Savior. At the cross, Christ bore the guilt of our impurity, lust, and every violation of God’s holy Law. His blood cleanses sinners who confess their sin and trust in Him. Therefore, repent of sinful desires, guard what you see and entertain, and cling to Christ. In Him there is forgiveness, and by His Word and Spirit He daily teaches us to honor our neighbor and live in chastity and purity.

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Matthew 5:21–26
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Reconciled by the Cross
Jesus exposes the depth of God’s Law: sin is not merely what our hands do but what proceeds from our hearts. Anger, contempt, and hatred toward our neighbor reveal a heart that has broken the Fifth Commandment long before violence ever occurs. Christ therefore calls us to take seriously the broken relationships sin creates and to seek reconciliation rather than nurture resentment. Yet this command also reveals our need for a Savior. We cannot make ourselves righteous by repairing every broken relationship or offering God enough good works. Our sin has placed us under judgment, and our debt is one we cannot repay. But Christ has paid it. At the cross, the innocent Son of God bore the judgment our anger and hatred deserved. Through His blood, God reconciles sinners to Himself. Having received such mercy, we are freed to forgive others and pursue peace, not to earn salvation, but because we have already been reconciled to God in Christ.

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:17–20
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Christ, Our Perfect Righteousness
Jesus did not come to discard God’s Word, but to fulfill it completely. The Law reveals God’s holy will and exposes our sin. Like the Pharisees, we can be tempted to measure righteousness by outward behavior while ignoring the sinful heart beneath it. But God’s standard is not merely outward conformity; He demands perfect righteousness. That leaves us with a problem: our righteousness will never be enough. Even our best works are stained by sin. The righteousness that exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees cannot come from ourselves. It comes from Christ. Jesus perfectly fulfilled the Law in our place. He loved God perfectly, loved His neighbor perfectly, and then bore the punishment our disobedience deserved upon the cross. There, the One who fulfilled the Law became the sacrifice for lawbreakers. Therefore, do not look to your works for confidence before God. Look to Christ. His perfect righteousness is credited to you by faith, and in Him you stand forgiven.

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:13–16
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Salt of the Earth
The world is going to hell in a hand basket. That which preserves it and keeps it is the most unexpected thing. It is the Word of God made manifest in the hearts of Christians. The great preserver is not the lies of the devil and the passions of the world, no, it is the Gospel of Christ who went to the cross to make the world alive. The world has plunged itself into deep darkness. The blind lead the blind into ditches and off the edges of cliffs. It is the Holy Spirit active in the hearts of God's faithful that brings the light of Jesus, lighting the whole world. Jesus comes to save the whole world. He comes because of his great love for all men. He comes to suffer the cross to forgive your sins and to make you new. He is your tasty salt and the lamp that is your light. He is your foundation and your rock. He has transformed you to be like him. You are salt and you are light because of what he has done for you. Amen, so shall it be. 

5 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.  2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:1–12
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Blessed Are You
Jesus comes that we might become like him. He comes to fulfill and make new. He comes in unexpected places, but he comes to do unexpected things. He makes himself poor in spirit and poor in possessions. He empties his treasury to come in humility for you. He mourns for the men and women he created and loves. He who has all power and might becomes meek and gentle. He thirsts for righteousness, fulfills all righteousness, puts his righteousness into Baptism and wraps you with his righteousness. He does not give you what you deserve--he is merciful. There is nothing that can move him. He is pure in heart. His will is aligned with the Heavenly Father to make peace that surpasses all understanding. It is a peace that the world does not know. He is reviled and persecuted. He goes to the cross for you. So he wants you to be like him and he sends his Holy Spirit to make you like him. He transforms you by the power of his means of Grace. He grants you joy and gladness that cannot be taken from you. Thanks be to God for yours is the kingdom of heaven.

23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
Matthew 4:23–25
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To Be the Christ
The Lord Jesus goes! He does not stay put. He goes into the places of sorrow and pain. He goes where there is sickness and affliction. He comes to rescue and make alive. He comes to preach in all these places. This preaching is absolution and it is the power of God. It all points to his work on the cross. Jesus comes to save. There is only the forgiveness of sins with the shedding of blood. It must be Jesus' blood. He must go to the cross. He must die. To be the Christ is to die for you and rise again. This is what he does. He won't be detoured by those who would like him to be a miracle doctor for the lame or the bread king and he won't be the one that kicks out Caesar. He will reign by a cross. He preaches the fulfillment of the promises. The promises all lead to the cross.

18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:18–22
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Fishers of Men
The Word will be the net that Peter and Andrew use to catch men. The Word will capture men alive. What means death for a fish means life for you. To be caught by the Word, the Lord of Life himself, is to be plucked out of death and darkness and placed into the light and life of Christ. The faith that saves us is preached into our hearts. This net, this Word, makes all things new. This net infuriates the devil. He will do all he can to mess with the preaching and the means of grace. This devil is defeated by that very Word that he tries to thwart. The Word made flesh has crushed the devil's head and has made you alive. Amen, so shall it be forever.

12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

            15       “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
      the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
            16       the people dwelling in darkness
      have seen a great light,
                  and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,
      on them a light has dawned.”

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:12–17
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Near To You
To repent is not natural for man. Our hearts and the ways of our flesh are evil all the time. We love the darkness and we love our sins. The Law must be preached. The Word must stop you in your tracks. It is the Word of God that converts and creates faith. You won't go looking for it; it has to come find you. And so it does. The Holy Spirit brings the reign of heaven to surround you and enter inside of you even as he dwells with you. You have faith in Jesus Christ. Through knowledge of sin and this faith you repent of your sins, turn to his cross, and push the old Adam under the waves of your Baptism again. In Christ, you have life and salvation. The forgiveness of sins has come near to you.

4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,
                  “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
      but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,
                  “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and
                  “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
      lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ”
7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
                  “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God
      and him only shall you serve.’ ”
11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
Matthew 4:1–11
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He Submits Himself
When Jesus becomes incarnate, he submits himself to everything humanity is faced with. He is tempted in every way just like we are. He humiliates himself to save you. He subjects himself to the devil's lies and temptations to save you from hell and eternal death. This Jesus won't give in to displays of power to prove who he is. He is the Son of God. He won't create spectacles of show before the people nor will he test for God. He walks according to God's ways. He walks all the way to the cross and then out of the tomb. He won't worship the prince of this world. He worships and serves God alone. All this he does for you. He defeats the devil in every aspect, at every turn, and with every breath. He remains steadfast to his own Word. He keeps his promises and rescues his people.