34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 10:34–39
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Not Peace?
The Gospel is jarring. It is a speed bump and a stumbling block to the Greek. It is foolishness to the Jew. The flesh just doesn't like it. For those of us that are being saved, it is the power of God! The Church is always preserved by the pure teaching of the Word and the Sacraments administered according to Christ's command. There is no compromise. There is no backing down or acquiescing. The Gospel cuts us out of our earthly passions and desires and firmly sets us in the hand of the living God. That might set us at odds with our earthly relationships. The Lord will preserve you through them. The Lord offers to you his mercy and love to sustain you and keep you. The One that promises to never leave you or forsake you, makes you to be part of the Church. You are a member of Jesus Christ by his own love shed for you on the cross.

26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 10:26–33
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Every Hair Numbered
There are a lot of things in this life that we fear. Yet, there is not a one that we should actually fear. We do not trust in God as we should. We do not love God as we should. The Gospel transforms us for this. The Lord God is the only one that we should fear. He alone can destroy both body and soul. But God delights in you. He has numbered your hairs, not because he is bored, but because he delights in you. You are his beloved. Fear not, therefore! You are loved greatly by your God. Jesus sheds his blood for you. God gives his Son to the death of the cross to have you. Your heart is filled with his Holy Spirit. You are his own children. What is in our hearts comes forth and is confessed with the mouth. Thanks be to God for his visitation among us!

16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
Matthew 10:16–25
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Lambs Among Wolves
The entirety of the Christian life must be dependent upon Jesus Christ and his Word. The world will cheat us and lie and steal. The enemies of God are now your enemies. If they are against Jesus, they are against you. Even in the closest relationships that you know, even in your own families, there will be trouble. You must trust God's Word only. Even as you know you are entering into danger, as the wolves of this life circle, we fear no danger because of Jesus' promise to save and to keep alive. The Lord Jesus makes you like him. He makes you cross shaped and cruciform. He transforms you from the inside out. He puts his Word inside of your heart and that Word is transformative even as it is performative. His Word forgive sins and makes you alive. Alive in Christ, you are a brother or sister of Christ, and that means that you have life forever in him. 

5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. 9 Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
Matthew 10:5–15
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The Kingdom Comes to the Unworthy
Jesus sends His apostles to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is near. Yet He does not send them because they are impressive, powerful, or self-sufficient. He sends them with nothing to boast about and everything to receive from God. Their mission depended entirely upon God’s provision and authority. The same is true of Christ’s Church today. The Gospel does not advance because of our cleverness, wealth, or accomplishments. It advances through the Word of Christ, proclaimed to sinners who need mercy. Some will receive that Word; others will reject it. The apostles were not responsible for forcing faith into hardened hearts. They were responsible for faithfully speaking Christ’s Word. And what is that Word? The kingdom has come because the King has come. Jesus went to the cross bearing the sins of those who reject Him and those who fail Him. His blood cleanses us, and His resurrection assures us that forgiveness is certain.

10 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Matthew 10:1–4
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Called by Christ
Christ did not choose the Twelve Apostles because they were impressive men. Among them were fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, and even Judas Iscariot, who would betray his Lord. Their calling reminds us that Christ does not build His Church upon human greatness, wisdom, or worthiness. He calls sinners and gives them His authority to proclaim His kingdom. “Apostle” means one who is sent. Christ sent these men with His Word and authority. Their confidence was therefore not in themselves but in the One who sent them. That remains the comfort of Christ’s Church. The Gospel does not depend upon the greatness of the messenger. It depends upon Christ crucified for sinners and risen from the dead. At the cross, our unworthiness is exposed, but there also our forgiveness is accomplished. Christ still gathers sinners to Himself through His Word and sends His servants to proclaim that salvation.

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:35–38
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The Lord of the Harvest
Jesus looks upon the crowds and sees more than their outward troubles. He sees sheep harassed and helpless, wandering without a shepherd. His compassion is not sentimental; it moves Him to act. The One who sees the lost is the One who will go to the cross for them. The harvest is plentiful because sinners are everywhere in need of the forgiveness Christ alone provides. The problem is not merely a shortage of religious instruction or moral improvement. We are sinners who need a Savior. At Calvary, Jesus became the Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep, bearing their sins and opening the way to eternal life. Jesus therefore teaches His disciples to pray for workers whom God will send into His harvest. Pastors and faithful Christians do not create the harvest or save anyone by their own strength. Christ is the Lord of the harvest. He sends His servants to proclaim His Word, through which He gathers His sheep into His Church.

32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”
Matthew 9:32–34
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Silence the Devil
A man is oppressed by a demon and unable to speak. When Jesus drives out the demon, the man speaks, and the crowds marvel. Yet the Pharisees respond with blasphemy, attributing Christ’s work to the prince of demons. The contrast is striking: those in need recognize the Savior’s mercy, while those who should know better reject Him. Jesus has come to destroy the devil’s works and to release those held captive by sin and death. His authority over demons is not merely a display of power; it points toward His greater victory at the cross. There, Christ bore the judgment our sins deserve and crushed the devil’s accusations against us. The resurrection declares that Satan’s reign has been broken. Do not fear the devil’s accusations. Christ is stronger. His Word gives freedom, His blood cleanses sinners, and His victory is yours through faith. Cling to Him.

27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.
Matthew 9:27–31
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Have Mercy
Two blind men follow Jesus, crying out for mercy. They cannot see Him, but they confess who He is: the Son of David, the promised Messiah. Their faith does not rest upon what their eyes can perceive, but upon the Word and promise of Christ. Jesus asks whether they believe He is able to heal them. When they confess that they do, He touches their eyes, and they receive their sight. Jesus’ miracles are signs that He is the promised Savior who brings the kingdom of God and has authority over the effects of sin. Yet Christ came to do more than open blind eyes. He came to bear the sin that has blinded fallen humanity to God. At the cross, the Son of David gave His life for sinners, purchasing forgiveness with His holy blood. We too cry, “Have mercy on us.” And Christ answers with mercy. Through His Word and Sacraments, He gives us eyes of faith to see our Savior.

18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district.
Matthew 9:18–26
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Faith That Clings to Christ
Two desperate people come to Jesus with nowhere else to turn. A synagogue ruler comes because his daughter has died, while a woman suffering for years reaches through the crowd simply to touch Jesus’ garment. Both display faith that looks away from self and clings to Christ. Jesus’ authority extends even over sickness and death. He is not merely a teacher who offers encouragement; He is the Lord who gives life. Notice also that Jesus is not repelled by human uncleanness. He enters the house of death and takes the girl by the hand. His holiness conquers uncleanness rather than being overcome by it. This points us to the greater work of Christ at the cross. There He entered fully into our death and uncleanness, bearing our sin in His holy flesh. The One who gives life to the dead has conquered death for us. Therefore, faith clings to Him, even when everything appears lost.

14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”
Matthew 9:14–17
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The Bridegroom Has Come
The Christian faith is not an attempt to patch up the old life with a little religion. Jesus does not come merely to make sinners slightly better versions of themselves. He brings something entirely new: forgiveness, life, and salvation. Jesus’ reference to the bridegroom points to Himself and to the joy of His saving presence. Yet the Bridegroom’s joy would lead Him to the cross. There, Christ would be taken away from His disciples, not because He had failed, but because He was bearing the sins of His Bride, the Church. This is why the Gospel cannot simply be added to our works, traditions, or attempts at righteousness. The old garment of our sinful nature cannot be repaired. The old wineskins of self-righteousness cannot contain the new wine of Christ’s grace. At the cross, Jesus gives us what we cannot produce: His righteousness, purchased with His blood and delivered through Word and Sacrament.

9 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
Matthew 9:1–8
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Jesus Sees
Jesus sees the faith of the men. He forgives the paralytic. It seems mixed up. They brought their friend to Jesus to be healed, not to get his sins forgiven. Yet, the hardest thing, the thing that will land us all in hell forever if it is not addressed and paid for, this is the thing Jesus is worried about. He is worried about you and your sin, too. He forgives sin. He goes to the cross. He sheds his blood. God dies for you and rises again to have you has his own. He grants the paralytic the use of his legs again, too. He shows the scribes his authority because they cannot see faith like him. He shows them a walking paralytic because they cannot see sins being forgiven. All of it, Jesus does because of his great love. His love for you.

28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” 32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.
Matthew 8:28–34
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The Demons Know
When Jesus arrives, the demons cry out to him. When no one else knows, the devils know that this is the Son of God. It is the only thing that terrifies them. When the religious establishment did not know Jesus, when his own people did not recognize him, the demons did. They cut through all the rhetoric. They call him who he is, "Son of God." This Son of God comes to defeat the demons and the devil. He comes to stomp the head of the devil and to rescue you from death. He comes victorious over the enemies of God. You know him. This Jesus makes himself known in the preaching of the Word and in the Sacraments. You have life because of this Jesus. You are the forgiven, loved, people of God. Thanks be to God that he comes to make you his own.

23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
Matthew 8:23–27
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Lord, Save Us
They knew the water, but this storm scared them. The rough times in life can get intense. They doubted and they cowered and they forgot that their God had promised to take care of their every need. We forget, too. We worry and fill our hearts with anxiety. We fear things that cannot harm us. We get caught in troubles when we love things we should not love. Even in the midst of all this, God still loves us. He keeps his promises. He will never leave you or forsake you. He is in the stern of your boat, in the middle of your life, watching, fighting, and protecting. He nourishes you and keeps you by his grace. He strengthens your faith in the forgiveness of sins. Your faith saves you. Your faith grabs ahold of Jesus and will not let him go. It grabs ahold of his blood shed for you. It acknowledges his presence to save you and it rejoices in his good work. 

18 Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”
Matthew 8:18–22
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Foxes Have Holes
Jesus' kingdom is not of this world. He comes as a stranger and a foreigner. His own people do not know him. He comes with intent to save and to make new. He comes to preach. He comes to bring the Word of God to the world. He comes to die on the cross and shed his blood for you and me. Jesus is life for you and me. We who are dead in our trespasses become alive to God because of Jesus' work on the cross and his victory over death as he walked out of the grave. The dead can bury their own dead. The living follow Jesus. It is his Word that grants this life. It turns everything upside down.

14 And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”
Matthew 8:14–17
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He Took our Illnesses
The Lord comes to reorder everything that sin and death had destroyed. He submits himself to the humiliation of humanity. He comes down to bear our burdens and to take upon himself our infirmities. He puts himself in places that we don't expect God to be. He shows up in the dirty places, in the poor places, in the presence of demons and devils, he stands by dead men's coffins, and he lays his hands on the feverish and the sinner. He takes it all upon himself. He suffers for you and me. He becomes our sin so that we will become his righteousness. He kills our sin. He destroys death. He stomps out the devil's rule and power. By his stripes we are healed.

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.