February 5, 2023 —
This week we continue reading through our Savior’s Sermon on the Mount in our Gospel Lesson. The Good News is that Jesus tells us we are the salt of the earth. He then tells us to stay salty. Jesus—who Himself is the Light of the world, tells us that we disciples of His are the light of the world. He tells us to shine out, especially since we are also “a city set on a hill.”
No matter what we do or how we live, people will see us. They know we claim to be Christ’s followers, so they will judge our Lord by our behavior and our words. So own up to who you are, and be who you are.
Twice in the past few weeks, we’ve heard our Epistle Lesson quoted in sermons. This time we hear the whole section from Peter’s 1st epistle about the purpose of our royal priesthood, namely to reveal Christ’s marvelous light to the world.
Peter’s words are the New Testament fulfillment of the Lord’s promise spoken through Moses in our Old Testament Lesson: “Now if you will carefully listen to my voice and keep my covenant, then you will be my special treasure out of all the nations, although the entire earth is mine. You will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.”
This Week’s Lessons:
Exodus 19:1–8a
1 Peter 2:9–12
Matthew 5:13–20 (sermon text)
Psalm 112