Daily Lectionary: 2 Kings 5:9-27; Philippians 1:1-20
And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; the Table of Duties, What Hearers Owe Their Pastors).
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Have you thanked your pastor lately? The Lord gives you lots of people in your life for various reasons. He gives you parents to raise you and provide for you. He gives you teachers to educate you and prepare you for college and work. He gives you friends to support you and help you out. He gives you pastors to save you. A pastor to baptize you. A pastor to hear your confession and remind you that God won't disown you because of your sins. A pastor to preach and teach God's Word to you so that you will know Christ and His salvation. A pastor to give you Jesus' Body and Blood for the forgiveness of sins. Without your pastor, how would you have these gifts and blessings?
Notice, though that St. Paul says to esteem them “for their work's sake.” Your pastor may not be the coolest guy you know. He may not be the most personable or the most patient. He may not even be the best speaker you know. But those things aren't the big deal. The big deal is your pastor's work, which is to deliver Christ and His gifts to you.
Christ has accomplished your salvation. He's done it. Finished it. He's lived and suffered and died and rose. Now all that remains is for you to receive that salvation, for Jesus' forgiveness to be given to you. For that job, the Lord calls your pastor. Think of your pastor as that servant of Christ who will regularly remind you Christ has indeed forgiven your sins and made you a child of God. The Lord gives you a pastor, so that you will always be sure of what Christ has done for you. Do your sins trouble you? Did someone make fun of your faith? Do you need guidance on how to faithfully serve your neighbor? Talk to your pastor. He is the one the Lord has given you so that you will always be sure of God's grace and mercy in all things. And tell your pastor thank you. Not for being himself. But for being a servant of Jesus who gives to you the saving gifts of Christ. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Make them apostles, heralds of Your cross; Forth let them go to tell the world of grace. Inspired by You, may they count all but loss And stand at last with joy before Your face. (LSB 682:5)