August 26, 2026
Today's Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:4-11 or Romans 10:9-17
Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 8:22-30, 46-63; 2 Corinthians 4:1-18
“because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?’ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:9–17)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
This is the sweet Gospel proclamation. Saint Paul’s writing to the Romans is a comfort to them that these are the promises made to God’s people. The first half is all comfort and teaches all the Good Gifts that God has given to his people. There is no difference between Jew and Greek, it does not matter if you became a Christian early or late, for the same Lord is Lord of all and bestows his riches on all who call on Him. God gives lavishly to all his children because he loves them. He loves you because you are His child, not from what you have done, but from what He has done for you. He has called you by the Gospel, enlightening you with His Gifts, and sanctified the whole church on earth. Your conversion was through means; God works through His creation to bring people to faith. That is the reason for the second half of this reading. Now that we know how good God is, we share it with others. God’s infinite goodness is enough to share. So we proclaim the Gospel and what God has done for us, so that the kingdom would be expanded and all may be saved. We are saved through faith, which is a Gift of God, and that is the faith we share.
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Salvation unto us has come By God's free grace and favor; Good works cannot avert our doom, They help and save us never. Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone, Who did for all the world atone; He is our one Redeemer. (LSB 555:1)
Jonah Clausen, seminary student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.
