Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Eleventh Day of Christmas

Posted on January 4, 2019 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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Scripture: Isaiah 56:1-8 (NKJV)
 
56:1 Thus says the LORD:
 
“Keep justice, and do righteousness, for My salvation is about to come, and My righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who lays hold on it; Who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”
 
3 Do not let the son of the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD speak, saying, “The LORD has utterly separated me from His people”; Nor let the eunuch say, “Here I am, a dry tree.”
 
4 For thus says the LORD:
 
“To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, and choose what pleases Me, and hold fast My covenant, 5 even to them I will give in My house and within My walls a place and a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off. 6 Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants—everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and holds fast My covenant—7 even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” 8 The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, “Yet I will gather to him others besides those who are gathered to him.”
 
Devotion
 
The Lord faithfully upheld His words in Isaiah 56 when Philip was sent to preach, teach, and administer Baptism to the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. This foreigner had the Scriptures of Isaiah, but the Lord called Philip to make him part of the Church, the very Body of Christ.
 
It is not enough to have a book, or knowledge, or a claim of tradition or heritage. One must have faith in the Only-Begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was crucified for the forgiveness of our sins. Owning a Bible or simply having some knowledge about God does not save anyone. We are made God’s righteous people through faith alone.
 
The Lord’s salvation and righteousness are revealed and taught to us in Jesus Christ. This is why it is so important that people are taught to understand the Third Commandment properly. It is not just about worshiping on Saturday or Sunday; it is about hearing and learning God’s Word by the means that He has given us! He calls men to faithfully preach, teach, and bring us the Sacraments according to Christ’s instruction. Rightly called and ordained bishops, pastors, and deacons are the holy messengers who serve as the tools of God. Through them He brings all nations into the Body of Christ, so that people may faithfully know there is salvation and eternal blessings in Jesus!
 
We pray: O Lord God, who hast made Thine Only-Begotten Son the Savior of mankind and didst give Him the name of Jesus, mercifully grant that we who worship His name on Earth may joyfully behold Him in Heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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