Friday after the Second Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on July 1, 2022 by under
Scripture: St. Matthew 7:15-23 (NKJV)
7:15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”
Devotion
Earlier in chapter seven our Lord Jesus warned us about giving things that are holy to dogs, or casting our pearls before swine. These trample sacred things under their feet, and turn and tear us to pieces (verse 6). The corruption of dogs and swine is easily seen. They show themselves to be against the truth of the Word of God openly and outwardly. They are openly hostile to the truth of the Word of God. Today, our Lord warns us about a different type of animal, the wolf.
Wolves are not openly hostile. They hide themselves. They come to us in sheep’s clothing. They appear to be friends and neighbors. They appear to be loving and open. Inside, however, they are ravenous wolves, who are sent by the devil to rend and tear those who would be deceived by their lies. They rend and tear people away from the truth of the Word of God by deception, and not openly like dogs and swine.
We should remain vigilant against dogs, swine, and wolves. A good tree shows itself by its fruit. A good tree will preach the truth and purity of the Lord God’s Word. A good tree will administer the Sacraments according to Christ’s institution. A good tree will warn against the dogs, swine, and wolves, and direct us to the only source of our salvation, our Lord Jesus, the Christ.
Prayer: O Lord, Who never failest to help and govern those whom Thou dost bring up in Thy steadfast fear and love: Make us to have a perpetual fear and love of Thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
