The Festival of the Reformation of the Church
Posted on October 31, 2024 by under
Scripture: St. Luke 21:5-9 (NKJV)
21:5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, 6 “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”
7 So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?”
8 And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them. 9 But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.”
Devotion
In the Old Testament, God had promised to place His Name at the Temple so that it could be a place of refuge and protection. The Israelites were to trust in His holy Name, and in true faith lead godly lives. However, many of them let go of the Word and faith, and did not recognize the coming of Jesus Christ to His holy Temple. They forgot that the LORD had also threatened, “But if you or your sons at all turn from following Me, and do not keep My commandments and My statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land which I have given them; and this house which I have consecrated for My Name I will cast out of My sight…” (1 Kgs. 9:6-7).
Jesus Christ is our refuge and strength, a very present help in danger. We live among sinners who will always be fighting and warring. We live in a world with commotions and natural disasters. Jesus tells us not to be terrified or worried. Do not trust in stone temples, which can be thrown down, but hold to the Word, which cannot pass away. Hold to Christ, in whom you will not be deceived.
Collect: Almighty God, Merciful Father, Who madest the light to shine out of darkness, we thank Thee that Thou hast shown mercy unto us and our fathers, and by means of Thy servant Martin Luther hast restored the pure light of Thy Gospel: Keep us, we beseech Thee, in sound doctrine, that we may steadfastly believe and worthily follow Thy saving Word, and finally, by its holy comfort, depart in peace and joy; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Twenty-Second Sunday after Trinity Sunday
O God, our Refuge and Strength, Who art the Author of all godliness: Be ready, we beseech Thee, to hear the devout prayers of Thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask faithfully, we may obtain effectually; 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.
