January 13, 2026

Today's Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 36:13-28; Romans 4:1-25

“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Are you clever and witty? Able to turn a phrase in a way that amazes people with your wisdom? That’s a good trait to have, most of the time. But not in your comprehension and explanation of the one true faith. It has become trendy to debate the Christian faith in a way that relies on logic, psychology, and “book smarts.” Trying to explain the faith in pithy, witty ways, dropping zingers to undercut your opponent’s arguments.

But that’s not the point, St. Paul says. The Christian faith is nothing other than one emptying oneself of all the “me” language and work, and relying solely on the Word of God and the work of Christ for salvation.

It’s not easy for us to admit that we can do nothing to earn our salvation. It’s not easy to admit that it is only Almighty God who can (and does!) save us. And that makes it seemingly difficult to talk about the faith with unbelievers; they so often have arguments and statements and bullet points lined up to logically shoot down anything the faithful Christian will say and thus “win” their argument.

But that’s not the point, St. Paul says. Our Lord and God turns all of that upside down in order to deliver to you saving faith. God becomes man. Glory is hidden. The Savior wanders the countryside. God suffers and dies. These are all things our “cultured” society declares foolish and weak.

But that is exactly how God our Father planned it. He stripped away any chance of you patting yourself on the back and boasting about how great your faith is and how much you have accomplished for God’s kingdom, either by your own believing, or by your bringing others to the faith.

Boasting is unbecoming of the Christian because there is nothing to boast in when it comes to our own sinful flesh and blood. It is only the Word of Christ and his death and resurrection for you, applied to you in your Baptism, that saves you.

And that may be the most comforting thing of all. Because you can rest in the peace of knowing it was all Gift. Freely given. For you.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O God, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true humility after the likeness of Your only Son that we may never be arrogant and prideful and thus provoke Your wrath, but in all lowliness be made partakers of the gifts of Your grace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. (Collect for Humility)

Author: Rev. Duane Bamsch, pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Wichita Falls, TX.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.

Better understand difficult and overlooked Old Testament passages in this new book by Authors R. Reed Lessing and Andrew E. Steinmann. Their conversational yet academic writing style makes learning about the Old Testament accessible to those at all points in their Bible reading journey. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter invite you to think more in-depth about what you just read and record your answers. To stretch your understanding, a list of resources for further reading is also included at the back of the book.