September 16, 2025

Today's Reading: 1 Timothy 1:5-11, 12-17

Daily Lectionary: 2 Chronicles 35:1-7, 16-25; Zephaniah 1:1-3:20; Colossians 3:1-25

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:15-17)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Saint Paul knew about living a life of sin. Before he had been brought to Christ, the man who was once Saul persecuted and murdered Christians for a living. Without a doubt, he preached to people who knew of his past, and may have even known other Christians whom Saul had destroyed. The memory of his life before coming to Christ likely never left Paul. When Paul writes, referring to himself as the foremost of sinners, he means it. These words come from deep in his heart. But these words do not apply to Paul alone; they apply to us as well. While we may not have persecuted Christians or murdered, we have all strayed far from the Law of God. No sin is less damnable than another. Every offense we have ever committed, no matter how inconsequential they may often seem, condemns us. We deserve death and Hell for the sins that we have committed. Yet, Saint Paul finds great comfort and shares it with all of us: though we are all sinners of the worst regard, Christ has still won mercy for us. The Gift of redemption in Christ Jesus comes to us even in our undeserving state, each one of us being a chief sinner in our own right. Paul knew the true sweetness of the Gospel because he knew the true depths of his sin. Paul knew how severe his offenses against God were, but in receiving the promises and Gifts of our Lord, he also knew the lengths to which Christ’s forgiveness and redemption extend. When we examine ourselves and know our sin, we do this not to beat ourselves up to earn God’s favor, but to truly repent before God of all we have done against Him. When we recognize the depth of our sinfulness, we do not despair, but instead are driven back to Christ. When we receive God’s mercy, we understand how beautiful a Gift is won for us in Christ’s death and resurrection. These words from First Timothy help us to see the truth of our sinfulness, but the richness of the Gospel that we receive from our loving Savior.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Chief of sinners though I be, Jesus shed His blood for me. Died that I might live on high, lived that I might never die. As the branch is to the vine, I am His and He is mine. (LSB 611:1)

Rev. Benjamin Heinz, pastor of Athens Lutheran Church in Athens, TN.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Join author R. Reed Lessing helps with this chapter-by-chapter exploration of the Book of Numbers in Hope in the Wilderness. With helpful maps, diagrams, and connections to the rest of the Bible, you’ll be able to understand the beauty of Numbers.