October 5, 2026
Today's Reading: Deuteronomy 10:12-21
Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 5:1-21; Matthew 8:18-34
“For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.” (Deuteronomy 10:17)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
God has made it pretty clear what he requires of his people. What does the Lord require of you? To fear him, to walk in his ways, to love him, to serve him with all of your heart and soul. This is not a suggestion. This is what God demands. But there is a promise behind these demands; if you do these, you will live. We all want to live, don’t we? God has given you the requirements, so what are you waiting for?
We’ve all done it, innocently or not. When there is something we want that we can’t have, or when we desire something we don’t deserve, there’s always bargaining – making a deal to get what we want. It might involve a fair trade: “I’ll give you my brownie for your slice of apple pie.” It could be an unfair trade taking advantage of someone: “I know you are desperate for money; I’ll give you 20 dollars for your guitar.” Or it can be downright devious, like a bribe: “Give me your bike, and I won’t tell what you did.” That’s our old sinner at work, attempting to get something we don’t deserve or haven’t earned by using persuasion or coercion.
We try bargaining with God, too. “God, if you give me this, I’ll do this for you.” How often have those words crept into our prayers? Bargaining with God easily can slip into bribing God, usually with our “good works.” God owes me, we think. I’ve sacrificed, I’ve been really good about going to church, having my devotions, helping those in need – now it’s your turn, God, I deserve your favor. What we are really asking is for God to give us what we think we deserve because we’ve earned it, but have we? He’s been pretty clear about what he requires of us, and if we’re honest, we’ve fallen way short. At best, we’ve fallen into unfair trading with God; at worst, we are guilty of attempting to bribe the God of gods and Lord of lords.
God takes no bribes. But God is into trading, and it’s not fair trading either. God himself took on our human flesh and lived the life that fulfilled all he has required of you, in Jesus. Jesus says to you, “Let’s make a trade.” I’ll take all your shortcomings and lawbreaking that deserve God’s condemnation. I’ll take your punishment and die your death. In exchange, I’ll give you my perfect righteousness that gives you the riches of heaven and God’s eternal favor. Now that’s a deal! And it’s yours in Christ!
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
As by one man all mankind fell and, born in sin, was doomed to hell, so by one Man, who took our place, we all are justified by grace (LSB 562:5)
Rev. Darrin Sheek, pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Anaheim, CA.
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