October 5, 2026
To Summarize... - Part 1
Matthew 22:34
10/05/2026
34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced
the Sadducees, they gathered together. (ESV)
This past Sunday was the last of the third cycle of readings
in the historic One Year series. The readings summarized the
righteousness of faith, the Christians' response to God's grace,
love, and mercy. Our prayer this week also summarizes our
inability to live a God-pleasing life without His direct help and
intervention.
O God, because without You we are not able to please
You, mercifully grant that Your Holy Spirit may in all
things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus
Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with
You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
We believe, teach, and confess that good works follow coming
to faith in Jesus Christ as our Redeemer from sin, death, and the
power of the devil. Good works do not earn our salvation, but
are the result of our salvation.
This week's Gospel reading takes place on Tuesday of Holy
Week, two days after Jesus rode into Jerusalem to the waving of
the palm branches and the shouts of the crowd. On that Tuesday,
Jesus discussed theology with the Sadducees and Pharisees as they
tried to catch Him in false doctrine or inconsistencies.
But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the
Sadducees, they gathered together.
The Pharisees were seeking to have Jesus put to death
because of the political repercussions of His popularity. This
week's reading is the last time Jesus spoke with them before His
crucifixion.
May our Lord open our hearts and minds to His rich grace.
Amen.