The Small Catechism – part 159
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Jude 3–4
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
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From the Confessions: The Small Catechism, The First Petition
Hallowed be thy name.
What does this mean?
God’s name is indeed holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy also among us.
How is this done?
God’s name is hallowed when his Word is taught in its truth and purity and we, as God’s children, lead holy lives in accordance with it. Grant this to us, dear Father in heaven. But whoever teaches and lives in ways other than what God’s Word teaches dishonors the name of God among us. Prevent us from doing this, heavenly Father.
Pulling It Together: Our faith, which leads to salvation, is held or observed in common (Jude 3; Titus 1:4). What is our common faith if not summarized in this word: that Jesus delivered us from bondage (Jude 5)? Yet there are those among us who would remain in Egypt while partaking of the kingdom’s joys. We must give no quarter to those who compromise the faith. These blasphemers are a great danger to the church, and are to be shunned.
The best way to avoid them may be to give them cause to avoid you. Call a pastor who preaches both Law and Gospel, so that conviction of sins, as well as the consolation of Christ, is always in attendance at your assemblies. Build yourselves up in our common, holy faith, and pray that you are kept in the faith and not led astray by false teachers. In doing so, we live out the petition that God’s name may be kept holy among us.
Prayer: Multiply in the church, Lord, your peace, mercy, and love. Amen.
Click here for resources to learn the Ten Commandments.
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Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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