The Large Catechism – part 125
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Zechariah 14:6–7
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
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From the Confessions: The Large Catechism, The Ten Commandments
The Fourth Commandment
Honor your father and your mother, (that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.)
On the other hand, when they are obstinate and will not do what they should unless they are severely disciplined, they anger both God and their parents. They deprive themselves of this treasure and joy of conscience, and store up for themselves only misfortune. That is the course of the world now, as everyone complains. Young and old are both altogether self-indulgent and disobedient, having no reverence nor sense of honor, doing nothing except when driven to it by blows. Instead, they perpetrate behind each other's back whatever wrong and slander they can. Therefore, God punishes them so that they sink into all kinds of suffering and misery. As a rule, the parents too, are ignorant, and as they have lived, so live their children after them. One fool trains another.
Pulling It Together: Frankly, things look practically dark. It is difficult to look at the world and think otherwise. Look at all the young people out there who did not learn enough sense from their parents, sometimes simply because their parents did not have much of that item in stock themselves. Society is going crazily out of control, and it seems like the church is trying to match step. As much as I do not want to admit it, things are going to get worse before they get better; but they are going to get better — much better. Just as the world goes completely dark, the Light will return. Until that everlasting day when the Lord will be our light (Isaiah 60:19; Revelation 21:23), we have only to hope in him, keeping his Word — and believing his promises when we cannot.
Prayer: Joyous Light of Glory, come into this dark world of mine, and give me your hope and peace. Amen.
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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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