Your Unworthy Pastor. Worship: October 5, 2025

This is a difficult day for your pastor. For you are, in a sense, listening in to our Lord speaking to him of His high expectations as His called and ordained servant. It all has to do with addressing his sins with the cutting accusation of God’s Law, but with the goal of applying the comforting healing and hope of God’s Gospel of forgiveness and strength. Yet, if you listen carefully, you will discover that it’s not only about your pastor’s frailty or sins, but it is also Christ addressing your sins and need through him. The pastor’s calling is, at once, a most difficult one but also the most joyous and fulfilling calling and vocation. Your pastor has the responsibility and obligation not to mislead you into sin but to apply the remedy for it. Preaching and teaching the Word of Christ, and administering that Word of forgiveness of sin and new life through the Sacraments, is not primarily the pastor’s work but is indeed the work of Christ Himself. The pastor pours baptismal water, and the believer dies and is raised with Christ. The pastor does no magical incantation, but Christ speaks through him. The bread and wine are Christ’s body and blood for you that takes away your sin (and the pastor’s!), imparting forgiveness and eternal life. Pray for your pastor, as he prays for you. Forgive your pastor, as he lives by the same forgiveness he declares to you.