by Kathy Matuschka

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So, too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace (Romans 11:5).

Read Romans 11:1–12

As a child, I first heard the word ‘remnant’ to describe leftover fabric. A remnant was a short piece of fabric left at the end of a roll or a section that had some sort of fault that prevented it from being sold at its regular price. Although not large enough to make a full project, it could be used in various ways. For example, one could use a remnant to add a frill to lengthen a favourite dress that had become too short. And, of course, an interesting piece of fabric can be used in a game of imagination – this never changes!

As a child, I loved looking through remnants for the most interesting fabrics and patterns. They were like buried treasure! But they were also accessible because I had enough money in my purse to buy a piece if I chose to.

Do you consider yourself (or your congregation) as a remnant in the way Paul describes believers in today’s text? And if so, how do you feel about this calling? Are you a leftover scrap that may never be noticed or used, or are you buried treasure? Perhaps your feelings about this calling vary!

When he wrote to the Romans, St Paul didn’t know what was to become of the Jewish remnant – the far-too-few Hebrew people who accepted Jesus as the Messiah. Today, too, we struggle to understand what God plans for the church. Like a short piece of fabric, we may not feel of much use.

But God’s word reminds us that we have been chosen by grace. To highlight what this means, Paul goes on to say: ‘And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace’ (verse 6). We land again on the centre of this beloved book: we are chosen by grace and remain citizens of God’s new kingdom by grace. It is not because of anything we may or may not be able to do, but by God’s mercy.

And mysteriously, it is only because of God’s grace that God chooses to establish and constantly renew the church.

Dear Jesus, sometimes I feel a bit scrappy and bewildered about how I came to be where I am. I wonder what I’m doing and how I might be of any use in your kingdom. Thank you for choosing me by grace. Help me to live each day in your love, Amen.

Kathy Matuschka works as a hospital chaplain and worships at Our Saviour Lutheran Church Rochedale in Brisbane. As parents of three adult children, Kathy and her husband Mark have been taking great delight lately in learning how to be grandparents.

by Kathy Matuschka

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world (Romans 10:18b).

Read Romans 10:14–21

Romans 10:18 (above) is a quotation from Psalm 19:4. While the psalmist was referring to the way the heavens bear witness to God’s greatness, Paul uses it to refer to the voices of the gospel preachers that have gone out into all the earth.

Previously, Paul lamented the way the Israelites rejected Jesus, but now he celebrates those who have heard and believed. Now the reading gets juicy: Paul hopes that the Jewish people might be stirred with envy about the blessings in Christ these new believers are receiving!

What about those of us who have traditionally carried the Christian faith, perhaps over many generations? The gospel message has truly gone to the ends of the world. It is now common for us to encounter Christians from non-western nations worshipping our Saviour Jesus Christ alongside us.

Having been born to missionary parents in Papua New Guinea (PNG), I love to hear Christians (often Lutherans) from PNG preach the gospel to me when I meet them through my hospital work! I am also humbled when people who have so much less materially than I am accustomed to having share their conviction that God will provide for their every need. I am inspired by the stories of LCANZ members continuing to teach and serve wherever they know faith is ready to be fanned into a flame, whether in Australia, New Zealand or beyond our shores. By God’s Spirit, the gospel has gone out and continues to go out to the ends of the earth.

Do you sometimes envy the faith of those whom the gospel has reached in more recent times? Or perhaps you are a newer believer, and you wonder why Christians who grow up in the west do not treasure Jesus more and why their faith is not more vibrant? Today’s reading tells us that the bearers of the good news have beautiful feet (verse 15b). That sounds like a good remedy for envy!

Loving God, how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! By your Holy Spirit, please fill me with envious hunger for a deeper understanding of you and your ways. Please give me the grace to listen to and learn from those you call to speak. May my feet carry your good news to the places you call me to be. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kathy Matuschka works as a hospital chaplain and worships at Our Saviour Lutheran Church Rochedale in Brisbane. As parents of three adult children, Kathy and her husband Mark have been taking great delight lately in learning how to be grandparents.

by Kathy Matuschka

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).

Read Romans 10:1–13

The Christian church in Rome likely consisted of both Gentile and Jewish converts to Christianity. This may not strike us as remarkable, but in the first century, it was unprecedented that Jews and Gentiles might share a common faith, on equal footing with one another! Paul exhorts the congregation to grow in unity with the following words: ‘For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him’ (verse 12).

There is no difference. Verse nine above is addressed to all readers, regardless of their backgrounds. Paul explains that no matter where you have come from, you are set free – you are right with God – through faith in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection for your sins. Paul says that ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’ (verse 13).

As today’s reading began, Paul prayed that the Jewish people might submit to the righteousness of Jesus Christ to be saved, instead of seeking to ‘establish their own righteousness’ (verses 1–3).

How about us? How do we seek to establish our own righteousness? Do we add conditions that allow us to categorise our fellow Christians into different levels of faithfulness? Of course we do!

There is no limit to the ways we as humans can foster discord and division within the body of Christ when we add our preferred conditions to the gospel. St Paul knows this from his own experience. In the first case, he failed to recognise Jesus as Lord, and then he grappled with the idea that Gentiles as well as Jews might be chosen. That’s why he returns repeatedly to the centre: ‘For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Triune God, thank you for the gift of faith in Jesus. Please forgive me for the ways I seek to establish my own righteousness by adding conditions to your gift of salvation. Please help me to see and honour my fellow Christians just like you do. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

Kathy Matuschka works as a hospital chaplain and worships at Our Saviour Lutheran Church Rochedale in Brisbane. As parents of three adult children, Kathy and her husband Mark have been taking great delight lately in learning how to be grandparents.