Friday, April 24, 2026

1 Peter 2:13-17 

13 For the Lord’s sake be subject to every human authority, whether to the emperor as supreme 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. 16 As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. 17 Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 

Devotional 

This is a remarkably important text for Christians today. Peter is writing to a small Christian community living on the political margins, trying to preserve its witness in the world. To that end, he encourages them to live within the governing structures of their day so they can continue sharing the good news of the risen Christ. His argument is simple: their mission will be more effective if they aren’t constantly in conflict with the government. The government may be imperfect, but in this situation it keeps enough order for people to go about their lives. 

Near the end of the passage, Peter offers an important boundary to this relationship: “Fear God. Honor the emperor.” In other words, our ultimate allegiance belongs to God, not the state. When the demands of government and the call of God come into conflict, that is when civil disobedience becomes not only acceptable but faithful. 

This week’s other daily lectionary readings come from the Exodus story, which gives us a vivid picture of what it looks like when God’s people must choose between obedience to Pharaoh and obedience to God. The contrast helps remind us that Christians in every generation must discern where their loyalty ultimately lies. 

As followers of Jesus today, our call is to stand—imperfectly but intentionally—from Christ’s perspective so we can speak prophetically to both the government and the church. When we become too comfortable with political power or too complacent with church traditions, we lose our mission and our clarity. 

On this side of heaven, faithfully navigating these tensions will always produce some good ’ole Lutheran Tension—and, ideally, enough humility and space to love neighbors who see things differently than we do. 

– Pr. Jason 

Let us pray: Jesus, give me eyes to see how I can love and serve my neighbor. Empower me to impact and influence my community with your sacrificial love so that it becomes more like you. Amen.