You Have a Place at Grace - 8/5/2026

“If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes” (Luke 19:42).

God judges in real time. Punishment for Israel’s rejection Jesus declares in Luke 19: 43-44, a portend of Rome’s siege on the Holy City ultimately leaving the Temple in smoldering rubble following a horrific war filled with in-fighting, starvation, cannibalism, and mass death. Two, God hides divine things from people in consequence of their rank rejection of the Gospel. “These things are hidden” describe their state, the house left desolate (Luke 13:35) because it is the city “who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her” (Luke 13:34). Eventually, God takes away what they despise: Himself.

People dwelling in blindness mistake destruction for life. The horrors of communism are hidden from those welcoming it in places like New York and California, as if this time the redistribution of wealth will work. The Muslim invasion is a step forward in the great multicultural experiment. We’re told sexual ideologies promoting mutilating surgeries on minors are cures for gender dysphoria. Finally, the chorus that abortion is the quick answer to a problem. Exit the clinic, and all is well. What’s hidden is the guilt, shame, and regret by those pondering the birthdays that never were, the child given no voice, no option, no chance in life snatched away in a moment preceding deep remorse.

Sin often looks like freedom, and death looks like life.

What’s “hidden” from us? What don’t we see? The damage of gossip, the destruction of hidden rage? Are we blind to our vices, our lust and greed, selfishness and pride? The Psalmist writes “who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults” (Ps.19:12). Another petition is this “enlighten my eyes lest I sleep the sleep of death” (Ps.13:3).

God’s visitation happens still as He comes to us in His Word. “Where two or three are gathered together in My Name there I am there in the midst of them” says our Lord (Matt.18:20). Thus, God still visits and gives grace through His Son. Sundays are times to receive from God’s hand forgiveness for guilt, mercy and grace in the face of remorse and doubt. Certainty in the Gospel remains as God lives. His Word isn’t void of power but good to affect what He desires. His promise still stands when He says “come to Me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” The green pasture resides in Christ, not Ceasar, not the world.

O Lord, enlighten our eyes lest we sleep the sleep of death. Hide not your mercy from us your people and lead us into everlasting  life. Amen.

-By Rev. Ryan J. Ogrodowicz, “You Have a Place at Grace,” August 5^th 2026.

Grace Lutheran Church - Brenham, Texas

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod