A sermon for the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity, by Fr. Dan Suelzle.
In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath and His teaching about places of honor at a feast both confront the same issue—human self-righteousness. As the Pharisees watch Him, hoping to accuse Him of breaking Sabbath law, Jesus exposes their misunderstanding: the Sabbath is not about rule-keeping but about God’s mercy and rest in Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath. Their silence reveals hearts unwilling to confess their need or recognize the Messiah who heals and restores. Likewise, their eagerness for seats of honor shows the same pride—seeking to exalt themselves rather than receiving righteousness as a gift. Jesus teaches that true rest and righteousness come only through him. As His people, we acknowledge our unworthiness and trust Him who took the lowest place, even death on a cross, to exalt us with His righteousness. Now in His Church, Christ continually gathers His people into that perpetual Sabbath rest, feeding them with His body and blood and nourishing them on the journey towards His eternal feast in the new creation. Listen to the entire sermon below.
All Saints Lutheran Church and School 