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I am using readings from the 49 Week Bible Challenge as the basis for these devotions. I encourage you to join me in this discipline. Today’s readings are 1 Corinthians 4; Psalm 90; Job 12; Job 24.
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
I love Martin Luther’s Sacristy Prayer:
Lord God, you have made me a pastor and teacher in your Church.
You see how unfit I am to administer rightly this great and responsible office;
and had I been without your aid and counsel, I would surely have ruined it all long ago.
Therefore, do I call upon you.
Of your boundless mercy, grant me a faithful heart,
and the right understanding, and skill, to teach.
And may I so exercise this office that I may save my own soul and those who hear me.
Amen.
Luther’s prayer – to which I can say a hearty AMEN!, is sincere and humble. Paul’s claim is the public side of the pastor’s role. We are stewards of the mysteries of God. These mysteries are not ours. We do not own them. We are accountable for our administration of them.
In the New Testament, the “mysteries of God” not unsolvable riddles. They are God’s redemptive work made known for all people through Jesus Christ and received by faith (Rom 16:25–26). Central is the mystery of the Gospel—Christ’s death and resurrection offered to all nations (Eph 6:19). This includes into the mystery of Christ and the Church, where Gentiles become fellow heirs with Jews in one body, with “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:26–27; Eph 3:4–6). Jesus speaks of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven disclosed in parables (Matt 13:11). The incarnation is the “mystery of godliness” (1 Tim 3:16), and the resurrection transformation (1 Cor 15:51) are also identified as mysteries. These mysteries proclaim God’s eternal plan of salvation by grace alone, entrusted to believers as stewards (1 Cor 4:1).
No wonder Luther prayed as he did! These mysteries are profound, and we are entrusted to administer them faithfully. Paul was speaking to the Corinthians to correct their undue attachment of the people there to him, Apollos, Cephas, or any other human teacher. They are clay vessels. The treasure is the gospel and the sacraments by which God pours out his grace and mercy on all who believe.
We who are called to be pastors must be faithful in that calling, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15), and delivering the fullness of God’s grace and truth to his people. We don’t receive some extra grace that elevates us when we are set aside for this task. We are, however, accountable for faithfully serving Christ and his people.
Lord, grant me your Holy Spirit and hold me to your words of grace and truth so that I may be found faithful; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen
David Bahn - Reflections 
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