Day by Day with Martin Luther

Read: 2nd Samuel 19:11-20:13 John 21:1-25 Proverbs 16:16-17

“Standing in God’s Place”

“Honor your father and your mother, …”
[Exodus 20:12]

We must, therefore, impress this truth upon the young, that they should think of their parents as standing in God’s place. They should remember that however lowly, poor, frail, and strange their parents may be, nevertheless, they are the father and the mother given to them by God. Parents are not to be deprived of their honor because of their conduct, or their failings. We are not to consider who they are or how they may be, but the will of God is what matters, who has created and ordained parenthood. Learn therefore what it means to honor parents, as the commandment requires; [a] they must be held in distinction and esteem as a precious treasure; [b] we must speak modestly about them, and not address them roughly, even if they have gone too far in speech and discipline; [c] we must show honor by our works, when they become old, sick, infirm, or poor. We must do these things not only gladly, but with humility and reverence, as doing it to God.