Trinity 8
Trinity 8
Matthew 7:15-23
August 10, 2025
What an ending to the Gospel reading today, Jesus said, “And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:23)
This isn’t the Jesus you know; not the one you’ve imagined in your mind. That Jesus is an encourager, a cheerleader, a teddy bear, maybe a therapist on a stormy night, or a moral teacher, but not this…no, not this, it just seems so unkind.
But why does Jesus speak these stern words, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:23)
Because he’s speaking in regards to false prophets, those preachers who come to you in the image and likeness of the serpent in the Garden of Eden who came to Adam and Eve with half-truths—words that, while they may sound good, do not truly reflect the words of Jesus.
The serpent, the devil, continues to tempt you today through his followers, people, and preachers who do not rely on God’s Word. Those who tell you to work harder for life's rewards. Those who tell you to choose happiness over marriage. Those who say that whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Or remember, God only gives you what you can handle.
However, in all these ways, you are being led to look internally for strength, redemption, and peace throughout this life.
What happens when you do this? You become a god all to yourself. The tree of faith that should be growing and flourishing within you is no longer healthy; instead, it's rotting and dying from the inside out, and the fruit, which are your good works to serve and love your neighbor, are no longer present, just the thorns that pierce and hurt one another as a bramble from a berry bush.
And this is why Jesus says, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:15-16)
Beware of wolves who come in sheep’s clothing, who portray themselves as pastors and shepherds of Jesus Christ, those who turn out to be disciples of the Devil.
Saint John Chrysostom wrote,
The movements of wolves are hidden in shadows. Hence, [Jesus] commanded that one should… continuously and carefully look out for wolves because one cannot see them the moment they attack. For this reason, he says, “Watch out!” to make his hearers more careful in distinguishing deception from truth.10
So, how do you discern the truth? How do you tell the difference between a wolf in sheep’s clothing and a true shepherd of Jesus Christ?
Look to the words they speak…. Knowing that the old Adam, the sinfulness that dwells within you, might not enjoy or appreciate these words either…
You see, you have a responsibility to make sure I don’t preach false doctrine to you, that I have not done so, nor do I knowingly lead you to believe half-truths or leave you caught up in sin. Instead, I am called to direct you to Jesus and to preach to you the “words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)
And for this reason, you are called to be in God’s Word, study it, listen to it, and grapple with it.
Pastors are not sent to simply be an encourager to you, a cheerleader, a teddy bear, a therapist on the stormy nights, or a moral teacher; they’re sent to point you to the great Shepherd of the flock, your Savior, Jesus Christ.
This isn’t always easy either. Because a true pastor and apostle of Jesus Christ sometimes has to use the stern word of God to call you to repentance, to use the shepherd’s crook to rescue you from the half-truths of the devil that lead you to pride and arrogance, that put yourself before your marriage, your family, or friends, to point you to Jesus for refuge and help when medical and mental challenges arise, realizing you cannot handle any of this on your own, let alone grant yourself forgiveness.
No, the true pastors and apostles of Jesus come to you with His Word of Law and Gospel and point you to His cross, where He suffered the weight of the law and died for you, so that you might receive the good news of His forgiveness, His peace within your lives, and His eternal life.
Pastors do this because they’ve been called to keep watch over your soul, because on the last day, they (me) will have to give an account for how they cared and shepherded you to eternal life – through the good days and the bad. (Hebrews 13:17)
Because in the end, the chief responsibility of the pastor is to preach God’s Word so that you will know Jesus and be known by Him. +INJ+
Rev. Noah J. Rogness
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Tomah, WI
