“Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” Luke 12:48b 

Since God has freely given and continues to give so much to us as members of His Church – forgiveness, life, salvation, sonship, citizenship in heaven, peace, hope, love, joy…, we are wise to consider what is required of us in return per Jesus’ words from Luke above. Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation (CPH, 2017) offers a partial answer along with related scripture passages under the question, “What are some of the privileges and responsibilities of members of the Church?” (pg 216) I encourage you to review the answer, but here is the first listed:

“We should regularly receive the Word and Sacraments within the community of believers.” “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” (John 8:31-32) Jesus gives the privilege of being His disciple, knowledge of the truth and freedom. The responsibility required in return is to simply abide in His Word. 

In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” The privilege of being chosen to bear fruit comes with the responsibility of abiding in Jesus and allowing Jesus to abide in you. This happens when we receive Holy Communion and when we hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest Holy Scripture.

Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Having been given the word of Christ, we are required to let it dwell in us richly. We can do this by teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom (from His Word), singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (based on His Word). And we are “required” to do this with thankfulness in our hearts. 

Rather than burden us with overwhelming, unrealistic requirements for what He has given, our gracious Lord keeps it simple and even provides the means to fulfill them. When we gather for the Divine Service, we are allowing Christ to fulfill our “requirements” as we abide in Him and His Word and let His Word dwell in us richly with thankfulness in our hearts. 

“Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required…” Why should we “regularly receive the Word and Sacraments within the community of believers”? So, the Lord can fulfill what He requires of us! 

“And from his fullness, we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:16)