September 27, 2026 | 18th Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church — Buffalo, NY
References
Scripture: Ezekiel 18:1–4, 25–32; Philippians 2:1–13; Matthew 21:23–32
Video of worship/sermon
Whose Way Is Right?
Whose way is right?
Whose way is wrong?
Think back over the last few days or weeks … where have you seen people trying to prove who is right and who is wrong?
Politics is low-hanging fruit on this one … it seems that people of every political persuasion are doing just that. And, if one person is found to be wrong, then the conversation shifts to how someone else is wrong-er!
How about a little closer to home?
We all have different backgrounds and experiences … vastly different ways of living our lives.
I wonder how many arguments people have had over seemingly simple, small things like …
Toilet paper … over or under?
Toothpaste tube … where do you squeeze it?
Is there just one way that is correct?
And, if so, is that one way YOUR way?
Who Gets to Decide?
When there are disputes between people, we appeal to an authority, and that authority tells us who is right and who is wrong.
We’re used to the judicial system delivering a verdict of guilt or innocence … right or wrong. But in our relationships, is that possible … or even desirable?
How about God’s way?
Is God’s way always right?
And what if you disagree with God’s way?
Who is right?
Who is wrong?
In the reading from Ezekiel 18, we hear the people say: “The way of the Lord is unfair.”
In other words, God’s way is not right.
But how does appealing to an authority work when our disagreement is with God?
When We Are Certain We Are Right
The religious leaders at the time were in conflict with the ways of Jesus. They heartily believed they were right because they believed they had the authority of scripture and tradition on their side. Since they were in conflict with Jesus, they wanted him to publicly name where he got his authority.
They thought Jesus would reveal himself to the crowd as a fraud, and they would see that he was wrong and the religious leaders were right.
Jesus said that the tax collectors and prostitutes saw John the Baptist and believed, but the religious leaders still did not change their minds and believe.
You see … if we are so locked into the clear determination of who is right and who is wrong, do we even allow for the possibility of transformation and change?
Emptying Ourselves
The reading from Philippians offers a direction for us. It says:
Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves…. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:3, 5).
It goes on to say that Jesus “emptied himself.”
When we adopt the way of Jesus, we find that emptying ourselves is not losing ourselves.
Emptying ourselves is an intentional and conscious act.
Emptying ourselves of one thing allows us to be filled by another.
Because, if you are already full, there is no room for anything or anyone else to take up space.
As we empty ourselves, we let go of that which is puffed up … self-absorbed … FULL of ourselves.
Making Room
Emptying ourselves makes space for community not focused on whose way is right and whose is wrong.
Emptying ourselves makes space for us to be curious about other people—their lives and experiences—rather than being threatened by them.
Emptying ourselves makes room for the possibility that other people might be at least somewhat … right.
This week, notice where you feel yourself drawn into deciding which way is right and which way is wrong.
In those moments, ask God to help you follow the way of Jesus as you empty yourself and make room for God to fill that God-shaped emptiness with love—as we do justice, love mercy, and walk in humility with God (Micah 6:8).
Questions for Reflection
- Where do you find yourself most strongly needing to determine who is right and who is wrong?
- What might you need to “empty” from yourself in order to become more curious about another person’s life or experience?
- How might humility make room for transformation—not only in someone else, but also in you?
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