It's time to commemorate...

...C. F. W. Walther, a Lutheran theologian who played a key role in founding the LCMS. The daily devotional Portals of Prayer sums it up well, so here is the text:

Eli was replaced as priest of Israel because he failed to discipline his sons. Samuel served in Eli's place, but Samuel's own sons failed. The true priest who acted according to God's heart is our great High Priest, Jesus Christ. He offered His blood in the heavenly sanctuary, establishing a new covenant (the New Testament) based on the grace of God. Jesus said, "It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher" (Matthew 10:25). Faithful priests reflect the life and teaching of their teacher, Jesus.

One such example from American history is Carl F. W. Walther (1822-87). He was a minister who came with other Germans to be part of a "Zion on the Mississippi," to preserve the Bible faith taught by Luther. Walther emerged as a leader, teaching the Church from God's Word and the Lutheran Confessions. In the following years, Walther organized Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, wrote extensively, won others to common faith and work, and served as president of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. This came from being "a faithful priest," a leader who knew the heart of Christ from the Word of God.

Prayer: Lord, give us leaders in the Church who fully and faithfully do Your will according to Your Word of Christ. Amen.

I bid all my Lutheran blogging (or non-blogging) friends a joyous C. F. W. Walther day.