O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joys; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!
Resurrection Wonder Read More »
Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the Lord’s resurrection may by Your grace confess in our life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!
Are You A Doubting Thomas? Read More »
Almighty God the Father, through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of our Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!
Return and Believe Read More »
In John 14, Jesus says, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” The primary role of the Holy Spirit, then, is to teach us and remind us of all that Jesus said–perfect communication. When Peter had confessed Jesus to be the Messiah, Jesus said immediately to Peter: “the Son of Man must suffer many things . . . be killed, and on the third day be raised” (Luke 9:22). Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. This is the word that the Holy Spirit reminds us of week after week in Scripture, hymns, preaching, and Holy Communion. It is this word of Jesus that brings us down a notch when we are arrogant and lifts us up when we are brought low by our sin. Christ, crucified for sinners and risen, is perfect communication. This is precisely what the Holy Spirit breathes into our ears.
Most celebrations in our world last a few hours–or in the case of some great professional sports win, maybe a week. Here in church we have celebrated Easter for seven Sundays–a week of weeks! The Easter season concludes today with powerful words from Jesus. He is praying for His people in the world–for us! His prayer for us is at the same time comforting and challenging: “Holy Father, keep them in Your name, which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as We are one” (John 17:11). How comforting it is to know that Jesus’ prayer is for the Father to hold on to us no matter what. How challenging it is–in light of the ways that we divide and scatter–that Jesus wants His followers to be one. Today, in Holy Communion, we catch a glimpse of both. The Lord holds on to us by drawing us together to receive Christ’s body and blood; at the same time, we who gather to receive are in that moment one, a foretaste of the feast to come. The Lord is risen! What a celebration!
Resurrection Witness Read More »
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! While we celebrated Easter Sunday over a month ago, the Christian Church traditionally regards every Sunday as “mini-Easters.” That is because preaching the resurrection of Jesus Christ as we do on Easter is central to our faith. In the resurrection, we celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and death. Because of His resurrection, we confidently hold firm to our Baptism, knowing that we receive forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation paid for by the blood of Christ. Thanks be to God!
Suffering and Hope Read More »
Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. He has chosen believers to be His own through faith. We are indeed a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession” (1 Peter 2:9). Even so, as we traverse our days on this sinful earth, we can expect trials and tribulations to come our way. One of God’s chosen disciples, Stephen, experienced such trials in the ultimate way. As he preached the law, he was rejected and stoned to death. However, God was preparing a home for Stephen as He is for all believers. Jesus promises that He will come again and take us home to Himself in heaven. Rejoice in our resurrected Savior as we focus our eyes heavenward!
This day we are often reminded how Jesus is the Good Shepherd that cares for His sheep. However, in the Gospel, Jesus gives us another different and vivid picture of Himself: as a door. He says, “I am the Door of the sheep . . . If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:7, 9). Jesus is the only way to salvation; as His sheep, we look only to Him and listen for His loving voice alone. What a contrast there is between a thief, who would never use the door properly and brings only destruction, and Jesus, the Door, who brings abundant life.
Shepherds and Sheep and the Door Read More »
O God, You have redeemed the world through the precious blood of Christ, which He poured out on the cross. Grant that we may learn from Jesus to see things Your way; for He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!
Almighty God, You are at work for us and for our salvation. Cause the action verbs of Your mercy and grace to have full effect in our lives, bringing us to the unending Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!
Resurrection Redux Read More »
