May 1, 2026

Today's Reading: John 14:1-14

Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 18:1-7, 20-19:8; Luke 11:1-13

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

From the disciples’ point of view, they had plenty of good reasons why their hearts were troubled. They had seen, or rather, smelled the formerly dead man known as Lazarus walk out of his grave. They got wind of the Pharisees' plot to kill both Jesus and Lazarus. They’d noticed the chief priests following them in the temple, through the streets, and around Jerusalem - their hostility and anger, a rising tide. They had seen the awesome faith in Jesus demonstrated by the crowds that followed them, and the appalling unbelief and rejection of Jesus by many in the same crowds.

Not to mention, Jesus kept saying and doing strange, odd things lately— like how the Son of Man was going to be lifted up; words of foreboding and darkness; warnings of betrayal and denial, of roosters and rejection, even among some of them. It’s no wonder the disciples were troubled that Thursday night of Holy Week.

And yet in the midst of all the disciples’ fears, anxieties, worries, and bewilderment, Jesus speaks. “Let not your heart be troubled.”

At first, this doesn’t sound comforting. It’s like the Queen in 1940s London telling you to keep calm and carry on while bombs are dropping all over, or Taylor Swift singing, “You need to calm down,” when a relationship is broken and your emotions are running as fast as your heart is beating.

But that’s the difference between our words and the words from the Word made flesh. Jesus’ words give exactly what he says.

So when Jesus sits with his frightened disciples and says, “Let not your hearts be troubled,” his word delivers his peace. Jesus’ promise and presence are the foundation and the guarantee of those words. “Let not your hearts be troubled?” How? “Believe in God and believe in me? And don’t worry, Jesus says, I’ll give you faith too.”

When Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled,” he knew that Good Friday, the cross, and his death and burial were about to happen. But he also knew that Sunday morning was coming. The stone rolled away. An empty tomb. Resurrection from the dead. What Jesus says happens. What he promises comes true: for his fearful, troubled disciples, and for you in whatever troubles you face. Jesus’ peace and promise are for you. So, “Let not your hearts be troubled.”

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, Your Son revealed Himself to Philip and James and gave them the knowledge of everlasting life. Grant us perfectly to know Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the way, the truth, and the life, and steadfastly to walk in the way that leads to eternal life; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

April 30, 2026

Today's Reading: Catechism: Creed Third Article

Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 17:1-16; Luke 10:23-42

“I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.” (3rd Article of the Apostles’ Creed)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

“So the Holy Spirit is like the Bat-signal,” said a confirmation student while learning about the Third Article of the Creed.

“Wait, what?” I answered, bewildered, but curious. “What do you mean?”

“Well,” he went on to say, “Whenever Gotham City needs help, they light up the Bat-signal, and it points the way; it lets people know help is on the way; it lets everyone know that Batman is coming to the rescue.”

You might not think comic books could provide a talking point for confirmation class and the Holy Spirit. And believe me, I didn’t think so at first either. But this kid was right.

God the Father sends God the Son. God the Son lives and dies for the sins of the world. God the Son promises God the Holy Spirit. God, the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. God the Holy Spirit points us back to God the Son, who brings us back to God the Father. The Holy Spirit gives us Jesus. Works faith in our hearts. He calls us by the Gospel, gathers us in the Holy Christian Church, sanctifies us in Jesus, and enlightens us with all of God’s holy Gifts.

The Holy Spirit is sent and given to let you, and all the baptized know, that help is on the way in Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The Holy Spirit takes no days off, no breaks, no mid-day naps. His work is never done, yet is always being done in the Holy Christian church where we receive the forgiveness of sins. The Holy Spirit leads you to and gives you Jesus, who came to rescue, redeem, restore, and renew you.

And thankfully, unlike your favorite comic book heroes, the Holy Spirit is not a work of fiction or fantasy. However, he does mask himself and work through ordinary means: water, word, bread and wine, the Gospel, the Absolution, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. The Holy Spirit is no imaginary hero, but the very real third person of the Holy Trinity who lives and works to call you to faith in Jesus, point you to your Savior, give you faith in Jesus, keep you in the faith, and eternally fill you with Good News: help is indeed on the way in Christ who rescues you.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Creator Spirit, by whose aid The world’s foundations first were laid, Come visit every humble mind; Come pour Your joys on humankind; From sin and sorrow set us free; May we Your living temples be. (LSB 500:1)

April 29, 2026

Today's Reading: Leviticus 16:1-24

Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 16:1-24; Luke 10:1-22

“And Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the people of Israel, and all their transgressions, all their sins. And he shall put them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is in readiness.” (Leviticus 16:21)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The Day of Atonement in Leviticus sixteen is a tale of two goats. Both gathered at the tent of meeting. Both before the Lord. Both goats given by a gracious God to save his people and atone for all their iniquities.

One goat was for a sin offering. A sacrifice. A substitute. The innocent for the guilty. Clean for the unclean. A life for a life. Blood sprinkled on the mercy seat. Atonement made by the Holy One of Israel in the Holy of Holies to make his people holy. To cover all their transgressions.

The second goat was an offering as well—a living sacrifice. As Aaron laid his hands on this goat, he laid all the trespasses of the people upon it. All their sins. All their iniquities. This goat was sent packing away from the camp and into the wilderness. This goat, too, is a substitute. Sent away from God’s presence so his people would remain in his presence. Given to bear Israel’s sin so they would not have to.

But there’s more to this story. Two goats point to the One Lamb.

Like the first goat, Jesus, is our sin offering. A sacrifice. A substitute. He is the innocent one who dies for the guilty. He is the Clean One who washes away all the filth of our uncleanness. He gives his life for your life. His blood is sprinkled and shed and poured out on the altar of the cross and then into a chalice upon the mercy seat of the altar in your church.

And like the second goat, Jesus, went out into the wilderness. Jesus overcame Satan, where the Serpent overcame Adam and Eve. Jesus also bears the iniquities of the people, all people, on his head, as he goes outside the camp of Jerusalem. Into the wilderness of Golgotha, burdened and weighed down by all our trespasses, all our sins, all our iniquities. Jesus, the Lamb of God, is sent outside the city walls and is forsaken by God so that you and all who believe in him would remain in his presence. Jesus is given to bear our sin so we don’t have to.

This tale of two goats points us to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Where the paschal blood is poured, Death’s dread angel sheathes the sword; Israel’s hosts triumphant go through the wave that drowns the foe. Alleluia! (LSB 633:3)

April 28, 2026

Today's Reading: 1 Peter 2:11-20 or 1 John 3:1-3

Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 10:1-20; Leviticus 11:1-15:33; Luke 9:37-62

“For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground. For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.’” (Leviticus 11:44-45)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

In the story of the Scriptures, the word holy is like coffee shops in the Pacific Northwest or BBQ joints in Texas; you’ll find holiness on every corner of every street as you travel the highway of God’s Word. From God’s holy sabbath rest on the seventh day of creation, to the holy of holies in the tabernacle, to the angels crying out holy, holy, holy around the Lamb’s throne in Revelation, there’s God in his holiness.

God’s holiness is a matter of proximity. The dust and rocks around the burning bush were holy. Why? Not because Moses worked some magic in the wilderness. Yahweh was there. It was holy ground. The wood, fabric, furnishings, ark of the covenant, along with the whole tabernacle, were holy. Why? Not because of the handiwork of Israelite craftsmen or the hands of the sons of Aaron and Levi. Yahweh was there. And that meant everything in and around the tabernacle was holy. God places his holiness alongside people, places, and things, and they, too, by his grace and promise, become holy.

But there’s a problem. Before God, we are wholly unholy. God’s holiness is like Aslan in Narnia. God is good and holy, but he’s not safe. Apart from Christ, God’s holiness is not safe. So what does God do? God robes us in the holiness of Jesus crucified and risen. He declares you righteous and holy. In Christ, we receive God’s holiness in Jesus’ holy Gifts.

God does all of this in a way similar to the way he did for Israel of old. By blood and water and sacrifice. Jesus the High Priest is also God’s greatest and final offering for all our sins. On the cross, Jesus was defiled with all our uncleanness. On the cross, Jesus, who is wholly holy, became unholy for you, bore all our unholiness. And now he shares his holiness and holy Gifts with you.

It’s a matter of proximity. The holiness we lack, Jesus shares freely. From his holy cross, he brings you holy Gifts. His promise and presence in His Holy Word. A flood of forgiveness in Holy Baptism. Pardon and peace in Holy Absolution. His holy Body and Blood in Holy Communion. And where Jesus is, there is his holiness, and yours. For you have his promise: “You shall be holy, for I am holy. And you are holy in me.”

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Renew me, O eternal Light, And let my heart and soul be bright, Illumined with the light of grace That issues from Your holy face. (LSB 704:1)

April 27, 2026

Today's Reading: Isaiah 40:25-31

Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 9:1-24; Luke 9:18-36

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.” (Isaiah 40:28-29)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Nike tells you to “Just do it!” Your football coach says, “Winners never quit.” Motivational slogans can be helpful on the court, field, or soccer pitch. What works on the field, however, doesn’t always make the cut when it comes to the Christian faith. Life as a baptized saint doesn’t always look like it does for the heroes of an inspirational movie, and it’s rarely as smooth as a clever slogan on a motivational poster.

There are moments, days, weeks, months, and even years where you’re worn out, weak, and weary: Physically. Mentally. Spiritually. Times when you ache and groan from the hurts and pains of your own trespasses and from those who have trespassed against you. Times when you’re weary of scrolling through so much evil in the world that it’s overwhelming. Times when you grow faint, and it feels as if your faith is wavering, flickering like a birthday candle in a tornado.

Isaiah knew days like this. Yahweh called him to preach God’s warning and promise to His wayward people, Israel. But did they listen? Not nearly as often as they ignored God and His prophets. All those years of teaching, preaching, and proclaiming Yahweh’s warning and promises. No doubt there were plenty of days when Isaiah felt weary, faint, and sapped of strength in body, mind, and spirit.

But Isaiah had something, and you have something that those motivational posters and inspirational movies don’t have: Yahweh’s promise. “He does not grow faint or weary,” declares Isaiah. “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.” Isaiah knew that faith and trust in Yahweh wasn’t for winners, but for sinners, like Isaiah, Israel, and you and me.

To be sure, there will be days in this life that will still leave you feeling weary and faint. But take comfort in this, that when you are weak, weary, and faint, you’re in good company. You’re not alone.

Isaiah proclaimed the Good News that Yahweh delivers us, not by our might, but by his mercy. Not by our power but his promise. Not by our strength, but in the Savior Isaiah foretold. A Savior, who came not in an awesome display of power or athletic prowess, but in weakness, humility, and sacrifice. His name is Jesus. Immanuel. God with us, even in moments of weariness. His steadfast love for you never fails. Never quits. Never ends.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Creator of the stars of night, Thy people’s everlasting Light: O Christ, Redeemer, save us all And hear Thy servants when they call. (LSB 351:1)

April 26, 2026

Today's Reading: John 16:16-22

Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 8:1-13, 30-36; Luke 9:1-17

“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.” (John 16:20)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

It’s Thursday. The Passover is being celebrated. It’s a familiar day—an ancient festival. And yet, there’s something different about this day. This night. This Passover. Jesus teaches. Prays. Eats. Drinks. This is all familiar. But then Jesus does something new. He gives a New Covenant—a new testament—in his Body and Blood. Not only that, Jesus’ words seem to reflect the darkness of this night. Sorrow. Weeping. Lament. Jesus is going away.

What does this mean? They don’t know, but Jesus knows. Jesus looks at their scared, bewildered faces and knows the suffering that’s coming. He knows their fears, uncertainty, and sadness. He knows he is about to endure: jeers, whips, tearing flesh, blood dripping, anguish, pain, and agony. He knows the sorrow that will overwhelm them as they scatter with fear and denial, as the stone is rolled over Jesus’ tomb. “You will weep and lament and the world will rejoice.”

Jesus is speaking about his death and resurrection. A little while, they would see him no more. Crucified. Dead. Buried. But in a little while, they would see him again. Risen. Glorified. Appearing in the Upper Room. Good Friday sorrow gives way to Easter joy. Anguish gives way to cries of “He is risen!”

But Jesus’ words aren’t only for his disciples. Jesus speaks to you as well. As we live in the “little while” between Jesus’ death, resurrection, ascension, and his coming again on the Last Day, life is often full of sorrows, weeping, and lamentation. For you, the baptized Christian, sorrow is not an illusion – it’s real. Sometimes all too real. Sometimes it lasts days, weeks, years. Sometimes suffering doesn't go away with the dawn. Sometimes, time doesn’t heal all wounds.

In this life, sorrow, tears, and lament are real. But so is this: Christ’s Gift of joy that no amount of suffering or sorrow can rob you of. Christ’s dying and rising for you, bringing his suffering into the midst of yours, taking your suffering and sorrow upon himself, and giving you his crucified and risen joy.

So, until the day when Christ returns, when everything sad will come untrue, we live in Jesus’ promise: “You will have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us your Holy Spirit that when we hear the voice of our Shepherd we may know Him who calls us each by name and follow where He leads; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

April 25, 2026

Today's Reading: Mark 16:14-20

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 40:17-38; Leviticus 1:1-7:38; Luke 8:40-56

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

What a remarkable promise by Jesus here in Mark 16:16. Baptism saves. How can that be?

We’ll get to that in a moment. But first, let’s review. What makes a Baptism a Baptism? Answer: water and God’s Word. How much water? Jesus never says. Sprinkle? Sure. Immerse? If you want to. As long as you use water. No confetti. No rose petals. Water! Attached or hooked to the water is the all-authority-in-heaven-and-earth-Lord-Jesus’ mandate: “in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19. Not, “creator, redeemer and sanctifier.” Not “creator, liberator, and sustainer.” You are baptized when the water is applied with the divine mandate Word (“in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”).

What divine Gift does the Triune God give you in holy Baptism according to Matthew 28:19? It is the divine and saving name! And with His name, the Triune God gives Himself to the baptized. Promises to be God for her. Promises to act as God for her. So, to be baptized in the Triune name is to be baptized by the Triune God Himself.

Baptized in the divine and saving name of the Trinity, it is no surprise that the New Testament extols salvational benefits like Jesus does in Mark 16:16. Check out the following passages and note the benefits such as forgiveness and washing away of sin, Gift of the Holy Spirit, rebirth, justification, sanctification, etc.: Acts 2:38-39; 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 5:26; Galatians 3:27; Titus 3:5-7; John 3:3-5; 1 Peter 3:18-22. All those benefits flow from the divine and saving name given to the baptized. This is why the Large Catechism correctly taught: “This is the simplest way to put it: the power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism is that it saves.” Oh, in addition, let’s not forget that Peter declares that Baptism and all its salvific benefits are for “for you, and for your children and for all” (Acts 2:39)! And there’s more: the words “for you” require all hearts to believe. Peter wants you to take this Gift personally.

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved,” Jesus promises. Faith does not make a Baptism a Baptism. Faith receives what Baptism gives so that it may be beneficial for the baptized, as Jesus promises. Always use Jesus’ promise of Mark 16 against your sin, Satan, and guilty conscience by saying: “But I am baptized! And if I have been baptized, I have the promise that I shall be saved and have eternal life, both in soul and body,” (Large Catechism).

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

All who believe and are baptized Shall see the Lord’s salvation Baptized into the death of Christ They are a new creation Through Christ’s redemption they shall stand Among the glorious heav’nly band Of every tribe and nation (LSB 601:1)

April 24, 2026

Today's Reading: Introit for Easter 4 - Psalm 66:3, 5, 8-9; antiphon: Psalm 66:1-2

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 39:32-40:16; Luke 8:22-39

“Come and see what God has done.” (Psalm 66:5)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

King Hezekiah is the best king Judah had since David (2 Kings 18:1-3). Like David, he fights the Philistines. He expands Judah’s land and he restores true worship (spelled: F-A-I-T-H) by getting rid of the “high places” forbidden in Deuteronomy 12:10-14. He smashes the Asherah pillars and crushes the bronze serpent of Moses, to which Judah burned incense (2 Kings 18:4).

However, the mighty Assyrians under Sennacherib are on the move. Judah faces the same fate as the Northern Kingdom. In the “fourteenth year” of King Hezekiah (Isaiah 36:1 – a clue that suggests the events of Isaiah 36-39 are similar to Passover – see Leviticus 23:5), the Assyrians taunt the Jerusalemites by contending that they should not expect Hezekiah or the LORD to save them.

Why? Because no gods have been able to stand against Assyria! Sounds like Pharaoh, “Who is the LORD?” (Exodus 5:2). Hezekiah takes the derisive letter into the temple and spreads it before the LORD. He asks God to hear the Assyrian blasphemies Assyrians and defend Himself. “So now, O LORD our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O LORD, are God alone,” (2 Kings 19:19; also Isaiah 36:18-20; 37:1-10). The LORD humbles the gods of Assyria (Isaiah 37:21-29) just as He did with the gods of Egypt (Exodus 12:12). The “angel of death” passes through the Assyrian camp by night and slaughters 185,000 of them (Isaiah 37:36; cf. Exodus 12:23).

Isaiah 38 tells the story of Hezekiah’s illness and recovery. Hezekiah offers a psalm of thanksgiving (38:19-20). The “angel of death” slaughtered the Assyrians but passed over Hezekiah. In a sense, Judah has experienced a new Passover or a Passover 2.0 with the angel of death delivering her – this time from the Assyrians. No wonder Psalm 66, first written because of what we have just reviewed, exhorts the people of the Old Testament or any Christian to “come and see what God has done.” And to give “him glorious praise.” King Hezekiah sure did!

We pray this psalm in response to the greater exodus (Luke 9:31) that the LORD Jesus did for us and for our salvation when He suffered (including all the mockery), died, and rose on the third day. He crushed the enemy Satan’s head. He achieved and accomplished our salvation through the shedding of His blood from His crucified body. On the night when He was betrayed, during the context of a Passover meal, Jesus instituted His Supper, by which He gives us His crucified, risen, and ascended Body and Blood to eat and drink, with the promise that all our sins are forgiven (Matthew 26:26-28). Jesus is God FOR YOU! In the Lord’s Supper, “come and see what God has done for you” and gives you.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

LORD Jesus Christ. Thank you for saving me on the cross. I trust You. Amen.