Immanuel Voices

Acts 2:42-47; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10 Today we hear about Jesus as both our Shepherd and the door for us, the sheep. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who leads us to green pastures and still waters. And Jesus is the door, the gate by which we enter eternal life. As we follow Jesus, we know that He is always leading us toward righteousness—toward an eternity dwelling in the house of the Lord.

Acts 2:14a, 36-41; 1 Peter 1:17-25; Luke 24:13-35 Today we see Jesus appear to His disciples on the road to Emmaus. They say afterward that their hearts burned within them as Jesus opened up to them the Scriptures. In the Reading from Acts, those gathered on Pentecost are cut to the heart by Peter's words. And in the Epistle, Peter speaks of purified souls and hearts. It seems our hearts are being greatly affected by Christ. They are cut, burning, and purified by the Word of Christ.

Acts 5:29-42; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31 We gather today still in the glow of the most joyous and amazing celebration of Easter, the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, from the dead. The sights and sounds of that celebration linger in our memory, not as just a past event finished and forgotten, but as Peter calls it today, “a living hope,” as enduring and strong as the certainty of our living Lord and the promised future of our own resurrection. We return to continue the Easter celebration because in the afterglow of the days since Easter Sunday, many still do not know that hope. Like the absent apostle Thomas, we still face what seems to be a hopeless world. Today we remember that our only hope is built on a divine Savior whose crucifixion wounds were endured for us and for all. Indeed, we are to learn that every Sunday throughout the entire year is an Easter celebration as our living Lord draws us into His holy, life-giving wounds through His very same body and blood given us in Holy Communion. Thomas saw and believed. Peter rejoiced. Though we do not now see Him, “you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Peter 1:8), the only sure and living hope.

Acts 10:34-43; Colossians 3:1-4; Matthew 28:1-10 Death is our common enemy. But God has chosen to do battle with our enemy and has given to all the same victory won by Jesus Christ. The veil of death cast over all is now removed in Christ Jesus. Death and all its terror and power has been answered by the resurrection of Jesus once for all. We participate in this victory in the banquet our Lord has prepared, first in the Holy Communion of His crucified and risen flesh and blood, and then in the marriage feast of the Lamb, which has no end. Though for now we wait by faith for Him to bring to consummation all things, we wait as a people saved by His blood and marked for everlasting life. So let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation!

Deuteronomy 32:36-39; Philippians 2:5-11; John 12:20-43 Throughout most of Christianity, this day is referred to as Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion. This dual name indicates the two-fold emphasis to this observance. The service begins with the Liturgy of the Palms---commemorating Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. There He is greeted by worshipers who have strewn His pathway with palm branches and articles of clothing. Symbolically, the congregation processes into church holding palm branches to remind us of the honor and glory that is due the "One who comes in the name of the Lord." However, in Jerusalem that first Palm Sunday pageantry dramatically changed to persecution. So also the liturgy today moves from triumphant to penitential. As we hear Jesus foretell His Passion our joy is subdued, and eagerly we await the joyful pronouncements of Easter morning.

Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 8:1-11; John 11:17-27, 38-53 Each Sunday in Lent brings us closer to Holy Week and closer to the foot of the cross. In a sense, we are annual pilgrims traveling on the way of and to the cross. Each year is slightly different from the one that has come before on that cross way. According to the liturgical year in the Church, we are closer today to the death of Christ and His glorious resurrection than we were a week ago. And, according to our earthly lives, we are drawing closer to our own individual death and resurrection. Along this way, we intersect with the cross, which serves as a sign for our lives at all times. May we each be blessed in our pilgrimage!

Isaiah 42:14-21; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41 Some of the central people in the Gospel narratives we get to know by name; others we do not. Although the man born blind is a major person in John 9, we never learn what his name might be. We meet his parents and his neighbors and we meet the Pharisees to whom he tells the story of the miraculous restoration of his sight. Although we do not learn his name, Jesus said of the man born blind that the works of God were displayed in him. As the One brightening our lives with the light of salvation, Jesus brings a new vision to our lives—an eternal vision of life with God that never ends. God knows our names. He directs the cross currents of our daily lives. In His light we see light—and that is what matters!

Exodus 17:1-7; Romans 5:1-8; John 4:5-30, 39-42 One guideline consistently commended to hikers is the importance of bringing along sufficient water for the journey. It is important to be refreshed and revitalized along the way, wherever our paths may take us. As we gather for worship, our gracious God refreshes us here in this place where, as American hymnist Christopher Wordsworth beautifully phrased it, “Gospel-light is glowing With pure and radiant beams And living water flowing With soul-refreshing streams” (TLH 9:4). As we join in worship, our cups run over with that living water. Once again, we are renewed and satisfied and made ready to journey further in the name of the Lord.

Genesis 12:1-9; Romans 4:1–8, 13–17; John 3:1–17 The pages of the Bible are filled with some very human people. In the appointed Readings of the Sundays in Lent, we encounter several. In today's Old Testament Reading, we hear of Abraham, who followed the guidance of God faithfully to the land of promise. Yet in Genesis, we also read that when in a challenging situation in Egypt, he misrepresented his wife as his sister and profited from the deception. Nicodemus, to whom Jesus explained the Gospel in great detail, kept his association with the Lord a secret. Even at the time of the burial of Jesus after the crucifixion, Nicodemus labors with Joseph of Arimathea “secretly for fear of the Jews” (John 19:38). It is well that we are reminded as we confess in the Nicene Creed that “for us men and for our salvation” our Lord “was made man.” As imperfect and very human people, we are assured by the Spirit that we are loved by God, who knows us as we are, and that we truly are “precious in the sight of the LORD” in life and in death (Psalm 116:15).

Genesis 3:1-21; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11 Knowing the history of words can help make them meaningful for us. The word truth comes from the English word true, which comes from the Old English word treowe, which comes from the ancient Indo-European root word drew, which means “tree.” The concept behind the word is that, like a tree, the truth stands straight and firm. The image brings to mind the word of the psalmist in the very first psalm, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, . . . but his delight is in the law of the LORD. . . . He is like a tree planted by streams of water” (Psalm 1:1a, 2a, 3a). Underscoring the blessedness of being true like a tree, the psalmist states that “the LORD knows the way of the righteous” (Psalm 1:6a). In this Lenten season of repentance and reflection, we may well take to heart the advice of Paul to his co-worker Timothy, “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11). May we be trees of truth to the glory of God!

Isaiah 55:10-13; James 1:2-18; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 One of the more challenging petitions in the Lord's Prayer is “lead us not into temptation.” How are we to understand this? Where do temptations come from? How does God use them to draw us closer to Him? These are questions followers of Jesus have struggled with since He taught us this prayer. Let us take on the noble task of wrestling with this petition ourselves this morning.

Forgiveness is filled with questions. How often must I forgive? Is there a limit to the grace of forgiveness? What is the connection between God's forgiveness to me and my forgiveness to others? The answer to these questions lies in Christ. As our heavenly Father has forgiven us, so do we forgive one another in His name. This forgiveness is clearly and beautifully shown in the example of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers and then forgave them because of God's mercy.

Exodus 16:2-15; 1 Timothy 6:11-19; John 6:22-35 Bread, in one form or another, is a diet staple in most every culture. Though today we can be overwhelmed at the grocery store with countless types and styles, even in its simplest form, bread continues to sustain stomachs in a variety of ways. Bread, or the simplest form of manna, is what the Lord would use to sustain His people in the wilderness, and the image of bread is what He would use to help people understand the greater gift He came to give in His own Son. Yet, more than sustaining a diet for this body and life, Jesus, the bread of life, has come to serve us salvation, sustain our souls, and feed us with His forgiveness.

Isaiah 9:1-4; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-25 “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done.” When Jesus appeared on the scene of human history, His coming brought the kingdom of God with Him. Isaiah had prophesied a day would come filled with joy as at the harvest or when victors divide spoils. But daylight also reveals problems covered by darkness, like the divisions at the Church in Corinth, as Paul writes. Jesus' light not only reveals, but it also forgives, heals, and enlivens. People brought the sick and demon-possessed to our Lord, and the first four disciples jumped at the opportunity to follow Him. These were signs that the kingdom had finally arrived. What would it look like if His kingdom came as fully among us today? What are we asking when we pray “Thy kingdom come?”

Exodus 3:1-14; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; Luke 10:17-21 God's name is a holy, sacred thing. He shared it with Moses in the wilderness. Later, God swore by Him name to convince the people of Israel that He would keep His word. He has given His name to us that we might connect with and find joy in Him. Today we discover delight in God's holy name.

Isaiah 42:1-9; Romans 6:1-11; Matthew 3:13-17 When Jesus was coming up out of the baptismal waters, the voice of the Father proclaimed Him as His Son, in whom He delighted. Those words would be repeated on the Mount of Transfiguration, but with this order to the disciples: “Listen to Him!” Those two events “framed” Jesus' ministry of obedient service and His revelation of God's great love even before His sacrifice on the cross. Seeing Him, we learn what it means to be “alive to God in Christ Jesus,” as Paul urges in the Epistle. We are also “framed”—considered God's children through our Baptism. It is all grace, of course; we never achieve our Lord's righteousness, but are given it as a gift. Today we listen again to the Gospel, respond with prayer and praise, and are given grace to tell our friends what Christ has done for us all.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Romans 8:31-39; Luke 12:35-40 Do you have enough time? We never seem to have enough, do we? But as we consider God's Word this day, we realize that the time is now. God declares, “Again He appoints a certain day, ‘Today,' saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, ‘Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts' ” (Hebrews 4:7). We need to realize that God is not just the King of the universe but also the Lord of time. That is frightening in some ways. It means we should not put off repentance as we so often do. But it also provides such comfort; our times are in His hands. Today, as we stand on the edge of another year, we will consider time. Let us consider how all our times are in His hands.

Isaiah 7:10-17; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25 One of the pleasures of walking through medieval towns and cities in Europe is seeing the signs that hang above the doorways of various stores and craftwork locations. Without a word of written language, you can tell where the town's cobbler, blacksmith, baker, and glove maker have set up their shops. The signs indicate that the masters are at work in their various locations. For Christians, Advent is a time for looking to the signs of the presence of God as found in Word and Sacrament. There are signs around us right now! The cross over the altar or in front of church wordlessly attests to the fulfilling of the work by the Master of all creation through the coming of Jesus as the babe of Bethlehem, who would be our crucified and resurrected Lord. The candles on the Advent wreath burn brightly today! The signs of the season are all around us. 

Isaiah 35:1-10; James 5:7-11; Matthew 11:2-15 The prophet Isaiah encouraged his people by assuring them that God would bring about justice to His enemies. “Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you” (Isaiah 35:4). The heart of Isaiah's promise is that through His justice, God will save us. God alone knows what is appropriate for each situation and what each person truly deserves. And ultimately, Christ's coming will make all things right again.

Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12 In the opening verses of Revelation, the last book of the Bible, John greets the readers of his epistle in this singular way: “Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come” (Revelation 1:4). John is confident that God's grace is readily available for the readers of his letter who are scattered in many Christian gatherings across the area of Asia. And he is certain that the peace of God can reach to all of his readers in their very different and individual situations. The Advent season brings us the assurance that God's plan is still unfolding and that we continue to abide in His peace. In this season of busyness, we can be peaceful and peaceable people by God's grace!

Malachi 3:13-18; Colossians 1:13-20; Luke 23:27-43 There are many things that can define who we are: our relationships, our jobs, our language, our socioeconomic status, our location, or many others. Today, we focus on our identity in Jesus. Who are we because of Jesus? We will find that ultimately, we are not defined by what we do but by what Jesus does for us. Because of Jesus and His work and His ways, we are delivered and set free from sin and the assaults of Satan. You are a forgiven child of God!

Malachi 4:1-6; 2 Thessalonians 3:1–13; Luke 21:5–36 In today's Epistle, we hear a word from Paul calling on the Church in Thessalonica to live quiet lives, confident in God's faithfulness to them, for “the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3). It seems as though our lives are sometimes the opposite of quiet and confident. Life can be filled with noise and uncertainty. But confidence and quietness come to us as all of life does: as gifts from our heavenly Father. God grant this to all of us.

Revelations 7:9-17; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12 In our Confessions, we say that we remember the saints so we may give thanks for them and their witness, so we might be strengthened by their example, and so we might be moved to follow them as they followed Christ. This is not about hero worship, but it is about recognizing the faithful who went before us, who trusted in Christ, and who were received into His mercy. It is about being encouraged as we fight the good fight here and now. It is also about looking to the great reunion when finally all the faithful will be together forever in the marriage supper of the Lamb without end.

Revelation 14:6-7; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36 It is easy to underestimate the darkness of that time prior to the Reformation. It is just as easy to underestimate the darkness in our own day. On this day, we do not simply recall an event but the work of God recalling His Church to the eternal Gospel. We proclaim with clarity that justification by grace through faith is not some Lutheran quirk but is the message of Christ, affirmed by Paul and kept in trust by the Church down through the centuries as our greatest treasure. Just as the world long ago needed to hear the Church proclaim in an unwavering voice Jesus Christ and His payment for our sin, so does our world long for the true freedom bestowed by grace and grasped by faith.

Jeremiah 28:1-9; Philippians 3:4-14; Matthew 10:34-42 This is one of the hardest things Jesus ever said. It sounds like Jesus is saying that we cannot love anything but Him, or at least we cannot love anything as much as we love Him. Is Jesus really things demanding and insecure? Of course not. In order to understand what Jesus is saying we need a paradigm shift. Jesus is not setting up a new measuring stick, but a new way to look at the world. When you make this shift, Jesus' saying not only makes sense, but makes loving father and mother easier.

Galatians 5:16-25; John 16:4-15; Psalm 25:1-10 Pastor Eric explains how our story with God works. Sometimes God gives us choices where we can do whatever we want, but other times He has a specific plan for us. God has promised that our last chapter is sure, but what it looks like getting there is a partnership with the Holy Spirit.

Leviticus19:9-18; 1 John 3:11, 16-24; John 13:12-17, 31-35 One of the first questions a person asks when joining a new group is, "What are the rules?" We want to know how we should conduct ourselves toward others in the group. What are our responsibilities and obligations? The Pharisees salivated over this question. They had taken God's law in the Old Testament and formulated 613 rules for daily living. They had a rule for everything. They were very upset when Jesus disregarded their elaborate rule structure and offered His disciples a single rule by which to live. One rule to rule them all. Many churches today are fond of rules, too. They have a rule for everything. Real Christians, however, are still guided by Jesus' singular commandment. Today, we explore Jesus' one rule.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Acts 13:1-5; Luke 10:1-12; Luke 10:17-19 In a culture that is very individually focused, there still is a realization that success is far more likely when you work as a team. Everyone needs people on their side to encourage, protect, help and expand your life. Jesus does the same with His followers, sending them out two by two.

Deuteronomy 11:18-21, 26-28; Romans 3:21-28; Matthew 7:15-29 When looking for a house people consider many things. How many bedrooms and bathrooms does it have? Do you want a traditional or open floor plan? Many people fail to consider one of the most important things, what kind of foundation is it built on? The foundation supports and sustains everything else about the house. If it has a faulty foundation the whole structure will soon crumble. If it has a firm foundation, not only will it stand the tests of time, but you can renovate and improve everything else without fear. The same is true for the real Christian. If we build our lives and faith on the right foundation we will stand in the trials of life, and it is the reason God can renovate our lives into the magnificent temple He desires.

Deuteronomy 5:28-33; Galatians 5:16-26; Luke 5:17-32 What does it mean to be a real Christian? This week we look at what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Without question there are many who class to be Christian and never even think about asking Jesus to guide them. Jesus started his ministry not by getting peoples lives straight. Not by getting their theology correct. Not even by proving to people that he is God. Jesus simple called out, follow me!

Isaiah 7:1-2, 7–14; 1 John 4:7-16; John 1:1–14 (15–18) What does it mean to be a real Christian? The world paints many unhelpful caricatures of what it means to be a Christian. They say it is about blind faith and ignorance that lead to judgmentalism and bigotry. Sadly, the way many Christians behave affirms this belief. Real Christianity is about living with and serving Immanuel, the God who is with us, in us, and works through us. It is about loving the unlovable and forgiving the unforgivable because that is what God did for us in Jesus. Today, we begin a seven week exploration of who and what a real Christian is. Be prepared to be encouraged, uplifted, challenged and called to action. Let's begin living the life of a real Christian.

Judges 7:9-23; Ephesians 6:10-18; John 1:1-18 When you are at war, there is an overarching goal. A finish that you are striving to reach. A victory that brings peace and joy. The Christian battle that we fight is sometimes hard and exhausting. But the battle we fight keeps us on the road to victory for us and others.

Judges 7:1-8; Ephesians 3:14-21; Matthew 5:1-12 Will this work? Do we have enough helpers? Are we properly prepared? Have we forgotten anything? We often trust our evaluation of our situation and preparation. But when God calls us to walk by faith, we boldly follow without clear understanding.

Judges 6:33-40; Romans 15:14-21; John 4:46-54 The expression “to put out a fleece” is an old English expression meaning to ask God to do something to show that a thing to be His will. The expression comes from today's Old Testament lesson. Gideon, our reluctant hero, wants to make sure he is doing the right thing, so he asks the Lord to make a fleece wet one night and dry the next to ensure he is doing God's will. Many ask how this is reconciled with passages that command us not to put the Lord to the test? We will discuss the difference today and be encouraged to discover that God is not offended by our reluctance either.

Judges 6:25-31; Acts 12:1-17; Mark 6:1-6 How will people respond when we speak the truth of the Holy Bible? Will they argue? Will they laugh at you? Will they be offended? Will they put others against you? Or will they do the unexpected? How does your fear affect God's activity?

Judges 6:11-27; Galatians 1:11-24; John 7:1-13, 25-31 When people choose their champions or leaders we have a few categories we naturally look for. Are they strong, courageous, confident, and powerful? God chooses His champions and leaders by different metrics. God chooses people that surprise us, a senior citizen with a warrant for murder like Moses; the chief persecutor of the church like Paul; the least son of the smallest family of the least clan in all Israel like Gideon. As we meet God's chosen champion we will explore what God looks for and discover it is a whole lot more like you and me that we might be comfortable with.

Judges 6:1-10; Philippians 1:12-17; Luke 11:29-35 The story of Gideon begins in difficult times. The people have stopped following God and started following the ways of the nations around them. God, in His anger, sets His hand against them to discipline them with seven years of suffering at the hands of their enemies in Midian. It is in the midst of this suffering that we encounter a vision of the heart of God for His people. God will raise up a champion, albeit an unexpected one, and save them in a way that will clearly show both His power and His love. Through these events we will see how this is a smaller version of the story of how God rescued the whole world through another unexpected warrior a few centuries later. Today, we set the scene for Gideon's story, and see that his times might not be so different than ours today.

One of the greatest ways to have joy is to bring joy to others. How do we help others find Christ in the midst of struggles? How do we be a light of the peace, grace and joy of Jesus?

Habakkuk 3:13-19; Philippians 2:1-10; John 16:16-24 Joy. Joy. Joy. We talk about it all the time, and sometimes we miss being full of joy. Sometimes it is hard to be joyful. Sometimes we do the same things that used to make us joyful and they don't have the same impact. How do we reclaim the joy in our hearts?

Isaiah 9:2-7; Philippians 2:1-11; Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 When Jesus sent out His followers to proclaim the Word of His kingdom to all who would listen, He assured them: "The one who hears you hears Me" (Luke 10:16). Those who responded in faith knew that the kingdom of God had come near to them and their joy increased knowing they were truly members of the household of God. Although this sending of the 70 took place some 2,000 years ago, the same reality is ours today! Jesus continues to send out His workers in order that they may preach His Word, preside over His Meal, and welcome into the household of God all who trust in Him. We are listening to Jesus Himself as His kingdom comes near to us. What peace and joy can be ours when we trust that heaven's grace is ours to receive!

Genesis 18:10-15, 21:1-7; 1 Peter 1:3-12; John 15:9-17 One of the marks of the people of God is that they live with joy. Joy may or may not be found in our circumstances at any given moment, but because of the great love God has demonstrated for us through His Son, Jesus, we are filled with an inexpressible joy knowing that His promises are sure and our future in His kingdom is secure. Because of who we are in Christ, we can find joy in the most difficult of circumstances.

Genesis 4:1-15; 2 Timothy 4:1-18; Luke 18:9-17  “How can you be so sure?” That is the question we may find ourselves asking when we read the confidence expressed by Paul in today's Epistle: “There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:8); “The Lord stood by me and strengthened me. . . . I was rescued from the lion's mouth. . . . The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:17–18a). “Paul, how can you be so sure?” Today's service will help us to see that Paul's certainty was not based upon his strength of faith or his works of ministry; no, it was based solely on God's faithfulness to him in Jesus Christ, the Crucified! Through His Word and Spirit, God provides such confidence and certainty to us also as we gather in His presence and are received by Him as members of His heavenly kingdom. “To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (2 Timothy 4:18b).

Genesis 8:5-8; 2 Timothy 3; Luke 6:43-49 As we continue to go through the book of 2 Timothy, Paul clarifies what it means to be Christian. Those who follow Jesus are different from the world. People who are not filled with anger, selfishness and greed, but instead those who live the life that Jesus modeled and calls us to do.

Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; 2 Timothy 2:1-6; John 8:48-59 In the beginning, following the crown of creation formed in Adam, the Lord said, “It is not good that the man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18). By the Lord's continued creative work in making Eve, Adam would not be alone nor would humanity that followed even into a broken and sinful world. Yet even before the creation of the world and mankind, God Himself was not alone. In His eternal triune nature, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are and always have been. With thanksgiving, even as we come before Him today not alone but together, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit also join us together as one. Our Lord, Three in One, One in Three, comes to us through Word and Sacrament to unite us in faith given, promises fulfilled, and forgiveness assured.

Joel 2:28-32; 2 Timothy 1:1-18; Matthew 10:5-20 What transformed the 12 disciples from constant fear to incredible confidence? What changed the 12 disciples from personal weakness to unimaginable power? What adapted the 12 disciples from misguided judgment to AGAPA love? What grew the 12 disciples out of their foolish behavior to masterful self control? 

Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53 Where is the hope? We live in a world where people are hungering for hope amid climate disasters, viruses, and failures of institutions and trusted leaders. There is a void in the marketplace for hope, which many try to fill with the latest fad, a get-rich-quick scheme, or by trusting in human institutions run by fallen humanity. Ascension gives us real hope. It reminds us that God loves us so much He sent His one and only Son to redeem us through His crucifixion and resurrection. Following the resurrection, Jesus walked the earth for forty days before ascending to heaven while promising us that He is with us always—in His Word, His Sacraments, and among His people. Then He returned to the Father to be our advocate. That is our hope.

Acts 16:9-15; Revelation 21:9-14, 21-27; John 14:12-21 "Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, Mold me, Fill me, Use me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.”

Acts 11:1-18; Revelation 21:1-7; John 16:12-22 "A little while" says Jesus, and He will not be seen and then seen again - because He is going to the Father. Jesus is nothing but blunt with His disciples, telling them what will happen. But they do not want to hear it. They did not want to hear His words of suffering and death to come on the cross, and they missed His promise to rise again. Jesus knew their aching hearts were full and promised the Spirit to lead them into all truth. A little while and death will give way to life - for Jesus and also for His disciples. Because He goes to the Father, preparing the way, we also look forward to going to the Father. This hope sustains the weary through their trials in the mortal life. We belong forever to the Lord.

Acts 20:17-35; Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30 Happy Mother's Day! For most of us Mom has been a great blessing in our lives. Most of us, when they are little kids, grabbed hold of Mom in tears and fears. We also look to someone we know in times of need. How great is the Good Sheppard who's voice we know and who's face we trust!

Acts 9:1-22; John 21:1-19 In light of Christ's eternal victory, we should expect change in our daily living. For example, although they were called to be fishers of men, in today's Gospel, the disciples learned that they needed to listen to their Lord even when fishing for fish. Change for Peter would mean moving from regretting his past (where he denied his Lord) to feeding Christ's flock. And for Saul (Paul), Christ's eternal, living presence would mean changing from catching Christians to proclaiming Christ before Gentiles and kings. The heavenly host in the Reading from Revelation sing their eternal songs of praise to the Lamb on the throne. How might our risen Lord's eternal victory over sin and evil change us so that we echo their praises already here in time?

Acts 5:12-20; Revelation 1:4-18; John 20:19-31 He is Risen! But Jesus was not finished with his ministry on earth. We will be looking at the 40 days after the cross and resurrection. What was it that Jesus wanted his people to see, to know, to avoid and to do? Today we look at his first appearance to his disciples.