The prospect of standing in the presence of God can be a fearful thing. But the disciples, immersed in the awesome experience of Christ’s transfiguration, want to stay there. Jesus leads them back down to the valley and the realities of the Christian...

The world’s three great religions all claim to be “people of the book.” Christianity understands that we are people even beyond the book, for the Word of God is embodied in the person of God’s only-begotten Son, Jesus. And so we believe and teach and...

Martin Luther reminds us in the Small Catechism that our baptism into Christ indicates that our sinful nature “should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires.” We emerge each new day to live before God in...

The abundant life which Jesus has promised to all who believe in Him involves not only the lavish gifts from God which we receive daily, it also includes our giving freely of ourselves toward the needs of others. “O Christ, open our hearts to hear...

Today the forty days of Christmas come to an end and so we pause in the regular Epiphany season narrative (the visit of the Magi, Jesus’ baptism by John, the wedding at Cana, the calling of the first disciples, Jesus’ early ministry) for a flashback...

Jesus begins His public ministry by calling fishermen to leave their nets and follow Him. In Jesus the kingdom of God has come near to us. We who have walked in darkness have seen a great light. We see this light most profoundly in the cross—as God...

During this Epiphany season, we see the light of God which provides a clear vision for our life. God’s vision gives us an opportunity to help fulfill reaching the world with His grace and salvation. May God’s blessings be on you as you are being...

Baptism is always the beginning of a new story. It was for Jesus; it is for us. It should not surprise us that the Author of Life, in His great love for us, provides in water and His Word a gift, a divine means for renewing each day of our life as His...

Throughout the season of Epiphany the divine nature of Jesus is revealed in different ways. Today we see Him as a light shining in the darkness, a light prophesied from long ago. Through our baptism into Christ we are called to be children of that...

“In the fullness of time, God sent His Son to earth.” When the time was right, Jesus called His disciples and performed His miracles and signs. According to the divine plan, Christ was sacrificed on our behalf and rose again. Today we delve ever...